• that precious extra half hour of sleep
• time for designing
• a meaningful book, a reminder to read it again and again
• the rare combination of snow on the ground, colorful leaves on the trees, and sunshine to illuminate its wonder
• booking a trip with friends, getting a deal
• her voice on the other side of the line
• a new show to watch and laugh together
• that phone call again ... looking forward to another day off!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011

• snowed in with my love
• maintaining power, and no damage to our property
• my brother shoveling so my husband didn't have to
• a phone call to change my attitude
• bringing the dogs back to their rightful home
• party of 8 around the table at a favorite restaurant

Today was anything but a normal autumn Saturday. Instead, today brought some interesting surprises. Though these surprises may not have made me smile on first glance, I find that I can only laugh about them now!

• steady snowflakes falling from morning to night
• going to the attic to break out the winter coats and boots
• a massive hibiscus plant arriving in the midst of a snowstorm
• preparing for conferences by candlelight
• routinely distracted by tree branches cracking
• taking 2 black labs and all of their needs to spend the night at our house
• my husband called out to shovel before our calendar shows November

• a mug of hot chocolate to perk up my morning
• a quick $50
• dedicated parent volunteers
• a substitute I can count on: calm, respected, and maintains high expectations
• a good laugh in the midst of a serious meeting
• a blanket around me to keep warm on a cold day
• cheering on my brother in one of his last soccer games of the season
• a double date with friends

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011

• surprised by a Christmas song on the radio
• creating their own "ants"
• discount tickets to see a long awaited show!
• my amazing husband, who always knows how to cheer me up
• laughing at family videos
• new numbers

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011

• recording what students have learned about kindness
• an e-mail with special offers from NYU
• time with him in the midst of a busy week
• reading together
• early to bed

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011

• news that a loved one is home from the hospital
• inviting myself to dinner at mom & dad's, hearing again that the door is always open
• a phone call to say "I miss you"
• picking out snacks to treat the staff
• knocks on the door from the neighbors, even for something small

• my turn to lead staff devotions, sharing in prayer with colleagues
• God's timing
• good reports from last week's open house
• doctors and nurses for those in need
• parents to help centers run smoothly
• celebrating our learning about kindness
• sit-on-the-floor talks about life with my mentor, taking time to rest in the midst of e-mails, paperwork, photocopying, grading, and more
• spending time with cousins, plus a new addition!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011

• a reminder to spend more time "on my knees"
• a sympathetic husband
• 2 advil and an afternoon nap
• dropping in at the neighbors', neighbors dropping in
• homemade paninis
• "seeing" far-away friends for the first time in a long time, planning to meet half way

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011

• turning the heat on
• an experiment for both of us: making applesauce with mom
• starting a new tradition
• taste-testing
• the last piece of pie (for lunch? why not!)
• enjoying a walk on a beautiful day
• a date with my love
• long-awaited gelato
• finding the right fit
• the warmth of our comforter

step 1: washing

step 2: coring

step 3: boiling

step 4: mashing, with the help of Nana & Pop's old pot

applesauce! it's that easy!

step 5: add cinnamon and sugar

we need more apples next year!

• waking up after the sun
• a break in routine
• a friend to ride around with
• learning something new
• exploring the possibilities
• friday afternoon cocktail
• coming home to a cooked meal, sharing with our neighbors
• freshly baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

• a visiting author
• encouraging a nervous student
• making "edible landfills"
• a night off from grading
• a colleague taking responsibility so I didn't have to
• 8 of us around the table, felt like Thanksgiving!
• pumpkin pie piled high with cool-whip
• new comedy on The Office

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2011

• a working Smartboard
• an easy afternoon
• hosting parents for dinner
• comfy pants
• a new episode to make me laugh and cry simultaneously

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011

• enjoying God's autumn beauty while walking with a friend
• patience in the check-out line
• making the cashier smile
• breakfast for dinner
• talking with someone who understands

• using jolly ranchers in today's math lesson
• students excited about centers
• an aide who never ceases to amaze me with what she can accomplish
• story of the Prodigal Son, a good reminder that God always stands with open arms, ready to forgive and rejoice when we turn back to Him
• parents providing supplies
• a husband who encourages me to stay healthy

My apologies for my lack of blogging this week! You would think I was away again, but no such excuse. It's been the "at-home" busy lately. Trying to catch up after being away last week. Today's sermon at church got me thinking about this busyness. The title of the message hit home -- "Too Busy Not To Pray." If I've barely had two minutes to update my blog with each day's blessings, you can imagine how little time I've carved out for prayer in my busy schedule lately. Of course, I immediately want to change my ways and make up for the prayer time I've lost, but one quick look at the calendar for this week tells me this is not going to be an easy process. Hoping I can prioritize my time better with each new day. . . 


Now to spend some time giving thanks to the One who gifts all "the little things."

