October 18

I didn't sleep well last night (at all) so I was tired and low-energy for most of the day.

The bright spot was our weekly video chat with Isaac. He's currently on Fall Break and many of his fellow students are off-campus until the latter part of this coming week, so he seemed a little quiet. (He's always been someone who thrives on personal interaction and suffers a bit without it.)

Anyway, he did have some plans with friends for the afternoon, so I was happy to hear that. And I'm also glad to see that quietness aside, he's still doing fine. I know that's never a guarantee when embarking on a new adventure like he's been doing, so I am thankful for God's continued provision in his life.

October 17

Today we engaged in one of our most meaningful and long-lasting Wight family traditions when we piled into the Explorer and drove down to Pastorino's Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay.

Thanks to a quick Google search, we knew it was Pumpkin Festival weekend going in and that the traffic would be thick, and it lived up to expectations. But we had a pleasant ride anyway, starting with Mickey D's for breakfast and 90s country on the sound system. 

I alternately worked on my third attempt at Abby's strawberry sweater and gazed out the window at the passing scenery; it was a beautiful day and the sun illuminated the hills and created glistening waves on the bay. Abby and Brady engaged in their good-natured bickering --mostly forehead jokes-- in the back. Riding along that familiar path just felt right and familiar and good. Definitely good.

When we arrived, we trooped straight to the entrance and took our annual photo; the one that we've taken every year since 2004, when Abby was still in utero and I looked like I was trying to smuggle a huge pumpkin out of the lot. Since then, kids have come and gone, of course. Abby made her grand reappearance after a college-induced four-year absence, and Isaac was absent (although he's on Fall Break at Wheaton and texted us throughout our adventure). And naturally, although Logan can't be with us, Lambie came along as he always does; if you look closely, you'll see him perched on Brady's shoulder. It's important to Adam and me that he tag along.

Anyway, we took our photos and Brady navigated the wheelbarrow this year as pumpkins were chosen. And then we headed back out, but this year, we tried something different for lunch and went to Shake Shack, per Abby's request. As I sat there eating my cheeseburger and mac and cheese bites, it all felt good; good to once again engage in our tradition. And good to try something new, too. It's important to honor the past, and it's important to move into the future.

So for the blessings of family and of traditions and of new experiences, I am so grateful.

October 16

Abby and I had a good morning together. We went to the Mother Ship for beverages (the usual coffee for me; she's working her way through the Fall menu offerings and went with an iced pumpkin cream shaken espresso today).

And then we went to Costco.

We trolled the aisles and picked up a few essentials. And of course, we paused to take a closer look at the assortment of Christmas decorations. When I spotted the giant red bow, I remarked that it looked like a cheerleader hair accessory and asked her to pose. And she did.

I treasure easy, fun mornings spent with my favorite girl. She is --and they are-- sweet blessings.

October 15

Picture Day at the elementary school where Abby is student teaching was held last month, and she had her photo taken for her ID card.

But I'm not sure that she expected to receive any copies of the image except for the one on said-card, because when she got home today, she was very pleased to show me this: prints of her first-ever (sort of) teacher-portrait.

They gave her a 5x7 and some wallet-sized images along with a thank you for her efforts as an educator.

I could tell that she was tickled pink (no pun intended) by the surprise, and I'm grateful that I got to bear witness to that joy. Sometimes God truly does use little things to bless us.

October 14

The temp got up into the mid-80s today, but it's a cooler, lightweight long-sleeved pajamas-and-a-blanket kind of evening.

It's the kind of night that pairs well with a snuggy blanket, a cuppa hot tea, and playoff baseball on the tube. (And the sweet reality that the Brewers are whoopin' on LA is an added bonus.)

It just feels like Fall.

And given that I love the trappings of Fall, I am grateful for the shift (even if the daytime highs are still elevated).

October 13

It's funny: I feel like I didn't do much today at all. I went through the usual morning routine --driving to school with Brady, Starbucks-- and then a little straightening when I got home.

And then I cleaned out my closet. It's probably a relatively easy activity for someone who is disciplined about closet maintenance, but I am not that person. So it was an arduous process that involved multiple huge trash bags and lots of bending over and grunting and vacuuming. And it ended with me falling asleep in a chair in the family room.

Anyway, while I was in the trenches vacuuming and straightening and folding and deciding, it was a blessing to have my glasses on. My vision isn't quite what it used to be, and they are so, so helpful when it comes to seeing details. So for the blessing of good medical care that (literally) helps me to focus, I am thankful.

October 12

This morning, members of my Bible study group volunteered together at Little Miracles, which is a non-profit located in the same business park as our church.

We donned aprons and learned how to put together orders placed by clients. We wrote notecards and picked out car seats and chose toys and sorted through sweet little outfits, and then packaged the items together for each recipient. I made a blanket for the occasion, and it was included in the first basket we packed, which was pretty cool.

They do excellent work to meet God's command that we support families in our community who are in need, and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to help out.