30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 29 & 30!!!

I usually do it the day after, but I'm going to finish up on the final day of November...

(is it REALLY the final day of November?)

It's been really fun looking back at each day & finding things to be thankful for.  Especially on those days where it didnt feel like it was a great day, its a good thing to MAKE yourself search for things to be thankful for... because they are always there.  Big things, small things... things you take for granted... the surprises... the highs & even the lows... the smiles, the tears... Gratitude in everything...

November 29 - Thankful for TIME

This is one of those blessings in disguise... one of those things that is hard, but is good...

Since I'm not a parent, its hard... the world, other people - they can make you feel less then a person, less then a woman, since I dont have any children of my own.  Its funny how people treat you when they know you're 39 years old & you've never given birth.

...Funny how people judge you on how well your uterus works...  who knew?

But God takes ashes & turns them into BEAUTY... no matter how the world or anyone sees me, He sees me as useful..

& I try to take that extra time that I would devote to my own children & I like to invest it in God - particularly in other people's children.  Its why I love working with the Youth Group at church...

I feel like people who do have children are so busy in life (Dont see how some of you do it all) & I have this extra time that I can use to bless others... & in the end, I am super busy... & actually have no free time at all... but I feel its what God would have me do with all the time I have on this earth... working to serve Him anyway I can...

November 30 - this is the final one & such an easy one -
Thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ!!!!!

All of the things in this world would be for nothing if it wasnt for the hope, the grace, the mercy, the eternal life we look forward to because of, & with our Savior, Jesus...

He is everything...

He is in everything we have to be Grateful for...

He is my Savior...

... & He is why we head into the Christmas season after a month of gratitude... to celebrate His birth!  Hallejuah!!!

Keep searching every day friends for things to be Thankful for - especially in this Holiday Season we are approaching!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 27 & 28

We're getting near the end here... a full month of Thanksgiving

November 27 - Thankful for LEFTOVERS

Julie & the grandbabies left on Sunday.  It was a gloomy, rainy, yucky day... the weather felt appropriate for the day. 

After they left, the house was just so quite...

Ricky wanted to go shopping but I needed to take a shower & didnt really feel like getting out.  So I just stayed snuggled at home & while Ricky went out skating, I just finished up the frig of Thanksgiving leftovers.  It was the perfect comfort food for the day.

.... but now, no more turkey, stuffing & mac & cheese for a while...

November 28 - Thankful for MY BLOGGY FRIENDS

Its a funny thing to think you 'meet' people through your blog & become friends, but you really do...

I not only get comments on here, but emails from some of my blog friends, & it makes my day.  You all have sent me the kindest words, hugs from afar, encouragement, prayers, smiles.... even cards, surprises made from the heart... so many things... I'm thankful for having such a variety of amazing friends that I hope someday, I get to meet in person....

& you all are spread out from New Jersey, to Florida, to Georgia, to Arkansas, to Ohio, to South Carolina, to Missouri, & even the west coast in Washington... I need to buy an RV & do a road trip! :)  Now THERE would be some fun blog posts!

Know that YOU are what I'm thankful for today!

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 26

November 26 - Thankful for my big brother

It was his birthday on Saturday....

He's older then me...

by 6 years...

I like that...

I also like he's my brother....

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 25

November 25 - Thankful for DEALS!!!!!!

Julie & I headed out at 5:30 am for some Black Friday deals..

only to see that most of them were gone since stores opened at midnight.

....That's just weird...

Didn't stop us from shopping.

We were out from before the sun rose, until the sun set...

.... we were exhausted...

... & a lot more broke...

but we got deals...

My major find?  I got me a new Spinning Bike... $450 LESS then original cost....

My butt when its sore in a few days wont be too happy...

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 23 & 24

Its busy & I almost let today pass by - but what's doing a month of "thanksgiving" if I dont do it ON Thanksgiving?

So we're going to do yesterday & of course, today, THANKSGIVING today...

November 23 - Thankful for GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!!

With Julie being in town, during the week of the "Breaking Dawn" release, we knew we had to head out & squeal along with it... ahh.... the wedding scene...

So we met up with our friends Chasity & Audrey & ate some Panera Bread (our husbands wont go there so its the perfect place for a girls night out) & then headed to the movies.... Such a good time laughing with the ladies!

