Jennifer Lopez is at a point in her career where she’s done almost everything. And she’s at a point in her personal life where she has, well, everything. Featured in the May issue of Redbook (out April 20th), Lopez talks about how her life came full-circle, and how she never expected to have what she has today.

Mom to twins Max and Emme (with husband Marc Anthony), Lopez muses on how being a mother has changed her:

I can’t help but be a different person now that I’ve had kids. That really does change your whole perspective on life for the better. I definitely feel like I’ve grown up. So, I guess in a way parts of me are going to be different, but in general I’m still the same girl from the Bronx who had big dreams.

I found this quote particularly interesting, because it shows the focus Lopez had on making her dreams come true.

I always wanted to be great at what I did—that’s what drove me. If I got rejected, I wouldn’t take it personally. I was like, Make them a fan and they’ll bring you back in for something else. I never thought about money or fame, and I never really thought that would happen to me. All that was just a by-product.

Check out a very photogenic Lopez here, shot by world-renowned fashion photographer (and Kelly Killoren Bensimon’s ex) Gilles Bensimon.