Week 3--Life, Loss, Love

Tuesday, Jan. 17th

No pix from the day.  However, around 8:00p, C4 FaceTimed me.  My heart sank.  A phone call means trouble.  A FaceTime means big trouble.  The basement at Bunce had water that had accumulated between the time he worked out at 5p and 8p when he got home from Moe's.

I loaded up the wet vac, bucket, rags, and flashlight and headed over.  I was relieved to see Isaac's Jeep in the driveway.  Poor Isaac had simply stopped by to deliver a late birthday Blizzard to C4.  Unfortunate timing for him!  The three of us hunted around for the source near the washing machine.  We ruled out ground water or rain coming in because it happened in such a short window.  We ruled out all of the indoor plumbing because no pipes showed any moisture.  Mystery!  I vacuumed and cleaned up the mess and promised to be back in the next day or two with my plumber.

Wednesday, Jan. 18th

The plumber determined the problem was somewhere between the house and the street.  While he worked to snake the pipes, I visited with C4.  Kelly eventually joined us, promptly get shot by a Nerf gun upon entering the living room.  Some things never change.

I'll spare you from the pictures and details, but the outdoor pipe to the street is cracked, sagging, and compromised.  The plumber temporarily resolved the issue, but it's ultimately a much more expensive bigger problem that I'll have to address in the spring.

Thursday, Jan. 19th

Back at Bunce with the plumber- he sent a camera down so we could better see and determine exactly what the level of damage and scope of work needed would be.

My first attempt at radish roses for a veggie platter I needed to put together.

Friday, Jan. 20th

Good news...next time is the last time!

As many as us that could went to Ninny and Papa's for Papa's birthday.  I brought dinner over for everyone and Harlem entertained the nieces all evening.

Saturday, Jan. 21st

I met Tim, Elizabeth, and Lisa at the Celebration of Life service for a dear family's youngest brother, Jason.  We met the Sabo family in our middle and senior high school days.  They had 4 kids.  So did we.  They went to Parish Hill.  So did we.  They went to Chaplin Church, where my dad had just taken on the role of their pastor.  The families became fast friends, Jason and Tim became best buds, and Mr. and Mrs. Sabo were pillars in the community and offered much support to my Dad.

Time and miles and seasons of life changed what those friendships look like today, but the ties are tight and we felt their pain deeply as they suddenly and tragically lost their youngest son to a heart attack just three days before Christmas.

Just like that, the shock, sadness, memories, shaken faith, and profound questions came flooding in.  We knew we had to be at the service to honor Jason and support the family.

It was a beautiful service.  Certain moments stuck out, like when at the end of the beautiful video montage, a previous recording of Jason reading a passage out of ! Corinthians played.  It was powerful!  Also moving and tear-jerking was watching Mrs. Sabo- her strength, her heartbreak, and the saint that she is and always has been.  She has had more crisis in her life than anyone deserves, yet she has always been a beautiful example of steadfast faith, service to others, and overcoming all with a smile on her face and song on her lips.

Another highlight was his brother Adam's time of sharing.  So personal, so wise, so profound.  All three of Jason's kids (around 20 years old) spoke so highly of their #1 support guy- their dad.  He also leaves behind two beautiful granddaughters.  

Tim and I sat on either side of Lisa- her first big outing since surgery- and then my Dad got up to give the eulogy.  The day was layered!  Big lumps in throats.  Some tears.  And still, an overwhelming sense of God's goodness, community, faith, and hope in the victory we actually have because of the empty tomb.  

As we wiped our cheeks and got up to leave, it surprised us zero to realize Lisa and I were both wearing the same two bracelets.  Both gifts from Aunt Bonnie from two different Christmases.  

Nathanael's team started playing again after the holiday break.  They got a goal in the last half a second to tie the game and then won in OT.

Sunday, Jan. 22nd

All the nursery kids are on the verge of graduating to toddler room!

Week 2--Birthday Buddies

Monday, Jan. 9th

The only picture from this day- my early morning let-out of the O'Bonks dogs...very pretty dusting to wake up to.

Girls Night Out at Lisa's- super low-key with takeout and catching up with the girls after the holidays and surgery.

Tuesday, Jan. 10th

Renna is LOVING her gel nail set she got for Christmas.  She does her own nails every other day, but also gave me a pedi and Juliet a mani!

Wednesday, Jan. 11th

Queen P perched in the sun.

Call with the oncologist- crossing fingers that once all angles are considered, then perhaps we can 'pause' treatments for a time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to these precious guys!  Birthday buddies!  

Colombo wanted to see him on his day, but I didn't think Harlem's mom would want to let him go on his birthday, but she actually was thrilled for him to get some time with us.  He's just the sweetest and is going to be walking any day!

Trevor had his second swim meet, but spectators were behind glass so we couldn't hear what was going on.

Pop and Kiki came, too!

Thursday, Jan. 12th

Fresh haircut!  It hasn't been this short since the end of 2020.

Friday, Jan. 13th

My friend, Lori, lost her mom.  I attended the funeral service.  What amazed me is she lived to 97 without speaking English or driving a car.  

Saturday, Jan. 14th

Backyard Camp!  This incredible group puts on a fun weekend of games, activities, food, challenges, punishments, relays... so much fun for everyone and even better that it's student led.  Monahans hosted Day 1.

Hockey, soccer, hockey.

I shared a quiet evening by the fire with my boy.  We worked and chatted.  He let me ask all my 'mom' questions.  

Sunday, Jan. 15th

For Christmas, I gave my girls and nieces a game to see the UConn women play.  Part of the reason I chose this date was because some of the girls from Renna and Sienna's soccer team put a group together, which meant Andrea was going and could help transport kids.  And very helpful- Tim and Elizabeth brought their girls from Providence.

Me and the girls!  We were missing Kelly and Gianna (and 4 Texas nieces, of course).

Soccer friends.

Tim and Elizabeth had spent the game time at Lisa's visiting with her and Pop and Kiki on Lisa's birthday.

Once home, C4 and Kelly stopped by very briefly to pick up his birthday card.  It was wonderful to see him and hug him on his birthday.  24 years ago, he made me a mom.  He's just an incredible human being and I love him so!  (Regrettably, no picture from our visit, but here's a few from years gone by...MAN! what a treasure he has been since Day 1!)

The Werhles hosted Day 2 of Camp.

For the continuity of Backyard Camp...

Monday, Jan. 16th

We hosted Day 3 of camp- kids all off from school for MLK Day.

The kids very generously included Renna all day and made her an honorary member of Rec Staff.

Winners were announced and then I gave them Mom speech.  I told them how blessed they were to have a solid, Godly group of friends.  I edified them as beautiful works of art, uniquely designed and gifted.  ...and then they prayed and broke bread ate tacos.

Colombo was playing in the Coaches' Game at the rink and I volunteered at the raffle table.