Thankful Thursday.

This week has flown by. Is it really already Thursday?! Time seems to move so much more quickly when I have tons of school work to get done. There never seem to be enough hours in the day. Today, I want to take some time out in order to slow down and reflect on the many blessings in my life.

Yogurt and granola.

Nice little cafeteria ladies.

Wayne's cute little faces he makes.

Our late night conversations.

Writing letters to Wayne.

My gift for Wayne is on its way to him!

Warm February days.

Canceled classes.

Days spent with Wayne.

The fact that Wayne's birthday is coming up...and he'll be an OLD MAN! He's a cradle robber, that Wayne.

Thankful Thursday.

Photo by Wayne.

This week has been tough, as poor Wayne found out last night when I had a meltdown was a little upset. I realized last night that there are some issues I need to be dealing with that I really haven't been dealing with. Such as the fact that I haven't connected with anyone at college. It's not that I didn't try, I tried last year and failed miserable; but that's another story for another day.

There are times in my life where I have to remind myself to thank God for all of His gracious blessings. When feel like my life is just one hurdle after the other, that's when I have to remember to get down on my knees and thank my Lord for the good in my life.

This is how I deal with my hardships. This is what works for me (most of the time). God has blessed me ceaselessly; here is a fraction of all the many blessings I have to be thankful for this week...

I'm thankful for my parents. I'm thankful that they care so much about me and that they try so hard to show me how much they care.

I'm thankful for the memories I have from being in Youth at church. Those memories mean the world to me, especially when I feel lonely.

I'm thankful that I know what I want to do with my life. Many people my age and even older still don't know what direction they want to go in. I'm thankful that I have goals I'm working towards.

I'm thankful that I've been able to get motivated in my classes this semester. I'm thankful that my hard work and studying for Spanish paid off on the exam.

I'm thankful for the crazy Georgia weather. I've come to realize that I actually enjoy the fact that it can seem like summer in January, and then go back to winter in February. [Disclaimer: As I told my dad, the previous statement does not mean that I give up the right to complain about the weather from time to time ;) ]

I was extremely thankful for my new warm winter coat this morning when I had to walk to class in 14 degree weather. Now, 14 degrees may not sound cold to you, but for a lifelong resident of Georgia, that's cold.

I'm thankful that I'm making great progress on Wayne's scarf. As long as everything goes well with shipping, he will have it within the next couple of weeks!

I'm thankful for all the little wonderful things Wayne has given me over the past year. They all hold so many memories for me, and I cherish each and every one of them.

I'm thankful that my weigh-in for Wellness class (yes, I had to weigh myself in front of the whole class) actually wasn't as bad as I had expected. Plus, I lost 5 pounds since the last time I weighed!

I'm thankful my Wellness class got canceled today. It gave me time to write this post!

I'm thankful that Wayne is so understanding of me. I'm thankful that he took my sadness last night and didn't just say I was crazy, he actually listened and is going to make things better. I'm so so lucky to have him, and I want him to know that each and every day. I'm so thankful that I know no matter what, he'll always be there for me. I'm also thankful for the decision he made this week (I'll let him share about it on his blog later, if he'd like).

I'm thankful that my God will always be there for me as well. He has gotten Wayne and I through all of this, and I know He will bring us out on the other side as a stronger couple.

Lord, thank You for Your many blessings. I don't ever want take any one of them for granted.

Thankful Thursday.

You really wouldn't believe how much I love writing down what I'm thankful for by the way I've been posting late the past few weeks or so. I promise I'll do better. In the meantime, here are a few things I'm really thankful for this week...

I'm thankful for the necklace Wayne ordered for me tonight. It was really sweet of him to want to treat me with something nice.

I'm thankful for the award Wayne picked me for. More on that tomorrow.

I'm thankful that, even though my laptop's monitor is out of commission, I'm able to use a separate monitor so that I can still use my computer. I'm also thankful that my parents are saving to buy me a new laptop sometime in the hopefully not-too-distant future.

I'm thankful for people who really appreciate teachers. It makes me sad that educators are such an under-appreciated group of people, so it makes me so happy when I see them really being given the appreciation they deserve.

I'm thankful for that my Spanish professor doesn't require us to spend an hour each week in the Language Lab, like most Spanish professors do. I believe that would push me right over the edge.

I'm thankful for Wayne. Every day. Every second. There are just no words to even express how thankful I am for him.

I'm thankful for the strength God has granted both Wayne and I to get through the trials we're facing.

I'm thankful for where I am right now in my life. I'm thankful that I'm able to recognize that this really is where I'm meant to be right now. I'm also thankful for the promise I have for good things to come.

