thankful thursday 22
I haven't done one of these posts in a while, but "thankful thursdays" are one of my favorite posts to write. A long time ago a friend told me in order to stay positive that he'd list all the things he was thankful for. Ever since then it stuck with me. I've found it so valuable to take time to reflect on all the blessings in my life and maybe even the upsides to the bad things. So here are the things I'm thankful for this week.
Carmax. Lance and I bought our car from Carmax about a month ago. I took it in recently to get the bluetooth fixed and the brakes checked. Turns out there was something loose on the brakes and that we didn't actually have bluetooth in our car. But... Carmax was awesome. They fixed and replaced our brakes and installed bluetooth for free. They've had our car since Tuesday, but in the meantime they've loaned us a car. (And I just happen to love this big SUV loaner.) I'm so thankful for their excellent service.
Apple. Another snafu this week was my computer. My poor desktop computer. Between Lance and me we have five computers. Unfortunately for me there's really only one I can work and edit on, and of course that's the one that broke down. I'm going to have to get a part replaced, but I'm so thankful an Apple store exists near us. They were so kind at the Genius Bar, and I hope I get my computer back soon. I don't know what to do with my time if I can't work!
Hiking. This is that perfect time of year here. It's a bit warm and a bit chilly. Birmingham is even more beautiful this time of year, colored in fall oranges, yellows and reds. I love that Lance and I have access to really good hiking trails. Before we got married we didn't do much hiking but ever since our honeymoon, where it seemed all we did was hike, we've been on a hiking kick. I love it. I love the challenge of the hike and that it's an enjoyable way to exercise. Lance and I talk a lot on our hikes so we have a lot of good conversations. Not to mention, there's always a lot of things for me to photograph.
Reading. In the past two months I was in a really awful reading funk. I read good books, but I couldn't finish any. I recently picked up Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid and loved it. I finished it in a couple of days it was so good. Reading just makes me so happy. I can't describe it really.
Coffee Shops. Birmingham has some really amazing coffee shops, and one of my favorites is just down the road from where we live. I'll come here to write emails and blog posts or just read. It's the perfect place to hunker down. I love it here.
Music. I play a lot of music while I drive nowadays. And I've got some good music! Music really does it for me. It makes me happy and calm while I drive. It helps me focus while I work. It even helps me clean our apartment!
Thanksgiving & Christmas. It seems neither holiday could come sooner. It's a little bittersweet for me, as this Thanksgiving will be the first time I've been away from my family for the holidays. With all the traveling I did over the years and going away to college, I always managed to make it back home for Christmas and Thanksgiving. My family always had turkey, stuffing, yams and my grandmother's fried rice! Yum! I love Thanksgiving foods. But, alas, even though I don't get to spend Thanksgiving with my family (wahhhhhh) I get to spend it with my other family, Lance's family! I'm excited. I'm looking forward to seeing what their Thanksgiving is like.
Samford. I have to admit sometimes living on a college campus isn't always the most ideal for 31 year old newlywed. Sometimes it's a little odd to be so old and surrounded by people more than ten years younger than me. But, all in all, for the most part I love living at Samford. I love that there's always people around, and we get to live near friends. I love that we have access to a beautiful campus. I love that Samford is constantly having events. (They just hosted Bob Goff!!!!) And that people here are generally so wonderful. I'm so thankful to be a part of this campus culture, even being the oldie that I am.
Friends & Family. Of course I am thankful for my friends and family. Being married and living far away is a constant reminder of how important they are in my life. Even when I can't keep in touch with them, I'm thinking of and praying for them. I really would not be where I am in my life without their support. I've really been blessed with a great, amazing family. I love them beyond words.
Lance. And last but certainly not least it is Lance. I am so thankful God put him in my life. He is my support and my rock and my encourager and the source of almost all my laughter. He's a good man and a great husband. I just can't imagine living this life with anyone but him. He is the best man I know, and I love him more every day.
All in all I have so much to be thankful for. God is soooo good. And I'm thankful for every day He's given me.
Red Mountain Park, Alabama. October 31, 2015 | Fuji x100s