Friday Things #468
Happy Friday, friends! Weโve got a few weeks to catch up on, so letโs jump in!
1. Joseph got glasses! Gah, I canโt believe how grown up he looks in them. He was so, so excited to match Dominic with black glasses ๐ฅฐ
(The shirt heโs wearing was for the 100th day of schoolโฆ he made a shirt with all 50 states and their capitals โ 100 things! I love his love of geography.)
2. This girl has been LOVING writing and is so proud that she can spell her brothersโ names ๐ I canโt believe sheโs going to be in kindergarten next yearโฆ where on Earth does the time go?!
3. Dominic updateโฆ he completed his second round of the new immunotherapy and low-dose chemo combo in New York two weeks ago, then had a new scan last week. The scan showed improvement, about a 30% decrease in skeletal disease, so headed in the right direction. He also had a PET scan here at home earlier this week, as his doctors wanted to have another data point for some clarity about what might be dead disease still showing up on the other scan. We havenโt heard about those results yet.
He is finally enjoying a ravenous appetite again and has gotten his legs back under him this week, went back to school on Wednesday. We got the good news that he will be able to do his next round of treatment here in Pittsburgh, which he is thrilled about since my husband, Joseph, and Isabelle will be able to come and visit.
4. I havenโt been to Trader Joeโs in ages and donโt regularly shop thereโฆ which products are worth the trip??! >> Trader Joeโs 14th Annual Customer Choice Award Winners
5. My overthinking, overanalyzing brain needs this sometimes >> The Art of Effortless Decision Making
6. Books! I finished Code Name Helene while in New York; I found it slow initially, but the bookโs last half went very quickly. I loved that it was fiction but based on an actual womanโs work during World War II. Iโm reading Every Summer After now and am flying through it, Iโm nearly halfway through and love it so far!
7. YES, all of this, especially โโฆthe world was still simple and slow and pure and authenticโฆโ >> Why I Loved Being a Teen in the 90s
8. Super Bowl! Are you watching? What are you eating? Who are you rooting for? I donโt really have a Super Bowl menu planned because weโll be celebrating my husbandโs birthday with family that day, too, and will probably just eat leftovers from our noon meal (his picks: focaccia bread, eggplant parmesan, pasta salad, and cannoli for dessert). However, we do have queso and chips in the pantry! I donโt have a rooting interest in the game, but if forced to choose, Iโll cheer for the Chiefs.
9. Letโs talk TVโฆ weโre all caught up on Mayor of Kingstown and love seeing some Pittsburgh-area sites since that is where they filmed the current season! We also watched season one of Billy the Kid on MGM+, it was fantastic!
10. TGIF! It was National Golden Retriever Day last Friday, but really every day is golden retriever day at our house ๐คฉ
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I love Friday things so much! Thank you for the kiddo update, they are all growing so fast. I also enjoyed Every Summer After. I recommend all of Emily Henryโs books if you loved Every Summer After. Take care!
Isabelle, you have grown up in the blink of an eye. I love how you wrote all of your names! Joseph, I love the shirt you made, and your glasses too! Dominick, I am so happy you are doing well. I donโt watch football, but I am watching Puppy Bowl!!๐ถ Prayers for your whole family!!โค
Love reading Dominic updates โค Your blog has been one of my favorites for so many years now. Thank you for all your hard work!
I
Michelle,
It is wonderful seeing your sweet family and glad to hear all that is new with Joseph, Dominic and Isabelle. I keep all of you in my thoughts and look forward to hearing the new developments in your lives.
Super Bowl LVII; Iโm all in for the Kansas City Chiefs. I recall a while back Josephโs drawing of Patrick Mahomes, it was delightful.
Continued well being to your entire family. Thank you for sharing.
Love seeing your posts again. Your family is growing so fast and you are so blessed. Great news for Dominic and continued prayers.
Your children are growing and are all so lovely. So happy to read about Dominicโs progress. Thankful for all of the percentages of improvements, and will continue to pray for him (and for you and your entire family).
Trader Joeโs finds: frozen chocolate croissants, sourdough bread, produce of all kinds, great inexpensive dried pastas, frozen cheesecakes, and an incredible one was pumpkin sticky toffee pudding. I had never tried sticky toffee pudding and this one was amazing!!
Wonderful news for Dominic! Continued prayers for you all!ย
Hi Michelle,
I will say a prayer for your sweet little boy. I am happy to hear some good news on his medical reports! Joseph looks very cute with his glasses! Isabelle is as beautiful as ever. She looks a lot like you. I hope your husband and family have a wonderful birthday celebration this weekend and hope you can enjoy some good, old fashioned, down time with the family this weekend. Sounds like you are definitely deserving of it. :)
Thank you for the update. Joseph love your new glasses and your shirt is so cool. Isabelle is so cute and continuing to pray for Dominic and all of you. Happy Birthday to your husband and Happy Valentineโs Day to everyone. Looks like the pups are enjoying their nap.
Thanks for cheering for the Chiefs (since youโre a PA girl). As a lifelong KC girl Iโm cheering for Mahomes & Company too!
Josephโs shirt might be something he could market. Itโs so cute! Isabelleโs writing is great! And Iโm so happy about Dominicโs test results.
Happy Valentineโs Day to the entire family.
xoxoxoxoxo
Oh, Joseph does look Dashing in his new specs- (if you have to explain, just say really handsome) ๐
Isabelle is growing up, too! Very nice printing. A budding writer-does she bake, too?
