Project 365, Week 50

This week was tough. The weekend prior there was a "thing" with a kid and we were all dealing with hurt and frustration. In happy news, five of the seven days was for the show, which went really well! We all enjoyed being a part of it and serving together.

December 9

Sweet boys.

Avery had a soccer banquet at school...I stayed home to babysit teens and toddlers alike.

December 10
Aiden loves this story and the message.

December 11
Snow day, which meant we had laborers. :)

Bathroom antics with four teens getting ready for the last dress rehearsal.

December 12
Someone sweetly took the time to do this for every single cast member for opening night.

December 13

Show 2 of 3.

December 14
We were triple-booked this night, but we were spent from the week of the show and from family drama, so we ended up just staying home, doing the hot tub and watching a Christmas movie together. It was just right.

December 15
A long story, but I ended up at church with no car keys. So I got to see Amanda served in kids church and hang out in the church cafe with a variety of people over the course of hours.

Maddy was back from CA for Christmas break!

 

December's 10 on 10

10 pictures on the 10th day of the month (Tuesday). {Document a snapshot 

of your life; find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!}

The quiet of the morning is made all the more peaceful with the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree.

I never know what I'm walking into when I go read and pray with Amanda. Sometimes its nice, sometimes its scary.

My sweet boy has lots of words when we can get alone.

We were babysitting for an overnight and once all the school kids were gone, the toddlers got up. I pulled out a trick I used to use when my kids were little and I worked from home. Sesame Street over breakfast to buy me some time. :)

There are pluses and minuses to every age. At this age the kids are good buddies, always with you. You can be silly and also teach them so much. They are strapped in the cart so they can't pull mystery items off the shelf and into the cart. But they also can't help load the belt or the bags or the car.

G wasn't too sure at first but I assured him his muscled were big like superman's and he could help carry groceries in.

Once the kids were down for naps, Shaun came home so I could go to the office.

Later, the school kids got home and everyone was happy about it, except that they had to say goodbye and send them home.

Then we were off to church for dress rehearsal...the three kids were on stage, Shaun was in the sound booth and I was taking pictures.

I left early to pick up a kid from work. And waited and waited and tried to think loving, sacrificial thoughts about it even though this same child was not happy with us at the time. I try love like Jesus did but He was really good at it and I...have room for improvement.

Project 365, Week 49

Welcome December, the most wonderful time of the year!!

December 2

My brother, sister and I, along with a small sampling of our children met up at a coffee shop to wish our dad a happy birthday.

December 3
Snow day! I love that they still enjoy getting out first thing to go sledding.

December 4
Pacing around the living room, studying. :)

December 5
Amanda's middle school held a career day. I spoke for four 20-minute sessions, briefly relaying my life's journey from 8th grade to this point. Amanda picked out my clothes and instructed me to curl my hair. :)

As I went through photos and memories to put my presentation together, it was impossible to not recognize God's faithfulness and  guidance.  I've made so many mistakes and have gotten it wrong so many times, but pulling back and seeing the bigger picture, these verses in Proverbs 3 came to mind:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

December 6

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
― Mother Theresa

December 7
The kids were here, there and everywhere after rehearsal. Aiden was with cousins and got to row for a cause. :)

December 8
This was the beginning of a rough patch with J. There is a cost to loving, for sure. I got to watch Amanda lead the singing in kids church...Christmas songs!

Project 365, Week 48

Thanksgiving is one of the tops for me...I love sliding into the holiday season!

November 25

We stepped out to a glorious morning!

Project leaf cleanup. The kids were so excited! :)

November 26
The next day was the front yard.

I love catching glimpses of the girls being friends...I hope they become inseparable in high school like my sister and I did. Lifelong friends!

Ummmmm...Aiden is almost always pacing or otherwise on the move when we study JBQ questions. Apparently that's how he does his best thinking. Makes me laugh!

November 27

Happy 13th Birthday to Amanda...a gift from the beginning.

The kids had a half day, which worked out nicely. I had a ton of prep to do for Thanksgiving the next day, so Shaun took Amanda and Avery and two friends to see Frozen 2, at her request.

It was an evening at home as family gathered.

November 28
Our First Annual Thanksgiving Day Family (and friends and neighbors) Fun Run. The course was one loop around the neighborhood, a little less than one mile. Costumes welcome.

At the start line we sang the national anthem with the neighbor's American flag and then the runners were off!

Fans braved the cold wind.

We coordinated by accident. 

November 29
This might have been my first-ever, at least in a very long time, Black Friday outing. The holes in our furniture fabric grow weekly and its really time to find the replacements. The girls came to help be moral support and decorating advisors.

Funny!

When we got back, there was a poker game in full swing!

And then we hung the tinsel and the lights. :)

And Shaun helped Amanda "fluff". :)

November 30
Phase II.

We spent the afternoon at Sarah and Tony's, enjoying the house they just remodeled and moved into.
It was nice and relaxing. All the adults sat around the living room and talked and laughed...it was lovely.

December 1
It started snowing and the snow pants and sleds were out in a flash!