October 31

Halloween with teenagers (or more accurately, a teenager and an almost-teenager) isn't the same as Halloween with littles. It's still fun, but it's definitely different.

And this year, our brand of different involved Isaac (as Perry the Platypus) and Brady (as Pluto) heading over to church after school to volunteer for the trunk or treat event. Although neither knew what his assignment would be prior to showing up, they wound up manning a trunk and a game apiece, and both did a great job. (And for the eagle-eyed among us, yes, Brady's hand is wrapped. He has a small fracture in the middle finger on his left hand. PE injury.)

It did my heart good to watch both of them interacting with the parents and kids who came through. I'm so thankful for who they are and for how I can see God working in their lives as they grow.

October 30

Adam introduced Abby and me to the NYT Connections game a month or two ago.

Ever since, we've independently tackled the puzzles and then come together via chat to discuss our thought processes. (And to celebrate our successes and bemoan our failures.)

I appreciate these puzzles because they've given us a new way to (and this will be totally obvious and vaguely cheesy) connect. 

So for the way these daily games have facilitated conversation and helped to keep us close despite the physical separation, I am thankful.

October 29

My whackadoodles were at it again after dinner tonight.

I briefly went into my bedroom and when I emerged, I found Isaac literally dragging Brady across the floor in the foyer. Then they swapped roles and Brady dragged Isaac, and then they took turns pushing one another. (The pushing definitely looked like the biggest challenge. Isaac said the experience was kind of like doing prowlers in PE.)

They're weirdos, these two. But they're my weirdos, and I'm grateful for them and for all of their wonderful weirdness.

October 28

A new friend --who I recently met through an old friend-- collects beanies, gloves, and the like for her local homeless shelter in memory of her own son, who passed away. It just so happens that her son and Logan would be the same age if they were still here, so I wanted to --and felt very much like I should-- help with the effort.

So I've spent the last week making beanies in a variety of sizes and colors. I'm still working, but I'll get them sent off to her early next week.

I don't love what happened to my sweet boy (or to hers), but I do love the love that's arisen from our tragedies. Because those boys lived, underserved people in a chilly climate will have access to hats and scarves and warm winter wear in the months to come. 

God doesn't always answer our prayers in the way we hope, but He always creates ways for goodness to come from bad situations. And for that truth (and for the ability I have to help with this project), I am grateful.

October 27

Isaac wanted to play football with his friends after school so we headed over to the park immediately following pickup today.

He was a tad bit early so he munched on a box of cereal he'd left in the back seat this morning and goofed off with Brady while we waited for someone else to show. 

There's another image of both of them doing the Vacuous pose that my brother Charlie and I transformed into an epic family art form a number of years back, but I like this one because Isaac's smile is so real.

He's been kind of stressed and down lately (because when you think back, 15 can be kind of hard), so seeing that genuine grin was such a blessing. And I am grateful for it.

October 26

I was sitting at the high-top table at Starbucks this morning enjoying my coffee when Nicole, whose son Tyler is one of Isaac's best friends, happened to walk in.

I said hello and we wound up chatting for about an hour before she had to head out for a work-related meeting. And I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.

Isaac first met Tyler way back in second grade when his family first moved to town. And they've been buddies ever since. For a time, Brady was friends with Tyler's younger sister, too. There have been sleepovers and pool parties and baseball games and so many good times for the two of them.

We don't see his family as often since we moved across town back when the pandemic started, but it's such a blessing to know them. 

So today, I'm thankful for this unplanned but wonderful encounter.

October 25

Isaac and Brady had ample energy after dinner this evening. 

While Adam took a quick work call, said-Brositos followed me into the family room and began maniacally laughing as they tossed Chub (Choob) back and forth over my head.

After a few exchanges and a failed attempt on my part, I successfully intercepted the unicorn and tucked him under my arm. 

Then the boys laughed even more.

Evenings marked by lightheartedness are blessings.

October 24

As is often the case, the boys shared about their respective days at school during dinner tonight.

At one point toward the end of the meal I looked at them and thought 'wow, they're really growing up'. 

So here they are in all of their "growing up" glory. 

There's not a lot else to say other than that I'm grateful for the moments -- even the regular, formulaic ones like this that happen over and over again.

October 23

Mondays have a nice little rhythm at our house of late.

I take the Brositos to their joint baseball practice and then come home. Adam finishes work and goes to pick them up. On the way back, he picks up dinner from Chick Fil A. Then we eat while watching the Monday Night Football game. 

Pretty simple. Pretty predictable. 

