I think ever year around this time I post a little something about what i’m thankful for. I look back on the opportunities that I had, and the things I was given and I can’t help but feel this huge amount of gratefulness for what I have, and I just can’t keep it to myself-so here goes.

I’m thankful for my family. I know there’s times I want to possibly do harmful things to you -ahem, Jenny- but I really couldn’t have asked for a better family than the one I have. I love all my crazy sisters, and the examples of great moms that they are for me. I love my brothers-in-law who, mostly, have been in my life longer than not. You guys are great for dealing with my said crazy sisters, and you make some pretty cute babies. Kudos for that. 😉

I’m thankful for the relationship I have with my parents. Growing up, if you would have told me I would ever be as close to them as I am now, i’d probably think you were nuts. I love them SO SO SO much!

I’m also thankful for my husband’s side of the family. There’s NO WAY I could have gotten better in-laws. Literally, NO WAY.

I’m thankful for my husband. My brothers-in-law may have to deal with my crazy sisters, but my hubby has to deal with me, which isn’t always an easy task. I’m thankful that he deals with my shenanigans, will argue with me even though he hates it, and still loves me even though i drive him crazy. I’m happy we get to be stuck together forever. 🙂

PC: Terra Nyce Photography

I’m thankful for my baby. When people talk about how great it is having kids and how there’s no way to explain the amount of love and connection you instantly have with your child, they’re not lying. I’m amazed how fast she learns, how smart she is, and I love her little sassy attitude (though I don’t know where that comes from ;). She keeps me on my toes, and I love her more and more each day.

PC: Terra Nyce Photography

I’m thankful for our health. This year has been pretty good to us in this department. Justin is still doing well, except for recent events. HA! He get’s to go in once a year to get everything checked out, but so far so good. It’s been such a blessing to be able to have him up to par for a few years now. We definitely take that for granted until we don’t have it. I’m happy that his little incident in Moab wasn’t worse and that he didn’t bleed out in the desert. “Tis a flesh wound…”

I’m thankful for my job. No, not my photography gig, but for being able to go into the dental office once a week and keep my skills sharp. I love the girls I work with, and it’s so good to be able to help people get their mouths healthier. Some people probably think i’m crazy, but I love working on teeth.

I truly am thankful for my creative mind. I’m thankful for my photography and that I can be the one to document special moments for my clients. From weddings to senior photography all the way to photographing a birth. I can’t begin the express the amount of gratitude I have for those who have honored me with the chance to document those things for them. I will have that connection with them forever, and I love that. I love that I’m able to create, and was able to build a business with it. It’s not always easy. I don’t always deal with things perfectly, and there’s times I just want to throw in the towel, but when I don’t, it so gratifying. I love making beautiful artwork with my photography, and I can’t wait to see what next year has in store.

I’m thankful for my knowledge of my Heavenly Father, my Savior, and of my church. In times of struggle, I know that all I will have to do is kneel down and pray and he’s there for me. It’s such a blessing to have that in my life.

I’m thankful for friends. It makes me sad that I’m not better about communicating with my friends. It makes me even sadder when they move away from me, but I’m happy that some are finally done with school and have moved back to little ol’ Mattawa.  With social media, I feel like we’re losing those interpersonal relationships, and I really hate that. I’m going to be better with this next year!!!!

But really, I’m just thankful. Thankful for my life, my house, my car, my Harley, my families, being able to feel loved, and being able to love what I do. It’s a pretty amazing thing to be truly happy where you are, and I’m there.

So thanks, to all of you that have allowed me to be here to document you, to those friends that I don’t communicate enough with, and to my future clients that I’ll be working with more next year. It’s going to be a wild ride! 🙂