April 28

Adam and I went for a stroll around the neighborhood this afternoon.

It was a sunshiney, blue-sky kind of day so vague worries about an allergy rebellion aside, I breathed in the goodness of being outside.

At some point we encountered these purple flowers. They were so bright and lovely that I felt compelled to stop and take their glamor shot.

Human beings were given the intellect to create all sorts of things, but there's really nothing as stunning as a flower in full bloom. And only God can make those.

April 27

There was a lot of baseball today for Brady's Intermediates team.

They began with a 9AM House game. This particular match-up was played at the Sports Park in town where virtually all of the boys' years of Little League were played, so the nostalgia was strong for Adam and I. Brady batted leadoff and went 4 for 4; they won that one.

The second game was against a Gold team from Livermore that they'd played three times before, but Brady skipped that one in favor of our nephew Asher's 8th birthday party. (They won that one, too, and given that this was the team that threw at Brady's head during a game last month, I wasn't too disappointed to miss it.)

The third and final game was at 6PM in Livermore against the undefeated and definitively imposing Gold A-team. Given that our boys had lost to this team twice (and badly both times) they had low expectations going in, but they fought hard. Brady started the game and threw 80 pitches over four innings, giving up four (three earned, although it really should've been scored as just one) runs on six hits while striking out four. He also had no walks and no hit batsmen (which, given his history, showed a lot of growth as a pitcher, because Livermore's lineup is a tough one). They wound up losing that one, but I was super proud of Brady, and very gratified when one of the umpires --who happens to be the principal at Isaac's school-- approached us after the game, shook hands with Adam and I, and opined that Brady had thrown a heck of a game. 

So tonight I'm grateful for my kiddo's talent and success. And I'm grateful for and to all of the coaches who have helped him along the way thus far. And I'm grateful for the gracious and supportive big brother he has in Isaac. I have no idea how long he'll play, but I do know that it's fun to watch him now. And I'm thankful for that gift.

April 26

Today's JV baseball game had some unlikely spectators.

Yep, after the final out was recorded and we shuffled our way toward the parking lot, my friend Amber spied a family of bunnies nestled into the grass behind the bleachers. Cognizant of their skittishness, I slowly and carefully approached to get a good look at them and their cute cottony tails.

Although I'm quite allergic to rabbit fur, I still think they're some of the cutest animals God created, so I'm grateful for the sweet surprise that was their presence.

April 25

When I picked up Isaac after school today, I watched as he bent down and plucked a flower from a plant that somehow seeded itself by the base of a stop sign. When he got in the car a moment later, he offered it up to me with a smile.

The scene, while a sweet one in and of itself, reminded me of one of my very favorite images of Logan. He was very small, and just as I snapped the photo, he stretched out his little hand to offer me a flower.

Two sweet gifts from two sweet boys, offered up many years apart. For the gift of what was then and of what is now, I am thankful.

April 24

The Dons had a game in Danville this afternoon so I picked Isaac up at the appointed time and we headed north on the freeway.

It was a cooler and definitively overcast day but aside from the tennis ball that escaped a nearby court and nearly whacked me in the head while I waited for the game to begin, it was a pleasant enough afternoon.

Once the action began, it was a mixed bag for Isaac: he had a pair of swinging strikeouts, but his third at-bat netted a single while his fourth was a pop-out. Defensively he played the entire game in left field, where he made a great running catch to snuff out a mounting rally (among other contributions). 

Although they came out on the losing end, he was chatty as he emerged from the dugout, and spent the ride home talking about the game and various other topics. Given that I'm well-versed with The Moodies these days, I'm very grateful for that chattiness.

April 23

This is what a walk-off wild pitch looks like.

And fortunately, that's Brady's team doing the celebrating.

They engaged in quite the competitive game this evening against a team they'd played (and beaten) twice before. Since Brady threw 67 pitches during his Babe Ruth game Sunday he was ineligible to take the mound, but he contributed in other ways: offensively, he had two hits and a pair of stolen bases, and defensively, he turned a key double play when we caught a hard liner and tossed it to second base to erase the runner who'd prematurely headed for third. 

Anyway, the score was knotted at 3-3 when his team came up to bat in the bottom of the first extra inning. Our runner who began the inning on second base --because today's umpires said we needed to follow the international rule on that even though we never have before-- stole third base, and then, a few balls later, ran home on a wild pitch. And the celebration commenced.

We don't always come out on top in this life. In fact, much of the time I think we fail more than we win, probably because failing teaches us so much. But those winning moments are pretty darn sweet, so I am thankful for this one.

April 22

I was pretty sure I hadn't taken a single photo today, but I was wrong because as I was scrolling through my images a few minutes ago, I found this one. It's time stamped 11:26 AM.

It's one of those oopsie shots that you take when you're fumbling with your phone. (At least that's what happens with me. Maybe everyone else is less clumsy with their pricey electronic devices.)

It's kind of nice, in its own accidental-photo sort of way. It has elements of light and dark and is mostly in focus. And it reminds me that not all unintended happenings are disastrous; in fact, in some cases, they're even kind of cool.

April 21

Brady had a pair of games in Berkeley this morning so Adam shuttled him up there in the dad cab while Isaac and I stayed behind.

Isaac isn't a morning person so we were a little late leaving for church, which meant I couldn't stop by the Mother Ship for my dose of java. 

So when we got to church, I poured a cup of coffee from the pot in the family room (as we call the entry area) and then settled into my seat in the sanctuary. I took a quick sip and sighed because --much to my surprise-- it tasted really good. 

And I sat there holding my cup, just breathing in the fragrance of the coffee and the sweetness of being with fellow Believers in Jesus. 

April 20

It was another multi-game Saturday for Brady and us spectators.

By the time his head hit the pillow this evening, he'd played in three match-ups (two for Intermediates, one for Babe Ruth) which netted two wins and one loss. He had a hit in each game and played solid defense all over the field(s). It was beautiful outside and Adam's parents were able to join us for game number two, which is always nice, and I got to chit-chat with my fellow baseball moms. So it was, all in all, a very pleasant kind of day.

But what I really want to focus on is what I'll call The Big Comeback, which could alternately be dubbed The Proof That These Kids Are Clearly Not Awake Until 10:30 AM game. It was the first match of the day between Brady's Intermediates team and one from Bollinger Canyon Little League. It was technically a house-level game, although (like our team), the opponent has something of a floating roster that includes players of varying ability levels.

To be blunt, Brady's team looked bad from the outset. It seemed like they suddenly didn't know how to play defense and before we knew it, they were trailing by five runs. They could very well have given up and accepted what looked like certain defeat, but that's not what happened.

Instead, they buckled down, woke up, started making plays and chanting like crazy, and entered the bottom of the final inning knotted in a 10-10 tie. Brady wasn't supposed to pitch, but his coach asked if he could please have his services for an inning and we agreed, so he threw a terrific bottom of the seventh, notching a groundout that he expertly fielded himself, a walk, and a strikeout over just 13 pitches. He even dispensed with the runner he walked by executing a perfect pick-off move to second base. In the extra inning that followed, his team scored 3 more runs to secure a 13-10 win.

It was infuriating and then nerve-wracking and then exhilarating. That's often baseball for ya. And it was a blessing to see them rally hard and fight for the victory. This life often takes mettle, and those boys certainly showed theirs today.

April 19

Isaac was in a good mood following the JV Dons' 7-6 win over Dublin, so when we got home and I pointed out that he hadn't yet taken a pic with his yard sign, he decided he'd make it happen. Sort of.

Rather than just standing next to it, he chucked his bags on the lawn, put down the box of cereal he'd been munching from in a central location, and turned around to reference the number 27 on the back of his jersey. (And yeah, the sign says 21 because 21 is technically his home number. His away number is 27. Today's game was at home, but none of the boys like their dingy home jerseys so they wear the purple away ones all the time now. So I guess Isaac is actually #27. But not according to the sign. Got that? Me neither.)

Anyhow, it was a gorgeous day for baseball and my allergies didn't bother me, so I'm grateful for the time at the field.

April 18

I really enjoy the creative process, so I've had fun putting together this scarf this week.

I'm not using a pattern and it's done in something of a stitch sampler format, with blocks of various stitches separated by rows of double crochet. This evening during Brady's game, I even inadvertently came up with a stitch pattern to use as edging. 

It's satisfying to choose different stitches and it's relaxing to weave a hook through the yarn in the appropriate rhythmic fashion. 

Given that I've felt a bit stressed of late, I'm grateful to have a hobby that brings me a sense of well-being.

April 17

Both of the brositos had games this afternoon. Isaac's match-up started earlier, so once it ended, he and Adam headed northward for to catch the latter part of Brady's game.

And here they are -- that's our number 27 (at away games, anyway; he's 21 at home. We won't discuss that silliness behind why he has two numbers) and Brady's in the batter's box.

Bigger brother watching little brother on a temperate Spring afternoon. Pleasant family time. 

And I'm grateful for all of it.

April 16

It was, as is often the case during the Spring months, a lovely evening for baseball.

