Happy Thanksgiving!

There are so many blessings in my life that it is easy to take them for granted. So many people are struggling in the world, struggling to survive let alone thrive. So I want to take a moment to pause, to breathe deeply, and give thanks for some special things in my life. Clickin' Moms, the photography forum where I've been hanging out, had a Thanksgiving challenge. Our challenge was to take seven photos between November 3rd and 25th of things we are thankful for. These are my seven things.

(Image is clickable to see it larger.)



1. Holding Hands
This is a photo of Dominic and Anna holding hands. I am thankful that they love each other and at the age of six, Dominic already understands that he had to take care of his big sister. He loves her unconditionally.

2. Family
This is a photo of my family (missing Jenny though!)... Anna, Curtis, and Dominic. I am thankful for my family, thankful for a wonderful husband that is also a wonderful father to my children, and thankful to have them all in my life.

3. Medicine
This is a photo of my medicine. I have fibromyalgia and connective tissue disease and without this medicine, I would be unable to function everyday. I am also grateful for all of the medications that help Anna thrive.

4. Anna
This is a photo of my daughter, Anna. She is 9 years old and has autism, epilepsy, hypotonia, and is cognitively challenged. I am thankful everyday to be her mother. She has taught me more about loving with my full heart and soul than anyone else I've ever met.

5. Coffee
This is a photo of my favorite coffee, freshly ground Sumatra from Starbucks. Without at least 2-3 cups everyday, I would be a walking zombie. I drink it black. And strong. My husband calls it my turpentine.

6. Chris and Jenny
This is a photo of my daughter, Jenny and her boyfriend, Chris. I am thankful that I got the honor of being Jenny's mom. She has been my little angel on earth from the moment she was born and now she is in college! She is smart, funny, perceptive, empathetic, strong, and mature. I am grateful she found Chris and that he treats her so well. I love them both very much.

7. Dominic
And finally, this is a photo of my son, Dominic. My adorable little pickle. I am thankful beyond words to be his mother. He is so funny, crazy smart, goofy, silly, and sweet. I love that I can talk to him like an adult and that he still wants to snuggle with me. I am crazy about this little boy.

I am living in gratitude. :)

I also want to shout out to my mom who is in Pennsylvania visiting her sister and brother-in-law. Happy Thanksgiving mom, Beanie, and Charles!!! I am incredibly grateful for my mother; she is my best friend, my confidant, my cheerleader, the shoulder I cry on. She helps with the children an enormous amount, despite working a full-time job during the day. She has invested so much of herself into my family and I am so thankful.

And finally, a moment of gratitude for Clickin' Moms who has opened my heart to photography. I love taking photographs and capturing memories... and learning to do it with proper technical skills has allowed me to explore my artistic and creative side too.



Happy Thanksgiving!!!