Attitude of gratitude.

This morning was another crazy one! Our power is still out. There were confirmed tornadoes right in our town, which is insane to think about - over 110mph winds! I can't even fathom that! This was an uprooted tree near our neighborhood that one of our church friends captured - most of the streets were blocked and our town/surrounding towns had severe damage.

So while I could sit here and gripe about having no power, no heat, a ton of spoiled food we have to throw away, and having to take a cold shower again; I won't. Today, I want to focus on the positives.

I'm so thankful for my in-laws who insisted we come stay with them last night, prepared us the biggest chicken and dumplings meal and kept the treats coming all night.

I'm so thankful for an air mattress and blankets and warmth last night.

I'm so thankful for a husband who tells me how to get to work when every normal route you'd take is damaged/closed/not an option.

I'm so thankful for a roof over my head, even when there's no electricity/heat inside.

I'm thankful for an employer with electricity so I can keep my devices charged so I'm not driving around town with a dead phone.

I'm so thankful for our incomes - even though we lost a ton of food in our fridge/freezer, we have the means to head back to the grocery store and restock when necessary.

I'm so thankful for the clean up crews in our town who are trying their hardest to make everything back to normal!

I'm so thankful it's almost the weekend and there is lots to celebrate!

I'm so thankful for YOU all, who come back to read day after day. This blog may not be as interesting as it once was (back in the wedding planning days, lol) but it feels good to still keep up with it and write whatever is on my heart that day.

Have a great day!

What I'm really thankful for

I love what November represents; being thankful for things. I love seeing my Facebook feed brighten up with people and things that my friends are truly thankful for! I'll never get tired of that. I haven't done any sort of "thirty days of thankfulness" post, so I thought I'd list a few things I'm truly thankful for today.

My insanely hilarious, goofy husband. For constantly making me laugh, pursuing me daily, and challenging me to be better.

All of our teens. These girls feel like my little sisters, but Caleb and I feel like we have an extended amount of siblings with these guys. We get to hang with over 25+ teens weekly and pour the Word of God into them and its just so amazing to watch them grow!

Having these guys as our best friends. Erin and Jared feel less like "in laws" and more like actual family. I love that we can all communicate with just a look (Bridesmaids, anyone?) and have so much fun together! Whether we're road-tripping down to Tennessee, or simply having a spontaneous game night. Everything is an adventure when the four of us are together!

Having warmth during this cold season. It's easy to forget the things that we have that others need so desperately. One of my youth group girls just started a Go Fund Me page to raise money so she can make approx 150 blankets to keep the Cincinnati homeless WARM this Winter! It makes me tear up thinking about her kingdom minded heart and how much of a difference she's going to make this holiday season! If you'd like to help by donating, or simply sharing the page, click here! THANKS!

These girls. I love them to the moon. Lyndsie, on the right, has been my best friend since 7th grade. We've been through basically everything together. We grew up together, we went through silly breakups with boys, and we were roommates in college for a hot second. I love that I can be my extremely weird, awkward self around each and every one of these ladies. The two in the middle are girls we met when we were in college, Becca and Angie. I know any of them would do anything for me, no matter how long its been since we've seen each other!

All of the amazing women in my family. Seriously, I hit the jackpot with them.

Getting to serve others by living out my passion; photography. I'm so thankful God blessed me with this gift and that I'm able to give others memories they can literally cherish and look back on for a lifetime!

My few blog friends (but really real life friends because I've met them all) that I talk to almost daily - you know who you are!!! Hiii Becky, hiii Anna!!

My in-laws! They are always willing to do anything for us. I'll never forget when I got a flat tire, and they were there within minutes. Or their excitement when they found out I was going to be their daughter in law! :)

My Dad and his wife, Amy! Although we don't see them near as much as we'd like, they are always willing to be there for us. My Dad isn't a very emotional man but I'll never forget those tears he cried on my wedding day. It wasn't a moment we captured on film, but its one I'll hold dear to my heart forever!

I could literally go on all day about the things I'm thankful for; my car, food, our income, a roof over our heads, clean water, our wardrobe, our health, french vanilla coffee :) and so on and so on! But I don't want to keep you here all day.

One last thing I'm thankful for though...is YOU! Yes, you! The readers (those who comment and those who don't) who encourage me to keep doing this blogging thing, even when I suck and don't feel like keeping up with it. I am so thankful to have each of you here almost every day with me!! It means so much you all listen to my rambles :)

FRI-YAY

Last night I made time to go watch Caleb coach and play with his work softball team. He rocked it. I may or may not have been insanely proud when he made the best diving catch ever.

