A fresh start

1) Starting Weight Watchers new PointsPlus plan tomorrow.

2) Going back to the Rec Center at my school tomorrow instead of McDonalds while my daughter is at her dance class.

3) A really relaxing Thanksgiving break with some fabulous food.

4) Most my Christmas shopping and wrapping is done.

5) A beautiful home.

Thanksgiving

1. Dinner tomorrow with my extended family.

2. Another showing of our house on Sunday.

3. The ability of having a part-time extra income job I can do online.

4. Sweet pets - 2 cats and a great dane.

5. Kids that sleep through the night.

Rest

1. No waking up (too) early for the next 5 days!

2. 2 weeks of school, the finals, the 5 weeks off for Christmas!

3. 2 healthy kids.

4. Sleeping in my own bed!

5. The ER bill for our visit with Eli is already paid! Thank you Dave Ramsey!

Another Monday

1. Today is a 2 day teach week!

2. Our sermon yesterday talked about thanking God in ALL circumstances. I am thankful that we are waiting for our house to sell, well at least I am trying to be thankful about waiting.

3. One (of my 4 preps) is finished for the semester, with the exception of preparing a couple more exams for that class.

4. That I did not have a migraine yesterday.

5. That my office comfortably reflects Me!

Some Positive Signs

1. 6 A's on my most recent exam I gave.

2. Students who are actively seeking help by coming to my office hours.

3. That next semester is not going to be so hard, 1 new prep instead of 4 and 4 classes instead of 5.

4. That God worked on behalf of a friend from Grad school and 911 responded quickly enough that she did not lose her 18 month old daughter.

5. That indeed there are 13 more days of class until the semester is over (not counting finals week).

Exhausted

1. That I have a wonderful bathtub that can warm me up on a cold night.

2. That my kids have now been healthy for a full week.

3. That my husband started playing his guitar again tonight. So nice to hear praise and worship music while I am grading.

4. That although I hate grading, it will eventually end and students will get a final grade.

5. That my kids are so full of energy - a mixed blessing to be sure, but such life is precious!

Begrudging Gratefulness

1. That online tutoring has allowed us to make ends meet for over 3 years. Sometimes I am not at all grateful for the opportunity this allows us to make extra money to make things all work out.

2. That Thanksgiving break is only 5 school days away!

3. For Shutterfly's discounts that allowed me to save over $300 on all my photo books, calendars, Christmas Cards, .... need I go on?

4. For my school only costing $3.50 for me to eat in the dining hall, and $3.50 for my husband and not charging for my kids. I can feed my whole family for $7!

5. The one student who got a 92 on my most recently graded exam (the average was too embarrassing to even mention).

Migraine Hangover

1. That my migraine from yesterday is gone, even it I have a bit of lightheadedness today (migraine hangover).

2. That my wonderful husband put the kids to bed and continued hanging up wall decorations and putting up Christmas decorations while I was trying to get past the migraine.

3. That although it is not yet done, God is going to sell my house in Ohio.

4. That I have a wonderful caregiver for my kids while I work.

5. That 2 years ago this past Saturday a judge in Ethiopia pronounced Eli legally ours!

Saturday!

1) Able to sleep in, and yes 8:00 is sleeping in!

2) A jacuzzi tub in my bathroom.

3) The Christmas tree up in the living room.

4) A dear friend with whom I had lunch.

5) A clean house.

TGIF

1. A colleague who's positive attitude and encouragement for students has made me become more positive and encouraging toward my students.

2. A mother who adores my kids.

3. A father-in-law who built my beautiful home.

4. A sister who wants to work out with me.

5. A father who tries to interact with my kids, even though it is physically challenging to do so.

Nearing the Weekend

1. A husband who is a handy man.

2. Blinds on my windows.

3. Antiobiotics to clear up ear infections (and strep infections, and ...)

4. Getting to go Zumba with my sister tonight.

5. Students who are excited to learn.

Even With a Headache

1) It is light when I wake up, or at least by the time I leave my house in the morning.

2) The financial ability to go out to eat a couple times a week.

3) The confidence of a colleague who allowed me to choose a book we will be teaching out of the in spring.

4) Kids who are full of energy.

5) That I took typing in high school and can type fast and well now.

Comforts

1) My electricity is back on (power outage today).

2) I have my own bed to sleep in.

3) I got to take my healthy kids to the doctor today (flu shots).

4) I am not a slacker like some of my students.

5) That God has already sold my house in OH. (He just hasn't told the realtor yet :) )

To Begin with

1) I am thankful for my wonderful husband of nearly 12 years.

2) I am thankful for my two wonderful kids.

3) I am thankful for my new home.

4) I am thankful that I get to live in the great state of Oklahoma.

5) I am thankful for a job that I enjoy.

The Challenge

Because of a sermon in church today, as well as some facebook stuff going around and some magazine articles I've been reading, with Thanksgiving approaching I have decided to issue myself a challenge. I want to become a more thankful person. And from what I can tell I have the power to do this, I just need to practice Thankfulness. So, my challenge to myself is to post 5 things I am thankful for each day. Not sure how long I can keep this up, or honestly if I can remember every single day. But I am going to give it my best and see how I do. Join me if you like and think of 5 things you are thankful for today.