August 23

Oh, the minds of teenage boys.

I asked Brady to put the box that contained his pitching target out by the recycling bin this afternoon. It's a pretty large box so it had been sitting in the living room against the wall for a few months now, and I decided I was tired of looking at it.

Anyway, I got on with what I was doing and happened to walk through the front of the house a few minutes later. And that's when I found him trying to ride the box "Home Alone" style down the bottom section of the staircase.

The effort didn't yield the ride he was seeking, but it did fold the box so it would fit into the recycling dumpster. And watching him chuckle as he scooted back and forth and back and forth was pretty amusing. So for the gift of finding funny moments in the oft-strange behavior of teenagers, I am thankful.

August 22

Brady was back at it in the kitchen this afternoon. 

After deciding that he was hungry and bored and that we didn't have what he wanted to eat on-hand, he opted to make loaded mashed potato balls. From scratch, of course.

I served as the official overseer (so I cracked eggs, showed him how to plunk the potatoes into boiling water without splashing himself, and so on) and he got to work.

In the end, he'd baked two full trays of bite-sized potato balls. And he ate nearly all of them, courtesy of the Teenage Boy Appetite. 

It's a blessing to be able to watch his creativity and attention to detail come to life when he's in the kitchen. (And tasting said-creations if pretty cool, too.)

August 21

When Abby and I got home from the Mother Ship this morning, we found one of her sneakers at the top of the staircase as we came up from the garage.

A few moments later, we spied her other shoe underneath Berto (the Roomba) in the dining room. The little vacuum was no longer running, but I could tell that quite the battle had taken place in our absence.

As I stood there gawking at the strangeness before me, Abby simply quipped "it's like a dog." I snorted aloud, but I laughed and laughed inwardly because it was an incredibly sharp, accurate assessment of what we were seeing.

I'm still not entirely sure why Berto attacked the shoes, but it made for a funny moment. And for that, I am grateful, because humor makes for a light heart.

August 20

I was watching TV with Adam this evening when Brady called out "the sky is pink" from the other side of the house.

So I got up and went to the bedroom window for a look. And what I found was indeed pink and quite lovely.

There's nothing quite as awe (and aaaah) inspiring as a beautiful sunset. The way the colors appear from nowhere and then morph and change as they slide across the sky and down into the horizon can be breathtaking.

So tonight, I am grateful for a creative God who shares his paintings with us every single day.

August 19

Today after coffee and before Costco, Abby and I took a little ride to one of her favorite places: Hobby Lobby.

The store near our house --the one where she worked a few summers ago-- closed and moved to Hayward quite a while ago, so we made the trip to Southland Mall.

And my girl was in her element. She practically floated from aisle to aisle, oohing and aahing over the pillows and wall art and scrapbooking supplies and artificial flowers. She even asked me to take this photo of her in the very pink part of the Christmas section because it was just so totally her vibe. (She really, really likes pink.)

The greatness of the store aside, however, I think her highlight was when a little girl pointed at her and declared that "her looks like a princess!" I thought she might cry as she relayed the compliment to me a little later.

For the blessings of more time with my girl and of witnessing her as she walked around like she'd stepped through the gates of Disneyland, I am grateful.

August 18

Abby came with me to Starbucks this morning, and then we embarked upon an epic impromptu (mostly window) shopping trip.

When she was in high school, it wasn't unusual for us to spend our Saturday afternoons hopping from shop to shop, but save our usual Black Friday outings, it'd been a while since we'd done that. 

But today, we went from Starbucks to Target to Wendy's (because I love the freestyle soda machine) to another Target to Michael's to the mall. There was a lot of walking involved and I was pretty pooped by the time we got back home, but it was also a lot of fun.

We don't always see eye to eye on everything and we have our share of disagreements, but I adore this one and only daughter of mine. And I'm thankful that we were able to spend so much time together today.

August 17

Adam and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary today with an upscale dinner at Haps.

So much has happened since we said our I dos back in 2002; back when we were fresh-faced 24-year olds ready to dive into married life and all of its joys (and, little did we fully realize, pains).

