Thankful Countdown

November is one of my favorite months of the year- cool weather, boots and scarves, Pumpkin Spice everything, and of course the little clues that Christmas is just around the corner. November is also the month for giving thanks, and with so many blessings in my life, there are so many things to be thankful for. I thought it would be really fun to count down the top 10 things on my thankful list this year!

1. My Family 

My family is my everything. I love them so much and I know that I wouldn't have the same opportunities if it wasn't for my family and the support they give me. 

I am grateful for my cousins, who make me laugh and bring so much happiness to my life.

I am grateful for my grandparents, Nomi and Nopa, who are always my number one fans and who inspire me every day.

I am grateful for my grandparents, Liz and Pat for loving my brothers and I so much, and for supporting our dreams.

I am grateful for my brothers, who are my very best friends and who I miss more than anything when I am at school. Jack, Matthew, and Cooper I really love you guys.

And last, but certainly not least, I am grateful for my parents. Thank you to my dad for always checking up on me and encouraging me to work hard towards my dreams. Thank you to my mom for always picking up the phone and listening to me, and for being my rock through the journey. I love you both!!

Basically, I have the best family ever and I am so grateful for them!

2. My Friends

Major shout-out to the people who give me so much happiness and joy on a daily basis. God gave me the greatest friends in the universe and I love them all so much. I would be nowhere without them and I am grateful for the friendships in my life.

3. National American Miss

Where do I even begin? NAM has opened so many doors for me and I can't express my gratitude and excitement to serve as a representative of their organization. Thank you to everyone involved with NAM for consistently producing top notch competitions run by dedicated and enthusiastic staff. My sister queens are all stellar girls and I can't wait to cheer them on at Nationals! I am grateful for my Namily!

Love this collage made by Miss California Junior Teen, Taylor Longbrake!

4. My School

UC Santa Barbara is so much more than a school on the beach. I have been challenged, pushed, and encouraged to do my best in every class. My professors are insanely cool and experts in all of their fields, which makes lecture interesting and relevant. Also, I get to wake up the sound of ocean waves, run along the beach, and wear shorts every day. I have never fallen in love so fast as I have with UCSB. I am grateful that I am attending the best school on earth! 

5. My Sorority

The transition from high school to college is a big one, but it has been the best experience of my life thanks to my sorority sisters in Delta Gamma. I am so lucky to be surrounded by such impressive, genuine, hilarious, and driven people. I have found my home in DG and I am so grateful for my sisters!

6. California 

Wonder why National American Miss Nationals are in California? Because this is the most gorgeous state in the U S of A! But really, where else can you walk along the beach one day and go skiing in Lake Tahoe the next? And we have Disneyland!! Cali is really the best of both worlds. I am grateful to live in such an awesome state.

7. Travel 

I love to travel. I have been lucky enough to travel a ton during my 18 years of life; from growing up in Australia to adventuring around the world over the summers, I have had the opportunity to see so many interesting places. I am grateful for the chance to explore other countries and learn from my experiences.

8. Kids

Nothing in the world makes me as happy as spending time with kids. We can learn so much from their excitement and attitude. Being at college has made me miss kids so much, so beginning in Winter quarter, I'll be tutoring/mentoring a student at IV Elementary twice a week! I can't wait to get to know my buddy and spend time with them for the rest of the year!

9. Blogilates

My latest obsession, Blogilates, is simply my favorite workout ever. Since doing the beginners workout calendar in August, I fell in love and now I try and fit in a little Cassey every day. Even better, the girls on my floor LOVE the workouts too, so we tend to take over the study lounges for an intense "What Makes you Booty-ful" workout. I am grateful for blogilates and good health!

10. You!

I can't put into words how grateful I am to have such a stellar support system in my life. Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and encourages me to succeed- I love you all so much and I am the luckiest girl in the world!


What are you grateful for? Happy Thanksgiving!


Xoxo,
Jane Kennedy
NAM Miss California Teen