Writing Prompt: My Most Memorable Thanksgiving

Linking up this Thanksgiving Day with Mama Kat for her weekly writing prompts meme.

I chose the following prompt: "A Favorite Thanksgiving Memory"

My most memorable Thanksgiving is without a doubt, my wedding day. Yes, that's right. Hubby and I tied the knot in a very private ceremony on Thanksgiving morning in 2007 on the beach on Sullivan's Island, SC. Our engagement was only a week long...so I didn't have long to get a dress, and we were lucky his dad is a minister. We got our license to wed that week at City Hall and proceeded with our nuptials while we had a few family members in town for Thanksgiving. The only regrets I have for that day are not having any of my family members present due to the very short notice. It was just Jake's immediate family, and our son, Tanner (age 2 at the time - which is why our engagement was so short. We figured, what's the point in waiting any longer to do what's right? We of course WANTED to as well!) However, we did throw a reception party six months later in May 2008 with about 100 of our close family and friends.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from that memorable Thanksgiving (of course, a week-long engagement didn't provide time to book a professional photographer either - another one of my few regrets, but in the big scheme of things, doesn't matter all that much):

Happy Couple

The Kiss to Seal the Deal

A Happy Bride

We "Do"

The Rings

Happy Thanksgiving to You & Yours!

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Ten

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Ten

I am thankful for: My Beautiful Sons

Where do I begin to explain how grateful I am for the two wonderful little boys I have been blessed with? I feel like the luckiest mother - my boys are handsome, sweet, smart and so special in their own individual ways.

Tanner is my eccentric little artist and philosophical thinker. He is so imaginitive and unique in the way he thinks about the world. He is so smart. He loves to be loved and brightens up a room with his sparkly baby blues and wide-open grin. He loves to laugh, sing and play. He will never know how much he truly changed my life for the better. He is the reason I have changed and improved. I wanted to be better for him because he deserves the best. I love him so much and I make sure to tell him every day. We often butt heads because we are so much alike, but I know we'll be great friends in the future because of it. Tanner is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

Breckin is the happiest baby I have ever known. His giggle and mischievous grin just makes my heart melt. I can't help but crack up with him. His eyes are always full of wonderment when he sees something he wants or something he's never seen before. He wants to stay a baby as long as possible because he's over 15 months and won't let go to walk unassisted (I know he has the ability!) But I don't mind, because I want to cherish his last few months as a "baby". He's very much a boy - he loves to be outside and play wth anything that is or can be used as a ball. He gives hugs, kisses and sometimes little love bites (he saves those especially for me). He has been the most wonderful addition to our family.

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Nine (Happy 4th Anniversary, Hubby) ♥

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Nine

I am thankful for: My Husband

Today is the 4th anniversary of the day my husband and I said "I do."

We had a quaint little private ceremony at Breach Inlet on Sullivan's Island on Thanksgiving that year. Six months later, we had a reception with family and friends.

Thank you, my sweet husband, for four amazing years...looking forward to many more. You are the most wonderfully perfect man for me. Happy Anniversary, I love you. ♥



11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Eight

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Eight

I am thankful for: Being an Artist

I have always loved to express myself through creativity. Ever since I can remember, I've been drawing, painting and doing crafty things. I really enjoy it. I even went to college for graphic design (though I do often wish I had taken the more practical road and chosen something like Business Management, but that's another story for another day). I always love for things to be full of color and constantly find myself attracted to bold and bright things...whether it be in my clothing, my accessories or my font type for my email signature (that last one was for my boss, who routinely gives me shit for it.)

I obviously don't have as much time anymore as I'd like to be crafty and creative since becoming a mommy, wife and full-time employee, but I try to grab hold of the opportunity whenever it does present itself. I find myself wanting to paint more pictures to put in my home as decor, or even consume myself in DIY home improvement projects or interior design and decor. I'm constantly changing up things in my house - it probably drives my husband crazy, but hopefully he will agree they are always changes for the better!

I recently got back into painting after quite the hiatus and find myself eager to do more. I've set up an easel area in my bedroom (gotta keep the paints out of reach of the kiddos as they are not the washable kind!) I am excited to redevelop my talent in that area (absence makes the hand go rusty, as I like to say).

I am thankful I was given artistic talent - it's such a beautiful form of expression. I hope to always get better and to share my art with others. I'm especially thankful when people actually admire my work!

Rose - 2001 (Chalk)

These are just a couple of my pieces, I don't have pictures of everything. I will have to take some and post someday soon.

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Seven

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Seven

I am thankful for: My Home

I am so thankful that I have a place to call home. I know there are so many people out there without a roof over their head. Some don't know where they'll get there next meal or where they'll end up sleeping each night. It is such a fortunate thing to have a home...something I'm sure we are all guilty of taking for granted. Not only do I have a home, my house is big enough to fit our entire family comfortably...we're blessed with a spacious home, enough bedrooms and bathrooms for all. It may not be the biggest house, but it is definitely big enough...and I love it. I love decorating it and I love all the wonderful upgrades Jake has done with his crafty talents.

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Six

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Six

I am thankful for: My Friends

I've had the privilege of having many friendships throughout my life. Some of them are still intact, some of them have faded and then there are of course the ones that are no longer. But I think we all have that. I have learned things from each and every one of my friendships. The have helped me grow into the person I am today. I am thankful for all of my friends...past, present and future.

From Left: Manda, Suzanne, Mia, Me, & Meg 2009

From Left: Corey, Me, Anne & Taylor at Charleston Fashion Week 2009

From Left: Me, Mia & Meg - St. Patty's Day 2008

Allison & Me - 2008



Blast from the Past: Kelly & Me - Halloween 2003



Corey & Me

Suzanne, Mia & Me

My Childhood BFF, Kellie & Me - 2007

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Five

11 Days of Thankfulness: Day Five

I am thankful for: the Internet.

Thank you to the inventor of the Internet. You rock. I LOVE Facebook, email, the ability to find out the answer to anything within a few clicks...and of course, blogging. Being far away from my family, avenues such as Facebook and blogging have become my means of communication, updating and sharing about my life and my family to friends and family far away - or even nearby. I'm sure I probably say too much, but is that really any different than in real life? No. I'm a pretty open and honest person...with a take me or leave me mentality. That's pretty much all I have to say about the Internet. Bravo.