November 3

Abby turned 22 today. Twenty-two!

Since she doesn't student teach on Tuesdays, she opted to come home last night so she could wake up in her own bed on her birthday.

We spent the morning collecting her freebies --including her "monstrosity" (her word, not mine!) drink from the Mother Ship, an ice dream cone from Chick filA, and a red velvet bundtlet cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes-- and strolling the aisles at Target. (Halloween candy was 90 percent off this morning, much to my great delight and horror.)

She opted for sandwiches from The Bagel Cafe for lunch, and then we returned home and watched last night's episode of "Dancing with the Stars" (per her request. I used to be a big fan but got tired of it several years ago).

Then she drove up to her evening class and picked up a boba along the way. When Adam got home, he and Brady and I headed to Walnut Creek and met her at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. And we finished our evening at my in laws' house with the happy birthday song (featuring video called-in Isaac) sung over her slice of cheesecake --we foraged for a candle and fortunately found one!-- and presents.

I hope she had a good day and felt loved. She's a wonderful young woman with an equally wonderful heart, and I greatly admire her commitment to her faith and to living a Godly life. Although I know she worries about the future sometimes, I also know that she will make a fantastic teacher because she cares and she wants to succeed. And she wants the students to succeed, too.

So for the great blessing of 22 years of Abby, I am endlessly thankful. Happy birthday, my girl! I love you!