I know I could fill this entire wall with thanks, but I’ll give you the brief version:

I thank God for Grace, for blessing me… I’m so rich!  Rich with love from family and friends.

I’m thankful to be blessed with the talent to document lives, to be part of your memories, to share the way I see things…. the way He designed me.  I’m thankful for 2nd, 3rd.. 4th chances.  Thankful to have such wonderful clients that I never dreamed I would be so close to and their patience as I grow, as I strive to balance, to be the woman God designed me to be.. as I learn… I thank you for your understanding.

I’m thankful for my Furbabies (dogs)who greet me as if I’m the only thing in this World that matters to them! (well.. EXCEPT big Barbara Ann… we know food is her #1 priority in life!!!)   They bring me such great joy.

I’m thankful that even though I’m 800+ miles away from my entire family and everything I’ve ever known, I do not feel alone.  I’m thankful to have (multiple sets) of parents that love me unconditionally and always there no matter what. I’m thankful for the wonderful meal I had today and that I have food everyday and a place to lay my head (even if that is on my desk!! haha ) I’m thankful for those that push me to do my best…who are brutally honest.. that believe in me.. that can see the potential and refuse to let me fail.  I’m thankful to the one that is responsible for getting this whole thing started… who saw something in me and took a chance to even suggest I lay my hands on a professional camera and provided not only material things, but a chance to do something with my life.

I’m thankful for each new day… and that ANYTHING is possible.  I’m thankful for my adventurous life. One day I can be grounded for nasty weather at a private airport in Connecticut knowing only 10 hours prior that I would even see a new state that day, haha…  and a few weeks later find myself photographing on the West Coast ( a place I’d always dreamt of but never thought I would see) This lifestyle is FAR from “normal” and a lot of people aren’t designed for it but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I’m thankful for my freedom to make my own CRAZY schedule.

I’m thankful for my office that is inspiring and for all my colorful office supplies (Chelsea and Janelle this goes out to you!! heehe.  I love that it’s in a barn.  I love the scratched floors from years of history.  I’m also thankful for most of my items in there and living space were either donated to me, I found on the side of the road, I made, I found at a yard sale super cheap or rescued from a burn-pile… AND thankful for clorox, sandpaper and fresh paint to give those things a new happy home I’m thankful that God provided a safe and dependable new ride totally unexpected.. just “out of the blue”

Random thanks:  I’m even thankful for Jimmy Fallon for expressing some of MY feelings through his own Thank-you noteshahaaa.  I’m thankful when the time changes back and it’s not DARK AT 4:45 ANY MORE!!  I’m thankful when I call a company and someONE answers the phone and not a 12 minute menu.  I’m thankful for the cool California nights when I could drive with the windows down hugging the California curves at 3a.m. just ME, God, more stars than I’ve ever seen [and the poor brand new rental jeep grand cherokee. yikes!]   AND thankful for all the nights to come like that!

I’m even thankful you took the time to read this (unless you just skipped the whole thing and read this conclusion! haha) Thank you for following my “blog”…. for your “word-of-mouth”… and for being part of my blessed, complicated, adventurous, life… because when I photograph you I capture and document the moment.  I make time stand still for you and provide something you can look back on 15 years later and remember tickling your children to make them laugh in that moment…. or that I told you and your husband to walk away holding hands, take a mini vacation and forget about the children (“I’ll make sure nobody takes them! haha”) and say corny things like “gaze into each others eyes and remember WHY you love each other and vowed to live your lives together….. I’m not just the photographer who tells you to wear all matching clothes, roll down the background of your choice, force you to smile [even though you just almost had a breakdown trying to get all the kids ready] collect your money and shake your hand 30 mins later because my next clients are waiting for their jolly appointment.  No, I try to tap into who you are… that’s how I capture the “real” moments.  That’s why I’m a “lifestyle photographer”.  I’ve never forgotten one client, because you become part of my life.  Even if it’s just a memory of the 2 hours we spent together… I am thankful.