And given that I like Chick Fil A and football gives me Fall warm fuzzies, the whole thing is just a big, familiar blessing.

October 22

I love pretzel bites and cheese sauce.

So I was gratified to find these on the dinner table tonight (along with the steak, green beans, and fingerling potatoes Adam whipped up).

Adam is Jesus to me in many ways and has been over the years and this is just one of those ways -- and a tiny one at that. But blessings are blessings, so I am grateful for this especially tasty ones.

October 21

Both of the boys had games today. They were both in decent moods --although poor Brady was dealing with a surge of seasonal allergy action-- and both played well, so I had a fine time. 

Part of the home team's responsibility is post-game field care: removing bases when necessary, raking the dirt, covering the mound and home plate, and so on. And it just so happens that one of my favorite parts of today was watching Isaac and some of his teammates dragging a tarp over to home plate post-game. It was just a quick succession of moments, but I loved the big smile on Isaac's face and I loved seeing him literally working with his peers in such a simple way to complete the task.

In a world that so often feels negative, it's a blessing to see teamwork in action.

October 20

The boys wanted some batting practice after school, so following a quick pit stop at home for Brady's baseball bag and some food at home, I took them over to the cages.

I've had far, far better days than this one, but standing there watching them interact with each other was a blessing. Even when they bicker --even when they chuck balls at each other and laugh manically when a pitch veers way, way out of its intended path-- their care for one another still manages to shine through.

I know this isn't a new observation, but I'm again thankful for their brotherly love.

October 19

Adam is a private person so he probably won't like this much, but eh: my blog, my rules. Plus I think he deserves some acknowledgement now and then. So here goes.

Although we've known for a few weeks now, the announcement finally went public so I can share that Adam has been promoted to Finance Vice President at Intel. (I believe his official title is VP of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis. I think.) It's a terrific step up and although he's not one to think much about career goals, I know he really wanted this one so I'm happy that he got it.

My hunny is such a hard worker. I can't even tell you how many hours he's spent on all sorts of finance-related activities that I can't remember the acronyms for (because they all have acronyms; remember the Chandler Bing schtick? Truth) much less understand. But he's always able to get the job done and has built a team of employees who genuinely like and respect him as a leader. None of that is small potatoes stuff.

Like I said at the start, he's not big on praise or being in the spotlight, but I'm so, so proud of all that he's accomplished over his 23 years at Intel. Congrats hunny!

October 18

Wednesdays are interesting these days. Adam usually goes into the office and Isaac and Brady have practice at the same time right after school in different cities (and neither is the one we actually live in). Thankfully one of Isaac's former coaches took him to his practice last week and today (thank you Steve!) so I could get Brady to his, which happened to be a game today (which meant he was supposed to be even earlier than usual). Yeah. Phew.

Anyhow, after the craziness of transportation execution subsided, I settled into the bleachers to take in the action. Brady pitched a solid inning (one strikeout looking, one groundout to second, one hit by pitch, and one hard-hit liner that he snared to end the inning). Although they lost, he was in a good mood afterward and to me, that's a very good thing.

Although I was there by myself, it was such a lovely evening that I didn't mind one bit. So for the blessings of baseball games and sons who play and warm Fall nights, I am thankful.

October 17

I made applesauce this afternoon.

There's something so satisfying about plucking apples from the tree out back and then prepping them to be cooked in the big pot on the stove. I took the boys' notes from the last go-round and pureed the potato masher'd mush in the blender before pouring the final product into jars and carefully lowering them into the canner.

Then it was boil, boil, boil for the prescribed time. And as of now, the jars are resting quietly on the counter in an out of the way place.

It is such a blessing to feel like I'm providing something fresh and healthy (because there's nothing but apple and water in those jars!) for my family, and I am grateful.

October 16

I've been making a concerted effort to finish abandoned projects, so I picked up this one from the stack and am working on it this evening.

Although I haven't touched this particular piece in several months, I do like it quite a lot. It's warm and heavy, even though by square inch standards, it's pretty small. And it's satisfying to gradually coax it toward completion with new stitches and rows.

So today I'm thankful for the motivation to work on it and for the enjoyment that doing so is bringing me. Even things that seem old and stale can become new and fresh again if we remain open to possibility.

October 15

I laid my head down on this cutie this afternoon while I was watching TV in our room and poof, I fell asleep.

I wasn't planning to sleep, per se, but I didn't fight it. And it was quite refreshing.

It's easy to let this world with all of its problems eat away at your sense of peace and well-being, so good rest is a substantial blessing. (And the soft, comfortable squish is a nice bonus.)

