Giving Thanks + Remembering What Is Important

I have so many things to be thankful for! And while some of these things may seem a little silly (because that’s just how I roll) I try to remember every single day to appreciate the things that I have that may seem so basic, because there are so many others out there that are way less fortunate!

Scott

Things haven’t always been easy for us. We co-existed in our home for nearly thirteen years. But after a very serious situation in our family, he and I found each other and fell in love for real! It is because of Scott that I have been able to follow my dream. He worked his rear end off to make sure that I was able to stay home with our youngest daughter, and to allow me to chase my dream of becoming a wedding photographer! He has continued to give of himself one selfless act after another, and I owe everything good that has happened for me in the past few years to him! I am so thankful for such a wonderful man in my life, and blessed beyond words that I can call him mine!

My Children

They make me laugh. They make me cry! But most of all… they make me proud! I am so very thankful for Whitley, who has turned into a beautiful, responsible young woman… Justin, who has continued to make great choices and make us proud all through high school and now in college,  Tyler for his big, caring heart and ability to be a leader and not a follower… Sidney for her love of animals and the desire to spend so much time with me… and for Peyton and her adorable girlie personality when she looks up at me and tells me that I am her baby angel. Both of my step-children and my three children have truly been a blessing from God that I am totally thankful for!

My Father

We have not always had the greatest relationship. After the passing of my mother when I was a little girl, my father and I sort of fell apart. But in the last few years, he and I seem to have found a common respect for one another, and a bond that had been missing for many, many years. My father has proven to always be there for me when I need him and to respect me as I got older. I know that I can always count on him no matter what, and I am thankful that he loves me.

Arrington Vineyard

I am not a big drinker. As a matter of fact, I am usually the designated driver or the one getting called a prude because I apparently can’t possibly have a good time without drinking. But in the last couple of years, I have really developed a sophisticated palate because I no longer want fast food and wine coolers. I crave signature dishes and good wine. And one wine that I absolutely love, and is probably my ultimate fave, is Arrington Vineyard’s GEWURZTRAMINER wine. I can’t pronounce it, so I just call it the G wine! Yummo!

My Job

I am thankful for having the job of my dreams! I can’t tell you what it means to me that I am able to use my passion to make money. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I LOVE MY JOB. It has not been easy getting to where I am today, and I still have a long way to go… but spending my days behind the camera and capturing the love between two people on their wedding day simply makes me giddy inside!

God

Without God I am nothing! He instilled this passion for photography into my soul. He knew exactly what He was doing. And it is through my lens that I was actually able to find my way back to Him. God works in mysterious ways!

Blessings

There are so many less fortunate people out there. I am so thankful that we have a roof over our heads, food on our table, and a home filled with love! I know that some of these items I’ve listed on this post may seem a little on the silly side, and that is okay. But I am truly, truly, truly aware of what I really do have, and have learned the hard way not to take any of it for granted!

Middle Tennessee Community

I can’t tell you how proud I am of the way this part of the state handled our flood disaster this past May. Seeing all those homes and businesses destroyed by flood waters was horrific, but the way that this community pulled together and was able to be there for each other brought tears to my eyes. Neighbors helping neighbors… strangers helping strangers… businesses helping raise money for victims, etc. We did not have to face the horror of looting or anyone trying to take advantage of anyone while they were down. We did not get the national media attention that we deserved because the media felt that Nashville had the resources to rebuild without the need of outside help. Everything looked so dark and hopeless for us for a while, but this community pulled together and helped each other, and I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a part of such a loving, caring community!

Coffee

It saved my marriage! Yep! You read that correctly! Coffee saved my marriage! Remember at the top of the post when I said that my husband and I co-existed until we fell in love? Well… part of what started that process is a pot of coffee that was always waiting for me when I woke up every morning. Scott’s selfless act of coffee brewing literally got the ball rolling on our finding each other and falling in love! It’s the little things people!

My Rescue Dogs

They truly do complete our family! My dogs bring so much joy to my life, and it is a passion that my children and I are able to share with each other. We enjoy supporting Dames For Danes Great Dane Rescue, and have truly been transformed by these animals!

My iPod Touch

It helps me to get lost in my own little world, and let’s face it… we all need to do that sometimes. It makes a great sound buffer to all the barking and screaming that sometimes goes on at my house.

True Friends

There are many different levels of friendship. I have hundreds of friends that I love dearly. But it is my TRUE, KINDRED, FRIENDS that I am truly thankful for. They do not judge me. They do not act hostile toward me. They simply love me and want to make sure that I know it! They are loyal, forthcoming, and always honest! They posses a shared sense of sharing and concern as I do. They make time for me and invest themselves into my life. They support me when I am struggling… even if they are struggling themselves. They love me unconditionally and they always want the best for me. God’s Word tells us that a friend sticks closer than a brother, and that in order for one to be a friend, he or she must show themselves friendly (Proverbs 18:24). I am TRULY thankful that I have friends like this! I am truly thankful for the people in my life whom I can call a TRUE FRIEND. And more importantly… I am thankful that they want me in their lives as well. It truly warms my heart knowing that they actually want me to be there for them just like they are there for me!

Deep Muscle Massage

This may just become a regular occurrence for me! SERIOUSLY! Because after spending eight to ten hours on my feet with a camera in my hands shooting a wedding, I come home with blisters on my feet and my back is aching like crazy! It is the price I pay for being able to have the job of my dreams! But I think a deep muscle massage makes it all better and totally worth it!

Advil Liquid Filled Softgels

Just in case I need a little more than a deep muscle massage!

My Country

I am thankful for my country! In America, we are free to live our lives however we see fit. We do not have to worry about our military or some extremist group invading our village and burning down our homes. We do not have to worry about a government that tries to control us. We are allowed to wake up every morning and decide what our day is going to be filled with! I am thankful for this country, and I am thankful for all the men and women who have served, or are currently serving, this country’s military in order to give me this freedom! And I am thankful for those who have paid the ultimate price of that freedom!

Okay this post is getting long! I could keep on listing all the things I am thankful for, but I will stop because I’m pretty sure most everyone stopped reading a long time ago. I have so much in my life and in my career to be thankful for! And I truly give all the credit to God!

It is so easy to live our lives from day to day while we drive our SUV’s and watch our flat screen televisions and not give one single thought to how we got there. It is so easy to forget how fortunate most of us really are! I try to remember that while it is nice to have an iPod to listen to, or a deep tissue massage after a wedding shoot, it is also important for me to stay grounded and appreciate the basics that I have in order to survive such as a home, food, water, and clothing. I have learned not to take all the extra “stuff” for granted and forget what is important, because when I do… God makes sure He knocks me back down off of my high horse to remind me what is important!

What are you thankful for? Leave your answer in the comments! I love hearing from you!