I love fall.  I love Thanksgiving. I love counting my blessings, and thanking my Lord for happiness, for struggles, for growth, for contentment, for life.

I was looking around the internet for poems and quotes about “being thankful” and found this little gem. It is very simply stated, but words of wisdom nonetheless:

Be thankful that you don’t already have
everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be
to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
Because it means you’ve made an effort.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those
who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they will become your blessings.

And now on to the smashing pumpkins part.

What do you get when you take your kids to the pumpkin patch very late in the season?  No crowds, more apple fritters for mom, and rotten pumpkins for my boys to smash.  ;) We had a great time a few weeks back visiting our favorite apple/pumpkin farm, and here are a few snaps to prove it.  But DANG I don’t know why I didn’t photo my coveted apple fritter….and now I have to wait a whole year to have them again!

My hope is that everyone is able to find a reason to give thanks today. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy some quality time with your families! We will be celebrating four times over the next few days, and I’m so looking forward to seeing my friends and family.  :)

The flow and energy that went into this session made for a perfect evening.  Katie contacted me about a doing a family session and I was over the moon excited!  You see, Katie is a local wedding vendor (an incredible florist) and I am just completely in love with her style.  She has such a passion for what she does, and it completely shows in her creations.  She did the flowers (and other creative goodies) for my own sister’s wedding, and rocked the socks off of everyone. Katie has also been so incredibly supportive of our work, complimenting us until I blush.  But, she’s a total sweetheart like that.  ;)

Katie’s hubby Ray is an artist himself, of the photographer variety! It was such a pleasure (and so much dang fun) doing a session with such a creative family.

Reagan was teaching us how to do cartwheels.  :)

Lola took a couple minutes to warm up, but she loved when I suggested tickling Mommy.

AH!!! You two are flipping ADORABLE.

In case there was any question as to who ran the show…  ;)

Shyness OVER!

Tyler

Reagan

Lola

Haaa!! Tyler.  :)

Beautiful babies…..

Tyler, you’re a great big brother.

Boys  ;)

I had Katie do a few head-shots for the biz because she was a SMOKIN’ hot mama!!!

Me loves this.

Katie, you’re a doll.

AHHH!!! I LOVED this session.

Katie, Ray, Tyler, Reagan and Lola- thanks for your patience on the blog post!  And thanks for doing a session with us!! You guys are such a precious family.  :)