We've moved four times --all within the comfy confines of our chosen hometown-- from apartment to apartment to townhouse to duet to --at long last-- house with unattached walls. We've welcomed four amazing, beautiful babies and said an excruciating, heart-rending see-you-later to one. We've attended countless sporting events and dance recitals and have sent two off to college. 

We've argued and made up and argued some more (and made up some more). We've tackled differing communication styles and come to an understanding to live and let live with respect to issues on which we simply disagree.

Perhaps most importantly, we've tried --and hopefully succeeded-- at modeling a faith-driven life for our children. We've been united in wanting them to know that there is a God who loves them deeply and wants to bless them, and that there is a Savior who died to save them from themselves. 

Our marriage is not perfect, but it's good. And I can't imagine navigating the ups and downs and the heartbreaks and joys with a better partner. Happy 24th, hunny! I love you.

August 16

It's been a truly lovely Sunday. It began with an excellent and inspiring message at church and continued with a kick-back afternoon at home.

Later in the day, after the A's game ended, I reminded Adam that my laptop was on its last legs and he suggested we head over to Costco to look at replacements. (Although I used to be a bona fide computer-killer, I've actually had my old machine for five or six years, maybe longer. She's had a good run but the mouse doesn't really work anymore, she only runs while plugged in, and the McAfee pop-ups are out of control.)

Anyway, it was a great Costco run. As we jetted up and down the aisles in search of popcorn for Brady, it felt like the old days, back when we were younger and life was simpler. Although I wouldn't trade away my experiences --because every one of them has revealed more about me and brought me a fuller understanding of the true character of God-- the sense of nostalgia unlocked was pretty special. So for that, I am thankful.

August 15

The house feels very still and quiet, probably because the boys aren't wrestling in the living room and chasing each other up and down the stairs. It's a little strange. Actually, this time of transition is more than a little strange; it's a lot strange.

Given that I'm someone who doesn't love things being different, I'm grateful for familiar things in my life, like Adam and Abby and Brady. And even BearBear, Brady's stuffed bear who's always had a "thing" for me. (It's part of the extensive lore.) He sat on my shoulder for a while this afternoon.

Of course, change is most definitely an integral part of God's design so I'm grateful for new experiences that bring us closer to becoming the people He wants us to be, too.

August 14

I haven't heard a lot from Isaac since Brady and I came home, but that's as it should be. He's a young adult and a college student now, so he's making his own way and following the path God has laid out for him. It's hard, but it's time for me to take a step back and just be available if he wants or needs to touch base.

Still, it's always a comfort to know that my kiddos are feeling well and in a good place mentally. So this brief little message thing evening did my heart good. It seems like the initial transition to life at Wheaton is going well. So for that not small gift, I am grateful.

August 13

Brady started the 10th grade today. No more single digit grades at our house!

It was also the first time I've had only one kid in a first day of school door photo in a really, really long time. It was surreal because it served as tangible evidence of how much our little family has grown up.

Anyway, my sophomore was up bright and early. He made himself breakfast --one of his potato dishes, which he pre-prepped yesterday afternoon-- and then we were off. He'd arranged to walk to school with a friend who lives close to campus, so he drove me to said-friend's house. It was my first time riding with him, and for a very new driver, he did well. He narrated his every move aloud (as he often does) and that made me smile, mostly because it showed how focused he was on getting the details down pat. 

As it turns out, he doesn't have many friends in his classes, which I know is disappointing, but I know he'll figure it out. So I'm grateful that he had a decent day. And I'm grateful for the blessing of new beginnings and new adventures.

Speaking of new adventures, Isaac moved into his dorm today. I wish I could've been there, but there's only one of me and I know Adam did a great job of helping him get his things unpacked and set up. He finally met his roommate, Thomas, and his RA (who is also an Isaac; if you throw a rock into a group of guys at Wheaton, you'll hit an Isaac) and (I imagine) other folks. I haven't heard a lot about his experience just yet, but that's okay. He reported that the day was good, so I'm thankful for that. 

