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I told you yesterday that we were making some progress on Baby Brother’s nursery. Actually, there are only three things completely done…the room is painted, cleaned out, and new carpet is installed. Other than that the room is just a vision in my head. Hopefully that vision will become a reality in the next few weeks. I work much better under pressure and with a huge belly anyway (not really!). We are reusing and repurposing a lot more for this nursery than we did for Cora and Levi’s nurseries. Here are a few of the things we plan on using in the room…they still need a little TLC.

The crib and headboard are sanded and ready to paint, the lockers are getting sandblasted today and then we are going to attempt to paint them too, and the chair is hopefully going to get a slipcover made by me…we will see how that goes. I have never made anything close to a slipcover, so I am hoping my mom will come to the rescue and help me out on that one. It will definitely be an experiment.

I have been bookmarking my inspiration pictures and finally decided I needed to join Pinterest instead. I love looking there for ideas…I just have to make sure I don’t waste too much time pinning now! Here are some of the pictures that are inspiring Baby Brother’s nursery:







All links can be found on my Pinterest board along with more ideas for the nursery.

Check back tomorrow for a great giveaway. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one!!


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  • Huddyma - Great inspiration pics, Jess! I repinned that book spool because, well, it’s amazing!!!

    Can’t wait to see the finished product!ReplyCancel

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  • Pilgrim Days - i love the book carousel! very cool!
    lockers would be very fun!ReplyCancel

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  • Cottage Mommy - Love it all…I wish i had every piece you are using in MY garage just waiting for a makeover! Love the inspiration pictures as well! Isn’t Pintrest marvelous? Can’t wait to see the results!ReplyCancel

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  • Jody - Love the inspiration photos. Especially loving all the red & white. I know you’ll get everything done. But if not, they don’t really need a room for the first month or so, right?

    (PS – I’d love to follow you on Pinterest – I’ve seen Levi’s chalkboard picture floating around several times!)ReplyCancel

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  • Tara - love those lockers! they will be SO cute!ReplyCancel

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  • Cassie, Alex & Dresden - It’s so funny you decided to join Pinterest, because I was browsing pins the other day of different people, and there you were! Someone had pinned your pregnancy months picture collage; I go, “Gosh that girl looks familiar, oh wait, it’s Jess from The McClenahans!” Small world, huh? So, you just might see yourself floating around on some boards already, lol! Love the nursery inspiration, can’t wait to see it all done!ReplyCancel

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  • Amber - I love how easy Pinterest makes it to organize ideas. I first started using Pinterest when I was collecting ideas for our nursery too. 🙂 All of your inspiration photos are super cute! I can’t wait to see how your nursery comes together.ReplyCancel

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  • Rachel Berry - Wow I love it all!!!! Those Lockers ROCK!

    I’m with Jody, I would love to follow you on Pinterest.ReplyCancel

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  • katherine - Love the plan. Can’t wait to see the finished room. I hope you don’t make us wait until the baby is 16 months. old. 🙂 I’ve got your pregnancy photos from Levi pinned (and lots of people have repinned!) and am doing the same monthly photos this time around.ReplyCancel

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  • Meggie - I can’t wait to see the finished nursery! Based on your inspiration pics it’s going to be adorable!!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - All so darling! Great taste Jess!! ~ CarrieReplyCancel

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  • Teri Williams - Will you please send me a invite to Pintrest? teriywilliams@att.net

    I love the red white & blue.ReplyCancel

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  • Jennifer - Can’t read what’s written below that last picture!?!

    Also CAN’T wait to see how it turns out!! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • vonFRINKenhagen - Where, oh, where did you find the lockers?? I have been looking for these for a while!ReplyCancel

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  • The Dimon Family - I have been following your blog since before Cora passed away. Thank you for daily inspiration on this life.

    Anyway, I read this post earlier today. I was just checking into my Pinterest account, and lo and behold is a tutorial for making a slipcover. Maybe this will help: http://www.thenester.com/2010/03/how-to-make-slipcovers.html

    Good luck! @Rachael Kotar DimonReplyCancel

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  • Emily - LOVE the lockers!!!! SO “boy” 🙂 i resisted the pinterest temptation for a loooong time too but eventually caved. Isn’t it a wonderful source for ideas??? We are going to be surprised about the sex of our 2nd baby (due in dec) so we aren’t decorating the nursery until after but I love gathering ideas and inspiration!ReplyCancel

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  • The Buchanan Family - love all of it, would love to follow you on pinterest.ReplyCancel

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  • Amy - Oh, I love EVERYTHING! I’ve actually had those nautical pillows from LofN, and they are PRECIOUS! I also have a set of 6 blue lockers by our front door. I spelled out our names on each one using scrabble tiles, and everybody knows where to put their backpacks, shoes, etc., when they come in. So fun. 🙂

    Anyway, whatever you do, I know it’s going to be SO cute. Can’t wait to see it, and most importantly, to meet the precious baby boy who will get to enjoy it! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Brown Apples - looks like it’s going to be adorable!!! I have a section in a store now- it’s in Wichita, you would love it! Come visit me sometimes!! Would love to see you!ReplyCancel