Thankful Thursday + Flashback Friday

My laptop's back light has completely stopped working. It's really a big disappointment, because I basically have my whole life on that computer-- all my pictures since the summer, all my school work, all my writings. The pictures are really the most important things. Luckily, I can still log onto my computer, I just have to use a flash light to be able to see the screen, and even then it's really difficult. This has been going on for about three weeks now, ever since I had to run through the rain with my computer in my bag to my car. Bad idea, I know, but I honestly thought my computer was covered. Obviously not covered enough, though. Anyway, I just wanted to update on what's been going on.


Now onto a more positive subject...

Even when things seem to be going wrong, writing down what I'm thankful for really picks me up and helps me get through. Feel free to join me, and if you do, please let me know so I can see what you're thankful for.

I'm thankful that my mother is a teacher, for so many reasons.

I'm thankful for my new shoes and my new coat I got today.

I'm thankful for my cats. Even though they can drive me crazy, they still are wonderful to have around.

I'm thankful that my laptop still works, even though I can't really see the screen. I'm thankful that I haven't lost any of the memory from it. I'm also thankful that I still have other computers I can use, even if they're not mine.

I'm thankful that my mother and I are building a stronger relationship as I get older.

I'm thankful that I have no classes on Fridays this semester.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my sister and BIL and my grandparents on Sunday.

I'm thankful for this...


Flashback Friday!

I thought it might be fun to go through my old pictures on this computer since I'm having to use it.

Paul Thomas all decked out for Christmas (my cousin who is now 6 years old).

Yikes! This is an embarrassed picture! I'm not sure what year this is, but my guess is 2004.

Any guesses why I would be sitting considerably closer to the camera than everyone else in this photo?! It does nothing for me. Oh, except make me look like a giant. Not good.

Another embarrassing picture. Except now I'm also embarrassed for my mother and my sister. They don't look that scary in person, I promise. And my mom doesn't wear those awful Christmas sweaters anymore. I'd definitely say our family has improved as we've gotten older.

Ty Pennington. Apparently I used to have a crush on him. I seem to recall having this picture as my computer background at some point. Obsessed much?! Oh well, now I'm obsessed with Wayne. He likes it.

Thankful Thursday.

Every Thursday, I reflect.

I reflect upon how my life is going, and the best parts of it.

I reflect upon what I am most thankful for at that particular moment.

I find this is a sort of therapy for me.

It keeps me focused, keeps me sane, keeps me thankful...

I am thankful for yogurt and granola.

I am thankful for my schedule of classes this semester.

I am thankful that my computer has recovered from the rain.

I am thankful for the support Wayne gives me each and every day.

I am very thankful for everyone who leaves encouraging comments.

I'm thankful for the humongous hill I have to hike up three times each week.

I am thankful for my Wellness class, and all that I am learning about myself there.

I am really thankful for the opportunity I have been given to attend college and study Education.

I am thankful that it really is possible to find the beauty in everything.

If you'd like, please join me each week in participating in Thankful Thursday.

Thankful Thursday.

I'm so happy to be writing down what I'm thankful for this week. I really did miss it last week. I always have more to be thankful for than I can write, but here are some of the main things...

I'm thankful that Christmas went so well.

I'm thankful I was able to finish Ripsey's sweater (I hope to get pictures of it sometime) (yes, that is a dog-- my sister's dog, which makes her my niece-dog).

I'm thankful for all the time I got to spend with my parents over Christmas break, and I'm thankful to be back on my own.

I'm so, so thankful to have gotten to spend so much time with Morgan. I'm thankful for the pictures she took of me.

I'm thankful for the time Wayne and I are able to spend together.

I'm thankful for the calmness of being here, in the mountains.

I'm thankful that my dad was able to drive up here with me and help me move back into my dorm.

I'm thankful that Natalie and Naomi (two of my future nieces) have the support of their family.

I'm thankful for the country I live in, even with all it's problems.

I'm thankful for the body God has given me.

I find that writing down what I am thankful for each week really helps me to examine my life, and keeps me from taking things for granted. If you'd like to, please join in on my Thankful Thursday-ing with your own post or comments.

Thankful Thursday.

I'm so excited that it's finally Thankful Thursday again! Here's my list for this week...

I'm thankful that Christmas is only 7 days left 'til Christmas.

I'm thankful that I was able to take lots and lots of Christmas pictures yesterday. {Yes, they will be up soon!}

I'm thankful for the stories Wayne tells me to help me sleep.

I'm thankful that I [quite surprisingly] have not gained any weight this Holiday season.

I'm thankful that the waitress at the Italian restaurant noticed the Rainbow stone necklace Wayne gave me for Valentine's Day. It really makes me so happy when people compliment things Wayne has given me.

I'm thankful that my first experience baking cookies from scratch by myself went well.

I'm thankful that we will most likely be kitten-sitting for about a week! {If we do, you can be pretty certain there will be pictures.}

I'm thankful for this first year that Wayne and I have spent together. It has been amazing.

