my thankful post

I'm in South Carolina this week and I am realizing now that its almost the end of November..... WHAT?!?

How did we get this far into the year? How is it only a month away from Christmas? How is it a month closer to flying out? How? How? How? How have I forgotten to post my cliche thankful post everyday? How have I not baked anything this year? How have I not made apple butter? How have I only bought one fall scented candle? How have I only taken one super cute fall picture?

That's right because I've been busy with other things. I have been busy with focusing on life changing. My sisters getting married, my other sister turned 15 and I am trying to balance family time, cat time, Netflix, quiet time, church time, traveling time and friend time. Its a struggle -- but such a good struggle. I don't really want to make this blog super long because it will be posted right after I post a moldy heavy one. So here is to my thankful post.

I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for friends.
I am thankful for laughter.
I am thankful for my journals.
I am thankful for my cat.
I am thankful for Netflix.
I am thankful for my picture wall.
I am thankful for my phone.
I am thankful for my camera.
I am thankful for my car.
I am thankful for my adventures.
I am thankful for Parks & Recs.
I am thankful for Leslie Knope.
I am thankful for Ben Wyatt.
I am thankful for love.
I am thankful for inside jokes.
I am thankful for awkward moments.
I am thankful for live music.
I am thankful for John Mayer.
I am thankful for Disney World.
I am thankful for ice cream.
I am thankful for my new bicycle.
I am thankful for my suitcase.
I am thankful for car rides with Pepaw.
I am thankful for phone calls from my sisters.
I am thankful for moments with my dad.
I am thankful for a Memaw who can laugh about her broken arm
I am thankful for friends named Jordan.
I am thankful for friends in different seasons than me.
I am thankful for new babies.
I am thankful for Benjamin House.
I am thankful for an awesome leader.
I am thankful for a family that calls me their own.
I am thankful for my families here and there
I am thankful for real friendships
I am thankful for my past
I am thankful for my present
I am thankful for my future
I am thankful for 2 little boys that make everything funny
I am thankful for a little girl who reminds me what life is really about
I am thankful for young guys who love Jesus so much they leak Him
I am thankful for the ability to read.
I am thankful for the ability to write.
I am thankful for freedom.
I am thankful that I am a woman.
I am thankful that I am moving to another country to fight for women/children
I am thankful for office desks
I am thankful that I can run for president in 2028 (dream)
I am thankful that I have a heart that loves adventure
I am thankful for my messy hair
I am thankful for my complexion, that is currently breaking out.
I am thankful for corn dogs.
I am thankful for work trucks
I am thankful for good conversation
I am thankful for my sisters.
I am thankful for my new tattoo- with my favorite meaning
I am thankful for my smile
I am thankful for my glasses
I am thankful for a friend who lets me sit on her couch, whenever
I am thankful that people can sit on my couch and talk
I am thankful for new high fives
I am thankful for coffee, oh coffee
I am thankful for my Nonna and her bravery
I am thankful for my Nonno and his stories
I am thankful for Birkenstocks and socks
I am thankful for new friends who are passionate about missions.
I am thankful for 'Roll Tide'
I am thankful for the movies
I am thankful for my robe

I am thankful for my life.

This list could go on and on and on. Tonight I sat at the table and talked to my boss/leader about my life. I sat back and thanked Jesus that He chose me to be a part of this ministry. That He allows me to be apart of something so much bigger than myself. This season is one of being thankful and I've been to the point of tears all day because of how thankful I truly am.

the fair | written the other day

I went to the fair last night with new friends. It was easy to say it was the most I'd laughed in sometime. I've not written in a while because my heart has been in other places, over things. However, here I am on a Saturday morning, listening to my Pepaw cut grass outside. He's wearing his denim button up- he's known for that in the fall. Here I am with a  heart that isn't ready to grow up. I want to stay little forever, but that's impossible.

Last night as I walked around the fair, I realized just how much I have grown up. I saw so many people who I haven't seen in years. One of them was the best surprise of all, to see him happy, married and excited about life. His wife is everything I pictured she would be. Perfect for him. I watched people from my past walk by, like they never knew me. I watched people show off their new relationships. Catching up was fast and short lived because of the crowd, but it was nice to hug and speak for just a little bit.

I remember as a little girl I use to look so forward to the fair, like couldn't sleep the night before because I was so excited about it being here. Then it was here and I went every night, along with my best friend. It was expensive and immature, but we loved it. I am not even sure why. I realized last night- that there is no need to go more than once.

I walked around last night and of course studied people. I watched people show off their new babies, their engagement rings, talk about their new exciting jobs. I watched young couples argue, I watched people be polite and some people have no manners at all. I watched people flirt and I watched people meet new friends. I used to buy new clothes just to wear to the fair, because you never knew who you would see. Last night before we left the house we watched Parks and Recs until the very last second. Then I realized that it was time to put my hair up and get out of sweatpants. Last night I walked around and saw girls with the same problem I use to have--comparing themselves to others-- That's an entire blog entry on its on, that may be the next one. But, last night. I walked around fully confident in who I am, laughing at inside jokes and loving time with new friends.

I giggled on the Tilt-A-Whirl, more than normal. Simply because I was continent, but ready to grow. Its my favorite ride and has been forever. Its a classic, its one that has been there forever and it never changes. It stays the same, but while I got on it last night I knew that I wanted my life to be a tiny bit like that-- constant, steady and a classic. But, on the other hand I realized now more than ever that I want my life to change. I could tell last night just how much it already has changed. Life changes people, experiences change people- so of course I've changed. However, I'm ready for more. This was the last National Peanut Festival for a while and I'm thankful for every different season my life has been in while attending the fair.