Let's Give Thanks...

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1

So very much to be thankful for…

1. The gift of being a mom. In the past few years, I have seen a great number of dear friends struggle with infertility. I cannot imagine the intense pain that struggle must bring, and today I am thankful that I am a mom.

2. My kids. There are no words to adequately describe the joy they each bring to my life. They are unique, special, exhausting, and exhilarating, and I am grateful for them. They fill my days with purpose and push me to be better.

3. My job. Although there are days when I think it may literally send me to the grave, it gives me great satisfaction. I am passionate about teaching, and my students. Each day is new and different, and I can honestly say “I love what I do!”....It also allows me summers and holidays with my kids, which no other job allows. 

4. My husband. He is selfless, loyal, and genuine. He wakes up before the rest of us to meet with Jesus so that he can be prepared to lead our family. He has overcome so many obstacles in this life and gives glory to God for it all. He is an amazing father and he allows me to go to grocery store each Saturday….alone….and never complains.

5. Hot Coffee.

6. Uneventful days. This time last year we were waiting on the phone call to determine the day of Will’s heart surgery. I can’t remember anything about last Christmas. I honestly don't remember putting up the tree, Christmas events, or even Christmas morning. Everything was a fog and today I am grateful for uneventful, lazy, non-stressful days.

7. Friends. I am grateful for the friends in my life who don’t try to fix my problems but will simply listen, and constantly keep me laughing. 

8. Great parents. No explanation needed. I have amazing, self-sacrificing parents.

9. Great teachers and amazing babysitters. My anxiety and sanity are in a better place because of these people who love on my kids. 

10. A cozy, warm, small-enough-to-clean-myself, home. 

The list could go on and on for days. Happy Thanksgiving.

Thankful for Him...

This year is wrapping up and I have so very much to be thankful for. We've had an eventful year including the birth of a baby and my husband's accident. And although I am so incredibly grateful that our precious Lord allowed me to experience more of His grace and mercy through all he has done for us, I am most thankful this morning that I am His.

I am thankful that 15 years ago the Lord allowed me to experience conviction so strong that I had no other choice but to surrender my life to Him. 

I am thankful that although becoming a Christian didn't lead to a life of health and wealth, that I have a relationship with my Father who provides for my every need and uses this life to teach me more about Himself.  He has been, is, and will always be enough.

I am thankful that he has allowed me the gift of being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, all of which he is using to grow me daily.

I am thankful.

Please take time today to cherish this pure holiday. It's not about gifts or decorations, it is simply about cherishing the things we have been given and spending time with the people we love so dearly.

Oh so thankful...

I am oh.so.thankful.

At this moment I am particularly thankful that I have ONE day of school left for the week. So even though it's Monday, it feels sort of like a Thursday. Plus tomorrow is payday. I'm smiling.

I need to apologize for being absent from blog world. As you all know, life is crazzzyy. I'm hoping to get a few good posts in during my Thanksgiving break. I have been doing a lot of cooking and baking, but it would take four or five posts to fill you all in, so I'll let those come as needed or when I'm simply out of blogging ideas.

Since Thanksgiving will officially be here in 3 days I'll share some of the cute school things we've done in my classroom.

We celebrated Thanksgiving at school this year by having a "snack" and not a actual feast. At first I was really saddened by this because so many children don't get to experience a real Thanksgiving meal, but I can say that my students had a blast today and I don't think anyone went home disappointed. We made quite a few snacks that they really enjoyed and of course finished it off with Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.

#1 TeePees
These adorable snacks were pinterest-inspired and super easy for the kiddos to make.

#2 Pilgrim Hats
These also were incredibly easy. We do a "witches hat" version at Halloween using a Hershey's kiss instead of the Reese's cup. We just used yellow M&M's for the buckle on the hat.

#3 Crunchy Cornucopias
I've done this snack for the past 3 years and it always turns out so cute! I don't have a picture of these (sorry!) and I couldn't find one on pinterest...

You need:
Trix cereal
Ritz crackers
Cream cheese or peanut butter
Bugles

Spread your cream cheese or peanut butter on top of the cracker. Place the bugle on top with Trix pouring out.

Super easy and very cute!

For those of you that are already finished with your cute Thanksgiving treats, save these for your 2012 files. I'll be posting a great recipe for a yummy and easy sweet potato casserole later this week. Also, be on the lookout for a pumpkin cheesecake recipe. :)