Yesterday, I turned 35.
I didn’t even realize until reading last year’s birthday post earlier this morning that I spent the day exactly the same as last year–on a windy beach where seagulls outnumbered people by 100:1.
Ignoring my mother’s voice in my head (“Kelle! Don’t bother him, let him sleep!”) I pulled Dash from his bed last night and brought him into bed with me. He stayed asleep while I positioned him about where he was last year, curled across my stomach, and I closed my eyes and smiled. I love that look-where-we-are-now feeling that floods in at the end of the year.
I used to do a list on my birthday of what I learned that year, but every time I make some definitive check mark as to what I learned, I realize later, “Oh honey, you’re still learning. Don’t check it off yet.”
I will say that 2013 was a great year for recognizing more that weaknesses are really secret strengths. When I am aware of my weaknesses–the things I’ve spent years wishing I could change about myself–and embrace them without being defensive, I can find ways to use them for good.
Growing older is always a journey of becoming a better version of yourself–a journey that will and must include both happy moments and hard moments. It’s how you weave them together, drawing lessons from both, that gives you the power of creating a beautiful life.
My favorite photos and moments from my thirty-fifth year:
Exactly one year ago
An orange grove in Fort Myers, FL
Valentines’ Day, 2013. We met our boy.
This might be my favorite picture from 2013. 
New York City, March 2013.
May, 2013. Brett returned home from a 2-week hospital stay, minus one appendix.
Isles of Capri sunset
Mackinac Island, June 2013
Poppa’s cottage. Lewiston, Michigan
Strawberry picking. Armada, Michigan
Captiva Island
First day of first grade
I’m grateful and hopeful today as we turn the page to all the experiences 2014 holds for our family. With some crazy travel planned for next year, I know there will at least be adventure and the lessons that come with widening our perspective beyond our own small space.
So I tell myself, I’ll tell my kids…
Be grateful for where you are. Always. But look beyond. Learn from those around you. And when you think that you have, don’t check it off as a lesson learned. You’re still learning. You’re always still learning.
Happy New Year, Friends. Thank you for sharing this space with us.
Ah Kelly, I love your blog and stop by often. Happy New Year and keep writing so I can relive raising my boys who are all grown up now and living their own lives. My favorite part of life so far has been raising my children. That’s why I love your blog so much!
Diane
Love looking at all of your 35th year pictures. You and your family are so beautiful….inside and out.
Happy (late) Birthday, Kelle!! I love the thought, not to check it off…we are still learning, every day! XOXO
Happy Belated 35th Birthday, Kelle!!
Happy Birthday!! All the pictures are beautiful. I love the pictures of Nella in the field with the golden light. I hope you have a very happy, healthy New Year!!
Happy Birthday, Kelle! I turned 35 this month too. I love looking through your photos as I’m hoping to feel as you do this time next year. Baby #3 is due in the next few weeks (!!!) and I know it will be one of the most awesome and challenging years of my life. But I hope to come out the other side a bit wiser and probably with a few more wrinkles 🙂
Happy New Year!
Happy Birthday, Kelle. I so love reading your blog, couldn’t wait to see what you had to say about all you’ve learned this past year. I’m so happy to have found you nearly four years ago. I know I’ve learned so much through your writing. Thank you for sharing!
XOXO,
Angie from Ohio (angiepics on instagram)
Happy Birthday, Kelle! Hope 35 is your best year yet. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos from the last year with us today. Gorgeous!:)
Happy birthday! You and your family are an inspiration. Xo
What an incredibly wonderful year.
Happy Birthday to one of the most lovely dreamers on the planet. Wishing you a year filled with joy beyond your wildest imagination.
Love, Becky
Happy birthday Kelle! This collection of photos is such a gift to look at. Your photography is hands down my favorite out there and it just makes me smile big every time I see it. Beautiful, beautiful. I hope this year brings all sorts of joys to you and your family!
Thanks for sharing another beautiful year with your family. Oh..and happy belated birthday, Kelle!
I happened upon your blog when someone had reposted a link to your birth story about Nella. It touched me so much and I have been hooked ever since. Thank you for sharing your emotions, your weaknesses and strengths with us all. You are very inspiring and I hope to continue down the journey with you.
PS> Where do you get your kids clothes? They are absolutely adorable!
Happy belated Birthday, Kelle~ And thank you for sharing your space with us as well~ Love your family and your inspiration~
-Monica
Happy Birthday Kelle! I love seeing your world through your photographs. Your heart and your vision for your family really shines.
I think L.M. Montgomery felt the same way about growth. She has a quote somewhere that says something like, “she felt very wise and very grown up and she looked very, very young at that moment.” That’s a horrible hack of her words I’m sure, but I always remember that when I’m sure I’ve hit my act all together. Thanks for sharing yourself with us. Cheers to an incredible 35th year for you!
