I Am Thankful

I am thankful for so many things each and everyday and although we think about these things the most on Thanksgiving we need to try and remember everything that we are thankful for on a daily basis. 

I enjoyed a great Thanksgiving dinner with my family today. Great and yummy food with some great people and even better pie afterwards...yum I love love love holiday food. After dinner we enjoyed playing a game of phase 10 together and a round of apples to apples. I just love when we can all get along and have a great time. Now Im all snuggled up enjoying my blog while Jason is out salting the roads...making that money!...haha

As a tradition of being thankful I have made a list of things that I have been and am thankful each day this past month. Enjoy!

1. I am thankful for all those who love and support me and have helped me to get through a rough time in my life. You truly find out who is there for you the most when you need them and those who don't judge you at all.

2. I am thankful for my family & the things we are able to do together. My brother was running at MIS for states and it was awesome to be able to watch and do it all together as a family.

3. Today I am thankful for my parents and how accepting they are of Bailey. My mom treats her just as if she is her own grandkid and that makes both Jason and I smile. You can tell my mom looks forward to her weekly visits and the two of them always have huge grins on their faces. 

4. I am thankful that I have been able to go back to school and follow my dreams not everyone gets this opportunity and I am so grateful I have so many people backing me up. 

5. I am so thankful that I have picked someone to spend my life with who gets along so well with my family. He's the one who always wants to go spend time with them and I dont have to push them and its such a great feeling. 

6. Today I am thankful for Bentley, my dog. Dogs are those one things in life that never let you down and can always make you feel better. They love you more than they love themselves and are always there when you need them. 

7. Jason's new job makes me so thankful. I am thankful that he has gotten this new opportunity to advance in his career and the opportunity to make more money and be successful like he wants.

8. I am thankful for my sister, its great to have her in my life. I know we dont always get along in fact we but heads a lot but I know that no matter what we are there for each other and nothing can change her being my sister. 

9. I am thankful for Jason's family and how they accept me as their own and take care of me even when he is out of town. 

10. I am thankful that God has given me such a love and eye for photography. Who would have known that I enjoy it so much that I want it as a career. I love to capture the little moments and look back on those photographs. 

11. Happy Veteran's day! I am thankful for my daddy who has served for our country, it hasn't always been the easiest having him leave us on occasion but he makes me and our family proud. 

12. I am thankful that my boyfriend cares enough to come home and surprise me! Being home alone with out him is no fun I missed him so much and to find out he was home a whole day early even if it was one in the morning makes me so happy!

13. I am thankful for the life that God has given me, sometimes we overlook everything and we become ungrateful but just remember all the good things you have and how fortunate you are to have a roof over your head and food to eat.

14. Today I am thankful for the love and support that I receive from everyone around me. 

15. Today I am thankful for my fuzzy pjs and lots of warm blankets and a TV of  ON DEMAND just full of things for me to watch. Sometimes its just nice to stop the craziness of always running around and just cuddle up and have a lazy day.

16. I am thankful for our little family. Today we went to take pictures and although Bailey struggled with her smile we were able to get some great shots that we will be able to look back on for a long time. 

17. Today I am thankful for the amount of time we get to spend together doing all sorts of things. Our trip to Bronners today was much needed get out of the house time, and Im so glad we were able to spend it with friends who share so much in common with us. 

18. I am thankful that I have the energy and motivation on Mondays to get up and out of bed and to make it to class all day long. Some days are better than others but I just have to remember the long term goal and that this will all pay off.

19. Today I am thankful for the love that a little girl named Bailey gives me. 

20. I am thankful for my cosmetology license and the fact that I had people who supported me through the whole process. I know it was a far fetched idea when I first suggested going to school but my family stood behind me and I found something that I love to do that I would have never known had I not tried.

21. I am thankful that Jason works so hard for us, I feel awful sometimes that I cant contribute as much as I want to he understands that I am going to school and trying to concentrate on that as much as I can. 

22. Today I am thankful for Jason's mom, she treats me as her own daughter and sometimes we have the best days together, just like today taking Bailey out shopping and just spending the day out and about.

23. I am thankful for our great friends that we have, they know just how to have a good time with us and its awesome to have people who understand what you go through and who are on the same level as you. 