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  • Megan H. - I actually found you on pinterest – someone had posted your belly pictures and it linked back to your blog. Your family’s story is so moving, I’m so sorry about the loss of your little girl and rejoice for you as you welcome a new baby soon. Best of luck and happy blogging/pinning.ReplyCancel

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  • AshleyAnn - I have two of those spools sitting in my backyard…now I know what I want to make. You found some amazing inspiration!ReplyCancel

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  • Bethany - I can’t wait to see it!ReplyCancel

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  • This Farm Family's Life - Can’t wait to see it. Can I hire you to decorate my entire house?;0)ReplyCancel

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  • The Hatz Family - You always have the cutest ideas! I love the lockers and can’t wait to see what you do with them.

    If you wouldn’t mind, could you send me an invite to Pinterest? I have requested one from them but it is taking forever 🙂

    Can’t wait to see the finished product!ReplyCancel

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  • The Hatz Family - I guess it would help if I gave you my email for the request above 🙂

    laura71506@yahoo.com

    Thanks!ReplyCancel

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  • The Gauthier Family - I love reading your posts! You touch my heart daily! I love you even more now…are yall also a Coast Guard family? We are stationed in Florida!!!ReplyCancel

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  • A - SO cute! I actually worked with someone at work today who was telling me about how they used lockers in their son’s room for clothes and such instead of dressers! I was so inspired! So excited to see how you use them!ReplyCancel

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  • Heather - I love that you’re repurposing items, and the lockers…that’s so unique. Can’t wait to see the final product!ReplyCancel

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  • Nicole - Hi! You have such great ideas! I wanted to tell you that I just redid my 7 yr old’s room and we painted old lockers too although yours are better! Ours is just a single column of lockers (6 smaller ones). I used Rustoleum spray paint after my husband pressure washed them. It worked great and they look like new. I painted the insides as well. Can’t wait to see your big room reveal! Thanks again for your great blog and congrats.ReplyCancel

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  • Lauren - Adorable inspiration. Its going to turn out amazing (based on everything else you have shared with us). Just have to ask, where did you find the lockers! What a find!!! Those and wood school chairs are on my ‘love to have’ list.ReplyCancel

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  • Kelly V - love the inspiration for his room! i bought a similar set of lockers and am wondering how to refinish them. any chance of getting a step by step through the process? thanks!ReplyCancel

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I meant to take a 32 or 34 week picture and it never happened. So, here we are at 35 weeks instead. I had a doctor appointment this morning and everything is looking great. Praise God! It is hard to believe that there are only five weeks left until we meet our third precious baby. When I think of 5 weeks of waddling and being uncomfortable (I am getting huge!) it sounds like a long time. But when I think of 5 weeks to get ready for a new little one in our house and big changes, I know it will fly by. So we are trying to soak up these last five weeks of just the three of us and prepare our hearts to have two little boys in our house.

We are making some progress on Baby Brother’s room. The crib is sanded and this week we are hoping to get it painted. We like to work on projects up to the very last minute!

We are making progress on Baby Brother’s name too. I think we have it narrowed down to two or three. That is good for us. At least it is looking like he will have a name by the time he is born. I guess we like to work on baby naming up until the last minute too.

I could barely pull that shirt over my big belly for this picture, so hopefully I can squeeze it on one more time for a 39 or 40 week picture. We’ll soon find out. Here are a few behind the scenes shots for our little 35 week photo shoot today. Enjoy!

(Ooops! I don’t know how this one got on here.
Sorry Joel. Your baby bump was just too cute!)
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  • Huddyma - You look great! I can’t wait to “meet” the newest Mac!ReplyCancel

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  • The Christian Wife Life - You look amazing! I can’t wait to see the Baby Brother and I love following your journey. 🙂 Thank you for being an inspiration!

    Much love,
    AshleyReplyCancel

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  • Jennifer Kay - I love that picture of Joel, how your son is looking up at him so innocently.

    You guys look GREAT!ReplyCancel

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  • Beki - TheRustedChain - That picture of Joel = hilarious!

    How far apart will the babies be in age? (I’m too lazy to do the math…)

    You still look awesome!ReplyCancel

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  • Meggie - You look great! I’m 36 and 1/2 weeks now and have the same kind of outlook as you. In some ways it seems to be a long time to wait and be uncomfortable, but in other ways we better hurry up and get ready! I’ll be thinking about and praying for ya’ll as you get ready to meet your 2nd baby boy.ReplyCancel

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  • Angie@Echoes of Laughter - Really gorgeous pictures Jess! I am so happy for you all! Angie xoReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - Cuteness!ReplyCancel

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  • Nancy - Levi’s hair is so blonde! I love it!
    Yay for baby boy almost being here!!ReplyCancel

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  • Carlotta - I loved Joel’s baby bump. I’m still laughing. Those are some of the cutest behind the scene pictures I have ever seen!ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - You look great! Love every one of the pictures.ReplyCancel

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  • waiting - That last picture of Levi is hilarious! His face is saying, “What??? My mom said I could do it!” You look great! Those 5 weeks are gonna fly by:) Can’t wait to see what his name is going to be…I have a feeling it will contain 4 letters:)ReplyCancel

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  • Beth Ann - Adorable- love the pics of you holding Levi…love how he just sits on top of the bump! 😉 You look great! I am at 32 weeks…swollen ankles and all that fun stuff. Can’t wait to hear the name!ReplyCancel

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  • Disney Freak - beautiful pics 🙂 I hear ya-I’ll be 35 weeks in a few days and am SO ready to be done for the comfort level but soooo not prepared around the house!!

