Blessed Beyond Measure

Today I am thankful that Nixon has such good friends.  Like (my friend) Brandi.  Brandi brought Nixon this adorable t-shirt as a prize from her Ironman competition.  This morning, we had this conversation. "I am so glad Brandi brought you the t-shirt.  It is super cute.  Do you really want to be an Ironman?" "Yes, but I am going to just swim more instead of bike." "Hmm, well we will just have to see.  Aren't you glad I have such nice friends?" "Brandi is my friend." "Um, well, Brandi loves you, but she is actually MY friend." "Well, she brought ME the t-shirt didn't she?  So, it would seem she is actually MY friend." "The best way Ms. Brandi can love me is by loving you." "Mom, I think it is time you accept the truth on this one." So . . . glad Nixon has such great friends!!

I am so thirsty!  Why don't these people understand that I refuse to drink out of a normal water dish.  I only like to drink out of the fish bowl.  They have shut the door to the bathroom with the fish bowl.  Something about me bothering the fish who is old and doesn't like to swim.  I don't see the problem.   I am only making sure the fish is still alive when I touch her with my foot.  And getting water all over counter is not my fault.  I can't help it that I must put my entire leg in the bowl to get the fish to swim off of the bottom of her bowl.  And then I get water everywhere.   Totally not my fault.   But, these hard-headed people keep leaving out a water dish.  Simply not acceptable.  I will get my way.  Ugh! I know . . . I can just spill it.  Then put my feet in it and drink the water off of my feet.  That will show them!  I simply will not be tricked into drinking ...

Today I am thankful for a mom who was willing to write me a personal note to let me know that it is because of me that her high school son now loves math.  And when he reflects on his junior high years, he names me as his most influential, favorite teacher.  That is exactly why I do what I do!

Today I am thankful for comfortable shoes!  I am loving my TOMS.  Especially after returning to work after a week off.  My feet are thankful.

Today I am thankful that my friend Brandi not only finished her Ironman, but that she rocked it!

This child melts my soul!!  We have been talking so much about what we are thankful for, Nixon wanted her own chance to show what she is thankful for on our blog.  I am so proud of her thankful heart!

 The race is on!  And mommy wins!!  Aren't they so jolly! Thankful for another year enjoying breakfast with Santa with some of my favorite people.  I honestly can't say how much we love this place and this event.  It is so much fun to spend time with Santa on the hay ride and listen to him read us stories and sing us Christmas carols.  Loads of Christmas fun!

I can't stop now!  I am having so much fun counting all of my blessings.  And although today is one I have mentioned before, I am so thankful that I had to mention it again!  The weather here has been amazing.  And if I am going to spend so much time outside watching my girl swim, then I am certainly thankful for the Houston weather.  I am also thankful for Nixon's working spirit.  Her hard work is certainly paying off.  It is so much fun to see her love something so much that she wants to do it all the time.  She truly loves swim team practice and that makes me smile!  I am also thankful for her sassy spirit.  Tuesday after swim practice she told me that her favorite stroke is the butterfly.  I expressed my surprise as this seems to be the hardest stroke.  She responded, "Of course it's the hardest.  That's why it is my favorite.  The easy stuff is for sissies."  Love that girl!

I am thankful for so many things, I couldn't possibly list them all.  Mostly, I am thankful for family and friends.  I am thankful for health and time.  Just thankful!

Thankful for these three kiddos!  Such amazing people.  Thankful for Uncle Danny!  Thanks for giving us such an amazing day with the Texans! Can't lie!  I was a little starstruck being this close to these guys! We were so lucky to have gotten to spend a day with the Texans this last weekend.  Uncle Danny had an extra ticket and we were able to attend with Holly and Michael (Thanks Janelle!).  We were so proud to watch Danny coach his Texans to a win . . . a very stressful win!!  We were treated like VIP's and had a blast!  Front row parking, great seats, field passes, dinner with the players . . . this girl had a blast!!

I am so glad that this baby girl beat all of the odds.  They told us she would always be small.  God had another plan.  They told us that she would be developmentally behind for years.  God had another plan.  They told us she would be "sickly" for most of her life.  Yet again, God had another plan.  I am so thankful for God's plan for my little preemie. 

Today I am thankful for the power of three.  Having a little family was never part of my plan.  For most of my life I wanted no children.  Then suddenly, I met Bryan and wanted six.  God had a different plan.  And I have learned the hard way, that His plan is much greater than my own.  I still wake up sad sometimes at the loss of two little ones that weren't meant to be.  They are still very much real to me.  But, most of all, I am thankful for the one that God did allow me to have.  She is a true vision of God's love for me.  I am thankful that He saw it fit to bless me with an amazing little girl who embodies all God has in store for my life.  He gave me Nixon to love.  To cherish.  To watch grow.  To love.  To learn from.  I am thankful for my little family.  And even though it wasn't my vision, it was His perfect vision for my life.  And because of that vision, I am blessed beyond measure!

I am thankful for cuddles!  I have gotten lots of years of cuddles.  And although they have slowed down some lately, I still get them.  And I love that!

I am so thankful for a God-given soul mate of a friend, Brandi.  She won't love that I put her on here, but I can't leave her out.  She has supported and cared for me beyond what a girl deserves.  She is preparing for her first Ironman competition this weekend.  I am so incredibly proud of her that I can't even put it in to words.  The hard work and determination she has shown through her training process is so inspiring.  I am forever thankful for her friendship!

I am so thankful for lifelong friends!  Even if they did lie to me the first day we met thirty years ago. All is forgiven.  I am thankful for the millions and millions of memories, hugs, tears, laughs and sweet moments we have shared Robyn!  Wish we could still meet half way.

I am thankful that I get to wear a shirt like this to work.  Go FCA!! I can't help but be thankful for this funny guy.  As I laid on the bed talking to Nixon, he climbed on my back.  What a hoot!

I am thankful to have the BEST brother life could hand a girl!  He has always been my best friend.  Supportive, funny, caring, loving . . . and oh so entertaining.  He makes a pretty good uncle too!  Also very thankful for his amazing wife- who took a chance on marrying my crazy brother!

 I am thankful that I get to do what I love every single day.  I am so thankful for former students who take the time to tell me that I influenced their lives.  I am thankful that they grow up to be amazing people!

I hope you know that you are one of the smartest, kindest, most honest, upstanding, hard-working . . . I could go on forever.  Thank you for serving our country!  Thank you for being such a great dad!   I love you!

I am very thankful for these old friends!  They were with me my first years teaching at Athens Middle School.  They taught me so much about teaching, about life and took such good care of me during a very painful time of my life.  I always knew they had my back.  I will always be thankful for the laughs we shared at lunch!

I am thankful for this amazing classroom that I get to teach in every single day.  I was so anxious about moving rooms, but am so thankful that I did it!  It is huge and I love it!!!!  Makes teaching that much more fun!