This week at work has been testing my patience but definitely rewarding. I don't think I've mentioned it on the blog but I'm moving positions within my company! I was feeling really anxious all the time, overworked, frustrated and annoyed that I had to go in every morning. I hated that! I love the people I work for and with and didn't like the attitude I was having towards my job. I decided to have a talk with my boss about it and had recently discovered the receptionist was (sadly) moving out of state.

Ironically enough, just a few days prior, Caleb surprised me at work to say hi and I was covering the receptionist lunch coverage. He told me how great he thought I'd be at being the receptionist and I laughed while thanking him, but told him the position wasn't even up for grabs (see how God works?! He was moving this all into motion before I even considered it an option). Just a couple days later, the receptionist told me she was leaving, so that's when I decided to have the talk with my boss.

Everything worked out and I begin August 1! I'm genuinely excited. I love being up front, having interaction with clients and everything that comes with the position. The hours are great and I think it'll be a fun change of pace that I absolutely needed!

So while this week at work has been tough, it's been worth it! I'm wrapping up all my current projects and am ready to pass the torch off to the next person!

5 simple things I'm thankful for this warm Friday morning:
-Carpooling with my husband to save gas (added bonus when I get to hear him sing in the car)
-Old Navy clearance racks - needed a couple tanks to get me through summer and they definitely delivered)
-Getting to try new Snickers flavors thanks to your MIL who works for Mars! YUM! Hint hint: think Nutella.
-Free education from your favorite photographers
-Brides who pay the best compliments about your talents!

Have a great weekend, friends!!

Linking up with Amanda today! 

A much needed break!

I don't know about you, but I really needed those few days off. Thanksgiving was awesome, as usual. We ate too much, laughed too hard, and tossed too much football. JK that's not possible ;)
I'm so thankful for the time I got to spend with family that I don't see enough, and the weather was incredible, so that helped!

It was pretty funny when Caleb and my brother showed up in the same OSU shirt, too!

We did our usual Black Friday/Christmas shopping and had a blast. Friday we did a whole lot of relaxing and then I met up with Lyndsie for dinner. I'm glad she decided to hang even though she was really sick, we had a great time, as usual!

Saturday, we enjoyed watching OSU win their game, and then we decorated our home! It's honestly one of my favorite things to do with Caleb! Deciding where to put the tree, placing all of our awesome ornaments, hanging all of our decorations, etc.! Of course, we had the "Pop Christmas" station on and I sang a little too loud when N'Sync came on ;)

We didn't do anything fancy the remainder of the weekend, just grabbed dinner at our local favorite Mexican place, and spent a lot of time cuddling on the couch watching a lot of football. It was my favorite, and it really has me itching for our stay-cation week mid-December!

Also...WHO DEY!!??!?!! 9-2 feels SO good! We celebrated the win by tossing football outside for well over an hour. I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving and got to spend it with all of your favorite people!

I started this morning with this youtube workout video that rocked my world - although the trainer was a little silly, her voice kept me going. She kept reassuring me my glutes would look great after ;) I really need to make some changes in my daily lifestyle, both big and small, and this was a great start on this Monday morning. Here's to a new week!

Hot chocolate, apple pie and friends.

Today is my Friday, and I couldn't be happier for that. It feels good to not have to work (a wedding) over a Holiday weekend, and we're pumped to spend lots of time with each other, our family, and our friends!

Today, and every day, I'm thankful for this guy who's always by my side.

I promise he's thrilled...

I'm thankful for Shutterfly for sending the best coupons in the world.

I'm thankful for my health care. After some of our family being in the hospital lately, I'm really not taking that (or my health) for granted.

I'm thankful for my friends, both near and far. They always send the best texts/emails right when I need them, and I know they are all just a call away. My friends give the best hugs, and are the best supporters I could ask for. HASHTAG BLESSED.

I'm thankful for the ability to pick up a sweet tea whenever the heck I want.

I'm thankful for $3 Christmas banners that will make my home more cozy this Winter - thanks to Target ;)

I'm thankful for worship. It's my favorite way to connect with the Lord. It shifts our attention from our problems, to the problem solver; to the Creator of the universe!

I'm really thankful for my camera(s). Lately I'm feeling extra sentimental about my ability to capture the coolest moments in others lives. I had a family shoot on Sunday and this photo just stuck out. To be able to capture that adorable smile, those bouncy curls? I just love it.