    Good luck in these last few weeks!!ReplyCancel

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  • Mindy M. Harris - u are such an adorable pregnant lady. tiny everywhere except the belly. LUCKY!
    levi is too much! cute cute cute!ReplyCancel

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  • Mum2twopreciousgifts - NOT FAIR! Joel is not allowed to be the star of this post. But wow, that photo of him had me laughing very hard. Thank you for sharing Jess.ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Oh my goodness, that photo of Joel is hilarious. That is so something my husband would do!ReplyCancel

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  • Holli Taylor - I’m just glad I am not the only one feeling like a waddling cow! RIght behind you sister! I love it that we are so close in gestation…validates my feelings to read your posts.ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Cute pics! I especially love the second to the last one where Levi has his back and is “writing.” I think it would be really cool to do the same picture but have all the baby’s arrival stats, including name, when he gets here!
    -JoanReplyCancel

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  • Toni :O) - Just beautiful and Joel’s picture is hilarious! Soooo excited for you guys!ReplyCancel

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  • The Moffats - oh my word. that made me laugh out loud. the one of Joel that is 🙂 michael is not a fan of that picture and felt bad for Joel and said, “don’t you dare put a picture like that of me on your blog. my baby belly could far surpass his” hahahahaha. loved seeing pics of you. you are looking great. can’t believe we will be meeting baby boy in just 5 weeks!!!!!!!! ahhhhhh!ReplyCancel

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  • Laura - I love the picture of Levi writing on the chalkboard. He little feet on the chair are soooo cute!!! Those are definitely worth framing!!!!ReplyCancel

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  • Carla - That last picture of Levi on the chair is I think my favourite pic on your blog ever. Which is saying something because you have a lot of very pretty pics on your blog!! You look great, enjoy (ahem!) the last few weeks, really looking forward to “meeting” little Mac3 too and hearing his name 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Miranda - Looking great!! Can’t wait to hear the name and see the nursery!!ReplyCancel

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  • Wanting What I Have - Y’all are too cute!!! Love Joel’s baby bump! 🙂 you look fantastic!!! Praying for you during these last few weeks.ReplyCancel

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  • singing mama - You look so beautiful in your 35 week shot! Love the behind the scene shots too! I hear your pain at 5 more weeks of hugeness and waddling , my fourth bubba is 5 weeks old and he was 1 week ‘overdue’ and by the end of his pregnancy I was truly over the hugeness!! Hope you are able to be as comfortable as possible in these end weeks.
    Luv DonnaReplyCancel

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  • Bethany - You look fabulous! I love the pictures of Levi riding on the bump. I kind of missed that once I didn’t have a place to put my newly ousted “baby” of the family. 🙂 I didn’t realize you were wearing the same white shirt in all the pictures. That is impressive. What I never could squeeze into anything the same size the last few weeks.ReplyCancel

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  • Kristin Stegent - You look so cute pregnant! And I love the picture of Joel…haha! Can’t wait to “meet” your new baby boy!! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Marianne - Great pics of all of you – love that Joel is such a good sport!ReplyCancel

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  • My name is Amee - Oh what precious photos you have!! You look beautiful Jess! The pic of your hubby is hilarious..that is something like I would have done back in the day with my hubby!
    I think your little one is just too cute standing in the chair writing on the board, but my fav is you holding him! How sweet because you are holding him but carrying a baby too! You are the Moma!! :OReplyCancel

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  • Faith - super cute pics!! you look great!!ReplyCancel

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  • forr2girls - levi is always dressed so cute…where do you buy his clothes?ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Jess, Just wanted to tell you how cute you look! I love watching your belly grow! You look great!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Love the adorable pics! Love all of your creative ideas! Love the lockers! Where did you find those? I need you to come decorate my house, oh… and take pictures of my kids. 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • teresa - love the 35wk picture of joel (levi’s expression is so cute).

    my word verification is thsllyi (i think that is for “the silly”- grin)ReplyCancel

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  • Shannon - Looking good mama!!ReplyCancel

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  • meg duerksen - too cute.
    so excited we could help you with your name choice.
    clearly bob is the best since levi can say it so easily. Bob MAC.
    it’s perfect.
    you’re welcome.

    HA HA HA!ReplyCancel

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  • Christina - Oh my gosh. Those are some of the most perfect pictures, EVER. The one of Joel and Levi has me cracking up. Levi in the chair=totally precious!!ReplyCancel

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…especially for a one year old.
Levi is majorly spoiled with lots of attention from his aunts and uncles. They all spoil him (he has lots of aunts and uncles), but he was especially spoiled the past few months by three of them who were home for the summer.

