July 23

I don't particularly enjoy cooking, probably because a handful of picky eaters who shall remain unnamed didn't care for culinary variety during their early years. But I did have more fun than I expected helping Brady make dinner today. 

While he was trying to figure out what he wanted to eat this afternoon, he pulled a box of Bisquick out of the pantry with an eye toward preparing pancakes. (With chocolate chips, since we have a big bag on the shelf.) 

But a recipe for cheeseburger pie printed on the back of the box caught his eye, and he decided he wanted to make that instead. Since it was a multi-step process, I suggested he wait a few hours and make it for dinner, with an assist from me. He agreed, so off to the store we went for ground beef and an onion, the two things we didn't already have on-hand.

When the clock struck 5:45, we got to work. We walked through the steps of the recipe together, and he did most of the actual prep and clean-up, from dicing the onion (with sunglasses in place) to washing the dishes. I was mainly the supervisor who cracked the eggs and carefully slid the very full pie plate into the oven. And told him how "brown" was "brown enough" for the cooked beef and which knife he should use to cut the onion. (And many other little details that I've had filed away in my brain for years that he didn't yet know.) And the final product? I thought it was pretty tasty, so it was a win.

It's such a gift to be able to spend quality time with my kiddos that doubles as education. Of course, I try to "teach" them every day with how I react to them and to others and to situations, but to be able to share knowledge I've acquired over my own lifetime that will expand their own bodies of practical knowledge feels special. So tonight I am grateful to God for the time with Brady and for his willingness to listen and learn.

July 22

Isaac's last day of work at the Dairy is tomorrow, and since Abby has evening class, she wanted to be sure she got to see him on-shift one more time.

So she, Brady, and I loaded into my loaner car (because two and a half weeks later, my car is still at BMW waiting for its new hybrid battery) and headed over to get some ice cream early this afternoon.

Isaac was working the register so he wasn't able to make our cones for us, but he did see us in the walk-up line and waved animatedly in our direction. And when he had a free moment, he did come over to say hello and to introduce us to one of his co-workers. 

He's a good kiddo, and I'm grateful that he's had the opportunity to work this job. I know he's enjoyed the experience and I appreciate how it's taught him more about financial responsibility than he ever could have learned from school alone. So for the blessings of first jobs and for the taste of fresh ice cream on a summer afternoon, I am grateful.

July 21

As I left the house to pick up Brady from church this afternoon, I spied a plume of brown and white smoke as it rose above the nearby hills and into the blue sky. Although I had an inkling that it probably wasn't a good thing to see smoke on a very dry 100-degree day, I didn't think much of it at the time.

But then I checked the Watch Duty app and saw that the smoke I saw was from a wildfire that started in nearby Sunol. And I watched as, over just a short period of time, the fire spread from 75 acres to 150. And then to 400. And then I watched as mandatory evacuation orders appeared on the map. And I listened as helicopters and planes flew by overhead, providing air assistance to the ground crews.

When Ruby Hill --a community a few miles down the road from us-- received evac orders, I calmly told the boys to gather up their irreplaceable prized possessions just in case. And I texted Abby (who was at school) and Adam (who was at work) and asked them if there was anything they wanted me to get for them, too. I packed up photo albums and mementos and important documents, and watched with interest as my kiddos chose their own irreplaceables: Isaac picked items from my grandma's house and Bibles and things he'd handwritten over the years. Brady grabbed BearBear, Chub, Bagger, and Froggy, who are his four favorite stuffies, and the ring he got for winning a baseball tournament last year. (I almost cried when he plunked them down on the dining room table and declared "just about everything else can be replaced.") Abby wanted Pilly and Blankie (which, quite obviously, were her childhood pillow and blanket), and Adam requested a book of pictures Logan drew.

The fire grew to 950 acres and the evacuation line came within a single street of our house, so we literally sat around waiting for directions. Isaac meandered between the deck outside --looking up at the sky and the helicopters and the planes-- and inside. Brady followed me from room to room. Eventually, I sat down on the steps near the front door, and Brady plunked down nearby while Isaac settled into the dining room across the way. I prayed aloud for the firefighters and for everyone affected by the fire. 

The evac line hadn't moved in a few hours, so Adam and I decided over text that we'd offer to take the boys to dinner with us. And they agreed to go. We packed all of our irreplaceables into the Explorer (just in case something changed), and went downtown to Strizzi's.

Since then, the evac lines have been pulled back, and we're no longer on the edge of the danger zone. I'll still probably sleep with one eye open and I'm not in a hurry to unpack my irreplaceables, but I'm grateful that the immediate threat seems to have been resolved.

Although the experience stressed me out, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to see what my children view as their prized possessions. And I'm grateful that they --at least in my opinion-- chose well: they went with sentimental items like photos and writings and things that hold special memories for them. (And I'm also grateful for the reminder that I should get to work on digitizing all of my old film photos.)

And beyond all of that, I am grateful to God for being with every single person who is out doing hard, demanding work in hot weather to keep the rest of us safe. I am thankful that He gave each of them the desire to serve and the bravery to serve well.

July 20

The house was still and quiet when I got back from my coffee outing this morning. A few minutes later, Isaac padded down the stairs and joined me in the kitchen. He confirmed that he'd already eaten and aimlessly circled the island a few times, so I asked if he wanted to play Go Fish. 

And since he's a do'er, he said yes. (I was pretty sure he would when I asked.) So I retrieved a deck of cards from the nearby desk and we played several rounds of Go Fish at the kitchen table.

It wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it gave us the chance to connect. As we played, I asked him questions: which of his friends are going to leave for school first? (Probably him, he said.) What is he looking forward to about going to college? (Learning, he said. Learning things he's interested in learning about and not what the school says he should learn; that's what I knew he meant. And also seeing snow, he said.)

