Week 31--My Favorite Dump Run

Monday, July 27th

We unexpectedly found ourselves kidless so we set out on a dinner date.  Rocco and Renna spent two nights with family friends at their campground.

Tuesday, July 28th

His mama sent a pic of him with his beloved giraffe in his new giraffe jams.

Wednesday, July 29th

I think this was his last bounce.  He'd rather be sitting on the floor with toys now.

It's so unbelievable, yet all so normal to us after twelve years.  Lisa's call determined that because of some slightly detectable new growth, it was time to start chemo again after a glorious year and a half break!  I just shook my head like, "Well....we know what to do.  Here we go......"   It's crazy how desensitized I've become to parts of the story AND how utterly sickening, sad, and devastating it all is.  All we know to do is keep walking forward, ever grateful for whatever time God gifts us.  Round #48- absolutely nutty!  Lisa's courage and resolve is unmatched.

And because we can hold two things at the same time AND because God is so gracious and kind, Lisa would also learn on this day that her grand baby due in December is.....a BOY!  

Thursday, July 30th

Lil hosted Girls' Night Out.  It was so very sweet and she is just so gifted at hosting.  Meg and Lil were so patient to listen to our stuff.  We all have each other's backs, and that is a gift.

The sweetest one-sock boy.

Friday, July 31st

A very foggy morning walk.

Fridays with Maymee.

After Bo got picked up, I made my way to Jack and Avery's brand new-to-them house.  It's perfect!

I did what I could to help unpack the kitchen.  Thankfully, there were quite a few hands working together to get the move done.

Saturday, Aug. 1st

I went back to Jack and Avery's to do some yard work.  Nice, hot, sweaty weeding and hedge-trimming.  So when Lisa said, Ame, do you want to go with me to the dump?',  I said, "Sure."  

We  bumped along in the truck, happy to be together chatting away in the AC.  It wasn't until we stopped at the Lake house to "load up" what was there that I was like, "Wait a second...the two Grammas were elected to do the dump run?"  

No offense, and she'd say it herself, but Lis was gonna be no help.  So I hauled and heaved and pushed the pile for the dump onto what was already in the truck, and we were off again.

Only when the man at the dump asked, "What do you have?" did we look back and realize what we (the two Grammas) were tasked to do.  Dude!!!  Actual furniture.  A weight bench.  Rolls of nasty carpet.  So Lisa coached me on the best way to shimmy and leverage and flip and eventually, the job was done.  I was a sight.  Hair in every direction, dripping sweat.  Hedge clipping stuck to my neck and shoulders.  But we had laughed through the entire event, determined to rise to the challenge.   We laughed all the way back to Vernon wishing Renna had been along to vlog it all, because WOW.   As we bumped along in the truck back to the house I thought, I'm going to remember this day with Lisa for the rest of my life.

...and that's how a dump run became a treasured gift.

Sunday, Aug. 2nd

On a bit of a whim, Rocco decided to attend a week of Word of Life's camp with Trevor.  He literally registered the day before and decided logistically it made the most sense to drive himself up and back.  Up until this, he'd only done up to 30 minute trips.  Three hours and 15 minutes had me nervous, but I knew he could do it.  I gassed him up, lectured him about safety, gave him the best halfway spot to stop, hugged him tight, and waved goodbye.  Then I got in my car and cried.  Just another super obvious signal that my "kids" are quickly becoming NOT kids, and I know it's all good and how it's supposed to be, but I don't always love it.

He made it!  So excited for him and his week ahead.

Week 23--MVP

Monday, June 1st

I did the dumbest thing.  I backed out of the garage 1/10 of a second before the door was clear.  Snapped this off, ripped the wiring, and dented the entire roof panel.  You wouldn't believe the damage it caused from just clipping the top little millimeter.  So now I'm in the middle of resolving that.

Tuesday, June 2nd

How cute!

"Taco Tuesday" was used for our May / June birthday celebration night.   (Rocco, Trevor, and Mason) The boys picked Longhorn.

Wednesday, June 3rd

Speaking of Mason...

Rocco had his Tennis banquet where he not only had the only winning record (12-6) but also won MVP for the season and earned All-Conference.

Thursday, June 4th

This girl was the first one in and has logged some good pool time so far.

Trevor and/or Rocco invited the crew over for the afternoon / evening.

Girls' Night Out to see Water For Elephants at the Bushnell.  It was meh, but we all had fun being together out and about on a gorgeous evening.

Accidentally twinning because that's what we do!

Friday, June 5th

Trevor working hard around the yard during his break.

I went to look at this duplex.  We ended up putting an offer in a week later and ultimately would not be accepted, but it was a great property!

We went downtown for date night to Taste of Hartford and ate our way through several local vendors.  The perfect spot to be on a beautiful, warm evening- live music and happy people!

Saturday, June 6th

Sunday, June 7th

We called a family call for two purposes.  1) to recap their last 6 months and give everyone a clear picture of what they've been doing, what day-to-day life looks like, and to really share the "why" of why they are there since the siblings never really saw the powerpoint before December departure.  Mason did such a great job sharing stories and pictures.  So fun to get the big picture again and how they are doing as a family unit within that context.  They are loving their place, their city, and their team.  They've had some great experiences and are still just very excited to be there.

