30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 29 & 30 | Music and Noise

Music is so cathartic. Any song, at any given time, can take me to a place where I remember someone - or something ... it can take me back to a simpler time ... or help me look forward to the days in front of me. I'm thankful I can hear BEAUTIFUL music ... it's probably something I take for granted most days.

When I was a little girl, I had to get tubes put into both my ears. Well, back in the day, it wasn't as simple as it is now - and well, my doctor punctured my eardrum. I've had surgeries over the years to try and correct the hole, but those surgeries haven't worked. Through time, my hearing has declined - but - THANK YOU JESUS, I can still hear.

I think we take for granted some of the most basic things, like our senses, and never realize they could be GONE, just like that. I'm GRATEFUL for the music - for the noise that surrounds me most days. I'm thankful that I can still hear my little boy laugh - my husband tell me he loves me - my sisters' and I's conversations - and the music. Oh ... the beautiful music.

{I LOVE this song - this group. It's mostly instrumental - but it helps me clear my head and makes me just a little more INSPIRED. Thankful today, and everyday, that I can hear beautiful MUSIC, just like this.}

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 27 & 28 | Mattie and Winston

While my doggies, Mattie and Winston drive me a bit bonkers some days, I'm thankful for them. I adore their little nuances and how they get excited when they go for walks. And honestly, there's nothing like cuddling with them - grateful they are part of our 'family'. ;) They will always be our 'first kids'. :)

Mattie girl. She's our crazy, overly excited, slightly overweight caryn terrier.  ;)

Winston! He's the needy one - a cocker spaniel at heart - but most of the time, sweet and cuddly.

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 26 | Time

I wish there was a dial that you could turn on and off for the brain. I mean wouldn't it be nice if you could 'flip a switch' when you actually WANTED to think and then 'flip a switch' for when you just wanted peace from the chaos? I don't know ... just a thought of nonsense perhaps.

Nonetheless, it's funny how we are who we are. While that's simple, yes, I still find it amazing how different and splendid each of us really is. I think that reality hit me when I was a kid. I looked up into the sky, realized how small I really was ... and then looked around me ... it was easy to see the beauty in others because I saw the insignificance of it all. Not the insignificance of life, but the amazing power of a moment.

I think so often, moments pass us by - without a glance, without a notice. They creep, they crawl, they unearth our inhibitions - Perhaps to be noticed, or maybe just to get our attention.

Whatever the reason, they bring life to us, they give us meaning, and somehow, they give us hope for yet another day. They give us this coveted thing called TIME.

It’s funny how time goes. It just goes and goes … it doesn’t matter if you want it to stand still for a moment … it just keeps going, with no end in sight. I guess, as I’ve gotten older that truth has become so relevant - it’s become a constant, no matter how fast my brain goes - and no matter how I wish it to stop.

I am not complaining … I feel so honored to still be here. I feel blessed that I still have breath in my body to STOP … LOOK … and CHERISH the ‘moments’ … whatever they are … because whatever they might be, they’re worth noticing.

So while that ‘flip ON and OFF' switch doesn’t exist for the brain … and while time continues to move and move … I am reminded of what’s right in front of me … and am so thankful for the beauty that surrounds me. Because after all, I can still look UP and realize everything is as it should be … and no matter how small and insignificant, I still have the 'moment' - I still have TIME.

30 Days of Thankfulness | Days 22-25 | Family Time

The holidays are my FAVORITE time of year. It's when I get to spend time with my family - some of whom I don't get to see as often as I'd like! Of course, on both sides of the family, we ALL couldn't be together - but it's times like this, that I remain incredibly grateful for TWO families.

I adore my family. This is just a few of them! My dad, little sister Erin, my twin sis and her sweet boy Max were all able to come to Thanksgiving dinner this year! We had a blast. Cannot wait for the WHOLE family to be together in December for even more picture opportunities! ;)

My husband, son and I do not have very many pictures together. You'll see quite a few of my son - but not all of us. In 2013 - I want to change that! My little sister snapped this one for us, at the end of the day and I'm so grateful for it. LOVE these moments.

My dad and little sister - enjoying some 'playtime'! These are the moments that are incredibly AMAZING! LOVE THEM.

My sweet nieces and nephews on my hubby's side. They are some of the sweetest, cutest little ones you'll ever meet! ADORE them ALL. This is only half!

In downtown Indy. :) It's gorgeous there around the holidays ... the Allison grandkids in front of Rocket Fizz and with grandma to the right! ALL of them will soon be together at Christmas, as we welcome Stanley to the bunch! :)

LOVE my 'married into' family! Brad and Julie on the left, with their gorgeous kiddos, Morgan, Madison, Branden and Blake - and the oh so precious and beautiful, Steve and Melissa, and their cutie pie beauties, Claire and Ebbet.

30 Days of Gratefulness | Day 20 & 21 | Laughter & Youth

When I was younger, all I ever wanted to be was OLDER. Yes, it's true. In our youth, we wish for 'more years' and in our older years, we wish for our youth again.