We sat and shuffled and Go Fished until he said he needed to take a shower and get ready to head to work. 

It was just a few hands of cards, but I'm grateful to God for the time spent with my soon to be college guy.

July 19

Way back when, we used to go to A's games fairly regularly. There was nothing quite like kicking back on the third deck of the Coliseum on two-dollar ticket Wednesdays, munching on one-dollar hot dogs while watching the likes of Barry Zito, Eric Chavez, and Eric Tejada as they put on a show under the lights. Those were some good days. But that was a long time ago now.

In fact, we hadn't seen the A's play live since they left Oakland, mostly because it's just not convenient to go anymore. (And also because we don't like John Fisher. Boooo. Sell the team.) But today, we finally took the 90-minute drive to Sacramento and settled into our seats at Sutter Health Park to take in a game.

Although they did what they've done more often than not of late and lost to the Nationals, it was a fun new experience. Since it's a Triple A ballpark, it's very small, so it has a homier feeling than the much larger, much more urban Coliseum we're used to visiting. Though it was hot, hot, hot out (in the 90s) and the sun was bright and mostly unrelenting, we still had a good time watching and cheering and hanging out together (even if Abby did irritate Isaac and Brady by alternating her two hats --since she had one from the Nats game we attended last year in DC, she brought it along with her A's cap-- from inning to inning). And Abby and Isaac even came away with squishy A's balls that they caught when the broadcasters in the booth above us tossed them down to spectators. Talk about fortunate!

So tonight, I am grateful to God for time with my family. I am thankful for the blessing of their company and for the ways we can both amuse and care for one another.

July 18

Brady has historically gone on cooking jags. I can't remember them all offhand because there was been a few, but I know that at one point, he really liked making pancakes, so he ate and consumed a lot of them.

His current culinary interest is working with potatoes. And more specifically, potatoes and the air fryer I bought Adam for his birthday (which said-husband does not use).

He started off by just reheating pre-cooked items like frozen French fries. It helped him to get a feel for how the machine works. Then he moved on to grating fresh potatoes to make hash browns. When they were a little too loosey-goosey for his taste, he added cornstarch to said-hash browns and created patties that held together. 

Then today, he decided to make potato chips. He used my veggie slicer (which is a marvelous contraption, for the record), brushed them with olive oil (as he doing in the image), and sprinkled them with salt.

I had one after they were done and it was quite good! Definitely crispy, and I am definitely a girl who prefers crispy to not-crispy when it comes to my air fried potato products. I think he was pleased with the outcome, and I was pleased to see him successfully tackle a new task. It's a blessing to witness his confidence --and patience and perseverance-- grow over time.

July 17

I was working on my latest crochet project in the bedroom this afternoon when Isaac and Brady suddenly (and loudly) appeared. 

Now they don't just enter a room together these days; it's truly more like they storm castle gates. There's lots of chatter and arms and legs flying everywhere. It's simultaneously funny and exhausting, and definitely overstimulating.

But I love it nonetheless. And then I loved it even more when, a few minutes later, Brady left to find BearBear and Isaac picked up my stuffed cat SOC (pronounced "sock") and wrapped him in an embrace. 

I watched him as he sprawled across the foot of my bed hugging my cat. And I smiled to myself. He may be 18, but he's still my little boy. And I am grateful to God for the gift that he continues to be to me.

July 16

This is what I get these days when I say "okay, I want to take a picture of you guys."

Fine. It's fine. Really, totally fine. I love that all of the recent photos I have of them look more or less like this.

But to my actual point... Isaac has chalk paint on his face and they're wearing matching green t-shirts because they're both volunteering at VBS this week. Isaac is a teacher for the older kids, and Brady is a youth leader for the younger ones. (That's simplified because I can't remember exactly which grades they're each with.)

I'm pleased that they both chose to spend some of their time --and if Brady's glue-stained shirt and Isaac's face are any indication, also a bit of patience-- helping to tell the next generation about Jesus. It's a small act, but who knows -- it could wind up having huge implications for a child who attends.

July 15

Although both Abby and I were dealing with stuffy noses when we got up today, we still enjoyed a nice trip to the Mother Ship and then Costco.

After we finished strolling up and down the aisles and checked out, we stopped by the food court for some lunchtime munchies. 

We chit chatted as we finished our pizza (her) and hot dog (me), and then I offered to buy a big chocolate chip cookie and split it with her. 

She agreed. And here I am with my half. (And her half, actually.)

It was a good time with my favorite girl enjoying a sweet treat. So for all of those blessings, I am grateful.

July 14

I didn't sleep particularly well last night; I'm pretty sure I have an allergy/cold combo platter and it makes resting simultaneously essential and difficult.

So I spent most of the day keeping up with decongestants and cough drops (because part of my ailment involves coughing... lots of coughing). It wasn't very exciting, but it seemed to help.

So this evening, on this day that involved me mostly lying low, I'm thankful to God for medications that alleviate symptoms and for my wonderful pellet ice maker. Because small comforts can make a big difference.

July 13

Isaac came home from the first day of VBS, went to the gym, and then came home and crashed on the couch.

He slept and slept and slept some more. And he talked in his sleep, because he does that sometimes. I'm not sure what he said because it was fairly mumbly, but his words were animated if not intelligible. He was clearly engaging with someone in his dreams.

It was good to just watch him rest for a while. He'll be off to school in less than a month; in fact, he got his roommate assignment today, and I know he's looking forward to meeting Thomas from Kentucky. So I'm very conscious that the the days of summer are waning. And I want to be sure to try to soak up the moments as best I can, because the moments --the little ones like these that are so easy to miss-- are blessings.

July 12

It was a hot, muggy day, and for some reason, Abby and I decided that it would be fun to take a walk during the mid-afternoon hours.

