Can you believe it’s almost the end of November?

I swear this month FLEW by! But I have to say that although Thanksgiving is late this year and we have less Christmas decorating time….I, for one, have appreciated the extra time for thankfulness. I’ve enjoyed my extra week of fall decorations, my extra week of “autumn sunset” filling up my kitchen with deliciousness and the brown/orange/yellow/red construction paper everywhere I turn.

Every year my family makes a construction paper Thanksgiving Tree. We cut out leaves and add to our tree over the month. It becomes a tree FULL of gratitude  You might find things like, “I am thankful for Hot Wheels”, or “Theo”, or “Family”, or “Pizza”….but you also find things like “Nathan loves Audrey” or “I am thankful for snuggling”, or “I am thankful for my health”. Regardless I totally love this tradition and save our leaves every year – tucked away in an envelope (I should probably go look for that envelope. Gosh, I’m such a stasher. Stash it away in a “safe” location so I don’t forget – but really lost for a few years. I’m so notorious for that). Ok, I digress.

Truly, I am thankful for a lot. Every day, really. I’m thankful for the little moments where I may appear annoyed – but later in the evening I look back and find the nugget of goodness in whatever interaction I was having during the bedtime routine (which is where I can sometimes be found with a lack of patience). But when I think about it – I would want to be nowhere else but here with my family. The weight of the world slips away when we hang out and read or play cards or just snuggle and talk about our day.  I couldn’t imagine my life any other way. For that, I am so thankful!

I was telling Audrey earlier this week that the three best days of my life were my wedding day, her birthday and Nate’s birthday. She swiftly reminded me that my own birthday should be up there in my top tier since without it, they would never have been. Audrey, sweet Audrey, so insightful. So to my own parents – thank you – for your sacrifice and for finding each other and giving me such a great start to life! And the same gratitude to Todd’s parents!!! And with that follows gratitude to so many generations all around us….because I couldn’t imagine living my life without the joy so many of you bring to my world!!!!

I hope your holiday season is filled with what is important…..Love, family, and gratitude. Spread it everywhere you are, for you never know what impact you might have on another! You just never know.

Wishing you all a FABULOUS Thanksgiving holiday.

And I can’t end without a photo. Isn’t she scrumptious? She napped on the way to our shoot and spread nothing but love during our session.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Stacy