I spent the day yesterday, being very purposeful in being thankful.

Everyone has the usual I am thankful fors: mom, dad, brother, sister, husband, wife, God, church, family, friends and so on.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful for all these things in my life, but as I went through my day yesterday I kept in the front of my mind…being thankful.

I went to Wal-mart to pick up a few last minute items, and I was thankful that I had the freedom to run into a store and grab a few items and leave.

I was thankful for vision that keeps me doing what I do. I’m thankful for family because there are so many lonely hurting people out there, even people in a crowded room of family can be lonely.

I had a shoot in Old Saint Charles of a wonderful family and I was so thankful to be able to capture their family together and enjoy just a short moment of their love for each other.

I met my husband for lunch and was so thankful we had the abilities to go out to lunch and make time for each other.

Now, this is where it gets tricky….because my husband made a couple errors on directions and I got lost and well… I can still be thankful I have a husband and that I made it home! There’s a big dark grey area here, but we’ll leave it there

I made it home and iced brownies to share with a few friends. I’m so thankful I have friends to share with and laugh.

I went to church, I serve as an usher and I’m so thankful for everyone on our team and everyone that has enriched my life in the last year at COTR. There are just way too many to name, but you all know who you are!

We had our family picture taken for our Christmas Card. I’m thankful that even though “the shoemakers family has no shoes” I at the last minute could ask a friend to take our picture so I can get the cards done and sent out to you.

We came home and baked a few more cookies and I made the pumpkin pie. How can you not be thankful for the abundance in our lives.

I went to bed…and I’m thankful I woke up this morning to tell you about my day!

So often we go through our days and nights consumed in a me, myself and I attitude. Us four no more mentality and I am so grateful and thankful that I am continually reminded on a regular bases that there are people out there that do not have warmth, love, someone to hug, trust, food, care, health, peace, sound mind, a job, vision, beauty, sunshine, freedom, safety, an iphone, the internet, a phone period, music, a pillow to lay their head down upon, a sound sleep, joy, money, enough money, passion, trust, happiness, smiles, friends, family and the list can just go on, and please feel free to add to it if you like.

I’m thankful that on a regular basis I am reminded that there are amazing and wonderful people out there that do good for others, serve in other nations so I can have freedom in mine, help a school in need, help an unemployed person find a job, send money to a mission, help a lonely person feel loved, give a blanket and food to the homeless, give time and money to complete a project for someone else to have shelter, family, warmth, provisions, love and peace.

Sometimes all you need to do is just smile! I’m thankful I can hold my head up and look at people when I am out and just smile at them and wish them a wonderful day.

Sometimes all you have to do is give of yourself, get up and get out and find someone in need, find an organization that helps others and reach out and you’ll find you have SO MUCH to be thankful for, even if you are not the richest, prettiest, most wonderful person on the earth. But, when you reach out, you become a most amazing person to someone in need.

I’m thankful my heart is not hardened by what I’ve seen in the past and what happens around me on a regular basis (just reading the news can hardened your heart and soul).

I’m thankful for all of you. For Photographers who push me to the next level and help me get through the level I am at. For Musicians who create the most amazing sounds that is filled with such passion and soul, with out it my slideshows would be worthless. For the people that smile back and me, and those that don’t. I just have to keep trying. For the brides and grooms I’ve gotten to spend time with, thank you for allowing us into your life and trusting us with such an important part. For our future couples, just wait, it’s going to be amazing.

So, today I’m thankful, but what’s better then that is I’m always reminded to be thankful of what I have. A phone call can change your life in an instant. Just the snap of a finger and things can change. Be thankful…everyday…. and do me a favor…Smile!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone