30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 9 | My Job

Some might know this - others probably not - but I actually have a full time job outside of photography. I've worked for Gray Digital Media since 2004. Hard to believe it's been that long - but honestly, I'm incredibly LUCKY to work for such an amazing company and with amazing people.

My boss is the kind of boss ANYONE would want to have. She is flexible. She is caring. She is all about us being the BEST versions of ourselves that we can be. Thankful that I work in an environment that not only is a fun one, but also encourages.

LOVE my co-workers too! We all get together yearly, to go over the latest and greatest 'coming soon' items, as technology is ALWAYS moving, moving, moving forward. And while there is some work that happens at our meetings, we always find time to have some fun together too! Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with, day in and day out. And as much as I'd like to do photography full time, I am so GRATEFUL that I have this amazing job, working with the BEST 'family' of co-workers I could ask for.

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 8 | My 'Married Into' Family

When I married my husband almost 13 years ago, I can't tell you how amazingly blessed I was to also become a part of his AMAZING family. Not only did I gain three sisters, but I also gained two brothers - and later another when my sis-in-law Lisa married her husband Michael! And what's more - I gained some amazingly beautiful nieces and nephews! And more keep coming! :)

Thankful how they love Jason and I and our little man Eli. I couldn't be more blessed to call them my family. SO GRATEFUL for each and every one of them!!!

 

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 7 | My Dad

I love my dad. He's definitely the type of person that if you have a problem or you're in a predicament, you can go to him and he'll be a listening ear or offer sound advice.

Over the years, I've been really blessed to grow closer to my dad - in a way that makes me grateful in so many ways. We have some pretty great talks and honestly, he's one of the wisest people I know.

He has taught his four girls the value of hard work and dedication. And while we all don't see eye to eye on things sometimes, (mostly politics!), he still respects us and our decisions. And quietly prays when one of us is hurting or in need.

He adores his three grandsons and simply, enjoys LIFE and all the moments that go along with it - and even through the rough ones, he has taught us, there are lessons to be learned. Grateful DAILY for my dad and the role model he is, not only to my sisters and I, but to his three grandsons who absolutely adore him. :) Love you dad.

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 6 | Democracy

If you think about the idea that we have the ability to vote who will lead our great nation, it's a pretty marvelous idea. Many countries around the globe, do not have this privilege. Let alone have this privilege and are actually safe when casting their vote.

Today is monumental. As every election is. And today, I'm incredibly grateful that men and women have gone before me, fought great battles, to give me this right to VOTE.

Democracy is a beautiful thing - and should never be taken for granted. Thankful for the privilege it is to be FREE.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. ~Abraham Lincoln

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 5 | Nieces & Nephews

Next to being a mom, the next greatest honor and privilege, is to be an aunt. I have the cutest, most wonderful nieces and nephews a girl could ask for. And I'm so thankful for every single one of them - the joy they bring - and the love they give - even the ones that aren't exactly related by blood! ;) LOVE THEM ALL SO VERY MUCH!

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 4 | FRIENDS

So I know some of these photographs aren't the greatest - but I love them! Because they're little moments that were shared among friends. I'm so thankful for the women and men in my life that I get to call FRIENDS. TRUE friends. Some of them I live near - others a bit farther away - but despite the distance, and sometimes the time that passes before we all see each other again, I'm so grateful that I have these beautiful people in my life. They're my 'brothers' and 'sisters' that God has enriched this amazing life with.