the weldon family

Day 14 - I'm thankful for answered prayers.  Don't get me wrong, I know there is a plan and purpose to everything God does and sometimes it takes a while for us to figure it out.  But sometimes, sometimes the answer is right in front of us and exactly what we need.  That's been the case a few times over the last few weeks and I'm so incredibly thankful for a God that hears our prayers!!

Now on to the Weldon Family!  I actually met up with this sweet family back in October and it was so great seeing them again.  Such a fun and loving family of four!!

Thanks so much Laura and Jeff, for choosing me to photograph your family again this fall.  I hope you guys have a fantastic holiday season!

catching up, thankfully

4th - Godly parents.  I'm so thankful for the example my parents have set concerning faith and family and relationships and, yeah, all of it. 

5th - My faith.  I was baptized the summer after 3rd grade and while I'm so far from perfect, I sometimes wonder how people get through life without God.  Seriously, I don't get it.  I've heard some great sermons these last couple of months and have been led to read such comforting/meaningful scripture.  So thankful I've got Him in my life!! 

6th - My sister, Sister.  For as long as I can remember she's insisted I call her Sister instead of by her first name.  She's mostly Aunt Mindy these days but I honestly can't remember the last time I addressed her as anything other than Sister.  She's a six-year cancer survivor and a fantastically crafty mom of three and I'm so glad to have her in my life.  

7th - Chick Lit loving friends.  Sooo I've stated in the past that I like to read romance novels and have taken some teasing from various friends (and cousins!) along the way, but that's cool.  Sometimes it's just nice to relax and lose myself in a story full of fluff.  I'm so glad to have a few friends who feel the same way and are totally willing to hear my nonsensical rants over fictitious characters and problems.

8th - My husband.  He's mostly awesome, and he always loves me.  He's a great Daddy to our girl and I know he'll be great to our boy.  He is a great provider and is the reason I get to work from home and spend my days with our favorite girl.  He is smart and motivated and an all around good guy.  He gets me and we've been together for 16 years this month, give or take a couple of teen break-ups.  You guys, that's over half my life!  Crazy!! 

9th - Modern medicine.  Lots of tests for me, Dean, and Avery going on and while we've been fervently praying for healthy results all around I have to say I'm thankful for today's doctors. (Update: Yea for my good results!  Now to make it through Avery's!)

10th - A good hair stylist.  Totally superficial, I know.  I was feeling a bit bummed that my folks were heading home on Sunday afternoon but then I remembered that I'd scheduled a hair appointment back in late September for a trim and it was a great distraction.  I LOVE Grady!  He's been cutting my hair since week 13 and I've already scheduled my first post partum appointment for the future.  Side note: Good grief is it just me or does it feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER?!

11th - Members of our military, past & present.  Deran and I both have a grandpa that served during World War II and I don't think I ever get tired of those stories.  How different life was back then!  I'm so grateful to everyone who has served to protect our country and for those who will choose to do so in the future.

12th - 50% off sales at Hobby Lobby.  One should NEVER pay full price at Hobby Lobby.  I'm so excited to decorate for Christmas next Friday!!

13th - Good friends.  I'm so thankful to have several to talk to, to listen to, and to just enjoy.

drew | nine days new

First, I just want to share the sweetness that is my new nephew.  He's already nearing his first month birthday and yet it seems not so long ago he was still safely snuggled in his momma's belly.  Goodness, he's cute!

So it's November and I did a "thirty days of thanks" a couple of years ago and have decided to resurrect it again this year because I truly do have so much to be thankful for this year.  Well wait, last year was really great too!  Anyway, today on this first day of November I'm feeling especially thankful for my family.  For the ones I love, old and new and yet to come. Maybe it's partly the hormones or the fact that I'm far away, but dang.  I surely do appreciate each of them!!!

happy day of thanks and giving

I hope everyone has a very happy Thanksgiving with emphasis on the thanks and giving.  Be sure to take a minute to assess your situation and be thankful for what you've got.  And if you find yourself with extra, maybe give some away.  Soooo many places are taking donations at this time of year, or maybe you know someone who could benefit from something you don't really need.  Or maybe it's nothing to do with things.  Maybe just listen to a friend in need or grab a family member and give them a hug.  

At this time of year it is all too easy to get caught up in the shopping and the spending and the never ending cycle of more, more, more!  And you guys, my house is full of stuff - I'm no better than anybody else.  But I recently saw this quote from the big O and it really stuck with me.

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. - Oprah Winfrey

So today, like each day, remember to be thankful for all the good things that make up your life.  Only today maybe add a little extra turkey and a slice of pie! :)  And just for fun, here's a look back at last Thanksgiving.  I sure do love my little turkey!! 

And here's a look at yesterday morning when we decorated turkeys.  Please note the wattle placement of the turkey on the right.  She told me that's where it goes.

Our day will go much the same as last year.  Pancakes are a cookin' and the parade will soon be on, then it's off to lunch with family and hopefully a nap later.  Back to business as usual for me on Friday and Saturday with several great families.  Then another Thanksgiving celebration with our family on Sunday.

Doesn't she look so conflicted?!  Deran had just told her she was going to have to take a nap and she told us she didn't want to, that she was happy. :)

Enjoy the day and the yummy food!