November 30

When I saw Brady after school earlier today, he was walking with his buddy Andrew. They were engaged in some sort of animated conversation so I let them pass me and then followed them toward the car.

When he first transferred to this school as a fourth grader, I was worried about his friend situation. He's friendly enough, but I know from experience that some (well, many) children aren't especially welcoming of new faces. 

So as I watched the two of them walking together and talking about school and the upcoming baseball season (because they were on the same team this past spring), a sense of great gratitude came over me. I am thankful for their friendship, and for the other friendships he's forged as his new school. Connection is a true blessing.

November 29

I bought these rather silly slippers during my recent Black Friday outing with my girl.

They are (not surprisingly) actually intended for kids, but since I don't have particularly big feet, they fit just fine.

Anyway, every time I look down at those happy kitty faces, I smile. There's something to be said for whimsy and for finding happiness in simple blessings, even when those simple blessings are child-sized Squishmallow slippers.

November 28

There's always been something so soothing about sitting near the glow of a Christmas tree. 

I'm not sure if it's the novelty of having a real tree inside the house for a few special weeks each year or if it's the mystique of those lights as they transition between white and vibrant color every few seconds or if it's the fact that it's a tangible sign of the coming celebration of Christ's birth, but just sitting and looking at it fills me with a sense of peace and hopeful anticipation.

So for this sign of hope and peace, I am grateful.

November 27

I so love it when my kiddos work together to tackle a project.

They started this cute little Lego house last night and then voila, they finished it this morning before noon. 

We're created to need one another and to join forces to make things happen, so I feel blessed to see them in action, even when they're just engaged in basic tasks like this one.

November 26

It was a heart-filling kind of day.

Abby and I did our traditional Black Friday shopping. We're not of the Up Before The Sun ilk, but we did shop from 8:30 til 2, hitting up Starbucks, Mickey D's (for that sausage egg McMuffin Abby so adores), Walmart, Old Navy, Ulta, JoAnn, Target, Hobby Lobby, JCPenney, and the Lego Store before finishing up with late lunch at The Cheesesteak Shop.

Then a little later, we took our annual trek to the Christmas tree lot. And fortunately for me, the kiddos were totally into my desire for photos and outdid themselves with goofy poses in a variety of locales around the lot. (See "Isaac as Sibling Packhorse" to the left.)

And now, with the light of the newly-positioned Christmas tree to my side, a cheesy Hallmark movie on TV, and Abby, Isaac, and Brady seated around the dining room table busily putting together the Visit From Santa Lego set I bought earlier today, my heart feels full. I am blessed and I am most definitely thankful for God's amazing bounty.

November 25

Eric and Emily very graciously offered to host Thanksgiving this year, so with a load of freshly baked bread in-hand, we loaded into the car at about 1:30 to head up to Walnut Creek to join their family plus Adam's parents for the big meal.

And since I'm me, I came prepared with my iPhone tripod and we took a group picture just before we sat down to the turkey and stuffing and beans and potatoes. (Lots and lots of mashed potatoes. An epic, overflowing potful of potatoes.) 

There are, of course, nicely posed versions where we're all (or at least mostly all) sitting up straight and smiling, but this is the silly one. And it's probably my favorite because it shows that we're not afraid to BE goofy around each other. There's a realness here that I don't see in carefully posed captures. I love those too, of course, but the goofy ones... those feel special.

Anyway, today I am thankful for these people who I get to call family and for the ones who aren't pictured but still hold a special place in my heart. And I'm thankful for all of the friends who have walked with me through this life, even though no blood bound us together. Christ called us to be in relationship with one another; to love one another deeply. And I am grateful to be surrounded by people to love.

November 24

Aside from an afternoon stroll with my hunny, it was a quiet day at home, which meant that I had ample time to do laundry and work on some projects.

I've made a number of triangle shawls for the prayer shawl ministry of late, but I wanted to do something different so I decided to start on this rectangle-shaped number. It features a pretty wave pattern, and so far, I like it quite a bit. 

It makes me really happy to care for other people, and I feel blessed that I can use this new ability of mine to make that happen in a practical way. I know I've said that before, but it's so true that it's worthy of a repeat.

