Happy New Year!

Rather than post about my resolutions to "do better" in 2010, I am starting a list of my favorite things about 2009/things about this year that I am thankful for in no particular order.

1. Getting my first classroom teaching position and literally weeping for joy

2. My depression medication making my brain work and helping me to have joy again

3. Starting this blog

4. Having my very own crafting space

5. Finding a dress form at the thrift store that is my exact size

6. Making my first dress

7. Getting into screenprinting

8. Crafting with friends over the summer

9. All of Joel's visits to read with my kindergarten students

10. Annual girls weekend in Duluth

11. All of my fantastic Saver's finds... I love thrifting :-)

12. Joel

13. Remodeling the living room, not the during but the after

14. Hosting our first Thanksgiving for Joel's family

15. Meeting up with my mom and sister in St. Cloud

16. Seeing Julie & Julia with my mom

17. Anniversary trip to the little cottage

18. My first graders

19. Pajama day at school

20. My students telling me they love me, or that I am smart :-) so cute

21. My students telling their classmates to be quiet while I draw because I am an artist and they want me to be able to concentrate also seriously cute

22. Christmas vacation in Colorado

23. Friday night pizza with Joel

24. Love and Logic conference with Tahnee

25. Yoga this summer

26. Salsa dancing birthday party

27. Making quilts for my mom and mother-in-law

28. Surprise 50th birthday party for my mom

29. Our small group

30. Polar Express Christmas party with my students

31. watching So You Think You Can Dance with Joel

32. Baking and bringing treats to school

33. Zach and Shay moving to Minnesota

34. Girl's Bible study this summer

35. Hanging out with Shawn

36. My cat getting snugglier (yes that is a word in my dictionary)

37. Getting a new washer and dryer for free

38. Joel's no longer needing a cast or brace for his arm

39. Joel

40. Dancing with Joel

41. Redoing our bedroom

42. Telling my students I would be gone for a teacher workshop so I could learn how to be a better teacher and having them be shocked and say I didn't need to go to that because I am the best teacher!

43. Getting a new camera after a year and a half without one

44. Surprise birthday party from my kindergartners

45. Continually growing in my faith

46. Helping with "The Wiz" musical at school

47. Surprise date to see "Wicked" with Joel and Steph

48. Doing TaeBo with my students...it was cute :-)

49. Learning to not be so worried about what other people think and do what makes me happy

50. Pump It Up field trip with my students

to be continued...