My brother Owen worked for Joel on the farm this summer. That meant that he ate lunch with us every day. I’m pretty sure lunch time was one of Levi’s favorite times of the day. He would get so excited when he saw his daddy’s truck pull in the driveway and would run outside to greet Daddy and Uncle Owen.
Uncle Owen taught Levi some pretty important life skills…like fist bumping. Owen said his goal was to teach Levi how to fist bump by the end of the summer. Finally he got it. Owen was so proud and Levi thought he was pretty awesome.

He also taught Levi how to eat chocolate. Every day at the end of lunch Uncle Owen would give Levi some M&Ms. He now has a new addiction. Thank you Owen.
 They became good buddies and when Owen’s last day of work approached and it was time for him to go back to college Levi was pretty bummed. He doesn’t quite understand why Uncle Owen doesn’t come with Daddy to lunch anymore.
Joel’s sister Ivy was home from college this summer too. Levi loves his Aunt Ivy. She would take him to sit on the four wheeler, go on walks around the farm, and pretty much do whatever he wanted.
Maybe Levi would like me that much if I let him do whatever he wanted too?! 🙂
Uncle James was home from China too. We called him Uncle Snack because whenever Levi went to visit him the first thing he would want was a snack…and James would always make sure to give him one. James also taught Levi about shoulder rides. He thinks that is the best way to get around now!
Levi loved spending so many days this summer with his aunt and uncles. They are pretty great. And now that they are gone he still asks about each one of them every day…all day long. He says each one of their names (“Wo-wen”, “I-ya”, and “Jum”) and then we talk about how they are bye-bye. He is definitely going to miss them. And we will miss them too!
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  • Morgan Paige - so sweet & fun that he has each of them in his life!ReplyCancel

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  • onlymehere - My 18-year-old daughter is drooling on my monitor bz she says your brother Owen is “dang hot!” Lucky for all of us she’s got a boyfriend already who just happens to be a brunette with big brown eyes, lol! So happy Levi got to spend time with people who love him so much. Family…it really is what it’s all about.ReplyCancel

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  • Julie - Loving Owen’s Aggie t-shirt 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Jennifer Kay - Oh my gosh it’s like Joel’s face on a woman’s body… TWINS!!!ReplyCancel

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  • Nelson's Mama - Levi looks just like Owen in those pictures!!ReplyCancel

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  • meg duerksen - well that is sad!!!
    owen is such a man now! how does that happen??
    crazy.
    levi will have to start coming to megan’s house!!!ReplyCancel

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  • Melanie Martini - So sweet! I am sure that Levi’s aunt & uncles will miss that sweet little face as much as he misses them. 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - ahhhh, I love how LOVED this little guy is – including by me!!! I know I don’t beat aunts and uncles – but I’ll try to come close!!!ReplyCancel

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  • This Farm Family's Life - Aunts and Uncles are the best!! So great that Levi has so many to love on!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - This is the sweetest posts!! Aunts and Uncles are so special!! I LOVE being an aunt, and I love that my children have many too!!ReplyCancel

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  • Susan Sutherlin - You are certainly blessed with having family in for the summer.

    Susan
    http://www.susansutherlin.blogspot.comReplyCancel

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  • Emily - haha i love what “onlymehere” said! i’m 26, pregnant with my 2nd child, and totally happily married but must admit i’ve got a little drool going too over your brother!!!! too cute!!!! Levi’s hair has gotten SO LIGHT! he’s looking cuter and cuter!ReplyCancel

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  • the brokaws - We have the same problem at our house of the aunts and uncles going back to college! Cute photos!ReplyCancel

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  • teresa - how precious for levi to have loving aunts and uncles ……. and for his aunts & uncles to learn the joys of little ones. a blessing.ReplyCancel

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Hooray…it’s Friday! I had a wonderful thirtieth birthday yesterday. It was a day full of surprises. I felt very loved and spoiled by my family and friends. Thanks so much for all of your sweet birthday wishes. I am ready to rock my thirties! What did I do to celebrate yesterday? Here is a peek at my birthday via instagram.
1. My mom picked me and Levi up in the morning and dropped me off at Beau Monde for a facial and pedicure.
2. My toes got painted for the first time this summer. It is too hard to bend over with a big belly in the way, you know? Thanks mom and dad for pampering me!
3. A friend showed up at Beau Monde to pick me up and took me to meet two other friends. Love them!
4. We had lunch at a tea house. My first time.
5. We spent the afternoon shopping and hanging out with no kids. It was such a treat.
6. We may have eaten a little more too. With two of my friends also prego, we were all hungry! (My other friend is adopting…so let’s just say we are all expecting!)
7. Joel picked me up after work and took me out to dinner. I love spending time together…just us.
8. We ate at a Japanese grill. So yummy. I may or may not have eaten my entire plate. It was a good day of eating. 🙂
And what about Levi? He spent the day with grammy and may have been just as spoiled as his mama.
1. He got to go to the zoo for the first time.
2. He visited the monkeys.
3. It was a pretty hot day for the zoo. My mom said his favorite part was the rainforest.
4. He ate lunch out with grammy and Aunt Anne.
(He spent the rest of the day with grammy too…napping, swimming, playing, and eating some more!)
Hope you have a great weekend!
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  • Jennifer - Precious! Aren’t grammies just the best? And birthdays!! I’m glad you’re embracing your 30’s. Age is just a number. =) I’ll be 32 in less than four months….I’m embracing for sure! =) Happy birthday!ReplyCancel