October 14

It was a beautifully busy Saturday. (And --spoiler alert!-- there was no baseball involved.)

It began with our annual trip to visit the pumpkin farm in Half Moon Bay. We hit the McD's drive-thru for breakfast and then headed for the freeway. The trip was longer than usual because it's Pumpkin Festival weekend, but I can't say that I minded. There were choruses of "Take Me Home, Country Road" sung (over Brady's objections) and jovial conversation shared and we all seemed to be in a collective good mood. When we arrived, we took our annual me-with-the-kids photo and then the boys surveyed the available pumpkins and chose their favorites. (Brady was in it purely for size, while Isaac searched for the roundest one of all). The ride home was markedly quieter (since Isaac confessed that he was still recovering from screaming at the Homecoming game last night and Brady was engrossed in a phone video game). But it was all good. Lambie was along for the ride and I texted Abby pictures so it felt, in a way, like we were all together even though we weren't. And that's a blessing.

Following a few quiet hours at home, Isaac and I headed off to meet some of his friends at the post office so they could walk over to the Homecoming dance. (Lest this may seem more random that it needs to be, the post office is next to the school. It's still an odd meet-up spot since there are literally parks everywhere, but, well, 15 and 16-year old boys planned it. So there you go.) Us moms took a few photos and then poof, they were off. (In case you don't recognize him, Isaac is the one on the far right in the black shirt and bow tie. The others are Tyler, his bud since second grade, Ben, and Andrew.) I hope they have fun. 

So yes, it was a busy day. But all of that busyness was of the blessedly beautiful ilk. So I am thankful for the hours.

October 13

I dropped Isaac off at the school this afternoon so he could hang out with friends before the Homecoming game and then take in the on-field action. 

I've never known him to be a huge football fan so I was a little surprised when he said he wanted to go, but he is a do-er. And I've always been impressed by and admired his willingness to deliberately enter into potentially uncomfortable situations (like going to camp for a week without knowing anyone else --twice). I think it shows great strength of character and it inspires me to take more risks.

I'm thankful for his example, even though he probably doesn't know he's setting it.

October 12

I peripherally noticed that Isaac spent a lot of time hovering over the kitchen counter after school today.

When I finally sauntered over to see what was up, I found him carefully slicing apples into small chunks. As each piece was completed to his liking, he tossed it into the blender.

He was, in short, making a smoothie, because he was in search of something fresh and healthy to eat. He went on to add a small scoop of ice cream and peanut butter. (A lot of peanut butter. A lot-lot, as it turned out.)

After he blended his creation and took a drink, he confirmed that he'd used a LOT of peanut butter and maybe not enough apple. But he was very amused and drank the entire thing (while talking about how much peanut butter he had consumed).

I'm grateful for so many things about this guy, but this evening, for three of them in particular: his sense of humor, his creativity, and his desire to be healthy.

October 11

Brady was a little early to practice today so while he was retrieving his bag from the back of the car, he --with a measure of satisfaction in his tone-- paused to show me the massive clods of dried mud stuck in his cleats.

I suggested that he whack them together to dislodge the muck so he did. And he was utterly delighted as the pieces broke off and fell to the pavement below.

He did a little dance and then clapped them together once again. And the joy? It was palpable.

I love that something as simple as de-dirtifying cleats can inspire so much joy.

October 10

I finished a piece recently so yesterday I decided to start a new one.

And because I did that cute thing where I try to keep working even when I'm falling asleep, I quickly messed up the pattern. 

I was already a number of rows beyond the gaffe when I noticed it and quietly berated myself for not paying better attention to my work. But instead of frogging it (aka Ripping It Apart), I kept going, modifying the design as I went. It's kind of a pain that I can't just follow the pattern as it's written, but it's working out so far.

Life is so often like this -- we have our plans all set and ready to go, but then something changes and we're forced to improvise. And the pattern changes and takes on and entirely new and unexpected appearance. But the good news is that the final product can still be beautiful; we can deviate from our intended path and still come out just fine. 

That sweet truth is quite a blessing.

October 9

The boys didn't have school today so I went to bed last night without setting an alarm, even though I knew I had Bible study this morning. I reasoned that if God woke me up before 9, I'd go. Naturally, my eyes flicked open at 8:55. I knew I had to keep my word, so off I went.

And I'm so glad I did. I was 20 minutes late (because I had to stop for coffee first; I'm an idiot without my morning joe) but the ladies --as always-- responded to my tardiness with grace.