Of course, when we left the house, we didn't know that it was hot and still a sticky out. So we stuck it out and wound up having a lovely stroll up and down some of the nearby streets as we burned calories and chit-chatted about life.

It was good, unexpected quality time with my favorite girl and I'm always thankful for that. She's funny and intelligent and has lots of interesting things to say. God is crafting her into a remarkable young woman and watching the transformation is a gift.

July 11

We had Adam's parents and his brother's family over this afternoon for some pool-time and birthday celebrations.

It wound up being a really nice day to be outside, as the sun hid behind the clouds at times, which kept the temperature in a pleasant range. The kiddos popped in and out of the pool; the cousins were particularly taken with the raft Isaac and Brady constructed earlier this summer, and enjoyed "paddling" it with a big stick. (And then trying to overturn it when Brady --who is several years older and much larger-- took a turn to float.)

Since Adam's dad was one of the celebrants, Adam made a spice cake with homemade penuche frosting --Steve's favorite-- and we all enjoyed a slice with ice cream before the party came to a close.

I pulled out the tripod (like I do) and snapped a trio of group pictures -- one "normal" and two silly. This, obviously, is a silly one. So today, I'm thankful for family and parties and birthdays and pool time and lovely weather. And I'm thankful that God is a good, good God who provides all good gifts.

July 10

I'll begin by noting that I stole this picture from Abby, as I wasn't with them when it was taken.

With that said, the kiddos piled into Abby's car this afternoon to go on a sibling bonding excursion. They started out at Yogurtland for some frozen treats, and then headed east to play mini golf and drive go-karts at Boomers.

Although there was a bit of resistance from the junior member of the group before they left the house, they all returned in a good mood. So I'd call it an excellent use of money. (Mine, since I offered to foot the bill.)

Sibling relationships are unique and special. I know things will be different after Isaac goes to Wheaton next month, so I'm grateful that they took some time for one another in the now.

July 9

We're in one of those milestone-rich phases of parenthood.

Abby graduated from college. Isaac graduated from high school. And this morning, Brady and I went down to the DMV and he secured his permit. (Which was called a learner's permit when I was a kid. At any rate, it means he can now officially learn how to drive.)

It's rather unnerving to internalize the reality that my baby is now legally allowed to drive a car (or at least he will be after he takes his first behind-the-wheel lesson next week). It makes logical sense of course, since he's 15 1/2 and 15 1/2 year olds are allowed to get permits. It just blows my mind that he's going to be 16 at the end of the year because I can so clearly remember him driving the little cars at LegoLand when we went about 10 years ago. I remember how cautious he was; how he stopped  completely at the stop signs and waited for traffic to clear before making turns, even though most of the other children drove like maniacs. Adam and I mused at the time that he'd grow up to be a good driver but back then it seemed like it would be so long before he'd be driving an actual car... but here we are.

Anyway, since I'm mostly rambling, I'll just say that though I'm shocked by how quickly time is passing, I'm grateful for the milestones. Because watching my kiddos hit each and every one of them is a blessing.

July 8

I rather missed the boys' shenanigans when Isaac was at camp. Given how raucous and just plain noisy they tend to be, that reality surprised me, but it's the truth.

So I was gratified this morning when, after running out for coffee and then on to the store for glue sticks (for Abby) and eggs (for Isaac), I came home to find them like this.

Well, not exactly like this of course, since this is just a representative still frame. But I found Brady pursuing Isaac and jumping onto his back, and then twisting himself around into what looked like terribly uncomfortable positions. But they were both amused. And they laughed.

And I could feel the love. So as always, I am thankful to God for their bond, even if its trappings sometimes look a bit weird to me.

July 7

I love it when my kiddos get along. And today, the sense of comradery they share at times was strong.

It began with Isaac's return from camp. It's not unusual for Brady to avoid hugs, but he readily accepted Isaac's embrace when we got home from the airport. 

Then later in the day, Abby meandered into the family room as Brady and I were watching the World Cup match between Switzerland and Colombia. After they exchanged a few of their typical barbs, she got up, stood behind Brady, and began playing with his hair. The curling wand even came out. And Brady just went with the flow.

So anyway, for the blessing of harmonious relationships, I am grateful.

July 6

It's been a fun, lowkey evening at home.

We started off by watching the US play in their World Cup round of 16 match-up against Belgium (you win some, you lose some) over Chick Fil A.

When that ended, Adam turned on an old episode of "Matlock" and we watched that while savoring slices of leftover pie. 

And to complete my culinary adventure, I poured myself a glass of pomegranate juice and prosecco.

None of it was particularly fancy, but it was fun. And I am grateful for the time with my hunny and Brady.

July 5

Church this morning was really excellent.

It started with a thought-provoking message on Psalm 23 that perfectly walked the line between humor and truth.

And it concluded with a few minutes with this gal right here. Jen moved away to Texas a number of years ago, but we spent several years prior to her move as across-the-street neighbors. In fact, she had the distinction of being my on-call person to take care of Abby, Logan, and Isaac when I went into labor with Brady. (The morning he was born wound up being a crazy-frenetic one, but we both remember it!)

She's a gem, and it's always a blessing to be able to catch up a bit in person.

July 4

Our great nation's 250th birthday was a quiet, calm one at our house. 

Most of our overt observance of the occasion centered around food, as we nibbled on red, white, and blue donuts and cupcakes; homemade apple and cherry pies whipped up by Adam; strawberry, blueberry, and banana fruit skewers by Abby; and of course, hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad. My girl even made herself a beverage she found online that featured Sprite, blue Gatorade, grenadine, and whipped cream. (I didn't taste it but it looked pretty cool.) And for good measure, we also had red, white, and blue M&Ms and fourth of July themed Sour Patch Kids (which were, of course, red, white, and blue).

