Day 30!!!

I am thankful that I am alive and well enough to spend an entire month telling the world what I'm thankful for each day! I hope to see many more blessings :)

Goodbye November, Hello December!

My baby will be FOUR in 4 more days!!!

Day 29

Today I am thankful for my warm, cozy bed and Tylenol Sinus. Still sick :(

Day 28

Today I am thankful for Chamomile tea! I've already caught a cold from the kiddies at work!

Days 26 and 27

I am extremely thankful for my acceptance into Nursing school!! I knew my grades were good enough to get me accepted into the program, but since it's a limited entrance program, I wasn't sure that I would make the cut for next semester, but I did!!

In August, 2005, I had just started my final year in Nursing School. I was on the honor roll and loved my instructor. I was preparing myself for my board exam. I was so excited to finally walk across that stage and receive my degree. My Maw Maw was excited as well b/c she knew how bad I wanted this, yet how long it took for me to be in the position to afford it at all. Then, Hurricane Katrina washed it all away when the waters came in and flooded my city and my school. Of course, life turned upside down after Katrina. 3 moves in less than 2 months, no clothes, no furniture, and miles away from loved ones. It was rough. It was stressful. Then things turned around for us and we adopted Jayden. My plan was to start school again when Jayden was a yr old, but then his health issues surfaced. Finally, this past summer, we realized that now was a good time to "try again". When I tell you that EVERY.SINGLE.DETAIL. worked out in my favor, I mean that!. First off, I contacted my counselor just in time to schedule my entrance exam, as there were only 4 testing dates left before the deadline to apply for nursing school admission for Fall 2011. Also, I was just on time to figure out which pre reqs I needed to retake and to enroll for them this past August. ALSO!! We were able to use my husband's post 9/11 GI bill for my tuition! 100% tuition paid and a $250 book allowance per semester! How wonderful! And as if that wasn't blessing enough, I now have this job and childcare for Jayden at only $3.50 per hour whenever I may need it. God is good!!

Unfortunately, Maw Maw passed away in 2007, so she won't be there to see me wakl across that stage but I know her presence will be felt on that day! I love you Maw Maw!

Day 25

Today I am simply thankful for LIFE! No one is promised tomorrow and I have a handful of friends who are spending their first thanksgiving without a loved one. Learning not to take life for granted is not a simple feat, but I encourage you all to give your loved one a HUGE hug and kiss today before devouring your turkey dinner!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Day 24

Today I am thankful for the knowledge God has provided me with and the lessons I've been taught by my very own son! I started my new part time job today in the youth activity center at our gym and was saddened by some of the comments made (or eye rolls) by the workers towards some of the kids and their behaviors. I am not ashamed to admit that I would have been one of them prior to Jayden. I was ignorant towards the different ways that kids develop and the different issues that many kids deal with today. I now understand that what works for one kid does not work for all. I've learned patience and understanding. And what I've learned most, out of everything, is that each kid, no matter how well behaved (or not), deserves just as much love and respect as the next.

Days 20, 21, 22, and 23!!!

LOL! I've been in San Antonio, TX for my brother in laws wedding this weekend. Since I missed 3 days, I'll be sharing FOUR things I'm thankful for on today.

1. I'm thankful for safe travels to and from San Antonio. 8+ hours in the truck and Jayden did wonderful!
2. I'm thankful for the military appreciation shown at Sea World in San Antonio. Not only did our entire family get in free, but we were also able to save 30% on any food and beverage items (snack foods included!) and 30% off at the gift shops. This made our Saturday very special b/c Lord knows the funds were tight! Jayden had a wonderful time and was SUCH a good boy :)
3. I am thankful for being married into a very wonderful family. I'm blessed to have such loving inlaws. The weekend with them was so enjoyable and I truly missed them when they left to board their plane. We've got to do this again!
4. Today, I am thankful for WORK!! I start my new job on tomorrow morning and I'm very excited to be back in the work force and still have the time to contribute to my photography business as well!

Day 19

Today I am incredibly thankful for the gift of adoption. Without adoption, my husband and I would still be childless, after over 6 yrs of trying to conceive. I can't imagine how much worse my heart would be aching without my Jayden in my life. Today is National Adoption Awareness Day! Make it a great one :)

Day 18

Today I am SUPER thankful for the job offer I received to work in the Youth activity center at or gym! It comes with LOTS of perks but the best one would be the fact that we will save over $60 a month on our gym membership, get an extra 25% off of Jayden's Taewkondo (sp?) classes (an any other classes he participates in), AND the super bonus is that he can come to work with me if I need him to! This is absolutely perfect for our family and our situation. Thank you Lord!

