March 24

Adam and I met for dinner tonight at Strizzi's downtown.

It was a good time overall: the restaurant was mostly empty, and it was a blessing to have some time to just sit together, eat, and catch up on the week's activities to date. So I'm thankful for the time, but I'm also thankful for something else in particular.

When I originally started this post, I wrote "my hunny bunch" instead of Adam. It's an affectionate nickname I use for him now and then. But I only just realized where I probably got it: I can remember my grandpa referring to my grandma as honey bunch sometimes, too. 

My grandparents were important people in my life when I was growing up, and I'm thankful for their involvement and influence in shaping who I am now. And I'm grateful that although they've both moved on to Heaven, bits and pieces of their influence continue to linger (and make me smile).

March 23

As Bible Study drew to a close this morning, we took turns praying aloud as we often do, but this time, the goal was to glorify God before sharing our petitions.

Rather than relying on my own thoughts, I immediately pulled out my phone and Googled "adoration psalms." And the first one that popped up was Psalm 145, so when it was my turn to speak, I read it.

The Psalms as a whole are some of the most beautiful poems I've ever read. The words cover the entire spectrum of human emotion, so there's one that can be applied to just about every experience we might have on this earth. From the greatest joys to the worst pain, the Psalms have us literally covered in prayer.

So for that gift, I am grateful.

March 22

Since we now have the hydroponic garden, I wasn't particularly prompt about planting seeds this year.

In fact, this one lonely spinach seedling is the only one I have thus far. I started it a few weeks ago as a test to see if it would fit in one of the slots on the hydroponic unit. (I think it does, though I haven't tried yet.)

My slacking aside, I still adore watching plants sprout. It amazes me to know that something as tiny and inconsequential-looking as a seed contains the building blocks necessary to grow into a full-sized, food-producing plant.

It's a gift to watch God's creation in action.

March 21

It's Saturday so naturally there was a game today. It was a warm, bright afternoon and I somehow missed a spot with the sunscreen so I'm currently nursing a big red blotch around one of my knees. The joys of spectatorhood!

Anyway, Brady got some (rather unexpected, based on what the coach had told him earlier in the week) quality time at first base. (That's him right there with his glove extended.) He's been struggling a bit at the plate -- today he went 0 for 2 with a walk -- but played solid defense as he usually does, including a Web Gem of a grab that snuffed out a rally by the other team. It was the kind of play that had parents from the other side calling out "great play, first base!" (Although he claims it wasn't that good of a play and he didn't hear anyone applauding the effort. Me? It happened so fast that I had no idea he'd actually caught the ball. Adam said it was entirely instinct.) Just as I started to lament that neither Adam nor I had been recording, one of the other dads approached us and said he had it on video and would we like him to text it to us? So that was an unexpected blessing.

Anyway, sunburn (and allergies) aside, it was fun to be out there watching Brady play. The days of high school sports are few and pass by at a feverish pace, so it's a blessing to be able to cheer for our favorite kids while we can.

March 20

Ah, sweet Friday. I started mine off with coffee (as usual) and then headed downtown to meet Nikki for pedicures.

We both opted for Easter egg-y shades: her a lightly sparkly blue (that I totally would've picked if I'd seen it first) and me, a pale lavender. So now my toes feel prettified for Spring.

But even better, I had some good time with my favorite girl who is not my daughter. As I've written multiple times in the past, I'm so grateful for the friendship Nikki and I have shared since our boys were very young. I know I can count on her no matter what, and am grateful for God for her presence in my life.

March 19

When I got home after picking up Brady (and Jacob) from practice, I found Isaac in the kitchen whipping up a pre-dinner snack. (Which was sort of amusing, given that it was after 6 PM.)

In the pan were scrambled eggs. Off to the side were fresh parsley leaves from the hydroponic garden. In the rice maker? Rice. (Duh.) He plated it up and honestly, it looked pretty good!

I love watching his kid grow. I love watching him become increasingly independent (although it simultaneously breaks my mama-heart just a wee bit to be in "watch" mode and not "help and manage" mode). 

And I know God has great plans for him. And for all of that, I am grateful.

March 18

The pool heater isn't on yet, but the temp climbed into the mid-80s this afternoon and Brady decided he was feeling brave (and perhaps a bit bored) after he got home from school. So into the water he went. 

He acknowledged that it was indeed cold, but that didn't stop him from getting in and out several times:  he alternately cannon-balled into the deep end and took slow, deliberate steps into the shallow end.

After some time had passed, Isaac came outside to join us. (I was watching and chatting with Brady from my perch on the deck.) Brady had plucked a waterlogged pinecone from the pool, and they spent the next 30 minutes throwing it back and forth. (I know it was half an hour because they were tossing it when I left to pick up our Mickey D's and still tossing it when I returned 20 minutes later.)

Although I'm not sure about their choice of "ball" (since there was a literal baseball within reach), I was happy to see them shooting the proverbial breeze and playing catch. I don't know if they realize it yet, but their relationship is a gift from God. And I love watching them be goofy teenage boys together.