April 18

It's a Springtime Saturday so we spent much of the day at the high school to watch a doubleheader.

This particular match-up was against a good team --San Ramon Valley-- so there were no guarantees, but the Dons came away with both wins by day's end.

Unfortunately, Brady didn't get much playing time. He came in to pitch in the top of the 6th of game one to get the team out of a first and third jam (which he did successfully) and then pitched a clean 7th to secure the win. They don't credit Saves in freshman ball, but if they did, he'd have gotten one because the final score was 5-3. Best of all for him is that he lowered his ERA to 1.91, which is the current best on the team. He was pretty pleased to see that.

I don't have much else to say about the games themselves, but I do have to say that I'm grateful to report that he had a good cheering section present. Adam and I were there, of course, as were Isaac and Adam's parents. It's a blessing to know that my kiddos have support from family and I'm grateful to God for their presence.

April 17

Following a nearly two-week break in competitive action, the Freshman Dons were back at it today.

The game in question was at Northgate High School, which is a speedy 55-minute drive away in fairly significant Friday commute traffic. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and save some mild allergy-related irritation, it was a great day to be outside. 

Brady entered late in the game when he reached on an error by the right fielder and then almost immediately came around to score. Then he played the last few innings in Centerfield.

After the game ended, he was in a chipper mood, so we enjoyed a pleasant, conversation-studded ride back home.

It does my heart and soul so much good when my kiddos have good days, so I am grateful for this one. 

April 16

I had a lovely walk around the Sports Park with my friend Sally and her sweet pup this afternoon.

Her son Ryan and Isaac played baseball together for a number of years, first as members of the Spartans and again last year on the high school JV team, but since neither of them is playing this year, we haven't seen much of each other. So I was happy when, after I texted her to see if she was available earlier this week, she quickly replied with a yes!

She's a very kind person and our conversation is always easy and light, so it was a blessing from God to have time together to catch up.

April 15

I've had a composter for a few years now. I haven't been particularly diligent about keeping its components balanced, so the decomposition process has been inordinately slow. Still, I've continued adding coffee grounds and water and eggshells and clippings from my gardens as I remember to do so. I just rarely look inside (because honestly, I don't want to see the mess).

Today, however, after I added some more greens and cranked the handle a few times to mix it all up, I opened the top and peered inside. And what I saw filled me with joy. 

In the very bottom of the container, I spied a clump of beautiful, dark brown, crumbly material: in all, it probably amounted to a few cups of nutrient-rich compost. But to me, it looked nearly perfect, both because it took a long (long) time to make, and because I know it will benefit my plants in the future by giving them what they need to produce a bigger, better harvest.

It's kind of lovely to me that we can take otherwise useless bits and pieces, mix them together, wait, and wind up with something beneficial. If God can make old apple cores and coffee grinds useful once again, just imagine how much more useful He can make YOU if you're open to His guidance in your life.

April 14

Brady had an appointment with the orthodontist this afternoon, so Isaac drove him over to the office after school and I met them there. (Isaac probably would've been fine with waiting for Brady and then driving him back over to school for practice, but it's not his job.)

They were sitting in the Explorer in the parking lot when I arrived, and when I looked over at them, they were both mewing.

So I got out of my car, went over to the passenger side, and gave Brady the food he'd asked me to bring. I thought it was a good opportunity to take a fun candid pic of them together, but they foiled my effort: every time I lifted my phone, they simultaneously mewed.

I gave up after a few attempts, and chuckled aloud at their weirdness. And I also thanked God for the umpteenth time in recent history for their relationship.

April 13

Although I'm not impressed with Target's clearance pricing more than a week after Easter --still at 50% off for candy? Boo!-- I took a trip down the seasonal aisles during my run through the store this morning.

I have an affinity for Peppermint Patties, so I was pleased to find a bag stashed among the peanut butter cups and jelly beans. (Which I also like. But I already had some.) So I bought it.

And later in the day, when I opened the bag, I fully enjoyed my chocolatey-minty treat.

Sometimes it's about the little things. So today, I'm grateful for clearance sales and sweet treats and Target runs.

April 12

Although I do not love pollen, I do love signs that point to Spring's arrival.

It was mainly the cherry blossoms on the Mall growing up, but it's also the extra-chirpy birds that sit outside my window during the (fortunately not usually too early) morning hours. 

And it's also the rose bushes in our yard. We have white ones out front that flank the garage and red ones out back, and every year, I'm struck by how beautiful and vibrant and full and fragrant they become when the temperature rises.

So for that gift --for the gift of natural loveliness that is so often inherent in the change of seasons-- I am grateful.