Precious Family and Friends,
Another year has come and gone. We’ve witnessed God’s goodness, His kindness, and His faithfulness throughout the last twelve months. Even through challenges and trials, we find comfort and peace in His presence. It’s been a year of big milestones and changes for our family and extended family. Our hearts expand as our family grows and we are so very grateful for the memories we are making, new and old traditions, and the gift of time together.
Our most recent and littlest addition to the family came on November 12th. Colombo DiSalvatore V was born to Colombo and Kelly, weighing 5 lbs, 5 oz. He came three weeks early on his cousin Ezra’s 2nd birthday. We are in love! He’s the tiniest, perfect package. We’re all trying to figure out what to call him- C5, Five, Cinco, Bo...I think he’ll settle right into the perfect name. Colombo and Kelly are both taking a generous amount of time off as they settle into life with a newborn, a dog, and even a new minivan! They’ll teach their little guy all about the New Jersey Devils, Fantasy football, and March Madness. They also keep busy serving at church with the youth and music departments.
Our 2nd addition: Nathanael married Tina on June 20th in a beautiful outdoor ceremony overlooking a lake followed by an incredibly lovely and fun reception. They went on a dream Mediterranean cruise honeymoon. It was a busy spring of planning and preparing, but now they are settling into their beautiful place just a few minutes away and finding their groove as a busy, young married couple. They both have a huge heart for people and are selfless in the time they give to various ministries and serving opportunities including small groups, young adults, and men’s retreat. Nathanael graduated from UConn back in May and Tina is in the final months of her graduate program for speech pathology.
Trevor is at Word of Life Bible Institute in upstate New York for his second year. In addition to his regular course load, he is part of the media team and does quite a bit of filming and editing for the school. He also recently joined the volleyball team, which is more of an intermural activity than a formalized team. He’s been gone for nearly 16 months because he was required to work eight weeks of summer camps at school in addition to snow camps over the winter. We miss him dearly around the house and look forward to his short visits when possible. He loves movies and music, particularly Twenty One Pilots. He is bold in his faith and will often stop to share a word of encouragement with a stranger.
Rocco is 16 and currently car shopping; he will get his license later this month. He is a junior at East Catholic where he’s a diligent student, liked by his teachers and peers. He plays varsity hockey and tennis, very much enjoying each one and making fun high school memories. He landed his first job last spring at Dairy Queen. Recently he got his braces off and is tall and handsome, standing at 6’1”. He loves youth group and hanging with his tight group of buds. They see each other most Saturdays for Faith and Football and most Sundays to watch NFL and play mini-hoop.
Renna is now 13 and in 8th grade, her last year of homeschool. She is deep into hockey this year and is playing on an all-girls team, along with her BFF/cousin. She played on our town’s middle school soccer team in the fall and recently started in on her braces. She is all about her skin care routine and rearranges her room about once a month- her own room as of June for the first time in her life. She loves being an auntie and is always quick to offer a helping hand. Older siblings and cousins are generous to often include her in whatever the big kids are doing- movies, concerts, game nights, hot tub hangs. She loves youth group, is part of the Teen Bible Quiz team, and is working us hard for a new dog!
Madison, Mason, and Ezra have moved onto their next assignment halfway around the world. This is difficult for all of us. It’s been a joy to have them right down the road the last six months and we’ve soaked in as much time as possible. Ezra turned 2 in November and is super smart, entertaining, chatty, confident, and so stinkin’ cute! She loves to play in her kitchen, listen to her favorite songs, take selfies, bounce on the trampoline, run through the upcoming events of the day multiple times, and loves a good dance party. She was the flower girl in two of her uncles’ weddings this year. They will be dreadfully missed but are trusting for God’s perfect will for their lives and what He has called them to.
Colombo stays busy running his business (still from his home office) and has worked diligently to procure a solid team of people who work to elevate the quality of C4 Communications. He added another solutions consultant to the team and is currently interviewing for another hire. He helps coach the TBQ team and spends most weekends driving to a hockey rink somewhere for the kids. He still plays on a men’s hockey league (with C4, Nathanael, and Rocco) and loves watching his Oilers play with a Blizzard in his hand.
This is my 22nd and final year of homeschooling. The ending of an era and time to figure out what I want to be when I grow up! Over Thanksgiving weekend, the kids threw me the sweetest surprise “retirement” party. They generously poured out memories (the fun, hard, and laughable!), words of appreciation, and their gratitude for all their years at home and how they were shaped as individuals by the experience. It was humbling and gratifying, and I cried- so thankful for all the time we stole back from the traditional way. It’s strange to be in the trenches with littles for decades and all of a sudden- no more little kids. Just teens and young adults. But I’m thrilled that we now have babies that visit! Fridays have been my day with Ezra and I hope to soon have a similar rhythm with C5. I also enjoy serving at church in various areas and spending time in my kitchen loving people through food.
The older I get, the more grateful I am for our community- perhaps the greatest human need second to the Gospel. Thank you for being part of our story and for the ways- little and big- you share your love and support for us. It is our prayer that the Hope of the season- our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace- would rest in your hearts and in your homes this Christmas season and throughout the coming new year as we celebrate Emmanuel, God with us.
With much love,
The DiSalvatore’s
Check on us through the year: www.amy-lovebeingamom.blogspot.com 2025
I can't even handle the perfection.
Rocco and I missed Taco Tuesday because we had to sit through the parent portion of his drug and alcohol course. He had done eight hours over the weekend. Wow! The instructor did not disappoint. Rocco's #5 kid and these courses and instructors have all been special. Rocco and I had some really good laughs!
