October 23

My favorite gal and I had another good time together this morning. 

After the Brady drop-off we scooted over to the Mother Ship, where Abby continued her tour of the Fall menu with an iced pumpkin spice latte. (The barista read the sticker wrong so we wound up with a free hot one, too. I hadn't had a PSL in years and I was reminded of how sweet they are. Bazoinga.)

Then we went over to Costco to put gas in the Explorer (since with Brady getting his hours in, I hardly ever drive my own car these days). We then went inside and trolled the aisles before pit-stopping it in the food court.

It was just a normal Friday morning in many ways, but I am grateful for the time. And I am grateful to be able to watch my girl as she continues to grow into the awesome young woman God intends her to be.

October 22

It was an actual rainy day.

It was overcast and drizzling when I got up in the morning to shuttle Brady to school and it stayed that way outside all day long. 

So it follows that it was a nice day to be inside.

And it was also a nice day to cook dinner. I'd planned to make calzones anyway, but it was extra nice to make --and then enjoy-- them on a day that felt so chilly and damp. 

So for the blessing of warm food on a sunless day, I am grateful.

October 21

We've officially entered the Rainy Season!

Well, maybe. The relevant truth here is that it did actually rain today... a little bit. And right as Brady was walking over to the car after school. But the road got wet and he had to turn on the windshield wipers and the deck looked rained-on. So I'm counting it as rain.

Anyway, even though it was just a little bit today, I'm grateful to God for the rain that will come, because the earth around these parts definitely needs the renewal and refreshment that it brings.

October 20

It was a good Tuesday, all in all; I had my hair done, did a wee bit of shopping, made most of an infant-sized sweater (in brown tones this time, just to prove --mostly to myself-- that I don't always have to make overtly frilly, lacy things), and ferried Brady to and from school. 

And then this evening, Adam and I met up for dinner downtown while Brady was at youth group. For once, I managed to eat my entree and still have room for dessert, which was excellent because I've had a hankering for a brownie sundae.

Anyway, it was a good day. And I am grateful for all of the hours and minutes and seconds, both the run of the mill and the extraordinarily, because they're all gifts from God.

October 19

It's Monday again, and a much cooler Monday than we've had of late.

And I'm grateful for the more Octoberish weather, so I fully enjoyed my brief stop at the Mother Ship after school drop-off. I felt at home in my usual little corner, with a steaming cup of coffee and a warm spinach feta wrap laid out before me.

It's a pleasant morning routine that I've established. And I'm thankful for the quiet moments it provides, especially on Mondays.

October 18

I didn't sleep well last night (at all) so I was tired and low-energy for most of the day.

The bright spot was our weekly video chat with Isaac. He's currently on Fall Break and many of his fellow students are off-campus until the latter part of this coming week, so he seemed a little quiet. (He's always been someone who thrives on personal interaction and suffers a bit without it.)

Anyway, he did have some plans with friends for the afternoon, so I was happy to hear that. And I'm also glad to see that quietness aside, he's still doing fine. I know that's never a guarantee when embarking on a new adventure like he's been doing, so I am thankful for God's continued provision in his life.

October 17

Today we engaged in one of our most meaningful and long-lasting Wight family traditions when we piled into the Explorer and drove down to Pastorino's Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay.

Thanks to a quick Google search, we knew it was Pumpkin Festival weekend going in and that the traffic would be thick, and it lived up to expectations. But we had a pleasant ride anyway, starting with Mickey D's for breakfast and 90s country on the sound system. 

I alternately worked on my third attempt at Abby's strawberry sweater and gazed out the window at the passing scenery; it was a beautiful day and the sun illuminated the hills and created glistening waves on the bay. Abby and Brady engaged in their good-natured bickering --mostly forehead jokes-- in the back. Riding along that familiar path just felt right and familiar and good. Definitely good.

When we arrived, we trooped straight to the entrance and took our annual photo; the one that we've taken every year since 2004, when Abby was still in utero and I looked like I was trying to smuggle a huge pumpkin out of the lot. Since then, kids have come and gone, of course. Abby made her grand reappearance after a college-induced four-year absence, and Isaac was absent (although he's on Fall Break at Wheaton and texted us throughout our adventure). And naturally, although Logan can't be with us, Lambie came along as he always does; if you look closely, you'll see him perched on Brady's shoulder. It's important to Adam and me that he tag along.

Anyway, we took our photos and Brady navigated the wheelbarrow this year as pumpkins were chosen. And then we headed back out, but this year, we tried something different for lunch and went to Shake Shack, per Abby's request. As I sat there eating my cheeseburger and mac and cheese bites, it all felt good; good to once again engage in our tradition. And good to try something new, too. It's important to honor the past, and it's important to move into the future.

So for the blessings of family and of traditions and of new experiences, I am so grateful.