Precious Friends and Family,
I love this annual opportunity to pause and reflect on the past year; to bask in the goodness and faithfulness of God, and to remember all that He has done for us in the last twelve months. We pray this letter finds you well. Here is a quick snapshot of our family and an update on the kids.
Colombo (C4) will be 21 next month. He’s a junior at UConn, studying business. He still lives at home and commutes to the Hartford campus. He’s playing for UConn’s Club hockey team. After three years, he gave up his DQ job and is now working for a wealth managemnt firm. He and Kelly have now been dating for three years. He is a leader in the youth group, often plays the drums for youth worship, and faithfully follows his New Jersey Devils. He just bought himself a new (used) car. He is quiet, loyal, responsible, and witty.
Maddy is 18 and graduated from Liberty University Online Academy back in May. We had a wonderful family trip down to Virginia for her commencement. She returned to Brea, California for her 2nd year at an elite dance program, The Launch. She regularly attends auditions for various opportunites and networks within the industry as much as she can. She worked her first professional gig in August, spending a weekend in Baltimore dancing with Legends in Concert. She’s a light where she is and no doubt will continue to impact those around her. She’ll be home for a month for the holidays. She also bought herself a new (used) car in September. She is mature, wise, generous, and caring.
Nathanael, 16, is the tallest in the family now measuring over 6 feet. He is a junior at East Catholic and just got his driver’s permit…and is shopping around for a new (used) car :) He’s on both the school hockey and golf team. Nathanael serves every single weekend on either the lighting or camera team at church. He also runs the light board for our productions. He’s quick to volunteer in any way needed. He’s excited to get his braces off before the new year! He is laid back, athletic, selfless, and thoughtful.
Trevor, 13, is in the 8th grade, his last year at home. He’s a diligent student and his favorite subject is Spanish. He decided to not return to dance this year and is working to figure out his new interests. He just started an indoor flag football league from December to February. He also serves at youth group and sometimes assists the youth pastor in random jobs and errands throughout the week. Every Sunday morning, he serves at Junior Bible Quiz and then as a leader in Kids’ Church. Since gaining PG-13 priveleges in June, he has achieved his goal of watching all of the MCU movies. He is fun, persistent, kind, and helpful.
Rocco, 10, is in 5th grade and is quite the little athlete, now midway through another hockey season on the the Squirt A team. He is very chatty, especially in the car, asking thoughtful questions about life. His glass is always half full. He keeps just a couple of buddies in his close circle, but is always a favorite of younger kids, who he never minds entertaining. His favorite subject in school is math. He is sweet, content, affectionate, and considerate.
Renna, 7, is in 2nd grade. She decided to only take two dance classes this year in order to pursue other interests. She played soccer in the spring and fall and is currently working through a beginner hockey program. She is signed up for basketball and more soccer in the spring. We’re letting her try as much as she wants this year so she can discover what she’s passionate about. The trouble is, she’s good at all of it and loves all of it! She has never met a stranger, making new friends- young and old- wherever she goes. She spent a couple months looking super-cute with no front teeth. She is spunky, strong, hilarious, and brave.
Colombo celebrated 18 years with C4 Communications, still operating from his home office. He serves on the church board, coaches Rocco’s hockey team, leads a men’s small group, plays men’s league hockey, and Crossfits. He’s planning another trip to Peru in May for the purpose of constructing another church in the jungle.
This is our 16th year of homeschool and my 13th year serving with LightsUp Productions. I still Crossfit, serve in various ministries at church, and chase my kids all over the place with their activities. I’ve said it a million times: the days are long, but the years are short. It’s true! My ‘mom hat’ is still my favorite to wear and although each new season brings new challenges, it is also very rewarding to watch them grow and launch and thrive.
We checked off a family bucket list item in August when we finally made it to Disney World! We were in Orlando for National Fine Arts and Youth Convention so we added a few extra days to spend with family and did a day at Magic Kingdom. We also traveled to Aruba, California, Virginia, Cape Cod, upstate New York, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Our family wishes you a safe and happy Christmas season. We wish you health and happiness. We pray that God’s presence and peace would be in your hearts and homes. I saw a little meme recently that simply said, “The first Christmas was pretty simple; it’s okay if yours is too.” So we hope that you are with the ones you love and able to enjoy sweet simplicity amidst the craziness of the season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
With much love,
Colombo, Amy, C4, Maddy, Nathanael, Trevor, Rocco, & Renna DiSalvatore
(and Bauer & Phoebe)
Check on us through the year: www.amy-lovebeingamom.blogspot.com
And you can follow Maddy @maddydisalvatore on Instagram.
2019
