Today I am most grateful for: the gift of time.
Today I am praying for the same list I pray for every day, which continues to grow. Especially on my heart this week (not in any order, and certainly not limited to):
~Graduates- praying for high school, college, and post-grad students who deserve all the pomp and circumstance. Praying for those who feel robbed of their reward and the ones who will sit helplessly watching others' get a wonderful "alternative" celebration/parade/virtual ceremony/video montages, while they get nothing.
~Pregnant and newly postpartum moms who are having babies during a pandemic- praying for peace instead of fear, praying for God to fill the voids of those who aren't getting the care and support they otherwise would have. Praying for the hurting hearts of grandparents and community who can't even meet and hold those new babies.
~Those sitting in miles-long lines for hours at food banks just to get a couple of bags of food. Praying that God would continue to use all of us to serve them and be generous and that soon, their sources of income and livelihood would be reestablished.
~Victims of domestic abuse stuck in lockdown with their abusers. Adults and children who are without their safe places and others checking in on them. No one to see the bruises, no one to report, no escape.
~Recovering addicts who have way too much time on their hands and are without the support and accountability that they need.
~The lonely and isolated. The days are so long for some.
~Hungry kids, lonely kids, neglected kids, kids struggling with distance learning, kids without family support or a safe place to be.
~Working parents trying to do it all. It's too much.
~Healthcare and frontline workers.
~Those who are angry that the government isn't doing enough. Those who are angry the government is doing too much.
~Business owners who are watching everything they've worked their entire lives for disintegrate before their eyes.
~Leaders- national, state, church- anyone whose shoulders are heavy with the weight they carry every day, the decisions they need to make, and the people they are responsible for.
~Farmers, truckers, grocery store employees and the myriad of delivery people and others that continue to serve us.
~Brides- praying for those whose dreams have been dashed and the most important day of their life has been stolen from them (for now).
~Single moms who are doing more than ever to compensate for their situation.
~Those going through treatments and other health challenges alone because their person can't be with them...and worst of all, those who are dying alone.
~Those who are forced to bury their loved ones with a "drive-by" funeral.
~Those experiencing unthinkable loss of any kind.
~Those walking through life and operating from a place of fear.
Monday, May 11th
No picture.
Tuesday, May 12th
Oh, happy day! ...and the cleanest the pool has ever been upon opening. More than ever, I'm so grateful for the pool this year. We plan on spending lots of time home, enjoying the yard this summer.
Filming something for something.
Lunch date with this stud.
Rocco's turn to do the pyramid.
Wednesday, May 13th
Maddy had to film an interview, so we all escaped the house for Chick-Fil-A for lunch at the boat house and a good romp in the park.
Thursday, May 14th
I was pulling weeds by the pool and saw my chance to throw a kid in (tradition!). My plan was to nab Renna but when I grabbed her arm, she screamed bloody murder. So I patiently waited for my next victim. Rocco came strolling by so I took the chance. As I wrestled him in, Trevor refused to be last, so they hit the water together- one pushed, one went willingly. A tie for this year. And sure enough, Renna- on her own- was not far behind.
A friend was digging through her old pictures and sent these gems of my Dad:
"Jesus Festival" Too many memories to share here right now.
That's Shaun on the left.
That's me on the right, either 8th or 9th grade.
The Wiles rented a house on Tybee Island in Georgia, quarantining in a beach house down there. They were gone a week and had a great time.
We made a quick video for Levi's birthday. Maddy was pretty proud of us for ONE TAKE!
Friday, May 15th
Glory! I think this is the earliest we've ever finished. Rocco still has some missing assignments to either "find" or redo, but we're calling it!
Saturday, May 16th
This day was supposed to be Andrea's big 40th birthday bash. Obviously that couldn't happen. She had always talked about running a marathon before 40 but life happens. So she came up with a fun way to still use the day: walk a marathon! She recruited a couple of friends, Kim and Tiff. Again- the gift of time- no one had anything else going for 8 hours on a Saturday.
We stopped at Karen and Colombo's at the 8 mile mark and the 18 mile mark. She sweetly provided waters, wipes, gel packs, and even a print out of CDC hand-washing guidelines! It was so nice to use the bathroom and a boost of encouragement to see them!
I have never had the desire to run a marathon. Maybe a half someday, but never 26.2. So I thought walking one sounded like the perfect compromise and a fun day spent celebrating in Annie's honor. Here a few of my takeaways:
~Blisters and chafing are a thing, even at a walking pace. I purposely wore my reliable sneakers (not my newest, but ones I could count on) and by mile 3 I was in trouble. I could feel blisters. I texted Colombo to bring a second pari to his parents so I could change. It provided some immediate relief but all day my feet were in pain. Actually, for that last 4 miles, I would on and off again jog just because it felt better to change it up on my feet.
~Even if you're in decent Crossfit shape, walking 26.2 miles is totally different. I knew my body would be tired, but I didn't expect the pain. My IT bands screamed the last 5-6 miles and of course my feet were horrible, but everything else was ok. When we finished, Maddy and I got in the car immediately (bad mistake to not stretch out!) and the 20 minute ride home was ideal for our bodies to completely seize up. We basically rolled out of the car. I was lame! Couldn't stand on my blistered feet. Couldn't move. Discouraging for sure, but since my 18 year old, pro-dancer daughter was in the hurt, I didn't feel so bad. I googled "is walking a marathon a good idea" and apparatly it is as long as you are careful about "these seven things". I was 1/7. Even if you're "in shape", it is possible to be "under-trained" to walk a marathon. I fully expected to be useless the next day but actually woke up feeling almost completely normal. Crossfitted Monday morning.
~Girls have no problem talking for 8 straight hours, but it did get notably quieter from mile 18-23.
~Having fans at the halfway mark with homemade signs, made-up cheers, big smiles, and water was a huge encouragement!
~Perfect weather is incredibly helpful! We scored a Top Ten New England spring day. So grateful for that.
~Jogging to the finish line with the Rocky theme blasting is completely satisfying and priceless.
I am so thankful Andrea included us, so thankful to share the memory with Maddy, and so glad to check that pseudo box on the bucket list.
Sunday, May 17th
Work in the "new" garden continues. Rocco is an A+ helper.
Ended the weekend with a fire! Rocco thought the "E" was cool.
One more blast from the past- Christmas 2013
