Friday, October 7, 2011

23.

Today is my 23rd birthday. Here are 23 photos from the 23 years God has blessed me with, from birth to present day. :)

The first born to loving parents. Hey look, I already have a roll of film in my hands! Hehe.
I was little. miss. attitude.
My brother and I dressed up all the time. This one on the right is actually on halloween...I think.
More dress up. :)
Me and my sis...pals from the beginning. 
I've always had a love for animals. Hehe. I had a hamster that I really thought was my baby. I even gave him a for real funeral when he died. We sang "It is well" and read his eulogy. 
Art class...what fun memories. 
Highschool. Oh me oh my! Can you tell that I skipped some of my horrific middleschool memories? ha!
Gracie and I were best friends since 2nd grade. We did so many dumb things, but it was all awesome. I love those memories.
I met Ashley in college. We are true kindred spirits and will be friends for the rest of our lives. LOVE that girl. She is a gift. We've been through so much together!
The last year of college I fell in love withe the most amazing man in the world. The memories seem like a fairytale.

Ok, this last "photo" is more like 4 photos, but I didn't want to leave out the last year or so of my life. It's been too wonderful! :)


I am so thankful for the 23 years I have lived thus far. I look back on these photos and think of how greatly blessed I have been. A week from today I will be on my way to Africa. I can't think of a better birthday present than to be able to share the love of Christ with the people of Ethiopia. My cup is full and overflowing. Sure, I've had bad times but I choose to remember all of the blessings God has given me. Scars, joys, tears and laughter...I am so thankful for it all. Here's to another year!



59 comments:

Amanda said...

love your pictures, you are crazy gorgeous!! happy happy birthday!!! :) xoxo

Brooke T said...

Happy Birthday!! I love this post, I got to see you grow up!!

Janell Happ said...

Happy happy BIRTHDAY, doll! Hope you have a fabulous day

sarah {on the brightside...} said...

it's so fun looking through all these photos! memories are such a blessing! i hope you have a very happy birthday!

Off Label Mama said...

I had no idea that we share the same birthday! How fun is that?! Happy birthday!!!!!!!!

lindsey said...

Happy Birthday Jennifer! I hope that your day is as lovely as you are. Your blog is truly an inspiration and I cannot wait to hear about your travels to Africa. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!

ashley marie wilson said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN!!!!! xoxo

Leslie said...

Happy birthday, Jennifer! You have always been gorgeous, your eyes were stunning, even as a child!

Natalie @ NS Pottery said...

Happy Birthday girl!!!! This was a fun post to see! Haha, I love that you gave your hamster a funeral and sang "It is well." :)

Our Little Bubble said...

love the "23" picture idea! are your eyes for real? just beautiful! happy birthday :)

Jen said...

You are so beautiful, and you always have been! happy birthday (again)! I'm so excited for your trip to Ethiopia, praying for you too!

Alyss said...

Happy birthday miss thang! Love all your photos.

... said...

Happy Birthday!!! :) Ethiopia....man how amazing! I definitely had a boring 23rd! I am so happy for you and your trip!

Have Your Way said...

Happy Birthday Beautiful woman of the Lord!!!

Jennifer Rod said...

Happy birthday Jennifer!
You are so stunnigly beautiful since day 1. Hope this new year has even more blessings than you can count or imagine.

xo

Anonymous said...

Thx for letting us be a part of this. This is just the beginning of what He will do with you. So proud of you

Marianela said...

Happy Birthday!! :) Hope you have a safe trip.

Gail@Sophisticated Steps said...

Your personality shines through in every single adorable & beautiful photo.

Here's to 23x5 more years. Almost. ;)

Happy Birthday!

Just me said...

Happy birthday!! Ohh, these photos are beautiful but you're totally cheating by skippping the awkward & embarrassing years!!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! And what a cute idea to post a picture for each of your years! I love them all! Good luck in Africa, darling!

Annie said...

I loved your photos! You were a super cute kid and are so beautiful now. Happy birthday again!

Susan said...

Happy Birthday!! I hope that you have a wonderful day! You are a beautiful girl inside and out!! :)

Michelle said...

Tear...this is really sweet sis :) I'm so glad to have spent the last 19 years with you!!!

