Lynn

I am very grateful for my friend Lynn.  She ran a 5K with me today.  She made it look easy, talked with me while I ran and didn't let me walk! 

Thanks Lynn!

Napping

I got one in today, with the baby, for three hours.

I feel refreshed.

I am grateful.

Harvest Party

I love celebrating with my 2nd graders...Harvest Party, Winter Party and Heart Healthy Party.

You may know these from your former life as Hallowee, Christmas and Valentine's Party.

It is fun.

I am really, really grateful for all the parents who come to help. 

Fun!

Driving

Sometimes I am really grateful that when driving, I get from point A to point B.  I say sometimes because most times I am mindlessly driving from point A to point B and I should be more grateful to all the people who follow the rules of the road and allow me to get from point A to point B.

Does that make sense?

Did I just jinx myself? 

Don't thinks so.

I don't believe in that stuff.

Life is good.

Running Partner

Amanda has been doing awesome and I am very, very proud of her!  I am so grateful that she has been wanting to run with me!  We make a great dynamic duo.

So Many That Care

From the rally to support our local teacher's union, to the parents and families that came to support our 50/50 night at a local restaurant and to the countless others that make time to care...I am so very grateful!

Running with Miranda

I am grateful she pushed me today!  Ran, walked, ran, walked...4 miles!  Woa!

Stormy

First one came in last night and another one is on the way today. 

Rain.

Wind.

Leaves on the ground.

Blustery day.

I love fall!

Make a Difference Day

Two Linfield students came to my classroom to volunteer for Make A Difference Day.  Wow!  Does my classroom library look new, revitalized and ready for another year...all new and pretty!  I am grateful for the three hours of hard work!

Long Time No See

It has been a while since I have seen certain friends, it is sure nice to catch up, laugh and voice our opinions.  I am grateful for making the most of time well spent! 

Teaching at All Levels

I enjoy teaching...2nd grade and college students.  I am grateful for this year's cohort from OSU.  They are fun, smart and energetic.

Harvest Fall

What a gorgeous, wonderfully warm and mild Fall this has been...and I am so grateful for all the warm days.  CJ was out riding his bike this evening, windows and door open and fresh, crunchy leaves all around. 

Beautiful.

Cupcake Maker

I am grateful for my auntie (for so many reasons) but today she made cupcakes for me tonight! 

Yeah!

Another Run

Miranda wanted to try and run a 5K on a Monday night...so we gave it a try. 

I am grateful for my friend Miranda.
She pushed me to keep going.
I pushed her to keep going.

We just ended up going out and running 5K on a Monday night....that ain't all bad!

A Run

I decided to run today.  The sun was shining and the sky was bright blue...it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I was served breakfast in bed.
I stayed in bed for two hours and watched TV and relaxed. 

It felt good.
I don't feel guilty.

I needed to get out and go for a run.

So I did.

It was hard.
I am so very grateful that some sort of motivation came over and I got out and ran! 

New People

We went to a kid birthday party today at our friend's and met some some of their friends...and had a great time!  Meeting new friends, hearing about their lives and meeting their children was a real treat!  I am very grateful for the sunshine, the good times and the many laughs we had with some new people!

Friday Night Popcorn

My favorite!  Popping popcorn on the stove, sitting in my favorite chair and watching my DVR'd shows.  I am so very grateful "my time"!  It is  much needed and not always available.

Fun in the Sun

The Jog-a-Thon at school is always a really fun time...music, running, camera, smiles and laughter.  This year was more of the same!  I did run a lap this year...more than I have ever ran before!  I had great plans to run most of the time with my kids...but taking pictures and marking cards got in the way.  I am very grateful for this time spent with my kids.  It allows me to see them not just as students, but as kids!

Double Prep

One day a week I have an hour long prep...one day a week I have no prep.  I am grateful for my double-prep days!

A Good Meeting

It is a wonderful feeling when I go to a meeting and it is almost an hour long and upon exiting the meeting I feel rejuvenated, excited about what is to come and ready.  I am grateful for the wonderful 2nd grade team!

Mondays

I really like Mondays.
They are new and exciting.
Things usually go as planned, because it is the first day of the week and it is planned well!

I really like Mondays.
I am grateful for happy Mondays.