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  • Jhira De Leon - Happy BirthDay!!! And i wanna follow you in Instagram but i dont have you username.ReplyCancel

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  • Scribe - Happy Birthday! Your blog just blesses me so much! I don’t comment often, but I do look forward to your posts! Glad you had a special day!ReplyCancel

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  • Ashley - Happy late birthday! Love the pics! Just started following your blog & I’m thankful to have another source of godly inspiration & encouragement to read. 🙂 Thank you for sharing & influencing others!

    -Ashley, http://www.christianwifelife.comReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Happy Birthday, Jess!! xxooooReplyCancel

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  • The Moffats - i guess i should have read this before we talked today! lol. loving the instagram pics 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • My name is Amee - Happy Birthday!!! You sure can’t beat wonderful parents, girlfriends, hubby to spoil ya on your bday! 🙂
    Sounds like little boy had just as much fun as his Mama too!
    I LOVE reading your blog!ReplyCancel

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  • Kimberly - This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyCancel

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  • Kimberly - Happy belated birthday! Of course, you’re gonna rock your 30’s … I’ll be 50 in 11 days & I’m soooo NOT looking forward to it so there, you see … it could be worse … you could’ve just turned 50! 😉ReplyCancel

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  • Candice - Happy birthday! Glad you got lots to eat. That’s how preggies celebrate!! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Andrea - Happy Birthday Jess! …and welcome to the thirties 😉ReplyCancel

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  • Brady and Nick - Happy birthday! Don’t you LOVE Beau Monde?!? I got a massage their once and haven’t stopped thinking about it since 🙂 I really enjoy your blog!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Happy Birthday sweet Jessica! Hope it was wonderful . . . ~CarrieReplyCancel

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That’s right…

August 18, 2011.
The day I turn the big 3-0.

I know that this day…the milestone of reaching your 30’s…is a hard day for many to face. I have been thinking a lot this week about what turning thirty means for me in my own life. I could be sad about exiting my 20’s. A lot of great things have happened in my 20’s…I got married, graduated from college, got my first job, moved into my first house, birthed two sweet babies (almost three), and so much more. I could be depressed about the thought of getting older. But lets be real. It is inevitable, right? I could be disappointed about where I am today in life as a thirty year old. Maybe it is not where I expected or hoped to be. I definitely never dreamed that this would be “my story”. But today, instead of sulking around about my growing age, I want to choose gratitude. I want to be thankful for thirty.

Gratitude unleashes the freedom to live content in the moment, rather than being anxious about the future or regretting the past.
-Ellen Vaughn

This summer I participated in a Bible study on gratitude. I never really thought of myself as an ungrateful person, but the Lord really uncovered some ugly places in my heart as I studied what His Word says about gratitude. And man…sometimes I can be a whiner.

God’s goodness and faithfulness are written all over the past thirty years of my life. Each day has been a gift. Some of those days have been filled with joy. Some of those days have been filled with extreme pain…days that I would have given back in a heartbeat if I would have been given the choice. But I know that regardless of what I was feeling, the Lord was using the events of that particular day to orchestrate something beautiful in my life. I may not see the beauty now. I may never understand. But I know that He is working in my life for my good and for His glory.

So, what am I thankful for at thirty?

I am thankful for the family God placed me in.
I am thankful for godly parents who loved me unconditionally and pointed me to the Lord.
I am thankful for great brothers and a dear sister who are now some of my best friends.
I am thankful for a fifth grade teacher who opened my eyes to my desperate need for a Savior.
I am thankful for God’s grace.
I am thankful for the friends God has placed in my life.
I am thankful for an incredible man and godly husband who chose me to walk through life with.
I am thankful for new family, in-laws, who support and encourage me.
I am thankful for my precious Cora who first made me a mama and changed my life forever.
I am thankful for sweet Levi who the Lord used to restore my joy and make me laugh again.
I am thankful for the little boy still growing inside of me who reminds me of the life that God continues to bring to my family even in the face of death.

And I am thankful for so much more.

That doesn’t make thirty sound so bad, does it?

As I look to the future I am confident in God’s continued faithfulness in my life. I can’t help but be grateful that turning thirty brings me closer to eternity with my Savior. I can’t wait to be in the presence of Jesus and I can’t wait to see my Cora again. It will be truly awesome. And even without all of those blessings I listed above, the hope that I have for the future because of my relationship with Jesus is enough. He is enough.

