21-30.

21. I am thankful for the fact that I have a job that pays the bills. Even when it has its ups and downs, it's a good job and I work with great people.

22. My incredibly generous parents. Enough said.

23. My things. I know that sounds incredibly materialistic, but I am blessed to have gotten some wonderful gifts from people I love and I have some really great things that remind me of people in my life or fun memories, and I don't take those things for granted. I know I have an abundance.

24. My car. Despite all the problems and headaches it has caused me these last few months (through no fault of its own), I am blessed to have a vehicle that is safe and will get me to and from work without any real problems.

25. The people at St. Anthony's. I worked there for 14 months, and I know many of them were disappointed, maybe even hurt, when I left, yet they are still excited to see me and share their love with me when I see them. I went out there for church on Sunday, and they were incredible! Everyone wanted to know how I'm doing, how my job's going, etc. So nice to see so many friendly faces, even though I've been gone now as long as I was there.

26. Answers to prayers...even when they're not the exact answers I was hoping for, they still help me know God is watching over me.

27. My mom's example in her enthusiasm for life and everything in it. We were teasing her this weekend because lately it seems everything she sees/hears about/mentions goes along with a very enthusiastic and expressive, "I LOVE _______!!!!" It's kind of overdramatic and silly, but I think my mom is in a good place and happier than she's been in awhile, and I'm glad for that.

28. My dad's gentle and generous nature. EVERY SINGLE TIME I hang up the phone with my dad, he says, "Take care of my buddy. Remember who loves you." Isn't that sweet? He is a peach.

29. My creative nature. I have so many ideas for things...I wish I had time (and money) to make them all happen! Someday.

30. Life. I know I'm very, very blessed to live in a time when we all have so much (even if it feels like many of us are struggling). I'm blessed to live in a situation where I never have to go hungry, I have people who love and support me, and if I need anything, I know all I have to do is say the word and people will come out of the woodwork to help me out. Most people are not this lucky. I have my life, I have my health, I have my freedom, and I have love. I am very blessed.

This year I am so thankful for all of you! I'm thankful I have people in my life who care enough about me that they actually want to read my ramblings (even when my camera is MIA and I don't have any exciting photos to share and haven't for awhile...sorry about that). You guys make my life rich. Thank you! Love you all!

Peppermint Deliciousness.

Yesterday two of my co-workers and I stopped by a donut shop to have a quick meeting (seriously...it really was a meeting...promise!) before we had to go different directions. They had a drink called "Peppermint Snow Tea" and it was sooooooooo yummy! :) They listed how to make it, so I'm going to pass it on for anyone who's looking for a delicious holiday treat. :) YUM!

Peppermint Snow Tea

Steam some milk. Take one peppermint tea bag and steep the tea in the milk (as opposed to water, like you would normally make tea). Add one pump/shot of peppermint syrup* and three pumps of white chocolate syrup* (their white chocolate syrup was sugar free, which was awesome, but I'm sure you could use regular if you wanted it sweeter--it was perfect and not too sweet the way they did it). That's it! SUPER DELICIOUS! :)

*Those syrups can usually be purchased at Starbucks or other coffee/tea shops, and can sometimes be found at your local grocery store. You could probably also get someone at your local coffee/tea shop to make this drink for you if you told them how! :)

I LOVE THIS!!!!

18, 19, 20.

So, this everyday posting thing isn't working out very well, but hey, I'm still doing better than I was before, right?! :)

18. I am thankful for my musical abilities. I looooooove, love, LOVE to sing and always have, and I'm thankful I actually have a halfway decent voice so no one else has to suffer by my incessant singing. :) (On that note...do you know about Myspace Karaoke? Seriously? Ridiculous fun if you're just chilling sometime and want to do karaoke with just your computer...although it doesn't work on a Mac, so that's a sad story.) I also love that I catch on to the guitar so quickly. I love, love, love playing my guitar...I just wish I had more discipline to practice more often!! :) And I wish my girls were all in the same place more often so we could actually sing and play more often, too.