Day 17

Today I'm thankful to have the healing touch of a mom :) Jayden had to have his stitch removed from under his arm today (from his biopsy 2 weeks ago). Some skin had healed over it already so the nurse really had to tug. My poor baby cried and screamed like never before and even continued to cry when she was done (he NEVER does that). I said "Do you want mommy to cuddle you?" and he said, in between tears and sobs, "Yes ma'am" I hugged him and kissed him and he calmed down almost immediately. Sweet boy :)

Days 15 and 16

Missed a day again, sorry! I'm so busy studying for my finals this week and getting prepared to say a final goodbye to my BFF's mom and to head out to San Antonio for a wedding this weekend.

I'm thankful for my patience that I know comes from the Lord.

I'm also thankful for this beautiful weather which will allow me to go ahead with my scheduled newborn session and hopefully get an outdoor picture of the bundle of joy :)

Days 13 and 14

Oops! I missed a day! I was busy the entire day helping my friend move to her new apartment.

So today I am thankful for my YOUTH b/c I can't believe I was able to walk up and down 3 flights of steps for nearly 6 hours in 80 degree weather yesterday!

I am also thankful for financial stability. We are driving to San Antonio later this week for a wedding. As you can imagine, since it's so close to the holidays, it is costing lots of money. I am thankful that we are able to afford the trip though, without having to sacrifice too much.

Day 12

Today I am thankful for forgiveness. Life is too short to hold grudges against anyone, especially the ones you love :)

Day 11

Today I am thankful for the health and safety of my very own veteran, my husband. He served our country for 20 yrs. Going overseas, fighting in wars, and sacrificing his own life for our freedom. It wasn't hard, but he continued on and gave the United States 20 yrs of his own life. Thank you, Mike, and all the other veterans, for your service!

Also, please keep my friend in your prayers. Her mom passed away this morning.

Day 10

Today I am thankful for my mom. My best friend of over 20 yrs is losing her mom :( It was not expected and my heart is hurting for her. My mom called me and told me. I cannot imagine the pain my friend is going through and I pray that God gives her the strength that she needs to get through it.

Day 9

Today, I am thankful for the change in season. Jayden has not been able to tolerate the heat/sun since May. He walked outside a few days ago and when he saw the sun shining onto the porch he looked at me and said "It's hot." I said "No it isn't. Step outside and see." He went outside, stepped off the porch, and held his arms out to the side and said "YAY! I did it!" Yes, baby, you did it!

Day 8

Today I am thankful for the force that reminded me to check my school email tonight. I found out that I missed an exam this morning (the dates on the syllabus are ALL wrong!) so I have until tomorrow evening to make it up. So I'll be studying tonight and hoping that a proctor is available on campus tomorrow morning to give me the test.

Day 7

Today I am VERY thankful for my mom. She is always there with an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. I love you momma!

Day 6

Today I am thankful for wine. Yes, wine! It was that kind of day around here.

Day 5

Today I am EXTREMELY thankful for my faith in God!! Jayden had a really scary seizure today in the back of the truck. He's doing so much better now after some rescue meds and a nap. I know God has His hands on Jayden!

Day 4

Today, I am thankful for being blessed with the opportunity to have my photography business featured on the local news this morning! Check it out :)

http://www.abc26.com/health/beautybreakthroughs/

(Look for the vidoe with a picture of a baby in a pumpkin hat)

30 days of Thankfulness

This has been going around the internets lately and, right now, I'm at a place in my life where it would really help if I actually stopped to count my blessings, so I will give this a go. Who cares that I'm 3 days late getting started!?! ;) I'll start from Day 1 though...

Day 1 | I am thankful for my faith in God. It has kept me strong throughout the day to day obstacles we've had to face. Obstacles I never thought I'd have the strength to even live through.

Day 2 | I am thankful for my husband. He is my rock and he is such a wonderful provider for our family.

Day 3 | I am thankful for my health. I cannot imagine how I would be able to go about my day and be able to care for Jayden 24/7 if I did not have my health.


Are you doing the 30 days of Thankfulness? If so, please link me to your blog! If not, well DO IT! :)