Sometimes after a challenging day at work I need to remember that there really is a lot to like in this world, a lot to love even.  This was one of those days and so turning the corner into this blissful three-day weekend, I’m focusing on the parts of my life I love.  It is not a comprehensive list by any stretch of the imagination.  In fact, I’m going to come back and add more over the weekend.  I hope you’ll let me know about all the things you love in the comments section.

• I love the smell of Terry just out of the shower, wrapped in steam with stray drips of water still behind his ears.
• I love when we’re laying in bed and Terry reaches over and touches my leg, acknowledging I’m there with him.
• I love the steady beat of my heart.
• I love reading blogs in the morning before work to see how friends in other parts of the world are starting the day.
• I love tucking under a blanket with a good book as the rain streams down my windows.
• I love riding my bike the long way up to Shasta Dam just because I can.
• I love the pink casing on my bike that matches my jersey and my water bottles.
• I love going to church and closing my eyes to worship.
• I love praying with Terry as we part ways in the morning.
• I love when my nephew begs for more tickles and kisses me with crackers in his mouth.
• I love when one of my students says, “I love writing.”
• I love eating summer blackberries from my backyard.
• I love writing.
• I love writing so much I’m putting it on the list twice.
• I love talking to other teachers about how to foster young writers.
• I love visiting new places, but I love coming home even more.
• I love Abby and her candy drawer.
• I love Nick because he believes I’m a better person than I really am.
• I love my Gramma because she understands the worst parts of my life and doesn’t judge me for them.
• I love green vegetables.
• I love when my principal has my back.
• I love my grade level team for making me a better teacher.I love my home.
• I love burritos.
• I love parasailing over the turquoise Caribbean ocean.
• I love the Olympics.