Being Thankful

I am sitting here trying to figure out what to say. I'm thankful for many things in my life, but this Holiday Season means so much more than just gifts. I've been struggling the last two days because for the first time in 26 years my Sister is not joining us for Thanksgiving and I am heart broken over it. I don't want to discuss the reasons why, but I feel like Thanksgiving just won't be the same. So I am going to hold my kids a little tighter this day because one day that might be my case for my kids and I hate to think about it. I feel like sometimes we rush life by and we don't really stop to enjoy the moments. I feel like I am in a strict routine and if I step outside the boundaries it just wouldn't feel right, but I think its okay to be adventerous, to let things happen as they come and to go with the flow.

So some things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving week:

My family. My Husband and kids, I love them so much that its hard to describe. Ashton often tells me that he loves me more, but the truth is no one loves more than a Mother loves their children.

My Parents. They are amazing, my rock, my example and my friends. I love them both dearly.

My Sisters. Even though we fought growing up, some of my fondest memories are with my sisters playing barbies, arguing over who was going to sit where in the car, our dance competitions at our house (oh girls!!!), girl horomones (my poor Dad, 4 women in one house), picking out dresses, arguing over clothes and spending the Holidays together. I miss it all at times and I would give anything to have those moments back.

My Grandma. She does so much for me that at times I feel like what she does goes un-noticed, but the truth is, she is spending the day with 3 kids who love her dearly.

My Aunt Joy. She is like the older Sister I never had. I can always rely on her for a good chat or advice. I love her dearly.

My Friends. I have some of the greatest friends in the world. I can rely on my friends for a good talk and everything. Love you Misty, Cara, Sunset and Rachel. You girls don't know how much you mean to me.

My Job. I recently took on a new job and it has been the greatest blessing in my life.

My home. The place I love, the place I enjoy with my kids. I was thinking about this the other day. Some of our greatest memories will be in the house that it will be so hard to sell it when the time comes. How do you let go of a memory?

Photography. I haven't talked about this much. But I recently have started taking pictures on the side as a side job. I will actually be attending my first photography class in January. I'm super excited and plan on making it an even bigger side job (or as I like to call it....HOBBY!) in the next year. The truth is I eat, sleep and live photography, its my stress reliever after a long day.

I also wanted to mention that on Monday I will be on the radio at 9:30am. 97.1ZHT is giving the family that Bob and I submitted for Secret Santa, Christmas. I am thrilled. Its the best feeling in the world. I can't describe it, but its amazing. So listen if you can, I'm sure I will cry, but I love things like this.

I want my kids to realize that there is so much more than gifts for Christmas and I think I am teaching them right this year. My Family has seen a lot and I think my kids realize they have a lot compared to a lot of people.

So Happy Thanksgiving my blogger friends!!!