October 7

Over the summer, I was asked to consider serving as a Deacon at church. I finished a three-year stint on the Elders' board last year and previously served as a Deacon about 10 years ago, so I'm not exactly a stranger to holding roles at church. But honestly? I didn't really want to say yes. So I didn't.... Initially. In fact, I didn't just not say yes -- I said no. And then I read the letter that Isaac handed me the day Brady and I left him at Wheaton --which featured a very notable line about how hoped I'd truly throw myself into being a Deacon and making a difference-- and I knew that I should reverse course. So I did.

And today, I had my first official Deacons' meeting of my new term. 

And in a way, it felt like I was back at home. I truly love the ladies I know who are serving, and I felt like I fit in with the group as a whole right away. 

I have no idea what this term will bring, but I'm grateful that God nudged me to say yes.

(I didn't think to snap a pic while I was there, but I was working on this little coat during the meeting, so I figure it will suffice.)

October 6

Just a quick one tonight, because I think the repeated (and utterly ridiculous for October) 100-degree days are getting to me.

After a month'ish long hiatus, my hunny and I went back to one of our usual haunts for dinner this evening. 

We lingered over our salad and pasta and chit-chatted about our respective days at work and home. We shared amusing moments and frustrations. The company and the conversation and the food were good. 

So I am grateful.

October 5

Last night I spritzed some of my almond croissant-scented room spray on the main level of the house, and a few minutes later, Adam sniffed and remarked that it smelled like gingersnaps.

Although I told him that it was not, in fact, gingersnaps that he was smelling, he latched onto the idea and ruminated over it until he decided that he needed gingersnaps. So he Googled a recipe and baked a batch.

The first trayful wound up being a little underbaked, but the second ones were spot-on. But then this morning, those underbaked ones? They were perfectly, deliciously chewy. And I enjoyed one with my coffee.

So I'm grateful for cookies and for my hunny, who sometimes randomly makes them. And I'm also grateful for the reminder that sometimes, it just takes time for something less-than-delicious --like the underbaked gingersnaps-- to become delicious.

October 4

Abby was running a bit behind her planned schedule this morning so she decided to go to church with us rather than traveling up to San Ramon to attend her usual service.

And I'm glad she did, because it's always nice to have her with the fam for worship. And because it provided more opportunities for the always entertaining Abby Versus Brady Show, which began before we'd even left the church with them trying to stick their nametags on each other's backs.

It continued in the car as we sat outside McDonalds waiting on our mobile order. For no particular reason, Abby reached forward and put her finger on Brady's back and announced she was touching him. Just because.

I love these weirdos. Adore them, really, and I'm grateful for them and their delightful strangeness every day.

October 3

We're in the middle of one of our cute little early-Fall heat waves, so I suggested we go to Coldstone for some after dinner ice cream this evening. Abby had asked to go a few times since school started and I figured a hundred-degree day was as good a time as any for a cool treat.

So Brady chauffeured us over in the Explorer and we made our selections before we headed back outside to eat. (Funny side note: I was stunned when Brady ordered a very non-weird combination in French vanilla with M&Ms, but the guy behind the counter misunderstood him and put in gummy bears instead, which is an old-school Brady classic. I chortled at the irony that he tried to get a "mature" mix and the attempt was foiled.)

Anyway, tonight I am grateful to God for the blessings of air conditioning that works well, ice cream, and time hanging out with some of my very favorite people. 

October 2

Isaac had his first performance as part of the Men's Glee Club at Wheaton this evening. Although we weren't able to be there in person, of course, I was able to tune in via livestream.

I got to watch as he --looking dapper in his tux-- filed in with the rest of the guys and took his spot on the risers. And I got to watch as he sang the two songs they'd prepared for the occasion. And I got to watch as he strutted back off the risers and took a sharp left to exit. (I assume the latter is a glee club thing because they all did it.)

It was such a sweet blessing to be able to see Isaac singing and engaging with his peers. He's adjusting well to life at college, and I couldn't be more grateful to God for His hand in the transition.

October 1

I was amused to find Dax the robot stationed in front of the Mother Ship this morning, so after I ordered my coffee and put my things down, I went back outside to grab a selfie. (Ignore the finger-in-the-electric-socket hair.)

I'm not sure why I found him so intriguing; I've seen him trolling the sidewalks all over town for the past few weeks, but it was my first up-close encounter. And it made me laugh a little when I talked to him and he actually turned his little robot head to face me.

Anyway, I'd been feeling a bit crabby up until then, so it was a nice way to reset the day. So for that, I am thankful, because attitude adjustments are always a good thing (and always a blessing, in the long run).