This year has easily been one of the most challenging of my life. I lost my PawPaw, made the decision to leave my day job to focus on photography and my family, nearly lost my life in a serious car accident, and started taking classes again.

Though there have been some major challenges, I am still aware that I am extremely blessed and there is no shortage of things to be grateful for this year! I wanted to share a short & sweet portion of my gratitude with you as a way to get myself in the holiday spirit as well as just to simply share. It is my firm belief than an attitude of gratitude creates a reality of blessings and this is my way of maintaining that reality.

My Fiance and Daughter

These two individuals have made such a positive impact on my life, it's almost as if they saved me! Ryan is the best father I could ever want for Bella and together, they make my life better than I ever imagined it could be. 

Bella's personality is starting to shine through and she is turning out to be such a sweet, funny girl with a hard head and soft heart. Watching her become who she is going to be is an amazing experience and I am loving every bit of it!

My Grandparents

If there's anything in this world that keeps me going, it is them. My grandma is my best friend and the wisdom that she and my grandpa have instilled in me is remarkable. They are some of the most generous and loving people I have ever met and they have always been my safe place. I count my blessing daily that these two are in my life and that they support me in everything I do. 

Sunsets

To me, sunsets are a fantastic and wondrous experience every single time. They are a beautiful representation of consistency and promise that I make a point never to take for granted. The sun rises just like always and the sun sets just like always and I love to view it as a closure - the end to a day, whether good or bad, and a promise for a clean slate tomorrow. Just like every day and the experiences you have, every sunset is unique. Some are extraordinary and make you want to pull over and bask in them while others are pretty mundane or even dreary. There is such wonderful symbolism that can be observed through a sunset and to me, they are absolutely stunning. 

Our Tiny,  Suburban Homestead Phone snap of Bella and our beloved Thing 1

A custom, handbuilt garden by my lovely and talented finance was the start. We initially had a 16 sqft garden that I filled the first year with tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and miscellaneous herbs. That following year, I asked for a bigger garden and he built it, all from hand, from a blue print that I made myself. Now, we have a 260 soft garden (that I have filled, again!) that has a fence to keep the dogs out and an adorable gate at the entrance that makes me feel like I'm in a fairytale when I enter! Our garden is home to various strains of tomatoes, peppers, squash, carrots, lettuces, wildflowers, mints, rosemary, sunflowers, and more! And then, in addition to this, we have our chickens and I absolutely adore them! The steady supply of fresh eggs is wonderful and such a rewarding result of our care. We currently have three chickens in our backyard flock and another six two-week-old babies upstairs in the brooder (crossing our fingers that they are hens and not roosters!) so soon, our yard will be a lovely home to nine (hopefully) free-ranging, happy chickens!

If I had the time to write about everything for which I am grateful, I'd be writing this post for a few weeks at the very least! I am a very fortunate person and I make it a point to keep these things in the front of my mind so that I am constantly aware of my many blessings.

Thanks for letting me get personal this week! 

Happy Holidays!