November 23

We headed back to suburbia today, but before we hit the road, the boys and I opted for one more walk in the stillness of the Sierras.

Isaac and Brady ran ahead of Adam and me, so I watched those boys of mine as they strolled together. I could hear lilting laughter and occasional bits of conversation, but it was a joy to just observe them as they interacted out there in nature; how they walked side by side and then in a row along the yellow line. And then, finally, how they walked in mostly lockstep (which is hard because Isaac is so much taller right now) with their arms entwined in a sidearm hug.

It was a lovely way to put a bow on a lovely weekend, and I am thankful for that.

November 22

We're active travelers, so it was inevitable that we'd take some sort of hike this weekend, and today was the day. Adam found us a moderate trail in Arnold and we set out mid-morning to check out the Sunset Loop and Cougar Rock.

It was a mostly peaceful trek that featured a roughly 1,000-foot elevation change, mostly at the journey's inception. (Fortunately, since my achy knees wouldn't have cared much for aggressive late-game rise and fall.) We even crossed paths with some fellow Pleasantonians who were out enjoying the nature and blue skies. (Hello, Julie and Tony!)

The view of the valley from Cougar Rock was lovely (Adam's jokes aside) and aside from a tumble by Iron Man Isaac that resulted in a pretty good scratch on his arm, we emerged unscathed and primed for the rest of the day, which included Giant Burgers and milkshakes, downtime, and a game of Scrabble. 

We took a number of pics where we were trailing it up, of course, and some are in Christmas card photo contention, so I'm using one that's not in the mix. I wish I had a grand revelation to share, but I don't. I'm just thankful for what is and what was and what will be. And I think that's probably good enough.

November 21

We had a lovely, lazy Sunday at the cabin. There was crocheting and TV for me, Niners football and a nap for Adam, outside time and video games for the Brositos, and college app supplementals for Abby. (And yes, she was thrilled.)

Then this evening, we headed out for dinner at the Snowshoe Brewery. We enjoyed a leisurely meal together, and as I sat there sipping my (very yummy) apricot wheat beer and listening to the chitter-chatter of my kiddos, I felt a sense of great satisfaction.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about how we toil on this earth, but that God intends for us to find joy in the simple acts of eats and drinking and enjoying ourselves with family and friends. So today, I am thankful for that simple blessing.

November 20

After Abby and I went to a lovely women's brunch at a neighbor's house this morning, we finished packing up the truck and headed up to the cabin for a long weekend.

Along the way, I marveled over how pleasant it is to travel with my family right now. They all have devices to keep them occupied (of course), but beyond that, at 17, 13, and almost 11, they're generally okay with being in the car for a few hours. The complaining and whining and tantrums over sore legs or the need for a potty RIGHT NOW of days gone by are a thing of the past.

So for that gem of a truth and for the time away with these people of mine, I am grateful.

November 19

My mind is all over the place this evening! Effects of a busy week, I suppose. So in lieu of this entry having much of a focus, I'll call it a General Friday Thankfulness Post.

First off, it's Friday. Who doesn't love that? And even better, the kids are off school next week so that means lots of days of not getting up early. That's a big woohoo for Night Owlish me.

Secondly, Brady didn't have school today either (No School November in full effect here!) so when I left to get coffee this morning, he sweetly asked if he could have "one of those things on a stick that Starbucks has." A cake pop. So of course, I got him one. And he thanked me profusely. (As did Isaac when he came downstairs and got his, because of course I got him one, too.)

Thirdly, I took Isaac to a pediatric sports PT in San Ramon to have his shoulder evaluated before I took him to school. (Because middle and high schoolers had school today... no conference week for them.) The PT didn't see any big red flags, so that's good news. While we sat there waiting, Isaac watched me as I worked on a blanket, and remarked that it looked difficult. When I said it wasn't really, he replied that I'd gotten very good at crocheting. It was very sweet and my heart warmed over the compliment. 

Then early this evening, Abby came home from hanging out with her friend Austin and was in a really good mood. Cheerful. Chatty. It was nice. 

And finally, today marked exactly 24 years since Adam and I went for a late-night walk in Claremont and decided to start dating. Officially.

