Project 365, Week 12

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month so I'm going to give my commercial: Screenings start at 45 years old. Don't put it off or make excuses...just get it done. It's very treatable when caught early but its also the second deadliest cancer because its usually detected in the later stages. Go get tested!

March 16

Summit is a special place.

March 17

We arrived to the office in our St. Patrick's Day green full of spirit and ready to conquer the day. However, a storm the night before had knocked out power, and/or internet too, to much of the town . Working with the backup wifi was not terribly functional so it turned into a frustrating day of spinning wheels and pivoting with clients. 

March 18

A trip to NY to meet with the Pain Management sect of my team. Both women are so kind and attentive and are anxious to help me without pushing things. Though I'm immensely tired of doctors and appointments, I'm thankful for Amy who keeps gently insisting that I pursue options to alleviate the pain and then she advocates for me. If you're in a foxhole, she's the one you want with you.

March 19

Every 24 hours we get a reminder that He makes all things new.

March 20

We carved out some minutes to enjoy a team lunch, compliments of our boss. Such a great team (just missing our two part-timers)! These people show up everyday and give their best. 

March 21

What a fun picture to get! At the end of his spring break, Trevor went to visit a school friend at his home then and Amanda, too. They were able to spend the day together and be what each other needed.

March 22

Cold and wet soccer game but Aiden had a clean sheet, with half a dozen highlight-worthy saves in the last 20 minutes.

We often get Sunday's with Jack and Avery and its so fun having them kicking around. We've been playing trivia together on the big screen.

Project 365, Week 11

Taxes and sleep. Sleep and taxes. Even though I wish it was less of both, its actually a good thing that both are happening in large quantities right now.

March 9

Sun and 70 for the first time in this year. Aiden dug the patio set out of the snow and shade and set it in the sunny parking lot so we could eat lunch out there. It was lovely.

March 11

Makes me happy to leave the kitchen clean before heading out for the day, though its about the only housework happening right now.

March 12

An Amanda sighting...they got to take class outside.

March 13

Ginger has recently befriended a stuffed Iron Man.

March 14

A long-time client, an 85-year old man brought me flowers when he came to sign. It made my day on an otherwise wild and crazzy Saturday.

March 15

I stopped to notice the pretty design the shadows made. Then I noticed the cobwebs. Isn't that how life is...we can train ourselves what to focus on, and choosing to be grateful doesn't deny the reality of the situation, it just changes our hearts.

 

Project 365, Week 10

We are in the thick of tax season and it takes out of me just about everything I have. After being at the office for ten hours I come home, grab a bite of food and am soundly sleeping by 8pm or earlier. But I'm in this strange new phase of life where no one needs me on a day-to-day basis so this works for a time (except for picture taking...😉)

March 2

No picture.

March 3

The morning scene outside my front door.

March 4

I spotted this girl's happy face!

March 5

The morning's ice made for lit-up trees.

March 6

No picture.

March 7

An hour earlier, Amanda and I had been talking about the very thing Pastor Sean talked in church, so I sent her a picture.

Saturday night service has been back for a few weeks and we're loving it! Avery and Jack are both serving in spots that suit them well and its amazing to watch. For instance...

March 8

Daylight Savings...we're so glad you're here!

Ginger can hear even the slightest movement coming from Aiden's room in the morning (he's the one who feeds her and takes her for a walk, so she's always anxious)

Aiden had a weekend tournament 1.5 hours away. Shaun took him Saturday evening, so I volunteered for the all-day Sunday. It was a comfortable temperature to be outside, despite what it looks like with the snow banks.

There was a couple-hours break in between games, so we had a lunch date. It was such a sweet day together. I will treasure it.

Our first "late" sunset of the spring was quite a show! I kept an eye on the limited view out my window and then Avery facetimed me with the stunning view from her place. It was a treat!

 

Project 365, Week 9

Snow and babies and taxes, oh my!

