Day 14

Today I am thankful for nutella. It is probably my most favorite food. Ever. I just made some crepes and filled them with nutella. What a heavenly dinner after a long day at work and a workout at the gym!

Day 13

I am thankful for having awesome co-workers in my work group! They help me get through Mondays and make my day better : )

Day 12

Today I am especially thankful for fuzzy socks, flannel sheets, and heated blankets. It is getting mighty chilly in Idaho!

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope everyone had a nice weekend. I sure did! I did a little Christmas shopping and sewed a couple of cute little gifts as well. I visited my parents, too, which is always nice : )

Day 11

Today I am thankful for Veterans. I am grateful for their service to our country. They keep us safe and uphold our freedoms. I am particularly grateful to my Dad, who served in Vietnam, and my Grandpa, who served in WWII. Thanks to all the heroes out there!

This is my Dad.

My grandpa is pictured on the bottom, 2nd from the left.

This is my grandpa Melvin with his twin brother, Merlin. His mother send five sons to war and all five came home. How grateful she must have been!

Catching up...

I have fallen a little behind... but here goes!

Day 7: I am thankful for books! There is nothing like escaping to a good book!

Day 8: I am thankful for new opportunities and change, even though it is really difficult for me at times. I received my student teaching assignment today and Justin started a new job. I am also grateful to him for working extra hard while I finish my education. I have been placed in a great school and have a wonderful cooperating teacher. Woohoo!

Day 9: I am grateful for technology. I love my computer, kindle, iPod, and smartphone. I am thankful to live in a time when things are so exciting and it is so easy to stay in touch with those we love. Technology just makes everything easier.

Day 10: I am thankful for snow! Even though I complain about it every year, there is something so beautiful and exciting about the first big snow of the season. Snow is peaceful, quiet, and graceful.

This photo was taken at my parent's house.

Day 5 and 6

Day 5: Today I am thankful for my family - all of them! I have wonderful cousins, aunts, and uncles who have been there for me my entire life. We have so much fun together and I love them to pieces! I also am fortunate to have wonderful family in-law!

I am proud to call this group of stone cold weirdos my own! Love you all!

Day 6: I am proud and thankful for the vote I cast today!

Day 4

My grandpa. Oh, where do I even begin with Melvin? He was my best friend and biggest cheerleader. He taught me so many things: how to color and stay in the lines, how to garden, to play baseball, politics, history, and so many important life lessons. He also taught me to laugh even when things are bad. He was a car salesman later in life, after his farming days, and I remember him saying things like "There's an ass for every seat!" about cars you wouldn't exactly expect to sell right away. He was always so optimistic. I am who I am largely in part because of him. I miss him every day and I know he is looking down on me. I am grateful to have had such a wonderful grandparent and example in my life.

Thankful.

I've been horrible about keeping up my blog! Just to give a quick update, things are going well. I recently finished my last class and also received my student teaching assignment. Justin is doing well too. We have done a lot of fun things lately: cooking together, going to movies, taking a short trip here and there, and just enjoying one another! He has been busy tying up flies for fishing season. I am amazed at his artistic abilities and skill level - I wish I was that good at something! Since I finished up my last class, I have been crafting and reading a lot; two things I love but never seemed to find enough time to do them!

I have noticed everyone posting things they are thankful for each day on facebook. I like this idea! So even though I am getting a late start, here goes:

Day 1: My amazing parents. I don't know how I was lucky enough to get them, but I thank Heavenly Father every day for them. They are supportive, funny, kind, and loving.

This is such a weird picture, but I couldn't find a good one of them! Sorry Mom!

Day 2: My husband! Justin is wonderful. He is affectionate, thoughful, always honest, and funny. I am so grateful I get to come home to him each day!

Day 3: Autumn. I had a gorgeous walk today along the river. This is my most favorite time of year. The beauty of the fall season never ceases to amaze me each year. I love everything about it: the changing leaves, chilly weather, snuggling up, and the Holidays that accompany it.

I am feeling gracious and humble already : )

Happy November, everyone!

Highlights

I haven’t updated my blog for a very long time! I really need to get better about doing that this year. The holidays were great for us. We spent time with family and friends and I had time to really appreciate all the blessings in my life. 2012 is going to be a big year for me! I will be a student teacher and FINALLY finish my degree. Here are some highlights of my 2011:

• Losing 20 pounds
• Seeing the Hoover Dam 
• Playing blackjack at a Vegas casino for the first time 
• Hiring a trainer and getting into weight training 
• Passing the Praxis I and II 
• Turning a whole quarter century old 
• Learning, once again, that life can’t be plotted on a calendar 
• Making jam, sewing making an attempt to be more domestic (finally after 5 years of marriage) 
• Discovering the almighty Pinterest 
• Sadly, losing my grandmother (dad’s mom). I will miss her.

Favorite books I read: The Help, Bloodlines, Hush Hush (I didn’t do nearly as much reading last year as I hope to do this year)

Favorite movies I saw: Harry Potter, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Bridesmaids I don’t really have a resolution for 2012, but I hope to continue with getting more fit, not plotting my life on a calendar, reading lots of books, and finishing my degree. I hope to learn many new things this year. Oh, and update my blog more often!