pork chops

I loooove pork chops. So random, I know, but they are one of my favorites for dinner! I am thankful for good 'ole pork chops with a little seasoning and then pan fried (or even better, with shake and bake like from my childhood!). I am thankful for the delicious pork chops we had for dinner tonight!

little reminders....

I was doing my bible study homework on thankfulness (You know I love this week's chapter!) when I had one of the most amazing "aha" moments with God.  It was talking about how He sometimes uses times of tragedy to allow us to later comfort someone who is going through similar.  I instantly thought of a girl I went to high school with who had lost her brother in a car accident.  A couple of years later, when my ex boyfriend Matt was also killed in a car accident, she reached out to me and sent me some books that had helped her as well as a journal to write to him in.  It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone could have done for me in a time when most people didn't know what to say.  As I was reading "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, I instantly thought of her and knew I needed to contact her and tell her (10 years later) just how much that meant to me and what an impression it made on me. 
I am thankful for the little reminders God gives us in life for what to be thankful for- even 10 years later.

Morning Burst face wash

My alarm goes off at 5:45 every morning and I absolutely hate the sound of it.  No matter how early I go to bed, that always feels insanely early to me.  That is why I love my face wash.  I use the Morning Burst Clean and Clear kind, and it has a citrus scent to it that somehow help me wake up each morning.  Sounds strange I know, but as I was in the shower this morning, I realized that I am thankful for my face wash and the little burst of energy it gives me.  Because trust me, when you get up that early every day, you need any help you can get!

Yes, I do realize that I totally sound like a Clean and Clear commercial right now... haha!

Blueberry crunchcakes

We went to J Christophers after breakfast and I got what I personally think is the best thing on their menu, the blueberry crunchcakes.  They are blueberry pancakes with granola in them and they are to die for!  I am thankful for this splurge breakfast that I rarely have and how yummy they were!

new shelf

I got the most adorable new shelf for my kitchen from this antique store, Queen of Hearts.  My mom and I put it up in my kitchen yesterday (we had to move my chalkboard to the other side of it, but it looks so cute all together!).  I still have to fill one of the drawers; I think I am going to put some of my grandmother's silverware in it.  I am also going to put round chalkboard labels on all the drawers and label them...In case you can't tell what is is them, it is napkin rings and napkins so far. I am also going to hang some dried lavender from the last hook.  I am thankful for my cute new kitchen shelf!

health

I had my physical on Friday and it got me thinking...  Unless something is wrong, our health is something we really take for granted.  I am very thankful for the fact that I am healthy and have no health issues besides the minor day to day things that everyone goes through.  I pray that I stay thankful for my health and do not take it for granted!

Spinach Mushroom Quiche

I made a crustless spinach mushroom quiche this week for my breakfast as a way to help get my 3 servings of veggies a day in, and I must say it was so yummy!  You grease a pie pie and then put thawed and drained spinach on the bottom.  Saute sliced mushrooms and garlic and layer on top of the spinach.  Mix together milk (I think 1 cup) and 4 eggs (I used just the whites and it worked just as well) with a little parmesan cheese and pour on top.  Top the whole thing with some mozzarella and bake at 350 for 45 min to an hour.  I am thankful for this make ahead and delicious breakfast that helped me get my veggies in!

birds singing in the morning

Lately I have been waking up to birds singing in the morning, which is such a pleasant sound! I am thankful to be hearing birds sing and for the fact that it means spring must be around the corner!

Cortisone shot

So, as I mentioned in my post about ice packs, I somehow hurt my shoulder.  Turns out I have tendinitis which was caused in one way or another by the fact that I have unstable, loose joints (I never knew!)  I got a cortisone shot in my rotators cuff at the orthopedist's office and I am very thankful for the relief it brought me!

four day weekends

I am thankful for four day weekends.  They give you a chance to regroup, get caught up on sleep, and make it for the next few weeks until Spring Break!

ice packs

I hurt my shoulder somehow... (see future blog post about it), so I am thankful for ice packs and the relief they bring to inflammation!

sweatshirts

I could live in sweatshirts in the winter time, especially on the weekends.  To me there is nothing more cozy than a sweatshirt and a pair of leggings or pajama pants!  I am thankful for my comfy, cozy sweatshirts that I can lay around in and be lazy!

