Girl Scouts, Thirty-One and BoxTops! Oh My!

I think that this has been the longest stretch of time that I have not posted!

The last couple of months have been pretty busy, but mostly I just haven't had much to say...

Not too exciting of an excuse, huh? Well sometimes honesty is boring!

So what have I been up to? Well mostly, Girl Scouts and Thirty-One. I have been working my business a lot more lately, and from doing so I was able to treat myself to a brand new iPhone 6! 

I didn't realize that by volunteering to become a Girl Scout Troop Leader, that I would be devoting so much time, energy and brain power! But it's fun, and more fulfilling than I thought it would be. 

We have taken the girls out on two day-trip outings, tried new snacks, planned our Taking Action Project, and have signed up for our communities Fire Engine Food Drive next month! We will also be  putting together a Food Drive ourselves sometime in the Spring, after cookie season. Which is coming upon us quickly! In fact, official 'Cookie Training' begins in early December. I can say this much about volunteering: it has been keeping me busy, and thinking outside of the box. 

And for that, I am Thankful!

Girl Scouts Mission

I have also been helping out Em's school with their BoxTops program. I volunteered to help sort and count the entire 4th grade! It has honestly been a lot easier than I expected, which is a bonus! The hardest part for me is figuring out the logistics of taking Haylee to the school to collect them...not the easiest task with her in tow!

Emma has started second grade and gymnastics! Which she is in love with! She takes to it so naturally, that I really do think she has found what she loves to do! I would like to see her climb the perverbial ladder to maybe someday compete. She has mentioned it in passing, but I don't think she quit understands the demands of that yet. Any why should she? She is only seven years old, after all!

Haylee turned TWO in September! Two years old! Where did that time go?! She is no longer  our baby, but now a toddler! And boy oh boy, does she do her job well! She keeps us on our toes, and keeps me busy all. day. long! But damn, is she cute!

On another note, I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is this week! Where did the Fall go?! But then again, bring on the Christmas tunes and the bright shinny lights! It just goes by so dang fast, I don't feel like I can catch up! 

I guess I didn't realize that trying to summarize the past four months would be so difficult! I suppose that just means that I need to step up and start writing more often!

I truly hope that you and yours have a very Blessed and Plentiful Thanksgiving! 

Giving Thanks

This Thanksgiving I have a lot to be thankful for. Even in my darkest hours, which I have been buried in a lot lately, I remember what I am most grateful for.

This cliche list may not interest you, but it is what I think the most about:

- Family, and Extended Family. Because without them, I would not be here. I would not have the support system that I need in life, and visa-versa. These are the greatest people, for they show my unconditional love and support no matter what. Through thick and thin, good and bad. Blood will always be thicker than water in my family! And let's face it, if you know my family, we are one hell of a breed of fighters and survivors!

- Health. Let's be honest. Is this not one of the most important things? We would literally not be here without this on our side.

 - Home. This beautiful roof over our heads, that we were blessed to find, is one of the greatest things to come into our lives! There is nothing like waking up to sun shining through the trees, or watching the snow fall and cover the property that now belongs to us! Buying a home is one thing. But we were fortunate enough to score a beautiful piece of property with ours! And while we may have to drive an extra 10 minutes to get places, it is so incredibly worth it - to us!

- Friends. Well, at least the small handful of friends that actually know ME. Not the 'me' that I pretend to be. Because to be honest, not very many "friends" know who I am. Without those few people, I would not be sane! These few people are somewhat of an extension of me. So the ones who take the honest time to find out, and continue to do so, I thank you for that!

- Life. By this, I not only mean the literal sense {breathing, walking, talking, etc...}. I am talking about the experience and lessons I have learned in my struggles, and triumphs. For the strangers that have passed through my life, and touched my heart and soul in one way or another. For the beliefs and morality that I have hung onto...Without these things, and people, I would not be WHO I am. I would not have the empathy that I do. 

- Memories. Without my memories, the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, I do not think I would have the ability to expand my heart and open it up as much as I do. These memories literally remind me of everything!

For everything that I have {material and not}, I am thankful for. For every single person that I know {and have known in the past}, I am thankful for you, and your presence in my life. And last but not least, I am thankful that I AM HERE to be thankful!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!