I can see clearly now...

Too bad today isn't a "T" day, because I could've come up with a good slogan! But alas, I must settle for just telling you that there are two things that I am thankful for today.
One: I am thankful for the gift of sight, and for modern technology that can correct my sight. I've been wearing glasses since I was in 4th grade. In 9th grade I finally got to make the switch to contacts. I am so grateful for these things that allow me to function in my everyday life. Today I went in for my yearly eye exam. I have been noticing lately that my eyes feel tired, and that I can't seem to focus as quickly as I would like, but other than that I felt like I could see pretty well. The Doc checked everything out and made some adjustments to my prescription. I got home and put in my new contacts and was amazed by the clarity of the world around me. I had been living in a haze of sorts, with the world slightly blurred around me. The thing is, I didn't realize how hazy things were. Now I can see much more clearly, and the haze is gone. It's a miracle what those little adjustments can make. If it weren't so late I would go into a spiritual analogy here, but since it is late, I'll let you come up with your own.
Two: I am thankful that God knows exactly who to send into my life when I need them. Tonight I got to spend some time with my friend Kim. KP is one amazing woman! She has been a stronghold in my life since we were roomies at CEU. KP is someone who willingly points out your strengths when you might not see them, and is fiercely loyal. She is an amazing friend who has always been there for me, and is someone I admire. She is stronger than she knows: I know this because I draw strength from her. Spending time with Kim tonight was a lot like getting adjustments made to my prescription, allowing me to see better. Kim is a great listener, and I really appreciated having her listening ear tonight. I talked her poor ears off, but I feel like some of the life-haze has been lifted, and my sight is more clear.
Basically, I am thankful for the removal of the haze in my life.

American

Tonight my THANKS is a no-brainer: I AM THANKFUL TO BE AN AMERICAN! I am thankful to live in such a great country. I am allowed to be the woman I am, doing the things I do, because I live in the United States of America. I am thankful to have had an opportunity to cast my vote today. The election may not have turned out how I would have liked, but that is what this country is about. I am thankful for my freedom. I am thankful to live in a country where I can practice my religion. I am thankful that Mr. Romney had a chance to show the American public that "Mormons" are not the crazies that we are portrayed as.
"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me. And I'll gladly stand up and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land...GOD BLESS THE USA!"

The Home-Stretch

I am thankful for the chance that I have had, and currently have, to continue my education and get a degree in a field of study that interests me. Sometimes school is crazy, and I have a million assignments all due on the same day, and I don't understand everything, but somehow it all comes together and makes me a better person who will be more prepared to face her future as an educator. The road isn't always easy, and there are plenty of bumps along the way, but there are also smooth patches and pleasantries along the way. Along with being thankful for my education, I am especially thankful that it is almost over! I student teach in January-which is INSANE! It will all work out the way the Lord has planned. I trust Him completely. What a ride this whole experience has been, and all in all, I really am thankful for it.

Power Hour

The past few days I have taken a pretty serious approach to my thankfulness. Today I am going to deviate from that just a little, but please note that I am truly thankful for... Sunday naps. It may sound silly, but it's really what I am thankful for today. There is something special about a Sunday nap that sets it aside from napping on other days. Sunday is a special day set aside by the Lord for us to take a break from the world and recharge our spiritual batteries, and rest from our daily cares and worries. All of this contributes to the peacefulness of the Sunday nap. It's the one day when I can take a nap and not worry about what I should be doing instead, or what I need to do next. I can just sleep peacefully. There are weeks when you just need to shut down for a while, and a Sunday naps allows you to do just that. So silly as it might sound, I am thankful for Sunday naps.

A Snapshot

Today I am thankful for my sister, Jolene. There is no one thing that I can name on it's own, so here's a list (not inclusive): I'm thankful for the way she makes me laugh, the way she listens, the way she laughs at me, the way she laughs with me, the way our minds think so much alike, the way our minds think so differently, the way she can understand what I'm saying even if I am sobbing incoherently, the way she makes me stronger, her wisdom, her faith, her confidence in me, her testimony, her kids, her beauty, her willingness to share her clothes with me (sometimes twice in one day...), her passion and devotion to the things that matter most to her, her good example. This is just a snapshot into why I am thankful for Jolene. She is truly my best friend. I am thankful to have her to look up to!

The Nanny Dance

Today I am thankful for my brother in law, Nic. I spend the weekends at my sister's house to help out with the boys. Tonight I made it just in time to put one boy in bed, give another his first bottle, and spend some time with the oldest. Nic was out helping a friend, so I didn't get to see him until later. When he got home he said, "I just did something kinda funny, and I'm not sure if I should tell you two." We got him to spill: he said that when he pulled into the driveway and saw my car he did a happy dance and said "Nanny's here! Nanny's here!" It feels good to feel so loved and appreciated! Later when I went to take my suitcase to my room I couldn't find it anywhere. I finally did find it downstairs, thanks to Nic. I really love my brother in law and the way he looks out for me. I am thankful for the way he makes me feel like part of his family.

Thanks is for Giving

Life moves at such a fast pace! Here we are, the first day of November, officially entering the 'holiday season." Last year I did one post each day of November in an effort to celebrate THANKSgiving. For those of you who don't know, I served my mission in the South. People joke about how I had to learn a new language down there, and it's true. I have a few favorite Southern words and phrases that make my heart smile. One of them is THANKSgiving. Every Southerner that I know emphasized the THANKS in Thanksgiving. That really struck a chord in my heart, and now that is how I hear the word THANKSgiving. I don't say it quite as fluently as a true Southerner, but I try, and most of all, I try to live it. With that said, this post begins my THANKSgiving.

Today's THANKS is a little selfish: I am thankful for who I am, and who I am becoming. Last week my life got really crazy and I was an emotional mess. I was angry, hurt, sad, and all of that other good stuff. During this time I was thinking that I just wanted to be mad for a while, to hold a grudge. But I knew that those things would not make me happy in the long run. In fact, within 2 days I was ready to forgive and move forward. I was still hurt, but I wanted to move on and feel better. Things are still crazy, and from time to time the tempter tries to get me to be angry or negative. It would be so easy to give in, but then I remember that those are not the things that will make me feel better now, or in the long run. As I pushed aside another temptation to be angry today, I found myself saying "Thank you" to the Lord for shaping me into the person that I am becoming. There was a time in my life when giving in to these feelings would have been easy, but I know better now. I am thankful for the experience that have brought me to where I am today. I am thankful to be me, and I am thankful to have had an opportunity to recognize who that really is for myself. I am also thankful for those who really know me, and who I really am. I know that I have a long way to go before I become who the Lord has planned for me to be, but I am working on it little by little.