February 23

The forecasters were right...we woke up to a whole bunch of snow, and it was still going. It was piled up enough that we closed the office. It was actually a welcomed day of rest and getting some backlogged things done. Jack was at work, but the four of us got some game time in before the snow removal began.

February 24

I stepped outside for a few minutes, just to be outside. The sun is especially pleasant after a storm.

February 25

The social worker came to do our foster care license renewal. God, in his wisdom and humor, gave me a burden for foster care, even though I don't particularly like kids. 

14 years, 35 kids, blessings, tears, laughter, heart-break, lessons, perspective, love.

My girl, fresh off of happy news in her life. 

February 26

I get to work with my family every day, doing something I love. We happened to be in the same room all in black, gray and white, so I snapped a picture. :)

February 27

Avery and Jack grabbed the kids for the weekend, so they camped out at our house. Unlike me, they love, love kids and its beautiful to watch.

February 28

Our last TBQ Meet before districts. 

This kid. In the car, he was telling me all about his plans to build a treehouse. I thought, you are so much like your dad, though he hasn't seen him since he was an infant. I encouraged Dakota to fine-tune his plans while he waits for the snow to melt and spring to come and I was amazed at his imagination. 

With all the snow we had, it was surprising a field could be available, but apparently turf fields are plowable.

March 1

We enjoyed the last couple hours with the kids. (and then also the quiet when they had left ;))

Project 365, Week 8

February: winter's last bittersweet farewell song.

February 16

No picture

February 17

He did it! We have a new driver in the family!

February 18

Pop and Kiki were headed out on a vacation and they planned their travel time around stopping in to surprise Amanda and do the evening prayer service with her. She was SO happy! 

February 19

Tried the hot tub for some pain relief...a nice addition to the morning.

February 20

Exquisite sunrise that went through a variety of colors.

February 21

Aiden's car only made it up part way late the night before after going out with friends post-youth group.

As Assistant Campus Pastor, most of what Jack does is behind the scenes, but this night he did announcements/offering for the first time. He did so great!

February 22

Avery and Jack came to stay overnight, in anticipation of a big snow storm.

Project 365, Week 7

This week was made extra special by a quick trip to Middle-of-Nowhere, PA.

February 9

This is an almost daily scene right now.

February 10

Mornings.

February 11

For tax season, my desk was moved from the front of the building to the back and now I watch new growth on this plant each day.

February 12

Amanda's school was holding some special services and Avery had the idea to go as a surprise to Amanda. She invited me to go along!

We left very early, getting to Amanda's school at 9AM. Avery and I parked and talked through a couple options of how to find her on campus. Our hands were on the car door handles to get out when Avery spotted Amanda about to walk past our car. So we got out and shocked her and that tight-squeeze hug was absolutely worth the trip.

We sat with her while she ate breakfast and then went to the first service together. After, we left campus to get some lunch and hang out for the afternoon until the evening service. We met some new people, saw old friends, played games, laughed. It wasn't nearly enough time and it was just perfect. 

People ask me regularly how Amanda's doing. At Summit she's happy, she's flourishing, she is so vibrant and full of life. She's learning so much about God, herself, dealing with people. Though she wishes she had a 50-year plan laid out for her life, she's confident that God does and she tries to rest in that.

We stopped by her dorm room and I was not surprised to find her bed made and all her things in order. She likes things a certain way and I love that about her.

As I sat with my girls in the service I just kept thanking God...He redeems, he restores, he does miracles on the regular. What a God, what a God.

February 13

Amanda is on a sprawling 100-acre campus that's beautiful in every season. Summit is such a special place, its difficult to describe.

We joined her for a quick breakfast and the 10am service and then were on the road by noon to beat the evening traffic. I so appreciated getting the car time with Avery. This trip was quick and so heart-filling.

February 14

I bought Valentine's donuts for the office and that was the extent of the celebrations this year.

February 15

My nephew was playing in a warm, close-to-us hockey arena, so I got to watch him skate and was SO happy to catch up with Sarah.