Why I Am Thankful | Monday Musings

Why I Am Thankful | Monday Musings

Thankfulness is something that does not happen naturally for me. I might dwell for a few minutes on some blessing in my life that I am grateful for, but I all too often move quickly on to the next item on my 'want' list and forget to express gratitude for what I already have. Thanksgiving is such a special time of the year, and like every cliche it makes me reflect on the things for which I should be giving thanks on a daily basis.

I want to keep it short and sweet, but I don't want to let this year pass by without recognizing the most beautiful parts of my life. Here are the things I am most thankful for in 2017.

1) I am thankful for Willow's birth mom...

Our Family Pictures | Personal

Our Family Pictures | Personal

I take a lot of pictures in a year. From weddings to families to lots of little projects in between, I am constantly photographing other people at some of the happiest moments of their lives. When Willow came home to be with us just a few short weeks ago, it was finally our turn. I kept thinking in my head, "Is it really us this time? Are we the ones taking family pictures? Is this even real?"

Yet it was and it is, and every day it gets more real to us. We are a family of three...

Willow is Here: The Story of How our Baby Came Home | Adoption

Willow is Here: The Story of How our Baby Came Home | Adoption

I can't believe I'm finally writing this story - and that I'm writing it while a baby is fast asleep on my lap. This is a story that is over 3 years in the making. It's one of heartaches and joys, sorrow and laughter, and two people who have known God had a plan from the start but have struggled while our dreams and hopes have gone unfulfilled for so long. This is the story of how a little girl changed our lives forever, and how we finally found our family.

At the beginning of June we were in the midst of a busy and wonderful season. Weddings, volunteering at church, spending time with family, upcoming travel and vacation...it was going to be one hectic summer! Nathan and I had many conversations over the past few months, and they progressed further until we realized how ok we were with life as it was - even without a baby. We both wanted a family, him even longer than me, and had dreamed of the day it would come, but we also loved the freedom of just being the two of us, and finally we decided we were fine.

And then, on June 20th, we got the call that would forever change our lives...