In the spirit of Thanksgiving here are things [including people, ideas, and a random assortment of all kinds of stuff] that I want to give thanks for:
1. My God - The infinite and mighty Jesus Christ.
2. Craig - He puts up with so much junk from me [stop nodding your heads in agreement] and he loves me in spite of me. He makes me laugh [and cry on occasion] and he makes me feel safe when he's around. He is the love of my life ♥
3. Molly - She is awesome and my sweet baby.
4. Cooper - His name will be in lights one day...either playing football or performing stand up. The kid is HILARIOUS!
5. Emma - Where would I be without the Diva? She makes me laugh when her deep belly laugh resonates through the house. She is one of a kind.
6. Gabe - He is a scream and the most bull headed of all four of my children [He takes after his daddy with that one....yeah, right.] He is gorgeous and looks like an angel when he's asleep [And I know that because here lately he's been doing ALOT of sleeping in my bed.]
7. My mom - She is a role modelfor me as a mother, a Christian, a wife, and a person. She's my shoulder to lean on, my voice of reason, and she rocked the Tri!
8. My dad - He is the most awesome dad a girl could ever have. He's always been a part of my life and continues to give me words of wisdom, comfort and inspiration. He will always be my hero.
9. Teaching - What other job in the world has as much influence on the lives of our adolescents? [I know - way over the top - but it sounds good.] Seriously, I ♥ my job. The kids are the coolest [and the strangest - 8th graders do and say some really bizzaro things] and science is fun. [Yes, I am a geek.]
10. First Baptist Church of KM - I can not say enough about this wonderfully awesome place. My family has never felt more welcomed, cared for, and spiritually challenged as we have at this church.
11. Sonja (my mother in law) - What an inspiration she's been to me. She raised four kids, mostly as a single parent, and continues to be an integral part of the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. [Plus, she taught me how to make biscuits.]
12. Myrtle Towery - What a saint this woman was! I had the opportunity to be with her as she passed into Heaven and I will never forget it. In fact, I spent most of her last week with her. She had the patience of Job and never, ever faltered in her faith. She had the most giving heart - I want to be like her when I grow up.
13. Sophie Ruth - She came into our family as an answer to many prayers. She completed the lives of Chris and Summer in a way that I will never know. She is amazing and I ♥ her.
14. Summer - Where do I begin? She is my best friend and my shoulder to lean on...she takes care of me and my family when we need help....she loves me for me.....and she also rocked the Tri! She is an amazing person.
15. My freedom - We live in such a wonderful country. It is so easy to take for granted the freedom to worship where we choose, to go to the store when we want to, and to get a free, public education. Thanks to ALL the Veterans that have made this possible.
16. Books - I heart reading!! I will read almost anything [except the classics - I hate those] and my fave is true crime and scary stories.
17. My education - I have had many opportunities in my 37 years to get smarter [some I took - some I did not]. I am a high school graduate, a college graduate [It was extremely hard squeezing four years into six but somehow I managed], I have my Master's degree, and I am a National Board Certified teacher. I don't say all of this to brag but to say that I am thankful that I had the resources, the ability, and the family that supported me through all of these accomplishments.
18. Music - There is always some kind of music going in our house. We listen to all genres [big word huh?] and most of the time we are watching music on TV too. If you looked at my iPod you would find Johnny Cash, John Mayer, David Crowder Band, Anberlin, White Lion, Third Day, and Jimmy Buffett. [If I could get a hold of an Air Supply and Quiet Riot album those would be on there too.]
19. Living in KM - Getting here brought us full circle and something we've worked on for four years.
20. Tommy Hall - We would not be in KM if it were not for the persistence and awesome generosity of this man. We could never thank him enough!
21. The Wilsons - I cannot explain the how but I know that I am forever in their debt for all they have done for my family. There are not many "true" friends in this world but they are what I consider the best.
22. The Kales - My girl, Stacy, keeps me laughing, lets me vent, and encourages me every step of the way. Her awesome family is so much like my family. They are some of the coolest and most precious people I know and I'm glad to call them the best also!!
23. Beth T. - I cannont imagine going through some of the years of teaching without her by my side. She is such an amazingly awesome and dedicated teacher. God has truly put her in the right place and she is doing exactly what she has been called to do. I love you Beth!
24. Mindy H. - Inspiration to the nth degree!!! What a truly cool woman she is and her strength and courage are a blessing to everyone. Continue to pray for her as she tells breast cancer to SHOVE IT!
