October 7

Both of the boys had dates with the dentist this afternoon.

I know they're growing and getting bigger, but as I looked over at them while they sat together in the waiting room, I was struck by just how long their legs are. And then came the rather obvious but still jarring realization that they're really, truly not little boys anymore.

I could be sad over that reality; childhood is a vapor, really, so I totally understand when other parents feel that way. But rather than lamenting the time that's passed by, I choose to be grateful that they're maturing into amazing young men. Because they're doing just that.

October 6

Brady took his ring from the tournament to school this morning so he could show it to a few friends.

He didn't do it to show off or brag, per se; I think he just wanted to share with some of his fellow baseball guys (including two who played in the same tournament for other teams).

I love that he's genuinely tickled pink (pun intended) with the spoils of his hard work. It's a blessing to see him work for something (for years) and then finally earn it. 

October 5

The TVBR 15s won their first tournament today. But the road to get there was a bit... bumpy. In fact, they almost didn't make the championship game at all. As usual, I'm getting ahead of myself, so settle in for the story.

We arrived at Mistlin at about 11 AM this morning for their 12:10 PM semifinal match-up against a team from Headfirst, which is based here in Pleasanton. Brady's team was the second seed, while the other team was the third seed, so our boys were the home team. (That's an important detail.)

When that game began, it was apparent to everyone that our kiddos were playing tired. Sleep-playing, if you will. Headfirst scored, and then scored again, and then scored again. And TVBR... did nothing. We were trailing 0-4 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, which was looking like the final inning of play given that the game clock was running low on minutes. The first batter struck out, and another early exit seemed inevitable.

But then the wind suddenly shifted in our favor. One of our boys singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch and the next batter walked and the next reached on an error. And then with the bases loaded, Brady singled to right to drive in our first run. Another walk and a sacrifice fly brought to score to 3-4, and yet another walk tied it up 4-4. And then with two outs and a full count, one last batter drew a walk, which scored the winning run. We were all so surprised by what we'd seen that it took a moment to figure out how to react. It's easily one of the craziest comebacks I've ever seen.

With the championship game set to begin at 4:20 and the game featuring the number one and number four seeds still to be played, Adam, Brady, and I went to Arby's for some late-lunch. We reflected on the strangeness we'd just experienced and encouraged Brady to play hard in the final game. 

When we returned to Mistlin, we watched the latter part of the game that determined our eventual opponent. The Chico Suns --who didn't give up a single run during yesterday's seeding round-- blanked yet another opponent by a final score of 9-0, setting the final match-up between them and us.

And the championship began with a bang for TVBR, as our boys posted three runs in the first inning. And amazingly, they kept up the energy all throughout the game, earning an impressive 14 runs on 17 hits while giving up --get this-- zero runs to their opponent. Yep: they won their first championship game by a final score of 14-0 over a team that had previously given up NO runs to ANYONE.

It was a day of extremes, and it was exhilarating to watch them go from the brink of elimination to wearing those huge pink winners' rings. The win was a long time coming, and they definitely earned it. I hope they enjoyed the moment.

And although I'm very proud of the entire team --because every single boy contributed to their winning effort-- I have to take a moment to talk about Brady in particular. This kiddo of mine struggled at the plate during his first two years of TVBR baseball, and I know it was disappointing to him that he wasn't hitting as well as most of his teammates. But he really turned it on this fall and even batted cleanup (fourth in the lineup) today. He's finishing the season with 16 hits in 14 games played, and owns a team-best .485 average. He delivered hits when it mattered, played solid defense at first base (which included numerous acrobatic stretches and digs), and I could routinely hear him chattering in the dugout, trying to keep the energy levels high when they waned. I'm very proud of how he's grown as a player and a person.

So yes: it was a day of extremes that ended on a very high note. So as I head offline tonight, I am grateful for the sweetness of a hard-earned victory, and for the great parents and kids I've gotten to know through TVBR.

October 4

Brady had a pair of games in the Central Valley today. The first one started at 8 this morning, and given that I am not a person who likes being up before the sun rises, I stayed home.

Although I was legitimately bummed to miss out on the diamond action (which, for the record, yielded two wins; they're the second seed entering tomorrow), I was glad to have some one on one time with Isaac.

And thanks to a belt that was a little too loose for his liking, that time included a Walmart run to secure an awl. 

He doesn't often ask for anything, but as we were roaming the aisles, he spied a frisbee and decided he'd like one. (Two, actually, including one that lights up so it can be used in the dark.) When we got to the checkout stand, he was genuinely surprised (and grateful) when I said I'd buy them.

He's a good kid whose sense of personal responsibility is strong, so it was a blessing to me to be able to buy him a treat.

October 3

During a walk this afternoon, I came across this unusual sight.

In case it's hard to tell what I'm referring to, it's a baby palm tree growing in a sidewalk crack.

I know a lot of people think that's probably not all that unusual since this is California, but we don't actually have many palm trees here in Northern California. There are a few here and there, but they're not exactly prevalent.

Anyway, I was surprised to see it. And it served as a reminder that unanticipated blessings can pop up in entirely unexpected places. So always keep your eyes open so you don't miss 'em.

October 2

This kid.

In some ways, Isaac is still my determined little truck who struggled with spoken language but communicated volumes through big blue eyes.

In other ways, he's an entirely different human being at 17. Like today, for example, he sat down with Adam and I with a to-do list that included talk about college visits, get a credit card, open a new savings account with a decent interest rate, and open a Roth IRA.

The latter was the one that really got me. I'm not a finance girl (that's Adam's lane of travel) but I feel like he's rather young to be thinking about retirement. But he is. And it makes me proud of amuses me tremendously all at once.

I love his thoughtfulness and his heart. And I am so grateful to be his mom.

October 1

I was taking some boxes out to the recycling bin late this afternoon when this bunny hopped into my path.

She seemed just as surprised to see me as I was to see her, so she quickly maneuvered to her right into our next door neighbor's yard. Then she positioned herself behind the fence where, presumably, I was out of view.

I peeped around the corner and spied her sitting there wiggling her little nose (and no doubt mulling her next move). And after a few seconds, she found a hole in the fence line and hopped out of sight.

Anyway, when I saw her, I immediately thought of Abby, who loves bunnies. (In fact, she occasionally sends us photos of the bunnies who apparently make their home on campus.) So today I'm grateful for an unexpected encounter that made me think of my one and only girl.