Thankful Thursday

First and foremost, I am thankful to anyone reading this post for sticking with me even though I fail at updating regularly. Once again... it's been ages! And I would like to apologize in advance for the random-ness of this post. What follows is a pretty sporadic list of all the things, people, places, etc. that make me smile. Enjoy!

I am thankful for how my schedule worked out concerning Thanksgiving break, allowing me to leave Evansville on Monday evening and stay in Columbus through Sunday night. That's a full SIX days at home with my wonderful family and best friends. Considering I hadn't been home since August, that was a big deal!

I am thankful for the toasty warm apartment that I get to come home to every day after walking home from class in the freezing cold weather. Even if it's a little TOO hot in there most of the time... I know there are way too many people out there who don't have the simple luxury of a warm place to sleep.

I am thankful for the fact that in a mere 15 days, I will be heading back to Columbus once again for Christmas break. Even though I was just there barely 5 days ago, I'm missing home already. Being home for Thanksgiving spoiled me!

I am thankful for my baby sisters, Kelly and Maddie, and for the fact that no matter how bad of a mood I am in, just thinking of their laugh or the little phrases that they say brings a huge, goofy smile to my face.

I am thankful for ALL of my siblings, as a matter of fact... not just the cute baby ones :) Brandon, Amber, Nathan, and Kyle are pretty great too, and I can't wait for Christmas break so we'll have more time to hang out and have fun. Love you guys.

I am thankful for my best friend in the whole entire world: Kirsten Leigh Montgomery. She's pretty fantastic, and I especially love how no matter how much time passes, we can always pick up right where we left off when we reunite.

As nerdy as this will make me sound, I am thankful for Harry Potter. This series is something that has been a part of my life since I was 8 years old... that is WELL over half of my life. I love how even though I have read the majority of the books over 15 times each, I can still pick one up at random, start reading, and be just as enthralled and fascinated as I was the very first time. Reading Harry Potter is so comforting to me, in a way that's different from reading anything else. It just makes me feel like I'm home, no matter how far from Columbus I am. (Speaking of HP: Deathly Hallows, Part 1, was perfect. Absolutely perfect.)

I am thankful for my amazing group of friends here at USI that has carried over from last year. I always get fearful that things will change after being separated for a long time (like this past summer), but that wasn't the case with us, and for that I am grateful. My beautiful roommates, our "boys" from last year, and Hannah and Ryan. The only difference? Kyle's not here. Lame! But that's another thing I'm thankful for- the fact that we're still best friends, even having only seen each other twice since the end of spring semester.

Speaking of that group of friends... I am thankful for new friends, like the guys next door: Jordan, Shane, and Chase. Living in Marshall just wouldn't be the same if I didn't get to come home every day to a greased doorknob, eggs splattered all over the door, pumpkin pie face-down on the patio, and dry rice thrown everywhere. Gotta love their pranks. (Don't worry- we'll get them back. We always do!)

I am thankful for my three jobs: Foreign Language Lab tutor, Aeropostale associate, and private Spanish tutor. I've been so blessed with job opportunities this semester, and I really don't know how I would have gotten by without the stability of regular paychecks.

I am thankful for the way God has calmed my stresses and worries over the past few months. It's so easy to say that when things are just fine and dandy, but it's pretty amazing when you can stay positive through some pretty frustrating things... like your laptop being on its last leg, dealing with relationship troubles, and your car not running... yes, again. I refuse to break down like I did last month, though! I've been praying for the strength to focus on the positives in my life and so far, I think it's working. So a HUGE thank you to God for that one.

I am thankful that I've almost made it through the first semester of my sophomore year of college, and that I managed to stay on top of everything (for the most part).

Going back to the job thing, I am thankful that I was able to work at the Edinburgh Aero a few times over Thanksgiving break. I actually look forward to working at that store! I love everybody I work with, which makes for a great atmosphere. I'm excited to go back over Christmas break.

I am thankful for my mommy and daddy, and for all of the sacrifices and hard work they have contributed to our family. I honestly couldn't ask for better parents, and these two people are yet another reason why I am super excited to be back home for break.

There are a million other things I could list here... Things that bring me joy, things that brighten my day, things that make me feel downright blessed out the wazoo. I could type and type forever when it comes to things I thank God for every day. But I think I'll just leave it at this because I know I've already typed a novel. And I pray that you all take the time each and every day to focus on everything you have to be grateful for, despite how many stressors and hardships you're facing at the time. It'll make you feel a whole lot more positive about everything... I promise :)