A Thankful Heart

"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues" Cicero

Trying to finish the revisions on my dissertation has been the most challenging work I've ever done! The timeline and expectations have been unbelievable. I still do not know if my chair is going to sign off on my final paper work. I pushed myself to the limits and back again to finish. This week, I obtained three out of the four signatures. I received lots of pats on the back, hugs, and encouragement to publish from my committee members. The finish line is in sight and I'm definitely counting this as a blessing!

Last Friday my daughter's fiance's father passed away. I'm so sorry for his loss. However, because of this they came home for the funeral. They live in North Pole, Alaska and I have not seen them since December. Never before have so many months gone by without me seeing my daughter! As one of my sweet friends told me, God used this opportunity to help me regain some balance in my life. I've been working too many long hours at the office and then burning the midnight oil on my dissertation. However, when God brought our only daughter home unexpectedly.... life suddenly came back into balance. I took some time off to spend with her. We finalized some wedding plans, went shopping, and took time for some of our favorite things....getting a manicure/pedicure....eating at the Japanese restaurant...and did I say shopping? We walked the dog together....and had lots of very nice mother/daughter time...nothing like sharing stories about life and laughing with your daughter! I'm claiming it all as an early Mother's Day present...and Definitely counting this as a blessing!!

What about you? What blessings are you counting from this past week?

Right Now

One of my favorite bloggers created a RIGHT NOW...I Am-blog and asked others to join in the fun....since I haven't written on my blog in a while, I thought I really should give this a go....Here's my RIGHT NOW....I am....

I Am glad it's almost time for bed....stayed up way to late last night.
I Have-a mess everywhere I look....in my new office, in my old office, and at home!
I Wish-my dissertation was totally finished!
I Want- to catch up on all my work.
I Fear- these economic times.
I Hear- the hum of my computer's fan and the background noise of the TV.
I Search- for new things to read and learn.
I Wonder- what it would be like to know what you know now...when you were younger!
I Regret- only having one child.
I Love- my family.
I Always- walk barefoot on our stairs.
I Usually- call my 92 year old Granny every day.
I Am Not- afraid to try new things.
I Sing- when I teach children! I make up songs all the time...and especially love to sing during transition time.
I Never- drink plain white milk.
I Cry- easily.
I Am Not Always- the best wife. The lines of work and home have really blurred for me.
I Need- time to finish my dissertation, to organize my "piles" of stuff...and time to pack my old office and move into the new one.