November Thankfulness | Day Seven

SEVEN. Photographer/WAHM/SAHM

This whole photography career has been a take a dive feet first and just see where it goes. Hard concept for me since I am a TOTAL Type A, planner and goal completer! I have had days where I have completely doubted my decision to do photography full time. It has been going great, but there is so much responsibility and business savvy-ness that must go along with it. Other days, its like the heavens break free and the light shines and I spread my arms up and say "Ahhhhh, ahhhhhhh" (in my Bruce Almighty voice) Ultimately, though I love it. I love what I get to capture for people! I love all of my clients. I wouldnt be human if I painted you a picture of a perfect journey. It has not been a cakewalk.

It is hard work, VERY hard. I work more now than at my other Job! I dont get paid for everything I do, and I get so overwhelmed I could pull my hair out.

Overall, I am very thankful! Not only have I had an income, I get to be flexible with my children. I get to go to their parties completely guilt-free! I am one of those that hated missing a day of work, for fear I would miss something (ha, obviously) or that I would disappoint someone. There is something to be said about the freedom of making your own decisions! :)

If my kids are sick, I am able to be with them.
If it snows, I can stay in my PJ's.
Dinner is on the table 365, well, most days...(ha)
THANKFUL, Ya'll! Just plain thankful.

November Thankfulness | Day Six

SIX. My furbabies.

I am a little late posting today. I have been so incredibly busy this week, getting sessions wrapped up and prepping for this weekends wedding. My prayers have been answered, as my business has picked wayyy up, but to be honest I am sick of the computer! I am looking forward to Thanksgiving break, seriously thinking of turning my computer and cell off for a few days. NO LIE!

Anywhoodles, (ha)

Yes. I am one of those crazy dog lovers.

I am very thankful for my furbabies. I never ever thought I would fall in love with any animal. I mean, I have always loved animals, but the two I have now have stole my heart. Never ever would I have had an animal in my house. It is different with them though. They always make me laugh when I am sad, snuggle with me when I don't feel good. They love me not matter what! The both have silly little doggie personalities that I know so well! Just like my kids. So glad I overcame my OCD'ness on dog hair and such, they really have been therapy for me! :)

I have more recent better pictures, I am to tired to upload! Forgive me ya'll. This girl is ready for bed.

 Dino when he was a little tiny pup. Wasn't he adorable!

 Not the best picture of Minnie! She is beautiful.

November Thankfulness | Day Five

FIVE: Friends new & old, near & far, you know exactly who you are!

You just have to have friends. I really do feel sorry for people who never will know what the meaning of a true friend is. I know of a few days where if I didn't have a friend or two say encouraging words to me, I would have never gotten out of whatever slump I was in at the time. I am very easy to make acquaintances, but to really let someone in and let the ol' guard down, is very hard for me. There have been some remarkable people tear down that wall and I have been friends with some for what seems like forever and some for just a few months. Some of my friends I don't see and speak too very often, and some I speak to daily. Either way, you can bet your britches if you make it to be called my friend you are one for life.

Thank you to those who have stood by me, seen the not so pretty side of me and still loved me anyways! :)

I am thankful for my friends, and I am thankful to be a friend.

November Thankfulness | Day Four

FOUR. Family

I may not speak to some of my Cousins, Aunts, Uncles etc. or even my own Brother on a daily basis or some I may not talk to at all as often as I should. That sure does not change the fact that I love them. They have each made a huge impact on who I am today. At some point as a child, I looked up to all of them at some point. When it comes down to it, I know where my roots are and I am proud of where and who I came from.

I am extra thankful to my parents for raising me to be so great. haha JK, but really I appreciate them loving me and helping shape my strong inner core that made me be the caring, compassionate person I am. and for giving me my occasional attitude and sass. 

I am also thankful for my extra parents god blessed me with. Their love for me is a choice and I am glad they chose to love me.

My Memaw, my hero, my best friend. I have always thought the world of her. always will.

My heart just swells thinking of the love they all have for me. They each believe in me, love me when the going gets tough, and will back me no matter what. Thanks you guys!

November Thankfulness | Day Three

 THREE: My Husband

I can't even begin to describe to you just how thankful and grateful I am for my Husband, Adam. He is my rock. Looking back before beginning my journey with him, I realize that I was always trying to run my life choices on what I wanted and not really what God had in store for me. Granted, I am glad that I went through the hurt and broken relationships because when I finally let go and let God, he gave me Adam. 

I know to some the whole soul mate thing is cheesy. Uh uh. Nope. I am a firm believer that he is my soul mate. He is always there for me, even when nobody else is. He has wiped my tears. Made me laugh until my side hurts. Called me out when I was wrong. Stood up for me. He is my voice of reason. Cared for me when I was sick. Provided for us. Encouraged me to chase my dreams........................He absolutely adores me.
He is faithful, loyal, kind, giving, honest. All the things I ever dreamed of in a Man.