As always, I look forward to seeing what everyone else is thankful for right now. If you'd like to participate, please let us know in the comments so that we can all go read your Thankful Thursday post!

Thankful Thursday.

It's that time again, the time to remember everything that you are thankful for. I know that I have a lot to be thankful for this week. (Actually, I have a lot to be thankful for every single week!) So let's get started...

I am thankful that I have been able to do so many crafts this week. I realize that this whole obsession with crafts may just be a phase, but I do believe it is a very fun phase :)


Photo taken from the Nie Nie Dialogues.
I am eternally thankful for Stephanie Nielson. I can't even put into words how much she has inspired me to find the beauty in life. She is truly my hero, and I am so thankful that her recovery is going well. [Please join me in continuing to pray for Nie, and if you have not read her story, visit here, here, and here.]

I am thankful for the beautiful pictures Wayne takes for me.

I love being able to see the wonderful sights he sees every day.

And finally, I am forever thankful for this man, the man who shows me how much he loves me every single day just with the little things he does and says.

Like always, I look forward to reading about what everyone else is thankful for this week. If you'd like to share, either leave a link to your blog in the comments, or simply share what you're thankful for in the comments so that I can see your Thankful list!

Thankful Thursday.

My goodness, is it already Thursday again?! This week has seemed to go by so slowly, and yet it flew right by! (Did that make sense? It did in my mind.) Sorry about posting this so late in the day, but let's get started now! I hope you will join me by either posting what you're thankful for on your blog or in the comments.

I am thankful that I only have one final left to go, and then I will be DONE for this semester.

I am thankful my class was canceled Monday evening.

I am thankful that I have been able to get back into the groove of blogging. It's really become therapeutic for me.

I'm really thankful for the chicken noodle soup my mother made for me to bring to college this week; it has been very much appreciated during these cold December nights.

I'm thankful that Wayne is such a wonderful, caring uncle to his nieces, because I know it is preparing him for fatherhood, and I know he will be such a wonderful father.

I am thankful for all the opportunities my parents have given me.

I'm so thankful that Wayne and I have the kind of relationship that allows us to talk about anything with each other. From touchy subjects like childhood problems, to the really gross things like bowel movements (what? it's weird for couples to talk about that?), we can honestly talk about anything with each other. Anything.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

I was contemplating whether or not I should do a Thankful Thursday post, and I came to the conclusion that I could not not do a Thankful Thursday post on Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for the trials that God is putting Wayne and me through, because I know that they are only making us stronger.

I'm thankful for people who don't judge you just because they don't understand you.

I'm thankful for people who are supportive of Wayne and me (which, sadly, pretty much only includes Morgan at this point; so thank you, Morgan, it really means more to me than you could ever know.)

I'm thankful for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It's always such a nice event to wake up to.

I'm so thankful for the heart necklace that Wayne gave me (it was his very first gift to me) because it's such a wonderful reminder of you whenever I'm missing you so badly like I am today.

I'm thankful that my sister and Andrew's wedding went off so smoothly and that everything went so perfectly for them. I'm also thankful that everything is going well for them with their new house and their new life together.

I'm thankful that my family is able to get together today and that we are so well off that we can have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner together.

I'm thankful for Wayne. I'm always thankful for Wayne. Every single day. Because he means the most to me in the whole world, and I love him so much.

I hope that you will join me today in stating what you are thankful for, if not on your own blog, then in the comments, or at the very least, just tell your list to God. He'll hear you.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Thankful Thursday

So I thought I'd try out something new today. I'm hoping that it will become a weekly thing for me.

As we inch closer and closer to the holiday season, we think more and more about what we are thankful for: family, friends, food, shelter, warmth. And yet we so often forget to continue these thankful thoughts throughout the year.

I'm setting out on my own personal mission to remember weekly (at the least) the many blessings God has given me in my life. I hope you all will join me {all three of you ;)}. If you do decide to join me, put a link in the comments to your post so that I can see what you all are thankful for for the week.



I'm thankful for this past weekend that I spend with my sister and her friends.

I'm thankful that I have a man in my life who enjoys buying me things. I'm thankful that he is actually one of those rare men who say 'a beautiful woman deserves beautiful things.'

I'm thankful that my toenail wasn't pulled off last night when I stubbed it while opening my door.

I'm thankful that Wayne is home today, and that I only have one class. This means we get some much needed talking time.

I'm thankful for a mother who sends me to college with lots of home-made food. Chow Hall food gets very old very fast.

I'm thankful for my new silk blanket which, contrary to Morgan's beliefs, really does make the perfect little lap blanket. Plus, it's the first blanket I've ever owned that is made of silk, and it feels so nice.

I'm thankful for the lovely little plant my mother bought for me for my dorm. It makes me smile every time I see it.

I'm thankful for the 'Thankful Thursday' picture up top (thanks Wayne!).




Now it's your turn; what are you thankful for?