I am uncertain of what the next chapters in my life will hold. But what I am certain of is how my story will end. I am certain that I am a child of the King. And that gives me my identity…not turning thirty. I know that each day the Lord gives me past today, He is giving me for a reason. I don’t know exactly what big things I want to accomplish in my thirties (right now I am just focusing on having this baby!!), but I know that I don’t want to go through the rest of my life haphazardly. I want to make the most of each day. I want to live life with purpose. And I want to daily choose gratitude out of the overflow of a truly grateful heart.

So today I am choosing to be thankful.
Thankful for thirty.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
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  • Anna - Happy Birthday Jess! Today is also my sister in law’s thirtieth. She’s having to spend time away from family because she and my bro are in the process of trying to adopt a new baby. I hope your day is the best it can be!ReplyCancel

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  • Don, Aimee, Kaitlyn and Kysen - Happy 30th Birthday….I just celebrated my 31st this summer and to tell you the truth, the 30’s are SUPER! 20’s were great but a little immature now that I look back at it….I went in with the attitude that I am going to ROCK THE 30’s and so far, so good! Enjoy it…..and enjoy that cute kiddo of yours!ReplyCancel

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  • Jenae - Happy birthday, Jess!! I hope you have a wonderful day. Your post today was beautifully written!ReplyCancel

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  • This Farm Family's Life - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!ReplyCancel

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  • Rachel - Happy Birthday! Blessings to you on your special day! Turning 30 was great…each year gets better and better 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Kathy - I’m a long-time follower, but I haven’t commented in a while. I just wanted to say, this is a beautiful post! Happy Birthday! May your day be “simply the best”!ReplyCancel

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  • Katie Smith - Happy Birthday Jess! This post is so encouraging- as is the rest of your life! Praise God! 🙂

    Blessings- KatieReplyCancel

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  • Andrea - Happy Birthday! I hope today is wonderful!ReplyCancel

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  • Trish - happy birthday!!! love your outlook. it’s hard to change our perspective sometimes with the way the world thinks!ReplyCancel

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  • Kalyn - I turn 30 on August 30!

    Happy Birthday!ReplyCancel

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  • Amy - Happy birthday, Jess! We are thankful for YOU! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - Yeah! Happy 30th to you!!! It’s my birthday today too! I hope your day is as wonderful as you are.ReplyCancel

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  • The Boccias - Happy birthday, Jess! Hope today is extra special.ReplyCancel

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  • Nancy - HAPPY BIRTHDAY from a 30 something to a 30! I feel wonderful in my 30’s – more confident & just better about life!! I pray you enjoy your 30’s so much!!ReplyCancel

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  • Tara - i hope that you have a very happy birthday!ReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - Happy 3-0 Jess! Thanks for the reminder to continually be grateful even in the midst of life’s trials. You are a blessing!ReplyCancel

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  • Cindy - Happy, happy birthday, Jess! Beautifully said!! I am grateful for the many ways you’ve encouraged me through your writings! Thanks!!ReplyCancel

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  • Carla - Happy Birthday Jess, that’s such a beautiful post. I just turned 36, I can hardly believe it, it seems I was 26 last week!! Your attitude to life does my heart good, thank you.I hope you have a lovely birthday celebration.ReplyCancel

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  • tmezzy - Happy Birthday!!! Welcome to the 30s!
    Hope you have a wonderful day 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Danielle H. - Happy Birthday, Jess. Well said!ReplyCancel

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  • Lauren Thomas - Happy Birthday!
    You are such a blessing and encouragement to all of us out here in blog land! 😉ReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - okay laughing and crying at the same time. Laughing because I surely needed this. Crying because I SURELY needed this.

    I have felt completely okay about my upcoming birthday – it’s just like all the others, but actually looking at and SAYING that number -that is just so weird!!! Not bad, not good – just WEIRD. I think it will take getting some used to – and I won’t be surprised if I try to still say 29 for awhile. Maybe it’s because I just don’t feel all that different – but yet the number 30 sure make things seem to be different! But I am thankful that the Lord has given me a friend (and friends!) to turn 30 with!!! That makes it all so much better!

    Thanks for this today – and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope your day is as much of a blessing as you are!ReplyCancel

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  • Meghan - Awesome Jess! Happy birthday to a beautiful person in and out. His presence just shines in you!ReplyCancel

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  • Leah - Happy Birthday Jess! I hope you have a beautiful day!ReplyCancel

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  • Krystal - Happy Birthday Sweet Jess! I know I do not know you, but I can tell thru your blog you are precious and someone I would totally be friends with in the real world 🙂 Hope you have a wonderfully blessed day!! 30’s are awesome!ReplyCancel

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  • Rsymphony - This is a beautiful post! My husband and I were just talking about our “aging” the other night…he’s closing in on forty and I’m two years away from thirty 😉 So, this post made me stop and think about a lot of things 🙂
    Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Stef - beautiful post, Jess. Happy 30th Birthday!ReplyCancel

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  • anne - Beautiful post!!! Hope you have a wonderful, wonderful birthday!ReplyCancel