That's Brady on the left. He pitched the first two innings of his team's game, and although it wasn't his best outing, he only gave up one earned run against a very tough opponent. 

I had to leave early for an Elders' board meeting at church, but when I got home Adam shared that despite a solid outing on the mound, Brady was a bit salty after the game because he thought he should've done better. And that comment made me think.

I've always been a perfectionist. I've spent a large part of my adult life learning that it's okay to make mistakes and to do things imperfectly. And because of that, I'm often trying to remind my kids that I don't expect them to be perfect.

It would be nice to not make mistakes, of course, but I'd argue that mistakes are beautiful because they make room for grace. And grace, when employed liberally, unites us. It fosters forgiveness and compassion. And it's amazingly freeing for both the giver and the recipient. 

So today I'm thankful for the reminder that it's okay to err.

April 15

Isaac was in a good mood when I picked him up after school/practice today. Perky, I'd call him. He was jibber-jabbery like he is when he's feeling good.

When we got home, he puttered around the kitchen talking to himself while trying to figure out what he wanted to eat. 

Eventually, after I pointed out a bag of frozen fruit in the freezer, he decided to make a smoothie. So I watched (and helped him figure out the best frozen-fruit-pulverizing settings).

And he continued his cheerful chatter.

The world can be a challenging place, so it's a blessing when my kiddos are feeling happy-go-lucky and when they share that positivity with me.

April 14

I went up to the deck this evening to watch the sun dip below the horizon. I do that every now and then.

It was a chilly out and the wind whipped my hair around my face as I traversed the steps to the top, and when I got there and turned around, I wasn't disappointed by the view.

With a snapshot of the clouds and the colors and the shading in mind, I took a seat and closed my eyes for a few minutes. And I listened to the sounds of the wind rustling nearby branches and vehicle traffic on the streets below.

This life isn't perfect. Far from it, really. But it's good. And for that truth --and for sunsets and the wind that refreshes the air-- I am thankful.

April 13

Sometimes, when all is quiet and calm, I zone out and just relish the silence.

And then I tune back in and realize that the boys are using their hands and armpits to make an array of fart noises at the dinner table.

Those are the moments when I smile to myself and think "praise the Lord that we're here together and that they're still growing." Because strange noises aside, I'm always grateful for that truth.

April 12

This is the air freshener that currently graces the wall in our dining room.

Since it's in a central location, I pass it numerous times during the day. Most of those times, I don't really notice it. 

But once the sun goes down and the darkness sets in, its beautiful light becomes very apparent. 

I think that's the kind of relationship we --or at least, I-- so often have with God. I don't necessarily "see" Him during the easy times, but when troubles arise, His light is an obvious beacon. And the more frequently I look toward the light, the more it eclipses the darkness.

Given how often this world caters to not-great things, I'm grateful for that Light.

April 11

Brady had an Intermediates game in Danville this evening.

He threw 30 pitches over two full innings, and notched three strikeouts and no hits or walks (or hit by pitches). It was a good outing over a team that hadn't previously been saddled with a loss. 

My allergies flared thanks to the many trees and grassy hillsides nearby, but it was a lovely, warm evening. And I am thankful to have been able to enjoy it.

April 10

Today was the warmest day of the year to date (I think) as the temp soared to nearly 80 degrees. And naturally, there was baseball to be played.

So after I picked up Brady from school, we took a brief pit stop at home before heading back out to watch Isaac's game. (That's him there, patrolling center field late in the late innings.)

I know I say this multiple times each Spring, but it's a blessing to be able to watch my boys play ball.

April 9

Brady had a game this evening and arranged to ride with his friend Jackson to warmups.

So he was outside waiting when I left to pick up Isaac from his practice. He looked so big and responsible standing there that I was suddenly taken aback. When did he start arranging for his own rides? He's 13, for goodness' sake. It seemed crazy.

But it's also good. I know that the words "teenager" and "responsible" are highly unusual bedfellows, but they go together for him (as of now, anyway). 

So for that not-small gift, I am thankful.

April 8

I've never cared much for jelly beans.

I'm not entirely sure why that is; maybe it's because I associate them with licorice, which my taste buds interpret as "ew". (Seriously, the horror of accidentally biting into a black jelly bean and tasting that foul, foul flavor is real.) 

But Abby's been a consistent fan of the Starburst variety, so during a Target run this afternoon, I picked up a bag from the Easter clearance aisle. And I immediately discovered that she was right all along -- they are indeed delicious!

Fruity, tangy, just the right texture. And no worry of inadvertently ingesting a speck of licorice. The perfect little sweet treat.