25. Jenny C. - My friend, my partner in crime [If they only knew....] , and one of the totally coolest women in my life! She's another that is doing exactly what God has asked her to do with her life.
26. Sue L. - I love her family, I love her, and I love the fact that she left a one career [nursing] to be such an inspirational teacher!!
27. My grandmother - Thank you God for the time I had with her. When I'm in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, I'd like to think she is smiling down on me. [She is the reason I love fatback....she used to sneak it to me...shhh - don't tell my daddy.] And I had the opportunity to be see her pass into the arms of God - an experience I wouldn't take back for any amount of money.
28. Cookbooks - My grandmother left a collection of cookbook behind and I got a lot of them [Craig was none to happy to see them come home] and I love using them. Some of them have dog eared pages, some of them have spills, and some have hand-written recipes in them. A little piece of her here with me.
29. Love - I look around and I am in love with my family. Usually weekend mornings are spent piled up in my bed [that is only queen sized] with all the Shorties [morning breath and morning hair and all] . I don't deserve this much love. I thank my God for all the hugs and kisses ♥
30. Trees - Hey, if we didn't have them then we wouldn't have oxygen [I am a science teacher] but most importantly we wouldn't have leaves. Then I wouldn't have an excuse to rake them up so my kids could run through them and take silly pictures.
31. Money - I don't have much [trust me] but every time we need something it is there. I've begun to trust [Craig is almost there....] that the Lord will provide. There are needs and there are wants [OMG...I sound like my daddy] and you have to figure out the difference. I'm not thankful that there is money but thankful that the Lord provides - always.
32. Football season - I love nothing better than to watch my Craig on the sidelines on Friday nights. He is doing exactly what God called him to do. He gets frustrated [watch his hat on Friday nights and you'll know when he's frustrated] and sometimes he doesn't realize how much of a positive impact he's having on these young men that he coaches. They may not remember a play but they will remember that he loved them...and that is what matters most.
33. Fastpitch softball - I get to watch my Molly Moo play and my favorite coach do his thang!!
34. Mr. Marty - He made my first year at KMMS a great one. He introduced me to cornhole on the computer and Homestar Runner, made me laugh by saying he was a Kentucky State graduate, and is a super cool teacher.
35. The Bible - WOW...what more can I say? When you need a word [reminds of sweet Mickey Heyward] then there is but one place to go - the Bible.
36. Tim and Andrea Whitesides - I cannot imagine not going to Calgary this past summer. What an amazing and breathtaking experience. These are two of the most amazing people in all the world because God spoke and they listened.
37. My Salvation - One man, sent to change the world, died on a cross so that I could have eternal life. It is hard to believe when you truly think about.
38. Stephanie (Steffi) - She's been my BFF since meeting in Mrs. Morton's third grade class. Years and life have sent us in seperate directions but I cannot imagine my life without her in it - she knows lots of things about me [Good, Bad, and Ugly] and she still loves me for me.
39. Memories - I have so many fond memories of growing up in a loving and caring household, with parents that always made me believe I could and would do anything. I see, as a parent and a teacher, how important that is for kids. So many kids do not live in the kind of house I grew up in and that is so sad. I am thankful for those memories that remind me of how blessed I am and always have been.
40. Andrew R. - I wasn't sure if I would fit in at KMMS after all of those years of elementary school [Middle school teachers aren't really into the cute little bulletin boards and games] and I know science but not like these 8th grade science teachers. But, from day one, Andrew helped show me the ropes. We laugh together [sometimes when we shouldn't] and I think he's one of the coolest people ever. [Plus, he likes Wal Mart and taxis as much as I do] .
41. Lisa M. - If you want to meet a saint here on Earth then she's the one you need to meet. I love her because she is genuine, she is giving, and she is down to earth. She has guided me and helped me out so much [and she's made me a fall in love with Hallmark stores]. I will forever be indebted to her for so many things.
42. Lori W. - If you ever get the chance to come to Overflow Cafe at FB of KM then you need to come. The glory of the Lord shines right through her as she sings - it is amazing. Not to mention, she is super smart and an awesome leader. I am glad that we crossed paths because she's inspired me in so many ways.
43. Running - I am not a good runner - at all. [Some of you are well aware of that...painfully aware...it is painfull to watch me run.] But, I love to run. I think it is liberation and freedom from the stresses of everyday life. I need to be more diligent with my training [but it's so hard with a full time job and four kids] and I've made a promise to myself to dedicate more time to running.
44. Donna L. - She makes me laugh [Whatever] and she is a hoot to work with! I have watched her help students and families without anyone knowing that she was helping them. She has a heart for giving.
