:: a pretty stellar day in my world::

Again, I have managed to neglect this for a couple of days. So now I am up to the task of getting 15 things that I am grateful for.

The first five are pretty simple. Today was just one of those days that was wonderful in numerous different ways. It is starting to become spring out. And with the warmth.....my college kids start to relax. Probably helped a little that it was the last day of class.

1. I am thankful for days like today.

2. For crazy college kids that make me laugh.

3. For those moments that make you laugh....case and point...being attacked by college basketball players with nerf guns while being trapped in a locker room....yep....we are talking total Call of Duty style.

4. Yogurtland!!

5. People with true talent......a.k.a Jimmy Needham in concert.

6. Hugs. Especially hugs with a little squeeze.

7. Feeling like I am making progress.

8. Beautiful days where you can drive with the windows down.

9. I am so incredibly grateful for the people who work hard, behind the scenes and never get the appreciation they deserve.

10. Sleeping in.

11. Spring cleaning.

12. Fluffy pillows.

13. Funny people.

14. That moment that your body is telling you how tired you really are and you just know that you are going to sleep well!

15. Sarcasm. I know....strange. But it is true.

three days in a row.....

Here we are, back at Monday. In the last couple of days I have neglected my routine of listing things I am grateful for. Deciding to intentionally shift my attitude and focus on things I am grateful for takes energy. A lot of energy.

So, since I have managed to not keep up with this for 72 hours..... here are 15 things I am grateful for.

1. Satellite radio is amazing.

2. Time to myself....just me, in my car, driving back to Denver.

3. Being able to laugh at myself.

4. Hugs from my Dad.

5. Knowing who I want to be.....and who I don't want to be.

6. Inside jokes.....they keep me sane.

7. Chances to dress up.

8. Rain.

9. Seeing people in terrible situations, who still continue to be calm and increase their faith. Reminds me that I am incredibly blessed.

10. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

11. For my seniors! Being part of their story for the last three years and watching them open a new chapter in life is a blessing!

12. People who give of themselves, their time and their energy.....and expect nothing in return.

13. A couple hours of sunshine during a day that starts out dreary and ends dreary.

14. Feeling appreciated.

15. Making it to 15 things!

A different type of gratitude.....

The last couple of days have been kind of strange. A bit of a roller coaster and for some reason it just doesn't seem right to narrow it down to ten things that I am grateful for today.

Last night I was on a plane from Denver to Durango, we took of right as the sun was going down and all I could see below were city lights. When I fly, I can't help but look out the window. Makes me feel so small. I landed in the small Durango airport, and besides running into a few familiar faces, my dad was waiting for me.

I love my house in Durango. I love sleeping in my bed and trying to fall asleep in a place that is so incredibly quiet. No sirens, no traffic sounds....just silence. I love waking up in this house. To coffee and looking out onto the back deck into the forest.

I woke up this morning to some sobering news. A family here in Durango had lost their father suddenly. I have known this family for awhile, since their kids were little. I remember getting big hugs from the mom anytime I happened to run into her. It makes my heart break knowing that they are grieving the lose of their husband and father.

So listing 10 things today just doesn't seem right.

I am thankful for life, for another day. Pretty simple right?!?!

I am grateful for a Savior who died on a cross for our sins. For a Savior who stretched out His arms, only to suffer a death for us. And with those arms stretched wide on that cross, embraced me......giving me hope, even though I do not deserve it. Giving us life.

Thats it.....all that can not be summed up in a 10 thing list. Some things are just beyond lists.

Day 14

Welcome to the longest week ever! It seems like it is just dragging on. My body and mind are tired today and of course is was a fabulous rainy day.

the five for today:

1. I am grateful for those moments in life and your day where something happens and you just can't stop laughing.

2. I am thankful that I work with people who are funny, full of energy and can make me laugh.

3. Good news. I work in a career where I often have to deliver bad news. For once today, I got good news with one of my athletes. Now that is something worth celebrating.

4. Doctors and other medical professionals who recognize that I am also a medical profession and treat me like one.

5. I am thankful for those three or four minutes when you first climb into bed after a long day...and you just sink into a comfortable position.

day 11 + day 12 = 10 more things to be thankful for.

I guess I am getting into the groove of writing two days in one. My brain feels like it is already Friday and yet, the calendar is telling me different! My to do list is also telling me that I have a hundred things to do, calls to make and meetings to get to.

I will admit, it has been tough this week to try and remain grateful. Being frustrated, stressed and irritated is so much easier than trying to remain positive and show gratitude.

10. Cheerful baristas at Starbucks that make me laugh.

9. Days where I HAVE to get up early...and I don't have to rush.

8. Inspiration. From people, from videos........ from everything.

7. Compliments. Everyone is grateful for these. But the type of compliment that promises nothing in return...but a genuine compliment.