Rachel said...

Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day x

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!! I'm turning 23 in a month as well!
P.S You and your husband are going to have some super cute baby's someday (you were one cute kid!!!).

Hosanna said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope this next year is AMAZING!!!
You are so gorgeous! Love the pictures! Have a GREAT time in Ethiopia.

In Christ
Hosanna

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

Natalie said...

Happy Birthday!!! =D

Whim Wham Life said...

Happy day of birth, sweet girl! This is going to be a big year:-) The best is yet to come! xoxo

The Olive Tree Blog said...

HapPy BiRthDaY!

Marli said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

i noticed your hubby's shirt in one of the last pics...the Troy University one...that is in our tromping grounds!!!

Nicole said...

Happy Happy birthday!

I love how you can totally tell it's you in the younger photos because you always had your gorgeous eyes!

(is husband going with you next week?!)

xoxo

Ashlee said...

Happy birthday friend! You were such a cute kid!! ;)

Vivian said...

I totally enjoyed seeing ALL of them! You are so PRETTY, always have!

Sarah said...

Aww happy birthday!!! You were such a cute baby and pretty little girl. Your eyes are so blue! Have a great birthday!

BTW I'm starting a new series this month. You should stop by and take a look. =)

- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com/

Allie said...

Happy Birthday! You have beautiful blue eyes:o I wish I had blue eyes like you;] Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! It made me smile *haha*
*Allie*
ps follow me? i'm trying to get to 100 followers.
;]

Karen said...

Happy Birthday! Beautiful photos from a beautiful life!

Cory said...

Happy birthday sweet girl!

The Arizona Russums said...

happy birthday, friend! you probably get told this often, but your eyes are simply beautiful! i love seeing that they were the same radiant blue even when you were little! and i can't believe you sang a hymn over your hamster! hilarious!!!!

Calista B Smith said...

happy birthday. :)

Tatiana said...

You were such a cute kiddo and only grew up into a more beautiful woman! Happy birthday gorgeous girl. I hope you have a beautiful day :-)

Anonymous said...

You are GORGEOUS!! Thanks for joining my blog, I am new to yours too and I already love it!

daniel.and.stefanie said...

Oh yay!! Happy Birthday!! Your beautiful blue eyes are so striking in every picture!! Thanks for sharing.

Rebecca said...

Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

I can't wait to hear all about the exciting times that await you in Ethiopia!

Christianna said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Welcome to the 23 club!

And Africa sounds sooooo amazing!

Ashley Slater said...

happy birthday jennifer, hope you have an amazing birthday! I am sure you will! Make you husband serenade you!

xo,
ashley

Stacy Hill said...

Happy birthday, Jennifer! I hope you had a wonderful day. I love this post and all the great pictures of you through the years. I always enjoy reading your blog and seeing what God is doing in your life. You are an inspiration! We will be praying for you next week and I know God is going to do an amazing thing in your life...

Olga Marquez said...

Happy birthday!!

May God use you two to touch many out in Africa!

God bless!

kimberly said...

Such a beautiful post! It's so encouraging to see the Lord doing such amazing things in your life; I pray you have a wonderful time in Africa!

Lindsay [Elle Elizabeth] said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Hope you had a wonderful evening of celebration :)

Maggy said...

Happy Birthday, I hope you celebrate all weekend long!

Heather @ Finding Beauty in the Ordinary said...

happy birthday, beautiful!!!!!!!!

courtney said...

happy birthday girly!!

eliz said...

Happy Birthday!! <3

Megan said...

Happy late birthday!! Your eyes have always been stunning, even from such a young age!! Hope you had a great day!!

Kelly (Unremittingly Kel) said...

Thanks for visiting my blog!
This is a really cool idea. Its nice to look back sometimes. I especially like the last ones!
You are gorgeous and the man is so handsome!

much love & god bless,
kelly :)

katie josephine d said...

i'm sorry i missed this! happy birthday, a lil late (: hope your day was wonderful!
<3

Annie said...

just now catching up on my Google reader! happy birthday! :) i hope you have a wonderful, restful week as you prepare for your big trip. sending thoughts and prayers your way!

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