a thankful thursday

a few weeks ago, my little family had pictures taken by the wonderfully talented Denae Harlow.
i wanted to wait to post any pictures, since i obviously will use one or two of them in a Christmas card that i'll be sending out- and i didn't want to ruin the surprise.

but i just couldn't wait...
i love them too much.

the more i look at the pictures, the more my heart is filled with love and gratitude for these 3 adorable people who have filled my life with so much meaning and purpose.
we've had some situations surrounding us in the last little while that have just really made me look at my own little family and just be so grateful for the blessings that somehow are mine. how did i get so lucky? i can't quite be sure. all i know is that 10 years ago, i dreamed of a handsome husband who'd love me and be kind to me. i dreamed of having kids and being a mom. i dreamed of being happy.
i'm a definite believer that dreams can and do come true, even in unexpected, unplanned ways.
i love this quote by Camilla Kimball, one of the sweetest most genuine ladies to ever live (not that i know her personally or anything- just by stories i've heard of her, and stories i've read of hers):

"you do not find the happy life. you make it."

i think it's true. you can't always go looking for something bigger and better than what or where you are. it kind of reminds me of the thought "the grass is always greener on the other side..." but what i think is it may be greener over there, but that doesn't mean your grass isn't green, so make the best of it, right? at least your grass isn't brown! but then again, i think sometimes, for whatever reason, the happy life finds you. and really, i feel like the happy life has found me. sure, sometimes things are topsy turvy. Ellie cries about nonsensical things, and Alice hangs on my leg while i pee, and M decides to fix a fence 10 minutes before we need to leave somewhere... but my life is full. full of love. full of smiles. full of memories and bruises on our foreheads. full of tears, of both heartaches and joy.

and so today, i am grateful. most grateful for these wonderful people that i get to share the happy life with. because it wouldn't be that without them.

 {p.s. my mutant finger made a surprise appearance! i tried to disguise that poor pinky with finger-nail polish...but how can you disguise a mutant?? you can't. poor guy.}

{all images were taken by Harlow Photography c/o Denae Harlow. she's awesome, huh?}

life is good.

xoxo