Project 365, Week 33

I've said this but truly it was the overriding factor to our days...the closing date on the house and the beginning of the academic year were a month apart. The house is large and the property is expansive. Those things meant there was just so much in such a short time. My photos (and a few I borrowed) are not at all comprehensive, but hopefully provide a sense of what the week looked like. 

August 11

The start to the new week felt anything but fresh, but we pressed on, knowing the only way to get through was through.

August 12

August 13

August 14

While B and I were out running some errands, we picked up a certain little boy who brought so much life, and energy and humor and distraction to our weary and exhausted, though determined workplace.

We took the three-minute drive over to the high school to watch Aiden play the season's first scrimmage. What a joy to watch him play.

August 15

I laughed as I let the dog out in the morning, the lawn had grown to a ridiculous state (it was only that bad in the back, where none of our neighbors can see). It represented what many parts of our lives looked like after nearly three weeks of living grossly imbalanced. But Shaun sent me an early morning picture of he and Aiden fishing, so we were close!

Working my pre-procedure blood draw around Depot trips, with a sleepy boy. (Quite possibly the last time his sandals were seen together...pretty sure one is at the bottom of the lake).

Another home was secured for B and this night she did a one-nighter there. It worked out perfect because I was able to swap out the sheets and wipe down the bathroom in preparation for our Sarah. 

After speaking at youth group she came over. Though we were exhausted, it was so heart-filling to be chatting with her at the kitchen counter as we've done a multitude of times over the years. 

August 16

On our way to the lake house for the day, Dakota and I were listening to tunes and a very special-to-me song came on. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty. There's nothing my God cannot do. 

This Saturday was full of people and projects and fun. Sarah L really wanted to cook for the crew and so she spent much of the afternoon in the kitchen, making wonderfulness. Grandma and Grandpa Tom came down to check things out and lend a helping hand and all the partners of the partnership were present.

Remarkably, we were just 23 days into the project. As room after room, project after project started to wrap up, we were feeling closer to the end and so desperately wanting to be done.

After dinner, we gathered for a partner meeting. The kids are all in business together! We're aware of the common knowledge rule that says 'don't do business with family' but over many decades Shaun and Nathan have proven that it can be possible and beneficial when you: don't keep score, really care about the other's best interest, have a long-term vision and use lots of grace. 

Shaun really desires that everyone understands (down to the little ones) the investment aspect, the partnership formation, taxes, passive income, appreciating assets, etc. He always talks about Great-Grandpa as well. The kids were engaged, answering questions and posing thoughtful ones, too. 

I love this man.

And then Nathan took charge of the fun.

Some had decided to spend the night at the house in the newly finished and furnished bedrooms.

August 17

When I returned in the morning, spirits were high and Alayna was making breakfast for everyone.

B and Dakota were so cute walking into church together. I was serving during the service but B still wanted to come with me. I gave them money for the cafe and she was very proud of her know-how, confident she could get Dakota checked in and to the right class. After a week of doing VBS there and several Sundays, she had gotten comfortable. 

On the way in, I had a quick passing conversation with one of the pastors, who briefly brought up an on-going conversation we've been having about raising participation in foster care among the people who attend our church. It wasn't until later that I realized, today, because of foster care, both B and Dakota were in a building where people could love on them, and they could hear about the greatest miracle of all, that their Creator loves them so much and wants a relationship with them. 

A full decade separates when we fostered Dakota's biological dad and when we fostered B. Its been full of adventure, trial and error, believing, fun, hard and messy. I thought of what Jesus said to his friend Peter when Peter, so limited by time and space, was trying to grasp what Jesus was doing: You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will fully understand it later.

During his flight training, Aiden took a picture of our lake from the sky!

When I got back to the house, I was surprised and elated to see Kelly and C4. They were our first guests who came just to hang out and it felt like such a milestone but also so natural.

Last thing of the day was to clear out the first floor for the hardwood floor re-finishers.