Week 20-- Graduation Adventure

Monday, May 10th

It's a big year for our family.  We have two graduations, a wedding, and all of the other life milestones that come with 10ish of us- starting new jobs, earning awards, hitting goals, losing teeth, learning something new, getting good news.... there's a lot going on at any given time.  Of course there is struggle, loss, sadness, bad news (times 10ish) that all counter-balances, but this is a happy post!

I didn't want to do a combined grad party because I wanted to honor Nathanael the same way we did C and Maddy.  I also knew that a lot of the year was going to focus on C/wedding.  But we also couldn't just let our firstborn's college graduation pass by.  I still have hurt around my own college graduation.  These moments are meant to be honored and celebrated.  So, Colombo and I planned what we hoped would be two things for C: special and memorable.  

Colombo took on the hard work of the planning- a guys' trip to see the last Devil's game of the season, which happened to be in Philadelphia.  C4 didn't know anything about it except to save the two days.  Colombo texted a group of 7 guys and all but 1 were able to jump in.  Actually, it was comical just how quickly a few responded, "YES!...I'm in!"  Like, hmmmm, maybe you should run it by your wife... hahaha.

These beautiful people set out Monday morning.  C4 was surprised at who all went.  His besties- and can I just say...he (and Kelly) have surrounded themselves with the most amazing individuals and couples; people who they can be challenged by, encouraged by, laugh and cry with.  It's an amazing community and I am so GRATEFUL he has it!

First stop was the Rocky Steps.  Iconic Philly and one of Steve's bucket list items.  (from L to R: Noah, Sterling, Josh, C4, Steve, Isaac, and Kevin)

Then an early dinner at Del Frisco's in a private room.  They had time and space and Colombo had asked each of them to prepare something to say.  From all accounts, it was incredibly moving, special, and memorable.  And they ate all the things; a big-eating kinda crew!

Then the game, ice cream after, and hotel shenanigans.

Tuesday, May 11th

The Philly gang got up and did breakfast and worked their way back home.  When they arrived I got the longest, warmest hug EVER from C4, thanking me for his special trip.  It was the best part of my day.

Look what Dad texted me.  I blinked and he graduated from college!

* * * * * *

Sweet memories of one of my favorite Mother's Days.

Wednesday, May 12th

Another memorable Mother's Day in Providence watching Lisa's marathon.

I decided to paint the deck this week.  Scrape, sweep, shop vac, wash, paint, repeat.

I did 96% of the project myself, buy this sweet boy did help scrape for about 22 minutes.

Thursday, May 13th

Friday, May 14th

Bless the name of Jesus, Jules finished her treatment!  DONE.  We celebrated with a little luncheon at the Country Club and then a sparkling cider toast at their house.

Saturday, May 15th

Lisa and I made our annual pilgrimage to the farmer's market for flowers.  Joy upon joy!  We had a lovely morning together and found a wonderful variety to choose from.

Sunday, May 16th

Bright and early match-up for the dirtiest game we've encountered.  Our coach finally yelled to the other one, "I'm out of ice packs!"  Renna got taken down HARD twice and sat out icing a fair amount.  Our first loss of the season.

Week 19-- C4's UConn Graduation

Tuesday, May 4th

Back from vacation, back to real life, back to another nutrition challenge.  Four weeks of tracking all the things- macros, workouts, sleep, habits.  Lisa and I did a similar one back in October and agreed it was a good 2-3 times a year practice to really focus on such things and reset.  This one is called "Jacked By June" with Street Parking, which is my normal workout app.

Lots of protein.  It's not my favorite to eat deli turkey straight from the drawer, but it's called a challenge for a reason.

Big, huge gulp!  My precious firstborn.

Wednesday, May 5th

C4 had an amazing game, scoring a hat trick and several assists for the W.  Renna found a puck at the rink and wrote the date and "hat trick" on it as a gift for him.

Does everyone find golf putters hanging IN the bedroom wall when they go to kiss their boys goodnight?  I really try to see this as a "sign of life" as Lisa so beautifully calls them, but somewhere I have to draw the line.

Thursday, May 6th

Just as I pulled in and parked after dropping Trevor off at school:

C4 is supposed to vacuum the whole house midweek (I requested Tuesdays, but have accepted Tuesday or Wednesday to fit around his work/school schedule).  I noticed two weeks passed that it hadn't gotten done.  This kid kills me.  I couldn't stop laughing.  LOVE his wit!

Renna went across the street to puppy-sit Leah for an hour or two.  She packed a lunch on her own for the occasion.

In just two times, Rocco's become a pro with the mower, line trimmer, and leaf blower.  He was so cute...he took a before and after picture of his work. <3

Friday, May 7th

We met Pop and Kiki for lunch to celebrate Kiki's birthday and to reconnect after they'd been on a road trip for a couple weeks.

Preparing my heart for Mother's Day.  Annually, I have to work through some things.  

Saturday, May 8th

My fierce keeper.

The big day!  UConn's online commencement.  C had zero interest in attending in-person.  UConn's whole-school commencement was virtual and his specific School of Business was the following Tuesday in-person.  For him, sitting at home munching on chocolate chip cookies while watching his name scroll by was perfect.

We invited the Wiles over for a very low-key lunch, his request- pulled pork and mac n cheese.

We had a good time roasting the speakers and adding our own commentary.  Wish we'd created University Bingo with all the buzz words, current events, and agendas they just had to work into their speech.

Miguel Cardona, the new Secretary of Education, is from CT.

And then 20 solid minutes of Pomp and Circumstance playing while 4 columns of names scrolled by like movie credits.

Kelly made him put on his cap and gown from high school (same color) for a few pictures.  He was semi-cooperative.

Nathanael took these, including as he called it, the "drone shot".  Good job, Tall Brother.

Maddy in Cali, Renna at her soccer game.

Sunday, May 9th

The kids wanted to keep the tradition of breakfast in bed, so I blogged in bed for the morning and watched Maddy's church online.  She danced in both services.

Renna had a 3:00 game, but that gave Colombo a chance to see his mom.

The kids and Colombo all pitched in to make me a fancy dinner.

Renna even made place cards.

I was showered to with love in written form, each kid giving speaking undeserved words about me.  I even got a card from Juliet and a beautiful (made me cry) letter from Kelly.  I am so blessed!

We finished our evening watching Tim Hawkins on youtube since the t.v. was still upstairs from the day before.