Twas the week before Christmas (Thankful Thursday)

I know I missed blogging my Thankful Thursday last week, and I almost forgot again this week! But no worries. Here is my list of thanks, in no particular order *other than the first*.

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- LUKE GOT A TEACHING JOB! Praise the Lord! He will be a long-term substitute technology teacher for the Niagara-Wheatfield school district for 3-4 months, teaching 8th grade technology. I am so incredibly proud of him and happy that he will finally be in front of the classroom, doing what he loves. And, no more lumberyard for at least 3 months! That means we get our Saturdays together again. Can. Not. Wait.

- A nice evening last weekend for my company Christmas party. Good food, good conversation, good gifts, and a perfect excuse to dress up! We clean up pretty nice, I'd say.

- Last Sunday morning spent wrapping gifts and watching Christmas movies while Luke was at a side job. I hate when he's gone, but I needed him to get out of the house so I could wrap his goodies!

- Having a house full of people tonight (probably more people than should really be in our house at any given time), and I’m so excited to spend time laughing, baking, and cookie decorating with our “friends who are family.” We are so blessed to have such kind and loving people in our lives. I can’t wait to show them our little home!

- My Charlie Brown Christmas tree and yummy smelling Glade candle making my office all festive and such this afternoon. If I can't have snow, I might as well have baked apple pie scent filling the air all day, right?

- Christmas is upon us! I’ve never been more excited for a Christmas than I am for this one. Maybe it’s because it’s our first Christmas as “Mr. and Mrs.” or maybe it’s because my sister will be in from out of town, or maybe because we get to start our own traditions. Probably a combination of all of these things. I can’t wait to celebrate the true reason for the season and spend lots of quality time with the people we love.

- I’m one day away from an entire week off of work. And I cannot wait to turn my alarm off for seven whole days in a row. I don’t even know what I’m going to do with myself!

- A sign from my Grandma Jan last night, as I was preparing her famous cookie dough recipe in preparation for tonight’s get together. I was listening to the news and got a sudden desire to turn the TV to the Christmas music channel; and her favorite group, the Carpenters were playing. It may sound silly, but I am a firm believer that things like this are more than just coincidental. So I said, “hi Grandma Jan,” wiped a happy little tear, and went back to my baking!

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I hope everyone is having a fantastic week, with minimal running around like chickens with your heads cut off finishing last minute shopping. PLEASE try to remember the reason behind all of the gifts, celebrations, and activities. Be kind to others, and stop for a second to take it all in! The Christmas season is magical. Don't lose sight of it.