thirty days of thankful: day thirty

Today I’m thankful for... the nostalgia that always comes with endings. I have been thinking a lot about this project today, and reminiscing about when I was nineteen and twenty and just getting into the groove of my business, running around the old fish hatchery with my camera and my class of 2013 seniors. I am beyond thankful for every single person that has trusted me to capture them and their memories with my camera. Without them, none of what I am trying to build upon today would be possible. 

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-nine

Today I'm thankful for... the sense of responsibility that comes with getting older. I called and made payment plans for medical bills today where younger me would've just let them default into collections. Slowly but surely, I will get everything paid off and begin to pay off my debts.

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-eight

Today I'm thankful for... a day when I didn't even change out of my pajamas, but spent the majority of the day switching back and forth between spreadsheets and workbooks on my computer and brainstorming and goal-setting in my planner. Working with numbers is admittedly not my favorite thing in the world, but it's a necessary evil to break down my goals into manageable bits so that I can actually accomplish them.

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-seven

Today I'm thankful for... realizing how long ten years actually is, and being able to see growth and progress from where you once stood is astounding. I'm writing a longer essay about this if I can pull it together and sit down and write more than a paragraph at a time!

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-six

Today I'm thankful for... actually feeling better enough to do laundry, go grocery shopping, and actually get work done. The business side of my brain has been hibernating through my pneumonia and it feels so good to be diving back into my work again.

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-five

Today I'm thankful for... an act of self-care on an otherwise slow Sunday. I’m still like “WHY DOES IT GET DARK SO EARLY?!” and coloring helps ease some of that pain.

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-four

Today I'm thankful for... doing what I love, man. I got three wedding inquiries today and every time one lands in my inbox, my heart skips a beat and I get super excited. Someone asked me recently when I was going to "give up and get a real job" and it took everything I had not to leap across the table and claw their eyes out. I am so passionate about photography and I want to serve my clients well. Building a business takes time, and I know in a few years I will be longing for these slower days that stretch out ahead of me now. It's all about perspective and keeping the bigger picture in mind.

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-three

Today I'm thankful for... NOT working retail anymore on Black Friday! Something about the holidays seems to bring out the worst in people. I watched a lady at Dollar General today yell at the poor cashier because they were out of her brand of cigarettes. TREAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING WITH RESPECT. It doesn't cost you anything to not be an asshole today. And with that, I'll step down from my soapbox now.

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-two

Today I’m thankful for... so many things. Coffee (duh) for getting me out of bed this morning. My family and friends for always supporting me and my crazy creative endeavors. Justin for putting up with me on a daily basis (Love you, babe!). Knitting to keep my hands busy and keep me sane while I'm recovering from pneumonia. My fur babies for the comfort and love they bring to us every day. Every single person, couple, and family that has hired me in this crazy whirlwind of a year to document their joys... I would still be working at Hardee's be nowhere without them. Mostly I'm thankful for togetherness. We ate pie for breakfast this morning because nothing says Thanksgiving like pumpkin pie with copious amounts of whipped cream before 9 AM! Tammy made lunch for everyone, and I got to FaceTime with my family in Burlington before they all sat down to eat.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Here's to gratitude and always celebrating the little things. They bring us together and always matter the most.

thirty days of thankful: day twenty-one

Today I’m grateful for... hot chicken noodle soup and extra blankets. I didn’t sleep well last night and it’s all about extra comforts when you don’t feel good!

thirty days of thankful: day twenty

Today I’m thankful for... finding piles of pretty leaves outside the laundromat. And having the energy to do laundry and brave the grocery store while everyone is shopping for Thanksgiving. 

thirty days of thankful: day nineteen

Today I'm thankful for... doctors who fit me into their busy schedules and prescribe me antibiotics. I officially have pneumonia, and I can't wait to start feeling better.

thirty days of thankful: day eighteen

Today I'm thankful for... Justin's family for taking me in as one of their own. Last night, Justin's grandma thought she was having a heart attack and I rode along to the hospital with his mom. Everything's okay now. There was a point in the emergency room where they both thanked me for coming along and I said, "That's what family does." I will never be able to express how thankful I am to them for taking me in at a time when my own family was splitting apart at the seams.