Really Really Lovely.
I’m pretty sure I didn’t breathe through this whole post. Confirmed by the silent gasp at the end like I just came up from an underwater distance contest with my kids. Your photography leaves me speechless Kelle (and apparently breathless). If you were to EVER do an on location, photo education weekend I would pay BIG bucks to learn more of how you capture your images. B.I.G. Just saying.
Beautiful pictures, as always. Thank you for sharing.
beautiful, kelle. happy birthday and much blessing to you in the new year! xo, alicia
Gorgeous, Happy New Year!
Happy birthday to you! I almost never comment but love reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your life with us year after year!
Happy Birthday. Love and gratitude sent to you and this blog. 🙂
Beautiful images of your year!
Amazing Kelle.. The pictures were just breathtaking. I can’t believe you are 35, you do not look like it whatsoever. You are one beautiful mamma. Keep doing what you are doing, you are inspiring and so confident that is shows through your words and pictures. You are awesome.
Um. Did you know you take good pictures? 😉
Lovely thoughts and photos, and an excellent reminder to keep learning and loving every day!
Happy birthday, Keller! Feeling very full-circle today…I found your blog a week after Nella was born and remember reading about your birthday celebrations for 31. Finding your site and following along for nearly four years has changed my life for the better–I’m more present and am recording my one ‘wild and precious life.’ Blessings to you and your family this coming year. – Nike
‘Kelle’ (darn auto correct)
These photos are beyond amazing. You are truly blessed! HBD!
What beautiful photos and just the right way to start my day. I feel inspired! And I hope you had a wonderful birthday yesterday. XO, Matthew (from Everybody Plays) and his family.
Really lovely year in review. How fun to have a birthday near the end of the year… Must feel like everything can be made new. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Kelly. Thanks for sharing your blog and beautiful pictures.
Szczęśliwego Nowego Roku – Happy New Year
Hey! We share the same birthday!! Except I turned 40 this year and have six amazing souls to be thankful for.
A pleasure to read your blog, as is so often said on this forum.
Well done for constantly putting your heart out there.
It’s a brave move!
Keep writing and aspiring my lovely girl.
Cath xx
We share a birthday! I love following along as you document your beautiful life.
Happy 35th, Kelle!!! I rarely comment, but just want to say that you are an amazing momma, teacher, and friend to so many of us in blog world. Thank you for giving us a little piece of heaven in every single post. You may still be learning, but you are teaching all of us how to live and love in this one precious life!!! Love you, girl!
What a beautiful review of the year! Your photos, as always, stunning and amazing. I’m inspired, as always, to expand my photographer eyes and skills. Happy birthday Kelle!! To another lovely and adventurous year!
Thank YOU Kelle for sharing this space with us. 2013 was a beautiful year! I raise a to you and your family for a happy and healthy 2014!
Andrea x
Checked quick last night for your ‘birthday’ post as I was feeling less them optimistic about my 35th yesterday…sick kids, cold weather, and post vacation blues, oh, and my oldest turned 10 yesterday as well, TEN!!! It’s crazy. May your coming year be greatly blessed.
Happy Birthday Kelle!!
I don’t know how you chose from all your gorgeous photos which ones to put in frames. My entire walls would be photo-ed up!! HA!!
Happy New Year to you and Brett and all the kiddos 🙂
I have to say, I think Nella did the most growing this year! She went from looking like a toddler to a little girl! Love your blog, thank you for sharing your life:)
Happy birthday. I love your blog. Your happy. You inspire!
It’s been a year since I came across your inspiring blog and I have been returning since then captivated by the lovely photos and blog posts. Keep up the good work and have a great 2014.
Happy, Happy Birthday Blessings to YOU!!!! Wishing you an entire year filled with JOY and love from all your littles & loves!!!
Absolutely beautiful! Our tenth month old boy is our last baby as well so remembering 2013 is bittersweet. Thank you for sharing yours 🙂
Happy Birthday Kelle! Looks like you had a wonderful day. May the next twelve months be fabulous for you and your family. xxoo
Just…..fabulous.
xo
lynn
thank you for sharing your journey with us. happy birthday, holidays and new year
The pictures! Love ’em!
Happy birthday Kelle! Amazing pictures, what a beautiful year you’ve had.
Kelle, you are a beautiful person! Thank you for teaching us, helping us grow and learn. Happy Birthday! I would love to get a chance to meet you in person when you come to Seattle. Wishing you a very happy new year!
I LOVE everything about this!! Happiest Birthday and New Year, Kelle!! 🙂
Happy Birthday! Sweet friend…..I love the one of you holding Dash with the tear.
