{Day 22}

Thankful for crisp, cooler weather.

Granted, I'm still wearing short sleeves, but I'm not sweating! Bryan and a neighbor's son (he's trying to make some pocket money, so we paid him to help Bryan) hung our Christmas lights outside. They look wonderful! But they were both in short sleeves, shorts, and still pouring sweat by the time they were done - even the Christmas music I played couldn't REALLY make up for the heat :)

Hopefully we'll get to put on sweatshirts and scarves by Thanksgiving!!
We've got the pumpkin goodies baking, the Christmas tree decorated, and the stockings hung. I need to maybe just wear mittens ONCE to make it feel really real :)

{Day 21}

Thankful for holiday breaks!!

Monday we had a half day at school, which consisted of me picking up donut holes & orange juice for my first period class while we made turkey hands & watched Hercules :) Yes, 10th graders still enjoy classes spent like that! I couldn't believe how enthusiastically they made the turkeys & they all did the maze I brought along too. Love those kids. Then the high schoolers helped pass out programs and greet the grandparents as they started arriving for the Grandparent's Day program being put on by the whole school. All of the kiddos did a WONDERFUL job singing their songs, presenting their projects, etc. I was, naturally, especially proud of the 9th and 10th graders as they presented the dramatization of the Tower of Babel :) They made it funny and entertaining, while also making sure the message was true.

What did I do once our half day was over?
I took a nap!! Exercised, played with the puppies/walked them, and reread all of Harry Potter 5: The Order of the Phoenix.

Yes, I do love holidays :)

{Day 20}

Thankful for an AWESOME HUSBAND!!!

I realize I'm thankful for Bryan absolutely everyday, but sometimes I have a moment where he's so incredibly special to me I just HAVE to share it :)



He is a loyal friend, loving spouse, and will make a fun and adorable daddy.
Love you, Dude!! Forever, always, and a few more too.

{Day 19}

Thankful for Fightin' Texas Aggie Football!!

A&M 61, KU 7

A real post coming with pictures when it's not 7:30pm and I'm already half asleep :) These days I barely make it past 8:30 most of the time, so maybe tomorrow morning. And the wedding one too. Ooops.

{Day 18}

Thankful for good neighbors.

You read about them so often you've got to be wondering if we're serious, but again last night we got together, sat around the fire pit, we made cookies* & brought them out, the men played poker, the ladies talked, and the kids ran around doing what kids do until their bedtimes. It sounds so simple, but we feel very blessed to be able to run to so many people located so close to us if something's wrong, if we're stranded in town and need a ride, if we need half a cup of flour, if we need someone to talk to, and we love to be able to be that last minute babysitter, or pick up their kids from school, or make the goodies they need in an hour, forgot to make & aren't home to do it. It's WONDERFUL.

*About the cookies, it was Janie's recipe - non-dairy (technically vegan actually) - for Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles. What it really tastes like is a spicy molasses cookie - yumm. It was a toss up, though, for liked them and who didn't. (More like who LOVED them and could eat 6, and who could take a few bites and not finish.) It was about half and half with our neighbors. The thing is - you have to like the cookie itself, and you have to enjoy a little spice with it. I thought they were super yummy, and so did Bryan, so if you're interested in Janie's recipe, I can get it to you.

{Day 17}

I am thankful for the gym & feeling well enough to get back into personal training again!!

This week I kicked butt, and it feels so good to be lifting weights, hustling in cardio, and basically just doing more than walking the dogs again :) There were 3 weeks where that was about all I could do without getting sick, and all this week I've been back in the game. Hopefully it's here to stay!

{Day 16}

I forgot about making my thankful post while thinking about 12 weeks :) so maybe yesterday should just be thankful for 12 weeks!

Or possibly thankful for Sonic BLENDED rootbeer floats, because I was actually having a bit of a crummy day at school, and that's been my go-to happy place for the last few weeks or so. I know, I know, I should substitute carrots or spinach or something for the float, but really if it keeps me from rolling my eyes and screaming at someone at work, shouldn't I just stick with the sweet treat? Most definitely.