November 9

I may write about this more than once this month, although it is my goal to not repeat the things for which I am thankful.
 Today I am thankful for running.
 Running is my peace. Running is my time to clear my head and get ready for my day. Running is a passion of mine. Running is my release. Running is my time.
 I can tell physically and emotionally when I miss a few days. Sometimes the difference between a good day and a bad day for me is all about getting a morning run in because it works out my anxiety.  It doesn't have to be my best run. Running just plays a large role in the battle of my mind and overcoming the anxiety that plagues me at times.

 This morning I stepped out the door and ran 4 miles. I felt so good when I finished. I felt ready to enter my day. I breathed easier and smiled better.

 I am thankful for running. If you don't know, I wasn't always a runner. I've only been doing it for 8 years. I'm not the world's greatest runner, but I do love it. For me, running is about much more than maintaining a good weight or staying a certain size. Running is about being mentally healthy. Like I said, I can always tell (and maybe those around me, too) when I need to get out and run.

 I am grateful for the ability, the health and the discovery of running. I've been blessed to be able to run multiple races and look forward to more.  Running does not define me, but it is certainly part of me.

My Most Recent Race, October 2016

A Wet Winter Run, 2015

Finishing My Very First Race, with my best friend spectators Dug and Ten, May 2009 

November 7.

Today I am thankful for food.

 While this sounds totally generic, when I went to Colombia this year, I saw what it meant to not have food and it broke my heart. I have learned to be grateful for this. (And feel so bad every time I waste it.)
  I am thankful for my husband who is an absolutely amazing cook (because I am totally not!). I am thankful that we have the money to buy groceries every week. There was a time in life we barely scraped by. I am thankful for the farmers who grow our food. I am thankful for a stove on which we can cook.
 These things sound pretty generic, but the truth is, I love food, and I am thankful that there isn't a day that goes by that I worry about not having it. God is good in His provisions.

Nov. 6

November 6
 I am thankful for my church.

 It's a really cool story for me how God led us to be in the church we now attend. But it quickly felt like home for me. It is special to have a place where people love you for who you are and where you are at in life.
 The Bible is taught and the community is unique. I really look forward to serving in this church and becoming more a part of who they are.
 They take time to listen to me and to talk theological topics with me.
 Much could be said about Fairborn United Methodist Church. I am thankful to call them my church and my family.

November 4 & 5

Due to a busy day of expo travel yesterday, I missed my chance to share what I was thankful for. So I will combine the 4 and 5 post into one. Besides, then I spare you from reading every single day :)
  So for today (and yesterday) I will just share the little things for which I am thankful this particular week. Little experiences that accumulated to bring smiles to my face and lift the moments of my day.

 1. An unexpected, beautiful bracelet from my bff Paula. She knows me well. And I smile as it dangles from my wrist as a daily reminder of what God says about me. And what others always try to tell me as well.

 2. On that same note, a brunch date with my bff, Paula. She's a special lady who has had an incredible impact on my life. I love our (almost) monthly meetings and look forward to our next one already.

 3. A Buck.
 No, not a dollar buck, but a deer buck. I rarely see these beautiful animals, but often see doe on my morning runs. This week, I was not 10 feet from a beautiful, young buck. He watched me as I ran near him, and I stepped a little further away into the street, not sure how territorial he was. But he was absolutely stunning.

 4. Laughter with Lisa
   Those moments when you get tears from laughing so hard. Those are the ones to capture in a bottle and forever recall. Lisa and I had more than one of those times in our travels to Indianapolis this week and just as the ones we've previously created, these new memories bring smiles to my face that make sense to no one but her and me.

Being Silly with Lisa (who was taking the photos) 

 5. New Foods
  As much as I try to be healthy and eat differently and right, I am kind of  foodie in some ways. I had the most delicious salmon tacos this week and they still make my mouth water. Worth every bite.

 6. Theological Discussions
  I love it when people take time to discuss the Bible with me. It's a living, active Word. And we can forever learn from it, no matter how hard we have studied it or how long we have been taught it. This week, I was able to have a good discussion about various theological issues that stimulated new studies and thoughts. I appreciate those who take time to not debate or preach or shove, but lovingly discuss, and at the same time, listen to me, too.

 7. Kind People
  I love nice people. (Don't we all??) But every now and then there are random experiences that deserve to be noted. This one would take far too long to share, but this kind man from the Air National Guard was also spending hours at the same expo where me and Lisa were. And the time he took to learn about our event and share about our event and drum up conversation with us was meaningful. Kind people make a difference. And this was one of those experiences that just served as a reminder to show that you never know when you are doing something that will reshape a person's day. Take time to be kind. This guy Mike did.

