Week 7--LOVE

 Monday, Feb. 10th

Tuesday, Feb. 11th

Renna got a DVD working on an old tv.  It was so good to hear Larry's voice!  So fun resurrecting all the VeggieTale goodness for Harlem to take in.

Wednesday, Feb. 12th

Renna woke up sick and did little more than this for 3 straight days!  Luckily, our days were slow and she really didn't miss out on much.  I was able to be beside her for much of the time.  My kids are famous for using their one annual sick day on a holiday or important event day.  This time, we lucked out!

Thursday, Feb. 13th

On one hand, we love hearing, "Nothing's really changed...let's just keep doing what we're doing" and on the other hand, it's nearly impossible to believe that it's a good idea to "just keep doing what we're doing."  So grateful to hear that the latest scan is 'stable' and heartbreaking to be prescribed chemo #47 and #48.  Lisa is the bravest warrior!

'Twas the night before...  My little tradition continues and I love setting it up for the kids to find the next morning.  

Friday, Feb. 14th

The kids had youth group.  Colombo, Juliet, and I enjoyed a quiet take-out dinner at home.

Saturday, Feb. 15th

I was up very early for TBQ.  Because of illnesses, work schedules, and a forecasted storm in the afternoon, we had some last-minute pivoting to do.  Thankful for Lisa who knows it all inside-out and is the best wingman on days like this!

Colombo and I snuck out a hot date to throw salt down at the apartment and pick up pizza.  Honestly, it was actually quite fun to drive around and see the variations of people scrambling, plow guys caffeinating up, overly cautious drivers, headlights through the flakes, and the anticipation of getting snowed-in.  As we pulled out of the driveway, I got the biggest kick out of Rocco.  This kid is the sweetest; I think I've mentioned that before.

One-by-one, things got cancelled for the next morning, so C4 and Kelly (and Oakley) came over to get snowed in with us and spend the night.  We had a full docket!  Mr. Beast finale and the USA v. Canada game!  So fun!

Sunday, Feb. 16th

I was up and out early to shovel the apartment.  Mercifully, Colombo surprised me and came to help since it was unusually heavy!  Once home, he and I waited for everyone to slowly rise and then he made big breakfast for the kids while we sat by the fire and watched church online.

Then we played board games until I had to leave for Passion rehearsal.

Rocco had some buds over for a sleepover into President's Day.  We collected phones at midnight and didn't ask anymore questions.  I heard them at 2am, but was told the next day it lasted later than that!

Week 6--Nathanael's Senior Night

Monday, Feb. 3rd

No picture.  I likely spent the day in the kitchen filling our fridge for the week and passing some on.

Tuesday, Feb. 4th

"Faith Over Fear"

Wednesday, Feb. 5th

Dad and I met up early for breakfast and to catch up.  We hadn't really had much time together since Christmas.

I was signed up to bring "snacks" and Gatorade for the hockey game.  It's new to us this year that after games, the boys simply get a bag of Goldfish or a Rice Krispy Treat.  For C4 and Nathanael, the boys would get sandwiches after every away game to eat on the bus on the way back to the school.  Well, this night, I was signed up for snacks and the game was an hour away and the boys wouldn't be rolling into until 9p, so I took a page out of the old book and did the whole deal- sandwich, chips, apple, cookies.  It made me happy and the boys were thrilled!  When we grabbed Rocco from the school lot, nearly every player came over to the car to say thank you.  Colombo insisted on taking a picture of my production line.

HUGE win as the beat last year's division champs.

Thursday, Feb. 6th

More snow, more shoveling.  We also grabbed Oakley for part of the evening since C4 and Kell were doing their annual Happy Hockey Day in New Jersey.  We watched Mr. Beast with Rocco and Renna.

Friday, Feb. 7th

This was Fine Arts Festival into Youth Convention.  Conveniently, it was right in Hartford.  Renna presented a Short Sermon, Jr.  She signed up long ago and since then worked through some regret and fear.  I told her for this year, the win was doing something out of her comfort zone, pushing past the nerves (and dread), following through, and being brave among her peers.  Eventually, as she prepared and practiced more and more, her confidence grew and she felt better about it all.  Plus she had a ton of support- her family, her youth pastors/leaders, her friends.  (The rope was part of her illustration.)  She did a great job but did not make it through to Nationals.  

I had signed up to volunteer for the day.  I intended to hold a door or introduce presenters, or run score sheets.  Imagine my surprise when I checked in with the coordinators at 8:00am, and I was asked to evaluate!  For the morning, I was in the choir, band, and worship team room.  All afternoon I was in with Maddy evaluating dance and human video.

Saturday, Feb. 8th

Maddy and Ezra had spent the night to stay close to convention, so we had some amazing morning snuggles!

A very tired Renna (Youth Con and sleepover at the church) went with Jon and Sienna to her game.

Nathanael had his Senior Night and his very last organized hockey game after roughly 16 years of playing for South Windsor Youth Hockey, East Catholic High School, and UConn Club.  I let family know that there would be a brief and "lame" moment for the seniors before the game.  He had the biggest fan section and we always appreciate the outpouring of love and support.  He scored 2 goals and went out with a bang!

These two have been to the majority of his games and watched countless hours of his ice time, always jumping in to help with rides when needed.

Sunday, Feb. 9th
Church was online due to snow.  I got up and over to the apartment early to shovel, and then got to work in the kitchen for Super Bowl prep.  Colombo dropped the kids off for an hour of sledding before we left for Renna's game.  Then we all (minus Trev) gathered for the Super Bowl across the street.

Week 5--January Birthday Dinner

Monday, Jan. 27th

C4 and Kelly made it to their 4-night cruise out of Florida!  

Tuesday, Jan. 28th

I babysat for the youth pastor's kids.  They were fun and easy and Renna helped a ton.  S wanted to play outside in the snow, so we compromised.

Look how little and cute!!!

Wednesday, Jan. 29th

We tried to FT Trev, but no answer.  Before scattering, I insisted on a selfie.

We had Ezra for part of the day.  In passing, the two with blue eyes crossed paths.

Rocco had his first Varsity start!  He's been getting a ton of playing time, but this was his first trip to the starter blue line this season.

Thursday, Jan. 30th

1999, moments before we became parents 26 years ago.  Not sure why this one popped up this day, but what a time!  Colombo looks photoshopped in but I think it was a wrinkle in the plastic photo album.    

Friday, Jan. 31st

Ezra and her beloved puppy, Bingo.

After Maddy picked her up, I ran down to take hockey individuals and team photos.

Colombo, Rocco, and Renna took advantage of a TBQ tournament in Jersey.  Renna left early with the girls but since Aiden had to work and Rocco had practice, the boys had a much less desirable traffic situation and didn't arrive until 10:00pm

 

Saturday, Feb. 1st

Big day of quizzing, and lots of fun and friends throughout the day.  They were home by 6:30....so it was a 24-hour flash trip.

Sunday, Feb. 2nd

We celebrated our January birthday crew with the fam.  Just missing Trevor!  Everyone (well, maybe I should say most) prefers to be at the house where we can spread out, take our time, move about.  For this season and our size group, it makes the most sense to be home.

Renna's handiwork.