45. Shane C. - Even though he's the Lonewolf, he's pretty dang cool! He's a wonderful father and his faith is constantly out there, for the world to see.
46. Margo - She has such a huge heart. She always sees the good in a situation, even when it feels hopeless. That is such a breath of fresh air and I thank her for that quality.
47. All of my former teachers - Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for grading all those papers, for staying up late to plan cool lessons, for inspiring me, for imparting knowledge, for challenging me, for your critical eyes and your big hearts.
48. Matt B. - "Lookie, lookie, lookie...Missy's got a cookie!" He so busted me in band class with food yet I still love him to death. He's listened to me whine and cry, laugh and giggle, and he's always got a joke [or three] that makes me double over in laughter. He is a special and wonderful friend and I'm glad, that all these years later, that we are still friends.
49. Robin T. - She was my mentor during student teaching and still an inspiration. Her faith is unwavering and she lives her life as evidence of that fact. She is gentle, kind, loving and passionate about her job. I still have stuff that I did while doing my student teaching. She gave me Bible verses, advice, and most of all, she challenged me to be the best at my job. I could never, ever repay her....thank you Robin.
50. The Griggs - If you know them then you love them. [If you don't know them then you are missing out.] La La is the best kid EVER!! She is genuine and loving and amazingly gorgeous. Her attitude is infectious and she's done great things for my family. Her parents are equally as amazing. I am so blessed to have them in my life!
51. Jay R. - I love you dearly. I am so blessed to have had you in my life all these years. Your courage is hard to match. I am so proud of what you've done and I look forward to watching your life in years to come.
52. My Sunday School Class(es) - I am a member of two awesome Sunday school classes. One, the adult class, is so much fun. We laugh, we cry, we share, and we learn. It is nice to be a part of such a great group of Christian couples. The other, my 7th and 8th grade girls is an absolute scream. They are so loud but so loveable. I am blessed to be a part of both classes.
53. Inlaws (Butch, Jill, Lacey, Erin, Dustin, Dax, Kandace, Darren, Abbee, Parker, Jan, Tim, Jodi, Fuller, Zoie, Elijah, and Sonja] - I cannot say enough about the family I gained when I married Craig. They take care of us [food, clothes, love, money, time, babysitting...you name it and they've done it.] Craig and I would not be where we are today without their guidance and support.
54. Karrie D. - What a truly amazing woman! Beautiful and strong, smart and inspriring - the whole package. She has an enormous heart and she listens to God's call in her life.
55. Josh S. - My Homie!! Love talking to him [he is hysterically funny] , love teaching with him, and I love the fact that he is a walking encyclopedia of sports.
56. The Office - The funniest show EVER! What kind of world would it be without beets, bears, and Battlestar Galactiga? That's what she said!!!
57. Angela Mc. - Energy and spunk don't even describe this girl! I love hanging out with her, running [well she runs and I walk] with her, and working with her.
58. Every single student I ever taught - Kids are amazing. They can make you laugh [and cry] ...they will tell you if they like something [and definitely if they don't like something]. We have so much to learn from them so pay close attention to what they have to say.
59. Shelley P. - Syrup and weanies is all I have to say....and when I throw my gum let's hope it goes farther than the hood of someone's car next time. Shelley's my college buddy and the one who helped me get through organic chem. She sort of helped set me and Short up and she was there for the birth of my first child. She is a strong Christian woman with a whole new world to conquer and I love her!
60. KMMS - I love my job and I love teaching middle school.
61.Tammie H. - She makes me laugh and she loves my Emma ♥
62 Laughter - There is absolutely nothing better than hearing my children laugh.
63. Food on the table - I cannot imagine not having food to eat or feed my children yet I know there are many that go without. I am so very thankful that we don't have to worry where our next meal is coming from and that we have more than our share.
64. Health - All you have to do is look around at any local church bulletin to see the multitudes of people that are sick and suffering - thankfully, I do not have to endure that in my own family. My kids are healthy [though a little derainged at times....meet their dad...that would explain it all....] and Craig and I are too. Yet, all around me, there are those that are suffering from chastrophic illness and disease. Thank you God for your healing hand, be it physical healing or a healing in Heaven you always have a plan.
I could write so many more things. As things come to my mind I will add them. I hope I don't offend people by adding them [or not adding them] because it's not meant to be that way. I felt lead to say thanks and to give thanks via my blog.
I challenge you to make your own list. And pray over it - for the people, the things, the random stuff. Thanks for letting me share :)
And then I got the idea of getting them all together...and of course, taking a picture.