30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 30

Today's topic, What talent or skill do you have that you are grateful for?

I'm grateful  to have the tools to capture moments through photography. It makes me so happy to be able to take photos and mark moments in time.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 29

What friend or family member are you grateful for today?

How do I just name one? I can't. I'm thankful for all my family and friends. Those that have been supportive, respectful and honest are the ones I truly value. 

I have so many people to be grateful for; my husband first and foremost along with our beautiful children, our parents and grandparents, the aunts and uncles, siblings and cousins.  Our friends have become family as well. When my kids call you their aunt or uncle, that truly shows just how much you mean to us.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 27 & 28

What small thing that you use every day are you grateful for and what small thing that happened today are you grateful for?

Obvious choice on the small object used everyday would be my cell phone but since I've used it as an answer before I'm going to change it up and say my coffee ☕️ machine!  

The day is very much young and I know there will be many more things that we see as small to be grateful for but just this morning I got to see my son get ready for school and have some heart to heart conversations with him. I'm grateful for those moments and to have such an amazing young man growing up before my eyes with his own personality, flaws and emotions.

30 Days of Gratitude Project -Days 25 & 26

Covering two topics today!

What moment this week are you most grateful for and what form of expression are you grateful for?

I am thankful for spending time with family this past week. It was very generous of them to come to us for the holiday and help pitch in to make a great meal!

I'm also grateful for smiles. They can light up a room and change your mood. 

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 24

Today's topics: What challenge are you grateful for? 

There are many challenges in our lives from various sizes. The challenge I'm most grateful to have I don't see as a challenge but rather the adventure of raising my children. 

I've gone through the ease of getting pregnant with number 1 to the 3 year challenge of getting pregnant with number 2. There were losses during that time and they make me appreciate what I have and what a miracle they are.

Now the journey to raise them healthy, strong, confident and honest begins.

I'm grateful I get to be their momma!

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 23

Today's topics: What tradition are you grateful for? 

One tradition that My husband and I started when we got married was to acquire a new ornament every year since we have been married and to pick out one for the kids. This year we will add Teagan's first ornament!

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 20, 21, 22

Well I've been out for a bit, thanks to our little miracle coming home over the weekend and then an issue with my post yesterday not saving. So, I've decide to cover 3 topics today to catch up :)

Today's topics:

Who in your life are you grateful for? 

I'm grateful for family and friends. Their support, love and kindness proves the good in the world and because of them, I know that we can make it through any challenge!

What song are you most grateful for? 

I actually used this one up in the art response, but in reality I have no issue saying it again. Listen to the lyrics from Rascal Flatts' song, "God Blessed the Broken Road" and you will have some insight into the love between my husband and I. We will never be perfect, we will have our challenges but we will always find each other and make our family priority number 1. (And make fun of ourselves along the way)

What story are you grateful for?

I'm grateful for the story that I'm a part of. The constantly evolving life book I'm a part of. I'm grateful to share the mini stories that make up this novel with my friends, family and children as each one of them has a starring role in it.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 19

Today's topic, What touch are you grateful for today?

I'm grateful for the touch of my baby girl today... I almost forgot just how amazing the touch of a baby can be.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 18

Today's topic, What piece of art are you grateful for today?

This was the song that my husband and I had for our first dance at our wedding. So much meaning in the lyrics, such beauty in the video. This is that piece of art that makes me grateful.

It truly tells the story of us finding each other.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 17

Today's topic, What knowledge are you grateful for today?

I'm grateful to know that every day is an opportunity to continue to learn. Learn from those I work with, those I live with and those I socialize with. I will never stop learning, I will never act like I know more than I do. 

I will appreciate what others offer and know that don't have to agree, but can respect their opinion.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 16

Today's topic, What about your body are you grateful for?

I'm thankful that my body isn't perfect. I work hard to get results. I'm short and curvy. I have muscles and I have some love handles. As the saying goes, I've earned my stripes of motherhood. 

I may not be a size 2, but I'm grateful that this body put me through 20+ years of riding horses, playing Volleyball, Basketball and Softball including 4 years of Collegiate Softball.

2 knee surgeries, 1 shoulder impingement and spondylolisthesis in my back... I have aches and pains, but I'm still upright. I can play with my son, I can carry my daughter, I can dance with my husband. 

Here's to getting through 33 years with this body and many more!

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 15

Today's topic, What season are you grateful for?

Fall, no ifs, ands or buts... Fall is my favorite season.

Bonfires

The foliage

Cool and Crisp

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 14

Today's topic, What sight are you grateful for?

I'm extremely grateful to see the joy and excitement in the eyes of my son that in 4 days, he will officially get to meet his little sister!

He kept telling everyone that she was coming Friday... unfortunately Friday started a month ago. So we created a countdown calendar for him and every morning after breakfast, he takes to the calendar board in our kitchen and removes the previous date and tells us what day it is and how many more days until she is here.

Last night at dinner, he told me I needed to sit next to him where my husband normally sits, so that his baby sister gets used to sitting by him.

