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 28--Lazy Summer Days

Monday, July 6th

It's an honor to be trusted with his feelings and so sweet that he appreciates my perspective.  He's so fun to chat with!

The end of the road for USA.

Tuesday, July 7th

Rocco's Senior High Camp

Taco Tuesday at the house.

Gianna committed!  Her dream coming true!  I actually cried a little.  So dang proud of her guts and hard work and commitment.  And so fun to have her close to home to see some games.

Wednesday, July 8th

Lisa and I drove out to Mom's to deliver a goodie basket for Russ to celebrate the end of radiation.  All the siblings chipped in.

Renna played a summer league game with the East Catholic girls.

Thursday, July 9th

Colombo's team was in town for a couple days of meetings.

Friday, July 10th

Two-week mark for these flowers.

Saturday, July 11th

Sunday, July 12th

Church, finance office, and then lots of packing, cleaning, organizing, and preparing to leave the next day for our highly anticipated trip to Europe to see the Rambarose's.  Oh!  And Rocco came back from camp with new hair!  A past-midnight decision in the boys' cabin for no apparent reason.  But I love it!  Very nostalgic of his growing up years and many summers with a buzz cut.

Week 24--Summer Memories

Monday, June 8th

No picture, but Renna and I went over and did some deep cleaning at Ninny and Papa's.  They are planning to list the house and were in a frenzy to get a lot done before the photographer came to take pictures for the listing.  Renna worked hard and happily.

Trevor's last day.  :(  We only had him for three short weeks between the end his semester and the start of a summer of camp duties.  He was sweet to spend some extra time and energy with Rocco and Renna.  

The 3 of them played a made-up game with the volleyball.

Tuesday, June 9th

Packing up.  Trying to fit 10 weeks into two duffle bags.

Off he went...the tears that came caught be by surprise.  I'm still adjusting to all the big and small ways life keeps changing.

Delighted to have the happy distraction and company of this sweet dude and his mom for the afternoon.

Colombo was still in Salt Lake City so we sent him a picture.

Maddy asked for some specific photos--gotta say, I was able to sift through several years looking for the specific thing she needed and the blog made it a very quick and easy task.  Along the way, I found these gems:

Wednesday, June 10th

I love the tradition of embarrassing the kids at pickup on their last day of school, but it's hard when they drive themselves, so then I have to improvise.  He'd walk out of his last exam to the only decorated car in the lot!  Bluey for the win!

Colombo got a hike in before his afternoon flight back home.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I caught some of Renna's summer skate with her high school team.

Thursday, June 11th

I was up and out early to volunteer at the Allied Golf Tournament that Andrea runs.  It was so hot, but so good.

Renna had spent the night at Pop and Kiki's with Sadie and they made strawberry rhubarb jam.

Friday, June 12th

Baby Bo is practicing his sitting skills.  We love his fuzzy head of hair.

Harlem had a 'my special guy' day at school in honor of Men's Mental Health Month and Father's Day.  His mom asked if Uncle C could go.  It was the sweetest, little event; so well-run and loved by the kids and dads (grandpas, uncles) alike.

That was fast!

Saturday, June 13th

A perfect morning out walking.  The air is still cool in the morning and the colors all around are beyond vibrant.  (Picture courtesy of being old- I was trying to start a video for Ezra)

Harlem made good progress over the course of the afternoon.

Harley would get cold in the pool and need a break.  I teased Rocco that he needed to teach Harlem about laying on the warm concrete.  My mind flashed to years past of kids lined up side-by-side all along the pool on their bellies, warming themselves in the sun.  Those days were here, and then *poof* they weren't.  Rocco replied, "That was the best!  Trevor and I had some of our best chats laying next to each other."

I can't imagine it's just a "DiSalvatore" thing, but I do know that Trevor sort of discovered it for my crew and I do know that it happened A LOT around here over the last 15 summers.

Sunday, June 14th

We had a graduation party and then some of the gang came over to swim and eat.

Part of Ninny and Papa's house purge was sending mine and Kelly's wedding dresses home with me.  They've been stored at their house since our respective weddings.  Since they were just hanging in my dining room waiting for a new spot to live, Kelly threw mine on.

BONUS CONTENT:

Lisa posted Katie and Trey's grad pics from Memorial Day weekend.  

The '06 Club-- They've probably only been in the same state a couple of days this whole year.  Everybody's growing up and moving on.  Here, they are all 19!