Week 8: February 19-25

I am thankful for some great friends. Friends I have grown up with, friends from college, friends from work, and friends in my life now. I am especially thankful and grateful for a couple friends - Ashley and Rachel. These two girls are vary different but have provided me TREMENDOUS amounts of help, support, and encouragement.

Ashley from work is my sanity. After all of our other friends have left and moved on, she encourages me and supports me and listens to me vent on the bad days I have! So excited for her as she is in her 2nd pregnancy and has the most adorable little boy.

Rachel is a girl I went to college with and was in ChiO's with, only to find out later that she moved to Charlotte! So happy that her and her husband are here and such great friends with us. From shopping buddies to coupon friends to seeing her with her little one. Rachel has been a great friend. So glad that we are going to be "near neighbors" in just a few days!

I have many more, but in the past two days of frustration/stress/and anxiety, these two have been exceptionally awesome!

Week 7: February 12-18

Snow. I am thankful for snow! It seems like a silly one, but when snowflakes start flowing, I become like a little kid again! Tim said "Morgan, come here now." I rushed in the room and saw massive snow(chunks)flakes coming down! I am mesmerized by it. Snow is something that makes me relax and truly sit back and think of cozying up with hot cocoa and a book. And of course, heading outside to take photos! Even though it was just one day, it was a wonderful blessing to sit down and enjoy a peaceful day. Maybe a picture to come later! :)

Week 6: February 5-11

I am thankful for whoever decided to take stories in their head and write them down into book form. The library and books are one thing that I am constantly thankful for. They are my escape. Whenever I am stressed about something or whenever I need to unwind from work, I love reading. Reason: It's my escape. I almost always refuse to read "real books" or books about autobiographies or real life issues. Occasionally I will grab one about religion or psychology, but honestly, that's rare. I love escaping into lives that end happily, into triumphs over evil, into friendships that withstand tragedy and heartbreak. I love reading to relax. I challenged myself the past three years to read a certain number of books & found a new website that helps keep track so I know which books I have read and which I haven't. I have read about 220 books since January 2011. I know that's a ton, but I am a fast reader. Anyways, I am thankful for the ability to read, to escape, and to wind down!

Week 5: January 29 - February 4

This is going to seem trivial, but I am thankful none the less. (Remember, these are whatever pop into my head, not in a most important list!) But this week, I was thankful for having a crock pot & whoever so kindly bought it for me at my bridal shower! 

The reason: Tim and I both work a lot and have longer commutes. So, in order for us to eat every night, we have to eat at 8:00 or we have to eat separate or we have to forget the gym. So, solution: crockpot! This has been SO helpful to us lately! We have made pulled pork barbecue, we have made shredded pork with cream over egg noodles, several pot roasts, chicken meals and more. I have been turning it on at 7:00am and this wondrous little machine cooks slowly all day until I turn it off at 6:30 or 7:00 when I gee home! I honestly have no idea why we have not used it more, but we have used it like crazy the past couple months. Anyways, since I'm typically starving and this has been our go to the past couple weeks, it made my list!

I guess what they say is true....sometimes the little things mean the most! 

Week 4: January 22 to 28

Week 4:

I am finding it harder and harder to think of what I want to write next - I am too grateful and too blessed so it is hard to choose. However, today's absolutely was from my day lighting up because of this. I am thankful for the ability to be an aunt. I mean, who else can play hide and seek through Facetime or sing ABC's over the phone. Cutter, my sister's son, is 2 years old. I have been blessed to see him at least between 3-4 times each year since he has been born. This past summer, I got to take off work just to spend the day with him! Tonight, when chatting with my sister on the phone that Cutter was holding, we sang the ABC's. Then I was told I could go to Granny's house to play with him. He wanted to call his Dad and the next thing I hear "Bye Bye Morgan" and a discussion between him and my sister of who could call him. Cutter kept saying he would call. Anyways, this little one LIGHTS up my day and life. Taryn's stories of life with him keep me laughing and you can't help but smile or give him a huge hug every time you see him! I am so grateful to be able to be an aunt and getting to see him grow despite being far away. 

  

L to R: First time I met him, Mountains in October 2012, mimicking me at Thanksgiving 2012. 

Week 3: January 15 to 21

I am grateful for my sister. She is such a support to me.  Even when we shared a bed as little kids, I could always count on her so I could stick my cold little feet on her to warm up! Granted I usually got hit for that until dad yelled "girls." Days I need to vent or cry, my sister is there. When i want to celebrate, she cheers along with me as if something good happened to her too. We have had ups and downs growing up but my sister is truly one of my best friends. Her beautiful son just makes me smile!  She is an awesome person & she just got awarded teacher of the year for her school and county! See, stinking awesome! She is a sounding board when I meed advice and is an awesome one to have on my side if I am mad! She always offers to help tell them off and back me up! We are both in the process if buying a house and it is neat to go through it together, sharing excitement and frustrations.  She is the best sister I can have and I am grateful for her! 

 

Week 2: January 8-January 14

I know I am a date late posting this, but it has been written and thought about countless times! 

January 8-January 14: I am thankful for my parents & their selfless ways. Especially this weekend, they have just been on my mind. My parents are the greatest example I could ever ask for - of a marriage, of parents, of people striving to find their place, of strength, and of wisdom. In my job where I am facing struggling parents and parents who have given up, I just see my parents shine through and I think "I am blessed." Back to their selfless ways - this weekend, Tim's car just died. We ran around, made phone calls, and were trying to figure out how to get to work when we are about 70 miles away from each other during the day. After looking into rental cars, I get a phone call. My Dad called me and said "Mom and I can make it work, borrow our car." Thankfully we turned out to only need it Monday, but they were willing to make arrangements for the whole week, despite the fact they both were working. It saved us significant time, stress, and money. That is only one example. Later in the year I will probably go into specifics with my parents individually - but this week, it is for the fact that they are selfless. They always seek to help others despite whatever is going on in their lives. They serve and expect nothing in return. My parents are my greatest role models and I am truly blessed.