Puddle, Heart, Done!

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 13

😘🤔😉😊😀😂😜

Today's topic, What ability are you grateful for?

I'm extremely grateful for an ability I have recently learned over the last two years of going through infertility and healthier living. That ability to be blunt is to not give a shit! By that I mean I have learned to remove drama from my life. 

There is no value add to having it in my life or encouraging others to have it around me. If the only reason you talk to me, comment on a post I put up, text me, IM me or send a carrier pigeon my way is so that I will coddle your drama and help spread gossip, you don't know me anymore.

The ability to encourage quality, respectful and positive relationships is what I'm grateful for and I hope that others find that zen too!

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 12

Today's topic, What texture are you grateful for?

Given that over the last few months of prepping for the new baby, everything I've touched is soft and fuzzy, I'm so grateful for those two textures.

It's amazing how the fresh from the dryer baby clothes and blankets is a relaxing and happy experience!

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 11

Today's topic, What holiday are you grateful for?

I've always known that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is just that. A time to give thanks! It's about family, friends and really understanding what you have vs what you don't. Being appreciative for your rights and privileges.

Today of all days it means even more. It is Veterans Day. I give thanks because they gave their service. Without them, we would not have the life we do.

I'm grateful for Thanksgiving because of the days and people who allow us to share this time with those we love. 

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 10

Today's topic, What taste are you grateful for?

I'm grateful for things that are fresh and light. Summer is the best time obviously for these items, but nothing beats a meal or snack that refreshes you and makes you feel healthy!

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 9

Today's topic, What place are you most grateful for?

I find it completely ironic that this is the topic for today. With all the social media posts last night and this morning about our civic duty every 4 years and the opinions of many (in which they should be allowed to express as a group of people living in a democracy), the topic of moving out of our country is widespread.

I'm not making this day of gratefulness to be a political post, but rather a time to share that I'm most grateful for the United States of America. Despite my feelings on who was elected, who wasn't elected, I still woke up this morning, did my morning routine and put my son on a bus to go and learn at a place I trust. 

My home is in one piece, my vehicle got me to work. I'm working with technology that allows me to do my job and support my family. This place, the USA, is what I'm grateful for. That I get to live with the love of my life, raise our children, make positive memories with family and friends... how can I not be grateful for that?

My gut may have told me that the President-Elect is not the role model I want for my son, a person I would trust with my daughter and overall does not have the demeanor nor skill set to run this country, however,  I will give the respect to the position. I hope he and others prove me wrong. Show the USA that you can make it better. That should be the goal of any candidate. Your job is to leave it better than you found it. 

I'm grateful for my country and it's because of the people I know who are in it. 

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 8

Today's topic, What book are you grateful for today?

Just one!! I think not ;)

1. John Sanford's Prey Series

2. The Giving Tree

3. Love You Forever

4. Divergent Series

5. The Giver

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 7

Today's topic, What memory are you grateful for today? 

There isn't just one that I'm grateful for, but so many that I can't capture them all. Not all of my most fond memories have pictures, but they all surround my family and friends.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 6

Today's topic, What in nature are you grateful for?

Living in Minnesota, we tend to receive some of the most extreme versions of Mother Nature. She must be prepping us for something great this winter with this fantastic fall we have been experiencing. 70's in November! Crazy!

As a photographer, I've been blessed to have natural canvas this fall to work with families on. The art that is Mother Nature is what I'm grateful for.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 5

Today's topic, What sound are you grateful for today?

Truly, music is the sound that makes me happy! Especially when I hear songs from my past... they bring back great memories.

Garth, Reba, Alan Jackson, The Judds, Tanya Tucker, Clint Black, George Strait

I'm a country girl, always have been, always will be.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 4

Today's topic, What food are you grateful for today?

Well I'm pregnant so any food is what I'm grateful for 😄!

Honestly, I just love being able to home cook for friends and family. Whatever will bring people together for good conversations and memories.

And Cereal, I'm grateful for Cereal 😊

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 3

Today's topic, What color are you grateful for today?

So teal has always been one of my favorite colors and will continue to be! For some reason it just calms and centers me. I feel relaxed and comfortable wearing it and I feel like it just suits my personality.

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 2

Today's topic, What technology are you grateful for today?

With all the accomplishments we have in the world and with all those that are technology driven, I have to go with my cell phone.

It is the major form of communication that allows us speak, email, text and stay in contact through social media. I'm sure there are others that could say something else, but I'm going to be generational on this one :)

30 Days of Gratitude Project - Day 1

November is here and it begins one of the most wonderful times of the year for me. I love the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays and the many memories they make with loved ones. 2016 will be an even more memorable one with the arrival of our #2 due soon!

Today's topic, What smell are you grateful for today?

I honestly cannot peg one smell, so I've compiled a little list of the smells I'm grateful for in no particular order:

1. Crisp autumn air

2. Fresh cut grass

3. Simmering food, baking treats

4. Babies just after a bath

5. Christmas Season

6. Firewood burning

7. Clean sheets (any laundry)

8. My husband's cologne