6. I am thankful when days that you think are going to be jammed packed busy....free up!!

5. Olive Garden salad. I know...sounds ridiculous, but for some reason it just tasted so good tonight!

4. People who laugh at themselves and their own jokes.

3. Cameras. I am no photographer. But I love taking pictures. Things look different from behind a camera.

2. New shoes. I know...I am such a typical girl. I have way too many shoes, but I can't turn down a good deal on cute shoes.

1. New beginnings. Closing on chapter and opening another. Taking another step in a journey....whether it be good or bad

Below is a video that one of my friends posted on facebook. It gave me goosebumps.

Red Rocks + Switchfoot + Chasen = Epic....and 10 more things to be thankful for

Again, I am combining two days in a row. It is the weekend, and this weekend my brain shut down after a crazy roller-coaster of a week.

Saturday I had the privilege of attending the Calling Conference! I have an athlete that has a passion for encouraging teens and college students to chase after what they want and not be afraid. Her vision started in High school where God laid it on her heart to reach out to these people. Now she is a senior in college. In conversations earlier this year, she was in the planning phase of this conference. Where would she get the money? Where would this conference be? What bands can we get for little money to attract people? And yet she just kept her faith in the process and in the event. Last night, I sat in Red Rocks amphitheater, listening to speakers, the band Chasen and Switchfoot.

So I am thankful for:

- clear nights with a big, bright moon.

- People who never give up their vision...and keep the faith.

- People who dream big.

- People who respect me and my expertise.

- Moments that give you goose bumps.

And the next five.....

6. Being productive on a Sunday.

7. Yogurtland. Enough said.

8. Days where you don't have to change out of your pajamas.

9. Accidently leaving my phone on vibrate! Ooops! Makes my sunday a little less crazy when I can't hear my phone!

10. Large, color coated calendars that make me feel a little bit more organized!

And here we are again....about to wake up to a Monday. And I am keeping my fingers crossed that this Monday is kind to me.

Two in One

So I missed yesterday! I had a later evening and then had to be up at 5 am this morning, so this whole thankful blog thing wasn't happening.

So today I double up and give you ten things that I am thankful four. On my end, this week seems to get crazier as it goes on.

1. I am thankful for bright colored coffee mugs at 6:30 am in the morning.

2. I am grateful for people who do jobs others wouldn't dare, do it well and probably don't get paid nearly enough. For example, custodians.

3. A light at the end of the tunnel.

4. Spring evenings that are beautiful!

5. There is just something about walking a dog that makes me happy!

6. Good Morning America at 6 am!!

7. For the small chunk of time when no one is the event center and I am there alone. For that small chunk of time where I get so much done.

8. Laptops.

9. ITunes!

10. Afternoon naps and Project Runway marathons.

:: day 6 ::

It is not even halfway through my 22 day gratitude challenge, and I am already thinking that I might run out of things to be thankful for. But there is my problem! Gratitude and thankfulness should never have limits.

1. Did I mention that I am grateful for coffee?!?!

2. I am thankful for children. From newborns to 18 month olds. Kids carry a sense of adventure and hope. I had an 18 month old in my office today, who turned the light switch on and off for 5 mins, and it was the most spectacular thing in his eyes.

3. Random photo opportunities. As one of my very close friends knows, there is just something about random photo shoots that I love. Capturing a moment that is ridiculous, awkward and hilarious with a camera is priceless. Today, one of my athletes was on a mission, and took pictures with everyone he saw. One picture he was trying to take with me while I was on the phone discussing auto insurance. That one is a keeper....trust me!

4. I am thankful for being told that I will be missed by people who are leaving CCU or graduating. Those words hold some pour.

5. I am grateful for rain. I love rain, the sound of it, the smell of it.....everything.

There is a song from a little band called Foolish Things. I love the lyrics.....

well i think i need the rain today

pounding down on me

it's reminding me that i'm still alive

or supposed to be

and it's good to watch the clouds today

and the ways they move and roll

i guess it helps to ease my troubled mind

to know that someone's in control

so show me the way to find myself a better day

'cause i'm barely holding on

i need you here to wash away these doubts and fears

and hold my hand tight till the dawn

:: Words that seem so appropriate this week::

Day 5

Today was just one of those days. And to be very honest, I don't want to be sitting here writing down things that I am thankful for. But I am forcing myself to continue with a project that I set out on. I am resisting the urge to turn this into some sort of venting session, listing all the things that frustrate me.

