100 things I'm thankful for....2010 edition

So, I've seen a lot of friends post their 100 or 50 things they're thankful for. I thought I'd give it a go.

100 things I'm thankful for:
1. The revival service I attended at 16 where I chose to let Christ into my heart....and just a few months later was baptized.
2. My amazing husband, Matt. He is my best friend. He's more than I ever imagined a husband and best friend could be. He's the only person that I can't stay mad at....that says a lot! :)He's my prince charming.
3. The 27 years I had with my mom. She was my best friend and helped me through some really hard times. She was the strongest woman I've ever known. Her life was cut short,but I learned so much from her. I'm just thankful I can call her Mom. She taught me everything I'll need to know when I become a Mom...one day....
4. My family. They are crazy, but they are blood! :) I love them dearly. Matt's family also fits into this one. I have GREAT in-laws! They feel like blood-family!
5. My high-energy, always going puppy, Molson. He loves unconditionally and keeps us laughing....and chasing after him. Like this morning when he found my bra and ran around the bedroom (and under the bed) with it in his mouth! :)
6. My best friend, Della. She's helped me through some hard times. Although she's in Virginia now and it's harder to see each other, she's still my bestest!
7. My job as a teacher. I love touching the lives of those 5 and 6 year olds. I love watching them grow as learners and as children. There are few jobs more rewarding.
8. My house. It's perfect for us. It's low-maintenance and so charming. We can't wait to begin our family in it. :)
9. My health. OK...so the last few months haven't been the best...but I recovered! I'm thankful for a body that can recover.
10. My car....it runs. It gets me from point A to point B.
11. My assistant, Ria. She's the best! She brings new ideas to the classroom, has a ton of patience with the kiddos, and (best of all) she brings in treats she's cooked a lot!
12. Our roommate, Ashley. She's great with Molson, and she's fun to hang out with! She also cooks, and helps us save money by living with us! :)
13. Running. When I can actually make time for it, I really enjoy it. It's "my time."
14. My iPod....which makes #13 much more enjoyable.
15. Key West.....where I married the love of my life.
16. Any beach. Seriously! I love the beach!
17. Charleston--for many reasons--but mostly because it's an AWESOME city.
18. My boots. I have like 12 pairs of boots! Love them!
19. My Chi. It helps me have not-so-crazy-woman-hair.
20. A TV in the kitchen. It's awesome to have as I'm cooking dinner or getting ready in the morning.
21. My mom's cooking abilities. I LOVE to cook and bake. I'm so fortunate to have inherited her ability to cook/bake. I enjoy making dinner for my family and serving them a dessert.
22. My camera. I love taking photos!
23. XM radio...it keeps me sane on road trips!
24. Facebook. I love that I can reconnect with people, and keep in touch with Mark, Dali, and Emilia in Germany.
25. Gamecock football--finally SEC East Champs! :) Enough said.
26. Gamecock baseball--NATIONAL CHAMPS!
27. The Bills for being so bad this year. They'll have a great draft pick!
28. My phone. It's helped me do lots! Gotta love the Droid!
29. Our backyard/patio. We've had many great nights spent around the firepit...and many afternoons playing Frisbee with Molson. I can't wait until we get to play with our children in the backyard.
30. The mountains. Our annual trip to the mountains in the Fall is always fun. This year, we went to Grandfather Mountain with Molson. He enjoyed (not really) the mile-high swinging bridge!
31. Blackout curtains. I can't sleep if it's light in my room.
31. Air fresheners...I'm all about smelling good! My house must smell good, too.
32. Christmas decorations. They make me happy!
33. Christmas music....also makes me happy!
34. Starbucks
35. A good glass of red wine...or two....
36. Friends I don't really see anymore, but still love: Victoria, Sherrie, Emily...
37. Magazines. I have like 8 subscriptions. I really love them!
38. Reading books on my Kindle app on my phone.
39. Nicholas Sparks. See #38.
40. Tennis. As much as I hate it takes Matt away from me, he really enjoys it so I am thankful it makes him happy. Plus, he's a great coach.
41. Christmas in NY. Yes, it's bitter cold and snowy...but isn't that what Christmas should be?? Not 80 like it is in SC.
42. Family vacations.
43. Dog parks....when mean dogs aren't there.
44. Netflix.
45. SouthPark Mall in Charlotte.
46. Chocolate milk.
47. Palm trees.
48. Aloe plants in the kitchen for when I burn my finger(s).
49. Heated seats in the car.
50. Squeaky toys that keep Molson entertained.
51. Naps.
52. Napping AND cuddling.
53. Comfy socks (the fuzzy kind).
54. Chick-fil-A.
55. Taco Bell.
56. My mom's recipe box.
57. When Matt does the dishes. :)
58. Good neighbors! We are lucky to have that!
59. Old Navy and Target being so close to my house
60. Sleeping in....when Molson lets us.
61. Making a fire in the fireplace...and sitting in front of it with Matt.
62. Nights out in Uptown.
63. Howl at the Moon. (goes with #62)
64. Fantasy football leagues.
65. Having interns from Winthrop. I love their passion for teaching and how excited they are to be in the classroom. :)
66. Our "spare cash" jar....for just in case....
67. Savings accounts.
68. Not having many bills to pay. :)
69. Field trips. They are exhausting, but fun! And we get to wear jeans. :)
70. Smiley faces. :)
71. Mexican food.
72. Chocolate.
73. Pillows.
74. Dentists and doctors. Even though I don't really like going to either.
75. Plays and musicals. I get lost in them for the hour or two I'm watching. :) Love it.
76. The stain remover that came with our couch. It cleans carpet, too! Thank goodness!
77. Sweat pants and hoodies.
78. Our storage unit. God knows we need that thing!
79. The lake nearby....Molson loves it!
80. The annual Christmas Bunco party....it's coming up!
81. Peanut Butter.
82. Summer break!
83. Fireworks
84. Hair color and my stylist who applies it and makes me look beautiful!
85. New Year's!
86. Vegas
87. birthdays
88. HGTV
89. Shutterfly
90. the excitement and anticipation on the first day of school
91. COUPONS
92. Pampered Chef items
93. sunsets
94. Reggae
95. the couch
96. diamonds :)
97. rainy days
98. DVR...when my husband doesn't accidentally erase everything on it!
99. warm North Face fleece jackets
100. having snowball fights in the freezing cold with my hubby