So happy to hear the upbeat news on Dominic. Continued prayers .ย
Thanks again for the book ideas, always appreciated.ย
I honestly donโt know how you manage to juggle it all like you do. Happy Birthday to your husband and Happy Valentineโs Dsy to all!โค๏ธ
I love the way you talk about the kiddos. Seeing Joseph in his new glasses is great. He does look grown up. Isabelle is growing too. Writing all the names is an accomplishment. I am happy to hear Dominic is doing well. Staying near home will be good for all of you. I am keeping Dominic in my prayers as well as the rest of your family. Have a Happy Valentineโs Day and keep your self rested and healthy.
I canโt believe how much Duke now looks like Einstein did years ago. I remember when Duke was just a puppy. How time flies.
Absolutely love your write ups and this was was great ! Love Josephโs new glasses ! You look so nice in them ! Wow the 100 day shirt is a work of art ! I would keep that forever ! What a treasure!!! Congratulations Dominic on completing the second round & so happy to hear the next one is here in Pittsburgh!!! Isabelle Iโm impressed how nice you can write ! You will be wonderful in kindergarten!!! Michelle I love the recipes you posted & Iโll let you know the ones I decide to make for the game ! Love to all โค๏ธ
I read your emails and love your family and recipes! My husband and I live in Las Vegas, we raised our five children here. My heart goes out to you every time I read about Dominicโs struggles! Nothing worse than watching your baby suffer! Iโm in a book club with some longtime friends so I watch what your reading too. Some of my favorites were: โA Higher Call, Unbroken, The Mulligan (this was followed by Waiting for White Horse by the same author), Ashleyโs War, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Language of Flowers (I loved this), A gentleman in Moscow, Beneath a Scarlett Sky (my husband enjoyed this one!), there were many more. I also trained, raised, and bred Golden Retrievers while growing up in June Lake California. I also love the Chiefsโฆ.hope they win Sunday! Hang in there, hope Dominics treatments are successful! Kim
Loved seeing the pics of the kiddos, and hearing about your life. So glad Dominic is doing good, heโs in my daily prayers, Joseph looks so different with his glasses, so grown up, Isabelle going to kindergarten already, wowโฆ.time flys. Thanks for the update. You guys have a great week end, celebrating hubbyโs birthday & superbowlโฆweโre not into super bowl , might watch the halftime show. God bless you BEB!!
Very nice Friday articles. The kids are so cute. Happy news for Dominic-will keep praying for all of you. Joseph is a handsome young guyโhis glasses do look sharp on him. Isabella is a sharp little one. Just think, next year they will all be in schoolโyes, time flies as we watch the kiddos grow!
The dogs are so pretty and love seeing them together.
liked the recipesโwill try the chicken and dumplings soon.
Enjoy the Super bowl
I love seeing the updates on your kids. Youโre right, Joseph looks so grown up. I remember when you were pregnant with him.
As for TV shows, Iโm enjoying Will Trent on ABC. There are only 4 or 5 episodes, but I think itโs good. Iโve heard good things about The Last of Us, but since I donโt have HBO/HBO Max I havenโt seen it yet. Iโve also heard one episode it a tearjerker.
Great post, Michelle! Those kiddos are all amazing in their own ways. Isabelle looks SO proud of her accomplishment! Joseph couldnโt be more handsome, and Dominic continues to win battles. Happy birthday to your husband. My go-to at Trader Joeโs is simply their extra virgin olive oil. With an attached spout, itโs a real bargain for a favorite pantry staple. I recently finished and recommend The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. An eye opener on a little known part of our countryโs history. Loved it (and the sequel, The Book Womanโs Daughter). Enjoy the weekend!
Wonderful!!!
Thank you for sharing your children with us, so happy to hear all about them.
ย ย Thank you for all the wonderful information!
๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐คฃ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ thanks for the update and have a great superbowl weekend and happy birthday to your husband.
thanks for the updates! Wishing Godโs bountiful continued blessings for you and your precious family :)
May God bless you and your family. Your grace, humility and positive outlook under these difficult circumstances is an inspiration.
If you are looking for a distraction, I have a selfish suggestion. I have become fascinated with french macarons. I have not tried to make them yet but have done a lot of research and have read several recipes. They seem to be very temperamental though the recipes do not seem difficult.
Have you ever tackled them? (football pun intended)
My Trader Joeโs list:
1. Chicken Shawarma (where raw meats are)
2. Mandarin Chicken (frozen foods)
3. Brown rice (frozen foods, very handy)
4. Vegan Dill Salad Dressing
5. Bao Buns (frozen foodsโฆmy sonโs favorite)
6. Cheesesโฆalways a great variety
While living in the States, I always bought Trader Joeโs slab chocolate to make Turtles at Christmas. Missed them this year!
Thank you so much on the updates on your wonderful family. May God continue to bless each and every one of you, including your beautiful Goldies. We miss our โDelilahโ so much.
Again, thank you for the update.
Good morning and thanks for all the updates! Joseph looks so grown up in glasses. Love them. I am so impressed with Isabelleโs spelling WOW! Great news about Dominic and I bet he is thrilled to be back at school. Prayers for all of you daily.
I and my entire family are diehard Chiefโs fans so we are all very excited for Sunday. GO CHIEFS!!!!!