September 30

The hymn It Is Well With My Soul has been around for 150 years, so it's pretty amazing that I can still relate to it today. That's just a thought I had this morning while watching Brady's team scrimmage with the 14u squad.

It was sprinkling during most of the hourlong warmup but it was still well with my soul. The air was decidedly chilly and, at times, the wind had a crisp sharpness that made it less than palatable. But it was still well with my soul. My allergies --which were unfortunately bothered by something during the party last night-- were making me tired and uncomfortable. But my soul? Still well. Brady didn't play as much as he might've liked and was way, way down at the bottom of the very long batting order. Soul? Yep. Still well.

Yes, as I sat there watching four hours of baseball activity on a cool, drizzly Saturday morning, I felt a sense of contentment that I can't really explain, other than to say that it was all well with my soul. Not with my circumstances in the moment (because those certainly could've been much improved), but with the core of who I was made to be.

And I know that that sense of well-being comes from Christ alone. So for that incredible gift, I am grateful.

September 29

Valerie's annual cookie exchange is one of the highlights of my social calendar, so I was happy to head over to my old neighborhood this evening to attend. She always does an amazing job of planning and executing the event, and this year was no different as she had "Top Chef" alum and cookbook author Ryan Scott on hand to give a demonstration and cook for us.

It was a great evening of catching up and laughing with long-time friends (and eating amazing food, of course). And I have an tin foil container filled with cookies (for the boys to eat, of course). 

But what I really want to convey is how much I appreciate Valerie and her consistent commitment to making this party happen every year. I remember going to the very first one way back in 2015; I remember how fun it was to just sit and eat and laugh and talk with these wonderful women. We're all different people with different backgrounds and life stories, but our kids have grown up together and the threads of parenting here in the tri-valley will always connect us. It's such a blessing to know that even if we don't see each other often, there's always the cookie exchange.

So tonight I'm thankful for Valerie's hospitable spirit, thoughtfulness, and generosity. People like her are rare but much-needed lights in the world, and I am grateful for her willingness to extravagantly love on all of us.

September 28

I felt kind of off when I got up this morning, so much so that as I drove to the Mother Ship after drop-off, I asked God to send me a friend with whom I could shoot the proverbial breeze for a little while. That was the substance of the request: please send me a friend.

So I sat in my usual seat and enjoyed my coffee and waited. And although I exchanged pleasantries with a number of people, the friend --and the conversation-- didn't come. 

Mildly disappointed, I stopped by the grocery store for a few things, drove home, and made a test batch of applesauce using some of the many apples from our backyard tree. And at some point along the way, my request slipped my mind.

But God didn't forget it. A little later in the day, Abby texted to let me know that my old friend Jen had contacted her to see if she was available to get together. See, Jen went to Wheaton and flew into town today for her own class reunion. And I'd given her Abby's number several months ago so they'd be able to connect.

So they got together. Afterward they both texted me to share their experience (which was good all around!). I was rather unexpectedly in touch with my old friend. It was very simple and over messenger, but I got that exchange I needed. 

So today, I'm thankful that God remembers my prayers even when I forget them. And I'm thankful that He cares about my needs.

September 27

It's Wednesday so Brady and I had our morning hang-out time at the Mother Ship.

There were no specific noteworthy moments to share, but it was nice just being with him, watching his facial expressions as I chatted with other people (because he can say the sassiest things without actually saying a word). 

I'm just grateful for the minutes.

September 26

Adam went to the office today so after I dropped the boys off at Youth Group, I met him downtown for dinner at one of our usual spots.

It was really nice to sit there with my hunny, listening to him tell me about his day while I ate my rigatoni and salad and sipped my glass of prosecco. 

The one-on-one time out together is a blessing, and I am grateful that we sometimes have the flexibility to share those minutes during the week.

September 25

I adore my boys. They're funny and smart and entertaining and they make my life infinitely more interesting and better than it would otherwise be. But they're 15 and 12, and sometimes, the odors they create make me gag.

And regardless of whether or not we want to talk about it, I know the other boy-moms out there can relate to that revelation on a deep and personal level.

So after a recent and particularly stinky ride home from school (that may have involved me sticking my head out the window as often as I could without looking like a lunatic), I went out and bought a few of these at Bath and Body Works. They're Wallflowers equipped with Marshmallow Fireside-scented air fresheners. I put them in the dining room and in the entry way and I tell you, the difference is amazing. 

So today, I'm thankful that God gave someone the inspiration to create these products. (And as always I'm thankful for my kiddos. Even when they aren't lemony fresh.)

September 24

Thanks to a surge in ragweed pollen, I sneezed about 50 times before I got out of bed this morning. So to avoid further allergy-related issues, I wound up hanging around the house all day.

It was nice having alone-time; I watched some TV and crocheted and took a brief nap.

But I was glad to sit down to dinner with these guys. They're goofy and silly and I love them. And I am so grateful to be their mom and to get to watch them grow up.