more thankfulness

I love the month of November, and not just because of my birthday. I love how so many people take the time to reflect on the things they are thankful for, and not just on Thanksgiving.

Here are some more things I am thankful for....

My sister, Becca
As you can see in the picture I was thrilled to have a little sister. As a child I wished for a brother and I would often get frustrated with Becca and tell her or my parents that she was not what I had wished for. Well as always God knows what He is doing. Although I haven't always appreciated her like I should, I am thankful for having Becca as my sister. It amazes me the difference in our relationship over the past couple of years. We get along a lot better. We understand each other. We are considerate of the other. We are friends. Growing up people would always tell us that one day we would be friends. I tried not to roll my eyes at that suggestion. I thought those people were crazy. I guess I was crazy for not believing. This past weekend we had our first road trip. We went to Starkville, Mississippi to cheer on Alabama as they played Mississippi State. I don't think we have ever spent that much time together just the two of us, and not only that but we didn't argue or fight. We got along very well. It was a great trip. And Bama won!

Doctors
Back at the end of June my mom had surgery on her knee. She had two tears in her meniscus. Well her knee never got better. She has been dependent upon crutches or a cane for 5 months. During this time she found out the bone in her leg was dying. She will have a partial knee replacement next month. Please keep her in your prayers. I am thankful for her doctor and all the people that will be taking care of her. I am thankful that we live in a time that she doesn't have to suffer with constant knee pain, but that she can get a partial new knee so she can live a pain free active life.

My Job
It is extremely exhausting. Physically and emotionally. I am thankful to have a job in a time when there are so many people who are jobless. I am thankful to teach at my school. I am thankful for my students even when they are challenging.

Veterans
I am thankful for the many men and women who give so much so I can live a nice life of freedom. I am very proud of my Dad for serving in the Army for 21 years. I am thankful for a much needed day off of work, too.

North Alabama Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae chapter
One of the things I am most thankful for is my sorority. I had an amazing time in college with amazing girls. A couple of summers ago I got an emails about some ladies trying to reestablish an alumnae chapter. I was struggling to find friends and have a life outside of school. So I went. I had fun but I was a little disappointed that the women involved were older than me. I was hoping for more people my age. Then I remembered that I did enjoy myself and the people that I was with. So I kept going and along the way I really started to like it. I am thankful for those women. I am thankful that I kept going or I would have missed out on some great friendships.

My friends in Madison
I struggled for a long time to make friends in Madison after I moved back. I had friends at school, but they were simply school friends. They weren't the kind of friends to go out to dinner with or go see a movie. They had husbands and kids to take care of. They are wonderful friends and I am very thankful for them. But I wanted more in my friendships. Then back in January I made the choice to get involved at church and find a Sunday school class. That Sunday school class led to joining a small group with other people my age. That led to new friends that I am thankful for.

My relationship with God
I feel like my relationship with God has changed tremendously over the past year. I have grown a lot. I have a better understanding of things. I have a greater sense of peace about my life.

I have a lot to be thankful for :)