Giving Thanks

How is it possible that another Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Wasn't it just the start of another school year?  Didn't I just set up my classroom?
None-the-less and ready or not, the holiday season is upon us.  I couldn't be more thrilled, don't get me wrong.  I am elated that Thanksgiving has come and gone and that Christmas is in the air.  Prove it, you say?  I put my tree up today and it brings me such joy!  I am also looking forward to getting back to my classroom to put up my Christmas Tree and decorations there as well.
Okay, enough of my off topic meanderings.  The point of this posting is to express my gratitude for the blessings that I and my family have been showered with this past year.
First, and nearly the most important, my mom was declared cancer free this year--both after her surgery (single mastectomy) and after her 6 month check up.  Last year at this time, we were so thankful that she was receiving treatment and the future, though we had not lost hope, was unsure.  Not to say that we know what the future brings now, but it sure looks a lot brighter without that horrible growth consuming our every thought.
Second, I am thankful that my husband is home for the holidays this year.  Last year he was home for Thanksgiving Day, but left right afterwards for a seven month deployment to Africa.  He has received confirmation that new orders were coming and that he would be going to the Pensacola area for the next three years, but those weren't in hand yet (he was supposed to go in October and we found out at the end of September) and so we just kept enjoying the time we were getting out of it.  Now it looks like he may not be going until March (though with the Navy, you never can tell when that will change--we're a Hurry Up and Wait kinda family).  GREAT NEWS!  Our FIRST Christmas together as a married couple (of 3 1/2 years) may be approaching.  THAT will be OUTSTANDING!
Third, we have a new member of our family this year.  Bailey, my first born Golden, and Maizey, my rescue Golden had puppies in April.  We kept the first born male from that litter and his name is Kaizey Hiapo.  Kai, meaning the sea in Hawaii and willow tree in another, is what I call him, but the zey is added to form a combination of Bailey and Maizey.  Hiapo is Hawaiian for first male child and is also the middle name of my brother Kori, who was born in Hawaii when we lived there (my dad was stationed there in the Marines).  Isn't he absolutely Golden Deliciousness:

Bailey and Kai sharing a Father and Son moment--SWOON!

Kai at about 7 months and already obsessed with 'retrieving' the ball.

Fourth, my brother Kori and his wife Crystal, welcomed their first child into the world.  His name is Tahlin Isaac and he is just YUMMY to look at (I've only seen pictures as they all live in Michigan, but I've seen a lot of them and trust me, he's a looker)!  They also celebrated their first anniversary and I am very happy for them!

Fifth, my youngest brother Kasey and his wife Pam are expecting their third child and I am SUPER happy for them as well.  They took in one of my puppies (the first puppy-a female) after the Puppertons were born as well.  She is soooo pretty and her name is Ella.  I can't wait to kiss her nose again as I haven't seen her since June (they live in Georgia).

Fifth, I have once again been blessed with the most amazing little munchkins in my classes this year.  I don't know how I get so lucky to get Wonderful McWonderfuls EVERY YEAR, but they again are accompanied by the most superfantabulous parents too.  How is it possible that people get paid to do something that they love SO MUCH?  I am blessed beyond measure!

Sixth, I have been blessed since before my very first memory of them, but I truly have the most amazing family.  They are a group of big-hearted souls, I'll tell ya!  I love them all so very much and I don't know what I would do without any of them.  My sister has been my best friend for decades now and she is one of the lights of my life, for certain!

Seventh, I have the best network/group of friends a girl could ask for (YES, INCLUDING YOU)!  The angels in my life (friends, colleagues, my administrators, neighbors, Bloggers) are truly like an extension of my family and have made all of my challenging experiences this past year or so a LOT easier to endure.  I love them all and owe a bazillion thanks to them for all of their love and support!

Eighth, but certainly along the 'saving the best for last' lines, I am SO VERY thankful for my FAITH.  God provides us with hope when all seems glum  and that hope gives perspective to BELIEVE that the future will hold exactly what it needs to hold at every moment.  

I realize that my "Giving Thanks" comes a day after Thanksgiving, but I assure you, I am thankful EVERY DAY for the multitude of blessings that God has provided me and so it seems fitting that I not say it on my (somewhat neglected) blog on the day of thanks.  

Thank you to all of you, friends of blogland, for everything!