I love him for his passion, his big heart, his crazy silly personality! 

We are human and I would love if I could just keep painting the picture that we are perfect. We are far from it. I get on his nerves and he grates on mine! We bicker, we make up, we have bad days. Even through all of that we are still perfect for each other. I not only love him for who he is but for who I am when I am with him.

Dear heavenly father, 
You created my heart to need to be loved unconditionally.
I never realized just how wonderfully you would fulfill my need.
Thank you for Adam Lord.
Thank you for his tenacity and strength.
For his knowledge and wonderful sense of humor.
Thank you for his incredible talents.
I pray that he continues to seek you, all the days of his life.
I pray that we both continue to put you as the foundation of our marriage.
I pray we love each other through the worst of the worst and the best of the best.
I give thanks to you lord, for your love, and for giving me the love of my husband.
Amen

November Thankfulness | Day Two

TWO. My precious children.

I never want my children to think that the whole world revolves around them. I do however want them to know without a doubt that my whole world does.

Kullen: Irish word meaning, handsome.

My one and only son. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew he was going to be great. I basically grew up with him since I was 19 when I had him. He taught me true love. To be patient, to not think about myself first. To be independent. He was and is my rock.
He was always such a mild mannered baby and child, still is. So laid back and easy going. Always behaved. Always tries his best and never wants to disappoint. He has such a big, kind heart. He has always been drawn to the elderly and feedback from some of the older wiser friends he made say he has a great soul. I love this about him. He always worries about other people and their situations. Sure, he is still all boy, and is far from perfect. He gets rough and loud at times but deep inside he is an amazing little person. Growing into a man right before my eyes. He is somewhat a clown, and when he gets tickled he laughs from inside out or a belly laugh if you will. I love this child and am blessed to be his mommy.

Reagan: Celtic word meaning, Regel.

My one and only daughter. I prayed for a baby girl, one who looked like me, brown eyes and all and low and behold that is just what I got! Sometimes it is just plain out scary how similar she is to me. From the words she speaks to the way she walks, she is my carbon copy. Reagan is very independent, has been from day one. She is loud and vibrant. She sometimes can be a little dramatic, but often times you will not catch her without a smile. She is a free spirit, marching to the beat of her own drum. She is not afraid to tell you what she thinks or be a little rebellious. Reagan is going to be alot like me when it comes to learning. She is smart, but prefers to Dance and be creative. Reagan has taught me to have a tremendous amount of patience, and to live life more on the wild side and be adventurous. She brings so much joy and laughter to my life. I love this child and am blessed to be her mommy.

So thankful for my babies.  

November Thankfulness | Day One

Good-bye October, Hello November. With the Season of Thanksgiving upon us, I decided to do a blog challenge to blog about the very things I am oh so thankful for. Often, being so busy with my work adventure I tend to sometimes be guilty of putting my own self, and my family, (sigh) on the backburner. This month, my goal is to soak up my family, put my phone down a little more, and schedule my work hours a little better, despite this being my busy season. Blogging everyday about one thing that I am thankful for will be my one thing I do for myself. 

ONE. My love for Christ and my growing Faith.

Even during the times that I was the farthest from God I was never really that far away from him. I have always considered myself to be a good hearted person. Learned about the Lord at an early age through my Mom and Memaw. Saved as a young adult. The past couple of years had really been a challenge for me. Trials & Tribulations really challenged my faith. Nothing to do with me personally, my marriage or my children. But with some other worldly things that rocked me to the core causing me to cling for dear life to God. Early on during this rough time I would question "Why?", but as time goes by I realized just how much God was working inside me. Shaping and molding me into what he wants me to be. It just makes my heart swell to know that he loves me through even the hard times. To really trust and put your Faith in the Lord is so comforting. It also brings me such joy to pray with my children each night, base my marriage on God as the foundation, and spread love, fellowship and his word to others whom may not know him and would come to know him through me and my testimony. So today and always, I am thankful that he loves me so, even though I am flawed and stumble often. Nothing could compare to the peace in my heart knowing his unconditional love for me.

Fastforward

It's a rainy, dreary night. I am awake still at 10:57pm trying my darnedest to get caught up on work.

I think the fastforward button got hit accidentally in my life.

I am going to slow down, I know it is my busy time, but I must remember to make time for my Family and me.

I always have the best intentions on getting everything done! The clothes aren't clean, the dishes need unloaded, etc.........work, work, work.

I need to remember I am not superwoman.

I try to be. I am not.

and that's ok.

Tomorrow, after BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) I am going to make a list and I am going to start checking things off. :)