We watched some baseball and World Cup soccer (sorry, it's soccer) on TV, and enjoyed a quick round of US History trivia (courtesy of Abby and Google) after dinner. It was all very chill.

But the calmest, quietest part of the day came as the sky darkened and Adam took Abby and Brady closer to downtown to watch the fireworks display at the fairgrounds. I'm not big on crowds and loud noises (even loud music is too much for me these days), so I opted to stay home. As the light outside grew increasingly dim, I donned my robe and flip flips and stole up the steps to the observation deck.

The sunset was of the pretty, muted pink and orange ilk, and I stood by the railing watching as the color faded to a steely gray and the lights of the valley below appeared, one by one, flickering like fireflies. I could hear the bang, bang of fireworks in the distance and occasionally, the fingers of one would briefly reach high enough into the sky that I could see it. None were particularly close, but I enjoyed the view nonetheless, because in that moment, I still recognized that it was a beautiful view, even without a special show.

But then something unexpected happened. After 15 minutes of squinting to see tiny spectacles on the other side of the valley, there was a bang that sounded much closer followed by a beautiful spray of white light off to the left. And what followed was the same stunning display that Adam and the kiddos were seeing from a different vantage point. I watched, mesmerized, as variously colored lights ascended into the sky, exploded, and showered the earth with their splendor. It was a display well-suited to a 250th birthday.

As I stood there watching from my perch, lots of thoughts flitted through my mind. One is that this country may have its problems, but it's still an amazing place to call home. And those of us blessed enough to live here are just that --blessed-- whether we truly realize it or not. We can watch fireworks and eat cupcakes and hamburgers and have parties with friends and express our opinions and dress how we like and worship as we choose. Life isn't like that everywhere. It's also a land of opportunities and second chances; it's a place where patience and perseverance can yield rewards that are bigger and better than we could ever have imagined. 

So today, I am grateful to God for 250 of this nation. And I pray that He will continue to have His hand on our leaders and that they will do what is right in His eyes, even if it's not always what is popular.

July 3

Abby's first summer term ended yesterday and since she didn't have any homework, she came with me to the Mother Ship this morning.

In honor of reaching a milestone in her program, I bought her a frou frou drink. (I don't remember exactly what it was, but it had blue cold foam on top and matcha in the drink itself. The important part is that she liked it and I didn't just flush $6.75.)

From there we jaunted through Target and then Grocery Outlet. Abby often expresses how she'd hyped for the fourth, so she wanted to get red, white, and blue food for tomorrow.

It was a pleasant day with my girl. We haven't had a lot of time to hang out since summer school started, so the outing was a blessing.

July 2

I had the munchies a little while ago, so I trolled the pantry and found the box of Strawberry Vanilla Chex that I stashed in an out-of-the-way (also known as Brady Resistant) corner yesterday. The angels sang. (Not really, but I was really pleased and may have fist pumped the air.)

It's probably more sugar than I need, but it's definitely one of my favorite cereals these days. 

So I sat in my seat in the family room and happily crunched those little squares while Adam and I watched the evening World Cup game on TV.

It's a very small thing, but it made me happy. So today, I'm thankful for the blessing of tasty snacks that hit the proverbial spot.

July 1

My allergies flared overnight and I woke up sneezing. (And then I sneezed some more. And more.) I did my customary Starbucks run to see Terry and the guys, dropped by Safeway for some yogurt (since Brady texted me that his teeth hurt from his new retainers so he didn't have much to eat), and then returned home for the day.

I spent the rest of my Wednesday trying to lie low as the sneezing continued and the sinus pressure increased. But rather than frittering away the hours doing nothing at all, I decided I'd buckle down and do some more work on the little pink blanket I've been crocheting for the past few weeks.

I know I've said it before, but it's true that I get a great deal of satisfaction from doing things for other people. I have no idea who will eventually receive this particular piece, but I know that God knows. And I'm grateful that He gave me a practical talent that can be used to bless other people.

June 30

After the extravaganza of busyness that was yesterday, today was very calm by comparison.

In fact, it was more or less a run of the mill day that featured Brady playing computer games and Abby going to class. And it also included our usual date night, this time at Cattlemen's.

It was, as always, good to sit there with my hunny, just going over the day's happenings as we lingered over dinner.

So for the blessing of time together, I am grateful.

June 29

It was a busy Monday at the Wight house.

Bright and early (even before coffee), Brady has his braces removed after a comparatively brief 16-month term. (Abby and Isaac were not so fortunate.) We "celebrated" at Starbucks (even though it was really just me wanting the previously referenced coffee). 

Abby took her new car --her graduation present, which arrived over the weekend while she was in Illinois wedding'ing it up-- for a maiden cruise up the freeway to her class. She reported that it went well.

And Isaac packed up his suitcase and headed to Young Life camp. This year they're going to British Columbia, so rather than dropping him off to catch a bus, his friend Tyler's mom drove them both to SFO to catch a flight to Seattle.

And me? After a brain toot caused me to miss my Bible study, I went home and continued working on the border of a small blanket. 

It was a busy day that featured several firsts for our family: Brady's first moments post-braces and his first piece of gum in more than a year. Abby's first time driving a car that's titled in her name. And Isaac's first trip out of the US. So for the blessing of fun firsts, I am thankful.

(And I'm also thankful for the timely arrival of Abby's car and for Isaac's camp schedule, because my car decided to have a fit over the weekend and is in the shop for the time being. With Isaac out of town and Abby having wheels of her own, I'm free to use the kid-car. Phew. Thank you, God, for Your provision!)

June 28

This image is largely representative of today.

To put it plainly, Isaac was in really, really good mood. And that exuberance made him a wee bit crazy at times.