Novemer 24 - Thankful for THANKSGIVING WITH OUR FAMILY

I am just so thankful that we have Julie & her husband & our grandbabies with us this year.  Its never happened before & its such a blessing.  Lindsay is also supposed to come by - so 2 out of 3 of Ricky's girls with us?  A Thanksgiving miracle...  besides me cooking 2 turkey breasts & a dinner...miracles come in all shapes & sizes....

I know I've reflected on some fun, goofy, weird things to be thankful for... but today, it really is being thankful for a wonderful family - a home - food on our table - ABUNDANCE.... there's my perfect word for it...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!! God Bless you all!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 22

November 22 - Thankful for our birthday baby...

... & yes, she's a dog... but she's still our baby... or as I call her, our "fur-baby"! :)

Sydney is 11 years old... I can always remember her birthday - 11/22/00 ... I'm a number gal afterall, so it sticks with me.

She's still got quite a step in her... & she's still beautiful & seems to be really healthy

We hope we have many, MANY more years with her...

she's truly part of our family

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 21

November 21 - Thankful for knowing the difference between a Banana & a Nanny

One of Luke's first words was "nana" for Banana's... he loves them.

So when I get him to say "Nanny" - he just says "nana" & then points to the bananas on the kitchen table.... EVERY TIME...

I even had him back in another room where there were no bananas & when I said, "Say Nanny" - he pointed to the doorway, letting me know the bananas were in the other room.

I've even stood with a banana in my hand, pointing to the "nana" & then to me, the "Nanny" .... Lucas just laughs at me like, "it's so funny that you dont get it"

Last night, we were in the back room & my son in law asked Lucas, "Where's Nanny" - he started to point to the doorway again.... when all of a sudden, Isaac runs in from the other room & points right at me &says, "There she is" .... ahhh.... there's my first grandson... he knows his Nanny

Then it was funny because Lucas laughed like, "my big brother just doesnt get it" :)

By the time they leave on Sunday, I'll be working on this feat of getting Lucas to say NannYYYYYYYY ....

.... or I'll be wearing a banana costume...one or the other

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19 & 20

A busy, fun, great weekend....

November 19 - Thankful for STUDIO EXPERIENCE

I got to work with a set of twins to finish up their senior pictures.  They wanted more of a "studio" look for their second appointment.  I am more of a "natural" setting lover & wasnt sure about the studio deal.  But I did recently purchase a portable studio, complete with lights & have purchased some backdrops ... so let's give it a go...

A friend went with me to make the best of the time by changing lights & backdrops & it went so smoothly... & the results?  I was quite happy with them...

November 20 - Thankful for FAMILY VISITS... especially cute grandbabies!!!

Yep - the grandbabies are at my house!  With their mommy & daddy of course - all of who we are thrilled to have!  Especially for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I just cant believe how big the boys are now.  Luke wasnt walking last time he was at our house... now to see him ZOOM - its quite fun to watch. 

And Isaac?  Full on conversations.  And there's nothing like a conversation with a child!  He was just excited to show his Pappy all his Ironman toys he brought with him.  I wish I could have recordered the seriousness he "presented" all the toys to Ricky. 

Its going to be a fun week....

(& yes, I've already started taking pictures... but just didnt get to upload any yet... believe me & trust me... they'll be coming soon!)

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18

I cant believe we're half way through the month...

its been fun looking back at what to be thankful for...

What I'm thankful for on Friday:

November 18 - Thankful for a Thanksgiving grocery bill that didnt put me in SHOCK!

I went to the grocery to get our Thanksgiving Day food.  2 turkey breasts, lots of stuff for sides, nuts for stuffing (why are nuts so dang expensive?)...

I was holding onto the counter while the total was being rang up.

It helped because one of the youth kiddos that used to come to our church was bagging my groceries.  So I just enjoyed catching up with him & seeing him all "grown up"... as in grown up, I mean a Junior in high school... but he was just a middle school kiddo yesterday...weird, huh?

Then the total...

drum roll....

WOW... It was like $50.00 less then I thought it was going to be!

That's a pleasant surprise...

Guess I can go buy some yarn now!  Or a winter-running-jacket...

.... or food for the other 6 days of the week....

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17

Yesterday was just BLAH...

Have those days?

It was the kinda day where my shoulder was so painful that I broke down & made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon...

It was the kinda day where our heat broke.... AGAIN....

It was the kinda day where we had to head to the ER because Ricky was having a panic attack... (we ended up not going in - we just walked around Target, which is a block away from the hospital & he calmed down)

It was just THAT kinda day....

