Thursday Thanksgivings (a few hours early :))

• Meal planning - I haven't stressed about what to make for dinner, we haven't gone out to eat just because "we didn't have anything in the house," and we haven't wasted food! I'm so pumped! I'll probably devote an entire post to this soon.
• Benchmark is over! My 7th and 8th grade finished testing a couple of weeks ago, but it still feels great to have it behind us.
• Coming home early - I left the school yesterday at 3:40! It was such an awesome feeling (and one that I don't enjoy often enough).
• E-mail from G-C (Gordon-Conwell) housing - We haven't nailed down a moving date yet, but we finally found out that our new apartment will be available on June 22!
• Adam - So in love with this man and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to give thanks for him!
• Job Confidence - I know without a doubt (even on the hard days) that I love teaching and I love my middle school-ers!
• Parents - Thankful for healing and their support.
• In-laws - I'm blessed! I look forward to the time we spend with my second family and they are so good to me!
• The Presence of the Lord - We are about to move 25 hours away from everything I've ever known. I have so many questions about what our new life will be like, but I am so grateful that the Lord will go with us and before us. Many things will change, but I know His presence will be constant and sure.

Giving Thanks

• One of my sweet students had been absent for two weeks, but they are back now!
• Pencil sharpeners
• Conference periods when I actually get to PLAN
• Perspective
• God has a perfect plan.
• God doesn't expect us to know every piece of the plan :)
• Apparently my nephew said my name when he saw my picture! (We're still working on him saying it when I'm present. Haha. He doesn't see us often, so he's a little shy.)
• Letting go
• Sleep!!!
• Women who love and support me.
• Spring break is almost here!

Thanksgivings: The Weekend Edition

• Time with my husband ... Can't beating the opportunity to spend my whole day in the same room with him! Even if we're not doing same thing, I just love being with him.
• SLEEP!!! I have become a firm believer in the concept of "sleep deficit." I can work efficiently and confidently on 7-7.5 hours of sleep during the week, but Friday and Saturday nights I usually sleep 9-10 hours! Plus a Sunday afternoon nap every once in awhile :)
• K-group ... These are our church's small groups that meet on Sunday evenings. I cherish this time with other believers to encourage and pray for each other as we dig deeper into God's word.
• Cooking! I've had a hard time cooking during the week since school started, so I try to cook well on the weekends to make up for it.
• Adult conversation. I love my kiddos at school, but I take advantage of any time that I can spend with people my own age!
• Cleaning ... Although I tend to put it off as long as possible, I do enjoy a clean home!
• Did I mention time with my husband? Of course we spend time together during the week, but between his classes for Senior year and my first year of teaching, we're a little distracted Monday - Friday. The weekends are our chance to really focus on and enjoy each other.

Thanksgivings: The Equinox Edition

I was driving my Equinox home today and began to reminisce about all the reasons I like it. I was once again overwhelmed by thankfulness for this sweet gift (Yes, GIFT. No strings attached!) from my Grandparents. So here we go...

• NOT a tank, but still big enough that I don't feel intimidated by 18-wheelers on the highway!
• Roomy backseat and lots of trunk space.
• Wonderful turn radius. I love (safely) zipping around corners and parking is a breeze!
• Little nitch on the dash for my cell phone :)
• Headphone jack for playing music off my iPhone.

And there you have it :) Just a few reasons that I am thankful for my Equinox!

Tuesday Thanksgivings

I am blessed beyond words. I wanted to take a few moments to share some of the things I'm especially thankful for this evening...

1) Forgiveness, both from my heavenly Father and the loved ones around me.

2) The Jackson house. My parents have purchased a new house and will be moving within the next couple of weeks. Although this brings a lot of changes, I am excited for them and pray that God continues to offer His blessing.

3) Christmas, celebrating the birth of Christ.

4) The Gosnells. My future in-laws treat me just like I am their own daughter and I am so blessed. I love them very much and will be honored to officially become a part of their family very soon!

5) Sleep. I have come to understand that sleeping easily and well is a gift.

6) Skype dates with Rachel Schelb. LOVE them :)

7) Christmas break. I love spending extra time with Adam and not feeling rushed or pressured to be anywhere.

8) Teacher clothes! Although student teaching is somewhat daunting at the moment, I must admit that I am looking forward to a different wardrobe and feeling more "professional."

9) Pinterest. Let's be honest, I'm planning most of my wedding via Pinterest pictures and ideas.

10) Finally, I am thankful that in exactly 200 days, I will stand beside my best friend in the whole world and say "I do." I can't wait!!!

Tuesday Thanksgivings

I had decided on today's blog topic a few days ago... Little did I know that I would need the attitude adjustment today! It hasn't been a bad day. It's actually been a very good day! But during the past couple of hours, I have found myself to be hostile and anxious. I hope that writing out a few things that I'm thankful for will help adjust my attitude...

* My fiance' ...

* Computers ...

* Heating / Air-conditioning ...

* Ouachita ...

* Journaling ...

* Final Exam study guides ...

* Laughter with my Family ...

* theknot.com ...

* Work ...

* Christmas break ...

What are you thankful for?