Monday, Apr. 18th
I took Lisa to yet another MRI. I'm privileged that she lets me in on the journey and I love spending days with her, but I also said to her walking out, "I hope this is the LAST time we do this!"
Rocco and Renna had spent the night with Milo and Ollie over at Colombo and Karen's, since Milo was starting his spring break and they stayed in town until Tuesday. Papa made french toast and Nick took the kids to see Sonic the Hedge Hog 2. Then Rocco crashed and burned, getting the fever, headache, and sore throat Trevor had had 2 days earlier. I had given Katie the courtesy BEFORE the sleepover, telling her that I couldn't guarantee my kids were germ-free or that one wouldn't drop in her care. Her boys ended up catching it, too, and spending spring break sick. Ugh!
Tuesday, Arp. 19th
It's the only picture from the day, so here's a little story. Seven years ago, I was picking up C4 from school. It was Renna's 3rd birthday and we had Bennett (age 4) with us to celebrate. We pulled into the lot and seeing this statue (then hanging on a different building) Bennett exclaimed, "Look! It's the Statue of Liberty!" We laughed and laughed. Then it was taken off of the annex building for the last two years.
Well just last week, I pulled in to see that same statue hanging on the main building. Sort of just dangling randomly and uncentered over where they just completely cleared all of the old landscaping out. I'm hoping there's a bit more vision to the project. TBD.
Wednesday, Apr. 20th
Again, the only picture.
Thursday, Apr. 21st
I got over to Sean and Amy's for another afternoon of painting. She wouldn't let me take her picture.
I wasn't there long because these two work-horses had busted out most of it in the morning. I appreciated listening to two older, wiser, well-seasoned, Godly souls talk about life from the other room. We managed to laugh plenty, too. And got the job done!
On my way home, I pulled over on the side of the road for another TeleMed call with the radiologist. You can see 3 smiling faces (even the one behind the mask) and Shaun off-camera, rejoicing in a GOOD report! No new cancer. Treatment complete. Follow-up in 3 months! For the first time since January, my shoulders relaxed.
Tale as old as time, I suppose, but tween girls can just be nasty. And now these kids have phones starting at 6, 7, and 8 with little-to-no supervision. Another weapon in their arsenal. Renna asked to use my phone to join a group chat her soccer team has going. It's mostly just good morning's, good night's, and so many pictures of each other's pets. I allowed her to join the group, knowing I'd have full access to the shenanigans. The other day I was away from my phone for half an hour and when I picked it up I had 112 unread messages, ALL in this group chat.
Anyway, I was spot-checking this day and caught an exchange. Apparently a girl they have played against- and for unknown, illogical, tween reasons do not care for- is joining their roster. The text discussion that ensued made my stomach turn. Renna hadn't yet seen it. I sat her down and told her what was happening. I told her she had a choice. I said (paraphrasing/summarizing), "You don't need to get involved and try to talk anyone out of this behavior, but you cannot join them in it. You are a DiSalvatore and a woman and you do not need to waste any time or any breath cutting down another woman you know nothing about. You don't need to stand up for her; that's your choice, but I won't tolerate this mean girl crap coming from you. You can stay silent. That's fine. Or you can be a leader and suggest to your friends that since this girl is now on your team, that perhaps she will be a friend and an asset, and there's really no point in talking bad about her behind her back because, after all...how would you feel if the roles were reversed?"
Later that evening, I checked back in to see this:
Friday, Apr. 22nd
Again, the only picture. The strangest bug.
Saturday, Apr. 23rd
Renna had a busy weekend of soccer- 5 games in 2 days. No rain!
Sunday, Apr. 24th
Back at it at 8a.
In between games, I had to run to the church to do nursery so Colombo took these girls to breakfast.
This crew went undefeated in their tournament.
In four games, combined score was something like 28-3.
This is our little buddy Harlem. He spent the day with us so mom could have a break.
Renna's good buds with our neighbor, Mr. Bellock. They have bonded over the years; she has never met a stranger and he just gets a kick out of her. Recently, as a golf enthusiast, he's been helping her with her swing and giving her some pointers as she's been using a couple of misfit, oversized clubs in our front yard. He asked Colombo if he could by her a junior set of her own and he did! A junior girls' set in a purple bag!
She was so happy, so touched, and got right outside until dark!
