thankful thursday {link up}

{Link up your own Thankful Thursday post below...}

This Thursday I am thankful for...

1) Nine amazing years with this guy.  Yesterday Lance and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary.  I am so thankful to call him mine... he's seriously the best.  I can't imagine life without him.

2) Lunch in the park.  Lately I've been trying to pack my lunch a few days a week... and surprisingly, these days have quickly become some of my favorites... especially when it's paired with a favorite magazine and perfect weather.

3) Dinner & drinks with this girl.  My dear friend (and previous co-worker) Stacie was in town this week and we were able to catch up over dinner and drinks at a couple of my favorite Louisville spots.  It was just what I needed:)

What are you thankful for this week? Grab the Thankful Thursday button from the right sidebar and link up your own post below. Be sure to visit the other Thankful Thursday participants and share the love!!

I may be linking up with any of these fellow Thankful ladies:

The Fontenot Four

First Day of My Life
There's Just One Mommy

Lovely Little Whimsy

he & she {summer edition}

he welcomes summer by turning the A/C up.

she welcomes summer by putting the windows down.

he lets the chickens out every morning before work.

she is teaching the chickens to eat out of her hand.

they are patiently waiting for their first batch of eggs.

he prunes and tends to the backyard vegetables.

she waters and cares for the front porch flowers.

he is driving all around northern Kentucky for his new job.

she is commuting to southern Indiana for her new job.

they are slowly adjusting to their new schedules.

he is learning about aquaponics.

she is catching up on photo editing.

he just turned the ripe old age of 34 last week.

she isn't far behind at her new age of 32.

they will celebrate 9 whole years of blissful marriage tomorrow.

...summer couldn't be better.

happy derby!!

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my grown-up birthday wish list...

My birthday totally snuck up on me this year.  My mom called last week asking me for my birthday list... and I had nothing.  Seriously, nothing.  I guess that's what happens when you turn 32.  I actually forgot how old I was turning the other day... totally forgot.  All the "mile-marker" birthdays (16... 21... 30...) have all since long passed and I have now entered the age range where you just completely forget how old you are.

But have no fear.  I was able to think about it for a while, and have successfully put together my birthday wish list... two days before my actual birthday:)

1) this anthro vase

2) new bloch flats

3) baskets for my expedite shelves

4) cream soda

5) this book

6) new running shoes

7) any of these stamps

8) aveda hydrating lotion

9) these earrings

10) pretty much anything from here

thankful thursday {link up}

{Link up your own Thankful Thursday post below...}

Okay... let's try this whole Thankful Thursday again...  Sorry about last week's post.  I was trying to be all proactive and get things set up in advance, but apparently I didn't set the date for linky party... oops. So yeeaahhhh... 

This Thursday I am thankful for...

1) Birthdays.  Yes... again.  I know this was on my list last week... but this time it's for MY birthday!!!  Which just happens to be right around the corner... on Sunday:)  I'm looking forward to a fantastically low-key, celebratory weekend!

2) Cherry Limeades.  I've always been a long-time fan of all-things Sonic... but I rarely order anything to drink besides Dr. Pepper.  But yesterday one of my co-workers brought me with an afternoon cherry limeade... and it.was.fabulous.

3) Kale.  We've been growing kale in our raised-bed garden this year... and before then, I didn't even know what kale was.  But now we have kale growing out of our ears:)  The other night Lance sautéed some with bacon... yes... with bacon.  It was amazing.  I would eat kale with bacon every.single.day.

What are you thankful for this week? Grab the Thankful Thursday button from the right sidebar and link up your own post below. Be sure to visit the other Thankful Thursday participants and share the love!!

I may be linking up with these fellow Thankful ladies:

The Fontenot Four

First Day of My Life
There's Just One Mommy

Lovely Little Whimsy

embracing may {monthly goals}

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Go // outside.

This goal means exactly what it says.  Go outside.  Just do it... whether it's on my lunch break or an evening walk.  I absolutely love this time of year... when the weather is finally warm... but not miserably hot yet.  And I want to enjoy every second of it.  

Get // tech-ie.

I need to spend some time doing some computer stuff... update the photography website... create an adoption fundraising site... edit photos... all personal things that desperately need to be done.  But when you spend 8-10 hours a day staring at a computer for work, the last thing you want to do when you finally get home is crack open the laptop.  But this needs to happen.  Anyone want to just design everything for me??  Pretty please??

Guard // my time.

With my new work schedule and commute, I'm learning how important it is for me to guard my down time.  Whether it's planning a date night with my husband... or simply protecting some alone time for myself.  I know myself well enough to know that I am an introvert at heart, and am able to function best if I have some time to myself every once in a while.

Give // unexpectedly.

I like to give.  It's probably my "love language," if you're into all that.  I like to give gifts... give food... give time... give myself... etc, etc... you get the picture.  But I typically prefer to give on my time table... my schedule.  But what about those times when I see the need for giving... but I simply turn away because "I don't have time" or "I can't right now"  I want to change that.  I want to give unexpectedly... selflessly.

What about you?  What are you focusing on this month?

In case you're interested... or super board at work... 
January goals here 
February goals here 
March goals here
April goals here