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  • anne - Beautiful post!! Hope you have a wonderful, wonderful birthday!!ReplyCancel

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  • Meggie - Happy Birthday! My husband will be 30 on Saturday and his attitude is great too. I loved this post. I need to work on living each day with purpose and making sure I’m not such a whiner! I love the quote about gratitude and the verse from Lamentations. Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

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  • JESSICA - Perfect…just perfect.
    Happy Birthday!ReplyCancel

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  • rentz - Happy birthday, Jess! Believe me, the 30’s are great. Busy, but wonderful. Sadly, I’ve only got a little over a year left to experience them. Love your perspective! Hope you have a blessed day.ReplyCancel

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  • Amy - Happy Birthday!
    What a great reminder to be thankful for everything.ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Happy Birthday Jess!! Hope you have a great day!!! I will be entering my 30’s in October…and I have to admit…I’m pretty excited.. 🙂

    Sarah

    Go Big Red! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Happy Birthday! You don’t look a day past 20! Enjoyed reading your blog today. I hope you continue to feel God’s love throughout the rest of your life.ReplyCancel

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  • flower power momma - birthday blessings to you.
    love the way you are embracing being 30! It’s just a number as you know. May your handsome fellas shower you with much love and kisses.ReplyCancel

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  • Amber - Happy Birthday! Everyone I know says that their 30’s have been their favorite decade yet. I hope you can look back in 10 years and say the same. 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Kristin - Happy Birthday! At 33, I can definitely say your thirties are wonderful and something to enjoy. 🙂 Have a beautiful day!ReplyCancel

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  • Toni :O) - Yay for turning 30! Happy Birthday and may this be one of the best decades for you! :0)ReplyCancel

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  • ohsoblessed - Happy Birthday! I am a new follower of your blog and I have learned so much from you! This post is incredibly beautiful and exactly what I hope to say each and every day of my life. Thank you for sharing

    Have you read the book “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp? It changed my life and I hope that you find some time to read it if you have not already. I have a feeling it will align with the beat of your heart and encourage and deepen your faith in a brand new way.

    Your little Levi is precious. My daughter was born right around the same time as he was and I enjoy reading about your days as they are similar to mine!ReplyCancel

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  • Faith - happy birthday sweet sister in Christ! there is MUCH to be thankful for! thankful for you!ReplyCancel

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  • Mama10EE - Happy Birthday Jess. I too enjoyed turning 30 (am now 32). Your post made me think today about what I am thankful for, on a day that I have been so sad because my only child has started Kindergarten, which I have seen so negatively. Thank you for your post, and your willingness to share your family with the world.ReplyCancel

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  • the brokaws - Happy Birthday! A great reminder to be thankful at any age!ReplyCancel

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  • kathy - Thirty years ago today I became a Mom.

    Yours.

    I am so proud of you, in everyway.ReplyCancel

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  • Marsha - Happy Birthday to an amazing lady! Wishing you lots of joy today and always:)ReplyCancel

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  • Kristi W - Hi! I rarely comment, but I do try to keep up with your posts. I am so glad you have a positive attitude about turning 30. I see so many bloggers agonizing, yes agonizing over turning 30. I am 42. I freaked out about turning 40. You know why? Because my 30s were amazing! Perfect? No. All rosy and comfortable? No. A huge time of learning, loving, giving and growing? YES!! So now I am approaching my 40s with an attitude that if my 30s were so great, who knows what all is in store in this decade! Already a couple of really really hard years, but incredible growth and eyes opened to how God’s love is more incredible than I could have EVER imagined in the past. So I say congrats on entering your 30s and keep your eyes and heart open to all of the wonders around you. Even in the midst of difficulty and pain.ReplyCancel

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  • songskatesang - Happy Birthday, Jess! I hope you know how truly loved and appreciated you are. Your example as a mom and faithful follower of Christs lifts me up.ReplyCancel

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  • Mandy - Happy Birthday! What an inspirational post. I just turned 29 on the 15th. I’ve already started dreading next year…but this gives me such a different outlook. I’m going to be thankful for thirty too!ReplyCancel

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  • Lynda - Happy Birthday! May God continue to bless you and your family.ReplyCancel

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  • Sam - Happy 30th Birthday Jess! Hope it is really special xxReplyCancel

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  • Katie - I want to wish you a Happy Birthday! I love reading your blog – your posts always make me feel refreshed. Hope you have a wonderful day!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - God’s grace is always there for us. Instead of being down and out about being 30, you choose to cherish each and every day with your husband and your darling son. Cora is so proud of her mother, her 30-year-old, wise beyond her years, mother!! Some of the best things that happened to me, happened to me in my 30’s. I will soon be leaving my 50’s behind but so glad and grateful I’m still here to enjoy life and to be a grandmother!! Hope your day is wonderful and happy. Mary (a friend from SLC Utah)ReplyCancel

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  • Sarah - Happy Happy birthday to you!ReplyCancel

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  • KF - Happy Birthday Jess! Thank you for your post. It was very encouraging!
    Love,
    Kim FreundReplyCancel

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  • EricaG - Happy birthday! I love my 30s so far (32), and I never felt sadness about “crossing over.” There is too much fun to be had!ReplyCancel

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  • Melissa Joy - Happy Birthday, Jess!!!
    We are rejoicing with you in God’s goodness (even when it is difficult to discern His goodness through our human-eyes) to you and through you. I bless Him for creating you!