Like in this image, Brady was trying to throw pitches into his target, but Isaac kept trying to grab his legs. Although I'm sure it annoyed him a bit, it made Brady laugh.

So for the laughter and the lighthearted moments, I am grateful.

June 27

It was a mostly quiet day here at the Wight House, but it was not a quiet day for Abby, who served as a bridesmaid in her friend Ashley's wedding back in Illinois. She sent us a handful of updates throughout the day, including this one this evening.

The short story is that she caught the bouquet.

The longer story is that in catching the bouquet, she trucked one of her besties. She sent a video that the bride's brother recorded and I laughed so hard that I very nearly cried. (Her pal was fine and jumped back up like a Pop Tart.)

Although the contact was limited (as it should've been!), it was pretty clear that she was having a good time. And I'm grateful for that.

I'm also grateful that she had a little more time with her college girlfriends before they all move forward with their post-grad lives. They're a very sweet group of gals, and I hope they'll make an effort to stay in touch as time passes because friendships like theirs are amazing and unique blessings from God.

June 26

Well yes, that is Isaac sitting on a toilet in our front yard.

We've had issues with two of our potties ever since we bought our house way back in 2020, and today we finally got around the having them replaced. 

Toilets are apparently pretty heavy, so the installer-dude wrestled the old ones down the steps and temporarily plunked them down on the lawn. And there they rested while he worked on getting the new thrones set up in the first floor and master bathrooms.

It tickled my funny bone to think of someone actually giving one of the old ones one last sit, so I texted the group chat and announced that I'd get everyone a treat if Isaac did it. (I chose Isaac because a) he was accessible, and b) I knew that given his natural inclination toward being a do-er and a try-er, he was the one most likely to comply. Abby wasn't home, Adam was working, and Brady wouldn't have dignified the request with something as tiny and effortless as an emoji.)

After a brief and half-hearted protestation, he slipped outside and down to the lawn. I watched from my perch in the bedroom above --while simultaneously ensuring the installer was still hard at work in the master bathroom-- as he looked up at me, circled the throne, carefully lifted the seat, and finally sat. 

I laughed and laughed. I sent the photos to the group chat, and Isaac joked that he'd use this one as his new Instagram profile pic. (And I kept my end of the deal by getting the boys sundaes from Costco.)

It's a blessing that he's willing to do silly (and harmless) things just for kicks because choosing to live without fear makes this life infinitely more interesting. And it makes him far more likely to venture into uncomfortable situations where God may use him to make a difference. And that is a big deal.

June 25

Abby's friend Ashley is getting married this weekend in Illinois, so she left for the airport a few minutes ago.

Although she's served as a flower girl a few times, this will be her first time as a bridesmaid; her first time marching down the aisle on the arm of groomsman while clutching flowers. And more importantly, her first time bearing witness as one of her besties repeats those sacred vows to her chosen partner.

Abby has a final project due for one of her classes next week and I know she's thinking about-slash-stressing over it, but I pray that she'll just let go of the worry and enjoy the wedding experience and the time with her friends. And that she'll soak in the blessing of being able to be present on Ashley's big day.

June 24

We had a mini family game night after dinner.

There was no plan to do so, but as we sat around the table after we finished eating, someone suggested we play the game I got for "Mother's Day" again. And no one had any objections, so that's what we did.

It was fun sitting there with my people trying to figure out which disastrous scenario was worse. On a beach with a tsunami approaching or locked in a walk-in freezer? Our differences in perspective were giggle-inducing at times. 

So for the blessing of time with family on a run of the mill weekend evening, I am grateful.

June 23

It's Tuesday and the kiddos were all otherwise occupied, so Adam and I did as we often do and met downtown for dinner.

It wasn't an unusual or notable experience; just a run of the mill meal out with my hunny. But as I sat at the table with my rigatoni and prosecco and Diet Coke, listening to Adam talk about his day, I felt a deep sense of contentment.

And that contentment increased as he walked me out to my car when we were finished, even though he'd parked in a different area.

It's a blessing to feel taken care of, and that I do. And it's a blessing to feel content. So I am grateful.

June 22

I had an inadvertent epiphany during my Bible study meeting this morning: regardless of circumstances, I should try to live with joy. That's it.

It was a thought that came to me quietly and full out of the blue during a tense moment, so I know it came from God.

Live with joy.

So when I got home, I went outside and admired the flowers and the blue sky and the lovely, lovely scent of the bag of soil that's currently sitting out by the raised beds. And then I took a close look at the volunteer tomato plant that's growing in a large pot by the deck. 

The wonder of creation should inspire joy. Blue sky should inspire joy. A productive tomato plant that seeded itself and thrived despite having very little water early on should inspire joy.

And life in and of itself should inspire joy, because if you take a moment to consider the cosmos, it's miraculous that any of us even exist.

So for that supernatural reminder to live with joy, I am thankful, because I don't do it nearly enough.

June 21

It was something of an unconventional Father's Day, mostly because when I rolled out of bed, I quickly learned that Adam had decided that it would also be my make-up Mother's Day (since the real date took a backseat to Abby's graduation. Which, for the record, was totally fine, but I was admittedly a little sad about it).

Anyway, they all trooped onto the bedroom and brought me a donut and orange juice in a champagne glass. They also had a lovely vase of white roses and baby's breath, and they each presented me with a thoughtful gift. It was all very sweet.

And then, in my mind at least, we transitioned to Father's Day. We went to church, the peeps posed for the usual photos in the yard, and we played the game I received, which involved ranking worst case scenarios, over lunch at the kitchen table. (It's a pretty funny game.) 

