Project 365, Week 24

The fun thing about this week is we officially finished out 11th, 10th and 7th grades. The school year was largely "routine", which we're grateful for, particularly after the last couple years.

June 13

Avery and Aiden had finished up the Friday before but Amanda had the morning at school for two finals. And then, we were done. They were exhausted from a weekend of friends camp so there was grumpiness. The traditional yay!-school's-over jumping picture felt disingenuous, but we all value tradition to some degree so here we have it. :)

Speaking of tradition, we had our monthly fondue night/celebrating the end of the school year, but that was somewhat unsuccessful as well. We're all a bunch of humans living in this house, and sometimes its messy. 

But! A garden hose + a toddler = squeals and giggles. :)

Aiden was ready to support the home team for the Celtics playoff game. 

June 14

Our friend Jason put the boys to work on the siding at the office, picking up where we left off last September.

Our neighbors hosted a pool party to welcome summer. As we walked back, Dakota and I played with our shadows. I so love the play and wonder of a 3-year old.

My four favorites out on the soccer field together. 

Still celebrating that school is out for the summer, with our traditional ice cream cones, even though we can no longer walk to DQ. Dakota was the only one who cooperated for a picture. When he heard his order included sprinkles he said Sprinkles?? Yes! with a fist pump. This kid!

June 15

We did a very brief photoshoot for his 4th birthday. We are utterly biased, but we think Dakota is one in a million. He has expanded our hearts and has taught us important things about life and love we didn't even know we didn't know.

On our way to Mid-Week.

June 16

June 17

Avery and Amanda both served at church, an overnighter to welcome the incoming 7th graders. Zero sleep happened for them at the sleepover, but they had fun.

June 18

Last two games of the season for Shaun and Aiden.

Also a last...our church's Saturday night service. Our attendance numbers are still way down post-Covid and there is much man-power necessary to make a service happen, so after 20 years they opted to take away Saturday night. Our family has designed our life around that service, so it'll be an adjustment. The church staff served dinner as a way of closure.

After, we went to Cabela's for a couple important purchases. :)

June 19

Nana and Grandpa John flew up from Florida to see our gang. This day, she along with Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Diane, hosted the Unbirthday party, to celebrate ALL the kids birthdays in one shot. 

I'm so grateful for how intentional she's always been about staying involved in our lives. It is a wonder to me how she stays current on the goings-on with both her grandkids and great-grandkids. For so many years she made it possible for our family to travel to Florida to visit her and she always found her way to CT a couple times a year. She's a dear friend and I'm grateful for our times together. We sat on this swing for a long while enjoying the sun and the goings on.

The whole crew on Shaun's side.

Father's Day is the day that happened to work for everyone's schedule, so Shaun's dad got to have all four of his kids together.

This guy....intentional, patient, endlessly selfless, hard-working, dependable. He's at his best with his family when no one is watching. I'm so grateful he's the father of my kids.

 

June's 10 on 10

10 pictures on the 10th day (Friday) of the month! 

{Document a snapshot of your life...find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!}

I'm such a believer in developing habits, specifically good habits. Small, repeatable actions that transform your life. Not immediately like a magic pill, but over time with daily faithfulness.

I love the brief rush of the kids getting up and out to school. The song You're Gonna Miss This sometimes plays in my head.

Most mornings Ginger and I take a walk. She sniffs and runs after rabbits and squirrels, I pray out loud.

I got to work getting photos loaded, culled and edited from the engagement the night before. So fun!!

Can't get over my view at the office. Most of my life I've enjoyed my job, partly because I've had good jobs and partly because of my attitude.

I picked up that sweet kid in the orange shirt on his last day of 7th grade.

Teen Bible Quiz practice....I love this crew who we get to hang out with weekly.

While the kids were at youth group, my favorite guy took me on a date and even let us get a table outside, even though it was a little warm. 

Normally he does pick up after, but I took this one so he could get home to the Celtics playoff game. I'm so thankful for this church that teaches truth and for the community we have there. Like all churches its not perfect, but there are some really good things happening there. Also, the days are light for so long right now!

Project 365, Week 23

So many fun and special activities this week.

June 6

When I picked Amanda up from her end-of-season celebration for tennis, I got to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the lake.

June 7

The morning was singing as Ginger and I were out walking.

It was Christmas in June for Aiden as his box of fishing gear arrived.

June 8

My home away from home.

The kids have so much fun at Mid-Week, youth group at our church's other campus.

June 9

Such a special night. My niece Maddy got engaged and her fiance was generous enough to include the family. The immediate family peeked in on the actual proposal and then extended family gathered to celebrate (good thing she said yes! ;)). It was a night of joy and love and family and looking around knowing we are so blessed.

My sister, the one I was a kid with just a bit ago is about to marry off a second child!!

June 10

I want to be more like a bumblebee...aware of and focused on my purpose.

June 11

It was time again for Backyard Kids Camp, a camp designed and run by the kids, for the kids. This time around they widened their circle and opened it up to more. The leaders changed, as they rotate each time. It is amazing to see months of planning and preparation come together. The only parental involvement is help with rides and food. SO impressed with this bunch and I love having them hanging at our house. We hosted Day One, and Day Two they were at Amy's house.

June 12

After church it was Day Two of camp. Shaun, his brothers and his dad went golfing to honor his grandfather's memory, since this is the month he passed away. He was an avid golfer so they did a round at "his" course. So special and none of them thought to take a photo. 

That left me, alone for all of the afternoon. What a delightful treat and I spent most of it in this very spot.