24.I am thankful for our Sunday family dinner that we have at my parents house every Sunday night. Its great to make sure we get together and catch up on what has gone on during the week. I look forward to it every week and I always know Ill have that one home cooked meal. 

25. Thanksgiving break woohoo!! I am thankful for almost being done with this semester only two weeks left and I am still hanging in there. 

26. I am thankful for the keys to our new apartment that we received today. It has been a long time coming but were here and Im excited to start the next chapter of our lives.

27. I am thankful for my "little shadow" and how she always wants to do things with me. She can be a handful at times but when she's being sweet like tonight when she let me give her a bath and play with her toys it makes up for all the other times she's screaming "go away!" 

28. I am thankful for my amazing boyfriend, Jason James Carlson, words can not describe how much I appreciate you. A year ago we met and although it was under such strange circumstances you stuck by my side as a friend and you never gave up on being there for me. You mean the world to me and I am so glad that our friendship has turned into much much more. 

Canvas Painting

I found this painting on pinterest and decided to give it a try for myself! 

I love being able to make stuff for the house & not spend alot as well as have the satisfaction that I did it all on my own!

{Pinterest original}

Supplies Needed:

a blank canvas (whatever size you want for your home)

acrylic paints (about 6) 

paint brushes

painters tape

Paint as desired all over canvas blending your colors together

afterwards let dry

After drying place painters tape in chevron pattern

this may take a little time to master

dont worry its ok to take off and redo!

Once tape is placed on paint entire canvas with white paint

afterwards let dry completely!

Once dry peel off all painters tape

And this is your end result!!

I cant wait to place this on our walls somewhere

Weekend Recap...just a tad late!

Friends, Family, & Love

Friday:

errands w/ Bailey. friend time w/Hannah. takeout.

Saturday:

family photos. mall. pizza in Bay City. family time @ my parents.

Sunday:

Bronners. lunch with good friends. more family time. homework.

Bailey being silly at my parents in the dog cage.

The only way she would take her Christmas photo.

My favorite family photo.

Bailey had lots of fun at Bronners! 

She loved seeing the BIG santa

HO HO HO!

27 Months

Favorite Words: She is now speaking more sentences and having conversations with you. She loves telling you no, knows her full name and everyone elses name ends in Carlson. Instead of saying "mama" she now calls her grandma "gamma" and "puppies" has now turned into each dogs name "puppy toes" for Cash and my moms dogs are "atson" watson, "entley" bentley, and "ixie" for Dixie. 

Favorite Things: Her pots & pants and new pretend microwave, playing on the iPad she can complete all the puzzles by herself

Favorite Food: She loves her chips and dip {a must buy for the house at all times!}, loves her coffee with grandma, fruit snacks, and anything that your eating she wants too!

Now that she is two we are on to the great world of potty training!! Ahh help! haha She knows when she has to go but at this point is deciding when she will and wont get on the toilet. And when she does get on it she MUST have her privacy she will tell you to go away haha hopefully we keep making positive strides in this direction!

I know after 2 years people hardly ever say 27 or 30 months but why should these stop only because Bailey is 2 years old? She's changing on a daily basis right now and its so much fun to watch her grow. I want to be able to document these things and therefore I will ever couple months!! 

Team Braedyn

I spent some time today with one of my best friends Hannah to support her son who has been diagnosed with Autism. Freeland Sports Zone held an Autism walk today and I took the time to photograph for Hannah since she had her hands full and I knew she would want to look back on these photos and keep them.

Hannah is one of the strongest people I know. Knowing that her son has Autism has not put her down it has instead only motivated her and pushed her to give her son one of the best lives and opportunities that she can give him. 

Braedyn is an ordinary three year old, just because he has autism does not mean he is not normal or has a handicap. He will grow up to do the same things that all others are able to do and he is extremely smart.

Here are some facts about autism so that each and every one of you can be just as knowledgeable about it as well...

*Autism now affects 1 in 88 children....1 in 54 are boys

*Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average

*Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism

*There is no medical detection or cure for autism

*Autistic children are often considered self-absorbed and exist only in a world of their own. It can be very difficult to gain the attention of an Autistic child but make no mistake....they are paying attention....always. Once in a while you are given a small window of their undivided attention....and it's like heaven has opened up. 

*Autistic children are often attached to one particular toy or object. This object brings a sense of security to the child.

