Thursday, November 30, 2017

Apples and peanut butter.

November 30, 2017
Day 421

     Thankful for a good Thursday. Thankful that tomorrow is Friday. And the weekend is coming. Thankful for Christmas music. For hot tea with honey. For apples and peanut butter. Thankful that Higbee is feeling better. Thankful for bedtime.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Because this love exists...

November 29, 2017
Day 420

     Thankful for the peaceful still and quiet of night. Thankful for sharp, cool air to breathe in. Thankful that when Higbee and I go out at night to walk, there are no other people. Just him and me and the stars. When it's still out, I realize how much noise he makes when he's sniffing at spots on the ground.

     Thankful for hugs that I don't deserve. Thankful for this home and this life that I don't deserve. When I think about it...when I really think on things, I don't deserve any good thing. Not one of us does. But good things are given anyways because there is grace. There is mercy. There is compassion. There is a love so deep and so high and so far and so wide that exists. And because this love exists, there are good things.

     I start to think about the good things when there are too many sad things trying to crowd out the lovely and the admirable. When there are no answers, I turn to this:

     There is good. There is love. There is grace. There is mercy. There are things lovely. There are things admirable. There are miracles. There are wonders to behold.

     I am thankful.
   

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Thankful for:

November 28, 2017
Day 419

Thankful for:

Dinners of tea and toast.

Hot tea with honey.

A sleeping, peaceful Higbee. He has terrible skin allergies and was miserable for days. We went to the vet and got him all fixed up. He's been sleeping since we got home and it's so nice to see him resting comfortably.

My sister. She's the greatest. She helps me with anything I need.

Texts from people I love.

Calls from people I love.

Dates to look forward to.

My bed.

My sweet babes. They are so beautiful and sweet and wonderful.

Tomorrow is Wednesday.

Bedtime.

Monday, November 27, 2017

The steady and constant glow.

November 27, 2017
Day 418

     Why is it that this time of year comes so quickly? It's a whirlwind while it's here, and then it's over. Is it the anticipation? The to-do list? The flashing lights and the insatiable desire to trim the tree and set the house up just so?

     My dad always hated flashing Christmas lights. I never agreed with him until recently, and now I despise them. He thinks they make Christmas seem commercialized, and I think he's right. Christmas isn't about flashing lights. The first Christmas boasted the steady and constant glow of a star.

     My hope for this Christmas is that I would ignore the flashing lights and the urge to set the house up just so. My hope is that I would let this Christmas burn bright and slow and steady and constant. Like the star over Bethlehem on the very first Christmas. I don't want to feel overwhelmed with things to do this season. I want to feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude because Christmas means I can feel the thrill of hope.

     I'm looking forward to the steady glow of this season.
     I'm thankful for moments of clarity.
     I'm thankful for the gift of Christmas.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Sunday spent outside.

November 26, 2017
Day 417

     It was a good Sunday. We went to my parent's house and spent the day outside. It is always good to spend an entire day outside. It doesn't happen as often as it should. But when it does, I feel refreshed and invigorated. The sky was electric blue. The leaves were a burnt orange and brown color. We had leftovers. We looked at my dad's rock collection. He has a bunch of really beautiful stones that he polished himself. We spent a long time looking at them. I went grocery shopping with my dad. It was a great Thanksgiving break. I'm sad it's over, but now we have Christmas to look forward to. Looking forward to a new week.

     Thankful.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

My robes are white.

November 25, 2017
Day 416

We have each other.

We have our babies.

We have our families.

We have a home with sturdy walls.

We have food to eat.

We have clothes to wear.

We have a funny dog.

We have two working vehicles.

We have books to read.

We have luxuries like tea to drink, and cookies for dessert.

We have good jobs.

We have things to decorate with for Christmas.

We have places to get a hot shower.

We have a comfortable bed and warm blankets.

We have a nice television in our room.

We have love.

These things seem so elementary, but we are blessed. We are so blessed in fact that our everyday blessings seem more like things we've earned instead things that we've been gifted. I'm here to say this: I know I couldn't have done anything good enough to deserve Adelyn and Tobin and this sweet life we share together. I know Adelyn and Tobin were gifted to me. As were all my countless blessings. They were gifted to me by a God who doesn't see me as I should be seen.

My robes are white.

Thankful.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Friday night fire pit.

November 24, 2017
Day 415

     Thankful for the most relaxing Friday ever. We spent the day with family. We ate good food. We talked. We laughed. And we ended our day by the fire pit. I love watching the embers glow and burn. It was cold out but warm by the heat of the fire. The kids like to ride bikes at night and then come warm up by the fire. Thankful for the best Friday! Thankful for two more days off with my loves. This Thanksgiving break has been glorious.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Thanksgiving.

