giving thanks this thanksgiving

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in

every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4: 4-6

God has truly blessed me my entire life. But this year my heart swells even more with thankfulness to my Jesus.

Family // My sisters. "The bro". Parents. Aunts. Uncles. Grandparents. All so special to me. They show me love and kindness every single day. Well... except sometimes sisters have tough days. *winks* but we always make-up so no worries there.

Mountains // they are in my blood. What can I say?

Food // when your stomach is full. You are in a much better mood. It is just a fact.

Music // I love my music. That, too, was poured into my blood when I was born. Both of my sides of the family are musical. Singing. Playing. It is just a part of who I am. I cherish my childhood memories of West family gatherings. Guitars. Pianos. Singing. Laughing.

Coffee // it's just too good. And so much fun to get on a date in the rain.

Josiah Karl // my best friend. my soul mate. my fiancé. my future husband. The one who completes me. Who loves me for who I am. Looks past my flaws. Makes me feel beautiful. Special. Wanted and needed.

Jesus // without my Savior, I am nothing. He saved my soul.

Happy Thanksgiving! Have a blessed day!

Glory Land // how thankful for Jesus I am

Many years I've been looking for a place to call home

But I fail here to find it, so I must travel on

I don't care for fine mansions on earths sinking sand

Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land

Yes, build me just a cabin in the corner of Glory Land

In the shade of the tree of life that it may ever stand

So I can just hear the angels sing and shake Jesus' hand

Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of Glory Land

~

I was lost but Jesus saved me

He gave His life on Calvary's tree

Though I fail Him, He still loves me

Through His grace I've been set free

No I don't deserve a mansion

For I was born a sinful man

No I don't deserve a mansion

But Jesus built a home for me in Glory Land

It was our sins that He died for

For all mankind, He paid the price

Who are we that He should love us

Enough to give His life

No I don't deserve a mansion

For I was born a sinful man

No I don't deserve a mansion

But Jesus built a home for me in Glory Land

Some days I am so thankful for my Jesus, my eyes sting with tears. These two songs by my favorite male singer, Charley Pride, just hit the spot in my heart.

Just some sneak peaks // I miss him

I say it a lot, I know it. But, I can't help it. I miss my man.
Here are a few sneak peaks of our engagement session Josiah's sister Gwen did while I was still out there.

11 days and Josiah will be on a jet plane headed my way for Thanksgiving! I simply can't wait.

Ballads of the American West // this girls heart

Somewhere my love lay sleeping

Behind the lights of a far off town;

So I gave my heart to a bend in the road

And off I went, a-yondering

- Louis L'Amour  

Lone and quiet they roamed the land, taking nothing. Leaving nothing, except, perhaps, a memory.

Tall in the saddle, with eyes that gave nothing away.

Wise.

Rugged from years of experience.

The men of yesterday.

The symbol of the American West.

The cowboy. The mountain man. The pioneer.

All had a part in settling that great untamed country. From the dust filled trails and noisy cattle drives, to the stillness of the snow capped mountain peeks.

I grew up in a home that loved the American West.

The pioneer days of Laura Ingalls. The mountain man days of Davy Crockett. The cowboys of Louis L'Amour.

If you had taken a look at our bookshelves, it would be hard to find anything other than something taking place in the days of past.

My family wore cowboy boots and cowboy hats. Plaid shirts and belt buckles. It just was how we were. I never thought perhaps we were different. Until I grew up and ventured out of my little world, I didn't know that not everyone had a love for country music and cowboy boots. That there were other books out there, taking place in this modern day and age.

Talk about shocking information.

"You don't know who Jim Bridger was? Kit Carson? The Sagers?"

No. They are not those fantasy people you see on TV. Created in the mind of a storywriter. They were real true Americans who lived. Breathed. And died.

I grew up on Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and John Wayne. Actors, but ones who portrayed the men of old.

I always will have a soft spot for the days of old. The legends who once roamed this land. One thing I love so much are the old songs about and from those days. I wanted to share some of those songs with you. Ones that leave me feeling all warm inside. That tickle my belly and send shivers up my spine. Songs that tell stories of how it was, once. So long ago.

Marty Robbins.

This guy is the ultimate when it comes to

cowboy songs.

I know there are a lot of songs on this list! I could continue on, but I won't.

I will always love the American West. Have a soft spot in my heart for those rugged days.

Respect those who came before us, to create the place I now call home.