Day 30 - THE END!

Today, on the last day of this little project, it only seems fitting that I mention my Savior Jesus Christ. It's also fitting because today was "one of those days" when I just had to rely upon him and his grace. I'm so grateful for my faith in Him, and for his incredible sacrifice for me. Of all the things I have to be thankful for, He trumps them all!

xoxo,

Day 29

Today I'm grateful to live where I live. I have such beauty around me... mountains, sky, desert. The town I live is not too big and not too small. The people are friendly. My neighborhood is safe and clean. The picture above was taken the week we moved here back in 2009, and it looks much like that right now. I love living nestled right up against the mountains. Lucky me!

xoxo,

Day 28

{everything from Essence of Fall kit by Down This Road Designs; "Claudia Jean" and "Century Gothic" fonts}

Today I'm thankful for my house. I feel so blessed that this past year we were able to buy our first home, and I just love it. It needs a lot of work before I get it exactly how I would like, but what I really love about it is that it is our HOME.

xoxo,

Day 27

I'm thankful for laughter. I'm thankful for all the things that make me laugh... funny things my kids say, episodes of Arrested Development and 30 Rock (just to name a few), my husband, fail blog, reminiscing about my childhood with my siblings... the list goes on and on.

xoxo,

Day 26

I'm thankful for my camera... and more importantly for the photos it takes. I love how a photo can capture so much - a feeling, a relationship, a story, a memory. I love taking photos and even more than that I love looking at them and sharing them.

xoxo,

Day 25

On this Thanksgiving Day, I'm thankful for my extended family. We are so blessed to be able to spend this day with so many of the ones we love, who we love being with.

xoxo,

Day 24

I'm thankful for sleep! I can gratefully say I am very blessed to have a baby who will sleep for 5-6 hours straight at night now, and it is wonderful! A good night's sleep goes a long way.

xoxo,

Day 23

Today I'm grateful for books. Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved to read. I think being a good writer is such an amazing talent, not one I have have but one I really appreciate.

xoxo,

Awesome Sale!

I know this is late notice, but SuzyQ Scraps has a ton of products on sale for just $1 through today, including the two kits I used to create these layouts:


{everything from "Heart This Lil' Boy" kit by SuzyQ Scraps; "An Accidental Kiss" and "Carbonated Gothic" fonts}


{everything from "Heart This Lil' Girl" kit by SuzyQ Scraps; "Clementine Sketch" and "1942 Report" fonts}

There are lots of great black Friday/cyber Monday deals out there right now. Happy shopping!

xoxo,

My Baby + Christmas Memories

I haven't posted any of my layouts recently, so here's an overload of them!


{everything from "Jolly Holiday" by SuzyQ Scraps; "Another Typewriter" font}


{everything from "Heart This Lil' Girl" kit by SuzyQ Scraps; "Clementine Sketch" and "1942 Report" fonts}


{created with "Freshly Baked" collab kit by SuzyQ Scraps and Captivated Visions; "Little Days" font}


{everything from "Deck the Halls" kit by Down This Road Designs; "Love Ya Like A Sister" font}


{everything from "Deck the Halls" kit and add-on by Down This Road Designs; "Pea Sandra Dee" font}

xoxo,

Day 22

Today I'm thankful for WARMTH & HEAT! It is freezing outside today. I am thankful that I can heat my house. I'm thankful for coats and mittens, sweaters, and thick socks. I'm thankful that I'm able to be comfortable and warm.

I may or may not be posting over the next few days, as I'm leaving town for the Thanksgiving holiday. Rest assured I'll still be keeping track of my gratitude, and will add my daily posts here before the month is over.

xoxo,

Day 21

I'm thankful to be a mom. Being a mom to me is many things - busy, fun, tiring, frustrating - but I think the best word for it is consuming. It just consumes my whole life, and brings more joy than anything else. As I held my sweet three month old baby today, I thought how amazing it is that she is here simply because of me, because of my body... she grew in my womb and continues to grow simply from breast milk. And she's just incredible! I can't even make a simple meal or grow a plant without messing something up, but I can make and grow a baby? What a gift motherhood is, I'm so grateful I am able to experience it.

xoxo,

Day 20

Just got back from my little getaway... it was so nice! Because of it, today I'm grateful for sisterhood. I was able to go with two of my sisters-in-law (my brothers wife and my husbands sister) and another friend. It was so nice to spend time with women who inspire and uplift me, who are kind, caring, fun, and talented. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful women in my life who I share a sisterhood with.