November 23, 2017
Day 414

     Today was great. We spent the day with family. We visited Matt's family for a while in the afternoon. And we had dinner at Patty's. Dinner was amazing. It was so good to laugh and be with family today. Days spent with family make me happy. Thankful for the best family. Thankful for amazing food. Thankful for days set aside for giving thanks.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Electric with light and color.

November 22, 2017
Day 413

Today was lovely. I was home. It was windy and cold. And the sky was blue.

Tobin is feeling better.

I took the bigs and the littles out for milkshakes. Bigs: Casey and Adelyn. Littles: Tobin and Phia.

I picked up venison today. A student of mine and his father go hunting often, but they don't eat venison. So guess who gets to reap the benefits? Mrs. Sanderson! I cannot wait to have a venison roast! And when I was driving to pick it up, the sky was electric with light and color. I couldn't stop staring at it.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving!

We had a showing today so my house is super clean.

Thankful for God's blessings. 


Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Thanksgiving Feast at School.

November 21, 2017
Day 412

Today was the Thanksgiving feast at school. It was a fun day.

I have Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. I am so excited to be home with my babies.

Patty said she would help me grade papers this weekend.

I'm going to play Christmas music and clean and prep for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Tobin is doing much better. God is healing him.

I'm very ready for bed. I'm thankful, so thankful for my bed and bedtime.

Thankful. 

Monday, November 20, 2017

A fine Monday.

November 20, 2017
Day 411

     Thankful for the light in the sunrise each morning. Thankful for the cold air. Thankful for recess time with my teacher friends. Thankful that tomorrow is the last day of school before Thanksgiving break. I love Thanksgiving. Thankful for time to sleep. I've been very sleepy lately.

Thankful. 

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Stay at home Sunday.

November 19, 2017
Day 410

It was warm and cozy in our home.

I made delicious chicken soup.

I made a big pot of chicken soup. It was delicious.

I'm falling asleep while I'm writing, so I'm to go to bed now.

It was a cozy, relaxing, stay at home Sunday.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Victories.

November 18, 2017
Day 409

     Tobin has been sick today. But God has been good to him. When we went to the doctor, and she listened to his lungs, she said they sounded, "beautiful." I believe God is going to heal Tobin completely of his breathing issues. It was cold and windy outside, but it was warm and cozy in our home. Adelyn got a certificate in the mail from her baptism. She was very excited about it. Tobin and I got to lay in bed, and relax together today. My grandfather was sick, but he's doing much better now. Thankful for victories today.

Friday, November 17, 2017

This day was good.

November 17, 2017
Day 408

This day was good. 

It's Friday. Tomorrow I get to be home with my loves. 

God is good to me and he's good to my family.

I went out to a concert with a friend and it was amazing. So powerful. 

I'm exhausted. It's time to sleep. 

Thankful. Grateful. 

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Four.

November 16, 2017
Day 407

Thankful for a very good Thursday.

Thankful that tomorrow is Friday.

Thankful that God is good to me.

Thankful for bedtime.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

True Sentences.

November 15, 2017
Day 406

     Whenever I'm having trouble writing, I think of this direction: "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know."

     This day was good.

     I'm grateful that my husband loves me so madly.

     Adelyn and Tobin are the sweetest when I'm kissing them goodnight.

     I talked with Patty for more than five minutes today, and it fed my soul. I need to be with her.

     Higbee smells good. He smells comforting. When I feel less than completely calm, I smell Higbee.

     I love writing in bed with my husband snoring next to me, my favorite show on, and a big mug of hot tea sitting on the nightstand beside me.

     I am excited for Thanksgiving.

     My students are so silly. They are so silly that sometimes, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's what I did today. It's fun to be silly.

    I totally bribe my students into behaving with candy. Hershey's Kisses to be exact. When I pull those things out, they are different kids.

     Matt, the kids, and I have started this new thing during dinner where we tell jokes and see who can guess riddles. I'm pretty good at riddles.

     My dad sent me a picture of a turducken sitting in his fridge. He is a true chef. Already preparing for Thanksgiving more than a week in advance.

     I had a good night at home with Matt.

     Tomorrow is Thursday. That means the next day is Friday.

     Higbee sleeps in bed with us, and it makes me so happy.

   
     These are true sentences.
     Thankful. 

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Productive Day.

November 14, 2017
Day 405

Today was a productive day. It was long, but it was good.

Tobin was very cuddly today.

Adelyn helped me out this morning with packing her bookbag and Tobin's bookbag.

