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 21--The One Where a Bat Gets in the House

Monday, May 18th

I took Renna to meet with her counselor and get her Freshman courses selected.

A beautiful day and a fun, supportive group for Rocco's last home match.

Tuesday, May 19th

His giraffe is his current fave.

Wednesday, May 20th

The tennis match was moved indoors due to high temps outside.  We had a nice, cozy corner.

Then Girls' Night Out with my sweet crew.  We just never remember to take a picture.

Thursday, May 21st

Filming for Ezra.

I made sooooo many cookies this day.

He's either catching up from the semester, or storing up for summer camps.

Daddy / daughter date night at the new revolving sushi spot.

Oh!  And then around 9:00, Renna opened the slider door open about 20" for 3 seconds to let the dog in (like we do 50 times a day!) and a BAT flew in the house!  Renna filmed the whole thing if you care to see the hysterical dabacle.  This is the abbreviated version.  Her cinematography and commentary is hilarious!

I'm just thankful it wasn't a bird.  A bird would've flown all over the place, evading us for hours pooping everywhere.  Instead, we regained peace after 20 minutes.

Friday, May 22nd

Rocco's toughest match of the season.  All eight courts were done in less than 45 minutes!  "Bageled" is the tennis term.  BUT, midway through, the girls' softball game across the field played the National Anthem and without prompting, all the tennis boys paused, turned and reverenced the moment.  So parents followed suit.

No picture, but Colombo and I tried a new date night spot- an incredible Italian restaurant with everything made in house and a huge patio.  We will be back!

Saturday, May 23rd

Somewhere in Jordan.

Lisa and I drove out to Rhode Island together to attend Trey and Katie's homeschool graduation ceremony.  So proud of their accomplishments and Elizabeth's amazing work as mom/teacher to get them here.  Tim's two speeches were so thoughtful, so personal, so edifying, and tear-jerking.

I love the 3 of us sibs on the far right (unplanned).

Then the rest of the gang met up with us at the house for the party.

Sunday, May 24th

Church, then we threw together a last minute lunch at Ninny and Papa's.  They are cleaning out the basement.  Once we heard Jon and Annie were going over for a bit, I put a lasagna lunch together and we all met up.

Watching the Bat video.

Later, we went over to Jon and Annie's so the kids could do hot tub and hang.