So yes, there were many blessings weaved throughout the hours that comprised today. My heart feels full and I am grateful for all of them.

November 18

I had a meeting at church tonight (I'm part of the pastoral search team) and then came home and settled into my usual spot with my electric blanket, a cup of water, and this.

What is it, exactly? A delicious square of peppermint-y, chocolate cookie-y, Haagen-Dazs'y goodness from our trip to Costco earlier this evening.

It felt like a chilled bit of holiday happiness. So amid the busy-ness that November and December always bring, I am thankful for the tasty little square of high-calorie indulgence.

November 17

I've been working on this giant Christmas blanket for some time now.

Since I'm a nut, it's a whopping 62 inches wide and only 27 inches long so far, so I've still got a ways to go before it'll be done. But Brady likes to goad me about it, so I spent some time adding rows this evening.

Life is like that, I think: sometimes we have quick projects (like hats -- I made one of those this morning, in fact) that we can finish expediently. But other endeavors take substantially longer to reach completion -- we make gradual progress as we plug away at them. 

And hopefully, we enjoy the process, because this life is so much about process and learning to savor the ride.

November 16

Abby and Isaac are at youth group this evening, so it's just Brady, Adam, and me.

Brady is a talker, so it's been interesting to listen to him chatter on about the Warriors game (which we're watching), whether or not he should go play Mario Kart, and the latest MLB moves. (That kid knows so much about who plays for whom and who's courting who that it makes my head spin.)

Anyway, the time with my littlest is a blessing. 

November 15

My grandma turned 99 years old today. I FaceTimed my mom during her little family party so we could say happy birthday in person. 

So here we are!

My grandma has been an integral part of my life, practically since I was born. I was her fourth grandchild and first granddaughter. I lived with her and my grandpa for a short time while I was very young, and I have fond memories of her racing down the hall and into my room every time a fire engine passed the house at night. And of standing in the kitchen on her white stool (which she still owns!) and "accidentally" dropping the spoon into her skim milk as I mixed it. And of walking with her around and around the circular driveway and of lima beans in butter at the dinner table. And, more recently, of Christmases at her house with my own family. So many sweet memories.

So for her and for her life and for her faith --which has, at times, most definitely informed and encouraged my own-- I am thankful.

Happy birthday, Grandma! 

November 14

So yeah: this is the text message I sent Adam this morning from Isaac's baseball game.

It pretty much sums up what happened, but before I go any further, I'll say that he's okay. Sore, but okay. So that's a blessing.

Also a blessing? Today's game was the last of the season, so he has lots of time to see a doctor and find out what he should and shouldn't do in terms of rehab.

And another blessing? Everyone who tended to me when I had a panic attack after going over to the dugout to check on him. I felt it coming on as I stood there peering through the slats of wood that separated me from my injured boy; from that kid of mine who'd just silently, inexplicably fallen to the ground, his face contorted in pain. I felt the wave of nausea and saw the stars before I decided that lying down on that cold concrete was my only course of action. Embarrassing without doubt, but I'm thankful for the ways that others were Jesus to me in that moment of vulnerability: from the stranger from another team who gave me a bottle of water, to Gina who offered a granola bar, to Heather who went off to buy me a sandwich, to Jennifer, who plunked down on that cold, hard ground next to me until I felt like I could get up again. They were all so wonderful.

Don't misunderstand: I don't enjoy panic attacks at all. I don't like that I have some sort of underlying unprocessed trauma --probably from all of the too-hard-to-deal-with emotion that I stuffed into boxes when Logan was sick and after he died-- that causes my body to respond to fear and worry in such an uncontrollable way. But I am grateful for everyone who cared for me in that moment, and I am grateful that Isaac is sore, but okay. 

November 13

After more than a year of not getting together (much) with friends and family, I'm beyond ready to finally host gatherings at our house. So I was happy to welcome Adam's parents and his brother's family to celebrate Abby's birthday this afternoon.

We had burgers and hot dogs (and chicken nuggets, if you were our niece Melody) and ice cream cake from Coldstone and presents.

The boys enjoyed playing ball and running around with their five and six-year old cousins and the grown-ups enjoyed chit-chat under sunny, blue skies.