The times they are a'changin' for the residents and sometimes-residents of the Wight House. Although I'm not a huge lover of transitions, I'm grateful to know that God guides all of our steps, even when our paths separate for a time.

August 12

Brady's sophomore year of high school starts tomorrow, so he and I flew back to the Bay today. Abby stayed behind for a few more days to hang out with her friend Kam, and Adam stayed to help Isaac with move-in day, which is also tomorrow. It's a little bit of a forehead-slapper that the same thing happened four years ago --Abby moved into Wheaton on the boys' first day of school-- but it is what it is! I'm thankful that Adam could stay and be with Isaac as he begins dorm life and I'm looking forward to hearing both of their perspectives on the experience.

Anyway, we all got up very early and piled into the rental car for the drive to Midway. I thought it was sweet that Abby and Isaac came along, given that we were up pretty late last night thanks to the White Sox game. (And given that Isaac was apparently up very, very late writing notes to Brady and me. I read mine on the plane. It was wonderful and perfect and it brought tears to my eyes. He may not always enjoy writing, but he does it well when he wants to do it well. But I am, as I so often do, going off on a tangent.)

I sat mostly quietly and listened to what transpired in the backseat. I listened as the typically bravado-driven BearBear escaped from Brady's bag and asked Isaac for a hug. I listened as they laughed together and carried on their usual brand of crazy conversation that, as a Gen Xer, I only kinda-sorta understood. But confusion aside, I am grateful that I was able to bear witness to those precious interactions.

When we got to the terminal and pulled into the departures area, everyone got out of the car to hug us "see ya later." I was particularly touched when Abby, who seemed to be fighting back emotion, asked for a quick group hug. So we all came together, embraced for a few moments, and said our I love yous. And then Brady and I were off. It was the perfect way to part ways and I'm glad my girl felt compelled to ask for it.

And now, well, now I'm just plain tired. It's that combo platter of getting up early and travel and emotion that makes it unusually difficult to be eloquent. But I'm home, and I'm deeply grateful to God for the time I had with my guys on the train trip and then with all of us in Illinois. I already miss Isaac, but I know that he's walking with the Lord and I know that He will direct my sweet guy's steps. And for those truths, I am eternally thankful.

August 11

Brady and I fly back to California tomorrow, so today was our sole full day here in Illinois. And it was indeed quite full.

It began brighter and earlier than intended when the hotel fire alarm began blaring at 7 AM. Just as we were heading out the door, it went silent. So I went back to sleep, and awoke again at a little before 10. Brady asked if I would go down to the pool with him so I did, and I watched him for a few minutes until an unfamiliar alarm on my phone went off: a severe storm warning. And then a little later, another alarm announced a tornado warning and instructions to take cover. I told Brady that he needed to get out of the pool (since it's basically surrounded on all sides by big glass windows) and snagged Abby from the fitness center next door where she was jogging on a treadmill. Long story shorter, we wound up sitting in the basement ballroom of the hotel while the storm (apparently; although I saw some lightning and definitely heard thunder, I didn't see the telltale green sky nor the torrential rain and tree-bending gusts of wind that followed) raged outside. 

Once the danger passed, we went to Giordano's for lunch, and then on to Costco (which happened to be just across the street) for some necessities to get Isaac started. Then we swung by Wheaton so Isaac could pick up his books from the bookstore and Abby could retrieve her sweatshirt, which she left at Ashley's apartment last night. After a Sonic drink run, we enjoyed a short hour of downtime before heading off to the White Sox / Reds game at Rate Field. Although the Sox lost in extras after holding a lead for much of the game, it was still a fun experience. There were plenty of passionate fans in attendance and we sat in the nosebleeds where the beer flowed like water, but it was fun to be in a new-to-us stadium, just a few sections away from the bare-chested, t-shirt waving throng of men that regularly encouraged new participants to join them, disparaged Green Bay, and booed the many failed attempts at the upper deck wave. (They've been a Thing at MLB stadiums all season. I have no idea why.) It was also Pope Hat Night, so we each walked away with a Pope-style hat in honor of Chicago's own Pope Leo. (Seriously.)

