Nathanael's 18!

Happy 18th to my tall-standin’, leftovers-eatin’, college-studyin’, musical soundtrack-listenin’, Yankees-cheerin’, Blackhawks-followin’, financial-plannin’, basketball-shootin’, easy-rollin’, milk-consumin’, thoughtful, loyal, fun, genius, gentle giant. Biggest baby at birth, still the biggest today, with a huge heart! Always quick to volunteer and fill a need, always trustworthy, always a gift!!

Nathanael is 18 and half of my children are adults!  Crazy!  He's our easy-going, kind-hearted, good-intentioned, reliable, steady-Eddie kid.  People are drawn to him, I believe, because of his gentleness, humility, and genuineness.  Although he makes friends easily and I think many would call him their friend, he maintains a small circle of close friends and works hard to nurture that.  He's great at anticipating ways to help and finding ways to make things go easier.  He's quick with a smile, one that lights up his whole face.  

He's proven this semester that a full, stressful load is do-able and has recently started seeing a sweet girl after asking our and her parents' permission to date.  He is currently a full-time student, taking a 2-nights/per week tax prep certification class, and working part-time hours at H&R Block/Hale Financial.

I'm not sure what I'd do without him.  He's a gift in every way!

His birthday landed on a Saturday, the same Saturday that Nick wanted to come down for a family get-together.  We gave Nathanael first right of refusal since it was a) a weekend birthday, and b) a milestone birthday.  Being the peacemaker he is, he decided that pizza and cake at Ninny's with the family sounded just about as good as anything else he'd want to do and opted for that.  Besides, his true desire and gift was coming the following week.

I was so proud of myself for working into a very busy day, picking up a cake and balloons and getting them to Ninny ahead of time in my travels.  [pat on the back]  It wasn't until the next morning that I remembered and gasped, "you didn't do his traditional pie!!!"  Mom fail, but he rolled with it.

Six days later was his gift.  His beloved Blackhawks were playing opening night in New Jersey.   C3 bought the tickets and offered that Nathanael could bring anyone he wanted.  His first choice of C4 and Kelly were available so they left around 1:00 to beat the traffic, ate dinner inside the Prudential Center in a restaurant overlooking the ice, and watched a great overtime game!

The next night, one week after his birthday, we ventured out to the closest Outback and enjoyed having dinner for the first time around one Outback table in nearly two years.

We are now a party of 11!

When we got home, we did traditional apple pie that I had baked the night before when he was at the game because I hold traditions tightly, sometimes to a fault.  No one complained about the first homemade apple pie of the season, though!

What is your favorite gift you received throughout the year?  My laptop.

What's the last thing you were sad about?  Moving into C4's room.

What makes you happy?  Moving into C4's room.

Are you scared of anything?  The old part of the basement at night.

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Happy.

Who's the last person you kissed?  I really don't know.

What does Dad do at work all day?  He makes money.

 What is something you dislike about yourself?  Indecisiveness.

What is something you do well?  Sports.

What is something that really bugs you?  People being unaware of their surroundings.

What is your favorite holiday and why?  Christmas because lots of food, fun, and time off.

What makes you feel sad?  Sad music.

What is the best advice you've ever received?  If you don't learn to manage your time, someone else 

will manage it for you.

What is your favorite day of the week?  FriYay or Saturday. Probably Saturday.

What makes a happy family?  Time spent together.

What makes a good friend?  Loyalty or confidentiality.

If you could be someone in history, who would you be?  Helen Keller.

What makes you laugh?  Hangin' with my close group of friends.

What do you think the world needs now?  Perspective- look at the other side of the coin.

Which is your favorite room?  My new room.

What are your nicknames?

Fan Man, Fan, Fannel G, Tall Brother, Slow Bro, Toilet Boy, Leftovers

What's your favorite toy?  My xBox, our basketball hoop.

What do you like to do?  Anything sports, hanging out with my friends.

What's your favorite...

ice cream? Oreo cookie jar Blizzard  ~  snack? trail mix

character? The Joker  ~  thing to eat? Blizzards

thing to drink? milk  ~  candy? Reese's or Twix

movie? The Dark Knight  ~  show? The Office

color? Carolina blue  ~  artist? David Crowder

What's your favorite memory from the past year?  Virginia Beach

What are your hopes and plans for this upcoming year?

Graduate from my H&R Block course. Survive the year at UConn.

Who are your best friends?  Josh Orzolek and Breakfast Club

Give me 3 words to describe yourself:  tall, athletic, trustworthy

If I were 5, I would... ...be happy I don't have school.

If I were 40, I would...   ...retire.

I wish I never...   ...procrastinated.

I'm happiest when...   ...I'm laughing.

Tell me what you think of when I say these words:

home ~ warm         love ~ love

bedtime ~ lights out         school ~ boring/stress 

Week 41--3-Room Swap

Monday, Oct. 4th

Mondays are Maddy and Mason's date days, so they decided they'd give me a few hours and work together on the new girls' room.  They did a lot of sanding and then I jumped in and we got a good start on the painting.

The most difficult thing about a 3-room rearrange / reno is there is no room for stuff and no way to clear a room to work in it.  This meant that we were constantly moving stuff, moving beds, and working in cramped quarters, all while still trying to maintain a sleeping space for everyone.

The already-too-narrow hallway was filled for nearly 3 weeks as we tripped our way back and forth a thousand times.

Tuesday, Oct. 5th

I was surprised to find this little photo shoot on my phone, obviously Renna's work.  The white backdrop kills me.