So on some days, this is what I'm t hankful for:

November 17:  Thankful for THE END OF THE DAY!!

Somedays, that's the best thing to be thankful for...

& I was glad for it... to shut my eyes & get the day behind me...

.... & to hopefully start a better day today.

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 16

November 16 - Thankful for REMINDERS

Watch the video...

Be reminded of the small things that we take for granted, that arent so small afterall....

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 15

November 15 - Thankful for HOPE

There are things that happen in life that just shake you up... things that don't seem real.

That happened to Ricky & I on Monday.

Ricky worked with the same people for 25 years... when you work with people for that long, you get to know them fairly well. 

There was one guy in particular that Ricky always chatted with, got along with, just really enjoyed.  They would share each other's frustrations on the job - have lunch together - watch each year pass by as they worked side by side.  Ricky even watched his children come in the business as little ones, & watch them grow as they have become young adults themselves. 

When the business shut down, Ricky & this man stayed in touch.  They formed that kind of friendship.  They still met up for lunch... this man even came to our house to help us out on home projects - clearing out an area of our property - helping us move out our washer & dryer - he was always willing to help Ricky in whatever he needed.

This man was at our home this past Saturday... he & his son came to pick up a truck that Ricky had sold him.  I was out running the race that morning so I missed his visit, but Ricky was talking about how nice it was to see him again & especially the son.  Ricky just really thinks the world of his son...

So when Ricky got a call on Monday morning, it knocked the air out of him.

This man, Sunday, had gone into the basement of his home & had attempted to take his life....

His son found him....

This man is now in the hospital, but is technically brain dead with no reflexes & no brain activity... today will probably be the day they turn off the machines that are breathing for him.

He was just standing in our house a few days ago...

Ricky is just so upset... trying to go back & see if he noticed any signs... anything that he could have made a difference in.  Ricky even said, "I didnt 'knuckle up' with him when he left - I just told him I'll see him later... what if knuckling up to him would have made a difference"... that just breaks my heart for Ricky...

But I just imagine how hopeless this man must have felt to go through what he went through to end his life.  How dark things must be to think that is the best route to take.

So today, I am thankful that I have HOPE... I have things in my life that makes it worth living... even in hurtful, painful times... Hope is still there of brighter days.

....You never realize how big a thing like HOPE is until you see someone who doesnt have it at all....

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 14

November 14 - Thankful for MASH-UPS!!!!

OH ... MY... WORD...

I saw this video & am in love.

Love mash-ups of songs...

& when its GLEE & when its Adele songs?

Perfection...

it made me happy today

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 13

November 13 - Thankful for "You Version"

My eyes have turned into old eyes... they dont see as good as they used to.

Plus, our lighting in our church just bites... its AWFUL!

I used to use my iPod & use the "flashlight app" to hold over my Bible to see during church.

Well, the good thing about working with the youth - they let you in on the latest stuff... & they all use this version on their phones - the "You Version Bible App"

I love it because I can make the print bigger & its BRIGHT..

& the coolest thing, with just a touch, you can change versions - which I LOVE to do.  Love parallel Bibles, but those things are MASSIVE to carry around.  Now, its light to carry around & I can check out all kinds of versions with just a touch of a finger...

even "Da Jesus Book" ... seriously - that's a version... I havent check that one out yet :)

Source: amazon.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 12

November 11 - Thankful for GOALS ACCOMPLISHED!!!

So the alarm goes off at 5:30 am

Ricky looks at me & says, "Dont do this"

...but as you saw what I was thankful for yesterday, I was determined.

But I promised him I had to walk a good 2 miles from the parking lot to the starting line & if my knee was bad, I'd not start the race. 

So I taped up the knees & headed out to Downtown Louisville.

I ran into some friends beforehand & that helped calm me down before the gun fired.  But soon, we were off, hitting the pavement.

I was just trying to slow down - not push too hard - keep a steady pace that was do-able.... & it was working... for a little bit.

Mile 2 was a water stop & I stopped running to get some H20...

I guess my downfall is stopping.. or moving... or both.. who knows.

But as soon as I got started after drinking my cup of water, there went my knee pain... I was at mile 2.50 - & it was BAD... worse then ever.  I just teared up.  What to do?  I wasnt sure.  I ended up walking to mile 3 & there was actually an ambulance there.  I almost stopped & thought they could treat me & take me back to my car.  But I ended up running (slowly) again & thought, "there will be another ambulance ahead" ... I know this because before a race, I STUDY a map.  So my next goal was to the next ambulance... how sad is that?

