My Annual 100 List

I won't lie. Part of me didn't want to sit down and make this annual list of 100 things I'm thankful for. It's been a hard year in the world of Angie - I've faced some hard (and heartbreaking) truths about friendships, my depression has been pretty bad at times, and I've even struggled in my faith quite a bit. But, as I told a friend just last week, I always feel better after making this list, so here it goes...

1) My Jesus - no matter how many times I fail or how many times I mess up, He picks me up and loves me unconditionally. The hope I have in Him is all that keeps me going most days

2) My dad - he's always there when I need anything at all and the way my littles clamor all over him when they're around makes my heart smile so big

3) Dusty Grace - the Nana dog to my littles and the one who convinces all who come to visit that no one ever pets her and she can't remember the last time she ate

4) Katy Joy - Her hyperness drives me crazy at times but she is my little shadow

5) Bruce Jenner - this boy is turning into a crotchety old man who is starting to bite when you don't pet him fast enough but is also turning into more of a snuggle bug as he gets older

6) Walter - this cat continues to love everyone else more than this own mother but he sure is handsome and makes me laugh

7) My brothers Bryan and Mark - I wish I had a closer relationship with both of them and I continue to pray for reconciliation and restoration

8) My sister-in-law Kris - I love that our relationship consists of memes, reels and book suggestions

9) My sister-in-law Celia - she gave me my first and only nephew and I pray one day I can get to know both of them 

10) Iced white chocolate macadamia nut mochas

11) My chickens, including our handsome rooster Deputy Peck - they definitely do nothing to pull their own weight other than lay an egg every couple days but watching them come running when I have scraps for them always makes me laugh

12) Cindy - I wish I had words to describe this wonderful friend of mine. She listens without judgement, even when I vent about things that are ridiculous, she is my partner in all things true crime, she celebrates the big and little accomplishments in life, and she always makes me feel so seen and validated. She is born to be a teacher and a mama and I love doing life with her

13) My Christmas tree straight in front of me and slightly to the left that my littles decorated all by themselves, which is obvious because all the ornaments occupy 1/4 of the entire tree

14) My job at Aspen - last year I was devastated when the higher ups didn't see the value in continuing my position last spring, but I was asked to be the computer teacher the morning before school started this fall and the rest in history. I get to see all of the kids in every grade, and I love the relationships I've built with them.

15) Mongolian beef from Chopstix

16) My niece Lilly - how she is 17 is beyond me and I can't wait to see how she makes her mark on this world

17) Eowyn - my very first llama is 8 and blows me away with her creativity and her blunt, no holds bar, view on life

18) Lizzy - this llama has the most tender of hearts and loves her Jesus, and her people, fiercely. She looks for the best in everyone she meets and has more compassion and optimism in her little heart than most people have in their entire being

19) Nora - oh, the Noodle! Always on the go with a smile on her face, she's got a sparkle in her eye and spunk in her step. She is fearless and lives life to the fullest

20) Michael - after two years, this llama is actually starting to like me! He smiles big, plays hard, and loves to be right in the middle of whatever his sisters are doing

21) Hard jigsaw puzzles

22) Popcorn with Everything Bagel hummus and parmesan cheese

23) Daisy - my trusty Jeep may have a lot of miles on her, but she has head and a/c, and gets me from point A to point B without fail every day

24) My pastor, Ian - I've never known a more humble and loving shepherd when it comes to his flock. He is not afraid to speak the hard things but does so with such love and grace that only wants the best for those in his church. He sends me songs he somehow knows will speak to my heart, and he's quick to give me a hard time and then take a jab in return

25) Flip-flops

26) Rachel - the mama of my llamas who understands my love of good coffee and good books

27) Daisies

28) The staff at Aspen - I get to work with some of the best teachers and support staff around. They truly care about each student and go out of their way to make each child feel seen and loved. Their enthusiasm for teaching the future of our world is contagious and they make going to work each day so fun

29) A good writing pen - if you know, you know

30) Ryan Joe - the adorable little boy who first called me Eegee is now a handsome 13 year old! He has an innocence that is endearing and such a tender heart. He prayed at VBS this summer and I cried. I pray he continues to follow hard after God

31) Kristen L - this friend has taught me more about strength, endurance, and determination than anyone I've ever met. In spite of all her health struggles, she is an amazing mom, wife, and a great friend. Her faith despite the hard both inspires and challenges me

32) Leah - so thankful for her friendship and encouragement and knowing she is faithful to pray any and every time I ask

33) Nurse Amber - we have the best nurse at our school! She is kind, compassionate, patient, and listens with her head and her heart - to kids and adults alike

34) The Jordan family - one of my favorite families ever and I love hanging out with them when I get the chance. I have loved watching the kids grow and take on new challenges and activities. They always make me feel so welcome and loved in their home and their presence

35) Flannel sheets in the winter and the softest pudding sheets in the summer

36) Kristen M - Even though we don't see each other or talk on the phone often anymore, when we do, it's like old times. Watching her be a mama to Ryan Joe will always be one of my favorite things and she's a great encouragement in my life

