thirty-four candles

yesterday, i turned another year older and it was one i think i will always remember. last fall i wrote about my most memorable birthdays (here) but this one is right up there. it was simple, spent with my boys, and full of love. i have spent a good portion of the past year striving for simpler, more soulful living – so this day was ideal for me. 

a confetti bundt cake from a friend … she brought it over with a bouquet of white tulips last week.

my boys put a gold candle in it and i made a wish (my very favorite part of every birthday!) 

after the perfect service at watershed (love so much) this week, the message really spoke to me- like it usually does there- but it really aligned with our conversations the night before, which made it very special. after church, we met my mother and father-in-law at the workman’s friend for brunch (one of my favorite spots in the city!) they watched parks overnight (we had a charlotte staycation) so it was the best just seeing him and spending time with them.  

my sweet brunch date + i love this boy 

saturday night, we stayed at a local bed and breakfast, met one of my favorite friends and her husband for cocktails uptown and then had a romantic dinner at the charlotte city club (which is where we had our wedding reception… four years ago on thursday) they treated us so well (too well) it was lovely. nathan hoffman – the director- is a very special person and we adore him. 

one of the best parts of the day was (finally) finishing the book, present over perfect by shauna niequist. i am a reader- always have been and i am not sure if a book has ever spoken to me in such a profound way. in the book, she offers an honest account of what led her to begin a new journey- a compelling vision for an entirely new way to live: soaked in grace, rest, silence, prayer, simplicity, and connection with the people that matter most. 

so this- this is my main goal for year thirty-four

i feel ready 

never more excited for a new year 

(hoping to share my journey here!)

ps: do you have any advice?

i spent a few hours at a new coffee shop uptown called coco and the director. it was so peaceful and nostalgic- when i was single i would do yoga and read at cafes all the time. this place is so incredible and i highly recommend it! they were friendly, the music was great, the latte, and the space. i enjoyed looking out onto the charlotte streets and thinking about how i was led here ten years ago (and how much i <3 clt.)

–the morehead inn–

they had this typewriter on one of the tables for sale at coco and the director 

(and how beautiful are their floors!) 

before dinner at the city club ~ the sidewalk that we walked out onto after our wedding reception

brunch with my boys 

a walk to end the day + followed by episodes of girl boss on netflix (loving that too!) 

we went to the bed and breakfast early saturday and read/relaxed… we ate pizza in bed and my sweet husband went out and returned with starbuck’s (i am telling you- they spoiled me!) 

i tried this deep sea mud mask while i was getting ready for the night

the breakfast area at the inn 

my sunshine 

a walk to end a great day!!

after the coffee shop, we picked up mexican and had a back porch dinner 

mussels at malabar

thank you to these two for totally rockin’ my day!! 

i am very appreciative and truly loved every second 

-bringing his slice of birthday cake into his car for the ride-

i reflected a lot yesterday and to be honest, i even got teary-eyed a few times

i reflected on my blessings ~ my boys, family, memories and good health most

looking forward to another year 

hopefully one of growth 

“try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. it is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the Lord in different times and different places than in only one. —Ignatius of Loyola” 

a look back at last year:

thirty-three candles