19. I'm so thankful for the many mentors I've been blessed to have in my life. Here's a not-so-short list, in no particular order, of some of the amazing people who have generously given their time, energy, and talents to dramatically bless and impact my life and who I've become: Marie Smith, Coach Dickson, Taunia Wheeler, Fr. Jim Meehan, Reed and Julie Hansen, Marsha Forsgren, Mary Heitkemper, Jenifer Gudac, David Lindsay, John Downey, Sr. Mary Garvin, Fr. Al Morisette, Amy Hugh, Mindy Harmon, Terri Tenorio, Karen Plybon, Chuck Kornmann, Cynthia Dachtler, Diana Wuertz, Fr. Mike Winterer, Rob Kugler, Joe Albert, and so many more. I know most people aren't blessed to have a list that long. I am very lucky.

20. THE HOLIDAYS!!! I looooooooove the Holidays soooooooooo much!! Today around noonish they started playing non-stop Christmas music on the radio from now until Christmas and it made me so happy! I love Christmas music!! I love all the things leading up until Christmas--the preparations, the parties, family and friends, the music, the festivity, the way that people are thinking about each other instead of themselves for a change--I just love it so much! Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Thanksgiving. In fact, I go back and forth about whether it might actually be my favorite holiday, but I see nothing wrong with kicking off the holiday season, even with Christmas music, before Thanksgiving. The more the merrier. I'm thankful for all the traditions that make this dreary, gloomy time of year so merry and bright! :)

16 and 17

16. I am thankful for soft sheets and warm blankets on cold nights. I know that sounds silly, but seriously, when you're exhausted, is there anything better than snuggling down under your big heavy blankets and getting all warm and cozy? Love it.

17. Al. Over the last few years I have been blessed to make the acquaintance of an old man by the name of Alter Wiener. He happens to be one of the few remaining survivors of the Holocaust. He is sweet and funny and seriously, how lucky am I to personally know someone like that? (Like, he calls me on my cell phone...I'm not joking when I say we're friends.) I haven't actually seen him in awhile, just e-mailed or talked on the phone, but I saw him this morning and when I reminded him who I was, he said, "Oh my God. You've gotten younger!" What a flirt. So, yes, I am friends with a lively, flirtatious, and very wise survivor of the Holocaust. I am very thankful for that.

Thanks.

Random story: you know that song, "Windy"? It's from probably the 60s or 70s and part of it says, "Everyone knows it's Windy! And Windy has stormy eyes..." etc. Anyway, at camp we used to sing grace at every meal, and one of my favorites was the windy grace, sung to the same tune as that song. It goes like this:

Thanks be to God, the Father Almighty.

Thanks, be to God, who gives us this bread.

Thanks be to God, the Father Eternal.

Thanks be to God forever.

That song just ran through my head and I thought I should share, because I haven't heard or sung it in forever, but I think it's wonderful. So if you're looking for something new to teach your kiddos or a new way to say grace, there you go. :)

At church tonight, I was thinking about how God is so much bigger than our struggles. Over and over we're told not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will take care of itself. We should just live in today. Two weeks ago they were talking about how we all have saints in our lives who step in when we most need them, who are there to lift us up when we're struggling. These are all just random thoughts, but it leads me to my next thankfulness piece.

15. Faith. For so many reasons I can't even put into words. Tonight we sang part of Psalm 139, which is a psalm we've been using at one of the retreats I run. The basic gist is that God knows us from the very beginning, knows us better than anyone ever will, and God has everything under control. If you haven't read it in awhile, check it out--it's quite beautiful, and very reassuring. So I know God has all this under control. Even when it's hard to see or understand what His reasons are.

And on that note, I have a little sidenote since I just realized that yesterday I sort of used one I had already used for my thankfulness posts. Here's my addendum (okay, just an extra one thrown in): I am thankful for Erik. Despite that fact that things are really tough right now, we have been best friends for 6 years and I know we both love each other a lot. I have learned so much from him, and he has definitely had a major influence on the person I have become today. He is a wonderful person, and I know this is hard on both of us. Please pray that we will both figure out what God wants from and for us, and that we can follow His will, whatever that might be.