Since it went into extras, the game went a little later than we'd anticipated, and the traffic getting out of the lot was pretty terrible. But on the plus side, as we wound our way down to ground level from the upper deck, we got a pretty spectacular view of the illuminated Chicago skyline. 

The food lines at the game were insanely long and all we managed to snag were some nachos, so on the way back to the hotel, we stopped at Cane's for chicken. And now, well, now I should be trying to sleep because Brady and I have an early flight, but I wanted to try to jot down some thoughts first. It's hard to believe that we're here; that tomorrow I'll be leaving my sweet Isaac for his first semester of college. I did finally give him the prayer shawl and he gave me a big hug. I'll miss him. But I know he'll do well. And I know that God will continue to direct his path. So for all of that, I am endlessly thankful.

August 10

We made it to Chicago! But I don't want to get too far ahead of myself.

Our conscious day began as the train rolled into Omaha, Nebraska. It was something of a surprise to Adam and me, as we were theoretically supposed to cover the entirety of Nebraska overnight, but since we were running a few hours behind schedule, we got to touch pavement in the Cornhusker state (for about 30 seconds) during a mega-quick fresh air break after all.

After breakfast (which was a very filling quesadilla for me), we went to the Observation car, where the guys tried to teach me the new card game Isaac found yesterday via an AI search. My muddled morning brain couldn't wrap itself around the concept, but hey, at least I tried, right?

We crossed into Iowa and spent much of the day looking out at near-endless acres of corn growing on gently rolling hills. Honestly, I hadn't previously realized that Iowa was anything but flat, so it was a pleasant surprise to see all of that lush greenery rippling along the surface of the land. We had the chance to touch the ground during a brief stop in Ottumwa, where I noticed that an Amish family we'd been riding with disembarked. (Which prompted me to Google "Amish settlements in Iowa". I learned that yes, there are several. I had no idea.)

After lunch --our last meal on the Zephyr-- the four of us mostly settled into our room for the duration of the ride. Our last fresh air break was in Galesburg, Illinois, which we quickly discovered is way out there in the middle of nowhere. (So it's a good thing I noticed that our original reservation had mistakenly sent us there instead of on to Chicago and we were able to correct the goof. Finding a rental car in Galesburg would've been... challenging.)

Anyway, after we arrived and disembarked at Chicago's Union Station, we went inside. While Adam went to get the rental car from Hertz a few blocks away, Isaac, Brady, and I retrieved our checked bags and made our way to the heart of the building. And I was stunned by its beauty. Seriously, with its high ceilings, plentiful natural light, and intricate architectural details, I could've sat there and admired it for hours. (And I totally agreed with Isaac when he said it reminded him of the buildings in DC.)

And then it was on to Wheaton, where Abby was waiting for us in our hotel lobby. Isaac selected Culver's for dinner, and I ate too many cheese curds and other Culver-y yummies. And now we're back in our hotel rooms. Adam is sleeping, Isaac is next door watching something on his phone, and Abby and Brady are down in the fitness room-slash-pool. 

And me? I'm writing and reflecting. School starts Thursday for Brady, so he and I will fly back home in about 36 hours. Although it was a three-day train ride, it feels like it was a whirlwind experience. And I know that the next day will fly by at warp speed. But I'm thankful for the time with my guys and for the new memories we've made. And I'm thankful for tomorrow, too, even before it begins, because each day is a blessing from God.

August 9

I've learned a few things over the past few days. One, it's utterly exhausting to ride a train cross-country. I'm accustomed to getting my steps in each day so the limited opportunities to move around are a challenge. But two, it's really fun to ride a train cross-country. So the second thought is the one I'll carry forward.

Last night as I was lying in bed typing and fruitlessly trying to post to this blog, we were approaching the thriving metropolis of Elko, Nevada. It was pitch black out so I couldn't see much, and eventually, I fell asleep. And courtesy of a pair of smooshy earplugs I bought a few months back, I slept pretty darn well. I found that the bumps were minimal and the rolling sensation wasn't nearly as disruptive as I'd worried it would be. So that was a plus.

