Tis the Season to be Thankful! In a Nutshell

 

It is day 4 of Thanksgiving Break, and each day has been action packed! After school on Friday, I ran a 5K (trail run) at the Overland Park Arboretum; it was opening night for their Holiday lights (if you haven’t been out to the luminary walk…make time)! I ran (drove) to the Holiday Boutique - warm, candied pecans, impulsive shopping, and lots of fun! On Saturday, Brooke and I hauled the dogs (Ralphie, Marley, and Pickles) to the “Dimples and Daydreams” outdoor pet photo shoot (in the woods)! I spent the rest of my Saturday hanging Christmas lights and insulating my goat pen for winter weather (Clarence and Walter helped me)! 

Sunday was a BIG day for me - kind of like Christmas, birthday, and every other possible amazing day wrapped up into one! I was lucky enough to receive the Lamar Hunt Legacy Award at Arrowhead (GEHA) Stadium during the Chiefs/Colts game! It was surreal! Brooke and I enjoyed field passes before the game - I was a football throw away from all of my favorite players! We sat in the Lamar Hunt Legacy seats; the production crew was ready for the first TV timeout in the first quarter (this happened to come when the Colts punted after their first possession)! I was told to smile and wave for the liveshot, BUT…the camera literally died right then! That was okay…pictures of Oakhill and family lit up the jumbotron to celebrate this award! The biggest highlight of my “Chiefs Fan Life” was getting to go down to the Locker Room Club just outside the locker room and right where the Chiefs enter and exit the field. It was unbelievable…Brooke and I witnessed Taylor Swift walk (behind the new wall) right in front of us AND we got a selfie with Rashee Rice! This is a day that will go down in history for me…experiencing it with Brooke and having Oakhill pics for ALL of Arrowhead to see! And a WIN in OT!

Today, as I write, I am gearing up to decorate the “inside” of the house; I have to get all of the holiday tubs from the attic, take down all of the Fall decor (I know Thanksgiving has not happened yet), and determine where to put what! Once I get started, I will enjoy the process, but thinking about it makes my head hurt! I had to throw away last year’s tree (thanks to Rascal, my cat); I am trying an “alpine” tree this year…weighted base, thick trunk, and less bottom branches. I will let you know how it goes!

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving Day - a turkey trot in the morning, the Macy’s Day parade viewing, and the family (minus Brady and Eliza who will celebrate on the beach) will head over the river and through the woods to Kevin’s mom and dad’s for THE meal - mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, noodles, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and more! I like turkey, but I LOVE the sides! 

Tis the season to be thankful! Personally, I have even more to be thankful for this year! I am thankful my husband, Kevin, is fighting cancer with all his might - he is tough and determined. Brady and Brooke mean the world to me, and I appreciate all of our fun times together; I am also lucky to be gaining an incredible daughter-in-law this Spring…Eliza is the best and I am excited to call her family! Ralphie (my Dalmatian), Marley (my English Cream Golden), and my new grandpuppy, Pickles (a golden) love me unconditionally and make every day better! I enjoy my cats - each unique - each with a special personality - they are truly fun to watch! I am thankful for Clarence and Walter (my goats) - they are puppies with hooves! I am grateful for my friends (they put up with my antics)! And, my extended family is there to keep me grounded and remind me where I came from; although Mom and Dad have been gone for a while, their traditions remain and continue!

I continue to be thankful for Starbucks mochas (I know they are not good for me), brussel sprouts made just right (they make up for the mochas), homemade chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter balls, and a tender, “cut if with a fork” filet mignon! I am grateful for football on Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays (and sometimes Wednesdays and Fridays)! I am grateful to be a Chiefs fan - no.matter.what! I am grateful for fun shows to watch like 48 Hours (fun for me), Virgin River, and Stranger Things (season 5 is coming soon)! Hallmark movies are the best! I am grateful to live on our farm, to ride the 4-wheeler on the trails, to go for trail runs in my “backyard”, and to watch beautiful creatures on my trail cam in the woods! I am grateful for the great outdoors. I am thankful for travel and adventure - I enjoy it all - skiing, backpacking, hiking, exploring, biking, kayaking, fishing, and more! I believe in living every day to its fullest!

I am grateful for those I work alongside each day...a supportive and driven local community (so many cheerleaders for Oakhill), dedicated and passionate families who want the best educational experience possible, amazing students who challenge us to be our best, talented colleagues who bring their A game each and every day, and masterful teachers who were meant to be extraordinary. I am thankful I get to come to work each day...to be a part of something so very special...it is truly my second home!

As we head into our “busy” season, be there for one another…enjoy each moment of each day of each week! Make memories - be intentional with your time! Be thankful for what we have at Oakhill…a magical place for a magical time of year!

Grateful to live at Oakhill each and every day,

Suzanne