Tappin' Trees

I came across some pictures on my SD card that hadn't been uploaded.  I wanted to document my Dad in action with the kids.  I love his child-at-heart way of doing life.  I love the way he's passionate about random things like sledding down his hill in the snow, hunting for Costco's best watermelons and oranges, and boiling sap to make syrup.  My kids are lucky to have him.

3.11.19

Week 16

Monday, Apr. 15th

No picture.  Can't remember what we did but I'm sure it was school, Maddy home, and a major catch-your-breath kind of day.

Tuesday, Apr. 16th

Renna's 104 year old buddy at the nursing home passed away.  Mrs. Essick's sweet Aunt Florence, just 5 days shy of her 105th birthday.

Wednesday, Apr. 17th

Performance 3 of 5

 Picture-worthy haze this night.  It's a battle between us and the HVAC system.  Never know exactly what we're in for from night to night.  But this night, when the red curtain opened for Gethsemane, it looked amazing!

Thursday, Apr. 18th

This was 9am.  "Are we ready to go?"  Girl was ready for Passion!  I suggested maybe breakfast and school first.

Friday, Apr. 19th

Last show.

My pre-show rounds- making sure everything is as it should be and everyone is accounted for.

Behind the scenes Jesus-prep.  Maddy jumped in to help the nights we were short.  What a great team!

 Heart-melting: C4 holding one of the cutest, best kids in existence!

 Shelley and Maddy made a quick cameo in the Hosanna scene.  So fun!  See them?

An emotional moment: the Crucifixion scene on closing night and my sweet 15 year old and faithful Bruce on lights.

 Late night hangs...love these guys!

Saturday, Apr. 20th
This day we cut hair and dressed up and did church and then celebrated Maddy at Outback.  I'm going put all of Easter weekend in a separate post, so for now, here's Rocco's before and after:

Week 15

Monday, Apr. 8th

The kids and I spent a couple hours at the church helping put the kids' banquet table together.  I love involving the kids especially when they have fun doing it.  It makes serving fun!

 All the patterns, all the colors.

Tuesday, Apr. 9th

Two different gym members got new puppies within a week, so Renna has come with me a few mornings to play.  This one is a Bernese Mountain Dog and Nora will grow to 80-100 pounds.  The other one is a little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Groot will only be around 15 pounds.  They are both a hit around the gym these days. 

 Her jazz costume is ridiculous

Wednesday, Apr. 10th
Tori invited Renna to spend the night at the Tiny House.  Renna was beyond excited!

Thursday, Apr. 11th

One day, too soon, she will not want a doll to sleep with.

Friday, Apr. 12th
OPENING NIGHT!!!  Here's a little throwback...6 years ago with Aiden.

 Maddy flew home for Spring Break.  Love this shot of my happy, independent, jet-setting girl.

Thankful for an incredible, hard-working group of volunteers that work all day preparing food to feed our cast before the show.

Post-show silliness:

Saturday, Feb. 13
Maddy had some stuff to drop off at Plato's

We ventured out to New Milford to see James perform in Faith Church's Easter production.  He played Jesus.

Sunday, Apr. 14th

Rocco and Trevor both woke up with feeling and not feeling good.  They spent 3 days in bed sick, which is unheard of for my guys.  It's usually like a 6-hour thing.  Trevor missed performing in the Sunday show.

Love this shot of the girls on the shuttle on our way to performance #2.

Maddy's Big 18th

April 6th

Our sweet girl is officially an adult!  She turned 18 on a Saturday in California and while she was admittedly sad to not be home on her birthday, she was also overwhelmed by the outpouring of love.  

People were extremely intentional about showering her with love from afar, in a way I'm not sure would have been the same had she been home.  It was extremely moving and memorable and I'm so grateful for every person who texted, called, mailed cards, sent packages, delivered cupcakes, and so many sweet posts.  Here are just a few:

Classic James!

...and a myriad more!!!

A little group of her Launch friends sweetly and thoughtfully pulled together a *surprise* dinner at a local steak house.  Her heart was so filled by it and they had so much fun!

We Facetimed her as she was working through the pile of cards and boxes sent with love.  She'd saved them all to open on the actual day.

Happy birthday to my dream-chasin’, Cali-livin’, hard-workin’, high-leapin’, God-honorin’, kind, nurturing, wise-beyond-her-years, loyal, trustworthy, beautiful daughter. Maddy, you are a gift. My heart is crushed to not be with you today, but my heart bursts when I see all that He is doing in and through you. 
💕Happy 18th!!

When she was home a week later for her April break, we celebrated her at Outback after our Saturday night Easter service.

There are no words sufficiently to express our deep love for this precious treasure.  She is a gift and a delight.

What was your favorite gift you received throughout the year?  

My blue Air Force 1's

What's the last thing you were sad about?  Clippers game with Sage.

What makes you happy?  Renna.

Are you scared of anything?  Failure.

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Professional dancer.

Who's the last person you kissed?  

Wow.  I don't even know.  Probably Renna, I guess.

What does Dad do at work all day?  

He's in the Telecommunications business.

What is something you dislike about yourself?  

Perfectionism.  My inner thighs.

What is something you do well?  I'm a good communicator.

What is something that really bugs you?  Lack of respect.

What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas.

What makes you feel sad?  Disappointing people.

What is the best advice you've ever received?  

Your best is good enough.

What is your favorite day of the week?  Fridays.

What makes a happy family?  Kindness.

What makes a good friend?  Trust- loyalty, trustworthy

If you could be someone in history who would you be?  

Mary, Mother of Jesus.

What makes you laugh?  My real family and my fake family.

What do you think the world needs now?  

The world needs identity.

Which room is your favorite?  My living room at Gina's house.

What do you like to do?  

I really like going to church on Sundays and getting bagels after.

What's your favorite:

ice cream?  chocolate Blizzard with PB sauce and cookie dough on top   

thing to eat? homemade tacos or Chipotle  

thing to drink? water ~ candy? Pretzel M&M's  

movie? The Greatest Showman  ~  show?  Manifest or This Is Us  

color? baby blue  ~  snack? zucchini 

artist? Lauren Daigle  ~  song? Look Up Child and You Say  

What do you think of when I say these words:

Home: laughter ~ Love: genuine 

Bedtime: blankets ~  School: planner/ to do list 

Who are your best friends?  

Kelly, Autumn, Reese, James, Shelley, Kellie

Give me 3 words to describe yourself:  

Capable, steady, strong- physically and mentally

If I were 5, I would...  ...stretch and enjoy no responsibilities.  Ha!

If I were 40, I would...  ...be less of a perfectionist and more of an adventurer. 

I wish I never...  ...worried about the future.

I'm happiest when...  ...I'm with my fam.

What's your favorite memory from the past year?

Surprising you for Thanksgiving.  That's so hard to choose from!

What are your hopes and plans for this upcoming year? Get an agent, save some money, meet my future husband- you know, just the norm ;)