#Blessed

I could never tell you all the things that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving because there is just too many, but I will try and give you a little hint.

I am thankful that...

God woke me up this morning.
I have a roof over my head and lovely people I share it with.
I have food to put in my body to stay healthy.
I am healthy and able to exercise every day.
I will graduate college with $0 of student loans. ( I love you, dad)
I have a mother who I can call about everything from cat scratches to a broken heart.
I have a family who loves me unconditionally and who I can count on.
My brother is serving his country and protecting our freedom.
My friends, even though I can count them on all my fingers, are always there for me, whether it be to listen to my problems (all trivial), hear about my triumphs, or cheer me on.
I have guy friends who give great advice (girls and guys CAN be just friends)
I never quit cheerleading in high-school, showing me how tough I can be and that quitting is not the answer.
My oldest sister found the love of her life, I have never seen her so happy.
I have the most beautiful niece, who I love watching grow up and who brings a smile to everyone's face she meets.
I grew up in Carmel, Indiana, one of the best places to live in the United States.
I have the opportunity to move either across the country or stay where I am when it comes to finding an internship/job after graduation.
I adopted Maisy(my kitten), who I love so much and has kept her mommy sane while going through college.
& the list just goes on and on...

I hope your Thanksgiving is spent enjoying the company of your loved ones and you find a reason to be thankful today, and everyday, for that matter.

Thank you for this beautiful picture of my family, Lexi Mathioudakis the photographer behind doodleshots.com

Veterans Day

My brother is the type of person who never studied for tests and still got an A, the type of smart I always wish I was. During my vacation this summer when we went to visit him in Florida, he spent hours helping me understand calculus the day before my midterm when he even had a huge exam coming up himself. He hadn't seen this material in years & years yet he sat there, looked at it for a couple minutes and would be able to explain exactly what was going on in a way that I could understand.  And I sat there amazed and feeling so appreciative of the person he is.

He is an amazing father to a beautiful little girl at a young age, the best brother I could have asked for and an Airman that the Air Force is lucky to have.

It makes me smile every time I get a call from him cause he usually is just calling to waste time on his way to a meeting or just had a couple minutes to spare. I love to hear about all the training he is going through, to me it is so fascinating, and I think even higher of him when I hear it. There is nothing in the world like what our service men go through.

I have always appreciated the men who have served our country, especially having one grandfather in the Marines and the other in the Air Force. But my brother joining made his sacrifice for our freedom even more special. I love him and am so proud of all the things he has accomplished. I dread the day he deploys but will be sending my prayers everyday for a safe return. And lots and lots of letters if that is possible.

I am thankful for each and every person who has served our country and given me the freedom I have today. 

 My grandpa, the Marine :)

 

 My grandpa, The Airman :)

And not pictured is my brother, safety reasons and all.

I love you all.