Blessed

I know I know, it's been forever since I updated. I've been busy, and I'm most of what's going on I refuse to put out there in cyberspace, so yeah... my bad. :-)

Over the past couple of months I've started to feel really blessed. School is really great, and while I'm not seeing anyone seriously, I am realizing my life is really phenomenal. In fact, I'm pretty happy right now. I just want to take a few minutes to tell you why I'm blessed:

1. My sister, LaRae. She offered to come slap someone who made me cry (ok I know she really wouldn't but it was a nice thought!) and listened to me cry for half an hour on the phone the other day. That's love.

2. Katelyn and Joshua. What amazing little kiddos! Katelyn ran after me going into lunch the other day calling, "hey don't forget about me, little Katelyn" as she grabbed my hand to go to inside. Joshua fell asleep on my shoulder during the amazing singing at church yesterday. I might not have children of my own, but I have children I love dearly and who love me.

3. My bro-in-law, Randy. He always fields the weird calls from me: me crying (but not from being physically hurt) or me being locked out of my garage, and he always deals with it so nicely. Always willing to pick me up when the garage holds my car hostage or change a light bulb. Never had a brother until him, and I'm glad he's the one I got.

4. My parent. They listen to stories about school even when they are bored of them. They give me advice when I do and don't want it, and it's always good advice. They love me when I go insane, and they make me feel like I really can make it in life.

5. My job. It's great right now! Seriously, I'm not lying! I have a great group of kids, and I am ahead on my work most of the time. The stress levels are down, and I'm able to breath. 3rd year really is sooooo much better than the first two. Too bad the first couple of years tends to scare teachers away.

6. My friends. Work, church, website friends... they're all really cool. I can't tell you how many times I have leaned on my friends and they on me. I'm not going to name names but I love my friends and am so thankful for all of them.

7. Perspective. I think the past couple of months have marked a real change in my perspective on a lot of things, life in general included. I decided I could continue to go around looking to the negative side or I could be positive and enjoy life and what it throws at me. Granted I never want to be one of those fakely happy people (I know you've all got one you can think of right now), but I do want to truly have joy. I have been able to see the positive side of so many things lately -- even through tears, and for that I am truly grateful. It's like coming up for air when I've been drowning for so long. It changes the way my classroom feels and the way the kids respond to me. It changes my relationships. It changes how often I fall into my depression. Yes, I still have bad days, but it's so different now. If only others could see it...

8. SPRINKLES! How could I forget my baby? He's been so cuddly lately. I think he misses me while I'm at work. What a nice feeling to have someone love me and want to be with me no matter what.

So I could continue. I really could, but I've got stuff to do, so I won't. Just know my absence from my blog, from facebook, from online in general isn't because I'm stressed or unhappy or so busy I can't see straight, it's because I'm happy and I'm out enjoying life. Yes, I'm busy as I do so, but isn't that just wonderful? :-)