May 27

With just two days until graduation, Isaac donned his cap and gown and returned to his elementary school this afternoon for a photo op with some of his old classmates.

(It's almost impossible to tell, but he's the second from the left on the top part of the play structure, kind of in the shadows.)

Anyway, it was weird for me to be back there. On one hand, that school served as a home base for us for quite a long time, from Abby's kindergarten through Brady's third grade years. But it's also the school where I served as PTA President, and the emotional fallout from that not-so-great experience still lingers a bit today.

But fortunately, Isaac seemed to soak up the experience as he should have: with wide-eyed nostalgia. He played Skill (a more aggressive form of foursquare) and tetherball in his cap and gown and walked around the campus trying to remember where his classrooms were located and which of the outdoor lunch tables had been his go-to meal spot. It was sweet seeing his eyes light up as he took it all in and remembered those early days.

So for the blessing of being able to look back and fondly remember old times, I am grateful.

May 26

Brady's freshman baseball season came to a true close tonight with the baseball banquet.

Although one of the parents did an excellent job of  putting together our team slideshow and I enjoyed watching it, the real gift of the evening was when we were leaving and one of the parents handed Brady these.

They're a full set of double-sided baseball cards, featuring every member of the team. 

Kim and Jim had no obligation to create and give the boys this kind of souvenir, but they did it anyway. And the cards are absolutely beautiful. 

So tonight, I'm thankful for thoughtful people who give unexpected, meaningful gifts to my kids.

May 25

The weather today reflected my general mood: cloudy with occasional sunshine, and lots of wind. Lots and lots and lots of wind.

I don't now why I was feeling as moody as I was; maybe it's because I slept in far too long. Or maybe it's my unconscious self thinking ahead to Isaac's graduation this Friday. Or maybe it's just my age and my body is misbehaving.

Whatever the reason, I was glad when I looked out the window this evening and saw this physical representation of how I'd been feeling. I know intellectually that He always sees me, but I felt seen by God. And for that, I am grateful.

May 24

Several months back, Pastor Mary floated the idea of having Isaac and Connor --the two high school seniors at our church-- speak on Student Sunday. With graduation looming, it seemed like a good way to allow the two of them to share what they've learned over their years at GraceWay. 

But over time, the directive morphed from "speak" to "deliver the sermon," and honestly, I panicked a little bit. I wasn't worried because I thought Isaac wouldn't have anything to share; in fact, my concerns revolved around him having too much to say. My kiddo is a thinker who has lots of terrific ideas, but he sometimes has difficulty with organizing said-musings. So I prayed --multiple times-- that God would give him the words.

He started working on his remarks a few months ago, and occasionally told me what he intended to share. He changed course a few times along the way, and going into this morning, I had no idea what he would say. 

And he nailed it. It was a beautiful blend of personal testimony and scriptural wisdom and humor. At times, as I sat watching with tears in my eyes, I could hardly believe it was my child up there delivering the message he was sharing. (Lest my humility should fail, I'll add that I know-know that Isaac held the pen and delivered the message, but it was God who planted the words in his heart.) I cannot take credit for who he is --because God is the creator and I'm just a mom who took him to church and talked about Jesus sometimes-- but I am so pleased with how he's choosing to humble himself and live a Christ-centered life.

God is doing a mighty work in him, and I am so grateful to be able to watch him grow. 

If you'd like to hear his sermon, check it out here. His portion begins at the 54-minute mark.

May 23

Isaac and Brady went rafting with the Youth Group today, which meant that Adam, Abby, and I were left to our own devices.

After I cleaned up the kitchen and lingered a while over my coffee and a game on my phone, Abby and I set out on a stroll around the 'hood (while Adam napped).

It was a lovely blue-sky day out, but what struck me most as we walked was the amazing variety of flowers we saw. There were reds and purples and yellows and oranges; roses and irises and petunias and poppies; wild in the field and carefully cultivated in front lawns.

And every single one of them added a vibrancy to the world that no human-created thing could ever manage to add.

So for the loveliness of God's creation (including the loveliest flower of them all in the lower righthand pic), I am grateful.

May 22

I had a second straight pleasant morning with my one and only gal.

As our coffee hour came to a close, I asked what she wanted to do, secretly hoping that she'd reply with something along the lines of "take a walk." And fortunately for me, that's just what she said. And when I suggested the Sports Park, she said that's exactly where she'd been thinking of going.

So that's what we did: I drove over to the other side of town and we hoofed it around the roughly two-mile looping, chatting and enjoying being under clear blue sky along the way.

Time spent with my girl is a blessing, so I am grateful for our walk.

May 21

I had a nice morning with Abby. We went to the Mother Ship and then on to the mall to walk around. On the way back to the house, we took a (second) drink stop at Wendy's before visiting Safeway for some cereal and yogurt.

After lunch, we tuned in to a terrible movie on Lifetime. And then she went outside and spent some time floating on a lounge chair in the pool. 

It was hot outside (think low 90s) so it was a great day to be in (or in her case, on) the water. And as I watched her (and later in the day, the boys) bob along the surface, I felt a great sense of gratitude for the pool. I'm not a swimmer, but I know the kiddos enjoy it. So I am grateful for that blessing.