So for pleasant surprises and finally having the good sense to try out my girl's recommendation, I'm thankful.

April 7

Isaac baked these cookies the other day, and they're delicious.

In case you're curious, they're scratch-made peanut butter with peanut butter cups, M&Ms, and pretzel pieces.

I was having one for breakfast this morning (along with my coffee) and I mused over what a blessing it is to have kiddos who enjoy being in the kitchen -- and have actual talent!

So for that sweet reality, I am grateful.

April 6

Although my current situation is "sneezing every few seconds" because my allergies are engaged in their customary April flare, I still look back at today with a grateful heart.

Both Isaac and Brady had non-local games, so Divide and Conquer Mode was activated: Adam headed to Concord with Isaac, while I took Brady to Berkeley.

The Dons won their tournament match-up and advanced to next week's championship game, while Brady's two-game effort yielded one win and one loss.

It was chilly out, but the sun shone brightly overhead. There was plenty of chit-chat with those around me; first with some of Brady's teammates' parents, and later with Adam's parents and Adam and Isaac. I finished a poncho I'd been working on for a few weeks and began something new. (And I find it so gratifying to pick out a new yarn and a fresh pattern to try.)

Beautiful days are never a given, nor are good conversations and positive moods. So I am thankful for today's many blessings.

April 5

Isaac and I were up and at 'em early this chilly Friday morning because baseball called: the JV Dons had the first of three tournament games in Concord. We loaded into the car on time (which I never take for granted), shot through the Mickey D's drive-thru (which was Isaac's reward for being on time) with greased-pig speed, and, with hash browns in-hand, headed north.

It was overcast (and did I mention chilly? Because it was chilly. There was snow on Mt. Diablo in the distance) and everything was wet from rain that fell overnight, but the boys seemed to be in good spirits.

It wasn't their best game, but Isaac notched the Dons' first hit of the game --a blooper that dropped into no man's land in shallow right-- and I could tell he was having fun being out on the diamond. He was smiling and jabbering with his teammates and had that peppy spring in his step that generally accompanies a good mood.

The game wound up ending in a 4-4 tie (which was totally weird since in tournaments, someone has to win and someone has to lose each game, but the umpires weren't budging from their position of not starting any new innings after 1:45 had passed so... there you go. We found out later that Isaac's team won the time-breaker, so there's that).

Anyhow, my scatterbrained-ness aside, it was a pleasant morning. (Chilly, but pleasant.) I had a nice time chatting with my friend Amber and got to watch one of my wonderful boys as he played a sport he loves. So for all of that, I am grateful.

April 4

Two days ago, it was sunny and beautiful and 76 degrees outside.

Today at nearly noon, it was 43 degrees and overcast and drizzly.

Although I don't love the fact that the heater is running in April and I am not a big fan of being cold, I did appreciate the reminder that we should always expect the unexpected.

So expect God to move in unexpected ways in your own life.

April 3

Adam had a dinner with co-workers tonight, so I decided to flip our usual script by taking the boys to Black Bear Diner after Brady's baseball practice ended.

So the three of us had our usual brunch selections as our evening meals.

Although they're prone to what often feels like endless bickering these days, they were both in jovial moods and I thoroughly enjoyed their good-natured repartee.

They're good boys, these boys of mine. And I am grateful for them and for the time we have together.

April 2

This is pretty much what today looked like for the Brositos.

Video games, some catch out in the yard, and later on during the evening hours, Youth Group.

Suffice it to say that I think they're enjoying Spring Break. We may not be doing anything glamorous, but it's downtime nonetheless.

So for the time off school for them and a mom-taxi hiatus for me, I am thankful.

April 1

I'm going to be real: I didn't enjoy being a teenager. I was perpetually stressed over trying to be perfect in school and didn't have a tight group of friends to help keep me grounded. (Or many friends at all, really.) I definitely wasn't part of the cool crowd and although I very much wanted to be seen, fear of rejection kept me firmly tucked inside my shell. I was, bluntly speaking, glad when I turned 20.

So although it makes me sad to see Isaac slogging through 15 like he has been for the past several months, it doesn't really surprise me because I've been there. But I'm also always in search of ways to lift his mood, and I had an opportunity to do so this afternoon when we ventured out to find him a new baseball glove.

He'd been quiet and vaguely sullen for most of the day, but the switch flipped and he was suddenly chirpy and chatty and smiley as he scoured the pegs in search of his prize. And when he finally found it --at the second store we perused-- he glowed.

So for those glowy moments that pierce the darkness that so often seems to enshroud the teenage years, I am very grateful.