Thankful!

Hello Blogging World! No, I haven't fallen off the edge of the earth...although it's felt like it a few times!!!  I was determined to link up with this linky party after my report cards were finished....well, it's Monday morning before school (so I'll still count it as part of Thanksgiving weekend!) and they are STILL not complete, so I am posting ANYWAY!!! (I may never post again if I just don't jump in a DO IT!!!)


1. What I am thankful for in my classroom...
My students! :)  They are the reason we are here, aren't they!?! I'm also very thankful for my doc cam & my school laptop...it's hard to imagine teaching without them now!  There are hundreds of other things I could list, but I'll leave it with that! ;-)


2.  What person am I most thankful for...
Because my husband will be listed on # 5 I will be more specific..The person in the Blogging World that I am most thankful for is Tamara from Teaching with TLC & The Teaching Blog Addict!  She truly amazes me.  She homeschools, has written books, has a beautiful family, keeps TBA growing and interesting...she seems to have it all!  What I admire most though is her encouraging spirit, vulnerability, and her focus always on God first.  Although everything seems perfect in her life she has shared about the recent trials she and her family had gone through and she is quick to give the glory to God for seeing them through!  She also allowed me to be one of the authors for TBA...I hope in the future to be able to find the time to post all of the things my heart desires to post, but can never find the time to get squeezed in!  Thanks Tamara!!!


3.  What 3 blogs am I most thankful for...
Ok..Only one will be a teaching blog, I hope you will all forgive me, I value all the wonderful teaching blogs out there but...

Blog #1  The Krazy Coupon Lady has helped my family financially these last several months, (ok I'm going to cheat I follow 2 other coupon & saving blogs that I check multiple times a day; Money Saving Mom, & Hip2Save & all 3 have save me a lot of $)  I have already got much of my Christmas shopping done for DIRT CHEAP thanks to these sites...I must admit that they are also part of my reason for not posting...too busy cutting coupons & finding online bargains!Oh, & trying to keep up with their posts...about 25-30 posts A DAY!!!

Blog #2 Building the Blocks ... As I was just discovering teaching blogs last spring someone posted about a contest/giveaway at Building Blocks. (They probably had a link, but I didn't realize it...too green then)  I Googled "building blocks" and stumbled upon(in human terms...but was directed in spiritual terms!) The Building Blocks.  Amy Block and her family were living in Texas.  They had 4 biological children and had adopted 5 beautiful children.  The doors had closed to American adoptions from Guatemala and they felt led to move to Guatemala and love, serve, minister to the orphans in the orphanage Eagle's Nest.  They moved this August and I have been so blessed, convicted and touched by what Amy has shared in her blog!  Her view from her home is breathtaking and the images she has posted of the beautiful children there have touched my heart forever.  God has most definitely given her the gift of photography!  I had already had it on my heart to raise more awareness about the issue of orphans around the world and finding Amy's blog was what motivated me to approach my pastor to recognize Orphan Sunday this November, which we did a week late! :) Amy you are an amazing blessing, please keep sharing what God is doing in and through you.






Blog # 3 Ladybug's Teacher Files  I HAD to list Kristen's Blog.  How she does it, I just don't know!  She helped me get my blog up & running last spring and I have gained SO many valuable tips, resources, and information & inspiration from her!!  My library wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for Kristin & her blog!


4.  What guilty pleasure am I most thankful for...
DARK CHOCOLATE!!! Okay, I'll settle for just about any candy treat, but dark chocolate is my fav... :)


5.  What I am most thankful for...is most definitely my family!! My wonderful husband Jim has put up with all of my obsessing over computer stuff, report cards, my classroom & everything else!  He is a wonderful man and I am honored to be his wife of almost 10 years now.  My children bring me so much joy and happiness!  Tyler continues to teach me more of what it means to love someone and I am constantly in awe of his many gifts.  Andrew is my tender heart and has always been MY heart.  Sieanna who's name means 'Gift From God' has been that...I love not only having a little girl, but having HER as my little girl..she is my joy!  I am thankful for parents who have always believed in me and encouraged me.  I am thankful for a mother in law who has been such a wonderful grandmother to the kids.  I am thankful that she is now recovering well from two major surgeries in the last few months. (another reason for my absence here.)


Last of all I am thankful for all of you out there in Blogland!!!  Whether you are a blogger, a stalker, or both you are making the world a better place by sharing!! :)


Now if I can just FINISH those report cards!!!!! I'm posting now...I'll come back and check later for typos!


Report cards....DONE!!! Now parent conferences tomorrow 8:30-12, 1:00-3:00, 5:00-7:00...then a 1/2 day with the kids Wednesday and conferences from 1:30-3:00.


I did find a few mistakes...and I forgot to provide the link to the linky party!!! I had to do this linky party since my user name for many sites is 'thankfulndw'...I really do try to keep an 'attitude of gratitude'! I'm headed to the wonderful 'What the Teacher Wants' Blog to add what I'm thankful for!


AHHHHH!!!!  I waited too late to post!!! It's closed! :(  Well, I don't regret posting this even if I'm not linked up!