Looking back on my youth, and I've probably said this many times before, but we had so much fun. My sisters and I fought like the dickens - but when it really came down to it - we flippin' adored each other. Today, we're BEST friends. And boy do we LAUGH! I definitely think the saying is true ... "Laughter is the best medicine."

Grateful for the memories of my youth - and the laughter we shared - and continue to share in our adulthood! LIFE would not be the same without these moments - without the laughter - without my sisters.

30 Days of Gratefulness | Days 16, 17, 18 and 19 | Life & Miracles

Wish I had more time to write. I've said this before, and I suppose I should say it again - but writing is my first passion. It always has been. When I was in high school, I would write in journals - for HOURS. Then in college, I began writing a book that I never finished. However, it is on my 'bucket list' to finish it. And while I might be 50 before then - I'll do it! :)

Nevertheless, it's been a few days since I last wrote about my 'thankfulness'. Which is a bummer - because I'm so grateful for each and every breath God gives me. Plus, I feel like this year has been an incredible one. I feel like the blessings are ABUNDANT. And LIFE is just so beautiful. I never, ever want to take a single moment for granted.

One of those major LIFE blessings is this little boy. My Eli. I love him more than my words can convey. He is such a smiley, sweet boy - and a blessing in so many ways - he makes LIFE so much fun and he brings his daddy and I so much JOY.

I'm so thankful for the amazing people in this life, including my cousin, the one on the right in the picture below. He just had his second brain surgery. He had a tumor that needed to be removed - and the doctors were unable to remove all of it the first time.

Thankfully, through God's amazing guidance of the doctor's hand, the second time around was a complete success - and the entire tumor was removed! How great is our God?! Thankful for the inspiration that he and his wife Amy are - and their two adorable kiddos! Lucky to call them my family - and even luckier to call them my friends.

My good lookin' cousin Jim and his gorgeous wife Amy!

Another amazing miracle?! My god-daugther, Macie Jane. Just this past week she took 32 unassisted steps. When doctors and therapists said she wouldn't walk at all - she continues to prove them WRONG. She's a FIGHTER.

God is an amazing God - and if we just believe and have faith - HE can make anything happen. This precious little one is a true testament to that!

This LIFE is so amazing - and I'm so grateful that I get to LIVE it, alongside so many amazing people - and miracles!

The Craft Family | St. Patrick's County Park

I simply ADORE this family. I've known Sarah and Brandon for MANY years - as we all used to work together back in my high school days! AHHH, crazy how time flies. And OH SO THANKFUL how technology can still connect us.

Their family is incredibly adorable - beautiful - and oh so sweet.

Despite the frigid temps we dealt with the day of their session, they still managed to look so precious - and had so much fun together! Some of the most genuine interactions I've ever had the privilege of photographing! Beautiful in every way. Family time, certainly is the BEST time! ♥ Thankful to share in these moments!

Deja | Class of 2013

Deja was one of 'my girls' in a program called Five Star, during her middle school days.

She's a senior this year - which is so hard to believe - and I was completely honored that she asked me to take her senior pictures!

She is such a strong young lady. And has a smile that can light up any room!

So proud of this young woman and all she has accomplished thus far. Excited to see what is in store for her future! ♥

I Have Found my Strength in You

How amazing it is that God knows us so well; He knows exactly what and who we need at exactly the right time. I’ve been recently amazed by some of the people that I’ve been fortunate enough to have encounters with. They make me realize the beauty of PEOPLE and the power of human contact.

With my 'day job', I don’t have much of that. I miss that interaction with people, real people. It’s nice to actually have actual encounters with people and to learn more about their lives. Learn more about what makes them WHO they are. I think that's what I love about meeting new people - whether it's through my photography or just through general, day-to-day meanderings, I've been so fortunate to meet some amazing people.

It really astounds me how strong people really are. To go through their struggles, hardships, pain … and in light of them, they find hope and comfort in knowing that it all happens for a reason. I’m thankful for their strength and perseverance - because it's beautiful.

I read this quote the other day: "When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe that when something's suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful." ~Barbara Bloom

How AMAZING and how TRUE is that? The cracks make us more beautiful. More refined. Perhaps even braver and stronger than we ever thought we could be.

To the women that I have been privileged to share in this LIFE with, thank you for giving me a little part of yourself … and showing me what it truly means to be courageous. You INSPIRE me. I am forever grateful and can only hope to be as strong some day. ♥

Kaehr Family | Bethel College | Mishawaka, IN

Meet John and Melissa. They're a beautiful young couple who just so happen to have one of the cutest little girlies who just turned 1! Hannah is a doll baby. And loves her parents to pieces!

Spent some time with them a few weeks ago, to commemorate the monumental milestone. And I must say, there were lots of laughs and lots of love. Thankful to be in this family's life! And thankful that I was privileged to capture such special moments! You guys are beautiful. :)