and, almost 3 months later…

My blogging has been abysmal, at best, over the past three months.  I don’t even know if I have readers anymore… so if you read this, maybe leave a comment so I know you’re out there?

A LOT has happened, to say the least!  Since Thanksgiving was two days ago, I’ll start with what I am thankful for, in no particular order":

• My family.  I got to see my dad and brother two times in less than two weeks, which is awesome.  I see my dad more frequently than my brother, but with Richard’s work schedule, it’s hard to get together with him.  I also got to see all of Janet’s family on Thanksgiving when I did a little fly by to say hello.  I love them!  And, I got to spend Thanksgiving day at my Aunt Cis’s house, and spent time with her, Richard, my four cousins, and my cousin’s wife Cindy.  They are so much fun, and hanging out with them is just a blast.
• My boyfriend Matt.  He truly is amazing.  He is so supportive, loving, generous, kind, and tolerates me! :)  He has been amazing over these past, oh, 17 months.  He mows my lawn, he takes me for nice dinners, comes to my house to just hang out and watch TV, he is the official fire-builder of the two of us.  We are so different, but it works!  I LOVE YOU, BUTTERBEAN!
• University of Texas at Dallas, here I come!  I received my acceptance letter to their MBA program this past Tuesday, and could not be more excited.  I studied SO HARD for the GMAT.  Now I am enjoying the time off from studying before I start school in the spring and the studying commences once again.  I am going to take my time, I will probably graduate in 2016, but this is sometime I have always wanted to do, and now it is coming true!
• Monty!  I love my doggy friend!  He is so cute and fun, and we take care of each other.  Snuggles to you, buddy!
• My friends.  My friends are more like family than friends to me.  There are too many to name, but you know who you are!
• My job.  I have amazing coworkers.  I don’t talk about work on here (learned that lesson the hard way!), but they are incredible.  I have a great department, and get to work with awesome people.  I am also very thankful for my new boss, I am learning SO MUCH from him, which is exactly what I need—a challenge and to be able to learn and progress.  I can’t do the same thing every day and be content, and that is the opposite of my job.  There is always something new going on, which is exciting and I really love it.  Of course I have my “bad” days, as everyone does, but I am so thankful for my job and the company that I work for.
• My house.  I am very blessed to own a home, by myself, at my age.  Sure, there are tons of things I want to do (buy new furniture, paint the walls, build a deck, etc.), but my little “starter home” is perfect for me.
• My faith in Christ.  I don’t always walk the perfect walk—no one does—but I know where my faith lies, and it is in Him.  He is always there for me, and blesses me in so many ways.  In fact, everything on this list is a blessing from Him.  So, I am thankful for the one who gives me reasons to be thankful.
• My WorldVision sponsor child. Francisca.  She is a doll!  She lives in Brazil, and it makes my heart so happy every time I receive an update or a letter from her.  I have been sponsoring her since December 2008, and even though she lives far away, I see her photo every day on my refrigerator.  I am so proud of her!
• Vickie.  Even though she has been gone for over a year, she has left a legacy in my life, and I am so incredibly blessed that I got to know her.  She was an AMAZING person, just absolutely amazing, and she will always be a part in my life.
• My mom.  She has been gone for 10 1/2 years, but again, she will always be with me.  I love you, Linny Sue!
• My Gramma.  Oh, Gramma, you are so special to me.  I am so glad that you are still here, and that you are not only my Gramma, but my friend!
• Um, admittedly, TV.  I admit that I love watching TV! 
• Books!  Books are right there under TV, if I have free time to spend.

I really thing I could go on and on about the things I am thankful for—good health, a car, food in the pantry, financial security…  I am feeling really reflective because Vicki’s birthday is tomorrow, and because my Gramma is in really poor health right now.  Tuesday night, it was touch and go, as in “I might be leaving for Chicago in the morning”, then she stabilized—a lot has gone on.  I have had so many people praying for her, and the Lord is hearing those prayers.  I just needed to remind myself of the ways I am blessed in the midst of a few sad moments.

What are you thankful for?