May 18

Abby's checking items off the adulting to-do list. First, she applied to credentialing programs and enrolled at St. Mary's. Then she graduated from college. Yesterday she bought a Costco membership online. And then today, we went by the warehouse so she could get her membership card.

And then after that, when we decided we did need a cart after all, she went outside to get one and re-entered using her brand new card. This is from the moment of her first-ever Costco Entry Beep.

And that was after she went to my Bible study with me and provided valuable insights, courtesy of a class she took this past semester, that greatly informed and enhanced our conversation.

All very adult-y things. And I am grateful for her increasing maturity.

May 17

Today marked opening day of our family's last Babe Ruth Big Season.

As a 15, Brady was given the role of starting pitcher for the Royals, and later moved out to right field. 

He didn't have a great day on the mound. We were playing a very talented team that includes a number of guys he knows quite well from playing with them since they were 13s, and they hit him pretty hard. On the bright side, he did make it through four innings. And he also made two solid defensive plays in right field on a day when heavy winds made the ball dart around in the sky. So those were good things.

But even better, he didn't seem discouraged or overly frustrated after the game. When I asked him to reflect on what happened, he said that the ball felt slick and he just couldn't get a grip on the seams, so it was hard to throw anything off-speed. And his off-speed pitches are his best. So tonight, I'm grateful for his positive attitude amid challenges. 

May 16

It was a lovely, lovely Saturday.

It started with Brady's last freshman game of the season, which wasn't an actual game but an gold versus white intersquad. Everyone got to play, and most of the boys played positions they don't typically take on. Brady had time catching (as in the pic), at third base, and in centerfield, and he successfully made plays at all three positions. He even threw out a runner who was trying to steal third. It was just a fun, laid back game, and I'm thankful that what was often a stressful season came to a close in such an enjoyable way.

From there, we lunched at Mexico Lindo, and then came home and, at Isaac's request, played a round of Yahtzee, which Adam won by a wide margin. (I was the big loser. I just could not roll a full house!)

So yes, it was a low-key family day. And I am grateful to God to have my nestable chicks in the nest once again.

May 15

After spending most of the week at her friend's lakeside bachelorette gathering, our recent college grad returned home today for good.

It's completely insane to realize that it's already been four years since we first dropped Abby off at Wheaton. (And it's even more insane to realize that we'll be dropping Isaac off at Wheaton in just a few months so he can begin his college adventure. Say what?)

Anyway, Isaac was off volunteering at AWANA when she arrived, but Brady was here. And after a few of the requisite "large forehead" remarks changed hands, she literally chased him around the house trying to get a hug. (I'm not sure if he relented or not.)

But then when Isaac did get home, he immediately said hello and gave her a big hug. 

It felt like vintage Wight House action all-around, and I am feeling tremendously blessed to have the gang back together.

May 14

When the boys got home from school this afternoon, they hollered upstairs to let me know that there were two enormous boxes --stuff Abby sent home from school-- by the garage door and asked if I wanted them hauled upstairs.

Since Adam was in Phoenix and my box-lugging skills aren't in what I'd call peak form these days, I took them up on the offer. 

The first of the two packages was large but flat, so they made quick work of it and deposited it on the foyer floor.

The second, however, was much larger. In fact, the listed weight on the label was 78 pounds and given the dimensions of the box, they were unsure that they'd be able to make it up the steps. But they did indeed make it, and now both boxes await Abby's return tomorrow.

That experience of watching them doubt their ability and then get the job done anyway was striking to me. Often, we face obstacles and challenges that seem daunting at first. They're so daunting, in fact, that we sometimes give in to the fear of failure and give up without even trying. But in making that decision, we're cheating ourselves out of moments to learn, since we do indeed learn and grow from both our successes and our failures.

So from a purely practical perspective, I'm grateful for my boys who found that something they perceived as a "challenge" wasn't really much of a challenge at all and by doing so, helped me out. And I'm grateful to God for their desire and willingness to serve.

May 13

Today my mom celebrated her 80th birthday.

I'm not in Maryland, of course, but I called her this afternoon to wish her a happy birthday and to find out how she planned to celebrate the milestone. Her response was fairly simple: "take the day off."

And honestly, although I would've been glad to hear that she was going to a dinner theater show --which is one of her favorite activities-- or out for lunch, I was just as content with the notion that she was having a kick-back day, because for as long as I can remember, she's been a go-getter. I'm glad that she's learned the value of rest and is leaning into it a bit more.

She's taught me many things over the years. She planted the early seeds of my faith and, through her unwavering dedication to her students, she modeled the importance of hard work and commitment to responsibilities. She's intelligent and caring and incredibly stubborn --traits that she passed on to her children-- and adores her people. I am very grateful for all of the ways she's supported me and my family over time.

Happy birthday, Mom! We love you!

May 12

I was in the driveway cleaning out my car this morning when the breeze changed direction and the most delightful scent wafted past my nose.

I should've immediately recognized the aroma, but didn't put two and two together until I walked around the side of the house to toss some trash into the dumpster. It was then that I saw the spray of these lovelies clinging to the fence and remembered.

Jasmine. There's nothing quite as fragrant as some springtime jasmine. (Although our roses are a close second.) I love how God made things for all of our senses to enjoy, and I definitely enjoy the smell of jasmine.