Friends in town

Our friends Micheal and Jenna came in town and stayed with us last Friday!  Micheal is one of Richie's best friends from college and Jenna is one of my best friends from college and they are dating.  Pretty fun, huh?! Jenna got in town early enough to go to dinner with us and then we met Micheal back at the house and just hung out Friday night.  Saturday we hung out while the boys watched basketball and then they went downtown for the evening.  I am so thankful to have them as friends and am glad we got to spend some time with them while they were in town!

Forgiveness

The bible study I am currently doing is about learning how to really pray, and how to develop a quiet time with God.  The chapters we have been studying have been about confessing our sins to God, acknowledging that they are wrong, and then accepting that they are forgiven.  I don't know about you, but one of the things I have always had the hardest time understanding is that we are instantly forgiven once we  truly confess to our sins.  I think the reason I have such a hard time with it is because we are human and we want to hold grudges, so forgiveness takes so much work for us.  The bible tells us it is true though, so I know that it is.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9  I am so, so thankful that we have a Lord who is willing to wipe our slate clean every time we mess up.  All we have to do is ask Him. How amazing is that??

pink roses

Richie and I decided not to exchange gifts this year for Valentines Day since we have been travelling so much lately and are continuing to this summer.  However, my sweet, sweet husband still had beautiful pink roses for me when I got home on Valentines Day.  I am thankful for my pink flowers (and for my wonderful hubby!)

Homemade Lasagna (and not by me!)

I had the sweetest parent in my class bring me half a pan of homemade lasagna and brownies to school on Valentine's Day!  I had some for lunch and then brought it home and that was mine and Richie's Valentine's dinner as well.  It was soooo delicious, and the best part was that I didn't have to make it!  I am so incredibly thankful for thoughtful gestures like that.  They really make a huge difference in your day and week.  When I am a parent and have kids in school, I am going to remember to do little things like that for my kids' teachers!

my water cup

I drink a ton of water during the day and this is totally showing my dorky side, but I am thankful for my super-cute water cup that I take to school!  I alternate between this one and big Tervis Tumblers, but every time I take this one, it just makes me smile.

Isn't it cute??

Love is in the air!

You will have to forgive me for getting incredibly behind again... I am having to go back about two weeks to make up for my non-blogging! Oops!

I have incredibly exciting news for this post though!  My best friend Brittany is engaged!!!!    She and her fiance Zack and dated off and on since we have been in college and he is a wonderful guy and they are so happy and perfect together!  They are getting married August 18 (my parents anniversary!) and I am beyond thrilled for the two of them!  I am so thankful that my best friend (and twin!) has found the man she is going to spend the rest of her life with.  I know that he will make her so happy and for that, I am truly thankful!

Highlights

Believe it or not, my hair isn't completely naturally this color.. haha :)  I went today to get highlights that I have desperately been needing to get and I feel so much better now!  So shallow, I know, but I figure most girls highlight their hair.  I am thankful for highlights and the difference they can make in your "natural" hair color!

Valentine's Party

We had our class Valentine's party yesterday and it went wonderfully.  My kids were all well behaved, most of the parents came, and everyone seemed to have a great time!  We had a snack station, a Bingo center, and then they made adorable sand art heart necklaces, and then decorated frames that had their pictures in them with hearts.  All in all, a great party!  I am thankful for our fun Valentine's party!

pajama day!

My kids filled up their PLAINS chart (a behavior incentive we do at my school), so I let them pick their reward and they picked a pajama day, which I was very happy about!  I am thankful for pajama days at school so I don't have to think about what to wear to work and so I can be cozy and comfy all day...I just can't run any errands on the way home! :)

Walking the dogs

Wednesday was such a beautiful day out, that I wanted to take Wrigley for a run after school.  However, we are watching my parents dog Bo while they are on a cruise, so I felt really guilty taking Wrigs and not him.  So, I decided since it was so pretty I would do both!  I took Wrigley for a run around the neighborhood and then came back and took Bo on a walk (he's 13- a little too old for a run) around the neighborhood.  I am thankful for an excuse (make that two excuses) to get out of the house on a beautiful day!