Throughout the rest of the day, Adam seemed to make a point of doing something with each of us: he played a computer game with Isaac, took a walk with Abby, and watched "The Punisher" with Brady. During the evening hours, he opened his gifts and then we all gathered to eat pizza while watching "Taken 2," which was Adam's movie choice for the day. (We watched the original "Taken" a few years ago, and now he says we'll watch "Taken 3" in two years.) When it ended, Isaac ventured off to the Dairy to get him some lemon/lime ice cream, and then a rousing round of Mario Kart followed. And finally, he finished up his day by plunking down in his chair to watch an old episode of "Matlock" with me (and Isaac, who was chilling on a couch).

I hope he had a good day. I think he did. He's always been a great dad to all of our kiddos and deserves to be celebrated. He's caring and kind and funny and intelligent, and best of all, he lets them know that he loves them every day, which is a gift that not all children receive. He also has the heart of a servant, and I can see the ways in which his selflessness has influenced their behavior and decisions over time. We are all beyond blessed to have him in our lives. Happy Father's Day, hunny! I love you!

June 20

Sometimes our house is very loud. And oftentimes, the high volume is a byproduct of intense video gaming action. That was the case early this afternoon when Isaac and Brady settled into the living room for a showdown.

They started with a few rounds of Mario Kart, which is what they were doing when I snapped this pic. (Incidentally, I too play a few rounds of Mario Kart with just Isaac before Brady came downstairs. I finished a very respective sixth out of twenty-something.)

The true yelling began when they pulled out the Mario baseball game. There was much shouting and ranting and raving and laughing and shrieking. 

And although excess noise is one of my great nemeses, I laughed because I love hearing them having fun together. (And because I realize how few days they have left to create chaos together, since Isaac heads off to college in less than two months.) I am grateful for the sounds of happiness, and for how cacophony rooted in brotherly love sounds miraculously harmonious to my ears.

June 19

I haven't done much crocheting of late; just haven't felt the desire.

But I did finish a lightweight light blue shawl last weekend and pinned it to my blocking boards, where it's currently enjoying a good stretch.

And a few days ago, I started this little pink blanket. I have no idea where it will go, but I felt compelled to make something for someone else... even if I don't yet know who that person will be.

So for the renewed desire to make a difference in a positive way, I am grateful, because it's a blessing to be a blessing.

June 18

And just like that, Brady has aged out of Babe Ruth baseball. He played in the final game of his 15U season this evening. 

He's had fun playing with and getting to know boys from other schools in the general area for the past three years. As a pretty serious introvert, he hasn't established "let's swap numbers and keep in touch" connections, but I know he enjoys their interactions and will appreciate seeing them during the next three high school baseball seasons.

Although Isaac's freshman season was disappointing at best, it was through that team that we were introduced to Babe Ruth. And Isaac's involvement with the Royals opened the door for Brady to play as well. It's a good reminder that good things can --and do-- arise from bad circumstances. So for that truth --for the truth that God makes lemonade from the sourest of lemons-- I am thankful.

June 17

It's normal for the bros to grab their baseball gloves and play catch in the backyard.

It's unusual for them to stand in the pool while they play catch. But when I glanced outside this afternoon, that's exactly what I spied them doing: Brady was knee-deep in the hot tub, while Isaac was on the steps in the shallow end.

I'm not sure what prompted the game of water catch, but it was a blessing to see them enjoying some time together in the sunshine. Isaac will be off to college before I know it, so I'm filing away these sweet brotherly moments to look back on while I still can.

June 16

I've always been a photo person. When Abby and Logan (in particular) were young, I was the mom who lugged her bulky Canon Rebel to every single play date, family outing, and birthday party. I snapped pictures like someone was paying me to do it. And if I had to guess, I'd surmise that some people found it --and me-- annoying. But that's okay, because all these years later, I have images of Abby and Isaac and Brady at every age and in just about every imaginable scenario. And of course, I have photos of our five and a half years with Logan to help keep his memory alive in my heart and mind, too.

The Rebel is no longer my trusty companion and I don't take nearly as many "nice" pictures as I once did, but I still love capturing big moments. So I reached out to the amazing Racelle Campanelli to take some graduation-slash-turning 18 photos of Isaac. We met up at the Alviso Adobe park on the other side and town last Wednesday and enjoyed a very chill session. She sent me the gallery link this morning, and I had a hard time picking my favorites, so I'm posting just two of them for the purposes of this entry.

They're all beautiful images, and best of all, I feel like they capture "Isaac" in all of his cool, calm, easygoing Isaac-ness. And I know that when I scroll through them years from now, I'll look into his eyes and remember how I jumped around like an organ grinder's monkey trying to make him laugh because his REAL smile is so much better than a fake one. (And I succeeded!)

So for a fun and easy process and lovely results, I am thankful.

June 15

Today is Isaac's 18th birthday. My third child has officially entered adulthood and my primary reaction is "wait, what?" Kidding. Mostly.

Our freshly minted adult --who was truly already an adult when he arose this morning, since he made his grand entrance at 1:46 AM all those years ago-- had a good day. His expressed desire from the get-go was to spend as much time with his family as he could, so he told Abby and Brady that the four of us (since Adam was working and unavailable) would go to Starbucks to start the festivities first thing. He appeased Abby by wearing the "Happy Birthday" headband she had stashed in her stuff, so Karen the barista gifted him a birthday cake pop (in addition to the rainbow unicorn cake pop, sausage sandwich, and strawberry lemonade he already had). The three of them engaged in their usual sibling chicanery as we sat with Terry at the high top table near the bar, and I'm pretty sure all had a good time. 

Then we headed over to the Dairy, where Isaac asked Abby and Brady what they wanted, and then scurried inside to make their pineapple and vanilla cone (Abby) and chocolate milkshake (Brady), and then asked me if he could swipe my card to pay for the second item. (He gets free ice cream when he stops in, but it's only supposed to be ONE freebie. I'm grateful for his honesty and his desire to do the right thing when it would be easy to cheat the system.)

