Christmas Blessings

I started this blog because I was inspired by my Parisian heart, Claire (Clift) Jones, who has been blogging her and Mr.Jones' lives for us (check out their gorgeous wedding pics at www.timharmanweddings.com). In honor of Claire, who used to steal my Paris blogs, I'm going to steal her previous post and write about my Christmas blessings.

This year I have so much to be thankful for. In honor of the twelve days of Christmas I'll limit it to just twelve...

12. Graduating - indeed, despite what you might think, I shall be graduating come May 2009. Hard to believe that I'm already a college senior, but the time has flown by and I'm thankful to have spent 3 1/2 great years getting to know Drake and Des Moines (and the WIM estate...)
11. Teach for America - I'm so blessed and excited to start my career as a TFA corps member. My blog is entitled "Relentless Pursuit" which is TFA's buzz phrase for the passion in which they attempt to educate today's youth. Having a job after graduation and being able to teach in areas that truly need me is truly one of my greatest blessings this year.
10. NOLA - I am also THRILLED to be moving to the Crescent City and to experience the culture that New Orleans beholds. The opportunities to aid in the volunteer effort that NOLA needs right now, four years after Hurricane Katrina, is also a great blessing. The French Quarter, Mardi Gras, Tennessee Williams, Bourbon Street, Louis Armstrong, no snow :(, cafe au lait, and so much more to look forward to. Visitors are extremely welcome and appreciated...
9. My health - although i'm not running pain free yet, I thank God for the many blessings that good health provides.
8. 100th Drake Relays - 2009 is the 100th running of the Drake Relays (aka the real reason I love Drake). Besides the excitement building for the world class athletes coming out for our party, my roommates and I are busy planning the student activities.
7. My travels - As you might know I LOVE to travel. This year I have been beyond blessed to take some great trips. After a Paris reunion in Athens for the Clift/Jones wedding, this short winter break has been/will be filled with trip to Lusten, MN (skiing with the fam), Clinton, ILL (Christmas with Grandma), the ATL (New Years with Ricky), and finally Disney World (moving Mom to Florida...)
6. New toys - Besides my new Garmin 255w that will instruct me on my move down to NOLA, those of you I live with, or spend oodles of (or any for that matter) time with (or especially travelled to Paris with...) may know my intense love of photographs. Well, this Christmas (or "graduation") I was blessed to receive a Nikon D40 to continue the tradition of me being the paparazzi - only now the pictures turn out even better...
5. My love of literature - the semester I was blessed (and forced) to take a Children's Literature class and renew my love for children's (and any) literature. I've been flying through books and building my classroom library with much excitement.
4. My Grandpa and Nana - In September of this year we said goodbye to my Grandpa Hayes. I was very blessed to know him for 21 years and spend lots of time both watching sports and eating date cake with him. 2008 also marked the 12th anniversary of my Nana's death. Christmas always reminds me of her with Little Women and green jello. I'm very lucky to have two very special angels looking down on me from heaven.
3. My friends - I am blessed to have friends all around the world - and very blessed to be able to see most of them often. All of their journeys are a source of happiness in my life and I can't wait till the next time life brings us together.
2. My family - My parents and brother are a constant source of support in my life. I don't know where I would be without them. But I am also blessed to be able to spend time with my Grandma this Christmas as well as my cousins Carly, Parker, and Aunt Cathy.
1. My faith - Jesus is my number one blessing of all time. Without him life could not be complete and with him I am able to live a life full of grace, happiness, and purpose.

Christmas Break

My last Christmas Break as an undergrad has begun. After a 12 inch blizzard, the Hayes family ventured out into the snow to begin the trek to Lutsen, MN for our annual family ski trip. I write this from a nice little hotel in Tofte, MN. Tomorrow we will begin 2 1/2 days of intense skiing and then back to Wisconsin (actually Illinois) for Christmas with Grandma. It's so weird to think that next year at this time, today will probably be my last day of teaching before my winter break. CRAZY! I'm grown-up! I wonder how they celebrate Christmas in New Orleans...