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 17--Road Trippin'

Monday, Apr. 20th

Lots of tennis these days!  We're enjoying sitting out and watching our boy as the days keep getting nicer, warmer, and spring-ier as we go.

Tuesday, Apr. 21st

Wednesday, Apr. 22nd

Nathanael and Tina braved a chilly home match.

Rocco's opponent kept cheering him on and encouraging him.  I thought it was sweet.  Rocco found it condescending and "annoying, bruh".  Rocco took his first L this day.

Thursday, Apr. 23rd

This was a fun day!  Back in November, Trevor jumped onto the Men's volleyball team at school.  It's comparable to a club or intramural.  He had never played before (aside from someone's backyard) but was really enjoying it.  I kept bugging him for his schedule so I could do my best to make a match (game??).  FINALLY his first home game!  I cleared my day, got some caffeine, downloaded an audiobook, and headed up to Word of Life.

I got there an hour early and made my way down to the gym.  The guys were warming up but as soon as he saw me, he ran over and gave me a big hug.  Sometimes his reactions to things are bland, but he expressed vocally how grateful he was to have me there and was grinning from ear to ear.

As the game started, the gym filled in with about 200 enthusiastic students holding homemade signs and cheering with all they had.  This was my very first volleyball game, so I had to catch on to how the officiating, scoring, and switching sides all worked.  Why does one kid wear a different shirt?  Why does the whistle blow so much?  But I loved it!  So proud of Trevor for stepping out and trying something new.  And the game is fun to watch because every point matters and it moves quickly.  Trevor played the entire game and had some HUGE plays including a diving save from out of bounds.  The game went to a 5th set, but they lost by just a few points in the end.  

The best part of my night week month was when they were starting the 4th round (set??-I'm getting my volleyball and tennis terms mixed up) and from the court he looked up and waved to me. :)

At the conclusion of the game, the WOL boys had the opportunity to share the gospel with the opposing team, a very brief, loving, soft exposure.  No more than 5-7 minutes and then two students, including Trevor, had the opportunity to pray for a player.

Friday, Apr. 24th

I had the baby for the day but was happy C4 grabbed him a few minutes early so I could finish getting ready for another road trip!

Baby Bo watching himself on Ezra's video of the week. :)

Seven hours on the road by myself the day before, and now a car full of girls + baby on our way to PA for Amanda's graduation.  We left around 5p and arrived around 10p.  We got snuggled in for the night.  Such a fun evening in the car.  Bo's first girls' trip!!!!

Saturday, Apr. 25th

The hotel lobby was a buzz, our crew so excited to meet up with the Cours- a little hotel breakfast, a little RummyKub- and then celebrate Amanda!  Graduation was at 1p so we had a slow, easy morning.

It's an inside joke but I have to leave this here for the memory.  This is what Juliet thinks of "Uncle Tony".

It was a beautiful service / ceremony loaded with meaning, sentiment, worship, recognition, and proud achiebenment.  It's evident even from walking onto the campus that it is a very, very, very special program and a rare bubble.

She did it!  C3 and Trev were able to catch it online.

So proud of her!  I was overcome with emotion when I got to hug her.  I also grabbed Lisa while Amanda was buzzing about taking pictures and whispered "You're here."  It's always a gift.  Every milestone feels like a) borrowed time and like we stole something and b) a reminder of God's mercy and faithfulness in her / our life.  She has fought HARD and long to take in moments such as Amanda's graduation.  All the throat lumps, all the tears.

I'll steal more pix from Lisa, but now...

Sunday, Apr. 26th

DiSalvatCours 4/26/26.  Just missing Jack, Trevor, Maddy, Mason, Ezra.  The group keeps growing!

Week 6--Fridays with Maymee 2.0

Monday, Feb. 2nd

Only one picture.  I dropped a meal off to a friend.  Renna asked me to take a picture of the house so she could recognize which one it is.  While I was out, Lil texted asking if we wanted to meet them out for a burger.  Since Mondays are free for us, the last-minute invite worked out brilliantly!  It was so good to get some time with them and get some advice.

Tuesday, Feb. 3rd

I met up with Kate for coffee / tea.  So thankful for her.  We've been friends for 45 years!!!  And trust me when I say, our friendship has weathered some "stuff" through no fault of our own.  She's so kind, supportive, wise, funny.  Her boys are just older than C4, so I admire her as a mom just a step ahead.  We've done everything from Kindergarten through high school, prom, boyfriends, in each other's wedding, babies, toddler play dates, swapping recipes, job changes, parenting adult children, challenging seasons, rejoicing together in victories, and crying together through hard.

Baby Bo is getting so smily, talkative, and expressive.

Wednesday, Feb. 4th

Apparently I was on 3 video calls this day.  GREAT news that Lisa will continue her pause in chemo.  It's been nearly a year as everything has remained miraculously stable.

Thursday, Feb. 5th

Making Ezra's video.

Just Rocco and I for the evening so we squeezed in some final driving lessons and we tried Cane's for the first time.   Love him!

Tim sent this wedding photo of my grandparents (maternal) when they ran off and eloped on their way to Montana.  Can you even imagine a cowboy from Montana whisking his girlfriend 16 years his junior from her very proper New England parents and starting their forever by eloping?  I think it's incredibly romantic.  Unless it was one of my kids!  Haha!  It's a shame their love story didn't last longer.  He died just a few years later, leaving her with 3 kids under 3.  Milo + Anne

Friday, Feb. 6th

We're trying to find a routine with our video calls.

C4's timing was perfect to get to say hello.

Fridays with Maymee 2.0!  Kelly started back to work a couple days a week, so I get Baby Bo on Friday!

Baby Bo had his first DMV visit.  Uncle Rocky had his road test........and he passed with a perfect score!

Harlem's mom invited me to his 'student of the week' presentation, but I couldn't be in two places at once.  She sent me a picture and a video.  

Two dads and 4 TBQ-ers set out for a tournament in New Jersey.

Saturday, Feb. 7th

We woke up to more snow, so I went over to do the apartments and Rocco took care of the house.

Rocco and I went to Saturday night service.  C4 played the drums.

Sunday, Feb. 8th

I had rehearsal and then we congregated at O'Bonks.  Traditional Super Bowl viewing with the whole gang in their newly renovated space.  I love that the big kids still join in.  This year, anticipation was HIGH and hopeful for our Patriots.  

I had zero interest in the halftime show, so I opted to watch the livestream of Word of Life's alternate halftime show which Trevor had a hand in filming.  The school has some pro snowboarders come in doing a whole bunch of tricks and a quick Gospel message.

There's my boy.  In his element.