April's 10 on 10

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

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

We've taken a break from Old Testament and are reading through the Gospel of John. It was so good to hear/read the familiar verses and chapters of this book.

The sun was warm and glowy for our walk.

Microsoft had a pretty screen saver at work.

The phone was relentlessly ringing all day. Talking and smiling despite the chemo mouth sores that made it uncomfortable.

I ducked into Shaun's office for a few minutes to meet with my oncologist. Nothing terribly note-worthy...the usual I'm "a unique case" and she is admittedly guessing at my best treatment strategy.

On Wednesdays, this little lady has a college class at 8 AM, then she prepares tax returns at the office until 3 PM when she throws on an apron and waitresses until 9 or 10 PM. I wish she wasn't pushing so hard, but we love having her at the office with us.

We had a brief early afternoon "lull". The boys had time to wolf down some food and step outside for five minutes. These guys work hard, support each other, joke around, care deeply and are just quality men. Its a gift to be able to work alongside them. 

Special delivery from our tax boss. Whether it was a thank-you or bribery to finish out the last few days, it was happily received and promptly eaten.

At last, the candle is blown out.

 

Project 365, Week 15

I'm working on catching up on life in general, this blog included. So sweet of a long-time blogger friend to comment that they miss me in this space. I'm afraid there's not much to this week, other than gritting out the last days of tax season. 

April 8

This Monday was a blur of insanity. A full 30 minutes before the office's posted opening time, the phone calls and drop offs were coming in faster than I could handle. And the level of franticness and disorganization (and even general crankiness about our government's taxation system) of our clients was at an all-time high. I didn't mean to, but the entire day a refrain from a country song kept going through my head...God is great, beer is good and people are CRaZy.

In the midst of things happening in all directions, a friend stopped in with a bag of surprises for me and cookies for the whole office. It was such a kindness and blessed all of us. 

NCAA Tournament final. I cared about the game, but my body demanded sleep so I found out in the morning....

April 9

...UCONN won!! And without any discussion or planning, Shaun and I showed our team spirit at the office the next day.

April 10

View from my temporary office.

April 11

If I'm at all physically able to walk any distance, then I make it a point to get out in the morning. Its such life-giving time for me, even if its just 15 minutes. What an added delight to see signs of spring.

April 12

Other signs of spring, I guess you could say. A dumped over planter and muddy soccer cleats.

April 13

I brought Amanda to work early in the morning and was amazed at the vibrant shades of yellow.

Such thoughtfulness from another friend, celebrating the almost end.

April 14

My youngest sister lives in Texas and doesn't make it up very often, but on short notice she came up with a couple of her girls. Amanda, Aiden, Rocco and I met up with them and also my brother and his gang. It was a quick visit but still good to have everyone together. The girls are super sweet and loved being with their cousins.

I've been the oldest always and the shortest for most of the time, but I think I'm shrinking!

 

Project 365, Week 14

April is so, so hard and April is wonderful! For our family it means the final push of tax season and also the end and moving on of it. 

April 1

The calendar turned and I hadn't filled in the month with birthdays and appointments and practices. I was surprised that more than one kid commented. For all their life, I've posted a color-coded family calendar in the kitchen. Many foster kids articulated the comfort it brought them, knowing there was a known plan and a routine, which I thought was interesting. Its actually the things.

April 2

Awesome sister, stupid treatment. We took a break for the two procedures and I used all my powers to stretch out the break but I could hold them back no longer. Number 36.

April 3

No picture, but this one popped up a couple days earlier. Sweetness!

April 4

My view didn't change much. It was nice to have Easter flowers still around.

April 5

Aiden said, Mom did you see we're reading Hannah's story today? Aiden's middle name Samuel comes from this chapter. :)

"I asked the Lord to give me this child, and he has granted my request. 

Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.”

April 6

This girl has been working so hard, trying to balance all the things. She stopped by the office to work on some tax returns after waitressing all day. Because of changes that were made mid-season, we are often short on workstations. This evening she used her dad's computer for a bit.

Last game of the indoor season and Aiden considered it a big game because his indoor team was playing against a team made up of his high school teammates. Check out that goalie in the air making a save.

April 7

On Sundays the office is closed so the kids go over to take out garbages and clean and work on projects. It's a very important and underrated job.

 

Project 365, Week 13

The office continues to be a stretching experience, with personnel things and the amount of hours and work.  Easter Sunday was such a special time of pausing!

March 25

My trip down for my MRI was smooth, not so much on the way back.

March 26

Avery suggested we do a Taco Tuesday date and I jumped at the invitation. I'm so proud of the way she's navigating growing-up things.

March 27

Aiden has started to ride to school with Amanda, which means he can walk the dog with me in the morning, rain or shine.

March 28

I'm not sure what's happening with this picture. I know we were gathered in the same room doing homework/watching basketball.

March 29

One of my jobs is to harass reach out to people and practically beg them to sign their tax return so they can get their $10k refund.

March 30

There was a little time and daylight in between the office and Aiden's soccer game, so Shaun and Aiden, the only ones home, hit the yard in preparation for the following day. It was so far from where I wanted it, but a motto we sometimes use, not as an excuse, but a fact of our circumstances is we're doing the best that we can.

March 31

Easter Sunday! He is risen!!

We arrived early, without fighting, sat together, dressed nicely, in our church we're so grateful for, worshipping the risen King!  MY HEART!!

Avery went to the other campus with Jack and Shaun drove shuttle, but Amanda and Aiden came home and were willing helpers, getting the last things done. Then slowly the family, in total about 50, started to gather on a lovely spring day. 

Everyone contributed lots of food. The ladies setup, refilled, cleaned up so that I could sit and talk and chase people around with my camera. 

There was love and laughter and candy and football. Theological talks and basketball on tv. There was a baby and toddler and puppy who all got passed around. There were cousins who are friends. There was sunshine and there were so many carbs. It was a wonderful, heart-filling day.

These '06ers will be graduating in s short time from now!

Amy setup a game for the bigger kids. It involved competition and enthusiasm and running until they were out of breath. Also, candy and prizes.