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).

September 30

I didn't do a whole lot today; just got my coffee, vacuumed a bit, and worked on a few different crochet pieces.

The weather dissuaded me from spending any time outside --because I'm not big on "hot" and it was 95 degrees-- so with the exception of the usual school runs, I was content to stay in.

So today, I'm thankful for a functional air conditioner, a home that typically stays reasonably cool this time of year, and my trusty ice maker, which provides a steady supply of crunchy frozen nuggets for me to enjoy.

September 29

Brady --like many teenagers-- doesn't like going to events or meetings alone, so I was glad when he said his friend A went with him to Young Life last week. A isn't a Christian so I was a little surprised by his willingness to go, but he went again today. And this time, after the meeting ended, he had several questions about Jesus for Brady.

Brady shared both the questions his friend posed and his answers with me after school. And I was honestly impressed with both boys: A's questions were probing and intelligent, and Brady's responses were rooted in the Scripture.

I'm so thankful that my kids are willing talk about and share their faith with their friends. I definitely wasn't comfortable doing that when I was their age, so I feel blessed that God has instilled into each of them a desire to share the Gospel.

September 28

Brady got a little too squashy with his squishy dumpling this evening.

I'd repeatedly warned him over the past few weeks that I thought he was squeezing it a bit too hard, and tonight my suspicion was validated as his dumpling exploded, propelling slime and --because we're just that brand of fortunate-- glitter all over the chair he was sitting in at the time. (If you look closely, you can see some of the glitter on his arm.)

Adam almost immediately began researching new furniture options (because glitter) as Brady frenetically scrubbed at the affected cushions, to very little avail. (And then he went to take a shower because, well, yuck.)

It was a vaguely funny, strange couple of minutes. But it was also a good reminder that sometimes, glitter bombs go off in our lives. Although they may upset our proverbial apple carts, it helps if we can approach them with good humor, because God can always orchestrate positive outcomes from not-so-positive situations.