Today is my thirty-something-kinda-ish-but-not-really birthday and I want y’all to come along with me as I take a glance back at the past year.  Thinking of what all this past year has held blows my mind.  Honestly, it’s been one of the most blessed years ever!  Though trying at times, I am overwhelmed with joy to see all that I experienced in the last 12 months!  So let’s go for a little time-travel and reflect on my journey.

August held a big, serious surgery for my Dad.  We had two out of town weddings, one spent with good friends and one spent watching my baby brother marry his sweet girl.  It was filled with lots of canning.  School shopping.  Spending as much time with my littles as I could before school started.  Excitedly watching my littlest start her senior year.  And a sad walk through valleys.

In September I participated in Blogtember by Brave Love Blog, and I enjoyed every day of it!  I gave a tour of my favorite room in my house.  We spent a week in the Outer Banks with our sweet, sweet friends and got to witness (and photograph) the beautiful joining of their families.  My blue-haired beautiful girl was choosen to be on Homecoming Court and was the first runner up.  We enjoyed a visit from our NY family.  We went to the truck pulls and had some yummy food.

October held 1 wedding, 6 senior sessions, 1 newborn session and 4 family sessions.  We had a big fall festival at church for the community.  Whew, what a busy month!  And I wrote about why I hate National No Bra Day.  And of course, pumpkin everything!

My November was spent being thankful for oh so many blessings in my life.  It also held 12 more sessions.  Putting our tree up.  Eye surgery for my Mama.  Black Friday shopping.  Christmas crafting began.  A wonderful, so needed weekend away with my love visiting one of our favorite places!  And amidst all the chaos, I wrote about being thankful for prayers along this medical journey of mine.

In December I was over-the-moon to have my Christmas spirit back, it felt magical!  But I felt it important to tell others it’s okay if Christmas makes you sad.  A college tour with my oldest.  Being part of the Christmas Program at church alongside my girl.  Christmas caroling.  Making our Christmas cards {one of my fav things!}.  We had an amazing, blessed Christmas.  I wrote about overcoming rejection.  I was reminded of how blessed my marriage is, and that every marriage is worth saving.  And I wrote about living life with Adhesion Related Disorder.

This January held another surgery for me.  Praise the Lord it wasn’t out of the state this time!  I enrolled my youngest in college.  I shared my favorite bread machine recipes.  And I had my first guest blog post.

Oh February, the month of love.  I had my busiest February yet with 5 sessions.  I wrote about praying with your husband.  A surprise birthday party for my uncle.  We started prom dress shopping for my youngest little.  And I wrote about how to have a marriage that is called relationship goals.

March held a cake smash and my first ever milk bath session.  More eggs set in the incubator.  My boys going away for a weekend gun show.  Celebrating my parents Love.  And I struggled with facing criticism.

In April we hatched out more babies.  A baby shower for a sweet girl.  A weekend away with family visiting our Aunt and Uncle from Texas.  Easter.  I wrote a letter to my son’s sweet girlfriend.  And spent another weekend away with my love!

May was full of fun!  Celebrating Mother’s Day.  Prom x 2, with my girl being on prom court.  Three birthdays.  Lots of pictures.  And I spent some time canning chicken, chicken broth and baked beans.

In June my baby girl graduated high school.  I’m not sure how we got here so quickly.  And I wrote her a letter.  I had my first wedding of the year.  School was over, and my littlest was home with me and working nearly every day.  We had a combined graduation party for her and my sons girlfriend, and our NY family staid with us that weekend.  Joe and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary, which prompted me to write 21 marriage tips.  My sweet Dad turned 81!  A week of Bible school, and taking on the task of puppets and the kitchen.  Father’s Day.  A surprise two day trip to Illinois with my oldest.  And I wrote to the wives that just found out about infidelity.

July held the best family vacation ever.  EVER.  It was epic.  I had dear friends of mine in a horrific car accident, and spent as much time as I could with them.  I was able to attend my nieces wedding as a guest, and not take my camera along.  And lotsa lotsa lotsa pictures.

Hello August, goodbye July {Seriously, where did summer go?}
Hello Birthday, goodbye feeling young {I am not even kidding}
Hello blogging more, goodbye time off

Hello canning season, goodbye bare cupboards
Hello pictures nearly every single day, and editing my life away

Hello end of summer 4wheeler rides with this gorgeous man
Hello resisting the urge to decorate for fall {that’s a hard one}
What are you saying hello and goodbye to?