Taco Tuesday...and our first time seeing C4 and Kelly since their trip.  Nathanael came down wearing this taco costume for the occasion.  I missed grabbing a picture of him, but got one of C who definitely wanted to try it on after dinner.

Wednesday, Oct. 6th

This memory pops up every year.  Still one of my faves.  Back then and still now, she loves all things Halloween.

Thursday, Oct. 7th

We took turns reading out loud.  Most days, we do it my bed snuggled together.  This day, Rocco brought his specials to join us.  It won't last forever, but it still melts my heart.

One of the most satisfying things I love to do is bless a family whose going through a difficult situation, with a meal.  Grilled pita not pictured.

Bonus evening with C&K...they met us at ChickFilA and invited us to their house for Thursday night football.

These two miss each other.

Friday, Oct. 8th

We had Maddy's car shipped back from Cali.  It finally got delivered this day and was filthy from its cross-country journey on the back of truck, so Renna spent a full hour and about as much focused attention as she is capable of cleaning it to surprise Mama.

If I was the swearing type, I'd have filled a swear jar with quarters putting this IKEA bed together.  Instead I just did a lot of long, loud sighs and sweating.  My first IKEA build with no written directions-just dumb pictures- and no marked parts.  Unknowingly, I started with one of the more complicated pieces, and that was before I did the drawers.  I also did the entire thing without a screw gun because the directions had only hand tools pictured.  Live and learn.  Five hours later....a bed.

Saturday, Oct. 9th

Precious boys...just a few years ago.

Renna was in a Columbus Day tournament.

Lots of fans.

Nick and the boys came down for the day/overnight, so we all gathered at Ninny's to celebrate Nathanael's birthday. 

My precious Nathanael turned 18.  HALF of my children are adults!!

Sunday, Oct. 10th

More soccer.  They didn't do as well as they wished but they also played in the older bracket, so considering that, they held their own.

Rocco spent the day fishing with Mason to celebrate Mason's birthday.

Dream day for these boys!

Came home from somewhere to find Renna up the street cleaning the sidewalk for the neighbor who was mowing.  I was equal parts proud of Renna and completely irritated that in-charge Daddy had no idea where she was.

First Daddy's dinner with Ava, even though we were missing several kids.

Week 40--Goodbye to the Minivan

Monday, Sept. 27th

No picture, but I found this sweet video from the rehearsal dinner.  Just as we were wrapping up and tearing down, I caught my bookends dancing together.  C4 has always been the BEST big brother.

Tuesday, Sept. 28th

I got a kick out of this business name: Decent Homecare Services.  ???  What?  Like, "satisfactory", "meh", "good enough"??  Is "decent" really what people are looking for?

We are midway through a 3-room swap.  Nathanael into C's, girls into big room, T and RQ into girls room.  It's a nightmare.  Spackle, paint, beds, purging, shopping, assembling.  Everything's been torn apart for 2 weeks and the chaos hits hard!  This day was the first of 4-ish Ikea trips.

Wednesday, Sept. 29th

Our annual Big E adventure.  It was tricky coordinating so many work and school schedules, but with 3 different cars, arriving in 3 different shifts, we managed to check the box and eat way too much!  Our first stop was the circus.

Food, circus, animals, parade, 2 rides each, more food.

Everyone except the honeymooners.

Thursday, Sept. 30th

Saga.  One that wears me out so I'll make it quick.  We needed to replace the van.  Due to the chip shortage, there is next to ZERO inventory for new and used cars.  Horrible timing to be car shopping.  We went round and round about what kind of vehicle, size of vehicle, new, used, etc.  In the end, we had few choices.  I ended up at this dealership an hour away on my own, putting a deposit down.

Friday, Oct. 1st

Jules had been at the Cape all week doing YiaYia duty, so she invited me up for the night.  I saw this fun bachelorette party van on the way.  The bride-to-be was driving in full tiara and veil.

I took a detour to hit the Stoughton Ikea on my way to buy things New Haven didn't have in stock.  In case we needed confirmation, the van barely made it to my destination.

Jules and I had a blast catching up and acting all kinds of dumb.  Had a really nice meal down in Woods Hole and walked the docks down there.

Saturday, Oct. 2nd

Said goodbye to Jules; she insisted on a last picture of me and my van.  Then I prayed I'd make it home, thankful that we'd found a replacement to pick up later that day.

If I'd had more time, I would have made sure to hit 222, 222.  Oh well.

The ending of an era.  I ended my nearly 20 year tenure of driving a minivan.  We've had this one for 9 years.  So many miles, memories, conversations, spills, fights, prayer, advising, listening, guiding, singing, laughing.  Those doors held a lot inside.  That van took us to California and back.  That van held our family of 8 and so much life was done there.  Every scratch, every dent, every stain told a story and was evidence of that precious season of life- from babies and toddlers, to teaching teen drivers.  222,178 miles and it was time.  Goodbye, Friend.  You were good to us.

The boys of TBQ had their first meet after studying for a year and half together!

Sunday, Oct. 3rd

I love soccer on days like this.  We hit traffic and showed up 10 minutes before the game, so Renna started on the bench.  Love her crossed little legs and I can just hear her chatting it up with Coach Shane!

I'll save dramatic B&A's for after our room-swap project is complete, but this is what I'm dealing with!  I walked in one night a few months ago to find a golf putter hanging from this hole in the wall.  The boys' walls are not to be believed!

Nathanael has been on a handful of dates with Ava.  Her mom is a riot and thought it'd was cute to "make them safe" for their outing to the Big E!  She sent me this picture.

If we watch Sunday football, the kids play this strange game during commercial breaks- it's a cross between football and wrestling, but with hockey equipment on.  Also, this is why my house has holes.