We returned to the house and Abby had class, so she left and the brositos and I took the opportunity to rest. Isaac fed his spirit by reading from the book of Isaiah, and then announced that he wanted to go bowling. We arrived at Granada Bowl a few minutes after it opened, and although their 'free bowling for kids' promotion meant there were plenty of folks there, we were able to score a lane and those fine, fine rental shoes. Our hour of gameplay saw me set a gutter ball record while the boys played reasonably well. Although I think Brady was the eventual overall victor, their scores were very close. (Mine was not. And I have no shame over the terribleness of my bowling game. I have no game.)

As we left, I asked about lunch, and after mulling the nearby options for a few seconds, Isaac chose Popeyes. We secured said chicken and went home, where the boys were dismayed to realize that they hadn't ordered tenders but bone-in chicken. Oops. But they rose to the occasion and powered through their unexpected finger lickin' experience.

Brady had a game this evening that he offered to skip, but Isaac wanted to see him play, so we left for that at 4. Isaac and I took a loop around the park during warmups, and then settled in for the match-up. (Adam and Abby joined us a few innings into the game. Aside: Brady went 1 for 3 with a double, and threw 27 pitches over three innings in relief, giving up no runs. It was a good game for him, although the defense was very messy and they lost.)

When the game ended, we headed to CPK for dinner, and then came home for presents and spice cake with cream cheese frosting. And now, with almost everyone else in bed or tucked away in their respective rooms, I have a few moments to reflect on the past 18-plus years of Isaac.

The short version is that he is and always has been a blessing. Before he could speak, his eyes communicated volumes, and I always knew that he was thinking, opining, evaluating, wondering, absorbing. He's always been his little brother's protector --way back to the early days when baby Brady would lose his pacifier, he would exclaim "Bah-e-man nee pa-e-chowa!"-- and his friends' pal and confidante and the first person to volunteer to help with just about anything. And he's always been a kid who will --with zero solicitation-- hug me and say I love you and thank me for being his mama. Just because.

And beyond the earthly considerations, I am grateful that he continued pressing into Jesus and reading his Bible and seeking God when life felt hard and he felt unworthy of love. And I am doubly grateful to God for being faithful to His promise that when we seek Him, we will find Him, and He will change us. I've seen those changes in Isaac firsthand: I've seen him become more patient. I've seen him hold his tongue when his younger self would've lost his temper. I've seen him choose love over disdain. I've seen him hold himself accountable by apologizing for his mistakes. And I've seen him make a legitimate difference in multiple people's lives, including my own.

So yes, I am grateful for the first 18 years of Isaac and for all of the many ways he has made and continues to make my life richer and more rewarding. He's a special person, and I am immeasurably blessed that I get to call him my son. Happy birthday, Isaac! I love you.

June 14

Exactly 18 years ago tonight, Adam and I got home from dinner at Stacy's Cafe downtown. I told the baby-sitter who'd spent the evening with Abby and Logan that I didn't think we'd be at church the next morning because I was in labor.

I laid on the couch as the contractions came and went and increased in intensity. Adam turned on one of the "Rocky" movies because he was amused by the thought of me laboring as Sylvester Stallone ran up the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His parents made the fastest drive on record from Lafayette to Pleasanton, and then off to the hospital we went to meet our third surprise baby.

Isaac arrived about an hour and 45 minutes after the clock struck midnight so today is really just his birthday eve, but the memories have always been so clear in my mind that I figured I might as well rehash them once again.

Today was, I think, a good birthday eve for our latest almost-adult. We went to church in the morning, and he played video games with Brady and a round of a computer game with Adam this afternoon. And then this evening, we all played cards after dinner and then gathered around the TV to watch the latest Pixar film, "Hoppers." And right now, I can hear him upstairs talking and laughing with Brady. It's a good sound. A content sound that instills a sense of wellness in my soul.

So on this birthday eve of my sweet Isaac, I'm just grateful: grateful for the road we've traveled together thus far --including the potholes, because character and faith are built amid struggles-- and grateful for the remarkable young man he is. And grateful that God gifted Adam and me with the privilege of shepherding him along his way.

June 13

Isaac was working at the Dairy this evening, so Adam, Brady, and I drove over for some ice cream after dinner.

I'd been looking forward to trying the limited cinnamon roll flavor ever since Isaac mentioned it last night, and was disappointed when the gal that took our order said they'd just run out. But she quickly followed that up by saying they had Oreo, so I settled for that instead. I had spotted Isaac holding a tablet taking walk-up orders so I didn't even request that he bring out our cones, so the whole outing felt like something of a downer. 

But I was pleasantly surprised when, a few minutes later, Isaac emerged from the building holding our order. It turns out that he switched roles as we were coming through and just happened to fill our order without knowing it was us.

It was an unexpected blessing to see his face up close in that moment. 

And knowing that he made that cone made it taste even better, even if it wasn't cinnamon roll ice cream.

June 12

I went to Costco with Abby and Isaac this morning.

I think I mentioned it previously, but Abby decided to get herself a membership a few weeks ago, and when she did, she added Isaac as a user. So I went went to the warehouse with them and watched as they went to the counter and they activated his membership.

It's surreal given that I can so clearly remember them as babies and toddlers who were completely reliant on us for everything they needed, but it's a blessing to see them adulting together now. And I am grateful that God is continuing to shape them into confident, competent young people. 

June 11

The pitching target that I ordered for Brady arrived this afternoon. 

Even though it was over 100 degrees today, he put it together and took it outside, and set it up inside the big blue net the boys have had for a number of years now. Although his shoulder was a bit sore from throwing 70 pitches during yesterday's game, he made a few practice throws and proclaimed that he thought it would work out just fine.

