November 2

It was a lovely day in Wheaton (and the surrounding area).

Aided greatly by the end of Daylight Savings time, Isaac and I woke up in time for me to drop him off with Abby so they could go to her church's college student breakfast. While they enjoyed their waffles and eggs, I navigated to a Mother Ship, where I enjoyed two just-right cups of coffee. (The temperature was so perfect that I had to have a second.)

From there, I joined the kiddos for the church service and afterward had to opportunity to see Abby's good friends Anna and Ashley, and to meet Ashley's soon-to-be fiance Tim. Isaac said he enjoyed talking with Tim during the breakfast which didn't surprise Abby one bit -- guess she knows her bro!

After a Target run to get toothpaste, clearance Halloween candy (because duh cheaper candy), a Christmas stocking and a few other things I'm forgetting, we dropped Abby back at campus and Isaac and I ventured to Culver's for a late lunch. We traded pretzel bites for cheese curds (because yum) and then topped it off with some ice cream. We returned to the hotel for some down time before I ferried him back to campus to meet up with his overnight host, Isaiah. Isaac as eager to be rid of me as we waited in the chilly evening air outside the welcome center, but I stuck to my guns about seeing him off. 

By then it was just 5:30 and I was left to my own devices for the rest of the evening. What to do, what to do. After mulling the options, I went to Walmart and another Target (because I love my Target), and then stopped at Sonic for an evening snack. Lunch was late enough that I wasn't hungry, so an order of tots and a Diet Cherry Limeade did the job. Then I returned to the hotel, ate my food, watched the Commanders get pounded by the Seahawks for a few minutes, and then opted to go down to the fitness center to get some steps in on the treadmill. 

Now, well, now I'm back in the room. It's still relatively early so I'll probably find something on the tube before I turn in for the night. But looking back on the day, I have to say again that I am grateful for so many things. I'm grateful to see my girl on her last day at a 20-year old --that's right; tomorrow she turns 21!-- and that she has such wonderful friends who love and care for her and who went to dinner with her tonight to celebrate her birthday a day early. I'm grateful to have one on one time with Isaac and to hear his thoughts on whatever topics he wants to talk about. And I'm grateful for Adam and Brady who are at home. And I'm grateful that Brady had the opportunity to play up with the TVBR 16U team this weekend, and that they won their tournament. (He was disappointed to have to miss the tournament with his 15U team this coming weekend, so hopefully his newest medal will alleviate some of the sting.) And I'm grateful for good (albeit chilly) weather and for the magnificent sunset sky we were gifted this evening. And I'm grateful to have the flexibility to travel when the need arises. 

I am grateful to God for giving me all of these good gifts, even though I don't deserve any of them. God is good, and I am grateful for His grace.