March 7

I finished working on a royal blue shawl this afternoon and instead of picking up one of the many (many) other projects I've got going, I opted to start something new.

I really enjoy the freedom of creativity that comes along with this new hobby of mine. I like coming up with patterns and color schemes and stitch combinations. And beyond all of that, I like making things for other people, and it is a blessing to me to be able to do so.

(As an aside, I know that I wrote something like this last week. I'm writing a similar entry because it's still true, but also because I forgot to take a pic during the lovely walk I took with my friend Nancy this morning. It too was good for my heart, but I don't have a visual to go along with the reflection, so here we are!)

March 6

While driving home after church today, the boys were pleased to find that we were riding behind Abby, who was behind the wheel of Adam's car. (She drives herself most Sundays so she can stay late to finish her volunteer hours.)

They craned their necks and watched with eagle eyes as she navigated around the slightly raised manhole cover on the road adjacent to ours, and then continued watching as she turned onto our street and navigated toward the cul de sac.

They were so oddly amused by the whole thing that I turned around and snapped a pic of their faces as we pulled into the driveway. It's a blessing to find joy in such simple experiences.

March 5

With weeks of practices in the books, the seal was formally broken this morning: the 2022 baseball season is officially, at long last, underway.

I accompanied Brady to the Sports Park as he and the rest of the Majors Pirates played their opener against the Orioles at 9:30 this morning. They scored an 8-5 W against his old coach and a handful of his former teammates, and I think he had a good time, save a solid plunking that left a baseball-shaped red mark on his upper back.

Following the game, we trucked it over to the snack shack to secure some Sour Patch Kids and a salty pretzel and to visit Abby as she worked her first-ever shift alongside her pal Sarah. (My girl has a job! An actual j-o-b!)

From there we hit the freeway and headed north to join Adam and Isaac in Lafayette, where the Rays (formerly known as the Spartans) were engaged in game one of a doubleheader. They came out in the win column with that effort, but fell short of the mark in game two (thanks at least in part to an oddly roaming strike zone). Adam left a little early to take Brady to his evening practice (because dude, why just play a game when you can throw in a practice too, right?) so I followed a little later with a decidedly jovial Isaac in tow. He loves the game so much and I so love his enthusiasm. I loved listening to him cheering on his teammates and joking around in the dugout between innings. And of course, I loved watching him play. The way he swings the bat with everything he has and the way he tries to get into the pitcher's head when he's on base. And even the charmingly awkward way he runs. He's becoming a man right there in front of me and it's the craziest thing ever.

Anyway, I'm exhausted. It's amazing how exhausting it can be to sit for hours watching sports. But my heart feels full, so I am grateful.

March 4

I have too much yarn. There, I said it. 

With that truth in mind, I decided to do a speed test a few days ago to see how quickly I could crank out a shawl. And here's the final product of that quest, which I finished off this afternoon while sitting in the car waiting for Isaac to get out of class.

I feel so blessed that that I'm able to create comfort items for other people. It's an amazing thing to have a talent that can be used to make someone else's day a bit better, and I am so, so grateful for mine.

March 3

Isaac has always been a strong student when it comes to math and science, but for some reason, he wasn't placed in advanced math when he started middle school. Nor was he moved up in seventh grade. But this year, two weeks into the school year, he was suddenly bumped into Algebra 1. He was super excited until he realized that he had a ton of holes in his educational background (since, you know, they skipped him over an entire year of math), and then he struggled through the first semester.

Even though he was falling further and further behind, he wasn't at all keen on the idea of getting a tutor ("no way" and "no no no no NO" were among the responses provided when I brought it up) but we knew he needed help. So when it finally dawned on me that our friend Gerri from church was a) a former Algebra teacher and b) bored because she's been recovering from a knee injury, I set up a meeting for the two of them.

And then poof, everything changed. And I can honestly say that she's been a God-send. His test scores have improved astronomically (think failing to A's) and she's been so encouraging and complimentary of his abilities that I think he actually looks forward to sessions.

So this evening, I am grateful for her and for how she uses her gift of teaching to bless others.

March 2

When I visit the Mother Ship these days, I typically get an ice water along with my coffee. I don't usually finish said-water but I bring it along in the car because I know that Isaac will ask me if I have anything he can drink when I pick him up from school. And that's exactly what he did today, so I passed the cup to the backseat. But what happened next took me by surprise.

I was peripherally aware of a brief exchange between Isaac and Brady, and then I heard the crackle of a top being removed, and the distinctive slosh of liquid in motion. Then I heard a muffled thank you followed by the sounds of both boys gulping.

He shared with his little brother.

It's a small thing, but those entirely un-mom prompted moments mean so much to me. It's a blessing to see them loving each other in practical, everyday ways.

March 1

Brady had a pre-season game at the Sports Park this evening. While he and his team warmed up on the diamond, Isaac and I took a partial loop around the park.

The temp was t-shirt comfortable and my boy was in a good mood, so I enjoyed the stroll. I watched as he attempted pull-ups on a number of trees (with varied degrees of success) and as he noted the scores of cherry blossoms along the path. At one point, he stooped down to pick one up. He studied the tiny flower up-close, mused that he liked it, and --after asking if it was a good idea-- he popped a petal in his mouth (against my suggestion) and immediately announced that no, it did not taste good. It was strange. Very, very strange.

Teenage boys are weird. But they're also wonderful in that weird, whimsical teenage boy way. And I am thankful for mine in all of his wonderful weirdness.