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.

Howell Family | St. Patrick's County Park

Adore this beautiful family. April and Nate are some of my husband and I's dearest friends - and their sweet girls, Macie and Emma are absolute darlings.

Had a blast with them a few weeks ago at St. Patrick's Park. The weather was beautiful and their smiles were infectious!

Always thankful to share in special, fun moments with families!

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!

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!!!