2) Our second agenda item was to review travel plans and set expectations so that we are all on the same page.  With 8 adults, 2 teens, a toddler, an infant, international travel, two countries, and two Air BnB's....we're effectively a small tour group with multiple 'households' merging, so we are doing our best to have 'most' details in place and be sure that wishes are expressed before they turn into disappointments.

C, Kell, and Bo stopped by to use the pool.

Colombo had flown out of town for a conference and C4 asked to use the house for his football draft with about 13 guys, so Renna and I vacated to let the boys have the house and we went over and met Kelly and Bo at Cane's.

Renna and I ran a couple errands including getting a new tank (that doesn't leak) for Esmeralda.

Week 3--Marco Island

Monday, Jan. 12th

The alarm went off very, very early!  We were off on a girls' adventure.   A few weeks prior, Jules had thrown out two different dates that their Marco Island condo was not booked.  She generously offered it to me if I thought I could get down either with Colombo or a kid or Lisa.  Sitting in Portland, Maine, I mentioned it to Lisa.  That quickly evolved to wanting to include Melody.  After a couple of texts back and forth and a quick flight search, it was booked!  All from the hotel lobby.

Our flights arrived within a couple hours of each other and then we made our way to Marco.

We dumped our stuff, oohed and ahhed over the view, and then walked down the street to an iconic spot on the water to grab lunch.

We enjoyed a lazy afternoon of resting, blogging, sitting by the pool, swimming, and hot tub.  I was able to spend the time away finishing up my post about the Ranbarose's departure.  Finally taking the time to process and write it all out.  Sobbing through most of it.  

Then we walked to a sweet Mexican restaurant for dinner, just giddy to be together on an adventure, in warmer temperatures.

Also, this sweet boy hit 2 months! 

Tuesday, Jan. 13th

The sun rises right over the bridge to the Island.

Lisa dropped Melody off for her scheduled spa day at the JW Marriott on the beach for a a much-needed day of pampering and relaxation.  The last 7 months have pushed her to her emotional and physical limits after my Uncle's heart attack.  Aunt Bonnie, Uncle Lee, and Melody have made a dynamic team through recovery but it's been a very demanding, taxing, decision-fatigue, anxious, busy, appointment-filled roller coaster.  So much to manage day-to-day with little time to process emotionally.  So a spa day felt like the right answer!

She took advantage of the all-day pass to the amenities while Lisa and I got some beach time.

Then we met her at a roof-top restaurant for a drink / snack and to watch the sunset.  She was like a new woman!  We laughed at my "hat" in this picture.

Then we went to dinner outdoors down on the marina.  

My gang still did Taco Tuesday.

Wednesday, Jan. 14th

We loaded up for a beach day but had planned to set aside brunch at Doreen's to specifically celebrate Lisa's birthday.  Such a special time around the table.  Heavy and hard, but so very special; a gift we three know- a depth because of a story we never would've chosen.  The three of us have been IN Lisa's story since the beginning.  Melody, from Day 1, rolled up her sleeves and jumped in, even living with the Cours for part of her sabbatical (making tough dog/vet decisions!).  Always present, always available, always side-by-side in the hard.  Anyway, on Lisa's birthday a year ago, I don't think any of the three of us thought she'd get to 51 much less walking on a beach in Floirda!  I'm linking her post here, because she's tells it so well.  It's worth the read.  Tears of gratitude.  We must have been quite the sight as we loved on each other, and beheld God's glory and all He's done.  Especially this year.  

Family by chance, friends by choice!  

Then the beach!  It was perfect- warm enough to sit in shorts, but not obligated to be in a bathing suit in the dead of soft, pastey season!

The sky was amazing!  All day and even into the evening, it just kept changing.

We cleaned up at the condo.  Lisa and Mel hit the hot tub while I caught a quick visit with Dan and Arlene (Jules' brother from the Cape) and then went right back to that spot on the beach to watch the sunset.  I can't tell you how hard we laughed as we got another "hat" picture.

And then.....a kiss from the King.  The most unbelievable sky.  We sat in utter wonder.

Then dinner at a newer restaurant with hands-down the best server I've ever had!

Oh, hi!!

Thursday, Jan. 15th

Happy birthday to the one who made me a mom and a 2-time Maymee.  C4 has delighted us every single day of his life.  It's an honor to be his mom.  He is a gift beyond words, certainly one I am not deserving of.  27!

Happy birthday, Lisa!  Never misses the opportunity to appreciate a sunrise or a sunset.

One more slow morning on the lanai.

Then we started stripping beds, tidying the condo, and packing up.  All the way to the airport we spoke of our graitude- for the gift of the condo, for the impromptu trip, for time together.  It was healing and holy for each of us.  The timing could not have been any better- we all left some "stuff" on the beach at Marco Island.  Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you, LeBlancs!

Friday, Jan. 16th

My only picture from the day- one from our Night of Worship.

Saturday, Jan. 17th

We snuck TBQ in before a couple inches of snow came.

Sunday, Jzn. 18th

Nick and Katie took the lead and spear-headed a sweet and special evening of family to honor Papa for his 75th.  So thankful for his life and his legacy.

Just trying to get a picture of these matching clowns.

Nevermind...

All the blue!