July 30

Abby reminded me this morning that today was Miracle Treat Day at DQ, and since tomorrow is Logan's 20th birthday and he spent a lot of time at Children's Hospital Oakland (which is called something else these days but... oh well. It's forever CHO to us), I took her and the Brositos to get Blizzards to support the cause in his name.

We all had Blizzards, but our orders were as different as we are: Isaac went with a mint concoction, while Abby enjoyed strawberry and angel food cake, Brady picked cookie dough, and I loaded up on different forms (cream, syrup, and chip) of chocolate.

When I'd finished mine, I went back inside to donate a dollar so I could write Logan's name on one of the little paper hot air balloons that line the walls during CMN events. Even though it breaks my heart a little to write "in memory of..." I still feel blessed by the care he received while he was a patient, and I'm grateful to God for the work they continue to do to benefit children. And I'm thankful to have the resources to help support such a vital mission on earth.

July 29

I think it's safe to say that Isaac and Brady are getting in lots of quality bro time of late.

And by "quality bro time" I mean "wrestling, grabbing, lifting, carrying, and otherwise engaging in physical combat and or activity." They engage in such-behavior from morning til bedtime, so it goes on all day long (with breaks, of course. They're not machines). Every day.

And although the good-natured roughhousing can be a lot (and I mean A LOT) sometimes, I'm letting it go because I figure they need the time to connect and bond before Isaac heads off to Wheaton.

They've always had a solid brotherly connection. Way back when, Brady said he planned to work as a miner so he could fund Isaac's baseball career with all of the gold he dug up. And he meant it. And Isaac has always felt extraordinarily protective of Brady. And that's always shown.

I think it's going to be a big adjustment for both of them to be a few thousand miles apart, but I'm praying that the time they spend together now --and have had together in the past-- will serve as a good foundation that will keep them bonded for the long haul. Because as someone who doesn't have a sister and can't relate to their connection, I've always believed that brotherhood is a special gift from God.

July 28

I didn't take many photos today, and the ones that I did take are of me trying to figure out if my hair is really as dark as it seems. Kind of silly, I guess, but for the moment, the answer is yes. It is dark.

And it's dark because I got my hair done this morning. Lately, that process involves a toner mixture to blend out some of the ever-increasing grey population. It'll wash out gradually but for now, it works. And I don't feel quite as dowdy as I did before.

It's not about vanity, really; it's more about feeling neat. So for the blessing of small things that make me feel a little more put together, I am grateful. 

July 27

Isaac left for an overnight trip to Napa with his pals this morning so it was just me, Abby, and Brady today.

Brady returned to his recent kitchen-related hobby by air frying another potato dish. (He followed the same basic recipe as one of last week's experiments and changed up the seasoning a little. He said he definitely preferred them with panko.)

Abby, meanwhile, went for her run, then showered and emerged wearing her giant pink fuzzy thing. As she was putting taquitos in the oven, she crab-skittered across the kitchen floor with oven mitts on her hands. I asked her to do it again; she refused, but she posed in crab-position.

She will probably dislike this image, but it made me laugh so I kept it. I love her silly side. She hides it much of the time, but it's pretty funny when she lets it go. So for the blessing of lighthearted moments, I am thankful.

July 26

Isaac had some of the guys over late this afternoon.

They rumbled up the front steps and through the front door and deposited their shoes in a pile before hanging a left into the living room. (They've been here frequently enough now that they know and respect the no-shoes-in-the-house rule, and I appreciate their collective conscientiousness.)

And then the usual chaos began as they gassed up the gaming system and got down to the business of playing Mario Party, I think it was. 

Although I'm definitely sensitive to noise, their cacophony is always kind of beautiful because it symbolizes that good, safe fun is happening. And I'm grateful to God for providing us with a home that can accommodate that kind of fun for my kiddos and their friends.

July 25

It's so weird that my baby has a permit and is actually learning how to drive. On public roads where other people are driving.

I mean, isn't he like five years old?

But he's not five. He's 15. And Adam took him out for a few hours this afternoon to practice, just like he did so many times with Abby and Isaac. (I'll have my turn when school starts up again next month and he drives to and from Amador with me as his co-pilot.)

Although I truly do wonder where the time went, I'm grateful for this milestone. Although he doesn't exactly love driving just yet, I know that he will come to appreciate the ability to get himself from point A to point B. And I know that he will (probably silently) appreciate the general sense of freedom and independence that having a license gives teens.

So for the blessing of being witness to yet another milestone in his life, I am thankful.

July 24

Today was Isaac's last shift at the Dairy. (I know I said it was yesterday, but he initially had the wrong date in his head.)

Anyway, after Adam wrapped up his workday, Abby, Brady, he and I piled into the car and headed over for some ice cream. Luckily for us, it wasn't super busy and Isaac was running orders and not taking them, so he was able to bring us our treats.

When he appeared holding Abby's milkshake and the three cones we'd ordered, I spied a hand-written sign taped to his shirt that read "It's My Last Day." I pointed it out and snapped a pic, and he half-chuckled and said he wasn't thrilled about wearing it.

But I'm glad he did, because it's right that he should be recognized in some way on his last day. He's had fun working there over the past year-plus. He's made some friends and learned a bit about how a business runs. And he's had the opportunity to talk to probably thousands of people. That job has been a great match for his personality, allowed him to build up some savings, and taught him about responsibility. Although he doesn't like it when I say this, I'm proud of him for taking it on and for doing a great job. 

So for all of those good gifts, I am grateful.