It was a good day indeed, so I am thankful for those sweet, sweet hours. (And P.S. -- Lambie was resting on our bed when this image was taken. At first I was upset by my gaffe, but after giving it more thought, I realized that Logan was there, even if Lambie wasn't, because he's in Abby and Isaac and Brady and in every face in this picture, because he's part of our family and his legacy lives on in every single one of us in one way or another.)

November 12

We have a rather busy Saturday ahead of us and I needed to pick up some new socks and a belt for Isaac's baseball game tomorrow (because wouldn't you know it, of all of the socks and belts he's amassed in recent history, none were black), so Abby and I went shopping this afternoon.

We hit Dick's and then Target and Walmart. And we finished at JoAnn, where she poked and prodded Lego Minifigure blind bags until she thought she'd found a Wanda (her favorite character from the Marvel Universe; and yep, she was right!)

And then we headed home.

It was time very well-spent, and served as a reminder that not-great experiences aside, I am blessed in many ways.

November 11

I took the kiddos to Black Bear Diner late this morning for brunch. It's something that we used to do fairly often on no school days, but it obviously wasn't an option when COVID was at its peak. It was quite nice to be out with them again, doing something that we'd always enjoyed together in a familiar place.

It was nice to eat, of course, but it was also wonderful to watch them interact with one another and to notice the small details, like how Isaac cuts his pancakes like a pizza and then drowns them in syrup while Brady eats his from the center out. And it was funny to notice that all three of them used butter. Lots of butter. (And to realize that Brady still eats butter when he thinks no one's looking.) 

And it was also nice when, following a quick visit to the Lego Store at the mall, they walked back out to the car hand-in-hand. I will forever wish Logan was with them, but I'm still grateful for what is. And the three of them give me much for which to be grateful.

November 10

I finished making a hat for Isaac today and left it for him on the kitchen table. 

When I asked him to try it on to see if it would fit, he pulled it down over his face and wandered around like that until Brady put his hat on and they did a weird little dance in the kitchen.

So naturally I took a pic. Because #weird.

Anyway, it made me smile. And smiles are always a feel-good kind of blessing.

November 9

The sky today was interesting.

It rained overnight, so the morning hours were mostly overcast. Then the sun came out for a short time before the clouds once again returned for most of the rest of the day.

As I headed home from picking up the boys this afternoon, the sun peeked through a bank of dark clouds. I thought it was lovely, so I went up to the deck out back and took a long look at the sunbeams that shone down over the valley.

The scene looked like a promise, somehow; a promise that though situations can seem bleak at times, sunlight can always pierce the darkness. 

November 8

It's cold and rainy out this evening, but although we've yet to run the heater this season, I'm warm here in my family room.

I have a plethora of crochet projects to rotate through, my Orioles blanket, my hunny asleep (and possibly snoring just a wee bit) a seat over, and I just took the last sip of a glass of peach mango demi sec. 

Simple things, but sweet, I think. And I am grateful for all of them.

November 7

These two really are best buds (when they're not fighting to the death, of course).

Isaac had a baseball game this morning (which they won!) and then a birthday party to attend this afternoon, so the dynamic duo didn't have as much time together as usual over the weekend.

So they made up for it by chasing each other with thunder sticks in the dark, and then playing a computer game together on the couch.

I've said it more than once, I know, but I truly love how they love each other.

November 6

Tonight, Nikki and I went downtown to celebrate her 40th birthday.

We started off with fall-colored pedicures at Orchidee, moved on to dinner with margaritas at Alberto's, and finished with chocolate chip cookies at Primrose Bakery.

It was, in short, a lovely evening with a really great friend. I so appreciate her for the person she is and I am grateful that she's in my life. And I'm very thankful that I got to help her celebrate a milestone birthday. 

Good, faithful friends are truly amazing blessings.

November 5

For the second time this week, a thick layer of fog blanketed the landscape as we headed off to school drop-offs. 

Today, however, something unexpected happened: as we approached a major intersection near Isaac's school, the fog suddenly vanished. We were quite literally in the middle of a cloud and then suddenly, not even 50 feet further down the road, the air was completely clear. I'm talking sun-and-blue-skies clear. 