Thankfulness, Round 2.

So, apparently I am no good with this writing every day thing...or my mom came to town Thursday night, and I literally haven't had a spare second to write. :) So here's a catch up:

12. Mi familia! My mom's in town for her little sister's fiftieth birthday surprise party, and it was lots of fun to see everyone and hang out today. Her other sister, my aunt Debbie, also came down with her husband, so it was fun for the three sisters to be together. I don't get to see my family very often, so it was fun to have a family get-together this weekend. (If you think of it, please send up a prayer for my cousin Heather who is recovering from surgery...and her cat died the day after her surgery, making everything harder. She's struggling and could surely use your prayers.) Anyway, my family rocks and I love them very much.

13. Opportunities. Things haven't been easy lately, but I've realized that I have opportunities knocking at my doors and windows if I just wish to decide which one to take. I'm trying not to make any big decisions right now, since I'm a pretty logical person and don't want to make emotional decisions, but eventually there will be some changes and I'm excited to see what those will be. One big opportunity I am super excited about that's coming up is the opportunity to be godmother to Janna and Ryan's little girl, Olivia Rose (most likely), who is due to be born in December. :) I'm so honored that they asked me, and I can't wait to have a little girl in my life to spoil in a special way. :)

14. My friends' kiddos. Seriously, I have the greatest friends, and you all know I love kiddos, so I'm so glad I can play with your kids, especially while I don't have any of my own. I love hearing your stories and seeing your photos and talking to the kids on the phone (April's oldest, Bryce, and I have a fun relationship because we've been talking on the phone since he was literally about a year old--love that kid!). I have a lot of vicarious nieces and nephews--thanks for sharing, everyone! :) You and your children all bring a lot of joy to my life. :)

Happy Veteran's Day!

11. I am thankful for all the people who have fought for and died for our country. Here are a few special veterans I'm extra thankful for and a bit of their stories...

*My grandfather hitchhiked back and forth across the country and lied about his age when he was sixteen to try to join the Merchant Marines and fight in WW2, only to be turned down because he had flat feet. He served the country for many, many years as a police officer instead.

*My cousin, Brian, is a Marine who served in Iraq. He has also worked as a guard for US Embassies in China, Ecuador, and Belgium. He did scary, dangerous things that I'm glad I will never have to experience. He's a tough kid.

*Both my aunt Joan and my uncle Jim served in the Navy. My uncle was injured onboard his ship during an attack while he served in Vietnam, and (*interesting fact*) he's actually listed on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, D.C. Apparently there was a mix-up and they somehow thought he died instead of just getting injured. Thankfully, that information never got back to my grandmother! I got to see his ship (The USS Enterprise, I believe--no, not the "Star Trek" one!) once when I was little and it was docking in Seattle, way after he was already out of the military. Super cool.

*My college friend, Megan, is in the Army, and her husband, also an Army man, was killed in combat in Afghanistan several years ago. Please keep Megan in your prayers, as I'm sure it's difficult for her on days like today, and keep Forrest in your prayers, too.

*Another college friend, Justin, leads a group of soldiers in the Middle East right now. He just had to head back to his deployment after a brief visit to Alaska on R&R for the birth of his second daughter. Congrats, Beth and Justin! And stay safe, friend.

God bless them and all our Veterans, and keep all our men and women in uniform, at home and abroad, safe.

The Thankfulness Project.

I recently read a blog about something called "The Thankfulness Project," and something very similar is going around facebook--the idea is that every day during the month of November, you post one thing that you're most thankful for to help spread the reminder that we all have so many blessings for which we can be grateful. Since you probably know things in my life have been pretty rocky lately, I think I could use this reminder to count my blessings, and my blog seems like the perfect way to do this. So tonight I'll post ten things I'm thankful for, and I will try, try, try to post at least one thing every day for the rest of the month.

Furthermore, I challenge each of you to do the same thing. What are you most thankful for?

