Thankful Thursday ~ My Brady

I couldn't let the day go by without sharing a few of my thankful thoughts . . .

My original baby will fly the nest in less than a week, my Brady boy. He was my "lastborn" for 12 years, until Brogie's arrival made him a big brother . . . and now he is ready to spread his wings. He will head for Spokane next Wednesday morning, to live with big brother.

This is hard . . .

but, today I am thankful for the old spark plugs that were taking up space on my kitchen counter this morning. I am thankful for the fact that they were there because Brady did his own tune-up on his Volvo station wagon, all by himself . . . and it runs--well. I am thankful for the music that is too loud, blaring from his bedroom. I am thankful for his very talented guitar playing and for the way he just plops down beside me and plays--wherever, whenever. I am thankful for his perseverance, and the fact that he now has a homeschool high school DIPLOMA in his possession--it was a long road, but the success is sweet. I am thankful for eighteen years of pouring into a boy, and the joy of seeing a very responsible young man take shape. I am thankful that he loves Jesus. I am thankful for his unconventional ways of thinking, of living, of doing.

I am thankful that two nights ago, I watched as he prepared a gourmet meal for four of his closest guy friends. Steak shish kabobs (marinated in his own recipe), grilled asparagus (also marinated in another of his own recipes) and homemade sweet potato fries. Is that not impressive? And it was self taught. I don't make my own marinade and I don't grill, honestly I'm not sure if I have ever made shish kabobs. He did his own grocery shopping too. I thinking he's ready to fly . . .

I am thankful that this was the scene on my front porch yesterday. . .

We have baby birds, again, and yesterday the first one-- of four, took flying lessons. If you read my Memorial Box Monday post "The Nest" a couple of weeks ago, you will know that the Lord is using these little birds once again, to minister to my aching heart. (" The Nest: Part II" is coming).

I am thankful for Brady's future, knowing that his steps are ordered by the Lord. I look forward to seeing how God plans to use Brady. I have a feeling it's gonna be big.

Today I am thankful for the growing pile of Brady's neatly packed belongings taking up the corner of my dining room-- because it means he's still here.

Today I am thankful that we get to hold on to his noisy little self for just a bit longer . . .

Blessings from my teary eyed nest ~

Mama bird