Project 365, Week 29

Summer, sweet summer. Family time and games and outdoor time. I am lapping up all the goodness there is, breathing in the moments right in front of me, wildly grateful for all of it.

July 17

Amy and I made a quick trip to Rochester, NY to visit our aunt, uncle and cousin. All of our lives, they  have been among our favorite people...consistent, supportive, involved. Growing up, they were the only family we had within a days drive.

We wanted to see them and see the house and have a couple of chill days to just be together. We got exactly that...sharing some delicious meals lingering around the table, taking slow walks, sitting together doing nothing but being with each other.

They bought a house just half a block from Lake Ontario in the sweetest little neighborhood, complete with a white picket fence. Aunt Bonnie's toils on the gardens have paid off and she's created a beautiful oasis in their yard.

July 18

Melody had some duties at school in the morning so we met her around lunch time and got a tour of her building and the campus. Its always cool to see "Dr." in front of her name.

After stopping for a lovely lunch we went home to condense vehicles and rest. Then we went to the beach at the lake, which really is more like an ocean in its vast size. We walked down the long pier to the lighthouse, a little over a mile round trip. We watched boats coming in and out, fisherman catching fish  and others who were not. The weather was magnificent.

Back at the house, we enjoyed the backyard until the bugs sent us in and then ate the meal Melody had prepared. For two days we were fed, served, loved on and spoiled. We came home with full hearts.

July 19

We stayed long enough for one last walk along the water and caught a beautiful sunrise, then with full hearts, we drove home.

Back at home, I noted what a gift it was to witness the rising and the setting sun in one day. 

Amanda's summer league game was under the lights on the turf field.

July 20

I picked Aiden up from the captain's practice at 9 PM. After a 2-hour practice, the whole team ran laps together...with no coach there.

July 21

My cousin, who lives in Washington state, was in town with her family for a few days. To get everyone together, my dad planned a slip-n-slide event, just like the old days. But forecasted for that exact time was severe thunder storms, so we pivoted and did dinner at my house instead.

I wish we'd gotten a picture together, but we did share several hours chatting and catching up. My dad was one of seven and, as it happened, the only one to move away to the east coast, leaving a multitude of family in the west who, because of distance, we didn't get to see often. But family is family and there is an undeniable connection when we are together. My dad is really great about staying connected to everyone and visiting regularly and I know they love us and pray for us from afar.

July 22

Avery was working and the boys were helping Uncle Nathan put a roof on his barn, so Amanda and I had a lunch date on a perfect summer afternoon. 

July 23

After church, Shaun and I waved to our girls as they drove themselves to kids camp, where they were leaders. The years have flown by from that first time we were sending them to camp as 7/8 year olds. I'm amazed at the young women they are.

Speaking of the years flying by, we watched the youth pastor's kids for the afternoon. I filled up a bucket of water and we spent the time outside. I miss the days when they would spend hours in the kiddie pool or sprinkler, living their best lives.

Aiden's team was getting shutout by a bunch so Aiden got to play in goal the last five minutes of the game. It was a ton of pressure in a bad spot. Being the freshman will have its challenges, for sure.