When I woke up, we were somewhere in eastern Utah. (My understanding is that we didn't miss all that much while we were conked out.) Brady was already up so we roused Isaac from his slumber at 7 and headed to the dining car for breakfast. Fortunately, it seemed like lots of folks weren't interested in eating, so we received our identical plates of Amtrak Signature French toast in record time. As we ate, we rode through some rather lovely topography in the aptly named Ruby Canyon, so we were able to leave Utah feeling like the entire state wasn't just incredibly dull. (Sorry to the Utah peeps!) 

We enjoyed a few fresh air stops throughout the rest of the day, including one in Green River, Utah, and then several in Colorado as we rode alongside the Colorado River, including Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Granby, Fraser-Winter Park, and most recently, Denver. After lunch as the first few stops, Adam and Isaac took naps and Brady hung out in the boys' room while I went to the observation car solo. Although it was hot as blazes in there (an a/c issue unfortunately), I got some pretty spectacular views of the Colorado River and the towering valley above between Glenwood Springs and Gypsum. It was rather overcast, but the natural beauty was just mesmerizing. 

For the remainder of the day, we spent time playing cards in the observation car and hung out in our room (which was admittedly a tight fit but it was still fun) watching the scenery and just enjoying one another's company. Adam helped out by sharing Googled information about some of our stops, including the utterly bizarre Granby Bulldozer Rampage of 2004. We braved the 6.2 mile Moffat Tunnel and took some silly pictures in the dark using a function on my game phone that I didn't previously know about. And I finished working on a shawl I'd been making and entertained the notion of giving it to Isaac to keep whenever he needs a hug from his mama at school. I had him throw it around his shoulders and he wore it until we got up to go to dinner; I wanted to tell him to keep it and why I wanted him to keep it, but my eyes welled up with tears every time I thought about it. I'll try again before I fly home.

We finished the day with dinner and then an extended fresh air break in Denver. We had no idea that the Rockies' stadium was literally right next to the train station, so it was pretty cool to get to see it in person (even if the Rockies are really, really bad).

I probably left out a lot of details I could've included, but the main points are that we had another good day hanging out together, and I'm grateful for the time I've had doing something new with my boys. So for that, I am very grateful.

August 8

As I write, I'm sitting on the bottom bunk in a sleeper car room aboard the California Zephyr. We're about halfway across Nevada and although it's only 9 PM Pacific time, the dark sky and the intermittent, not-so-distant wail of the train whistle makes it feel considerably later. We're on our way to Chicago. The first chapter of Isaac's college experience is being written as I type.

We arose early and Adam secured Mickey D's breakfast for us (per Isaac's request) as my sweet boy finished packing. Then we loaded into the Explorer bound for the Martinez Amtrak station, where Adam's parents met us so they could return the car to our driveway. (Big thanks to them for the assist.)

We boarded the train and the adventure formally began. There were some snafus, the most significant being that our pre-booked adjoining rooms wound up being in different sleeper cars, but the boys seemed okay with being on their own (especially when they realized they'd wound up with a bigger room). 

Throughout the day, we enjoyed lunch and dinner in the dining car. The patty melt and the Angus burger both proved to be winning afternoon picks, while all four of us appreciated the very rich chocolate spoon cake presented for dessert after dinner. We also visited the observation car on multiple occasions (since not surprisingly, there didn't seem to be a lot of folks interested in taking a long look at much of Nevada's scenery and the tables were a great place to play cards). We got off during the "smoke break stop" at Reno and walked up and down the platform. (It was hot. Very hot.) We messaged with Abby who is already in Wheaton hanging out with some of her besties for a few days. I crocheted and chatted with Adam and he even looked up the deets on the prison we spotted in nowheresville. And we watched the scenery go by and realized just how big and majestic this country really is. 

It was, I think, a good day. The photos don't really do the experience justice; I took a lot and Adam took a lot but the internet connection isn't great so it's really just a loosely representative collage that I threw together using Google. 

I'm not entirely sure that I'm going to be able to sleep much, but I'm grateful for the bed (even if it uses up every square inch of floor space) and I'm grateful that Adam took the upper bunk and that there's a harness up there to keep him from falling out, because once I got over the shock of it I'd probably laugh and that would be uncool. And I'm grateful that we're able to be present for Isaac as this next phase of his life begins.