xoxo,

Day 19

I'm thankful for vacations! Big or small, sometimes it's just so nice to "get away" from the everyday routine. Today and tomorrow I'll be at Time Out For Women with sisters & friends having a little getaway. :)

xoxo,

Day 18

Today I'm thankful for my health. (Yet another thing I often take for granted.) I have no major ailments, mentally or physically. I don't have to take medication for anything, I don't have chronic pain, I don't have concerns which I need to see a doctor about. My body is strong, healthy, and while I may not be able to everything I want to (i.e. jump on a trampoline... you other mom's out there know what I'm talking about) it can do everything I need it to.

xoxo,

Day 17

I'm thankful for technology. Although sometimes I wish for a more simple existence, overall I think the benefits of technology far outweigh the negatives. In a time of my life where I'm trying to keep up with my son's schoolwork, chase my preschooler, and nurse my infant, I love that I can use it to keep in touch with friends & family, shop and pay bills in my pajamas, and record my story. :)

xoxo,

Day 16

Today I'm thankful for... my children. There are really no words to express what a blessing they are to me. I hear stories and see people around me who struggle with infertility, miscarriages, and even losing a child - in fact just today I was touched hearing about a family who lost their three-year-old son to cancer. I'm appreciating them more and holding them a little tighter today.



xoxo,

Day 15

Halfway through the month! I'm still not quite sure what I'm going to do with this, but I'm leaning towards a little badge album/brag book, similar to what I did with my 30 Days of Photos in April earlier this year... which I just went looking for to link to it, but I guess I never blogged about it! I will have to post the little album I made. Anyway....

Today I am thankful for my husband. I could seriously list about a million reasons why, but I'll spare you all that! Today I was specifically thankful for him because I was feeling a little annoyed and overwhelmed this afternoon... between the kids acting up, making messes, being loud, a fussy baby and too much to get done... but when he walked in the door he had a smile and his whole demeanor just brought warmth and happiness to the house. I was so grateful because it calmed me down and I felt a whole lot better. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful partner.

I tried to find a layout about him... this is about all I came up with. I guess maybe I should make another layout or two about him!


{credits}

xoxo,

Preschool Layout

I did this layout for the ad inspired challenge at Scrap Orchard. Loving the circles!


{papers and elements from "Land of Learning" kit by SuzyQ Scraps; title made with "Oopsie-Doodle Alpha 1" by SuzyQ Scraps; journaling circles from "Along The Path" text paths by Down This Road Designs; "Pea Kar Kar" font}

xoxo,

It's a Girl Thing

A layout of my baby girl and her cute cousin:


{everything from "Girl Vs. World" kit by Down This Road Designs; "Love Ya Like A Sister" font}

xoxo,

Day 14

Today I am thankful for nice, hot baths. They are a big stress reliever for me at the end of a long day! I found this little graphic in a freebie kit I downloaded a while ago, from a Brazilian designer. It makes me laugh... yes, bath is good - very, very good!

xoxo,

Day 13

Today I'm thankful for my car! It's comfortable, reliable, and takes me everywhere I need to go.

xoxo,

Day 12

Today I'm grateful for...



After all, I have a whole blog dedicated to it, so it must be an important part of my life. :) Here's a few reasons why:

- It helps me focus on what's most important in my life.
- By focusing on those things, it helps me to see how blessed I am.
- It's therapeutic and a stress reliever for me.
- It's my creative outlet.
- It's provided me with great friendships.

xoxo,

Day 11

Today I'm thankful for FOOD. Again, it's one of those things that I really take for granted. I'm so grateful to live in circumstances where it would be impossible - really - to starve. I'm grateful for all the wonderful choices, variety and options I have when it comes to my food; sometimes that can lead to me not making the healthiest choices, but just having the choice is a blessing in and of itself.

xoxo,

Day 10

I had no idea it would be this hard to stay on top of things and post everyday! So today (ahem... yesterday) I am thankful that I am busy, sometimes too busy to stop and make note of my blessings even! I am grateful that I have a life full of work and meaning and purpose, with things to do that don't just keep me busy, but things that really matter to me.

We Love This Girl!

{template from "Inspired by Shannon" freebie from SuzyQ Scraps blog; "{Stash Builders} Date Stamps 2" by SuzyQ Scraps; papers and elements from "Indulge Me" kit by SuzyQ Scraps; "Smiley Monster" font}

xoxo,