It’s the start of the week. A Monday. And generally, this is how I feel about Mondays…

But having this mindset when the 8am bell rings & the kiddos start falling in (often tardy, I might add) really doesn’t help anything… So, I’ve decided to start off each week with a little life lovin’.

We have SO much to be thankful for, and, in my effort to be intentional with GRATITUDE, I’m going to attempt to move my emotions in a bit different, more positive, direction.

 

Because really, we are SO lucky. And we have ENOUGH. Our culture (cough westelm.com cough) loves to tell us that we don’t, and that we just need a litttle more..but it’s such a lie! No cute rug or fun wall-art is going to make life easier, or better, or more fun. It’s the people around us, the experiences we share, the memories we make — those are what matter!

And, if I’m honest with you, between St. Patty’s Day, Makeup OGT day at work (helllooo delayed start to classes!), grabbing some Samoa’s from a student fundraiser, and finishing season 6 of Dexter with my hubs (OMG!!! CUE FREAK OUT!!), this Monday has actually been a pretty great day!

So today, I’m thankful for my teaching job. For the opportunity to impact kids’ lives even when I don’t realize it. For the worksheets and copy jams and data pushes and coughing germs and dried-out markers. Because I have a job. And that’s something to be grateful for.

I’m thankful for a fun weekend with my hubs & brother-in-law. If you checked out my instagram, you saw lots of posts of those cuties #twinning — it’s scary how much alike they are 300 miles apart and so incredibly fun to get to spend time with them together :)

I’m thankful for Mitchell’s ice cream, butternut squash, my purple-straw water cup, and the giggles I got to share with my hubs before he left for Monday night basketball.

I’m thankful for cell-phones and computers that let me stay in touch with those I love that are way way too far away (Nicole, I’m calling you back as soon as this posts!!) For my little brother who tries to face-time me at the most inconvenient times (like when I’m driving!) and my dad who never fails to like every single one of my photography posts.

I could go on and on, but to keep this semi-short, I’m going to end this list of Monday love with this:

These photos are actually from one of my first solo sessions EVER. I begged one of my good college friends and her fiance to let me take some engagement photos for them, and proceeded to totally space about this little thing known as Daylight Savings Time and the fact that I would lose the sun a whole hour earlier than expected. Needless to say, the session ended a lot earlier than I had planned. HA!

But ya know what? I love these pictures. No, they’re not perfect; and yes, I’m pretty sure I was super thrown-off & unclear when directing Jackie & Eli, but they still make me smile. I am so. thankful. for these photos, because they helped me get where I am today. So thanks you two, for letting your crazy friend from freshman year take pictures of you even when you hate getting your pictures taken :) And just for the record, you guys are crazy for hating getting your pictures taken, because even my newbie self couldn’t stop your photo cuteness!!!

So, I leave you with this thought: What can you be grateful for today? What (or who!) can we show a little extra appreciation for right now?

Oh yeah, and I’m also leaving you with another sneak peek from the Shelley wedding. Guys, I really REALLY can’t wait to show you all of these bad boys. OBSESSED!

Happy Monday!!!! :)