June 23

It's Tuesday and the kiddos were all otherwise occupied, so Adam and I did as we often do and met downtown for dinner.

It wasn't an unusual or notable experience; just a run of the mill meal out with my hunny. But as I sat at the table with my rigatoni and prosecco and Diet Coke, listening to Adam talk about his day, I felt a deep sense of contentment.

And that contentment increased as he walked me out to my car when we were finished, even though he'd parked in a different area.

It's a blessing to feel taken care of, and that I do. And it's a blessing to feel content. So I am grateful.

June 22

I had an inadvertent epiphany during my Bible study meeting this morning: regardless of circumstances, I should try to live with joy. That's it.

It was a thought that came to me quietly and full out of the blue during a tense moment, so I know it came from God.

Live with joy.

So when I got home, I went outside and admired the flowers and the blue sky and the lovely, lovely scent of the bag of soil that's currently sitting out by the raised beds. And then I took a close look at the volunteer tomato plant that's growing in a large pot by the deck. 

The wonder of creation should inspire joy. Blue sky should inspire joy. A productive tomato plant that seeded itself and thrived despite having very little water early on should inspire joy.

And life in and of itself should inspire joy, because if you take a moment to consider the cosmos, it's miraculous that any of us even exist.

So for that supernatural reminder to live with joy, I am thankful, because I don't do it nearly enough.

June 21

It was something of an unconventional Father's Day, mostly because when I rolled out of bed, I quickly learned that Adam had decided that it would also be my make-up Mother's Day (since the real date took a backseat to Abby's graduation. Which, for the record, was totally fine, but I was admittedly a little sad about it).

Anyway, they all trooped onto the bedroom and brought me a donut and orange juice in a champagne glass. They also had a lovely vase of white roses and baby's breath, and they each presented me with a thoughtful gift. It was all very sweet.

And then, in my mind at least, we transitioned to Father's Day. We went to church, the peeps posed for the usual photos in the yard, and we played the game I received, which involved ranking worst case scenarios, over lunch at the kitchen table. (It's a pretty funny game.) 

Throughout the rest of the day, Adam seemed to make a point of doing something with each of us: he played a computer game with Isaac, took a walk with Abby, and watched "The Punisher" with Brady. During the evening hours, he opened his gifts and then we all gathered to eat pizza while watching "Taken 2," which was Adam's movie choice for the day. (We watched the original "Taken" a few years ago, and now he says we'll watch "Taken 3" in two years.) When it ended, Isaac ventured off to the Dairy to get him some lemon/lime ice cream, and then a rousing round of Mario Kart followed. And finally, he finished up his day by plunking down in his chair to watch an old episode of "Matlock" with me (and Isaac, who was chilling on a couch).

I hope he had a good day. I think he did. He's always been a great dad to all of our kiddos and deserves to be celebrated. He's caring and kind and funny and intelligent, and best of all, he lets them know that he loves them every day, which is a gift that not all children receive. He also has the heart of a servant, and I can see the ways in which his selflessness has influenced their behavior and decisions over time. We are all beyond blessed to have him in our lives. Happy Father's Day, hunny! I love you!

June 20

Sometimes our house is very loud. And oftentimes, the high volume is a byproduct of intense video gaming action. That was the case early this afternoon when Isaac and Brady settled into the living room for a showdown.

They started with a few rounds of Mario Kart, which is what they were doing when I snapped this pic. (Incidentally, I too play a few rounds of Mario Kart with just Isaac before Brady came downstairs. I finished a very respective sixth out of twenty-something.)

The true yelling began when they pulled out the Mario baseball game. There was much shouting and ranting and raving and laughing and shrieking. 

And although excess noise is one of my great nemeses, I laughed because I love hearing them having fun together. (And because I realize how few days they have left to create chaos together, since Isaac heads off to college in less than two months.) I am grateful for the sounds of happiness, and for how cacophony rooted in brotherly love sounds miraculously harmonious to my ears.

June 19

I haven't done much crocheting of late; just haven't felt the desire.

But I did finish a lightweight light blue shawl last weekend and pinned it to my blocking boards, where it's currently enjoying a good stretch.

And a few days ago, I started this little pink blanket. I have no idea where it will go, but I felt compelled to make something for someone else... even if I don't yet know who that person will be.

So for the renewed desire to make a difference in a positive way, I am grateful, because it's a blessing to be a blessing.

June 18

And just like that, Brady has aged out of Babe Ruth baseball. He played in the final game of his 15U season this evening. 

He's had fun playing with and getting to know boys from other schools in the general area for the past three years. As a pretty serious introvert, he hasn't established "let's swap numbers and keep in touch" connections, but I know he enjoys their interactions and will appreciate seeing them during the next three high school baseball seasons.

Although Isaac's freshman season was disappointing at best, it was through that team that we were introduced to Babe Ruth. And Isaac's involvement with the Royals opened the door for Brady to play as well. It's a good reminder that good things can --and do-- arise from bad circumstances. So for that truth --for the truth that God makes lemonade from the sourest of lemons-- I am thankful.

June 17

It's normal for the bros to grab their baseball gloves and play catch in the backyard.

It's unusual for them to stand in the pool while they play catch. But when I glanced outside this afternoon, that's exactly what I spied them doing: Brady was knee-deep in the hot tub, while Isaac was on the steps in the shallow end.

I'm not sure what prompted the game of water catch, but it was a blessing to see them enjoying some time together in the sunshine. Isaac will be off to college before I know it, so I'm filing away these sweet brotherly moments to look back on while I still can.