I kept on... & actually started doing fairly well.

I ended up feeling FANTASTIC at mile 5-8.  Literally, when I hit mile 5, it seemed like I just looked up there was mile 6...then 7.. I was on a roll... granted, it was still slow, but it was moving.  Its funny too because I had my iPod on my running play list & the music was frustrating me because I couldnt keep up with the beat of it.  So I switched it to shuffle on all my songs... I had so many Christian songs play... & I honestly think that's what pushed me these miles so well.  I had my man, Steven Curtis Chapman singing to me, had Skillet to rock out too - I literally was running with my hands in the air praising God during some songs... it made such a difference!!!!

Got to mile 9 & then BAM - the pain kicked in again.  I noticed that it was when I would extend my knee completely - straighten it.  It would cause a sharp pain... so I ended up running with a totally bend leg... I think it messed me up a bit changing my form. My back started hurting.

Then mile 10... another sharp pain.

I knew I came too far to stop so I just made the choice to walk the rest.  3.1... a 5k... I can walk that at a steady pace & I just wanted to finish.

I was making a decent time still walking - around 15:00/mile pace... but at that point, I've gone a long way & I was getting tired & the pain was wearing on me.

I hit mile 12...BAAAMMMMM!!!!!!!

The pain was the worst it ever was.  I would have probably stopped if it were any other mile... but mile 12?  Who stops at mile 12?  I could even hear the bands playing to the finish line from there.  I was determined. 

I kept hearing all the voices of every person who doubted me... of every put-down that I've ever heard my whole life... of the people who didnt expect me to finish... & it lit a fire in me & I kept my eye on the finish line.

It wasnt pretty...

I literally cried the whole last mile... I mean tears of pain... tears of frustration...

But I made it.

I dont even want to see that finish line picture ... I had my head down because of tears & the announcer even said, "Raise those hands up - be proud" ... I just raised my arms up but kept my head down.  It was so overwhelming. 

I DID IT!!!!!

I had a goal I worked on for 12 weeks... I wasnt going to let anything stand in my way.  That goal pushed me to the end.

& the fun thing... I now have more goals.. the running season starts in February.  Bring on the races in February, March & my 5th Half Marathon in April!!!!!

I cant believe I'm going to be 40 in December & I just ran my 4th Half Marathon... all in 3 years!!!!

SO yep - the medal is mine....

(Is that the coolest medal ever?  That's Maker's Mark wax dripped down the top of the medal)

Here I am getting home & my doggies all excited to see me. (look at those knees all wrapped up)

My knees deserve the medal. They are the ones who lasted & survived....

& FYI - after the race, I immediately went to the medic tent & got an ice pack & my knee now feels like it did when I started.... No extra harm done to it.

Now, I can rest for a few weeks.  The training starts back up in January!  ... BRING IT ON!

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 10

November 10 - Thankful for Determination

The race is looming...

I'm not sure what to do about it...

& hearing people tell me I shouldnt do it.

But I had determination.

No matter what happened, I was going to TRY

... You'll hear how it went tomorrow...

(& if you're my friend on Facebook, you've already seen the end result)

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 10

November 10 - Thankful for STRENGTH!!!!

Tomorrow is my 4th Half Marathon.... & I think I mentioned, my knee got injured less then 2 weeks ago.

I've been in debate on whether to do this race or not...

Then I saw a picture of the medals on Facebook.  It got me fired up.

Then yesterday, I went ahead & picked up my race packet.  I figure if I dont run the race, I'm at least going to get a cool tech shirt for my entry fee.  But they had one of the medals there at the pick up location.

My jaw dropped... its INCREDIBLE... its the biggest medal I've seen - its heavy & its got Maker's Mark wax dripping down the top of it.  It got my engines rev'ed up.  I WANT ONE OF THOSE.

To which my mother reminded me that you dont always get everything you want... & the Hubs is telling me he's going to hide my keys so I cant go to the race... & to which co-workers are telling me I'm stupid for trying 13.1 miles on a bum knee... & I get that they are just worried about me & that these are the people who will have to listen to me moan & groan about the pain after the race is finished.

But then I have running friends that tell me, "Go for it" - "Just go slow & FINISH" - "You'll regret it if you DONT do it" ... & I get these are the people that would run with a arm or leg cut off - they would not miss a race for anything.

