Lyssa

In costume for her high school's production of "Hello, Dolly" last week

I love my baby sister!!!!!!!! Alyssa is 7 years younger than me and 5 years younger than Brad--a surprise addition to our family. I remember putting my head on Mom's tummy waiting to feel Lyssa move around inside. When she was born, I was so excited and wanted her all to myself. Unfortunately, when they came home from the hospital, I was sick and wasn't allowed to hold Lyssa for a few devastatingly upsetting days. :) Lyssa is my favorite and only sister. In some ways I helped raise her, and I love to see her learn, grow and progress. She is a very fun loving, talented, goofy, thoughtful, happy, spiritual, intelligent girl who I am proud to call my sister. I am so grateful to have her in my life!!!

What a cutie!!! :)

Leaders

I am grateful for inspired leaders who give wise council.

Worth it

Sometimes it's worth taking a risk, even if the potential to experience incredible hurt or disappointment exists. Do I have trepidations? Yes. But the potential for good in the experience outweighs any possible negative effects. I'm taking a leap of faith, trusting that I will not fall but fly.

1st SNOW!!!!

When the weather is like this, I am grateful for hot chocolate, indoor heating, rain-boots, new coats, and soft warm blankets!!! :)

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Kim and Brownies

I'm super duper grateful for Kim and our friendship. And I'm glad for the brownie sundae we made: brownies topped with ice cream and adorned with more brownies! Made me happy!!! :)

Love

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." -melody Beattie

I am grateful for friends and family who help me talk through the problems and challenges in my life--and who still love me despite my weaknesses and fears.

The Gratitude Experience

When my parents first got divorced, a friend told me about a gratitude journal which they kept. Everyday my friend wrote down simple things that she was grateful for. I thought it was a good idea, so for several months I kept a gratitude journal. It made a big difference in my life at the time. It helped give me perspective on my life, and helped me recognize all of the blessings I take for granted.
It seems like everyone is posting the things they're grateful for on facebook this month. I don't particularly want to post my thoughts on such a public forum, however I do think it's a good idea. Starting today I'll try write one thing that I'm grateful for every day for the rest of November.

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."  -John Milton

I'm grateful for wonderful friends who understand me and are there for me. I'm grateful for conversations over tea, long walks in the park, movie nights, dinners cooked and shared together, adventures, bike rides, frozen yogurt or hot chocolate, notes, pavlova, experiences, stories, and hugs. I'm grateful for friends who I can laugh with, cry with, be sad with, and share with. I'm grateful for friends who see me for who I am and love me anyway. I have the most incredible friends who inspire me every day to become a better person. I'm grateful for their courage and cheerfulness when faced with hard things.