{thanks to Sandra Morlet for the beautiful photos!}

{my dress is j.crew// shoes are target // earrings are julie vos // necklace is Le Papier Studio} {wes is in Little English Clothing c/o (probably last time ever in a shortall!)  and footmates } {Tuck is in Janie and jack pants and plaid shirt with a papa d’anjo jacket i found on shopbagsy … this is a similar navy one from h&m!  Elephantito Loafers }

I’ve got one week until I turn 35 … and despite my obsessive thoughts about my skin and wondering if this will be the year of getting botox, I couldn’t feel more grateful for my life.  Talking to my mom last week, and hearing her say, “I’ve only ever felt good about getting older… Thank you God for another year!” – I loved hearing that.  These pictures serve as a reminder to all I have to be thankful for.  10 years ago was a totally different ballpark than now.  I was 8 months out of open heart surgery, 6 months out of a thoracotomy, finishing my first semester of grad school, struggling to gain back all the weight I had lost.  Even then, I still had an incredible amount to be thankful for.  My faith, family, and health to name the big three!  But I have to say- my life has gone pretty steady uphill since then.  Anyway, I don’t have too much to say other than I love my family beyond words.  These pics just make me so sentimental.  While I could have predicted being married to my JB now ten years ago, I’m not sure I could imagine just how sweet my little boys could be … or how full my heart is these days.  The doctor joked recently to me “I’m sure they really take care of you”… and I didn’t realize he was being sarcastic.  lol.  I was all, they really do!  They each find, in their own way, to nurture me.  Anyway, sorry for the shmoopie post, but I am just so grateful.  Thankful to be turning 35 – it really is a privilege.  Thankful for Gods mercy and grace and the gift of His son.  Thankful for my family and friends.  For having more than just a roof over my head, but really an imperfect little home that I feel was meant for us.  for health!  for y’all!  For this blog – all of the people I have met and connected with because of it.  Thanks for following along- you are a big part of why my heart feels so full going into 35.