So here are ten things, in no particular order:

1. My fan-freaking-tastic sister. She has SUPER EXTRA DUPER been there for me these last couple weeks, and I love her so much for that and for so many more things. She picked out my puppy, for crying out loud! :) And she sent me a package (which I loved! I never get mail!) and I've talked to her on the phone A LOT these last few weeks, and she pretty much rocks. I have the best sister EVER. I am convinced of that. Love you, Meems!

2. My bestie, April. Seriously, this is a direct quote: "Jen, I have a three week old baby. You can call me anytime, day or night. Seriously, you're not going to wake me up. I'm up all hours." She's the best. Thanks for taking the time to send me a card, even when I know you feel like you're drowning a little bit, too. Thanks for being there for me when I'm a little less-than-stable and dealing with me when I call in tears...for the umpteenth time in a row. I love you!

3. My girls. Sometimes I forget that I have developed this amazing network of girlfriends over the years, and you girls are always here for me (and I will always be here for you, too!). Thanks for loving me and supporting me, especially when I'm a big ol' mess. :) Thanks especially to all you girls who have left me messages or texts or e-mails or comments or whatever. Your love means the world.

4. Mi familia. I have fantastic parents who love me a whole heap. I'm a lucky, lucky girl. And they don't freak out (usually) when I've had it with whatever conversation we're having, regardless of the reason, and I just need to say, "I'm done talking about this." Not everyone's parents are okay with that, but mine are. I really enjoy that about them. And if I need to hang up quickly, they don't dawdle with their goodbyes. They just say, "Okay, love you, bye." I like that. Plus they are unfailingly generous and they're always there for us when we need them. I'm excited I get to see them so soon. :)

5. My sweet little ball of terror, Allee. Seriously, getting a puppy was a crazy idea (thanks, Meem!), but despite the fact that she makes me nuts, I looooooooove her! She is unbelievably smart, incredibly sweet, she loves EVERYONE, and it's nice to have someone who is over the moon to see me when I get home at the end of the day and cries when I leave. :) Her antics make me laugh all the time, and when she learns a new thing, it totally makes my day (whether it's a cool new trick or she's just learning not to eat my shoes, it's still exciting). She's very, very fun, and I'm glad I have her, even when she poops all over her blankets and makes me want to sell her. ;)

6. My job. Seriously, there have been ups and downs (isn't that true for any job?), but in this economy, I'm lucky to have a job that is stable and I can live on and I try not to take that for granted.

7. My guitar. I don't play it enough, but when I do, it is a huge blessing. I love that I have enough skill that I can sit down without really practicing and play enough songs to keep me busy for a couple hours while I sing and play. Now if I could only learn piano.

8. God. I had someone remind me this week that the things I have been dealing with lately are INFINITELY more difficult for people who don't have faith. Seriously, if I didn't have faith that God is a loving God who has a plan for my life and is watching over me and leading me to my best life, how could I ever cope? Even when it's hard (which it is right now), God lets me know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

9. Tracy and Scott and Melissa and Zulma and Greg and Janet and Sarah and Gail and Silvia and... truly, I have the best co-workers. Not many people can say they truly enjoy almost everyone they work with, but I really do. The majority of my co-workers are pretty super wonderful people who make it fun to be at work when I get to see them and who actually miss me when I'm not in the office. It's nice.

10. Hard times. Yes, it's true, I'm trying to remember that I really am thankful for these incredibly difficult times I'm dealing with right now, because I know when I come out on the other side, things will be infinitely brighter because the shadow proves the sunshine (listen to the Switchfoot song of the same name if you haven't heard it).

One quick story: On my way back from Florida when I went for the Red Cross, I flew through Minneapolis, Minnesota. I spent a couple hours at the airport, and the weather in Minneapolis was AWFUL. It was DARK and cloudy and gray and MISERABLE. I didn't know if we'd actually get out because there was thunder and hail and pouring rain and plenty of awfulness. We did make it out, and as we climbed, we eventually came out of the clouds and emerged into a GLORIOUS sunset! It occurred to me then that EVEN ON THE WORST DAYS, the sunshine is STILL THERE, even if we can't see it.

So that's my thankful list for the day. Love you guys! Until tomorrow...