I'm thankful for apple pie with extra sugar. I'm thankful for the family members who will cook this Thanksgiving, so I don't have to ;) but more important? I'm thankful I have a table to eat from, with family I love, in the warmth of a home. Those are such small things to some of us, that so many others don't have in this world.

I'm thankful for puppy kisses, hot chocolate, random surprises and movie nights.
I'm thankful for comfy pajamas, hot water, yummy candles and thick sweaters.

Don't forget to hug your loved ones extra tight this Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for each and every one of you who keep coming back to this little space of mine! It truly means so much!

Nerdiest of them all.

Friday night, my sister in law successfully surprised her man with a "Nerdy Thirty" party! He thought we were having a nerd themed double date to a local arcade center called Scene 75!

Instead, a small group of his closest friends were waiting in a party room to scream SURPRISE!!! The whole evening was such a blast. The food was delicious, the arcade games were a blast, and I've never had so much fun playing mini golf. It was honestly hilarious how many people stared at us throughout the night, but is just reaffirmed my belief that I have the coolest friends in the world - who aren't afraid to be what we truly are...big kids at heart!

We slept like rocks that night, and woke up feeling pretty rested for our second to last wedding of 2015. Brittany and Matt got married at one of the prettiest venues around town - Cincinnati Music Hall.

This couple was just amazing. Their love story is heart warming, and it was actually Matt's BIRTHDAY! How selfless? To give up the one day you have to be "all about you", to now be about your best friend? I love it. They even had Holtman donuts at their reception - 18 dozen to be exact. SO they win at life. ;)

We actually got home at a decent time, and Caleb and I had a small date night in. Those are the best! Sunday I squeezed in an awesome morning at church, a couple quick photo shoots, and even a bonfire (and watching  the Bengals game that I don't want to talk about...)

This time of year is so easy to see all the blessings around me, and I'm not taking them for granted! Hope everyone has a great week!

A small list.

Life has a way of throwing you curveballs. Everything is great, and when you least expect it... bam! Something crazy happens. Yesterday I got news that my Grandpa went back to the hospital for chest pain. Thankfully, it wasn't a heart attack, but he's on some medication and they will be monitoring him over the next few weeks. This happened a couple times last month as well, and they put a stent in. Thankfully, our prayer worked and he was able to head home. In the grand scheme of things, he's all good (thank you Jesus), but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about him.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I wanted to highlight a few people in particular this time of year I'm thankful for, starting with my Grandpa I just spoke about (or as I've called him my whole life; Buddy)...

My grandparents win at life. Cuties.

My adorable husband, who surprised me recently with italian cheesy bread and pretended there was "traffic" on his way home from work because I mentioned how badly I wanted some earlier that day. #thelittlethings ... and I found this while editing last night and couldn't help but stare. Hehe!

I'm thankful for strangers who become friends through the internet and somehow stay connected even though they live halfway across America, and the random texts they send to make others smile. Hiiii Reese + Renee!

I'm thankful for a recent bride, Karen. Sadly, a few weeks after we photographed her wedding, her mother passed away unexpectedly. It really put into perspective the importance of my job. How incredible that I had the honor of photographing one of the last big events in her life?! God definitely uses these tragic things to teach us lessons. I truly believe that. If you think about it, please keep sweet Karen in your prayers this week.

I'm thankful for random co workers who bring me Starbucks when the office is near empty and I'm extra thankful for random texts from my girl, Lyndsie. I haven't seen her in way too long and I'm CRAZY excited for a girls sleepover we've got planned for next weekend!

throwback to darker hair and chillier days.

and last but definitely not least! I'm really thankful for my awesome bro (in law), Jared! It's the big 3-0 for him today!!! Jared is one of the silliest, most awesome guys I know! Caleb and I are so thankful to have he and Erin in our lives, they make us better in every way possible. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARED! We love ya!

Find something to be thankful for today friends, even when its hard! Happy almost-Friday!!

Wag more, bark less.

I'm the type of person who is always fascinated by bumper stickers. I really don't like those cars that have like 37 of them and its SO obvious what they stand for, and its not always said in the nicest ways... but hey, that's their right I suppose. Anyway, one in particular caught my eye the other day; "wag more, bark less", it said.

It got me thinking what that would actually look like. I kinda loved that it was a dog reference, but that's besides the point. Think about how much happier we'd be if we complained less and realized our blessings more? Sure, there are going to be days where you just DON'T want to do something, and I think that's okay. We all work hard, and need a break/need to vent every now and then. BUT!! Imagine a world where everyone on Facebook didn't feel like they had to fight with complete strangers, hiding behind their little keyboards, giving their mean opinions to anyone who will listen.