It was a good day at school.

Higbee likes to cuddle at night.

Matt always kisses me hello.

It's bedtime, and I'm exhausted. So I'm ready and thankful for bed.

Monday, November 13, 2017

Bright Spots.

November 13, 2017
Day 404

It was cold today.

I made a chickenless chicken and vegetable soup for dinner. I love soup.

Higbee was happy to see me when I came home today.

Adelyn and Tobin both got great report cards.

It's not even 8 o'clock, and I'm in bed. That fact makes me happy and thankful.

Next week is a short week. I cannot wait to have time off with my family for Thanksgiving.

I have soup for lunch tomorrow. It's so good to have something warm and cozy and comforting to eat for lunch.

I found pretty rocks on the playground today. Both Adelyn and Tobin have rock collections in their rooms.

I played Christmas music today during dismissal, and because it was cold out, it felt Christmassy, and I felt excited.

It's time for bed.


This day was rough for me for some reason. I felt frustrated. I felt dissatisfied. I felt irritable. I felt like screaming sometimes. But even though this day was tough, there were still more things to be thankful for than to complain about. I'm thankful for the bright spots in this day. Bright spots shine brighter when the days are gloomy and dark.

Thankful. 

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Four things and some pictures.

November 12, 2017
Day 403

     Thankful for the spectacular gift of the sunrise on the beach this morning. It was incredible. It was breathtaking. I love to think that no matter what is going on in the world, there are incredible sunrises happening all over the place.

     Thankful for a fun drive back from the beach with my love.

     Thankful for seashells.

     Thankful for bedtime. I'm beyond exhausted.




Saturday, November 11, 2017

Adventuring!

November 11, 2017
Day 402

     Today was wonderful. We went adventuring! We took the ferry over to Ocracoke Island, and we went beach combing. I found some lovely conch shells. We ate delicious food. We laughed a lot. We saw another gorgeous sunset sky. We talked about our favorite moments of this trip over dinner. My favorite thing about this trip has been laughing with Matt. So often life gets so busy and hectic that we forget to take time to have fun and laugh with each other. It has been so good to laugh with Matt, to have fun with Matt, and to joke with Matt. We have been laughing this entire weekend. I am beyond thankful for the time I got to spend with my love these past few days.

     This trip has been so good for my soul.
     Thankful.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Mad Love

November 10, 2017
Day 401

     This day was filled with all things lovely and beautiful and cozy and relaxing and old. New things are good. But old things have soul. Old things like old houses. Old things like the same beaches we have been visiting for many years now. Old things like a relationship that has been around for almost 18 years.

     There was laughter and talking and kissing and cuddling today. There was beach walking, and beach combing, and beach gazing. There was sunset marveling. There was delicious food. There was wind. There were movies. There was quiet and stillness. There was the sound of waves pounding and splashing.

     This day was good for my soul. And I am thankful to God for giving it to me. I am thankful for my sweet love, Matt. He loves me so madly. And I am unworthy of such love and devotion and dedication.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Rodanthe.

November 9, 2017
Day 400

Matt and I just arrived at our home away from home in Rodanthe for the long weekend. The drive was fun, but long. I am exhausted, but I can smell the ocean. I can hear it roaring outside our window. And I can see the white caps crashing even in the dark. I cannot wait to get my feet in the sand tomorrow.

Thankful. 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Salutations!

November 8, 2017
Day 399

Tomorrow, I get to drive away to the beach with my love after school.

Tomorrow is dress like your favorite book character day in 3rd grade. I'm going as Charlotte. I think I'll wear a name tag that says, "Salutations!"

It's not even 9, and I'm calling it a night. There are days when one just needs to sleep.

Tobin told me the other day that I was the love of his heart.

Adelyn didn't want to stop reading tonight. She kept asking for one more chapter.  I know how she feels.

Higbee was very happy to come home today. He spent the day at Patty's because we had a showing. I like when he's happy to come home because it makes me feel like even if he is a wild coyote, he still loves us.

I cuddled with Matt for a long time in bed last night and it was the coziest cuddle I've ever had.

It was cold today. And it felt glorious.

I spoke with my mom and dad several times today. I love talking with my parents.

Thankful. 

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Dreary, lovely day.

November 7, 2017
Day 398

     This day was a gift. It was cold and rainy and dreary. We stayed inside and ate good food and watched shows and cuddled. I did school work. Tobin slept in and stayed in his pajamas until about 3. I love these kind of days. I love watching the rain fall on the leaves outside the window. I'm thankful for this warm home, and our cozy blankets and beds. I'm thankful for Higbee even though most days he acts like a crazy coyote. My mom is convinced he is actually part coyote. This is a short week. And it's bedtime.