Beautiful. So very beautiful. Also, I love your red lipstick.
Happy Birthday Kelle!! Love the year in review. May your birthday and new year continue to be filled with wonder, joy, happiness, love and success 🙂
Happy belated birthday Kelle! I hope your 35th year is full of blessings and beautiful moments. I’ve been an avid reader of your blog since Nella was born and I just wanted to say thank you for allowing us a peek into your life. Your family is lovely. God bless and Happy New Year! 🙂
Happy birthday and happy New Year to you and your sweet family. It is such a treat to read your blog and enjoy your beautiful pictures.
Happy birthday, beautiful!!! I’m happy to see you have a photo in there commemorating the night of our 3-hour butt crack sweat session whilst watching 3,762 students line up for awards. LOL. Still makes me giggle. Moments don’t come any sweeter than that. Love you. xo
Thank you for sharing your space with us! I am blessed by your beautiful pics and your humor! I look forward to all you have to share in 2014! Lisa
I love this: “Be grateful for where you are. Always. But look beyond. Learn from those around you. And when you think that you have, don’t check it off as a lesson learned. You’re still learning. You’re always still learning. ” It has been exactly a year since found your blog, and while I agree we are always learning, I have learned to slow down and enjoy the little moments that make our world go round. You’ve taught me to be present and
capture these moments whether it be through photographs or blogging. Thank you for the gift you’ve given me. Happy belated birthday Kelle! Here’s to 2014!
Happy happy Birthday! What a wonderful year. Mine is next week and we plan to start celebrating it in a couple days and I plan to just keep on going right through 2014. May your New Year be the best yet for you and yours.
Love,
Steph
Happy Birthday, Kelle! Wishing you a wonderful day!
Happy New Year to the entire Hampton Clan!……….Rosemary
Happy Birthday, beautiful mama! My son’s birthday is also the 29th:)
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year too from our home in Tejas,
Melissa
What a beautiful year reflected through your amazing photos! You are blessed!
hi!
would you follow earch others&
let me know!
http://defishencia.blogspot.ru/
Always brings a smile to my face and heart & learn so much from you. May you all have a Blessed New year. Happy Birthday. Becky
Happy Birthday!!
Love your blog and your kids are beautiful.
http://www.facebook.com/coffeewithtamtam
Kelle….
Happy belated birthday!! Mine is fast approaching…. I am turning the “big 3-0”. Am I excited about it? Depends on my mood, I’m afraid!! There are seemingly countless mixed feeling emotions about this age for me!! 😉
“I used to do a list on my birthday of what I learned that year, but every time I make some definitive check mark as to what I learned, I realize later, ‘Oh honey, you’re still learning. Don’t check it off yet.’.” You’re still learning. I love that!! ;-D
“I will say that 2013 was a great year for recognizing more that weaknesses are really secret strengths. When I am aware of my weaknesses–the things I’ve spent years wishing I could change about myself–and embrace them without being defensive, I can find ways to use them for good.”. Mmmm…. I might have to steal that!! Wait. I just copied it into my private journal/diary entry!! 😉
“Growing older is always a journey of becoming a better version of yourself–a journey that will and must include both happy moments and hard moments. It’s how you weave them together, drawing lessons from both, that gives you the power of creating a beautiful life.”. Kelle. I think I love you!! This, too, I will steal!! 😉
Lainey lying in that hospital bed holding Dash!! What a Little Mommy!! ;-D
“Be grateful for where you are. Always. But look beyond. Learn from those around you. And when you think that you have, don’t check it off as a lesson learned. You’re still learning. You’re always still learning.”. I am stealing this, as well!! Three profound Kelle Hampton quotations in one day!! Score!! {Should I post them on my Blog, I will give you credit!!} I promise!! ;-D
I will “see” you next year, Friend!! 😉
–Raelyn
Sorry. Long comment!! ;-}
You are a wonderful photographer. Some of your pictures are simply stunning. This post really bothers me though. Bringing your baby into bed with you to put him on your stomach to remind you of being pregnant is disturbing. I would hope there is time for some self-reflection where you can ask yourself why the present never seems to be good enough. This is a common theme in your posts. Also, the picture of your husband in bed feeding your son is a sweet picture, but seems it should have been left a private moment between the two of them. Not everything needs to be shared. Lots of room for learning and exploring within yourself to create the best possible and healthy life for your husband and kids. A healthy mama and wife are so important! Happy New Year to you!
Happy birthday, Kelle, and a most happy new year to you and your beautiful family.
Happy Birthday Kelle and cheers to the philosophy that life is an opportunity to continually learn. I too embrace the perspective that we should continually learn throughout the journey. Because life is about enjoying the journey, not just looking to reach the destination.
Happy New Year!
