Friday Things #512
1. You may remember that Dominic had routine scans done in New York a few weeks ago, which came back clean. He was also scheduled to have a bone marrow biopsy, but he tested positive for Covid while we were there, so he was unable to be sedated, and it had to be rescheduled. We went back to NY for a day last week to have it done, and Dominic’s oncologist called us this week to let us know that the biopsy came back completely clear and that Dominic’s central line can now be removed. He (well, all of us!) has been waiting for this news for so long… Dominic does not have a port that sits under the skin; he has a central line that comes out of his chest, with two tubes extending from it. It has a sterile dressing that must be changed weekly (and cannot get wet), and the lines must be flushed a few times a week. Finding out that he can have this removed and have the freedom to swim, shower, play sports, etc. was THE BEST news.
2. The kids had a long weekend last weekend, and we packed a lot of fun into it! On Saturday, we took the kids to watch the Penguins practice, which was really just as much for me and my husband because we got to see a previous player (Jaromir Jagr) skate with the team because he was having his jersey retired over the weekend.
3. On Sunday, we finally celebrated Joseph’s birthday with our extended family (hooray for everyone finally being healthy!). How did this kid get so grown-up looking?! (He requested my father-in-law’s cherry pie instead of cake; he has good taste!)
4. And on Monday, we took the kids to the auto show at the convention center. I think they love sitting inside the cars more than we do! I promptly fell asleep on the couch Monday night as soon as the kids went to bed 😂
5. I think I’ve tried every single protein bar over the last couple of years because I was looking for something I could throw in my purse or bag and have for appointments, at the hospital, traveling, etc. I finally discovered Built Bars and I LOVE them. I especially love the “puff” versions, which have a marshmallow-y consistency. They are packed with protein but not very much fat or sugar; my favorite flavor is cookie dough chunk puff.
6. I saw someone on Instagram mention how they always bake a special treat on Fridays to enjoy after the kids get home from school. I love this idea! I may need to start with a batch of classic chocolate chip cookies. Do you do this? What are your favorite things to make?
7. So many great nuggets in here >> The Joys of Getting Organized
8. I’m still reading Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow… I’m hoping I’ll finish it over the weekend so I can start The Women (Kristin Hannah’s newest book)!
9. I loved this article; it really encompasses everything I loved about watching TGIF as a kid >> The Wholesome Era of 90’s TGIF Sitcoms
10. TGIF! Love these two snuggle bugs 💙🩷
The best news for your family about Dominic! He continues to be in my prayers every single day. God is good! Happy birthday to Joseph too!
Joseph’s last single-digit birthday??!! How is that even possible?
I am happy to hear your family’s good news! I am thanking God for Dominic’s great report. He is a real trooper! I really enjoy your blog and seeing the children grow up. You are a blessing!
Hooray for Domnic’s wonderful news! That is really a huge step for all of you, how incredible. God is with all of you.
That is the most wonderful news about Dominic☺️ and for the rest of the family. God had him the whole time and will continue to keep him.
Essa é uma notícia maravilhosa sobre Dominic ! Graças a Deus!
Deus abençoe toda sua família !
So happy to hear Dominic is doing well! That’s amazing news!!
I’ve been following you since before you were married and I’m so happy for the news about Dominick. I feel you are all part of my family.
Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful news about Dominic! God is so good, continued blessings to you and your family!!
So happy to hear the good news about Dominic! Happy Birthday to Joseph too! Your kids are growing up so fast! Ours are all grown, but we always had some sort of dessert to celebrate every school milestone. With 3 at all different stages, there was always something to celebrate. Your chocolate chip cookies are a great way to celebrate Fridays!
Michelle, Praise the Lord with answered prayers and blessings for Dominic and your beautiful family!🙏❤️
Such wonderful news for Dominic!!God is great.
Now on to more events 🥰
Am so happy to hear Dominic’s good results. God was watching over the family. Now you can relax and have more family happy times. You are good parents. I sometimes wonder where the strength comes from in parents when going through something like this. God bless you all.
That pie looked awfully good. In my dreams, was having a piece too.
Michelle – I remember the day our boy had clean scans and was allowed to get his central line removed (he was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at age 7)…it was more than 20 years ago! He is now 29 years old and getting married in less than 2 weeks. The difficult memories will fade for you, but sometimes you may cry just because it’s over! I am trying to decide what song to have for the mother and groom dance and have shed many tears! So happy for your family!!
AMAZING news about Dominic. Continued blessings to you and your entire family:)
That is awesome news about Dominic!!
Still praying for him and for all of your family.
Happy birthday to Joseph also!
