2016 recap

 Camping in Apalachicola was by far my favorite thing! It was my first real camping experience and I am hooked. We just drove all through the forest and stumbled upon some of the most amazing places.

 WEDDINGS! 2016 was the year of weddings! Many of Ham's friends got married and so did a couple of his siblings!

 2016 was also the year of beachin it up. We got tanner than ever and spent most of the first half of the year at the beach.

My momma graduated her LPN class. She is still in school for nursing and doing so well. Such an amazing role model.

We moved to Bradenton! I am from here. Born and raised. It was so amazing and so good for me to move back here. It was something I needed to do for my soul and I am so happy we're here for now.

 Spend a good week or two with all my nieces and nephews. My bother and his fam came down in the summer. I love when they're here because I definitely don't see them enough.

 Ham's oldest sister got married in July and it was such a beautiful and elegant wedding! There was so much love and I am so happy to be apart of this family.

 Got to see Twenty One Pilots for the second time and it was AMAZING. We had such great seats and it was such a fun time.

 Ham's oldest brother got married a week and a half later and it was such a fun wedding! It was a very small wedding, which made it so intimate and personal. It was such a wonderful day to be apart of.

 I tried to only post a few of these photos, but I couldn't pick! We got to spend a whole week in Tennessee after the wedding and it was so beautiful. I have developed a love for hiking and it definitely started with this trip. I haven't felt so close with nature in my life. It was so peaceful and so beautiful. It made me feel so small but so free and I can't wait to go on so many more adventures.

 I have seen some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen in my entire life this year.

 We adopted a pup. We love him so much and he fills our life with laughter and so much joy. He makes things a little stressful at some times because he is still a puppy and likes to eat EVERYTHING...including our nephews bed...

 Again...SO many weddings! But I'm not complaining. We love weddings so much! Dancing, food, and so much love, what more do you need?

 We spent Thanksgiving with Ham's family and we went camping. It was tons of fun and it had been awhile since our last camping trip, so this just made my love of nature grow so much more. I am happiest when I'm out camping or hiking or just laying down looking up at the trees.

 We went to Disney almost every month and I loved it!

Sorry for the overload of pictures! 2016 was an amazing year. I know a lot of people had a rough year and some bad things happened, but I had a wonderful year and wouldn't change a thing. I have really come to know myself so much better this year and I know what things I want and what I want to do. 

I know 2017 will be even better because we have a better grip on what is going to happen and what we want. 

If you made it to the end, thanks for stickin it out haha.

xoxo, Jacquelyn

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Giving Thanks

10 things I'm grateful for. There are so many more than that, but I figured the beginning of each week during November I would share 3 things I am thankful for. I know I already missed a week, but better late than never. 

Thanksgiving is such a good reminder of the things we have in our lives. I have had some struggles this year but that doesn't mean that I'm not grateful for so much. My life is full and I have so many amazing people surrounding me.

 1. I am grateful for sunsets and the ocean. I love spending my days on the boat fishing, snorkeling,  or just swimming.

2. My fur babies. I love them all so much! The white and grey kitty is Kate Wiskerton and the multi colored kitty is Hermione and our dog is Bowzer. They fill our home with joy and lots of laughter. There is definitely never a dull moment with them.

3. My best girl friends. I love them so much. They make my life whole and add so much joy to every life experience I have. I am so grateful for each and every one of these ladies. They are always there when I need them most.

 4. Whale sharks! They are my favorite animal EVER! And I was lucky enough to go to the Atlanta Georgia Aquarium to see them up close and personal. The next step is going to Mexico to swim with them.

5. My parents. I am so extremely grateful for my parents. They have given me a wonderful life. I was blessed enough to be able to travel with them and be homeschool up until 7th grade, which allowed me to spend my days on the boat fishing with my dad. I hold those memories near and dear to my heart. They are also the best examples. My mom is currently in nursing school and I couldn't be more proud of her. 

6. My in-laws. I am so happy to have another set of parents and so many more sisters and brothers! I love them all so much and they all mean the world to me. Hamilton's mom and dad are my parents too and it is so amazing to have in-laws that I am close with.

 7. My nieces and nephews. They are growing up way too fast! I remember when they were all born. It is really not okay how fast they are growing up! They are so smart and so loving. They are the best and funniest bunch of kiddos ever.

8. I am so grateful for my calling. I am the young women's 2nd counselor in my ward. I love those girls so much already and I hope that I can teach them as much as I know they will teach me.

9. I am grateful for the gospel. I am grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so grateful for the temple and that I am able to go there with my husband and friends. It means so much to me to have a place to go where I feel safe and at home. I love having the knowledge that my Heavenly Father is always watching over me and helping me along the way (way more than I will ever know).

10. My husband. Hamilton Aaron Birkeland. I am so grateful for him and all he does for me. He is kind and patient and all the things I need to work on. He is an example to me each and every day. I love him more each day and can't wait to see what the future holds for us.


Tell me what you're grateful for! This month is all about being thankful and grateful. Pass it along and share what you're grateful for.


xoxo, Jacquelyn

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