Thankful things

Today I am thankful for:

1.  Not one but two jobs I look forward to going to!
In this economy, when many are unemployed and looking for any job they can get, I am so extremely blessed to have two jobs that I love.  Doing church work doesn't feel like work to me, and reading with groups of five kids is a blast.  The students don't even get disappointed that they miss recess to be with me.

2.  Clouds
This morning, a wise sage named Paul Boyette said to me, "I want to take a break with you."  He wanted to sit on the curb in front of a neighbor's house and watch clouds.  We did, for nearly 10 minutes.  It was barely 8 a.m., so the sun was still making its way up the horizon and we were able to watch several types of clouds dart in and out of the sunlight in changing directions.

3. Sharing love with neighbors
We've got our Little Free Library up and running.  I was so very, very, very excited about this project that I was setting myself up for a little disappointment.  (You mean that all the neighbors won't stop what they are doing right now to come get a book from us?) However, we've had several customers and it's a good thing.  Another neighborly thing we're doing is "boo-ing" people.  You pack a pumpkin or bag with treats and secretly deliver it to your neighbor.  Along with the treats is a sign for them to hang up on their door as well as more signs for them to share with other neighbors.  By Halloween, our entire street should be "booed."  It's a great activity for the kids, although they are terrible at being sneaky. 

4.  Time at home
Since I've picked up my second job, it seems as if we are rushing more than ever.  Tonight we don't have football practice, PTA meetings, or any other obligations, so the kids and I will be enjoying time at home together.  We might just bake cookies.

5.  Seeing the world through a child's eyes
Claire came home this week and very seriously asked me if double-dipping chips was against the law.  A friend told her that a retired policeman told her that.  After I stopped laughing, I explained that we don't have laws like that.

6.  Administration that listens
Adam and I had an issue at Claire's school this week, so we went to the office to discuss it in person.  Within five minutes of walking through the door we were listened to and the problem resolved.  We are grateful.

7.  The end of football
Paul hates football.  He likes his teammates and coaches, and Adam and I can tell this is an excellent program.  He just doesn't like being that rough.  So this week is homecoming, and the season is drawing to a close.  I'm so grateful, because this rushing to practice twice a week is killing us!

8.  A place for our things
I cleaned out the coat closet and the next week we had a church coat drive for the homeless.  We cleaned out Claire's closet and found a friend who could wear her clothes immediately.  It makes me feel so happy to give our things to help others.  So good that it makes me want to clean out the house.

9.  A home for our leftovers
I love cooking and do it daily.  Unfortunately, when I think a meal is fabulous, my family doesn't always concur.  I discovered that I could bring my leftovers to the church and serve it to the staff and they would appreciate it.  I even got a thank you note for my beans!  I would much rather share my leftovers than to put them in the giant deep freeze for who knows how long.

10.  Halloween excitement
With boo-ing our neighbors, promoting the church's trunk or treat event, and getting our costumes ready, the entire Boyette family is getting excited about Halloween.  Yesterday Adam ironed his work clothes while wearing his Spiderman costume.  It was both awesome and really disturbing.

Thankful Things

Today I am thankful for:
1. A new job
Yesterday was my first day at Western Hills Elementary School.  I didn't tutor any kids yesterday; I worked with one of the assistant principals on identifying the children that need tutoring.  I can tell I will like this job, though.  Twice a week I will tutor second graders on reading.  I have the freedom to invent my own lessons without the constraints of a scripted curriculum.  I am so excited about this job!  I get to keep my job at the church as well as keep Paul out of day care.  We'll both have Fridays off.  I'll get to be a teacher but without the grading, staff meetings, and many other parts that make teaching more than a full-time job. 

2.  Our Little Free Library
I would like to publicly thank Adam for all the hours he worked on creating our Little Free Library.  It was a family project, but he really did all the hard work.  The kids helped him paint it and swung hammers a couple of times, but Adam was the construction crew.  He dug a giant 2' deep hole through dirt and rock.  He mixed and poured concrete for the post.  He hammered, nailed, sawed, sanded, painted, and many other construction verbs that I don't even know.  We have shingles!  We have a Plexiglas door!  We have awesomeness. 

3. My Husband
Did I mention that he built a Little Free Library?  Did I mention that he did this during his precious few moments of free time?  Did I mention that he is awesome? 

4.  Preschool
Since I work at the church, Paul attends preschool tuition-free.  When I struggled with decisions on how to make more money and searching for a new job, I worried that Paul would have to enter daycare and a new situation.  Luckily, my new job lets me set my own hours.  I just switched Paul from two days a week to four.  He transitioned easily into a new room.  He's in a loving environment where everyone knows him.  I believe that builds his confidence.  I am grateful that I didn't have to look elsewhere and start a whole new program.

5.  Claire's school
Claire loves attending Bruce Shulkey Elementary.  She has an excellent teacher.  As a former (and partially returning) teacher myself, I can recognize the quality of her school.  Every teacher treats every child with respect.  The entire school is a calm and loving environment.  Claire feels loved and appreciated just like at home.  She is learning not just book knowledge, but is exposed to many different cultures from around the world.  We are blessed.

6.  Friends
All of us are blessed with fabulous friends.  The first week of kindergarten, Claire came home with two best friends and they are still best friends today.  I couldn't have picked better girls for her to buddy up with.  They are smart and sweet.  Paul has several buddies at preschool that he talks about all the time.  He doesn't even know a child who is rude or disrespectful.  The kids he favors are the kids I favor myself.  I love that our children have the gift of picking good friends.  As for Adam and I, we are also blessed.  Last weekend we stopped by our long-time friends Matt and Stacy's house to drop off something and ended up staying all day.  It was so nice just to sit and talk and catch up. We get so busy in our day to day routines that sometimes I forget how blessed we are with friendships.

7.  Chore charts
I am intentional about not chasing the kids around the house, hounding them on what they have left to do.  Instead, I get to chase them around the house (not really) and remind them to check on their chore charts.  They get to own their own routines and I get to focus on mine.

8.  Books that expand my horizons
Last week I finished reading Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerrman.  This book was about a middle-class white woman, who, due to some bad choices of friends after college, ended up spending a year in federal prison.  It wasn't a happy book, but it was very interesting and informative.

9.  Fall weather
We've had some cooler weather this week.  I love the change of seasons because it always feel like a fresh start to me.  I always feel full of hope and promise during seasonal changes, whether it's fall or spring.

10.  Trader Joe's
I have finally figured out what to buy at Trader Joe's and I love it!  Cookie dough butter, fresh bread, simmer sauces, coffee, pizza crust, and wine.  Some of their prices can't be beat, even with coupons and Wal-Mart price-matching.  I love the smallness and compactness of the store and the friendly and helpful staff.  I also love the strong paper grocery sacks.  I love Trader Joe's!