I am grateful for my son, Joey!  Joey loves everyone and everyone loves Joey.  He's the most popular 3 1/2 year old in Holbrook.  He loves sports, superheroes, fire trucks, guns and the ladies.  (Yes, we knew when he was 11 months old that we were in trouble.)

4th of July 2012 - Ready for the Fireworks!

Going to Church - Spring 2012

Joey's version of a Ninja Turtle

Self Portrait - August 2012

Joey attends a 3 yr old preschool class.  It's 3 days a week for 3 hours.  I'm so glad he can be in the class.  He's very smart and loves to learn and make new friends.  Joey is like a little sponge. He just sucks everything in.  He loves his class and loves his teacher, Ms. Fairbanks.

Soccer Camp!  July 2012, 2 weeks before he turned 3. 

Joey participated in the First Kicks Soccer Camp last summer.  He had Coach Chris, who was EXTREMELY patient with him!  Joey did a pretty good job of focusing and he learned how to do little kicks, big kicks, and how to stop the soccer ball.

Joey loves dressing up like a Firefighter!
Hall of Flame Museum in Phoenix, October 2012

Joey wants to be just like his Daddy!
Hall of Flame Museum in Phoenix, October 2012

Joey also loves to play Fireman.  Just ask Jordan Simpson!  He knows the whole routine - putting on the boots, pants, jacket, helmet, mask and you can't forget the hose!  Mike is a Volunteer Firefighter here in Holbrook and he has done a great job of teaching Joey about the parts of the uniform and why they are important.

Every time Joey hear's Mike's pager go off, or another emergency vehicle's siren outside, Joey asks what happened and who is hurt.  He's very proud of his dad and wants to be just like him when he grows up!

New Clothes - Birthday Present from Grandma Laura 2012 

Doesn't Joey have the best smile EVER???  Not only does Joey have a great smile, but he gives GREAT hugs!  Joey is a very sweet little boy that is sensitive to what is going on around him.  He is extremely observant and an amazing judge of character.  He has an amazing sense of humor that always cracks me up. Joey helps bring warmth, peace, and sunshine into our home.  He is 3, so he also brings some craziness and chaos into the mix, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  We are so blessed to have this wonderful little boy in our home and as part of our family.

Joey, I love that you like to play with me.  I love that you are friends with everyone.  I love that you make sure I call you sweetie pie.  I've been calling you sweetie pie and sweetheart since you were born and even though it probably won't last forever, I'm glad that you make sure I call you by those names every day.  I'm so glad you're my sweet boy!  I love you Joey!!!

I have taken the leap into the world of blogging and I tribute this inspiration to +Faith Caffey who requires her senior english classes to contribute their thoughts to the world by creating a blog of their choice, and posting regularly for 12 weeks.  So here I am, trying this out.  I cannot guarantee how often I will be posting, but I will do my best to keep somewhat current.

My student Katie told me about her blogging project and asked for some help to figure out what to write about.  In helping her, I started to think about what I would blog about.  Then I started to think about all the wonderful things in the world that I am grateful for and how I don't necessarily express that gratitude.  My goal is to express gratitude for at least one thing each time I post.  If you decide to read, great!  If not, not a big deal.  And with that, let my first post of gratitude begin!

I am grateful for my husband!  He is the most amazing man I have ever met.  I'm so grateful he moved to Arizona to find me and that I was able to move back to Holbrook to find him.  We have quite the story.  It could definitely be a book or a movie and I would call it, "My Life with Mike".  My job as a band teacher is not an easy one.  It involves many after school rehearsals, evening obligations, and Saturday events which involve traveling anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours (one way) away.  I have had many late nights making cinnamon rolls for fundraisers, and my husband has been by my side through thick and thin.  He helps me out whenever he can.  I remember one Christmas concert where we played "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" and I needed a Grinch costume for one of my students.  He missed most of the concert and made a great costume out of red plastic tablecloths, duck tape, and a paper Grinch mask.  And like most things that he does to help me out, that was done behind the scenes and only a few people knew about it.

Mike has driven behind the bus on countless band trips so he and our son could be with me and support me and my band.  He has watched Joey during concerts, he has helped set up and take down for concerts and other performances.  He has run to the store for me at the last minute, made and dropped off food when I don't have time to eat during my lunch hour, calmed me down when I'm at my wit's end and I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.  He has helped me clean my classroom, organize my office, listen to my rants and raves, let me cry on his shoulder during my heartaches, and celebrated with my successes.

He not only supports me in my school obligations, but my church ones as well.  When I have a meeting or activity I need to be at, he does what he can to make sure I can fulfill my obligations.  There are no cheers for him, no streamers, no major recognition for these amazing acts of love.  He only receives my gratitude and praise and love.

Mike, I am so grateful for you!  I really wouldn't be able to do half the things I do without you.  I truly appreciate everything you do for me.  I'm grateful that I married you!  I'm grateful for our Meeks Family Adventures!  I don't think I can say it enough - I love you!!