Week 48

Monday, Nov. 26th

I will treasure this in my heart for as long as I live!

 She spotted me!

Tuesday, Nov. 27th

Two days earlier, we'd been at the LeBlanc's watching the Patriots when a commercial for Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer came on.  Jules asked if Rocco had ever seen it as he sort of snickered about the old-school graphics and animation.  She insisted that he needed to see it and invited him over when it was on.  

The next day she sent me a text with the day and time of show.  When I told Rocco, he said, "I didn't really think she meant it."  My kids have many people in their lives that mention, "Hey, we should....." or "Would you like to [insert activity] sometime?"  But then the follow through isn't there.  I said to him, "Mrs. O'Bonk doesn't say things unless she means them.  She is intentional and filled with integrity and follows through on everything she says."  We talked about reputation and how you want others to trust what you say.  He was so delighted and felt so elite to be the only one invited and counted the hours til it was time to go over on Tuesday at 8:00.  It meant sooooo much to him.  She didn't make it for the double feature :)

In there Sit--Stay waiting for release.

Wednesday, Nov. 28th

Thursday, Nov. 29th

Friday, Nov. 30th
Love catching glimpses of my girl!

This is one amazing shot!  I feel strongly that Nike is missing an opportunity.  They should pick her up as their 'dancer' and break into that market with a line of clothing and shoes, acknowledging them for the athletes they are.

Saturday, Dec. 1st

That's healthy!

Sunday, Dec. 2nd
This day was jam-packed and involved multiple people pitching in to get everyone where they needed to be throughout the day.  It started bright and early taking Rocco down to his game in Middletown.  Then he and I went out to Katie and Trey's Irish step dancing program in Providence.  They were great on stage and the whole thing was fascinating and entertaining even though we could only stay until intermission because I then had to hustle home for the church Board Christmas party.  Nathanael and Trevor served all morning at church, Trevor and Renna had rehearsal all afternoon.  Jules even got dragged in and watched Nathanael, Manny, and Levi at her house for a bit!  Can't make it up, but so grateful for my village.

Saccuzzo's kept Renna for the morning.

Week 47

Monday, Nov. 19th
Renna did my hair.

Tuesday, Nov. 20th

Moe's with Maddy!  Yay for Mama being around for the week!

Wednesday, Nov. 21st

Gotta love when your friend stops by to pick up your kid for her son's birthday trip to jump off with 'just one special buddy' and your heart sinks because you completely forgot about the whole thing, planned weeks before.  Silver lining: we were home and it took Rocco 3.5 seconds to be ready.  Downside: shame and post-party gift delivery.

Thursday, Nov. 22nd
#grateful
Our day started with running the coldest Manchester Road Race on record.  Fifteen degrees at race time, but we were dressed for it, the sun was shining, and...tradition!  Even the naked Indians were there in just about nothing!

 I had been walking with a friend since September while our girls danced together.  Moving seemed more productive than sitting and watching, and she was trying to create new patterns in her lifestyle, so I suggested walking, which led to a bit of jogging, which led to me encouraging her to join me for the Road Race.  She ended up running (no walking breaks) the ENTIRE 4.748 miles and we did it in 55:15.  I believe this was the most athletic thing she has done in her life and I was so dang proud of her!

Then we spent Thanksgiving with just us 19 DiSalvatores.  Andrea and Jonathan did a beautiful job hosting.  Andrea's attention to detail is amazing!

 Had to say our goodbyes to this sweet (but old and sick) dude.  I may have cried.

We finished the incredible day over at the LeBlanc's saying hi to all of their extended family that has always welcomed us as an extension.

Friday, Nov. 23rd

Cousins joined us for the nursing home.

This special crew (by special I mean incredibly tight, kind, leaders, quick to volunteer, like-minded, Jesus-serving, great parents, generous, hilarious, and literally friends since their nursery days at church) got together several times during their break and it makes my heart burst!  This doesn't happen often in life, but it happened for them.

 Signs of life...and I'm glad that the 'crew' often ends up at our place.

Saturday, Nov. 24th
My first stab at homemade bagels were sooooo good!

Maddy and I enjoyed one last lunch together.  We went to B Good and noticed that their bread is from the town my brother lives in.

Sunday, Nov. 25th

Maddy left first thing.  It wasn't too terrible, knowing that she'd be back in 3 short weeks.  

Week 46, continued

Wednesday, Nov. 14th

Colombo and I sat by the fire and started working on place cards for my side of the family's Thanksgiving celebration.  He filled the bags, I did the rest.

Thursday, Nov. 15th

I had a vision of what I wanted for a centerpiece, but since America goes from Halloween straight to Christmas, I could not find anyone selling the pumpkins I needed.  My last phone call was to my friend.  She said I could come grab whatever I wanted; they just leave everything for the wildlife.  Plenty of choices, but still couldn't find what I needed, so I had to move to a disappointing Plan B.

Friday, Nov. 16th

Final products, the night before doing all the final touches.

Saturday, Nov. 17th

Keeping with tradition, my side of the family celebrated the Saturday before.  It's still chaotic when all the cousins gather, but they have truly gotten so easy.  No naps, no diapers, cutting grapes.  It's still loud, but we are at the point that the adults are able to linger around the table for hours with almost zero need to get up.

Just after we sat down to dinner, I got up to refill the gravy and in walks Maddy!!!!  I was SHOCKED and confused as you can hear in my high-pitched lunatic shriek.  Only she and Colombo knew.  Except for Kelly who got pulled into the secret the night before for the airport run.  We had her for 8 glorious days, including 2 sides of Thanksgiving and my birthday.

The 10-and-unders had fashioned some type of 'whack the neighbors snow bank' game with beach shovels and hockey sticks.  They were minding their own business having fun, so C4 and Nathanael jumped on the opportunity to attack and start a snowball fight.

It was a beautiful day filled with love and gratitude. 

After everyone had cleared out, we went across the street for a last minute mini-celebration Colombo had set up. We laughed our heads off!

Sunday, Nov. 18th
I had a wonderful birthday!  I mean, what's not to like about a weekend birthday and spending almost the entire day just the 8 of us.  All 8 of us!  We went to church and then grabbed lunch at Panera.  Then we went home and sat around the fire chatting and laughing.  It was slow, quiet, and wonderful. We eventually made it to Outback for dinner and the kids made me the most beautiful, funny, heart-warming cards filled with the most undeserved words.  I loved Renna's, "Thank you for making me part of your family" and Rocco's "Dear Amy".  But seriously all 6 were so touching.  They always think it's funny when they get me to cry.  It was a GOOD day.