37) Morning playtime outside with my littles in the summer

38) Naps

39) VBS at Cornerstone - one of the highlights of my summer

40) Rick and Echo - the best greeters who give the best hugs on Sunday mornings

41) My Grandma Judy - always my favorite 

42) Squeeze the Day from Scentsy

43) Krista - one of the brightest rays of sunshine in my world! This friend is my favorite to serve in the nursery with, my favorite director to do VBS with, my favorite Shepherd's Pie maker, and generally one of my favorite people ever

44) The Nest - the daycare at Aspen is my happy place. I make sure to visit at least once a  day and whenever life gets me down and I need a pick-me-up. Both the staff and the kiddos make me smile every time I go in there

45) Tyler - if I could choose an ideal big brother, he would be it. He preaches the Word of God with such passion and excitement, he loves ALL kids deeply, gives hugs that make me feel safe, and is always quick to give me a hard time

46) Listening to the police scanner

47) Cozy winter days by the fire place with a good book

48) Sloths and people who know I love sloths and bring me all the sloth things

49) Waffles and Ice Cream Thursdays

50) Watching the hot air balloons launch with my littles every summer

51) Breakfast bagel from the Lander Bake shop and coffee from Starbucks dates with Cindy

52) Theo, Phoebe, and Charlotte - such sweet and sassy twins with the greatest big brother ever

53) LORT on Saturdays

54) Joy - I am so glad to have her as a friend and also a coworker. Having a like-minded friend to vent to and bounce ideas off of is so wonderful and I love her heart and perspective on things. Her girls always keep me on my toes and I'm glad I get to see them every day at school

55) Sheryl - I've heard a lot of music by Michael Bolton on the radio lately and I always think of her

56) Half Priced Books in Arizona

60) Hoodie weather

61) Park Predators and True Crime Garage

62) Slow, lazy weekday mornings off of school

63) Iced pumpkin chai with homemade pumpkin at Roasted Bean

64) Watching my llamas run in the 4th of July race each summer and watching the parade after

65) All the women who stand in the 'mom gap' for me - they love me, encourage me, pray for me, and bless my life in more ways than they will ever know

66) Sheryl, Jamie, and Diane - the best offices staff ever! I love sharing my stories and random thoughts with them and they are so quick to help with all my crazy questions

67) Being able to donate 10 inches of my hair this fall for the first time ever

68) Debbie - one of the few friends from church to invite me into her home or out for a meal just because she likes to visit with me. She has so much wisdom to share and is so quick to encourage

69) Iced tea from Maverick

70) Chicken sneezes

71) Lounging on a hammock

72) Cozy pajama pants and warm socks in the winter

73) Hummingbirds in the backyard during the summer

74) Amber - my Almost Enough friend for life! I love making her laugh and visiting her in her office each day. She lives with so much passion and enthusiasm and makes me want to be a better person

75) My author page on Facebook - every time I get discouraged and think my posts about abuse aren't helping anyone or making any kind of difference, someone reaches out and thanks me for speaking the hard things or encouraging them on their own path of healing. They are the reason I will always speak out about childhood sexual abuse

76) Lizzy's giggle

77) Waking up from the best night's sleep ever, just to realize it's only midnight and I get to sleep for even longer

78) Megan - thankful for her 'Good morning Angie' every day and her passion for our students. I'm thankful she's on their side

79) Cassey, Charli, and little Thatcher T-Rex - God blessed my life so much with this friend and I can't wait to watch her littles grow up

80) Turkey sandwiches

81) Nora's insistence on having pickles or pickled okra with her waffles and ice cream

82) When my students finish a hard lesson on in class and getting excited with/for them

83) Every time I set Dusty's food dish outside for her to eat, Walter runs outside and does a quick scan of the yard before running back in, maybe making sure it s safe enough for Dusty to eat?

84) Burt's Bees chapstick

85) Alanna - I love her no nonsense, matter-of-fact approach to life and watching her be a mama to Parker

86) Caramel corn from Kilwins (and a friend who remembers that)

87) Lea - even though we aren't neighbors anymore, seeing her smiling face every time I go to Trailhead still makes my heart smile big

88) Chicken Verde enchiladas from The Depot

89) Snuggling sleeping babies

90) Indoor plumbing and toilet paper

91) Dirty Dr. Peppers from 381 Subs

92) Fresh peaches in the summer

93) The first snow fall in the fall

94) The last snowfall in the spring

95) Lawry's Seasoned Salt

96) Saylor - the sweet and smiley baby I get to borrow from the daycare to take around and spread joy throughout the school

97) The mysterious person who has been leaving random gifts on my desk this year - socks, a pumpkin, my favorite caramel apple candies, little stuffed animals, etc.

98) All the littles at church (and their parents) that bring me so much joy and so many smiles

99) Soft pants

100) My health - thankful and grateful to be here