     Thankful. 

Monday, November 6, 2017

Cozy and quiet and restful.

November 6, 2017
Day 397

     This day was stressful, but this evening was cozy and quiet and restful. I took a shower, and then I took a bath. Matt and I put the kids to bed, and then we laid in bed and watched a chick flic.

     I'm exhausted, so I'm going to bed. It was a good day. Love my husband and my family.

Thankful

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Lovely Sunday.

November 5, 2017
Day 396

I spent the day with family.

We had a lovely brunch this morning.

We spent the afternoon quietly. Napping. Folding laundry.

We read books.

I'm exhausted. I'm so thankful it's a longish weekend.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Drop Biscuits.

November 4, 2017
Day 395

     This day was wonderful. Adelyn made us breakfast this morning. It consisted of 1/4 of banana each, one piece of cold bread from the fridge, some sunflower seeds, and water. She likes to take care of people. I feel blessed and privileged to call her my daughter. We went to Cox Farms. It was a great day for it. The kids had a blast. It was perfect weather to be out today. We got some delicious treats like ice cream cones and kettle corn. I especially loved seeing the baby cows. They have the prettiest, most gentle eyes, and the most feathery eyelashes. Tobin still asks to be held when he's tired. That always makes me happy because it makes me feel like the baby part of him is not yet gone forever. One day, it will be. We came home and rested. I actually took a nap in bed under the covers. Taking a nap in bed under the covers is a much different nap than one on the couch. I would call a nap in bed under the covers, a formal nap. We had a delicious and hearty dinner on this chilly, rainy night; homemade chicken and stars soup with drop biscuits. Drop biscuits are the informal version of regular cut and rolled biscuits, but they're my favorite. They remind me of the word, home. After dinner, we worked on puzzles. We watched shows. I had many a cup of tea with honey. And now I'm watching an old movie in bed with the sound of the falling rain as my company.

     It was a very good day. And I am thankful for it.

Friday, November 3, 2017

Thoughts Flying.

November 3, 2017
Day 394

I came home to a clean house thanks to a showing this afternoon and Matt being off today. It worked out perfectly for me. :)

The sunrise was simply breathtaking this morning.




I am so so so excited for Christmas this year. Christmas is so full of magic and wonder and all things good and lovely. 

I love writing in my bedroom with the windows wide open so I can see the sky. I wish I could swim in the sky. And I love writing with Higbee laying at my feet. There must be something about thoughts flying that attracts dogs. Roxy laid on my feet every night while I wrote. And now Higbee does the same thing. Sometimes, I get so lonely for Roxy. The other day, I thought for a second that I saw her laying on the floor, but it was just a black jacket. I need not be sad for her. I know she's in heaven. God wouldn't make dogs so soulful if He had no intention of bringing them home to be with Him. 

Matt's going to a movie tonight, so I get to lay in bed and watch whatever girly movie I want without feeling silly about crying about the sad parts. 

I'm currently watching Little Women for the second time this week. I'm not even ashamed to say it. I'm feeling a burning desire to go to China Grove Court, pop some popcorn, and watch Little Woman in the basement with my sister. My mom would call us up for dinner in the middle of the movie. Dinner would be roasted turkey breast, rice, and salad.

We had a dinner of appetizers tonight. And I don't care because it's Friday night. It was good, and it was an easy clean up. 

Next week will be an easy week. The students are off Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. And on Wednesday and Thursday, I'm holding a writer's workshop. We will spend two whole days writing about what we are thankful for. I'm excited. 

Thankful. 

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Thursday Nights.

November 2, 2017
Day 393

Thursday night means that Friday is tomorrow. And Friday means the weekend is coming.

I love Thursday nights.

The cool breeze was lovely at recess today. The sun was warm, and the breeze was cool.

I'm exhausted, and my bed is so cozy, so I'm going to sleep now.

Thankful. 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Little Women

November 1, 2017
Day 392

I love the first day of a new month. And I love the way November feels in your mouth when you say it. 

Patty and I went shopping together tonight. I love being with my sister. She's my home in human form. 

There are all kinds of delicious things in my fridge right now. I love having delectable things to eat. Things like homemade soup, guacamole, hummus, pink lady apples, and almond butter. 

I talked with my cousin Jen tonight. I love talking with Jen. Since I was a young girl, I've always looked up to her as one of the coolest people I know. 

Higbee has been cuddling in bed with me lately, and I love it. 

I stayed up late to make soup and watch Little Women. 

Thankful.