November 8

Day two of Family Weekend went off without a hitch (although it was very cloudy and cold and, on occasion, damp. Very, very, very different weather conditions than I enjoyed for most of the past week!). 

We started off with brunch at Saga (also known as the campus dining hall), where Brady particularly enjoyed the tres leches French toast and I became a heroine for locating the orange juice dispenser. Abby didn't eat with us, but we did see her at a table with a number of her fellow cheerleaders (who were enjoying their pre-game chrunch together).

Then we went over to the football stadium, where the Thunder were taking on the Millikin University Big Blue, and more importantly, Abby was cheering and performing during the half-time show. The Thunder won the game handily (61-14) and the cheerleaders turned in a clean routine for the fans (and themselves!). 

After a wardrobe change for Abby and a quick foray around Target, we had a 4:30 dinner reservation at Abby's choice of eatery, Gia Mia in downtown Wheaton. Each of us chose a pizza, and the unanimous decision was that they were all delicious. From there, we stopped by campus so Abby could pick up the birthday cake she'd been keeping since we bought it the other day (a cheesecake from Costco), and we returned to the hotel so she could open the rest of her presents and celebrate one more time with said-dessert and party hats! (And for her, a glow-in-the-dark unicorn headband. All headwear was selected by Isaac.)

Coldness and rainyness aside, it was a very good day. It was fun to see Abby cheering because watching her do something she really loves and enjoys does my heart near-infinite good. And it was a blessing to see some of her friends too: Michaela and Stephanie for the first time this visit, and Anna, Kamryn, and Ashley again. Their relationships with one another are such amazing gifts from God, and I'm grateful for the ways they've been there for each other over the past several years. I love that my girl has awesome, caring friends and that she's an awesome, caring friend to them in return. And of course, it was a blessing to celebrate her 21st again with Adam and Brady (even if Brady was a little too obsessed with blowing up balloons and then deflating them). It was a blessing-rich day indeed, and I am thankful.