30 Things to Be Thankful For - Day 9

Tonight I'm giving thanks for the four years I spent in New England. From leaf-peeping and touring authors' homes to learning how to navigate public transportation and driving in the snow, my experience in Massachusetts is one I will always cherish. I'm so glad I made the decision to attend Emerson for graduate school and then remain in the area for a few years afterward.

30 Things to Be Thankful For - Day 8

Tonight I'm giving thanks for my mom. She's more than my mother — she's my best friend. We share so many common interests — reading, thrift shopping, watching Dancing with the Stars, travel, and baking cookies. I love that we can talk about important things one day and then spend an hour talking about nothing much the next. She gives me great advice when I need it but lets me mess up when I need to learn that way. I am so grateful for her and everything she has done for me.

I love you, Mom!

30 Things to Be Thankful For - Day 7

I don't often speak publicly about my faith, mostly because I feel that my relationship with God is most meaningful when it's private. However, I realize that none of the other things on my list would be possible without Him, and for that, I am forever thankful.

30 Things to Be Thankful For - Day 6

Today I'm giving thanks for my dad. I feel so blessed to have him as my father. He has always been there for me, helping me with everything from homework when I was little to my big cross-country moves the last few years. I appreciate that over the years, he has always been willing to explain difficult concepts to me in a way I could understand. And of course, he brought me up as a Longhorn fan, for which I am eternally grateful! I love you, Dad!

Dad, I hope this cheers you up after the Texas-OU debacle earlier today.

30 Things to Be Thankful For - Day 5

I am so thankful that I have been preserving my memories in scrapbooks since high school. It's wonderful to look back through my albums and share them with others.