 8. Plank Victories
  As time keeps going, and the plank challenges each month keep happening, I keep pushing. And when I was able to hold it another 30 seconds, I felt victory. Now to challenge myself to keep on going with it, keep on getting better. I can't wait to see what December's challenge will be.

 Good times this week. I have so very much for which to be thankful. Lots of great interactions, special people, and a strong support system.

November 3. My Job

Thursday, November 3.
 Today I am thankful for my job.
I am not only thankful for an income that helps provide for my family, but I am thankful for getting to do something I love.
 I am thankful for the group of people I get to work with, who help me grow and be better not only at my job, but as an individual.
 I am thankful that I get to talk about and work on something about which I am passionate - running. I hope I never lose that.
   I am thankful for a boss who takes time to invest in my future and my growth.
I am thankful for the times I get to travel and see different cities, run new races, and experience new runners.
 I am an extrovert, which means I gain energy from being around people. And so talking to runners at other expos about our event is exciting for me.
   I am thankful for the friendships I have formed through my job. Katie, Sharon, Ed, Bill and Eric, Aunie, Anne, Bill N., Ken, Josh and his crew, D, Dolly, Angela. I've met some pretty cool people through my job, each forming an impact of some sort on me.
 I am thankful for the guys who help in the warehouse, who become like brothers to me.
   I am thankful for the laughs shared with Lisa.
 I am thankful for what I have learned about running and nutrition.
 I really do enjoy my job.

November 2

Today I am thankful for a beautiful, warm November day.

It is unseasonably warm today. The leaves are shining their brilliance. Yellow bursts, Orange streams, Red Shadows dance across the streets and the yards as the leaves fall gracefully. As the sun burns through the blue sky and fluffy clouds, it feels so good to soak in these last drops of warmth.
 Soon enough I am sure that the weather will turn cold, so for today, I embrace the moment of this unseasonably warm day. And the smiles it brings with it. 

Thanksgiving 1

November 1.
 Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love it because it's in my favorite season: fall. I enjoy it because of the food that comes with it. I celebrate it in full because it seems to often be the forgotten holiday. and I embrace it because having a thankful heart makes a world of difference in a pessimistic world.
 I don't always share thankfulness like I should or want to, so this month I decided (in all my free time) that I want to every day this month write a post about what I am thankful for.
  Some posts might be short. Some might be long. Depends on the thing I share. I have much to be grateful for in my life. And yet I admit to focusing on the more frustrating things too often.
 So, this month, while there will be other posts as well, I will try to write something every day. If I miss a day, I'll try to make it up. So,
 November 1.
 To avoid an obvious one (that will be shared at some point) I will share that I am thankful for the childhood I had.
 I watch kids today hurt and be bullied and deal with far more painful situations than I ever faced. Granted, I grew up in small town Ohio, but that doesn't matter. I had an amazing childhood. Perfect? No. But wonderful? yes.
   Farm life. Hard work. But lots of laughter. Games with mom and my siblings. Hide and seek with my friends late into the night. A good church. Crazy stories of God's provisions. Fun school days. Growing up with the same kids most of my life. Special youth leaders, who still are part of my life today. Great teachers. Friday night football games. 4-H. Tractors. A father who never quit. A mother who forever loved. An older sister who was loved by all and so much fun. An older brother smarter than any one else in our home, quiet, but always a protector for me. A younger brother I fought with like crazy but has become one of my closest friends today.

 I could go on for a long time. But today, I am thankful for the childhood I got to have. I was free and I was loved. And I love reliving some of those memories. In fact, the farm remains one of my favorite place to be because of those days.  I am blessed. Here are a few silly snapshots from my childhood.

One of my favorites! We always made a  scarecrow out of dad's farm clothes stuffed with straw and "attached" it to our lamp post. I was 3.

Me and my younger brother. When it rained, we had a little "lake" puddle that formed in the yard. We had a blast playing it in it!  Notice the way oversized rubber farm boots ;) 

3 Musketeers. Kelsey, oldest. Beth, middle. Me, youngest. We spent a lot of time together in high school. This was at Beth's dad's trailer at Lake Erie. 

Senior Night for Band. 

We used to rake leaves and play in them for hours. Me, my brother, Tim and my best childhood friend, Courtney.

We always acted out the Christmas story. I was Mary, my brother was Joseph and of course, baby Jesus. 

One of my favorite Christmas' growing up.... our heat had gone out, so we ate around the oven, which put off heat, had our coats on and opened gifts in the kitchen- the only "warm" room that year. Mom must have been taking the picture.