Week 4--Juliet's 21st Celebration

Monday, Jan. 24th

For months, Juliet looked forward to her 21st birthday.  She talked about it and swirled around many ideas about how she wanted to celebrate.  We knew part of the plan included her Dad hosting a party for her at a local brewery, but I still wanted to do something for her with our side.  She's a tough one to nail down and doesn't like to commit to any one thing in order to keep her options open.  

For weeks, I tried to ask her in round-about ways, what her plans with her boyfriend, Ian, looked like, and what would be meaningful to her.  Kelly, Andrea, and I chatted about several different options.  In the end, once I knew we could have her for the evening, we planned a smallish surprise dinner party in her honor.  I was only able to text guests 6 days before, but most were able to make it happen!  She was out of the house all day with Ian.  Andrea, Maddy, and Mason showed up early to help me with final prep, guests showed up, and finally we were able to surprise her and have a really lovely evening.  She doesn't love being the center of attention, but thoroughly enjoyed her special night and later wrote a note, thanking me and telling me she felt honored.  And, of course, she's thrilled to finally be 21!

Tuesday, Jan. 25th

Rocco and Renna spent many hours in the fort over two days, even overnight.

I pulled in from soccer with Renna to a Taco Tuesday in progress and my heart was filled to see a driveway full of cars.  I'm so grateful for my people.

Wednesday, Jan. 26th

The only picture- Renna's lemonade.

Thursday, Jan. 27th

Meeting Lisa's doctor, asking questions, and putting together a solid game plan.  We're very hopeful and moving in the right direction.

Friday, Jan. 28th

Once in a while, Pop or Kiki will come across a treasure from the past and text it to me.

The kids didn't have youth group so we met up at On The Border with C and Kelly and then headed home to await the big storm.

Saturday, Jan. 29th

I should have beautiful winter wonderland pictures to post here.  All week reports had indicated a lot of snow was coming.  Reports fluctuated between 8 and 20 inches for our area.  We were ready and excited!  C4 and Kelly had spent the night to get snowed in with us.  I spent much of the day in the kitchen making warm comfort food, listening to lively board games happening around me.  I also had about 80 phone calls to make to promote a special event at church for parents of teens.  

Rocco's spread.

We went out from time to time in shifts to shovel, but mostly it was what you'd imagine for a snow day- low-key, together time, board games, fire, and plenty of food.  In the end we got about 10 inches.  When I was putting Rocco to bed that night, he was glowing, "I really like having C4 and Kelly here; I miss them."

Sunday, Jan. 30th

In between church and games, I ran this crew to the local sledding hill for an hour.  I sat in the warm truck and finished up my 80 calls.

Maddy and Mason attended the youth leaders' retreat in New Hampshire.

Football by the fire.  This game dethroned me from top of our family bracket.

Week 3--Good News in NYC

Monday, Jan. 17th

I spent 6 hours going to 5 different places trying to get a rapid Covid test so I could take my sister to Sloan two days later.  Wow!  Super frustrating, waste of time, misinformation, and expensive!  But now I know the trick, so it'll be much easier next time!

My kids don't believe me when I come home from the store and mention the random thing they asked for wasn't there, so I started taking pictures.  You just never know what they'll be out of any given trip.  Currently, at my store, it's burrito wraps, chocolate syrup, bottled juice, salad greens, cream cheese, all orange juice, all frozen chicken, and tater tots!  Probably other things, too, but those are what's on the kids' list.  Like Nathanael said last night, "It's gonna be a long 3 more years."

Tuesday, Jan. 18th

Taco Tuesday, games, Pyramid, and a very hilarious, loud, lively, feisty discussion-turned-trial regarding a Pokemon card ripped and in the trash.

Wednesday, Jan. 19th

Big day in NYC.  I never, ever wished to see the inside walls of Sloan ever again in my life, but I am grateful that Lisa has world-leading care within 2 hours of our door.  She was scheduled for a test so we got there an hour ahead of time, plus Sloan was running 3 hours behind.  The long wait allowed us to watch the FDNY in action (for our building!) and plenty of time for catching up, sitting, reading, blogging, and people-watching.  Oh!!!!  And hearing waiting room phone calls that I wish I hadn't!  Older people I guess enjoy very personal conversations to be had on speaker phone!  One, in fact, had Lisa and I crying tears!  Hilarious.

My strong, beautiful, brave sister.  We were both so encouraged throughout the day by people's love, support, prayer, and texts.

The long wait pushed us past the evening commute rush, so even though it was a long day, we were grateful to get in and out, easy-peasy with no traffic and no weather.

Most grateful...this test yielded nothing which is GOOD NEWS!  The less complicated her cancer is, the better!  This test confirmed that it is NOT further complicated by other factors.  It was the breath we needed to take after 4-5 days of holding it!  We are giving glory to God for this first miracle of this journey!

Thursday, Jan. 20th

Got a text from Tim asking if I wanted him to grab this from someone giving it away.  I HAD THIS CHAIR growing up and spent hours and hours on it watching t.v.  I hadn't even thought of it for nearly 40 years, but the picture took me straight back to Parsonage Road.  In the end I said, "No thank you...I have enough stuff."  But so thankful for the memory and the picture and a thoughtful brother.

Friday, Jan. 21st

Juliet's 21st was coming up and prepping for her party, I tried to find baby pictures of Juju and crop Maddy out!  Ha!  

I hung out with Laurie for a bit and then met up with C3, Nathanael, and Renna for dinner.  Nathanael shared that he not only got his new, official business cards, but also signed his first tax return.

Saturday, Jan. 22nd

More party prep.  Maddy and I worked together on the balloons.

Jules included us for Bob's birthday dinner.  It's an honor to do life with them and we enjoy the times we get to hang with their families.

Sunday, Jan. 23rd

Church, hockey, nursery, then "The Passion" kickoff meeting with our new director; the first one I've sat through instead of co-led.

Soccer for Renna, grocery shopping for the party, Daddy's dinner, and then we all sat by the fire watching some amazing football playoffs.  We have a family bracket going and after two weeks, I'm smugly sitting at the top of it!

My Favorite Memes, installment 28

 Please sit back and enjoy this 28th installment of relatable, funny, serious, wise, non-sensical, LOL, thought-provoking, true mish-mosh of memes.  Because these were collected Nov. 1-Jan. 15, there's a few that were seasonally appropriate; hopefully they still translate.  Had some Covid and Biden gems, but leaving those off as we can all use a break and I don't want to offend anyone.

This is true.  The last time nursing, the last time rocking, the last push in the stroller, the last time you wash a sippy-cup, the last time you hoist them onto your hip.  ...and you don't even know it.

Daylight savings...

I showed this to Colombo and he responded with something like, "He's no rookie."  I love, love this.  Makes sense he's a PhD!

Absolute angel!

So true!

It's true!

This + the caption!  It's true.

...and a second one on the subject.

It's a shame!

This made me LAUGH!

I'm sure I've posted this one before, but it just makes me laugh.

I experienced this "teachable moment" more than once growing up.

LOL

True!

I mean....

Taco 2's-day

Love this!  Pray WHILE you make the casserole!

Hahahahahaha!!!