10 Things I Want Bailey To Know

1. It's not your job to keep the people you love happy. I know this may feel like your job and responsibility but sadly its not. Its no ones job not yours, not mine, or daddy's. The sad truth is you just cant do it anyways.

2. Your physical fearlessness is a strength. I love the way you run, jump and climb. Running through the back yard chasing the dog, jumping in each and every puddle you come across. Please dont ever stop this its a wonderful thing to see you running around carefree.

3. You should never be afraid to share your passions. Sadly this is something that I have come to learn later in life. Dont be afraid just because you think that someone might laugh at you because you love a certain sport or you love to play with barbies. Those who make fun of you are not your true friends, please dont forget this. 

4. It is okay to disagree with me, and others. I didnt say argue but yes it is okay to disagree with me and others from time to time. You will have your point of view and you have the right to let me know when you think that I am wrong and to let me know why.

5. You are so very beautiful. Please dont ever forget this. Don't give in to peer pressure to change who you are and what you look like. And I know I'm a hair dresser and therefore you may feel you can get the newest look whenever you may please but PLEASEEEEE dont dye your hair for a very very long time, its beautiful the way it is and once you start you can not stop.

6. Reading is essential. Reading is essential, it expands your knowledge. Dont feel ashamed because you may like to read. Reading books can give you leisure, it lets you escape the real world for just a short moment while experiencing a whole new world.

7. You are not me. We may be alike in many ways, your daddy even says we act the same  although he's not quite sure if you get it from me or I from you. But either way you are still your own person entirely and completely. I know that separation from us is a fundamental task of your adolescence, and I know its coming sooner and faster than we all think. Your dad is going to dread it and it will drive him crazy but I know that this is essential and in the end you will grow much closer to us.

8. It is almost never about you. People are going to act in ways that hurt you and make you feel insecure and it is important for you to know that when this happens 99% of the time it is because something is happening with them and its not about you nor is it your fault. This can be a hard one you may struggle with, your heart being hurt even if your head may know otherwise. Just remember people are struggling with their own problems even if they bump into you accidentally.

9. There is no single person who can be your everything. This is something that has taken me a very long time to learn, and I hope you can learn this earlier on and not follow me on this one. You have to be very careful about giving this power to any one person. You will be trying to fill a feeling of loneliness but I am here to tell you that it's just a part of life. Trying to fill it with people, food, alcohol, or other behaviors is a lost cause and will not work. Instead you will only feel let down and create more loneliness. Unfortunately it is just a part of life and we must all deal with it. Don't focus on one person instead surround yourself with many people who love you greatly. Like I said it has taken me a long time to learn this and I've had my fair share of struggles but now I have you, your dad, my mom and dad, my sister and brother, grandma and papa, and many close friends. 

10. I am trying my best. I know Im not good enough and Im not your mom Ive already told you this before. I may get impatient sometimes and Im sorry. I love you more than anything in the world and I am trying my best to be a better person for you and your dad. I'll love you every single day. No matter what. 

Weekend Recap

What a BUSY Weekend!

Friday:

Craft time. Road Trip. Family time.

Saturday:

ANOTHER road trip. Tailgate. XC States. Family. Family. Chinese. Love.

Sunday:

Nap time. Relaxing. Homework. Spaghetti. Wine.

Bailey & I took a trip to Meijer to get craft supplies and of course she had to ride the pony not once but FIVE times.

Craft time was a blast!! Cant wait to frame some of Bailey's work. 

If anyone one is interested for this project we bought acrylic paints in green, yellow, orange and red. Then we bought one lime, one apple, one lemon, and one orange. Cut each in half and dipped in paint accordingly and placed on paper!

Bailey had such fun we had to throw her in the shower afterwards.

Baby brother's name up in lights! Heritage XC state championship!!

So proud of Ethan for doing his best at states, how awesome to get to go and watch him in his LAST meet of high school.

STATS:

Overall Team: 6th Place

Time: 16:20

Overall Individual: 39th

2nd for the team

WAY TO GO HAWKS!!

What a long day it was for Bailey she had so much fun playing outside that she just crashed on the way home.

Finally after a long weekend I am sitting here enjoying my glass of wine. English paper submitted and nothing left to do but relax until class in the AM 

Have a happy week!!