Keep up the great job you are doing, especially with making all of your children feel loved and special. That can be a difficult thing to do when one has a serious illness.
Glad Dominic’s scans and biopsy came back clear! Best wishes for continued remission.
So very happy to hear Dominic’s great news. Thanks be to God!! Happy Birthday Joseph!! Cherry pie is my favorite too! Wishing you and your beautiful family all the very best!!💖
Am so happy for Dominic having that thing removed! Also for you not having to deal with it! Great news!
Wonderful news about Dominic! I hope and pray that he continues with being healthy! Omg, I grew up watching the Pens games with my dad and my sister. We watched Jagr and Lemieux (my parents were born/bred in the Pittsburgh area but I grew up on the opposite side of the state, in Flyer territory lol). I looked forward to TGIF all week when I was a kid :)
It’s wonderful to hear the good news about Dominic’s health. Wishing you all, but especially Dominic, a happy healthy future.
Great news! Happy birthday Joseph! Love those pups.
That is the most incredible blessed news about dominic. I’ve been following you and making your recipes before you had children. So happy for Dominic and your whole family.
Great news for your family about Dominic. Prayers answered and I do believe in the power of prayer. Hope you continue to have a healthy new year. God Bless you all. ❤️
So very happy for your great family news! I have followed you since before you had kids so you feel like extended family.
As far as special treats, my
Mom used to have the left over edges of pie crust sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and in the oven as we got off the bus! That was almost 50 years ago and I remember them like it was yesterday! So good!
Oh my gosh what a special memory!!
That is wonderful news . May God Bless you and your family.
Sharing in your gladness as Dominic bounces forward! Happy 9th Joseph! Blessings! Anne 🎶
What wonderful news about Dominic! Tears of joy came to my eyes when I read this! God is so good! God bless you all!
Oh Michelle, all of this wonderful news about Dominic brought tears to my eyes! My prayers are with Dominic, you and your entire family. Love those doggies! (I had 2 goldens of my own at one time.)
The kids are growing up so fast!! I’ve been following your blog since before you got married!!! Lovely family! And I am thrilled to hear that Dominic is cancer-free and is continuing to grow up healthy and strong. These kids are such warriors! Blessings to you and yours!
The kids are growing up so fast!! I’ve been following your blog since before you got married!!! Lovely family! And I am thrilled to hear that Dominic is cancer-free and is continuing to grow up healthy and strong. These kids are such warriors! Blessings to you and yours!
Cheering for Dominic’s happy news! And happiest birthday to Joseph :). Seeing him at the table reminds me – can you please share where you got your hammered copper table? I have been looking for a similar one with no luck.
I am so, so pleased with the wonderful news about Dominic. Have prayed for his full and permanent recovery. And it’s great to see you all enjoying family life – just as it should be xx
So happy to read about Dominic’s clear scans! He is a special boy. Your father in law’s meat sauce is my go-to recipe; any chance he would share his recipe for cherry pie?
Michelle, the news of Dominic’s clear biopsy & removal of his tube is wonderful! This will mean so much more freedom for him. And fewer trips to NY for you. I bet you’ve accumulated so many airline miles the past almost two years & you’re looking forward to a normal life again. Maybe you & your hubs can get away by yourselves for a little R&R. You deserve it – you’re a SUPER MOM!
So happy for Dominic and all of you!! 💙💕
Yay for Dominic ! That’s great news for him and your family. He’s such a brave little guy. Joseph does look so much older … it’s amazing how fast the years go by. You’ll love The Women, it’s a great book. I really enjoy her writing. I love baking chocolate chip cookies. When my kids were younger, they loved cinnamon bread or cinnamon rolls. They also loved when I made donuts … I baked them because I don’t like frying. Have a great weekend.
Dominic’s news is the best news ever!! Definitely answered prayers 🙏🏻. I am so happy for you and your family ❤️
Way to go Dominic, such great news! A very happy birthday to Joseph!
Such wonderful news! Happy Birthday Joseph.
Prayers to you and your family. May God bless you.
Thank you, God, for the wonderful news for Dominic!!
What joy for your whole family!! ❤️🙏🏻
Such wonderful news for Dominic. It has been such a long haul for all you guys. He has been so brave during all of this. Have a great summer.
I love the Built Bars too. We just discovered them recently at Costco. I was looking for a protein bar without artificial sugar and too many ingredients. Of course amazon.com has more flavors than the Costco box, which has brownie and coconut. I am interested to try all of them in the mixed package. Love the marshmallow texture that tasts like a candy bar. Not your usual protein bar, but has good ingredients. Why not enjoy it!!
