Week 39

Monday, Sept. 24th
I want to always remember these moments.

 These two celebrated 24 months on the 24th, which is also C4's number!

Tuesday, Sept. 25th

I love my mornings at Crossfit.  I love the workouts, the challenge, and the people!  We ran in that rain!

We got to watch sweet Grace for a few hours.  This is my Crossfit coach's daughter / Liam's sister.  It was so nice to have a baby in the house!

Imagine the DMV.  Imagine your worst experience there.  Imagine dealing with two DMV's in two different states at the same time.  Imagine HOURS of dealing with, the frustration that comes with that, and all of the banging your head against a wall.  Imagine multiple trips to register a car that is 3,000 miles away.  Imagine doing all of that with 3 kids in tow.

I cannot- CAN NOT- even begin to explain the crazy that got me to this point, but do you see those plates right there?  At this point, I was about to jump the counter, grab those suckers, and run!!!  Thankfully, they were mine.  Legitimately, or at least close enough and Maddy officially had a car to drive.  I lost a little hope in humanity, but HEY!  It wouldn't be the DMV otherwise!

Wednesday, Sept. 26th
See You At the Pole 2018.  Despite attending a religious school, and despite them encouraging their Crossroads youth friends that also attend the same school, all 3 of my kids have stood alone.  Unwavering, unafraid, unashamed.

Though a bit unconventional, Maddy still found a quiet spot to bough in reverent prayer.

 This kid's been my favorite sidekick for 40 years now!  We enjoyed a lovely breakfast two days after his big day.  He's totally worth celebrating, like times a million.  He's tender and quiet, funny and witty, so good, so steady and the picture of an attentive, caring, hard-working, lead-by-example, sacrificial father, husband, son, soldier, chaplain.

Our annual trip to the Big E.  A little different.  No C4, no Maddy- just another painful reminder of our family's changing season.  In fact, I didn't even get a family picture.  That was unintentional / sub-conscious, we still had a great day!  Being mid-week with threatening rain (but it didn't) we beat all the crowds.  The kids never waited in line for any ride.

 We spotted Drew with his marching band in the parade.

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 There's Renna- front row, arms up, fearless.  That's her in a nutshell!

I cannot tell you how full my heart is when I see posts like this on Maddy's account, along with the beautiful caption.

Thursday, Sept. 27th

No picture.

Friday, Sept. 28th

My only picture of the day- Renna is mastering her 'messy bun' by herself.  Also, I can tell from the picture we were at the nursing home.  I never take pictures when we're there because I can't photograph residents.

Maddy sent this to me late.  Aunt Janice and Uncle Dave (from Idaho) were attending my cousin's wedding an hour from Maddy the next day.  I love, love, love that they drove to her and made a visit happen.  They're good like that.

Saturday, Sept. 29th

Again, my only picture from the day!

Sunday, Sept. 30th

If you remember, two posts ago, I mentioned that some people- many people- in my circle have been more than kind and generous and extremely attentive to me.  Dawn had called me on Wednesday telling me to set Sunday aside for a Patriots game.  My very first NFL game!  She took care of everything; all I had to do was show up.  That girl has seen me through some stuff!  Anyone who stood by me through 1995 is a true friend!  

It was an early morning start to tailgate before a 1:00 game time.  It was a gorgeous 72 degree day and I had so.much.fun!

Week 38

Monday, Sept. 17th

Day 1 of The Launch for Maddy.  Day 1 of life without our Maddy / Mama on the east coast.

I checked out a second local Crossfit and then sat at a little cafe for several hours, first blogging, then eating lunch with Renee.

I wonder if people who live there ever get sick of palm trees and ocean views.

Rick, who had arrived home late the night before, took us to dinner.

Maddy quickly settled in at her new home away from home.  She's so happy to have kids!  Cameron is her 'little sister' (14) and Cole (who Maddy calls Colton) is 11.

Tuesday, Sept. 18th

Travel day for me.  A hard day.  The plane taking off, watching the buildings get smaller and smaller, and L.A. fading into the distance I just begged God, "Please be with her.  Please protect her.  Please let what we've done 'til now somehow be enough."

Thankful for Andrea, Pop and Kiki, and Kelly who all pitched in to help Colombo in my absence.

Wednesday, Sept. 19th

Home with my babies, sending Mama a good morning picture.

If you haven't read my last post yet, click here.  This, yet another example of a ridiculous display of unmerited love.  My cousin, Melody who shares a love for seltzer with me, had a sampler case delivered to my house with the sweetest of notes.  Cue all the tears!  Incredibly thoughtful.  These are the things I just cannot get over and the reason why I've resolved to do better!

Got a text from Kiki around 8p that Dad was being taken to the hospital for chest pains.  Not something to fool around with!!!  Lisa and I carpooled down to be with him.  After some meds he was feeling good enough to tell his jokes to the paramedics who transferred him to a larger facility for overnight observation.

Thankfully, after many tests, he was deemed to be in tip-top shape and a very healthy heart.  He was diagnosed with inflammation in the chest wall (Pleurisy) with symptoms resembling that of a heart attack!  He was released the next day and has been fine since.  Thank you, Jesus!

Thursday, Sept. 20th
Finding pictures (and videos) like this in my feed once in a while helps SO MUCH to curb my sadness.  Yes, I miss her, but here is evidence that she is where she needs to be!

Our morning picture to send to Mama.

Hard to see, but Renna curled up and fell asleep on Maddy's side of the bed, missing her like crazy, especially at bedtime.

Friday, Sept. 21st

Renna did my hair and was very proud of herself.  She wanted me to see.  Not bad!

One of Renna's favorite things in life!

Saturday, Sept. 22nd
Big day for the DiSalvatore's!
Rocco and his team left bright and early for CCC's first Junior Bible Quiz meet.  He loves it sooo much, he is strongly considering giving up hockey next year so he can fully commit to JBQ.

The team did a great job, some kids even leaving with top quizzer ribbons!  Way to go, Aiden!

Maddy ventured into LA for her first audition.  She and her roommate wanted to get the experience and just get one under their belts.  She was incredibly nervous!  At the start, there were about 120 people in the room.  She was THRILLED to get past round one when you either heard "stay" or "thank you for your time."  Then she made it past round 2.  Then 3 and 4 and 5!!!  She was one of 16 left and was asked to leave her resume and headshot!!!  She was ecstatic and it was a HUGE confidence booster.  Nothing actually came from it, but she crushed her first audition and felt good about it.

Kelly finally got her 18th birthday wish--skydiving.  The original date the weather didn't cooperate, so for the 2nd date, it turned into more of a group event.  C4 hesitantly joined in.

They spent most of the day waiting for winds to die down, but finally made it up.  His text was simple afterward, "I survived."  Haha!!  He said it was an incredible experience but a one-and-done for him.  Of course he'd randomly break into Tim McGraw's "I went skyyyydiving" for the next few days.

By far, Renna's most happy place in the house!  On her back with dogs all over her!

Sunday, Sept. 23rd
No picture from the day, so I'll include this one I missed from while I was in Cali.  Colombo took the littles to dinner.  And his new phone takes insane pictures!  Can't wait for my upgrade!

[Update]
I just realized I missed two pictures because they were filed under the wrong date.  We had a LOVELY evening at Lisa's celebrating Jay's 17th birthday with a murder mystery dinner, of course an equestrian theme!