Matt's Yearly Update

So, I am deciding to take a moment to write a witty commentary that will surely be read by our multitude of readers, all 4 of them, Anyway, things are going well for me this year. I had a good class last year, but this year is probably going to end up being one of my ever. I have a class of 21 girls. It can be a lot of drama, but we've decided to be "drama-free" this year. The girls are totally buying everything I'm selling and it's making such a huge difference in their lives. I'm so excited that they are growing as friends and more importantly as learners.

The girls tennis team also did very well this year. We went 17-3 overall and won our region with an undefeated record of 10-0. Unfortunately we didn't win a state championship, but we made it to the upper state finals and finished in the top 4 of the state. It's great to see our tennis program doing so well. Our boys team is going to be in contention for a state championship this year as well.

So that is the news from me about the job and the extracurriculars. I am a happy camper this year and just trying to be the best teacher/coach that I can be every day because that's all I can do. I used to think I had to be perfect at both, but I'm starting to realize that I can't kill myself trying to do that, I just have to be the best that I can be. Some days I'm better, some days I'm not so good, but it will all work out in the end.

I'm also trying to be a good husband and "dad" now as we are now parents of a fantastic..ally awful dog. He is much loved and I'm super attached to him, but he is soooooo bad. I can't believe how he just doesn't listen. It's preparing us for kids though and the more you talk to Amy, the closer that day is coming. Yikes! I'm pretty sure I'll be a good dad and I know for absolutely 100% sure that the wifey will be a most amazing mom, so it's ok if we take that plunge soon, I think!!!! I will be freaked out, but it is going to happen eventually.

Now for that great wife of mine. I am still very excited to be married to the best thing that's happened to me. She has had a rough year so far, but it's making her stronger in some way, I just know it. We are going through opposite ends of the spectrum this year, but I'm sure I'll be there at some point. I know she will be there for me just as much as I've been there for her this year. She is going to be coming up on the 1 year anniversary of her mom's death and I know it will be difficult. I'm going to be there making her think about puppy dogs, ice cream, rainbows, and any other happy thought that we can think of. It will be OK, we can get through it. Might be some tears shed, but I'll have the tissues ready. I love her more everyday and can't wait to go through everything life has to through at us.

That's it for me. I will write again next year!