Thankful Post Days 17-20

Yep. Catching up once again, but this one might look a little different. There are all kinds of different things running through my head right now, so forgive me if this sounds a little like a thankful rant instead of just a little post.

Day 17: I am thankful for my upbringing. (I know, I know! I already said I was thankful for my parents--this is different! TRUST ME!) I am thankful that I was raised in a tiny home bursting at the seams with people and animals and chaos--and mostly LOVE! I am thankful that through all my turbulent teenage and young adult years, I always had a safe place to land. I am thankful that--while I may have turned away for a time--I was raised up in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This, too, became a safe place for me to land.

Day 18: I am thankful for the knowledge that I have a loving Father in Heaven who knows me. He accepts me for who I am, and because of this, I know that I need to live my life as His daughter and representative--therefore I must love others.

Day 19: I am thankful for answers to prayers and divine intervention. No one would survive long in this world without either of these two things!

Day 20: I am thankful for challenges. I am thankful for strife. I am thankful that I can do hard things. I am thankful that I don't ever have to do them alone. I am thankful for eternal perspective--knowing that struggles are a necessary and brief part of an eternal plan. I am thankful for strength.

OMG! Catching Up Thankful Post! Days 13-16

November 13: Thankful for music and the blessing it is in my personal and family life. I love that my girls are always singing!

November 14: Thankful for an amazing support network for my weight loss journey!

November 15: Thankful for those who are patient with me.

November 16: Thankful for books. Lots and lots of books! And reading. And the ability to escape with a good book.

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Thankful November Day 11 and 12

Day 11

I am thankful for my education. It has always been one of my greatest treasures.

Day 12

I am thankful for the career I had as a high school teacher. I floundered. I failed. I fought. Mostly, I learned about who I am and what I want. I was blessed with many of the greatest colleagues a person could ask for. I had amazing mentors and awesome friends. Sometimes I miss those days. More often I am simply glad that I was allowed that experience.

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Thankful November Day 10

Some days it is just enough to have a thicker skin and enough perspective to understand where someone could be coming from...and the knowledge that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us all...so we should love all as well...even when it is hard. 

*STEPS OFF SOAPBOX* 

*TAKES A BOW*

*EXITS STAGE LEFT* 

Thankful November Day 9: Alisha

Yep. Totally stole this picture from your Facebook page, Alisha. :)

We have been blessed in numerous ways over the past few years, but none more so than with this girl! Our Alisha came into our lives because I needed a part time sitter and she needed a job. The blessing she became...the easy part of our family she became...the dependable, happy, helpful, wonderful, fun guardian she is to my daughters is PRICELESS.

So, I am sure she is every shade of red by now, so I will not gush more. I could not, however, have made it through days or weeks or this past year and a half without her help. We love you!

Thankful November Day 8: Sibs

I seriously have the absolute BEST siblings in the entire world. Like, the best best best best best...and I can hardly believe that I was so fortunate as to have my very best friends in the world as brother and sisters. Let's not sugar coat this--we didn't always and don't always see eye to eye on everything, but these five people are my biggest support, my biggest cheering section, and my biggest defenders. They are my foundation and the reason I know I can do hard things--because I am never, ever alone on my journey. They forever have my back, and I forever have theirs.

Thankful November: Day 6 and 7

Ooops! Didn't post yesterday...even though I thought about what to post off and on a lot yesterday. Ah, well! Here's a two-fer for ya!

Day 6

It is rare these days that I get to go anywhere with only one kid in tow. The other day, T had a doctor's appointment and Daddy was home, so T and I went to her appointment--just the two of us. Yeah, it wasn't a super fun mommy/daughter date, but I so appreciate getting to spend quality time with JUST Tessa! She is so funny, and sassy, and smart, and fun, and curious, and beautiful! I marvel at this little spirit I have been trusted with, and pray that I am actually worthy to be her momma. I owe her so much. She saved me, and I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending her to me. 

Day 7

Let's make this post easy and be grateful for the other sassy-pants who lights up my world! My Quincy Anne is almost three, and I can hardly believe it! She is SO SMART! She quotes movies, runs everywhere she goes, sings at the top of her lungs, acts out parts of her favorite movies (Tangled and Finding Nemo in particular), reads, talks, dreams, jumps, and never slows down unless she is asleep! I can hardly keep up, but I love to try! She announced the other day that she is ready to go to pre-school and would like to start immediately. She asks me daily to listen to "music on the TV" so she can dance her heart out! My Q is amazing! I waited my whole life for her, and I am so grateful that she is mine.