August 7

"My head feels like it's workin' overtime on nothing."

That's what Isaac said after dinner, and I don't think I've ever related to a statement quite like I relate to this one. 

It was his response when I reminded him --for the sixth or seventh time (had to -- he loves that 6/7 thing)-- that he still needed to pack because we leave in the morning for Wheaton. It was, I think, his way of saying that he felt overwhelmed and needed a bit more time to process the looming reality. So he asked to play a few hands of cards first, and then we went and got ice cream at The Dairy (where Tyler, his long-time good friend, took our order), and then he played catch with Brady in the yard, and then Adam and I took Abby to the airport while he figured out which video games to take to school. (She's flying out to spend a few days with her friends; the rest of us are taking the train. It'll be an experience!) And now, now that it's almost midnight, he's munching his way through a Totino's pizza while slowly packing up his things. Processing reality in his own way, in his own time.

And I guess I'm doing the same: processing reality in my own way, in my own time. I haven't really let myself be sad about him leaving, but today the chinks in my armor widened and I cried more than once. I know he'll do wonderfully well at college; he's a people-person and college is an amazing place for people-people. And I know that God holds him in the palm of His hand and will continue to do so. But as the one who carried him for nine months and watched him grow from a chunky baby into a wide-eyed toddler and then on to a conscientious kid and a responsible, caring, sweet teen and now young adult, it's hard to watch him take those steps away from me.

Still, I'm grateful to be his mom. And I'm grateful to know that God has great things in store for him.

August 6

We're down to the last few days before Isaac goes to Wheaton. He has a list but still needs to pack up his things, which makes me a wee bit nervous, but I appreciate how he's approaching his departure by prioritizing time with his friends and family.

Like today, for example, he had his friends over one more time to play video games this afternoon. They were louder than loud, but I chuckled aloud numerous times at their enthusiasm at their vibrant brotherhood.

After they left, Isaac and Brady engaged in one of their customary wrestling matches. No one really "won," but there was much joviality. And again, it made me smile. (And I recorded it for posterity's sake.)

And then this evening, he went and had an early dinner with Bruce from Young Life and Tyler. I know they're both important people in his life, so I'm grateful that he eked out time to spend with them before he leaves. Transitions are tough, but I'm thankful to God that my sweet son is handling his in a way that makes good sense.

August 5

Isaac's college departure date is approaching rapidly, so we're mostly lying low and hanging out as a group while we can.

This evening, after his friends had left and we'd finished with dinner (and the A's game ended with yet another loss -- talk about a tough season), he said he'd like to watch "The Lego Movie." So that's what we did.

Although I cringe at the thought that "Everything is Awesome" may well play in my head on repeat for the next few days, it was truly fun to watch it again. It's great family-fare, full of silly jokes and sillier characters. And it serves as a good reminder that we're all unique and special in our own ways, just as God made us to be. 

August 4

The bros had a laser tag event with the Youth Group this evening, so we packed up and left the cabin this morning after breakfast.

It's a custom of ours to stop at the candy store in Murphy's for treats during the drive home. Given that today is a weekday and we're usually coming through on a weekend, it was delightfully easy to find parking in the little lot behind the store, and the store itself wasn't busy.

We took our time choosing our respective candies (except for Isaac, who knew going in that he wanted sarsaparilla drops. He really, really likes sarsaparilla). Eventually, Brady selected a mix of gummy bears and pink pigs, Adam chose soft licorice, and I doubled up with a single dark chocolate peanut butter cup and a mix of cherry, cinnamon, peppermint, and raspberry hard candies. After a failed phone call to inquire, we made the collective decision to take Abby gummy octopi. (She was, as it turned out, disturbed by their spider-like form.)

Anyway, I'm grateful to re-experience a fun tradition. And I'm grateful for a safe trip back home, too.

August 3

The menfolk and I had a good full day in the Sierras.