I generally try to stay pretty optimistic. Sure, life can be hard, really freaking hard sometimes... but there's so much beauty to every single day! Like when an acquaintance asks me more about my faith because they are 'curious'...or when my boss offers to pick me up Starbucks, just because. As cliche as it sounds... I love this quote. There's always something to be thankful for!

I think its been a little while since I've made a 'thankful list', so here goes...

This silly guy, and that gorgeous bokeh. I love that he and I get to do this crazy 2nd job together. I wouldn't know what to do without him!

My sister in law, who doubles as one of my absolute best friends...I'm thankful for her daily emails, constant support and "big sister" advice. I'll always love this moment; at my wedding reception when we had a moment to chat and realized "we're finally sisters!!" ;)

Technology...being able to schedule Skype dates with friends who live far? There's nothin like it!

Youth group... this month has been crazy and i'm missing these kids like crazy! Half of them are getting their licenses and I just can't take it! I'm so thankful for their crazy fun spirits and can't wait to see where life takes them!

I'm thankful for hot water, and a hilarious color changing shower head that makes me feel like I'm in a dance club. Yes, you read that right. It was in our home when we moved in, and we decided to keep it. It definitely wakes me up most mornings! ;)

I'm also thankful for this little blog. There are days why I question why I keep blogging, as it takes a ton of time some days, but I'm just having fun with it. So thank YOU for continuing to come back day after day and reading my rambles! ;)

A few things of this week.

This week, I've decided to look for more happiness in the every day stuff. Not having had the greatest week last week, is kind of forcing me to turn myself around. So, I looked at what was around me...and it was hard to not smile. I'm surrounded by so much positivity, yet it's so easy to forget when you're in the midst of pain. I'm thankful that this week I'm beginning to feel like myself again. So here's a little glimpse into what I'm smiling at this week:

Finding old pictures on my phone that make me think of sunshine and baseball games with my favorite people... although I'm a football girl at heart, we've gotta pass the time until next season!!

When a co worker surprised me with the most delicious "cinnamon toast" bagel I've ever tried, just because.

Being surprised by one of my favorite bloggy friends with a sweet Starbucks card, just to bring a smile to my face because she knew I had a WEEK.

and "make my day", she did. Thanks, Becky!!

Getting lunch with a sweet co worker who is expecting a little girl!!!

This verse. I've kept up with my Bible reading since the first of the year when I began. It's made a significant change in my faith. I can't quite explain it, but if you're looking for more in life...I promise you, this is where you'll find it. The perfect verse always seems to come up in my daily reading and I don't think that's any coincidence. The app I'm using is "Youversion" and I've picked a "whole bible 1 year" plan, that I plan to finish by the end of 2015. I can't wait to see what 10 more months of reading does for my faith.

Caleb and I have made some significant changes lately, and we believe they are for the better. Speaking of that man...he makes me laugh like crazy. Guys, he's so awesome. Seriously. Everyone needs a Caleb in their life ;)

Enjoy your Thursday, friends! 

When things don't go right, be thankful anyway.

Lately life has put me in a little funk. Nothing has gone terribly wrong, and I won't go into details, but  things haven't gone 100% amazing for my family and I recently. There are times when I question why things happen the way they do, but then I remember that its not my job to fix things. With that being said, I don't believe that I'm a natural complainer... sure, I'll gripe here and there about things that really get under my skin, but the majority of the time? I try to stay pretty optimistic.  So, I figured a thankful post was in order. I know that these are typically for the month of November...but this blogger doesn't play by the rules. #rebel

Most importantly I'm thankful for my amazing God. Second? My silly, hilarious, handsome husband. I love when he makes fun of my laugh, when he falls asleep on me during almost ever movie we watch together (even in theaters), and the way he leads us.

I'm thankful for my friendships. These girls mean the entire world to me and have been there for me whenever I've needed them. I have such a unique relationship with each of them, and life would be weird if any of them weren't in it.

Thankful for sweet baby toes that I could just gobble up...and for friends who let us watch their babes!

For bubble baths and me time.

For my health, and the ability to go after my goals.

and for getting up before the sun. God, you're a beautiful artist.

My point is, things aren't always going to go right, but that doesn't mean we have to let them ruin us. Choose joy...
every. single. day.