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!