March 7

Back when Logan was born in 2006, I assumed we'd be at the ballpark playing t-ball in 2010 or 2011. It didn't happen that way, and our family's official initiation into the world of baseball was postponed until today, when Isaac hit the field for his very first game ever.

He had a good time, I think. Adam's parents drove down to watch. The ball found its way into his glove a few times and he successfully hit it off the tee in each of the three innings played.

As we walked back to the car afterward, Adam pointed out a sunny yellow Corvette in the parking lot, just behind the field where our A's took on the Royals. I'd seen it earlier, but didn't absorb the meaning of that car until Adam said something: it was as if the car being in that spot was a wink from above; a sign that Logan was watching his younger brother's sporting debut after all.

Moments like that... when it's as if he's found a way to be with us despite his physical absence... they make him seem less far away. And that's a priceless feeling.

March 6

Today was a pleasant enough collection of hours, marked by some time all to myself, beautiful sunny skies, and an 'are you sure it was just February?' brand of mild temperature. But I didn't really have an aha kind of moment.

I did, however, have some time to just look at the sand in the sandbox while Brady and Isaac played after pick-up. And for some reason, I took this picture.

It may sound bizarre, but in a way, I relate to sand. Sometimes I feel very small and insignificant and subject to the oft-inexplicable whims of a much larger, substantially more powerful force.

But it's all okay, because God knows those grains of sand. And if He knows something as basic as sand, He really knows me.

March 5

I love these little faces.

I love how they love on each other every single day. I love how even though they look physically different, there are moments --like this one-- when they look so very much like brothers that it makes me laugh aloud.

I say it often because it's the truth: sibling love is precious, and I'm blessed to be able to watch 3/4 of my kids enjoy it every single day.

March 4

Sometimes I worry that I'm starting to forget those little details that made Logan distinctly himself. I was thinking about that this morning as I dropped Brady off at preschool and headed to the store.

Then at Target, I saw these on a clearance rack:

Logan had a real thing for flame jobs. He loved them on cars, but honestly, he loved them period. He's the only kid I've ever known who would draw rows and rows of flame jobs --just flame jobs-- on a sheet of paper. I don't know if it was the color variations that caught his eye or something else entirely, but I know that he loved them. So these little gloves immediately caught my eye and made me smile.

Those little reminders --which invariably show up when I need them the most-- are priceless.

March 3

I've probably walked by this little box 1,000 times but today, I stopped to look at it up-close for the first time.

It's just your run-of-the-mill, plain white paper jewelry box. At some point, Abby decided it needed special adornment, and she chose hearts. I have no idea what inspired the design, but I like the feeling behind it.

The world, after all, can always use a little more love.

March 2

Abby isn't big on having anyone touch her hair. Ever. So I was surprised when she quietly approached me this morning and asked if I could do some small braids.

I'm a visual learner, but I tried my best to follow her (surprisingly detailed) instructions. I think she was pleased with the outcome.

Just when it starts to feel like she's slowly dancing out of my reach, she does something like this that reminds me that she's still my girl. As more and more time passes, those little gestures are huge blessings to me.

March 1

With Isaac down for the count with a fever and me slated to serve communion this morning, I took Abby and Brady to church solo. As I stepped outside and looked up at the sky, I was struck --as I often am-- by how beautiful it was.

As a non-native Californian, there are plenty of things that I don't like about living here, but the weather is most definitely not one of them. It was a blessing to start out a brand new, possibility-filled month with such a lovely day. (And as a little bonus, it put me into a frame of mind that allowed me to get a lot out of the church service, too.)