Fall...

It is FINALLY fall! I love this time of the year. Football games and changing leaves, cool nights and warm days, some sort of a routine for my life and ultimate Frisbee tournaments. It means sweaters and boots, crunchy leaves and apple cider. It means preparations for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. I love how the focus for almost the entire month of November can be on being thankful, and no one complains. I have my students, during every school day in November, write in their "Thankful Journal". They have to write a paragraph about one different thing they are thankful for each day. Eventually, they get to be a little silly (pencils, nail polish, etc.) but it forces them to be creative because they then have to tell me WHY they are thankful for it. Usually, every students writes about school. They are the sweetest little kids ever, sometimes! I've always wanted to do that "Thankful Every Day" post on Facebook but I always worry that I'll forget someone in one of the posts and their feelings will be hurt. Dumb, I know, but everyone takes Facebook so seriously nowadays :( So I think I'll just start making a thankful list on here and I'll update it throughout the month. I'll be sure to denote the updates at the bottom! *I'm thankful for my family. I'm so lucky to have the mom, brothers, and sisters-in-law that I do. Whether it is a phone call, picture, or simple text message, they know how to make me smile each and every day. They listen, support, encourage, love, support, and challenge me in their own individual ways. *I'm thankful for friends. Having friends all over the world makes it difficult to maintain those relationships sometimes. But with their patience, understanding, and flexibility, we're able to catch up and stay close. Their willingness to meet up on a short notice makes life adventurous and interesting. *I'm thankful for great co-workers, both at school and at the PD. They make the rough days go smoother, and the great days even more exciting. They take care of me when I won't take care of myself. With a hug, laugh, or listening ear, they help me stay sane within the crazy environments I work in. *I'm thankful for the time change (I think). Aside from it allowing me to work an extra hour, it will be SO nice not having to start the school day in the semi-dark. It makes it really hard for the students and me to get up in the mornings when it is still so dark out. *I'm thankful for employment. Yes, I complain about both jobs from time to time. Yes, both jobs stress me out occasionally. But I'm so lucky that I have not one, but two jobs that I love doing and that they are willing to work with the other's schedule.