Smoothies

We are doing a fitness challenge at school and one of the components is to eat 3 serving of veggies and 3 servings of fruit each day.  One of way I am getting my fruit is to have a smoothie for breakfast.  I have been making it the night before, so all I have to do is reblend to save on time, and it tastes just as good that way!  To make my yummy smoothie, you need: 1/2 cup oj, 1 3/4 cup low fat plain Greek yogurt, 1 sliced banana, 1 cup strawberries (I use frozen. Way cheaper and it give the smoothie an icy component without adding ice), 1 cup blueberries(also frozen), and 1 tbsp honey.  Blend.  It makes about 3 smoothies- just keep it in the blender in the refrigerator until the next morning and re-blend for a couple of seconds.  I am thankful to get most of my fruit servings for the day in my breakfast smoothie!

Homemade Tomato Soup

I got very ambitious this weekend and made homemade tomato basil soup to take for lunch each day.  It was surprisingly easy, very healthy, and so yummy!! 
In a pot, you combine, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 lbs roma tomatoes cut into wedges, diced celery, diced onion, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tbsp basil.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 min.  Put 1/2 the soup in blender and blend until you get desired textured.  Repeat with rest of soup.  Here's the key to making it absolutely divine- Just before eating, add a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt.  It gives it some creaminess, but still keeps it healthy. Soooooo good!!!!  I am thankful for the homemade tomato soup that I had each day for lunch last week!

Ryan and Megan!

I am so, so, so excited about this post!  My wonderful brother-in-law, Ryan, got engaged last Sunday!!  They went hiking and he proposed while they were up there and then we all went to dinner that night (Richie and I and his parents and her parents and one of her sisters, and of course the newly engaged couple!)  They have been dating for a while now, so we have all been waiting for it to happen and I am so thrilled for the two of them!  I am very thankful for my brother-in-law Ryan, who is a very caring, strong guy and I am am beyond happy that he has found someone to spend the rest of his life with.  I am also very thankful for mine and Richie's soon-to-be new sister-in-law Megan!!  :) Yay!!!!

"crush" on my husband

So I came across this adorable idea on someone's facebook and did it as a random surprise for Richie after going to the grocery store.  I bought a bottle of the soda Crush and just wrote on it "I have a CRUSH on you."  Super cheesy, I know, but I feel like in a marriage sometimes you need to do those cheesy little things!  He thought it was cute and thoroughly enjoyed his orange soda this week.  I am thankful for the fact that after 3 1/2 years of marriage, I do still have "crush" on my husband!

shrimp quesadillas

I love, love, love Mexican food.  We went to a Mexican restaurant near our house, Cheeky's, with some friends last Friday (yes, I am that far behind on my posts) and I had the yummiest dinner.  I had a shrimp, spinach, and mushroom quesadilla.  Absolutely delicious!  I am thankful for shrimp quesadillas and a night out with friends!

Groundhog's Day

I am way behind again, hence why I am just now thankful for Groundhogs Day! Such a silly holiday to be thankful for, I know, but let me give you my reason.  While I love "winter gear" (boots, coats, and scarves), I really don't like being cold all that much.  So, I love the optimism that Groundhog;s Day can bring when he doesn't see his shadow and I can see Spring in the very near future!  As I told my students this year, the national groundhog did see his shadow, but our GA one didn't, so I am going to stick with him.  Here we come, Spring!

Spirit Day

The first school day of the month is Spirit Day, which means we can wear jeans and a Creek View shirt or Creek View colors.  I am thankful for spirit days and the chance to be casual in the middle of the week every now and then!

Monogram Necklace

I love all things monogram. I have been wanting a monogram necklace for a while now, but it wasn't something that I was going to just go out and get for myself.  I was completely shocked to get one from my parents for Christmas (especially since we weren't supposed to be doing Christmas gifts since we were going skiing!)  I am pretty sure I have worn it every single day (with the exception of maybe 3) since I got it because I love it so much and it goes with absolutely everything!  I am thankful for my adorable monogram necklace!

"Our house is blessed..."sign

While we were in Breckenridge, I saw a little sign that was absolutely perfect for my house!  If you know Richie and I, you know that Wrigley is our baby, so as soon as I saw this sign in a store, I knew I had to get it!

I am thankful for this cute little sign and for the fact that it makes me smile every time I see it!