Project 365, Week 25

The weather was right for being at the lake. The property has endless projects and care so we work some and play some. Its been a gift, for sure.

June 15

I almost missed the opportunity for a lunch date in favor of being practical, but I changed course and I'm so glad I did. Soon Amanda will be back in PA and these times won't be possible.

June 16

Load by load, shovel by shovel, bit by bit the work is getting done. Its been fun to work in the afternoon and then have dinner together out on the deck.

June 17

Jack's brother came over to film some drone footage and give some pointers on putting a promo video together to help spread the word that the house is available for rent.

June 18

We snagged Dakota to celebrate the end of the school year and his 8th birthday!

In preparation for the concrete to be poured in the pool area, this portion of the fence needed to be raised a few inches, which required digging out the concrete posts. Not the most fun but for a good cause and eventually there was a considerable amount of teamwork.

June 19

Summer fun.

June 20

Mason's graduation party was this evening. My friend Meg did a wonderful job pulling details, food and people together. Such a fun celebration!

One-handed volleyball while "resting" the pinkie.

These 13 years of school go by in a flash. I get choked up thinking about all the days these posters represent. 

Most of these boys have known each other since they were babies or very young. Up until recently (they all have their license now!) us parents have chauffeured them around to church many times a week, to each others houses, to meet at the park, etc. Over the years we've bought mountains of pizza, we've made cookies, we've cleaned smelly rooms. The sacrifice has not been small to ensure they grew up together, were in church together and fostered their relationships. It has not been perfect, but these boys have each other and no doubt that has played a significant role in their formation. I'm so grateful for this pack!

June 21

Happy Father's Day to one of the best. He loves them fiercely, he's involved and intentional.

When Avery was 6 weeks old I was getting teary about leaving her for five days of vacation. Shaun said, 'Lisa, she will be well cared for and will be a blessing to her grandparents who are watching her. We are raising adults!' Though, as a new mother it was jarring to hear at the time, I'm so thankful for that vision he cast and that we've returned to over and over. I love the adults we've raised!

I'm grateful for Shaun's love, wisdom, provision, diligence, heart. 

Aiden was pleased to be able to gift him the help of bringing Shaun's grandfather's workbench to the lake house, where it can be used by all those it belongs to. Shaun told Aiden and Jack stories surrounding the workbench and his grandfather and it was very fitting for this day.

Project 365, Week 24

It was a good week. I know because I see pictures of my kids. In this stage of life, I live for time with them, watching them grow as people and into the life God has called them to.

It was a hard week. I know because of photos I didn't post here (unrelated to my health). Life is hard, this is not new news. Hopefully its obvious, but I think its worth mentioning once in a while that I don't post everything here for the web. Often, some of the harder stuff, just gets shared with people I'm doing life with or sometimes, God alone. 

June 8

The light, the view.

June 9

Nathan and my kids moved the firepit and made a more permanent and safe structure.

And then they built some steps down to our beach, which first required burying a ginormous rock.

Aiden was invited to Mason's graduation ceremony. For days, he proudly carried the ticket in his wallet. Thankful for his good friends!

Shaun visited our apartment building and cut some roses to bring home to me. SO sweet!

June 10

Amanda was happy enough to accompany me to a nerve-block procedure. Before she left the prep room for the waiting room, she heard "epidural" and asked me about it later.

I had three natural childbirths, largely because I didn't want an epidural and all things associated with it. Ironically, I've had close to a dozen for cancer-related procedures and surgeries. 

After, we visited Wegmans for lunch.

June 11

Tacos on not-Tuesday with my beautiful girl, the patio to ourselves.

June 12

Surgery day for this brave boy. Interestingly, he's thankful that we are a "medical family". When he first said this to me prior to his shoulder surgery a couple years ago, I almost spewed my coffee. A "medical family"?? 

But we are and there's no quotes about it. And he takes comfort in knowing we speak hospitals, surgeries, etc fluently. He rests in the knowledge that we have learned we can go into those places strong and courageous because, in part, we are experienced; its familiar. God has shown Himself faithful in the past so we can choose to move forward despite feeling the fear. We've been here before and we are, in fact, a medical family.

Before...

...after.

June 13

The next day he was helping to move propane tanks around.

Sweetest little boy at church. :)

June 14

Our friend Grace had her graduation party. A whole pile of people gathered throughout the afternoon and I looked around, amazed by the beauty and importance of community. (And Lemvo snapped our pic :)