I've decided I'm going with the thought of just finishing... I'm not worried about time.  If I am the last one, then I'm just the last one... but I'll be even more proud that I got out there & did it.  Even in & through the pain...

& I'll be proud that I am finding more strength in me then I thought I had.

Source: thefitway.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 9

November 9 - Thankful it didnt RAIN!!!!!

So... I'm apparently on a streak of just bad luck... which has been an adventure in trying to find things to be thankful in the midst of it all.

I'm driving home yesterday.

Had some gum in my mouth that had about expired its chewiness-limit ... there is such a thing & I know you all know what I'm talking about.  When it feels like you're chewing a hard rock that has the flavor of nothingness.

I went to throw out my gum... driving on the express way at 55 mph.

I roll down my window & throw it out & then roll up my window... simple enough...

but wait... its freezing cold all of a sudden.

I took over & see nothing but a corner of my window stucking up from the door on my drivers side.

HUH?

That was the weirdest feeling ever trying to figure out what just happened. 

Where did my window go?  It defintely wasnt where it should be... as in UP in my doorway.

I literally just laughed till I had tears coming out of my eyes at the luck I've been having lately.  I guess it's what you call a "mental snap"?

But it had been raining all day long & the clouds were still grey & looking like it could pour any minute.

But it didnt... & that's what I'm thankful for.  Because I could see me driving with no window down (already in the 50 degree temps) & then rain pouring in on me too...

That didnt happen... & believe me - right now, I'm thankful for ALL the small things... it seems to be what I need to focus on lately.

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 8

November 8 - Thankful for being able to do what I love

It was a beautiful day so I contacted a girl who I had scheduled for Sunday to finish up her Senior pictures.  I asked if she wanted to meet after school - taking advantage of the perfect 70 degree, sunny weather.  She said it wasnt a problem & we met up...

.... only to get some beautiful pictures...

But I got the best compliment at the end of the session - her mom said to me, "This really suits your personality" ... she told me how comfortable I made her daughter (& her friends that came to another session). 

That just made my day....

I do love to meet people - & talk with them - & learn their stories & who they are, what they look forward to in the future... love to bring out smiles, or catch emotion in a face.

(These are her favorite books... & she's going to college to do something with English)

& I am so thankful for that opportunity to do all of that.

I leave a photo session every time so thankful to meet the people I just met & getting to know them... & thankful that I am so blessed to be able to do what I love... capturing a moment in time for each person.

30 Days of Thanksgiving - Day 7

Yesterday was a rough day...

It was Monday... my arm/shoulder is KILLING me worse then ever... my knee is still sore & its not looking good for the race on Saturday... it was just a BLAH day.

I kept thinking, "find something to be thankful for... find something"

Then, while I was working on pictures, my phone is going off saying I was tagged in some pictures on Facebook... It so made me smile & made me laugh & made me go down memory lane...

So, for this yucky Monday,

November 7 - Thankful for old family pictures

My cousin got ahold of some family albums & posted up some pictures.  My mom's side of the family is quite large & there always seemed to be something going on, so lots of picture taking opportunities.

Like my mom with some of her sisters... & yes, that's my mom in blue hair.  Dont think I didnt get my personality just by chance... & that little boy?  He's now in college....  And that little girl?  She's the grown up young lady that posted the pictures.  (When do they grow up?)

Here's one of my senior pictures... oh my... I loved that jacket.  It was Liz Clairbourne & I felt so "fashionista" in it.  My dad just called it my "Century 21 Jacket'... it really was the same color as the realtors jackets in the area. .... I think I needed an oil treatment on that hair.

Here's another one of my  mom with her siblings... there are 10 of them all together so some still missing.  Any family resemblence?

There were even some posted from my wedding... I so laughed at this picture.  This is before the wedding & its me & my youngest step daughter... (look how little she is.. she just turned 23 a few weeks ago! GASP!!!) But dont we look scared to death.  I remember that - it was getting close to start the wedding & I was anxious everytime someone knocked on the door.  I didnt throw up, if anyone was wondering.

And just to go back memory lane a little further - here's me with a few of my cousins.... Yes, I'm the one in glasses. ... Mercy, how we've all grown up....

So yeah.. for a day that started off bad & kept getting worse... it ended with fun family memories & for that, I'm thankful.  Memories are irreplacable.