I marveled aloud over the sudden change, and then gave it even more of a mull as I dropped Isaac at school and headed back toward home. So many times in this life, we find ourselves fumbling along in dense fog, unsure of what's ahead or of how long we'll be plunging forward into an unclear unknown. But the reality is that clearer skies --improved situations, clarity, answers to prayers-- are often just a few feet away. Sometimes it's just a matter of continuing to move forward until we get there.

November 4

About two weeks ago, Abby sent me a picture of a sweater she liked. I did a little surfing on crochet idea boards, found one I thought I could modify easily (since she prefers her tops cropped these days), and got to work.

And today, I finished it and handed it over to my girl. It's not 100% perfect, but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out and I hope it's in line with what she had in mind.

I love this new hobby of mine, and I love that in addition to finishing this project today, I also got an email from our church's prayer shawl ministry administrator this afternoon. So I can finally officially start doing that as well.

It's kind of wonderful when blessing someone else blesses you, too.

November 3

Abby's 17th birthday is today. Seventeen! Already. Wow.

I think she had a good day. Adam got her a big unicorn-head balloon, a Frappuccino, and some sort of book to start off her new year on a sweet foot, and then she was off to school. My plan was initially to chalk the windows of the truck with a happy birthday message before she got up, but that vision changed when I looked out the window and was greeted by pea soup-thick fog. So I drove over to the street I know she parks on a few hours later after the fog had lifted and did it then and there.

After school, we did pictures as always and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory before returning home for cake (for which Adam gets every ounce of credit) and presents and the requisite silly birthday videos on YouTube (featuring a collection of cats and sloths and Sesame Street faves).

Anyway, 17. My girl is 17. It's a very strange thing to realize that the little girl who so gleefully ran away from me while I was hobbled by pregnancy and who always wanted to pick, pick, pick fudgers as we strolled along the streets in our old neighborhood and who wistfully talked about being a VBS hula girl some day is just a year away from adulthood, but she is just that. And I couldn't be more proud of her. She's kind and smart and good-hearted and old-souled. And, as I so often say, I can't wait to see what God has in store for her in the future.

November 2

I was on the verge of tears as I drove toward the Mother Ship this morning. I'm not entirely sure why, but I could feel a wave of negativity cresting on the horizon. So I asked God to help -- to help me have a good morning in spite of my mood.

And He did just that. I ordered my coffee and water, plunked down in my usual chair, and pulled out the sleeve of a sweater I'm making for Abby. And I started stitching. 

In short order, a well-dressed older woman sat down across from me. I felt compelled to talk to her, but I hesitated. And then, a moment later, as we made inadvertent eye contact, I told her that she looked nice. She thanked me, and then asked what I was making. And then bam, off to the races. Lee --because that's her name, Lee-- shared all about her life, and I listened and shared a little about mine.

About 15 minutes into our conversation, a different woman apologized for interrupting and asked what I was making. She said it was beautiful and my new friend Lee cut in to tell her that I also made the sweater I was wearing (which was true). Other Woman was extremely complimentary and asked if I sell (I don't) or if I'd be willing to sell, and I hedged before I thanked her and said that I don't. (At least not yet.) 

Then another Mother Ship friend, Neil, plopped down into the chair next to me and joined Lee and I in conversation for half an hour. 

Those interactions just filled my spirit. I love learning about other people and connecting over common experiences -- like when I told Lee that I'd lost a son, her eyes turned downward for a moment before she revealed that she, too lost a son just two years ago. And oddly enough, it was something of a blessing to me to be able to look another woman in the eye --a woman whose age alone has probably afforded her much more wisdom than I have in my 43-plus years-- and tell her that yes, it stings. Yes, you think of him every day. And yes, the feelings change over time, but you never get over it.

And then I went to Target and found several brand new Cars with faces. 

So yes. It was, despite its melancholic beginnings, a very good morning because God answers prayer -- and sometimes He answers them in very obvious ways. And I am thankful.

November 1

When I got home from Bible study late this morning, I found the kiddos in the living room together.

Abby and Isaac were playing a video game (probably Mario Kart), while Brady drew pictures of various Pokemon creatures.

Serious faces aside, they were peacefully co-existing. And the sight made my heart smile.