1000 Gifts (Part 18): The Saint Sluggers vs. the Bleacher Preachers

The last few posts covered various recent events during which I noted many gifts such as:

284. One-on-one time with each of the kids for building closer relationships as we experienced last weekend.

285.  Safe travels during countless hours on the road

286.  Successful completion of another year of Suzuki piano lessons, two recitals this year, Piano Guild auditions for both, and Young Artist auditions for our daughter which is helping the kids learn discipline, dedication, and PERSEVERANCE through trials

287.  Living in region of our state where over 12,000 fathers and kids are committed to family enough to spend  countless hours of quality time together learning new skills and forming life-changing bonds with one another through the Y Guides program

288.  The opportunity to send our children to a private Christian school where the teachers are so devoted to them and committed to fostering a love of learning

Now I will move on to a few scrapbook pages from our son's softball league.

289.  Finding a laid back church softball league for kids with an easy schedule on the family only three miles from our home (that's a miracle, y'all)

290.  The enthusiasm these coaches have for the sport and their obvious love for the kids

291.  Devotion to prayer and bible memory by this sports league

292.  Clever team names on their jerseys which make me giggle

I spent most of my weekend hunting for a new road bike.  The entire ordeal required hours of research, more hours on the phone calling bike shops all over our state, four different trips across town to various bike shops, continued uncertainty, and spending twice as much as I had originally intended.  Yet...I'm so grateful for:

293.  Gorgeous weather over Memorial Day weekend affording a chance to ride all the way to the end of the longest trail in town and back

294.  A generous warranty so I can take it back for repairs or replacement free of charge

295.  A husband who was completely off this weekend (no work, no choir duty, no praise team duty, no communion duty, no deacon duty, nothing at all!) so that we could all ride to church together and enjoy quality time outside on our bikes together

This praise over his "off" week is not to say that I'm not glad he serves our church family in so many ways, but after having him gone so much lately, he has been so wonderful to have him home.  When daddy's home, everything seems "right" at home even while the world is utterly and completely out of control.