12:34 November 30

I'm thankful for loud, fun music with friends.

12:34 November 29

I'm grateful for the rain that fell here today. Praying for more rain, especially west of us in NC and TN.

12:34 November 28

Today I received a really nice note from a student I've known for a couple of years. The note came during a part of the day during which I was extremely aware of what I WASN'T doing well. It was a good reminder that while lesson plans are important, treating people well is at least as important in my job. I'm thankful for reminders about priorities, and the reminder that even when I'm not on top of things professionally, I can always be kind.

12:34 November 27

This morning at church our family lit the candle of hope for the first Sunday of Advent. We are rarely home on this Sunday each year, so I am thankful to be home and at our church, with the opportunity to be mindful of Advent from its very beginning.

12:34 November 26

I'm thankful for leftovers and football.

12:34 November 25

Today we hiked along the Eno River. The kids threw countless rocks in the water. I'm thankful for a place like this so close to home where our kids can explore and make memories.

12:34 November 24

Today I got to spend a lot of time with Allison, helping prepare Thanksgiving dinner. The kids helped make cookies, and we all shared a special meal around the table. I got to talk to family who are far away, and I thought a lot about my dad. I am humbled by the abundance in my life, and hope I can always be as aware as I have been today of all I've been given.

12:34 November 23

Today was the first day of our Thanksgiving break. For the first time I can remember, we are spending Thanksgiving with just the five of us. While we especially miss Matt's family, who we usually join in Kentucky, I am thankful to avoid the stress of travel and to be able to cook in my own kitchen. I will savor the restfulness of this travel-free break.

12:34 November 22

I'm thankful for Fred Rogers. I try to show this video to my students around this time every year: https://youtu.be/Upm9LnuCBUM.

12:34 November 21

Today was full. I was busy pretty much every single second until about an hour ago. Facing a busy day is daunting at the outset, but at its end I'm grateful for what I've learned and accomplished.

12:34 November 20

I'm thankful for my family and the family I married into. I've been feeling a little down about Thanksgiving lately, but I'm fortunate to know that it's in part because of the blessing my family has been--I'll miss them, which isn't something everyone can say. I'm looking forward to a Thanksgiving at home, while I'm aware there are more people and places to be thankful for.

12:34 November 19

Today included so many aspects of our present life that I am thankful for: neighbors who my kids can play with, a locale where a 70-degree autumn day is possible, a big yard for our kids to run around in while we rake and tend to our garden, a church that hosts a parents' night out, and a date night at a cozy Ninth Street restaurant where we can enjoy drinks, good conversation, and college football games on the TV. I'm feeling especially grateful for Durham, this community where we're raising our kids.

12:34 November 18

I've had at least three specific interactions with people--adults and current students--this week that reinforce my belief in public schools as crucial civic institutions. I'm thankful to be a product of public schools, to work in and for public schools, and to send my children to public schools. When communities and individuals invest themselves, schools can be awe-inspiring institutions.

12:34 November 17

Today we hosted three lovely Muslim women, who Matt has gotten to know through teaching, for a brief visit. It was an honor to witness their grace, honesty, and pain right here in my living room. I'm grateful for the people who enrich our lives and the lessons they can each teach us.

12:34 November 16

I'm thankful for music.

12:34 November 15

I'm grateful for cozy, easy meals like vegetable soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.

12:34 November 14

I'm thankful for a good start with a new principal at work.

12:34 November 13

I'm thankful for my church, which felt like a comforting place to be for my family and me today. I'm grateful for connections made in difficult conversations.

12:34 November 12

I've found myself thinking about George Wallace this week. And I've thought about John Lewis's remarks about him. I'm thankful to live in this country, and I'm thankful that contrition, forgiveness, and redemption are available to everyone who seeks them.

12:34 November 11

We are home, together. Resting and playing. I'm thankful for this at the end of a hard week.

12:34 November 10

I get to spend 9:00 - 10:30 every morning with a sophomore English class of special needs students, immigrant students, Muslim students, Christian students, atheist students, black students, white students, and gay students. I am thankful for them, and for the chance to work with and know them (and be annoyed by them at times, too).

12:34 November 9

I am disappointed and heartbroken that Hillary Clinton lost the election. There's no "but" with a silver-lining. I need some time to process--to feel--this.

Any gratitude I feel is in knowing that I am not alone. My husband, my kids, my friends, and even a stranger in a coffee shop shared their sadness and anxiety. It's a good reminder we're all in this together, even if voters just elected a person who would have us believe that's not true. I still believe that, shaken as I am.

12:34 November 8

This morning, I woke up early to buy donuts for the kids. I took them to vote with me, then took them to my school for a while, where I had a teacher workday. We came home to have lunch, then spent the afternoon raking leaves, popping popcorn, playing football outside, and enjoying a perfect afternoon.

Allison came home with great reports from the kids' parent-teacher conferences, and we all ate her homemade chili together. It was a beautiful day that I am thankful to have spent with the people I love most.

12:34 November 7

Today I had to take the younger two for their annual check-ups, so I picked them up from school early. I decided to let Tobin stay at school and ride the bus home. He played at our neighbors' until I got home. At the doctor, Ev and Lala were charming with the doctor and brave getting their flu shots. I'm grateful for many things: health insurance, kind nurses and doctors, vaccines, public school transportation, awesome neighbors, and healthy children.

12:34 November 6

We finished soccer season today with 7 games among the three kids over two days. All three of the kids had positive, supportive coaches this season, and I'm thankful for each of them and the time they dedicated to our kids.

12:34 November 5

On this night before the end of Daylight Saving Time, I'm thankful my kids are old enough to understand this: "If you wake up and Mom and Dad are still asleep, BE QUIET and LET US SLEEP."

We'll see how it goes.

12:34 November 4

I'm thankful for leftover Halloween candy. Mmm. Twix.

12:34 November 3

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed and behind on things, but I've been grateful to have a couple productive, peaceful days this week to try to get back to where I need to be. I'm lucky to have a little job that I enjoy. I'm also thankful that Fridays off are still part of my routine.

12:34 November 2

I'm not the baseball fan I used to be, but I've enjoyed this year's World Series. Tobin tried to stay up for Game 7, but just made it through 4 before heading off to bed.

It's especially fun to follow the series with Allison because our early friendship was sparked in part by baseball and other sports. I'm thankful for baseball and its place in all the different parts of my life.

12:34 November 1

Halloween is one of my favorite nights of the year. I love how my kids get so excited about their costumes. I love spending the evening with our neighbors. I'm thankful for the memories my family is making and the opportunity to really appreciate these moments as they're happening.