Thankfulness Is the Quickest Path To Joy

Tis the Season...to be Grateful

I'm thankful for a big classroom where desks can be spread out and my caseload is low (for now at least).

I appreciate reminders like this that were left in the room I inherited to help me realize that even though my "dream job" didn't become a reality this year, I can still make a difference and give it all I've got!

I'm happy that this sweet pup is starting to figure things out and we can enjoy her presence a little more (especially when she's napping and calm in the evenings). 

It makes my heart so happy to see my little girl have such a funny sense of humor and a LOVE for writing! 

I'm so appreciative of grandparents like Nan and Pap that step in to help care for our children while Chris and I had workdays. AND since they even brought Camp Nan and Pap with them on the road (full of activities snacks, and special shirts and cups to go along with the Minecraft theme. 

My taste buds are grateful for Flipside's charcuterie board, lobster mac & cheese, and wedge salad! And my heart was happy to have a date night with my honey (just the two of us). 

I LOVE shopping for deals and putting together themed gift baskets and am grateful for places like Dollar Tree that make giving to a bunch of teachers at once an affordable alternative. 

I'm also indebted to the teachers that care for my darlings every day while they are at school. I know they sacrifice a lot and work incredibly hard!

I'm pleased my kiddos still indulge me in traditional "Back To School" photos and even though they fuss about putting their arms around each other when I ask them too, they make precious pictures! 

I am extremely blessed to have these two sweeties and Chris in my life! And I'm so glad that we get to celebrate things like the first days of school together with treats like Pelican's snocones. 

I'm thankful for work friends who let me join in on their Black Lives Matter t-shirt days! And I'm very thankful for the people who have gone before us like MLK Jr. and Congressman John Lewis that have fought for civil rights and to end racism. 

I feel incredibly grateful to have a troop of friends that are like family to me! It is incredibly fortunate that we can vacation together and it's one of the highlights of my year to be at the beach with them. I especially enjoy being put in charge of snacks! Sushi candy rolls, anyone? :)

I LOVE sunsets and puppy cuddles. I don't really think you can get enough of either!

I am so appreciative that my kids like to decorate for each season and for their creativity (like Riley's candles and cauldron station that he put together). I also really enjoy fall, football, and festive snacks like pumpkin ginger snaps and caramel apple cookies. 

I'm grateful that my church, Old Town, got to celebrate it's official launch and that we are working together to "build" God's church (even without an official place to meet). I also am forever indebted to Jesus for being the One that "never leaves" and always keeps pursuing and loving people (even me!). 

I can't thank God enough for this sassy, yet sweet beautiful song-playing, silly face-making, rule-writing, curly-haired cutie! She brings such joy (and fashion sense) to our lives! And I love our Mother-Daughter dates!

I am so glad that events like See You at the Pole were still able to happen this year. Prayer is needed more now than ever and it truly is the best "work" we can do (especially when it comes to education, legislation, and people in leadership). 

Roxie is ever appreciative of new chew toys although they don't last long around here!

I'm thankful for how things grow from tiny seeds! 

LOOK! More puppies and sunrises!! They just make me smile and feel such a peace!

I'm glad I get to have friends like that let me come and crash at their house for a night when you just want a quick get-away. 

I also can't thank God enough for this tall, talented, inquisitive, sensitive, Minecraft-playing, trampoline-jumping, Bible-reading string bean of a boy! He wears his heart on his sleeve and has a sense of justice that is ingrained in his core. And I absolutely LOVE when he raves about the dinners I make and the prayers he prays. Watch out world...I've got two amazing mountain-movers coming your way!

Aren't these two pumpkins the cutest in the patch? I'm so glad to be their momma! 

I can't do a thankfulness post and not pay tribute to my amazing joke-telling, song-in-his-head-singing, dinner-making, iPad-researching, handsome honey, side kick and life partner! He has supported me through 9 interviews this year and 3 job offers, a stressful e-Learning and return to school experience, health scares, and daily life events. I'm so grateful for his companionship, love, and the laughter and late-night talks we share!

I'm thankful too for a community of believers. I was able to do a Teachers in the Word Bible Study called "Grace Changes Everything" this fall with some fellow friends from Pleasant Knoll. And I'm so glad we were able to use the Marco Polo app to virtually connect with each other. I learned so much from them and this time with God!

Have I mentioned how much I love sunrises? 

So I've got to admit...I'm thankful for a whole lot more but right now, I'm just thankful that it's bedtime and I have a comfy bed to curl up in. So I'll leave the rest of the pictures uncaptioned, but from the looks of them you'll see that there's so much in my life that I hope I don't ever take for granted. We are so fortunate and blessed in so many ways. And I'm thankful for each day that I am given here on earth to experience it. Life is short...be grateful for the moments you have and the love that is shared! 

I'm very thankful that even though Covid kept us from having a big Thanksgiving gathering, we were able to still enjoy a very special time. Chris learned how to brine and cook a turkey and the kids helped me prepare some sides. We got to connect with lots of family over Zoom and play a few games too. 

 

We have SO MUCH to be thankful for!! Let's not forget to count our blessings year-round!!