We had a great discussion about our current subject matter and I came out of the meeting feeling good. Refreshed. Ready for the rest of the day.

So for the blessing of connection with them and with all of my friends, I am so grateful.

October 8

The four of us crossed paths in the kitchen for a few brief moments this morning before parting ways for the day. Given that we've not had much togetherness of late, I felt like pressing the pause button by taking a pic. A freezeframe. A slice of life. So I did.

And then we pushed the play button and the busyness of Sunday commenced: Adam and Brady headed off to Ripon for a game (or two, as it turned out) while Isaac and I went to church.

We have, as a unit, been busy lately. (And I know Abby's also been a busy bee at Wheaton so she's right there with us.) So it's a blessing when we can take a few moments to just be us, together (or as together as we can be with two of us not physically present). Although we're a blessed group of individuals who have a God who loves each of us and knows us by name, I think we're extra special when we're together as a family.

October 7

It was a divide and conquer Saturday: Adam took Brady to a tournament in Manteca while I went north to San Ramon with Isaac.

I wasn't exactly thrilled by the prospect of sitting outside in 95-plus degree heat, but figured hey, how long can it take to play 14 innings of ball? 

Just shy of five and a half hours, that's how long. 

By the time we headed out to the car, Isaac was caked with dirt (hence the photo) and I was hangry. (Not just hungry; I was full-on get-me-a-Snickers hangry.)

But as I sat there in the shade watching them play, I breathed in the experience. Yeah, it was warm, but an absolutely lovely breeze blew all day long. And yeah, I was a little lonely because I don't really know many of the other parents, but I did eventually chat with a few fellow moms. And I got some more work done on the crochet project I'd brought along, too.

It was a long day for sure. But it was also a blessed one, and I am thankful.

October 6

It's the end of another school-slash-work week. 

Of course, the boys both have baseball games this weekend and it's supposed to be hot (hot) outside courtesy of one of our typical early-fall heat waves (which I am sincerely hoping is summer '23's last hurrah), but I'm grateful that it's Friday. And I'm grateful to be sitting here in my usual spot in my family room with my beverage, watching a random DiCaprio movie with my hunny (because that's what we've done the past few Fridays, as odd as that sounds) while Isaac putters around the kitchen behind me in search of a snack.

Small things, big blessings.

October 5

Isaac and Brady were extra goofy after dinner this evening.

So when big bro lifted younger bro onto his shoulders and the duo began trolling the family room, I wasn't terribly surprised. 

But when Brady began waving his arms in the arm, I suddenly saw them as a pair of cheerleaders and I laughed out loud at the mental image. (Aside: I have no issue with cheerleaders at all! It was just a silly, unexpected sight.)

So as I've said many times over, I'm thankful for how much laughter they bring into my life just by being themselves.

October 4

Another Wednesday, another coffee date with my Muffin.

I know I'm going to wake up one morning and realize he's not really a kid anymore, so I'm making an effort to treasure moments like this one. Moments with cups of ice water and cake pops.

And I treasure the moment that happened even before this photo was taken, when he plunked down on the stairs next to me as we waited for Isaac to emerge from his room so we could leave for school. 

All run of the mill experiences. All blessings.

October 3

This is my pal Beau. (Yes, I'm talking about the French bulldog.)

He comes into Starbucks with his human dad a few times each week, and every times he does, we interact. And he likes me; he makes his purring noises (aside: I never knew dogs could purr until I met him) and sits in my lap and jumps up to say hi.

I'm not much of a dog person, but I love Beau. He's a cute little marshmallow and his enthusiasm makes me smile. 

And though it seems strange to say, I'm grateful to know him.

October 2

I had a little catch-up session with Mary (our pastor) this morning at the Mother Ship.

Since I'm on the Elders' board at church we do see each other fairly often, but our interactions are predominantly business-related. But not today; today it was all about the personal lives.

And it was really good to hear about what's been going on with her and to share some of my own experiences and impressions.

This life can be challenging, but it's a blessing to be able to walk through it with good people like Mary. 

October 1

 I took one photo today and this is it. Fortunately, it's not entirely random.

During the party on Friday night, I mentioned to Valerie that Isaac loved the blanket she gave out at last year's gathering. And that he manifests his love by stealing it from me as often as he can. Without missing a beat, she replied that she still had leftovers, and sent one home with me.

I promptly passed it on to Isaac, who gleefully received the unexpected gift. In fact, here he is enjoying its warmth this afternoon while playing a video game.

So today I'm grateful for thoughtful friends and for the truth that simple things can mean a lot.