• an excellent message, one I needed to hear
• a hug from a friend who understands the busyness
• parent involvement to make my job easier
• preparing for the arrival of the newlyweds
• homemade soup to warm us up, fresh bread for dipping
• a walk with God on this beautiful autumn day, purposely making time for prayer
• new neighbors!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2011

• fresh smelling laundry drying on the clothesline
• an old Disney movie
• girls' night out with great friends
• the Newsies at Paper Mill Playhouse - amazing!
• dinner before the show, back to the same restaurant for dessert afterwards
• six forks and a giant piece of chocolate cake
• singing "Seize the Day" at the top of our lungs on the way home
• spending time with E two nights in a row, two weekends in a row!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

• feeling proud of my students, ending the day with all drops in the bucket
• planning fun field trips
• a chat with our pastor
• 2 cooks in the kitchen
• craft time
• a.j.e.less designs' most recent product: scrapbook gift bags
• new photos for cards
• making plans for another house party

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2011

• popcorn and a movie
• volunteers to stuff Friday folders
• his "eureka" moment
• candy corn
• pizza from Puzo's
• dinner with family
• watching the most recent episode with mom and dad

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2011

• my husband's help to get my school work done
• having small group again after a long summer stretch
• organic applesauce
• perfecting recipes
• 2nd grade stories

• finding piles of "I miss you" notes from students on my desk when I arrived at school this morning
• an amazing substitute who followed my plans exactly, assured me that all went well while I was away, and even assisted with a large pile of grading!
• 2nd grade hugs
• the start of Horizons
• colleagues asking about my weekend
• a manicure that has held up for over a week!
• surprisingly able to leave school before 4:00 and make it to my brother's soccer game
• making weekend plans with A&E

Wedding Weekend!

This weekend was full of wonderful things ... it is going to be hard to remember all of the "little things" that made it so special! This may be a long list! I will write what I can now, and perhaps add more later. I hope to add pictures as I get them!

• a hotel full of out-of-town guests
• wine & deep-dish pizza
• a friend to curl my hair
• breakfast with the bridesmaids
• lending a hand wherever possible
• five days of sunshine
• the colors of autumn displayed on the trees
• a perfect back-drop to a beautiful wedding ceremony

• her ballroom gown
• walking arm-in-arm with my brother
• his smiling face as she came down the aisle
• 4 white roses
• my grandparents sitting in the front row
• all stress dissolving as they become one

• dancing with family of all ages
• "the worm" - not once or even twice, but 4 times
• celebrating a special couple, so excited to have another sister!
• seeing them together again, how happy they are

Mr. & Mrs!

• meeting up with college friends for lunch
• the way she hopped out of the car to see us
• enjoying the surreal October warmth and pristine views on Lake Shore Drive
• out for dinner and gelato with siblings
• meeting their new puppy, getting to pet him

• amazed at their dedication, cheering on my roommates in the Chicago marathon
• proud of their finishing times!
• watching a soccer game, with skyscrapers and blue sky in the background
• putting our feet up after a lot of walking
• making dinner and dessert, enjoying a homemade meal together
• a quick cab ride to the airport, no delays while traveling
• great friends that were willing to pick us up in La Guardia on their day off
• coming back to home sweet home after an amazing weekend with family & friends!

• my husband feeling better
• filling the bucket with marbles!
• enjoying an hour outside at a soccer game, soaking up the day's last rays of sunshine
• struck by the beauty of God's autumn creation (there was a reason the light turned red in my hurry to work this morning!)
• teachers offering to help so I can prepare for the wedding
• packing our bags for Indiana, printing boarding passes
• looking forward to a weekend of celebration with family & friends
• ... more to come after A&A have tied the knot!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011

• living close enough to my home-away-from-home that I can stop in even for a quick 10 minutes
• paper-clipped copies
• parent playground volunteers
• warm, homemade soup on a cool day
• escaping into the world of photoshop, a break from my "day job"
• an extra blanket on the bed

• MAP testing - I know it is not a highlight for my first-time-ever-taking-the-test 2nd graders, but it sure does lighten my teaching load!
• my aide is back! 
• relaxing mani/pedi to prepare for the wedding, walking in to find that mom had pre-paid for me!
• surprised to find my husband home early
• beginning season 3
• cozy robes and Smartwool socks

• relaxing before church, eating waffles in front of the TV
• breaking out our robes to keep warm on a cool morning
• excellent sermon series in church
• special delivery to the birthday girl
• walk with mom on a gorgeous autumn day
• finding higher-level spelling lists online
• taking out the air conditioners, making way for sweatshirts
• hot apple cider, curling up under a blanket

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

• helping my brother move in downstairs
• seeing his half of the house look more like a home
• checking 3 days of sub plans off my to-do list
• my husband's help with making apple crisp
• trying a new restaurant with mom & dad