"I have been blessed-I thank God for all I've been given at the end of every day!"

(Lauren Conrad's blog)

Thanksgiving was a blast! My dad and I went bike riding in the morning, watched the Macy's Parade, my grandpa came over and visited awhile before the rest of the family came over (my aunts, uncle, and cousin). We ate, we talked/laughed, went to Walgreens and Wal-mart with my aunt and mom, and I even worked on my speech I'm giving on Wednesday.

Jello salad

My new Thanksgiving sweater (Urban Outfitters)

We played Family Feud before eating dinner

Thanksgiving feast

What I did after dinner....

Played Wii bowling

Day 5-I'm Thankful For...

Music and writing. These have been two MAJOR constants in my life for as long as I can remember. Music has always just been in my blood, something I HAD to do, and something that has always been in my family from the time I was really little. Writing came into my life...well, as soon as I learned how to write in Kindergarten haha. From that moment on, I was always writing stories and screenplays, and making these visions that I had in my head come to life. I think what was the coolest thing for me, was that whatever I wanted to happen could, because I was in control with the pen.

When I'm lonely, when I'm sad, when life is unpredictable (and it usually is), when I'm happy, when I've had the most incredible day...whatever the situation is, when I crank up the volume to my Ipod or put pen to paper, my world gets a little bit better. It's my escape, it helps me heal, and helps me process whatever it is I'm going through. Honestly, I thank God for the gift of music and writing. Not only does it help me when I'm able to sing or write, but I love being able to connect with other people and learn more about them as I hear their words come to life. Both are truly so much a part of me, I'd be pretty lost without either.

Day 4-I'm Thankful For...

My church family. I've been in church all of my life, and as a matter of fact I've been at the same church for 19 years. But, for as long as I've gone there, I've always just known my parents' friends or have just gone to church there, not really doing much else. I wasn't very involved, other than when I was little and in Christmas plays. When I was 17, I finally started getting into the Christmas choir, as my own doing, no one else telling me I should. Joining the worship team, and doing the Christmas show for the past couple years has really helped me get to know so many people. I know they've always got my back! They pray for me, they encourage me, and they really do want the best for me. It's so cool to have this new family/support system, and I feel like they've really been helping me in my walk with the Lord. God sent them into my life for a reason, and I'm so thankful He did! They're also a ton of fun to be around! :)

Day 3-I'm Thankful For...

My best friends, friends and acquaintances...the old, the new, and even the ones I haven't met yet! I'm appreciative of friendship, and the people that come into your life and stay by choice. Our families are sort of required to be there for us, and we're thrown together at holidays or this or that. Friends choose to hang out with you! The friends I have in my life now are some of the most incredible people I've ever known. And even when we go through periods of not talking much, I know they've always got my back and I have theirs. No matter what we go through, I know that they'll be my friends for life. That's the most comforting feeling. Maybe we'll be raising our kids together someday!

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"These are the moments, these are the times, let's make the best out of our lives." ~The Calling~

"These are the best days aren't they? When we look back, these are the days we'll remember!" ~Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush)

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These are some really great times..to be young and not have too many cares in the world, so we can hang out together. As we get older, start having families of our own and careers, it'll get harder to see one another very much. These are the times to not take for granted, because they won't always be here!

Love them all so much and I thank God for them! :D

Day 2-I'm Thankful For...

My family. I don't know where I'd be without them. I've always been really close with a lot of family members. I think being an only child has always made me want to get to know my extended family more and to be close with them, like "Full House". When I was younger, I thought it would be the coolest thing ever if we all lived in the same house...Now that I think about it, it doesn't seem very realistic, but it's still a nice idea. I love my family; they are incredible people, and they've shaped me into who I am today. They've helped me, encouraged me, put up with me, and most of all, they've loved me. And I usually end up laughing the hardest when I'm around them! They're hilarious! We may not always get along, and we may not always see eye to eye but we're family. We stand by each other!

Not all of my family are shown in the pictures, and there are grandparents that I was really close to that have passed away, but I still love them just as much. It doesn't matter how much time has passed with seeing or talking to family, or what you've gone through...The bond families have will keep them together no matter what.
I'm extremely grateful that God has blessed me with them, and there are a lot of times that I take them for granted, I'm going to start working on that more, because I don't deserve them and we're not guaranteed tomorrow. And we need to cherish every moment we have with our families.

That's all for now,
~Shelby~
xoxox

Day 1-I'm Thankful For...

The things I don't have. Which may sound weird, but let me explain. I'm thankful for the people who aren't in my life anymore or yet, the experiences I've yet to have, and material things that aren't in my possession yet, as much as I may want them.

I'm impatient; I hate waiting... I want things right now, and that isn't the way life always goes. But, I don't have these things for a reason, and God has a plan with all of it. So, I know that by waiting for all these things with the right heart... When I finally do receive those things that I desire most, it will be that much sweeter.

Until then, I will appreciate the people that are in my life right now, things I have experienced, and things I do have. :)

-Shelby
Xoxo