where would i be without my besties?

i have the loveliest friends ever.

 and even though we don't see each other every day anymore i'm still so grateful to have them in my life.

a day of giving thanks.

thanksgiving was wonderful.
it was especially wonderful because i had two thanksgiving dinners. one with dustin's family and one with my family. i love that thanksgiving gives us a day to be with our families and eat a lot of yummy food & pie. 
and even though we all act like we don't want to do the talent show every year... i really enjoy watching everyone perform (the ones who still have talents anyway). so thanks for starting that tradition grandma, it was so fun to skype you. it sure makes me thankful for technology this year as well. 
i went black friday shopping yesterday with dustin for my first time ever. yep, people are pretty insane. but i actually don't mind the crowds, just maybe not the lines. we got what we went for though so that made it all worth it. 
and right now i'm really thankful that thanksgiving break isn't over just yet! i still have the rest of today & tomorrow to enjoy. its already been so lovely too.  


p.s. sorry i don't have any pictures from the wonderful day. guess i was distracted this year.

today is a rather blustery & chilly day.

{pictures from my parents deck}

i have been listening to the wind whip at my window all morning.
i told myself i'd be productive today and i honestly haven't gotten nearly as much done as planned, but i'm loving just sitting around in sweats doing whatever i feel. this doesn't happen very often lately so i'm thankful for this crappy weather day because i feel it gives me the right to just enjoy being at home.


and through out today i have been thinking about how thankful i am for warmth.
the warm bed i woke up in, the warm shower i took, the warm oatmeal i ate for breakfast, the warm fireplace going in our family room, the warm sweats i am wearing, & the warm house i am lounging around in.
i think i take it all for granted; but today i am truly thankful for these simple warm pleasures. 

today i am thankful for a place to call home.

a place that after leaving for awhile & experiencing a new place, i can go home to where i know people will be waiting to greet me with open arms.

a place where i know i will always be supported & loved.

a place i am familiar with and where everything seems right.

i am thankful not only to have a home; but a good home.

knowing this gives me the greatest comfort in the world.

it gives me the strength i need to go out into the world & have no fears because i know there will always be a place for me to return home to.

music is what feelings sound like.

i don't think i could live without music.
whether its waking up to mikayla practicing beautiful pieces on the piano, dancing to music with my girlfriends, singing to songs in the shower or car, listening to up-beat songs while exercising or cleaning, playing christmas music during the holidays, and especially singing hymns in church.
music does so much for the soul.
so today, i am thankful for music.

let the "what i'm thankful for" posts begin.

{the fam on easter}

thanksgiving is almost a week away. didn't november just start? how time is flying by!

well today i am thankful for my family. common answer, i know. but they are the first thing that comes to mind because since i'm living at home, i'm reminded daily how grateful i am to have the family that i do (& lately we've had a blast playing bananagrams every day once everyone is home from school... i think we are addicted). 

not only am i thankful for my immediate family but for ALL of my family. my grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins. i know a lot of people who hardly even know their cousins & i'm thankful to have grown up so close to all of mine. 

i truly believe that family is the most important part of this life & i am blessed with the best. 

i love you all :)