Project 365, Week 13

It was a full week of work, with not a whole lot left after. This is around the time when we know the end is getting close, but its not quite close enough.

March 24

My second wake/funeral in four days. One person I never met, one spent many hours at my house over a period of time. Though different stories and circumstances it was a poignant reminder that we all have just a short time to walk this earth. Statistically, 100% of us are terminal and will die soon. Those odds should compel us to consider eternity and what we believe happens after this vapor of a life.

March 25

Amanda's been very interested in my mother-of-the-bride dress hunt so I tried some on to get her take.

March 26

So grateful for the longer daylight and that fact that God made everything more beautiful than he needed to, I think just because he loves us.

March 27

These two have really teamed up to get the wedding planning done.

March 28

An email from the vet informed me that it was Ginger's 9th birthday. She's our third and best lab.

March 29

Makes me happy to have everyone in the same room, no doubt we were watching basketball.

March 30

We don't usually sit together (or even see each other) at church, but we did this day so Colombo snapped a picture, with our 15 year-olds towering over us.

During tax season, the cleaning crew does their work on Sundays.

Getting there...

Project 365, Week 12

Oh the miracle of ordinary, routine days. What a gift.

March 17

Green for St. Patrick's Day :)

March 18

We have a considerate office...no one took the last of the dozen donuts from 24 hours earlier.

I got to spend time talking with both my girls in the evening and it was heart-filling.

March 19

Pretty morning light... 

...and pretty evening light.

March 20

Taco Thursday date with my girl. I cherish our time together.

March 21

TBQ practice was part serious, part fun with our special guests for the evening. The boys were unsure at first but quickly figured out the buzzers.

March 22

TBQ - District Meet. There were a few less quizzers but it was a great day! So thankful for our faithful volunteers (especially the ones who worked storm duty the night before and had an hour of sleep).

Amy spent the year fine-tuning the District Coordinator position, hunting people and information down, setting up and tearing down, encouraging and championing.

My two nieces made up a team for this meet and they came in second, which they thought was funny because there were two teams, so they actually came in last, too.

This team is going on to Regionals in PA!

These kids have my heart.

To my dismay, Aiden's game ended in PKs.

March 23

While home on spring break, Trevor had it in his heart that he wanted to be baptized. On short notice, Trevor's immediate family, some friends and a bit of family gathered at the lake to witness this moment. It was very special and an honor to be there.

It was just a couple miles from our house so we gathered after with pizza and Amy's party-in-a-basket. It was simple and perfect.

 

March's 10 on 10

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

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

The bread that I feast on, the well that I draw from. 

My strength in the morning, my peace in the evening.

This is where you'll find me, leaning on my Beloved. 

I shelter in His mercy and in the shadow of His wings.

Aiden walks Ginger in the morning and then she takes up her post, watching for the school bus.

He never leaves the house without giving me a hug and an "I love you, Mom".

Lots and lots of hours at the office. I work with amazing people and I have the best job. I sit at the front desk in the waiting room and talk with people. People who feel like old friends, people I've never met before, people I connect with, people who are very different. I genuinely care and am curious. My secret goal is to not let them sit buried in their phone while they wait. I have a pretty high success rate. :)

My other job is to keep goodies stocked. It would shock you to know the gallons of tea and piles of candy we collectively consume in a tax season.

Avery made someone's idea a reality with this fun goal board. Takes a whole lot of work to move the chains, but somehow, we get there!

My friend sent this beauty! Thank you, crocuses for being brave enough to go first. You never fail to infuse our hope that the long winter will end once again.

Sweet, sweet couple. He takes her by the hand and leads her around as she shuffles. In conversation, he mentioned it's been over four years since she has known who he is. I was nearly undone by the love, patient, care. I wondered what is his source of strength, to be able to get up and face that day after day.

I am loved like this and it takes my breath away.

Its been nice to have the NCAA tournament to watch since I don't have much left in me after the work day.

I have made at least a pot of coffee every day, well over 12,000 pots.  

 

Avery's Bridal Shower

My eldest daughter, my sweet Avery May is getting married this spring! This day we got to shower her with love and hugs and gifts and blessings. And she did feel so loved and blessed...when she walked in, she was overcome with emotion. 

Amanda lead the planning committee and it was fun to see her vision come to life. It was girly and delicate with pink and pearls and flowers. The theme was "love is in bloom", flowers serving as both the decorations and the take-home favors.  

The boys worked hard on boy stuff all morning; securing loose chairs, moving furniture, hanging signs just right. Since it was a cold and blustery day and parking is limited on our steep driveway, they devised a valet system so the women would not have to walk in the freezing cold, carrying packages for a distance. It was super sweet how carefully they planned it out and then to see the sacrifice they made to be out in the elements much of the day, but both happy to be a part of Avery's day.

I didn't get a picture of them in action, but when I brought cookies out to the garage, their organized and effective system was on display. As you might imagine, the valet service was a big hit with the ladies!

Sarah spent the night, so work started bright and early in the kitchen.

In the early afternoon, more help arrived! Amanda and Sarah were good at giving people jobs.

The combined effort on the food made for a beautiful and delicious bounty!

Once most had arrived, Kelly gave instructions on the games she'd prepared and Amanda gave instructions on food and then prayed a beautiful blessing over Avery and all the women gathered.

Avery was just so beautiful and poised and grown up. My heart was bursting with pride as I watched her.

There were several young girls around and they were so excited to be together and to be involved in all things shower. It was so sweet!

As the day wound down, Jack showed up with a stunning bouquet. I love this moment Meg caught.

The boys got back on duty retrieving cars and getting people safely on their way.

Meg took many of these photos and when I put them all together, it made me miss our days of shooting weddings together. We were a great team and had so much fun!

In the evening, Jack and Jason made quick work of getting the furniture back where it belonged and then Avery and Jack slowly went through their gifts and we got to see everything, a lovely ending to a lovely day.

 I'm so grateful to everyone who helped make the day possible...what love! And so humbling to look around the room and see the faces of people who have been a part of Avery and Jack's young life, who are important to our family. Goodness, we're so blessed.