1. I am thankful for my parents. I have a terrific family. I am truly blessed.

2. I am thankful for humor, and people who have a terrific sense of humor.

3. I am grateful that in my job, I get to see progress made both physically and mentally. I get to see an athlete from injury to getting back into competition. Today we celebrated with an athlete being able to jump for the first time in about 4 months.

4. Days where you can open up the windows and get some fresh air.

5. Iced coffee drinks. I am sure this one might pop up tomorrow.

:: Monday...also known as day 4 ::

Monday is almost over! And this particular Monday packed a pretty little punch and it didn't have any surprises up it's sleeve. Thank goodness!

1. I am thankful for loving my job. For feeling like this is exactly where I was meant to be and what I was created to do. For knowing that I have a purpose and my work matters. That my work gives me the opportunity to pour into college athletes.

2. I am grateful for productive days where I feel like a grown up. Paying my bills....getting a new car etc. :)

3. I am thankful for people who challenge me and stretch me. Who encourage me to think outside of the box and hold me accountable for the person that I am committed to becoming, and not just who I am in the here and now.

4. I am thankful for kids and their smiles. The kind of smile that just brightens your day and melts your heart!

5. I am grateful for songs that stick in your head. The ones that seem to be a soundtrack to your life and the ones that know the tune and notes in your heart. The type of song that you will stay in your car just to hear the entire thing.

Day 3 ish

I know...it is technically day 4, but by brain shut off yesterday and so did my motivation! Sundays are my down day. Woke up, went to church and relaxed pretty much all day!! Went to see the new Soul Surfer movie and ended the night with YogurtLand! It was a glorious day.

So I here I sit at the beginning of the week. It is Monday again and I am not much different than other people, my Monday's usually pack quite a punch! So before my Monday gets started, here are my five things from yesterday.

1. I am thankful for low key Sundays! Days that I can relax, catch up on rest and on the many other things that I neglected to do during the week.

2. I am thankful for struggles. I know, sounds a little backwards, but I am thankful for struggles. I have learned more and more over the past years that struggle produces growth. And in those times of growth I have found renewed energy, renewed passion and strength.

3. I am grateful for the underdog and upsets!! I know, you can tell that I work in college athletics. I love sports for the pure and simple fact that anyone can win on any given day. That is the beauty of the NCAA March Madness. Side note, I did correctly pick the NCAA Men's National Champion! Yeah UCONN!! Gold star for me!

I love underdog stories.....they give us hope. They give us vision and encouragement when we all face giants in our life!

4. I am grateful for morning where I don't have to rush. Where I can make breakfast and enjoy a couple cups of coffee!

5. Last, but definitely not least, I am thankful for my ten fingers and my ten toes. I spent the weekend working with the National Wheelchair Basketball Tournament here in Denver. I was surrounded my some of the most elite athletes! Despite physical hardships, they have a competitive spirit and play with such soul. I am humbled every time I work with this group of individuals. They are phenomenal! I am so grateful for opportunities like this that help me readjust my perspective. That allow me to work with different populations!

Happy Monday everyone....go drink another cup of coffee!

FivE mOrE ThiNgS to Be grAteFul foR

Second day in a row! I am making progress!!

So day 2 of 22 and another list of five things I am grateful for.

1. Green grass! It is finally starting to look and smell like spring.

2. My dad! I am so incredibly thankful for my father. I am truly blessed beyond belief and would not be the woman I am today without him.

3. Unique opportunities! This weekend I was able to work the National Wheel Chair Basketball Tournament. So much fun and I am the one who feels blessed to watch these individuals compete.

4. I am thankful for people who are passionate about what they do.

5. I am grateful that I am surrounded by a Christian community where people do not curse and use vulgar language in every sentence.

:: 22 days of gratitude ::

I will get it out in the open before I start this little project! I am stealing this idea. I have one friend who wrote a blog for a week, listing 15 things she was grateful for. I have another friend that is doing one of those 30 day photo challenges. So I am combining the two concepts: 22 days of gratitude!

Why 22 days?? Well, cause it is a good even number, and there are 22 days left in April.

Why gratitude? I don't know about you, but the first thing to go when I get frustrated and busy is my attitude of gratitude. I forget how blessed I really am.

So here is my challenge to myself. For the next 22 days, I will post 5 things a day that I am grateful for. Within the next couple months, I will become very busy. Despite the craziness......I want to remain grateful. I want to keep my feet on the ground and my heart filled.

So here is the first five, and I can't guarantee that within the next 22 days I will not repeat a thing or two.

1. I am thankful that I have a job that I love. I never dread going to work! How many people can say that??

2. I am grateful for people who speak life into me.

3. Thankful for spending the day outside in the sun!

4. Grateful for new life.

5. Thankful for the little inspirational sayings on Dove chocolate!