Thankful Thursday

 

Happy Thursday, friends! It's been a while since I've shared a gratitude list here, so I thought that would be what I'd talk about today. I have started making and keeping these lists with me at school; I use notebook paper and colored pens to keep a running list going while I'm at work and not busy. Here's one I did last week...

I love doing this, and I've been able to share some of the reasoning as to why I do this with the students that I see. I'm always asking them about the good things in their lives, and usually they will share them with me in the course of a day. I'll let this be the first thing I'm thankful for this week!

I'm thankful for the students that I have in my life. I loved having young people to pour into to when my sons were little; my philosophy here at home was the more the merrier. I always welcomed their friends into our home, because I loved them too. It's been amazing to see a few students make amazing progress this week, thanks to simple things like earlier bedtimes and the medication they need to treat severe ADHD and Dyslexia. Insert mind blown emoji here. 

I'm thankful for the hope I have in Jesus. Celebrating His death, burial, and resurrection this weekend is always one of my favorite things. I'm saying that here, but I shared about why that day wasn't great for me for other reasons earlier this week. If you want to check that post out, here's a link. 

I'm thankful for the time I've gotten to spend with Chris this week! I've seen him a lot in anticipation of not seeing him at all this weekend or next. I'm traveling this week, he's traveling next week. Anytime with him is great! I'm always appreciative of how helpful he is when he comes over after work. He'll cook dinner, or clean my kitchen, and he always asks me what he can do to make it easy for me the next day. I love his thoughtfulness! It's still shocking to be with someone like this; I'm not at all used to that characteristic. 

I'm thankful for friends! They're some of my greatest blessings in life, and I can't imagine a life without them. I can't wait to spend the weekend with my blog-turned real life- friends in North Carolina! It'll be Marilyn, Tanya, Joanne, Maria, Joyce (for Saturday), and me this year. This is our third annual blogger's retreat! 

I'm thankful that Noah is moving home very soon. He needs to get out of a bad roommate situation quickly, and Jonah will go to get him moved back this weekend while I'm gone. I cannot wait to get my arms around him! 

I'm thankful for the relationships my sons have with each other. I love the thought of them all being back in the 901 (Memphis area code)! Just a couple of nights ago, Jonah went to a driving range with Graham; they regularly hang out. Drew joins them when he can, and when he's not exhausted from working overtime in the HVAC industry. 

I'm thankful for my amazing family. Not a day goes by when I don't talk to at least two of them. I call Mom on my way to work every morning! I love this about us. And then all through the day, I text my sisters. 

I'm grateful for sunshine! The weather has been beautiful here this week. 

I'm thankful for easy nights at home at the end of a long day. I was so tired last night; I came home and showered, got comfy, then settled in for a quiet night at home watching TV and working on this blog post. I skipped choir rehearsal since I'll be gone this weekend; it was a decision I'm glad I made earlier in the day. At the time that I made decision, I had no idea how much my future self would be glad for that present self.

I'm thankful to have things to look forward to! I don't have to be going anywhere to have something to look forward to; I'm a huge fan of romanticizing my life. This just means that I get excited over everything from trips to the library or a favorite bookstore, to a weekend spent with Marilyn when she moves. Of course I get extra excited when I travel. 

I'm thankful for my home, that I have nobody to answer to, that I get to make all of my own decisions, and that if I don't want to eat dinner, I don't have to eat dinner. This was the case last night; I got home from work and didn't get hungry until almost seven, so I had a couple of small pieces of grilled chicken from earlier this week. 

What are you thankful for this week? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. I'll be offline here again until next week...maybe on Tuesday I'll be back. I hope you enjoy the weekend! Love to all.

Jenn