thirty days of thankful: day seventeen

Today I'm grateful for... going into a fitting room to try on clothes so I could give my mom sizes for Christmas shopping and not bursting into tears by the end of pulling three pairs of jeans on and off. Trying on clothes has never been my favorite experience, thanks to a bad experience trying to find a dress for eighth-grade graduation, and today was a small step toward progress.

thirty days of thankful: day sixteen

Today I'm thankful for... this guy right here, because he's finally gonna get his drivers license(!!) and I'm so endlessly proud of him. We went to the courthouse today to get a copy of our birth certificates and the lady behind the desk accused me of having a fake ID! We did get our birth certificates though and celebrated with Subway for lunch. We're embracing change in this life one big thing at a time.

thirty days of thankful: day fifteen

Today I'm thankful for... solo thrifting trips and being 90% done with Christmas shopping! (And it's not even Thanksgiving yet! SCORE.)

thirty days of thankful: day fourteen

Today I'm thankful for... my Mew girl, aka the most persistent alarm clock ever, and coffee for doing its magic. I even did laundry and we had Subway for dinner. Sort of feeling better today!

thirty days of thankful: day thirteen

Today I am thankful for... my bed because I feel like I got ran over by a truck and then set on fire.

thirty days of thankful: day twelve

Today I'm thankful for... Advil because I slept on my shoulder wrong last night and my Mew girl for giving the best snuggles.

thirty days of thankful: day eleven

Today I'm thankful for... a glimpse of my dad and his best friend. This is one of my favorite pictures of him with the toolbox that stood in every garage he had since I came along. This time of year is still hard for me without him here, and little things like this make my day when I am missing him the most. Love you forever, Padre.

thirty days of thankful: day ten

Today I am thankful for... lazy Saturday afternoon naps because sickness has taken over everyone in the house, and hot cocoa because it's COLD. Cheers to a restful weekend.

thirty days of thankful: day nine

Today I am thankful for... hot coffee and fleece-lined gloves when it feels like 17* outside. And that the sun came out today after our first snowfall of the season fell overnight. Winter is officially here.

thirty days of thankful: day eight

Today I'm thankful for... my first 365 project. From late 2009 until November 2010, I took a self-portrait every day for a year. Everything that I have accomplished with a camera since then, I owe to this project that I took on when I was seventeen. Every single day, I am glad about three decisions in my life: Justin and that we left Hardee's when we did, and that I became the girl who always had her camera with her because of this project.

thirty days of thankful: day seven

Today I am thankful for... rainy, productive Wednesdays that are perfect for curling up with a cup of coffee and my Get to Work Book for a good brainstorming and goal setting brain dump. Defining what I'm struggling with right now in my business and making goals for the next 3, 6, and 12 months to work toward. Tomorrow is my first mentoring call with Jenni Maroney and I'm so excited to learn from her.

thirty days of thankful: day six

Today I am thankful for... the power of a vote. I was #1201 this morning. No matter the outcome of these midterm elections, there is still (a lot) more work to be done. But baby steps are still progress. Our voices deserve to be heard and voting is one way we get to exercise that right. Did you vote today?

thirty days of thankful: day five

Today I am thankful for... inspirational quotes found on laundromat bulletin boards. This was hiding under a domestic violence poster and it was the perfect quote for this otherwise cloudy Monday.

thirty days of thankful: day four

Today I am thankful for... slow Sundays. The extra hour of sleep last night was nice, but my whole day has felt off because of it. It's been a chill, watch TV, play with the cats and drink coffee kind of Sunday. My very favorite.

thirty days of thankful: day three

Today I'm thankful for... growth and the magic that happens when you step out of your comfort zone. I've spent the last few days editing newborn photos and they're the best I have ever done. I'm trying to concentrate on weddings mostly in my business, but my studio days have proved I will always have a soft spot for babies.

thirty days of thankful: day two

Today I am thankful for... coffee (which I am drinking like water today), emails with good opportunities, and that I have the freedom to do what I love for a living. I will never take these days for granted. Now I'm off to edit newborn baby pictures. Happy Friday!

thirty days of thankful: day one

Today I am thankful for... the sun is out, clean laundry, 70% off Halloween candy, and the magic that a new month always brings with it. I'm planning shoots for this month, going home for Thanksgiving weekend, and diving deeper into how to run this business of mine. Life feels really full right now, and I am endlessly grateful for that.