It started off with our customary Cabin-breakfast, as Adam whipped up pancakes (made extra fluffy courtesy of the elevation), scrambled eggs, and bacon, and glasses of apple cider. (I had my coffee courtesy of the resident Nespresso machine.)

After we'd all gotten dressed, we drove down to the rec center, where we played 18 "holes" of frisbee golf, which has become one of Isaac's very favorite sports. He learned it at Young Life camp and loves it, so he was eager to introduce it to us. Isaac, naturally, came out on top, but all of the guys fared well. I, conversely, finished with the highest score, but given that I've yet to meet a sport that I'm good at, I'll be pleased with that "accomplishment" and take my participation ribbon.

It was lunchtime by the time we departed the rec center, so we headed to Arnold. Our intended destination was closed, so we made a game-time decision to try out a small strip mall cafe called the Heart and Soul Country Kitchen. Although we went in not knowing what to expect, we wound up with enormous portions (seriously, my crabcake po boy special was as big as my head and included a mound of crispy garlic truffle fries). The servers were friendly and the food was good, so I'd call it a win.

We returned to the cabin and rested for a little while before the boys pulled out Fast Food Franchise and played a round. (Adam dominated big-time.) Dinner was a mix of leftovers (for me) and snack food and potato creations (because of course Brady brought along his big bag of Russets!), followed by a few hands of cards and big slices of apple pie. Even Brady, who is a self-proclaimed hater of all pie, gobbled his up, insisting "it's just apples." I excused myself from the gaming and the guys took a walk, and then returned to play Stratego while I crocheted. 

Phew. There were many blessings sprinkled throughout the past 12 hours, and I am grateful to God for all of them. I am thankful that I got to experience one of Isaac's favorite things in frisbee golf (or frolf, as he calls it). I am thankful that I got to listen to the guys laugh as they played games. And I'm thankful that I got to watch Brady and Isaac standing at the kitchen counter side by side working on their food. We only have a few more days left until Isaac heads off to school, so I'm trying to soak up the sweet moments as best I can because togetherness is a blessing.

August 2

After church this morning, Adam, Isaac, Brady and I loaded into the Explorer and set off for the cabin. (Abby has school so she had to stay home this go-round.)

It was an uneventful trip, with a stop at Sonic in Tracy for lunch and giant beverages (ahh, the sweet, sweet Route44 is a road trip must-have). Brady was in charge of the playlist, so there was much Morgan Wallen and Jordan Davis heard and a running joke about the reality that we were traveling behind Doc Hudson along one of the windy central valley roads. (Really. There were three old cars --the Doc Hudson double, a '32 Ford Adam dubbed The Tricycle, and a Barracuda-- that drove along right at the speed limit, infuriating drivers for miles on end.) At Adam's mom's suggestion, we stopped at the Red Apple to pick up an apple pie (and some apple cider and dried apricots).

Once we arrived, the boys braved the 90-degree heat and went outside to throw the frisbee while I crocheted and Adam took a cat nap. A little later, once Adam and Isaac wrapped up a board game, we went down to the Snowshoe Brewery for dinner. As usual, we enjoyed our entrees as well as the soft pretzels with beer cheese.

Back at the cabin, the male folk worked on trying to solve a collection of metal puzzles Adam pulled out of the game closet while I continued crocheting. They closed out the day with another strategy game and apple pie.

It was, all in all, a good day. I wish Abby could've made the trip with us, but I'm proud of her for all of the work she's done toward earning her credential this summer. So for a safe journey and new memories (and for Abby watering my tomato plants for me since I forgot!), I am thankful.

August 1

I welcomed August by enjoying tea downtown with Nikki and her mom.

Although it was a bit of a scorcher outside and the tea definitely warmed me up from the inside out (as it always does), it was pleasant inside the RoyalTea shop. Nikki, Pam, and I enjoyed the usual assortment of savory and sweet treats along with a quartet of teas served up in whimsical pots. (I still think the strawberry pot should've been topped with the strawberry lid.)

It was a blessing to be able to sit with them and just chat about the summer's happenings and the coming soons.

So for the blessing of friendship --and especially longer-term ones!-- I am very thankful.