#20-25

#21 I am the assistant coach of a varsity soccer team where I work, and I must say that I am so thankful to have the privilege of being a part of this team. The girls always make me laugh, and hanging out at practice and at games gives me a good way to take my mind of things.

#22 Baby lotion. It keeps my silky smooth 24 hours a day. Let's hear it for pretty skin!

#23 People who say they will be there for you, and then are there for you. That's what commitment is all about. Showing up.

#24 I am thankful for asparagus. It is the one vegetable that I always get jazzed up to eat.

#25 Hope. Even if nothing comes from a situation, the hope that something might is worth getting up for in the morning.

Have a fantastic Tuesday night!

#11-15

Happy Sunday! #11 I am thankful for Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Swirl bread. Currently, this is the breakfast of choice for me. It is delicious. #12 I am forever grateful for my two siblings. I don't think they will ever know how grounded and sane they have kept me over the past twenty odd years. #13 I am thankful for my students. I desperately want children, and in the meantime they are a good substitute. Whenever I feel sad about not having my own family, I remember that God has entrusted me with 300 little buggers to teach, minister, and half-raise. Plus they make me laugh. and I LOVE to laugh. #14 I am grateful for church. I love starting my week off feeling uplifted and refreshed. #15 and along those lines, after church lunch with some of the best people you will ever meet.

# 6-10

#6 I am thankful for the end of another work week. For the most part, I enjoy my job, but I still get so excited when 3:07 rolls around and I can yell "IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY!"

#7 Sappy Taylor Swift songs. No judgment. The girl writes awesome lyrics. I mean "the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now" really speaks to my soul. Just sayin'.

#8 My R-MWC degree. I learned how to lead as opposed to follow.

#9 Cucumbers. I love a cucumber. I'll eat one any day of the year. So crisp and delicious. Let's hear it for those little bitty seeds!

#10 Sleepin' in on a Saturday morning. There is nothing better than switching off the alarm Friday night...oh except for waking up at 10am on Saturday morning feeling refreshed.

Night all.

Gifts #1-5

1. First and foremost, I am thankful for the love of Jesus Christ. I think of the song "How He Loves Us" that starts with "He is jealous for me" and later says "if grace is an ocean we're all sinking / and heaven meets Earth like a sloppy wet kiss / and my heart turns violently inside of my chest /and I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way he loves us." The truth of the matter is that most days I forget how completely God loves me (and you). He wants more than mediocre for my life. He wants my life to be full of JOY. That involves giving up some vices, but we are promised an abundant life throught the love of Christ.

2. I am thankful for an article I read today in an old Self magazine. The article was talking about updating your list of requirements for a mate. The writer's first husband had died, and when she finally started dating again, she had a very different list of qualities she wanted. The part that really spoke to me was the section about wanting to have a good time. She wanted to find someone who said "YES!" to adventure. When I read the paragraph at the gym, it was like a light bulb went off. I, too, want to have wild makeout sessions in the car, travel to beaches across the globe, climb a mountain, camp at Floyd Fest, dance in the rain, ride a bike with someone tandem style, take a cooking class and burn everything and laugh about it. Sometimes other people can take a truth you carry in your heart and phrase it in such a way that it touches you to the very marrow. I am thankful for this experience (and their gift).

3. I am grateful for my Galaxy Girls. I never thought I'd have best friends in my adult life. I assumed that I would get married and hide away in a hole with my husband. And, quite frankly, I didn't believe I'd ever find friends as awesome as the Fab Five in college. But here I am, included in a new group of Fab Five (isn't it interesting that I seem to always find friends in groups of four?) During the past three months, they have been so wonderful and supportive. From letting me crash on a couch to being there when I need a distraction, they have truly been a blessing to me.

4. I am thankful for Margot who is looking up at me with her cute face begging me to play fetch right now. She snuggles with me every night. She's a halfway decent dog. :)

5. I am thankful for work. Idle brains are dangerous. I relish being busy. I also like to eat and pay my bills. I am so thankful to have employment when a great majority of the country is still unemployed.

There they are. #1-5. God bless, and goodnight!

*Mic Check*

Is this thing on?

First, let me apologize for going on a three month hiatus. I am going through a redirection period in my life. Without going into details (for fear of hurting the guilty), I've moved to a new town on my own. (I do have the love of my life, Margot the wonder dog, with me.) I have a cute little apartment a few minutes from work, and I'm making friends and thriving.

I've been thinking a lot about happiness lately, and I'm realizing that happiness is not an end result but rather the journey. I don't want to focus on reaching the summit and miss the hike. As goal oriented as I've been in life, I'm learning to relax and take each day as it comes. I may wake up alone in my bed, but there's a tub of strawberries sitting on the table callin' my name and mine alone. Abundant rays of sunshine cascade through my windows filling my house and soul with light.

Naturally, my blog needs to change. Many of my goals were founded in someone elses happiness, and that has to change. What I've decided to do is to continue the Gratitude List I wanted to begin at New Year. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for His amazing supply of gifts. So stay tuned for my Abundant Life: a 1000+ Gifts.