Each year on my birthday I reflect back on my life and where I am at.
Last year at this time, my kids were each a year younger, my littlest getting ready to start JK, I had just received a promotion at work and was settling into that position, a year into our new home I was finally beginning to feel settled.
What a difference a year makes… :)
I am so thankful for the people who are a part of my and our life. I am so very thankful for my own little family’s health and I pray that the upcoming year only brings wellness and good health to us all. Especially to a special family member who is beginning treatment for Cancer very soon. Life truly is too short, you never know what tomorrow will bring.
If I have learned anything in my life, especially these past couple years, its to be me, to enjoy what I want to, to spend time with those I love and who love me back, to experience life and all the amazing things it has to offer, to stop and look around, so many days I stop and look around my house, my yard, my life and think damn I am lucky. Im lucky because even though I have invisible illnesses, I am able to get up everyday, enjoy life and make the best of it, I am lucky because I have a husband, 2 children and 2 pets who I spend my life with and who love more than anything. I am lucky because I have both my parents in my life as well as a father in law, all who adore my children. I am lucky because I have a home, food on the table and I can enjoy the little things in life and capture it with my photography.
I SO am lucky to have the family and friends I do have in my life, this past year we’ve spent some amazing times together! Life is very much about the people around me and the experienced we have.
One thing I strive to teach my kids everyday is that money does not buy happiness. Although almost everything in life does come with a cost, to spend time together does not have to be extravagant or over the top. Its the experience. Another reason why I LOVE family and friend time – especially at the cottage… much like my own childhood with a cottage full, good food, awesome company and the beach!
Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.
-John Homer Miller
If anything its these experiences and time together that really have made my own life, relationships and most importantly my marriage stronger. For so many years there were obstacles, some my own – especially with my own health, others with family and their health, raising two young kids close in age, my hubby working and going to school, its hard to allow yourself to catch up when emotionally SO much has rocked your mind.
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.
-Charles Darwin
I truly feel I am beginning the anniversary of my 29th birthday with a much clearer head and focused mind. ;) Afterall… even if if one day or one moment turns out stressful, frustrating or bad – there is a whole new day coming!
I feel SO blessed for being able to spend this past weekend with some more people I love! Thank you for making my birthday even more special!
The kids were playing mini photographers lol!
Yes its my wine the boy is holding lol!
LOVE these pics of mom and aunt Lori! xoxo
It was a almost impossible to keep a straight face!
Yup thats my sister ;) and aunt! haha
I LOVE this pic of my sis, mom and I! <3 LOVE it!!! We had SO much fun!!! Memories… they are irreplaceable!
Things don’t go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be.
-Charles “Tremendous” Jones, Motivational Speaker and Author
