How You Doing?

About 90% of the time, things around the house are going pretty well.  I would even say exceptionally well.  For the most part, everyone is getting along and has enough to do.  We are playing games together, having family movie night and joking around.  The kids will work on their homework for an hour or two each day.  The boys will lift weights and run.  Aubrey and I will work out together.  Brinley and I will go on a walk, or Park and I will go on a bike ride.  Brian comes home, and we hear about the outside world from the perspective of his work day.

So mostly, we have nothing to complain about.  However, that 10% when things are rough...it's the worst.  I am more grumpy and less patient than I should be.  Parker is more critical of everyone.  He is especially critical of Aubrey.  Brinley will avoid the family and take refuge in her studies. Tanner will bark complaints incessantly.  Brian is at work for 12 hours a day and comes home tired and ready for bed.  

I legitimately feel like this at least once every 2-3 days:

"I'm fine.  We are doing so well over here in the Gwilliam household." 

(HELP!) 

"We are having a great time during this quarantine....lots of family time." 

(PRAY FOR OUR SANITY PLEEEAAASE.)

"I saw you post that you were repainting your house.  I am tackling lots of projects around the house as well." 

(LIKE PERSONALLY EATING HALF A GALLON OF ICE CREAM EVERY TWO DAYS.)  

"Don't worry about us.  How are you guys doing?" 

(SAVE ME, PLEASE.)

We Got Egged!

We were sitting at our kitchen table doing a little puzzle when we saw the Bird's car pull up and the cutest cousins ever hop out.  

Char and Ella

They were busy, quick and sneaky.  If we hadn't been at our kitchen table, we wouldn't have spotted them.  However, I'm so glad we were able to watch them in action.  It brightened our day!

Look at Charlotte's determined face.  (Braddock is in the background. Hudson was up in the tree hiding eggs!)

As soon as they left, we ran out to search for the eggs.  Aubrey was a brave girl and cracked a confetti egg over Parker's head.

 After about four return retaliations, I think she was regretting her choice.

 Tanner grabbed a few and ran inside.  (Bryn and Bri were napping.)

Thanks Bird's for the Saturday love and excitement.  We miss you!

Heart Attack

Trying to find ways to reach out, serve and send love all at a distance...  

We decided to heart attack some family and a few friends.  

With ring door bells sending the alerts and everyone staying at home, we were caught about half of the time.   Can I just say, it was so nice to speak face to face to people we care about?!  (We spoke to them at a distance, of course.)

We thought we were home free at Kerry's house, but Holden popped out from the balcony.  We miss you Holden!!!

The Chris Vore's came out on the porch for a visit for a bit.  La has her new bird in that little box.

Grandpa took this picture of us from inside his house.  He has multiple cameras out front.  There is no sneaking up on him.

This has been mostly me and the girls, but Parker did come with me to heart attack one of his ministering families.  Their garage and front door were open, and we didn't get caught.  Victory!

The girls made an obstacle course for the Bird's while I put the vinyl on their window.  Brit sent the cutest pictures of the kiddos enjoying the challenge. 

I have a sweet friend from Japan who I also minister to.  She mentioned being a little weary about going out alone in public due to some discrimination towards Asians due to Covid-19 starting in China.  It broke my heart.  She is one of the kindest people I know, and I want her to feel safe and loved always.  We printed the symbols for hope and faith and then added them to a "you are loved" in English.  She sent me this picture and said she felt the love. :)  (We didn't even get caught at her house, but apparently she figured it out.  She didn't even ask me if it was us!)

The girls and I had a fun time stopping by a few places each day.  I hope our little project spread some hope, joy and love.

Teen Life

It's 12:08 a.m. and our house is rocking.  Such is the life with teens .

Aub is showering.  Brinley is on the phone laughing and talking with her friend Ashlyn.  Tanner just snuck into Parker's bathroom and doused him with a pitcher full of ice water. 

Crazy kids.  I am heading to bed.

Two days ago I woke up at 2:30 am to use the bathroom and noticed a few lights were left on in the other end of the house.  I stumbled out to flip them off.

However, the lights were not left on.  Tanner was still up reading, and Bryn was FaceTiming friends.

What's happening at your house?