Unexpected Trips

Unexpected trips are the most fun and I am grateful for the quick and very fun little trip today...yummy food, great conversation, cold beer and great atmosphere!

Listen to the Rain

I love waking up on a Saturday morning while listening to the rain.  I am so grateful for the time spent in bed, comfy and cozy and warm.

Time to Relax

A very good friend of mine provided a very nice dinner, drinks and conversation and of course, much needed relaxation time.  I am so very grateful for that time and for her!

My Son

I am in awe of my oldest son...so many times, so many different reasons and so often!  Today was no different. 

He knows how to act in a variety of settings.  He knows how to be polite. 

I am so very grateful for his level of honesty and love for life! 

Celebrate

I am thankful and grateful for my boss...she knows how to celebrate!  She is fun and encouraging and makes going to work each day cheerful. 

Thanks Kathi!  We wouldn't really be where we are without you!

Help

I am so grateful for the parents that take the time and have the time to come in to the classroom and help out.  It means so much to me and is so incredibly helpful and a time saver!

Thank you parents...to mine and the millions that help out in other classrooms! 

Leaving On Time

I am so very grateful when I can leave work on time.  It feels good and makes for a nice long evening at home with my family.

Anna-Banana

My little younger sister turned 31 today!
I remember my mom going to the hospital in the middle of the night.
I remember my grandma waking me up to tell me I had a new baby sister.
I remember announcing to all of my 3rd grade that "my mom had a baby last night".
I remember dressing her up and curling her hair and taking pictures of her.
I remember changing her diaper and sometimes (accidently) sticking her with the pins (cloth diapers).
I remember babysitting her and playing with her and her toys.
I remember that that her love of cats started very early.
I remember her shoving two kittens into my Peanuts tin lunch box.
I remember her practicing piano.
I remember how long her legs where and that she always had about 15 bruises on each shin...not much as changed!

I don't remember her middle school years. (I was in college)

I remember her being in our wedding and she was looking so incredibly young!
I remember her being the best auntie to CJ, even though she was going through so much in college at the time.
I remember our party days. 
I remember our non-party days.

I remember more than she thinks I do. 

I am so grateful for her, in so many ways. She is not just my younger sister, she is one of  my best friends.  She is also a great auntie to my boys and my husband thinks she is pretty cool too! 

I like how Anna and I can talk in "movies".  Between the two of us, we can probably quote and name over 100 movies.  We also can speak Spanish together...especially whilst in Mexico!  Yes, traveling dos veces to Mexico with my sister has been some of the most fun times.  Playing Canasta and drinking Fresca until the wee hours of the night may only be topped by shopping and a bit more shopping. 

Did I mention that the birth of my second child may have required drugs if it were not for my sister?  Her cold and very comforting hands and soothing voice made it all go rather well.  She told me he needed to be born before 9:00 and well, let's just say that what she wants, she gets. 

Did I mention that she is a fabulous coach?  She has guided me, supported me and helped me through some very tough weight-lose issues this past year. 

What else? 

She is (so I hear) the most fabulous tennis coach, volleyball coach, volleyball teammate...and well, let's just say that she if fairly athletic!  Which is AMAZING because a certain doctor (who shall not be named) told our family that she would most likely not play sports due to a twisted tibia while in utero.  Dumbass doctor. 

She also has great style.
Like in her decor around her house...super fabulous! 
Like in her dishware...Fiesta of course and super fabulous!
Like in her clothing...all Nike of course (remember she is super athletic!) 

So, here is to my sister...who has HAD TO HAVE Cherry Chip cake on her birthday for the past 31 years running!  Can you say spoiled?  Nope...just totally well loved!

Love you Anna-Banana!  Happy Birthday! 

The Beach

It was gorgeous. 
Blue skies.
Slight breeze.
Warm(ish) sand.

It was what this family needed after almost 2 months of stressed-out-going-going-going-all-the-time...

I am so very grateful we had a most wonderful family day! 

Feeling Good

Glad that the deadline has passed, the major stress has passed and that the big "stuff" is out of the way (for now).  I am grateful for the family and friends that have supported my family and me these past few weeks.  It has been a tough week...well, a really tough month. 

I think we are heading to the coast for the day tomorrow.  We all need a bit of sea air, fresh breeze, sparkling water and some time away...but together!