Week 7--Treatment Complete

Monday, Feb. 14th

Valentine's Day.  Colombo and I had celebrated together two nights prior; we had a lovely dinner together at Trattoria Toscana.  I was committed to going to New York with Lisa for her last two days of treatment, but we didn't need to leave until 11am, so I got to be around for the kids getting their goodie bags.

Treatment #4 was quick and Lisa and I were able to grab an early dinner together before the Valentine's rush.

Tuesday, Feb. 15th

Pretty morning light coming in our hotel room.

Fifth and final treatment!  Exactly one month from diagnosis, she's done!  I feel like there are still questions to ask (maybe some answers we'll never get) and tests and monitoring to be done.  I feel like we hopped onto the conveyor belt of treatment with complete trust.and the month was a blur! My brave, beautiful sister!

We got home early enough that I was able to get Renna to soccer.  I hit Walmart for groceries while she was there.

Then we all met up at Margarita's for Taco Tuesday.  Juliet brought her show-n-tell, more ripped Pokemon.

These two stole my phone.

Just missin' Maddy.

Wednesday, Feb. 16th

Some snow piles still linger, but it was warm enough for sweet Rocco to be in a t-shirt playing his made-up football game.

Thursday, Feb. 17th

Follow up with the Radiation Oncologist.  

This girl has been extra helpful in the kitchen lately.

Friday, Feb. 18th

Lainie had a tournament 20 minutes away, so Mom, Renna, and I went.

Saturday, Feb. 19th

Jonathan took the girls to their far-away game and then treated them to a very fancy brunch after.  So fancy, in fact, that after, he drove them through Dunkin Donuts so they could eat something because apparently the fancy avocado toast was "spicy"!  Ha!  Like Jonathan said, "It's about the experience."

Lisa and I ended up with a backset of '06-ers, off to see Lainie play her Saturday game.

We had some time to wait before the rest of her team to show, so the kids played Knockout.

Pop, Bobbi, and Gramma were there, too.  Lainie's team won by 2.  Lainie had scored the game-winning basket with seconds left.

Sunday, Feb. 20th

Nick and the boys came to town for February break, so Milo had come to church with us and spent the night.

Rocco's game was at UConn, so after we dropped him off early, I took these boys to the Dairy Bar.

Fans!!!

Week 6--Treatment Begins

Monday, Feb. 7th

My cousin loving me well from afar.  Always right on time!

Tuesday, Feb. 8th

Mason was very excited to present this to everyone at Taco Tuesday.  The plot thickens...

Also notable.......Juliet texted that she's officially been in CT for two years and officially been in our home one year!  Whoo-hoo!

Wednesday, Feb. 9th

Lisa started radiation this day (Day 1 of 5), so I offered to help with the kids for the evening while she and Shaun were away.  I went to Aiden's quick, little 7th grade chorus concert and then scooted him and Amanda up to small group.

Thursday, Feb. 10th

With temps in the high 40's, the kids spent more time outside.  Rocco found a little patch of ice to play on.

I was cleaning out my closet and and came across this shirt (Aunt Bonnie had made them for the entire family) from 7 years ago.  Amazing that I would put my hands on it again this week as she is once again undergoing treatment.  She's strong and brave!

Kiki sent me a couple of treasures that just undo me.  Those days were long and intense, but oh so very sweet!  Nathanael wanted a baseball game for his party for his 5th birthday.  I served hot dogs and cracker jacks and the kids picked teams for a game.  Just before, Nathanael announced that we'd start with a song.  Everyone stood, removed their hats, and Nathanael led us in "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."  

Adventures on Federal Hill, 2010-ish.

Now they're big and grown and we have the most hilarious family group chats.

Friday, Feb. 11th

Colonoscopy day for me.  Good report!

Saturday, Feb. 12th

Brothers coaching cousins.

Ninny and Papa have come to nearly every one of Renna's home games this year.

Aiden had spent the night, so the boys did a science experiment together, mercifully outside.

Sunday, Feb. 13th

Soccer, Catan, food prep, Super Bowl.

C4 brought a little trivia sheet for the game, which kept everyone engaged.  

Bookends.

Rocco won the trivia, so Renna gave him her homemade trophy following the game.

And I won the family bracket!  Such a fun night!  Love the tradition with our friends, exciting game, funny commercials, appropriate, well-done halftime show, amazing National Anthem!  Just had such a blast of an evening from beginning to end.  Five stars, highly recommend.

Week 5--Winter Camp

Monday, Jan. 31st

Grocery shopping adventures.

Trevor's last flag football game.

Pastor Kevin and C4 showed up to support.

Tuesday, Feb. 1st

Currently our go-to.

Wednesday, Feb. 2nd

What a cuh-razy, emotional day.  Too much for here and now, but I'm grateful for my husband who didn't hesitate for a second when someone needed help.  We worked together through the afternoon to trouble-shoot a problem, and he gladly and willingly jumped at the chance to help.  I stayed up to wait for him to come home- Maddy joined my for a bit of the evening.

Thursday, Feb. 3rd

I love glimpses of imaginative, whimsical, playful, little kid fun.  Once, the house was so full of such things I tripped over them; now, it's picture-worthy.

This girl convinced me to join her at pilates.  Her friend is getting her certification to teach, so we took a class to support her.  My first pilates experience.  That is NO JOKE!

Friday, Feb. 4th

Maddy was trying to record a voiceover.  This was the only quiet place she could find and still she had to stop and restart like 3 times because someone came through the garage, someone went out to grab milk, etc...  I love having a big family and a house full, even with the unique challenges.

Tough to see, but they were twinning with their laptops and headphones.

A mild ice storm canceled all activities so we all got cozy and stayed in.  Nathanael joined us fireside for a delightful time of chatting.  Midway he venmo'd Colombo his last car payment (Dad Loan), so we had to Cheers.  He had his drink of choice- milk!

Saturday, Feb. 5th

TBQ meet for the boys.

We went to church and then the evening took a hard left towards eclectic.  After a whole lot of ideas thrown out and some back-and-forth, it turned into C4 and Kelly taking Renna and Sienna to the Olive Garden and Colombo and I going out on a date.  All participants seemed happy with their role!

Trevor and Rocco participated in a two-day, student-led, "Winter Camp"- complete with games, challenges, punishments, points, flags....all of it.  So much time, effort, and creativity.  The Werhles hosted Saturday.  What an amazing group of kids and what a gift to have such a tight crew that continue to build friendships, serve the church community, and choose to honor God with their lives.

Sunday, Feb. 6th

Hockey, church meeting, and then Day 2 of camp.  Since The Cours hosted, I went to hang with Lisa and do as much as I could to ease her burden.  We puzzled together and got some good chat time in while the teens did their loud, fun activities.