It's a gift to me to be able to see his solid work ethic in action. I don't know where the baseball journey will take him in the long run, but I appreciate his dedication to it in the right-now.

June 10

I had such a nice evening with my Isaac.

We started off by taking Brady up to his game in San Ramon. While we waited for said-game to begin, we did the kids' story walk around the (blessedly mostly shady) park. One of us read each of the panels aloud as we learned how the main character learned to better take care of himself and his fellow eggs. Totally a kids' story, of course, but fun nonetheless (particularly since it was 95 degrees out and blazing hot in the sun).

Then we sat down to watch the first three innings of Brady's game, which was a good one for his team. For his part, Brady pitched four innings and allowed two runs, and Isaac thought he looked really good. (As did I.) He also saw a whopping six pitches total across four at-bats, which yielded two hits. (A simpler way of saying that would be "he was 2 for 4 at the plate.") 

We had to leave early because I'd scheduled some Graduation/18th birthday (a little late for the former, a little early for the latter) photos at the Alviso Adobe Park on the other side of town with the amazing Racelle Campanelli. So we headed back to Pleasanton, had the shoot, and then he said he wanted Jack in the Box chicken strips for dinner, so we swung by the drive-thru on the way home after. 

Isaac is a truly special person, and I'm conscious that his phase as a full-time resident of our home is almost over. So I'm grateful to God for the extra time I got to have with him today, just soaking in all of his Isaacy-goodness.

June 9

I think I've probably mentioned it before but we're playing car roulette this summer. Since Abby's future car is on order and won't arrive for (at least) a few more weeks, we have four drivers and three cars to meet our transportation needs: Adam and Isaac both need to get to their respective work places, Abby needs to get to school, and I need to run errands and ferry Brady wherever he needs to go. 

Today Isaac had Adam's car, so I picked said-husband up from the train station this evening. And then we hop-skip-jumped downtown for dinner at Strizzi's.

I could immediately tell when he got in the car that he was mentally chewing on something, so I asked him about it during our meal and had the opportunity to serve as a sounding board. (I was right, for the record. I guess almost 24 years of marriage will do that!) 

We are called by God to be partners with our spouses, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a help to mine this evening. (And the salad was pretty good, too!)

June 8

It's a bit of a rarity to have all 15 members of a summer baseball team show up for a single game. Or at least that's been our experience.

So when --during my pre-game stroll around the park-- I noticed that all 15 boys were actually present this evening, I asked Coach Chris if I could take a picture. So here they are! Brady is the third boy from the left in the back row.

As I routinely note, it feels like time is flying by at warp speed, so I am grateful for opportunities that allow me to create tangible memories that I --and we-- can look back on.

June 7

I love watching hard work transform into success. 

Brady played again this morning, and although the team didn't fare well, he continued with the adjustments he made at the plate during the previous game and went 2 for 3 with a solid double to dead center. (And he had the distinction of being the batter who broke up a no-hitter relatively late in the game.) He was content with his performance during the drive home after, and thanked me for letting him see the videos of his at-bats from last fall when he hit very, very well, because seeing them helped him to figure out how he needed to adjust his approach.

Hard work doesn't always lead to the results we want, and I'd argue that sometimes a good result isn't the end-game God has in mind for us. Sometimes He wants us to learn patience or humility or perseverance, and the best way to learn those things is to struggle; to push against the things that challenge us until we finally break through.

But when the hours spent on researching and tweaking and perfecting and changing it up produce results, well, those are sweet moments. So I am grateful that I've been on-hand to see some of the fruit of my kiddo's work.

June 6

Adam and I went to Costco this morning. I don't usually like going on weekends because everyone and their grandparents are there, but he wanted to go so I tagged along.

My slight aversion to this specific trip aside, there's generally something really soothing about going to Costco. As we strolled the aisles looking for this and that, I could so clearly remember doing the same with all of our kiddos --even Logan-- all of those years ago. And the memory brought me a sense of peace and contentedness. Not with how things are right now --because our family is permanently incomplete on this side of Heaven-- but because of how Jesus's sacrifice promises they will be, eventually.

Anyway, after we checked out, we swung through the food court and picked up hot dogs and pizza slices (and a salad for Abby) for lunch. And then we ate when we got home. And it was good watching these dear children of ours sit together at the kitchen table eating that food that's always --in a strange way, I suppose-- been so dear to us because of its nostalgic value.

So for all of that --for the memories and the promise of what's to come and the joy of watching Abby and Isaac and Brady continue to grow-- I am thankful.

June 5

I enjoyed a pleasant day with this girl (who doesn't have class on Fridays).

In the morning hours, we went to the Mother Ship, Safeway, and Target. 

Then this evening, we enjoyed a stroll around Central Park in San Ramon before we settled in to watch Brady's baseball game. (They lost again, but Brady had a solid pitching outing and busted out of his hitting slump, going two for two with a well-struck double. So I'm definitely thankful to see his effort finally pay off!)

Anyway, I'm increasingly conscious of how short-lived the "zero to 18 parenting" stage truly is, so I'm grateful for time spent with my babes.

June 4

Ah, my heart: my babes were together again today.

It was a night class day for Abby, so when Isaac got home from his guys' trip to Napa, the three amigos were all home again.

And at some point, after Brady decided he wanted to take a dip in the pool, Abby mused (once again, because she's shared the observation many times since she got home from Chicago) that BearBear needed a bath. 

So they took him outside, filled a bucket with a hefty cup of detergent and water, and got the job done just as they did a year or so ago. 

They were all suitably amused by the process of watching everyone's favorite stuffed predator as he was submerged into the water and then squeezed over and over and over again.

I guess it seems like a strange activity, but it was a blessing to see them laughing and doing something (oddly productive) together. I know these days are growing fewer by the moment, so I am grateful for this opportunity for them to spend some time together and bond.