So wonderful about sweet Dominic. Happy, thankful tears for all of you this morning reading this🙏
I’m so happy to hear the good news about Dominic!🙏💙
Wonderful news about Dominic. Blessings to you all.
Yay, Dominic!!!! So happy for you and your family! That was just awesome news to read this morning! Sending even more prayers of gratitude your way! Have a wonderful weekend!
Absolutely love this blog!
Wonderful news, all around! Made me smile! Best!
Cheers for Dominic!! I’ve been following your posts for a long time, the ups and downs in your lives, and your delicious recipes. I hope you will all be able to do something special to celebrate this monumental occasion. Wishing you all the best!
So glad to hear your happy news today. ❤️
So very happy for all of you that Dominic has such wonderful news on scans & bone marrow and that they can remove his chest line.
All 3 kids look wonderful and I can’t get over how much they have all grown.
What a merry start to Spring!
Love to each
The Spangenbergs
Praise the Lord what wonderful news and before spring summer activities. So proud of him, it is a difficult journey.
Friday treats a great idea I am retired and alone but often do that for myself. Lately it has been crumb topped coffee cake
I’m so happy that Dominic’s line could be removed and hopefully he is on the way to a full and permanent recovery. I am not a dog person but the pictures of your sweet dogs are so enjoyable. They really are a part of your family. I bake something special for the weekend every week as a special treat for our Sabbath and many of the
recipes come from your website. As the world in general has become a crazy place, it is heartening to see your normal family doing wholesome family stuff. Best of luck with everything. I just made your No Bake Cookies last night and they are amazing. They kind of taste like a fudge recipe and also similar to the Texas Sheet Cake frosting recipe. Didn’t seem like the batter would solidify on the cookie sheet but I was able to scoop them perfectly and they set up pretty quickly. I used a small scoop and it made about 70 mini bite sized cookies. Have a great weekend!
You will love The Women. That is my era and my husband was in the army. Many friend’s suffering today because of what they endured.
Great news about your son!! I keep him in my prayers daily. It looks like you guys are enjoying the world. The kids look so happy.
I also just purchased Kristin Hannah’s new book. I can’t wait to start it. I have loved her other books and am ready to start the newest one.
I am so very happy for Dominic and your family. Such wonderful news. You have a beautiful family. Thank you so much for the protein bar info. I am excited to try it.
I am so happy for Dominic and your family! Wonderful news to start off 2024.
So glad to hear the wonderful news about Dominic!! And on a different note, I so appreciate your protein bar recommendation as I too have been searching for one (unsuccessfully thus far). Going to try these out. Wishing you and your family all the best.
Such good news about Dominic! What a trouper.
And Joseph is so grown up – hard to beleive I’ve been following you all these years.
I am so happy to read this wonderful news about Dominic! He (and you and your family!) has been through so much, but he has been such a champ! And Joseph and Isabelle are just as precious. Very happy for you all!
Dominic’s news is the best news ever! Thanks be to God. Love watching your beautiful family grow.
So happy for Dominic!! May God continue to keep him well.
Hi Michelle,
I am so happy to hear the wonderful news about Dominic, God has answered all of our prayers!!
It looks like the kids had such a fun weekend, how nice!
I hope your weekend is extra special. I think Dominic is deserving of a special celebration :).
God is good🌝 Happy for you and the family . Way to go Dominic😁. Kathy from Virginia.
Hallelujah for Dominic!!! Thank you dear Lord for answered prayers. You all look great and Joseph is looking so grown up. The cherry pie looks so good too. When my two kids were young we would have doghnut day every Friday morning. There was a doghnut shop just up the street. A yummy end to the week.
Such wonderful news about Dominic! God has certainly guided him to good health. May he continue to grow and thrive! God bless Mommy and Daddy too for all you’ve been through during the whole ordeal. Your children are just precious and I feel the closeness and warmth of your little family just by reading about your family life. God bless you all and keep you safe ❤️
I’m so happy that Dominic is getting his port removed! That’s definitely an answered prayer! He is growing so fast. Your family is so beautiful.
Great news about Dominic! That pie looks amazing.
My 10 year old grandson is with me after school. Last week he requested no bakes. I can’t tell you how many he ate! Great news for Dominic. ❤️
Absolutely wonderful news about Dominic and the whole family. Happy Birthday wishes for Joseph-
Thank you and your beautiful children for sharing these wonderful pictures. Happy weekend to all!
Thank you for sharing the great news.
Happy birthday Joseph
Amazing news on Dominic! Yay!!!
Absolutely wonderful news about Dominic. I’ve noticed Joseph looking so mature. And Isabella and her snaggletooth smiles…perfect! Keep the good news coming. We will keep you all in our prayers.