    And by the way, I finally mailed off my long braid to Locks Of Love, so was praying for your family (and whoever would receive it) as I did so this morning.
    I’m so eager to meet Cora when I get to reunite with my own seven children in heaven. And your description of Levi restoring your joy and teaching you to laugh again brought me to tears… I am so eager to meet the baby boy in my own womb, for I trust that God will use him to do the same for me.
    With love and sweet wishes for a blessed day as you are thankful for turning 30…
    MelissaReplyCancel

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  • Amanda - Happy birthday!! Did you have a party? I hope you post pictures if you did!ReplyCancel

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  • Jenny - Happy Birthday to you from a reader in Annapolis, MD! Cheers to 30, I wish and pray that your 30’s will be some of the best years of your life. It isn’t so bad! I’m loving life at 32 🙂 Best wishes to you on the approaching birth of your son.ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - I will be 30 this year too, in a few months, and have been struggling with this a little bit. Thanks for the new perspective….I will be thankful for thirty!!ReplyCancel

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  • eeguiltner - Happy Birthday, Jess! I hope you have had a great day!ReplyCancel

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  • Yolanda - Jess…what a wonderful post. Your heart is so full of gratitude. I enjoy reading your blog so much. May God continue to bless you and your family!ReplyCancel

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  • Jody - Happy Birthday, Jess!! There’s nothing bad about turning 30, is there? My sister said our 30s have to be better than our 20s were. Let’s hope that’s true for all three of us!! And tell that little baby boy (I’m rooting for Seth…lol) he needs to stay in there and make his birthday 9/25.ReplyCancel

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  • The Schilling's from Cimarron - Happy birthday little mama! you always put things in perspective for me and for that I am truly thankful! I always appreciate your compassion for the lord and life…… miss you lots and wish you lots of luck when you have this new baby take care always!ReplyCancel

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  • Becca - What an amazing reminder of how to look at life. You are an inspiration! Happy Birthday and may this next decade bring you so much joy 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • The Moffats - Happy Birthday, Jess. Love you so much, friend.ReplyCancel

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  • Selena - Happy Birthday, Jess! Thirty years ago today, God gave you your first breath of life… Isn’t that beautiful?! And speaking of being grateful, I am so totally and forever grateful for YOU!!! Your openness as you walk with our Lord is so encouraging. I really do love you and I really only know you through the beauty of blogging. God is good and I am thankful for your 30th birthday!

    Hang in there… That sweet baby is still growing! 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Melissa - Happy birthday…whatever year you may be 🙂 I hope the next 30 years bring many more things for you to be thankful for!!!ReplyCancel

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  • ASJ - Happy Birthday! Wishing you a wonderful, happy day.
    Amy from Australia.ReplyCancel

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  • Amy Geiser - Happy Birthday, Jess! You inspire me often. I hope you had a great birthday! In December I will turn 30… and it is just weird. I’m not scared, I don’t hate it… I just don’t feel like I should be 30 yet! BUT, I love that I get to turn 30 this year with people whom I truly admire (from afar) – you and Amanda B!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Thank you again for your encouraging words. They truly speak to my heart and I found they are exactly what I needed to hear.

    Was your bible study a book? I would love to know what it was.

    Have a great day!

    Katie
    martingang7@gmail.comReplyCancel

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  • DianeTaylor - What a WONDERFUL post, Jess – you truly made me stop whining today about all the little things bothering me and be grateful for what I do have. I love that song BLESSINGS by Laura Story – I hope you are continually blessed by our heavenly Father as you enter a new decade in your life. I am an empty nester in my 50s and let me tell you- it just gets better and better 🙂

    HAPPY BDAY!!!!

    ~dt~ReplyCancel

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  • Wanting What I Have - Tears…happy birthday! I am so thankful to read of God’s faithfulness and goodness in your life…in the midst of HARD things. You make me want to love Jesus more. Thank you and happy, happy birthday! (a day late.) 🙂ReplyCancel

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  • Rob - Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderfully blessed year! Thank you for faithfully following the Savior and sharing your journey with all of us!ReplyCancel

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  • vonFRINKenhagen - Happy Birthday!! I turn 30 in March and have been dreading it. Thanks for giving me hope and gratitude to face 30 head-on!ReplyCancel

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  • Vonda - Happy Birthday!ReplyCancel

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  • Marianne - Sorry I’m late, but Happy Birthday to you! Looks like you had a wonderful day!ReplyCancel

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  • Anonymous - Happy Birthday Jessica! You are an amazing girl, mom, wife, teacher, friend! I am always encouraged by your blog and was always encouraged by you when we taught together! Congratulations on 30 and this new exciting adventure that God has for you!
    Blessings to you and your family,
    Rachel JamesReplyCancel

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