FIVE more things I am Thankful For

In honor of it being the 15th day of November, and recently posting ten things that I am thankful for, here are five MORE things that I am truly thankful for too:

My car. It's an old hoopty, but my Sophie baby <I named her for her gray mousey color> is still full of life. Just recently she started making crazy weird noises. It sounded like a shovel dragging on the ground, underneath my car. I traded vehicles with my dad for an evening, and being the wonderful father and mechanic that he is, he quickly identified that my front break pads were worn out. So he immediately placed a parts order and plans to fix Sophie today! This car is my lifeline. She gets me from point A to point B every day. In fact, she's been supporting my travels and getting me to places safely since 2008. Times are hard monetarily, and I truly do not have money to purchase a new car. So I am prayerful that Sophie will continue to last and grind until I am in a position where I can afford to purchase a new vehicle. Until then, I will treat Sophie like the queen that she is!

Living on my own. It's been a blessing to live on my own for the past two years, in my OWN apartment! There are challenges that have come with this new experience (i.e. trying to balance paying my bills and having a life) but I LOVE my little home. It's my favorite place to retreat to at night. And I love the layout, appliances and decor! God truly had a dream bigger than what I had for myself when he blessed me with this place. The story of how this brand new, never been lived in before, apartment fell into my life is truly a testament of "what God has for you, is for YOU." I praise God everyday for my humble abode. And I am trying to cherish every moment of this living experience and opportunity, because one day I may fall in love again, get married and start a family. If those things come to pass, I will never again be able to enjoy the sacredness of a space/place being entirely yours.

My brother. Tony is one of the coolest kids I know. I admire his passion for soccer and skateboarding. His independence. His individuality. His love of music and all things philosophical. His sense of humor. His lack of rhythm. His compassion for others. His innocence. And his slug like pace at life. Tony is one of a kind and I am so thankful that he is my brother, to tease and joke with, to have deep serious conversations with, and to have my back if I were to ever need it.

Stacy Whipp. She is one of the first people I met when I began my teaching career. In fact, she IS the first person I met at WMES. Over the past four years, she has become one of my dearest girlfriends. She is the older sister that I never had. She's someone who I can always have a good laugh or a good cry with. She listens and understands. She always gives great advice. She is funny and spunky and upbeat. We love to go dancing or drinking or shopping - regardless of the activity, it's always a great time! She's been there fore me during some of my darkest hours throughout my teaching career, always to pick me back up when I didn't think I could last another day in this profession. I am beyond thankful for her and I truly believe God crossed our paths for a reason!

My sister Michelle. We do not always see eye to eye. We often get on one another's nerves. However I am truly grateful for this young lady. She has a great sense of humor - most of the time - and keeps the atmosphere light <sometimes> ha-ha. She has good fashion sense and an impeccable ability for creating art. She puts of with my shenanigans (all of them) and is always cheering me on as I pursue new endeavors in life. It's great to know that one day we will raise our children together, and that no matter what happens, we will always be there for one another. There's no greater gift then a sister having a sister to grow old with.