It's Thanksgiving Day! :)

It's Thanksgiving Day, and that means it's getting close to Christmas (totally excited)!!!! It also means that the end of the semester is almost here. I can look at that in two ways...I am totally psyched about the first. It means I'll have a few weeks break from my 5th grade class / classroom. Though I'll have a lot to plan for, I'll be really glad to have a break. I still can't believe we're almost halfway through the school year. On the other hand, I'm not looking forward to the end of the semester because I am really behind in one of my graduate classes. The instructor didn't give us very many deadlines, so I kind of put the class on the back burner, doing a few things here and there. Our portfolio is due Wednesday, so I'll be spending a good portion of the weekend - and much of Monday to Wednesday evening - working on my portfolio. Fortunately, one of the classes I took was very structured and was developed by a very organized professor. For that, I am thankful. She makes life easier some days. :0) Let's hope I can meet the deadline for the other class!!! ;)

In my last post, I mentioned many things I was thankful for - not that anyone actually read it...I think I'm writing to myself here. I failed to mention how thankful I am for my grandparents and their presence in my life. When I was in tenth grade, my mom came to school to pick me up along with some of my cousins. My dad's father had died from cancer. He had fought it off and on for years; it was ultimately his time to go. I have been very fortunate to have 3 grandparents around for most of my life. My dad's mom has not been doing so well over the last year or so. She has ups and downs quite often. I am so glad that she is still hanging around with all of us crazies! :) She's such a strong woman, and has always been such a great influence in my life. My mom's parents are great. They have always been there to encourage me in school and in my Christian walk. Nanny has been the one to show me what strength really is. She doesn't complain and really tells you what's on her mind. Last year for Christmas, she gave me a picture of her when she was a child. It's funny because I looked a lot like her when I was a kid. She's always told me that, but when she gave me the picture for Christmas, it was like she was giving me a piece of herself...a piece of her heart. I will forever treasure that simple little gift. She is an amazing woman, and I will be grateful for every second she is here with us. I've been really troubled by her condition a lot lately. When I talked to her today, it seemed that she didn't understand most of what I said. She continued to tell me over and over again, "I don't understand what you mean." Even simple things...it makes me sad. I just ask that you pray for my Nanny and my family. There are a lot of people who will be hurt with this g-ma goes home for good. She has 8 children who each have a spouse and most of them have kids. Some of their kids have kids. We're a BIG family! :) I love my family.

Speaking of family - I will be an auntie soon! I cannot wait for Dakota to be here! I hope he decides to make his appearance soon! :) Woohoo!

If you're (whoever you might be - please let me know if you DO read this! :) still reading, I want to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have been and will continue to be blessed!