Absolutely beautiful photos!! Happy belated birthday to you!! It only gets better as you get older. Just wait until the fab 40’s. They’re the bomb!!!! : )
~ Wendy
Happy Birthday! I enjoyed the pictures and remember seeing most of them! I love your positive outlook. This time I year, I always slump into my annual “another year of my life is gone” depression, my kids are getting older, yadda yadda, so thank you for the positive perspective. I always pull from your vibe in your writing to brighten up my days. xoxo, Kelly
Lovely 🙂 Happy New Year 🙂
Happy Birthday!
I want that crochet pattern for dash’s baby outfit!!!!!!!
Hmm Werdna Smiths, sounds like you had a pretty bad 2013 that’s left you pretty angry! So sad, but here is to a better year ahead for you!! Happy Belated Birthday Kelle! Hope it’s a good year for you!
Happy New Year, Kelle!
Happy Be-lated birthday Kelle!!!! Oh, to go back to 35 and realize just how blessed I was/I am. Turning 46 this month….YIKES! So proud of you for knowing how fortunate you are at 35 :).
The leaf pictures…..oh.my.HEART!
Love to you and blessings for 2014!
What a beautiful year you had with all of it’s ups and downs. Such a lovely family – you are blessed(I mis-typed and said lovey family. I think that fits too). Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!
Beautiful! Happy Birthday and thank YOU for sharing YOUR space with US! :o)
this year didn’t have nearly enough of your art. and by art i mean funny things like feet sticking out of bushes. please and thank you.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Found you on google. Great article. Keep up the good work.
dress up online games
Incredible photos! I absolutely love your blog and have been a silent follower since shortly after Nella’s birth. You are a constant inspiration for me as a mother and woman. Your blog is where I come to when I need a pick-me-up or feel like I’m stuck in a rut. Your words and photos transform me into the best mother I can be and gear me up for adventure and memory making with my three little ones (ages 4, 2.5 and 11 months). Thanks for sharing yourself and happy birthday!
Beautiful post…
Both a belated Happy Birthday and Happy New Year to you and your family ~ Thanks for sharing your world with us.
GORGEOUS photos!
My blog use to be called “I am still learning.”
I can so relate.
I changed it to, “The more I see, the less I know.” It felt more suiting 🙂
Happy New Year Kelle.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your photos, stories, and thoughts. My heart is full reading this post. Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!
Hi Kelle, Long time reader- first time commenting! I am not a mama but I am a teacher and I work with students who have special needs. I have very much enjoyed reading your story. I saw this short video on a friend’s Facebook page and, of course, it made me think of you! http://www.amazingoasis.org/2013/12/restaurant-owner-with-down-syndrome.html It’s about a young many with down syndrome who owns and runs his own restaurant serving “breakfast, lunch, and hugs”. It was fun to watch and put a smile on my face so I thought I would share with you and your readers. Happy Birthday and thank you for sharing your story!
Beautiful pictures celebrating a wonderful year! Thanks for sharing your pictures, your lives and your heart. God bless you all in 2014!
4 words: Most beautiful photos ever!!:)
Happy birthday and happy New year. xx
all of these photos are incredible. i want to go re-live the year you just had! XO
the well-traveled wife ♥
Your pictures are so moving and inspiring. You have a beautiful gift! Thank you for sharing!
Your blog is amazing. I am excited to read about your raising of children and the challenges and successes. My husband and I are at the beginning of an adoption journey and I aspire to be able to write about my own children one day.
I love everything about you. I love your spirit, Your adventures, your love, your style, your photography, your beautiful family, your perfectly imperfectly dressed children, your love of life and how you are always teaching me ways to be a better person, mother and self. You inspire me! I absolutely love your blog! Happy birthday!
I love everything about you. I love your spirit, Your adventures, your love, your style, your photography, your beautiful family, your perfectly imperfectly dressed children, your love of life and how you are always teaching me ways to be a better person, mother and self. You inspire me! I absolutely love your blog! Happy birthday!
Hey Kelle,
Need to be inspired? Check out Jessica Giddens via internet. Makes me teary reading about it!
Playing catch up and just read your post. Happy Birthday! I’m almost to 36 and my 3rd baby was born days after yours – fun to see the photos and hear your thoughts.
There is beauty in change. It isn’t always on the surface; sometimes it’s hidden beneath other layers of older, more wrinkled beauty. We don’t always have to peel back the veteran layers to find new beauty, either.
Kudos for finding your life vs. small things blog balance. I have been a fan for a long time, but never commented. Your “changed” blog is a beautiful reminder to me that enjoying the small things isn’t always easy. And that difficulty is really just a less shiny, more complicated cousin of beauty. Without the rain, we wouldn’t miss the sun.