Livia, age 7, receiving some fatherly instruction at dinner tonight.

Not only did we get our first snowfall in Lincoln yesterday, it was that gorgeous, wet kind of snow that blankets every single skinny branch and drapes over everything, making the television and telephone cable lines objects of beauty. The sun came out this morning and then the world began to really sparkle.

I can see Renae out my back window. She’s snapping away at the snowy grandeur as well. We just can’t stay away. Even the trees in their snowy fleeces are praising God this morning.

My niece Madeleine and nephew Noah are too darn cute. I love their energy and drive. They are both creative and smart as all get out, not to mention very photogenic. More photos from their shoot to come soon.

Happy holidays, friends! I hope you all have enjoyed lots of turkey and lots of family time. I’m admiring a fully decorated house this morning as Livia was extremely excited to put up the Christmas tree. It was up on Thanksgiving night—a first for us. My dad and I got up early yesterday to partake in Black Friday sales. We ate our McDonalds breakfasts, drove around town, bought a few things and were home by 9:00am. Certain friends of mine get really wound up about the evil stores on evil Black Friday. To that I say, bah humbug. I wouldn’t trade my early morning adventures with my dad for anything! It’s a great memory.

And finally, hello!, the December Photo Project starts next Thursday! I am chomping at the bit to get started. Woohoo!

My niece Madeleine turned five last month and I’m officially old because I keep wondering, Wasn’t she just born a few minutes ago? I can remember news of her birth—and of my nephew Noah’s birth—like it was yesterday. Anyhow, it seems like every time I turn around these kids grow. I don’t remember giving them permission to grow. Alas, it happens.

Noah is only two. But when I saw him at Madeleine’s birthday party he had a big boy haircut and was wearing jeans. Again, I have not given him my blessing on turning into a big boy, but clearly it’s going to happen anyway. Noah adores his big cousin Zachary. I think I do, too.

I’m going through a few photos, sifting and editing images from July for my sister-in-law Chelsea. We had a great visit with her and Roots, her fiance, and my nephew, who was neatly housed in Chelsea’s pregnant tummy at the time.

It’s kind of crazy how fast life changes, isn’t it? We had no idea that Baby Tafari would make his entrance into the world in August and not in October. Certainly Chelsea and Roots had no idea of the intimacy they’d soon develop with a Phoenix hospital, and for sure none of us back here had any idea of how many times we’d be petitioning God for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

I love that I got a few shots of Chels and Roots prior to Tafari’s arrival. And I love that God heard our prayers and protected both mom and baby in recent months. From what I hear, little Tafari is now tipping the scales at over 4lb and he’s doing better all the time. It’s remarkable how well he’s doing—we are so grateful! I can’t wait to snuggle him in person.

Feast your eyes upon these images because they are the last of my Andrew & Jenny wedding pics. As soon as the wonderful, super talented Daniel Meigs walked in the salon door on the actual wedding day, I put down my camera. It was time to put on my bridesmaid and mother-to-flowergirl hat and put the photographer hat down. That being said, if you’re on Facebook you can see albums full of fabulous wedding photos—what a great day it was, too!

After our Moms and Sister Breakfast Friday, I went back up Lookout Mountain and joined my little family for a few hours. We drove to the old Mountain Fountain for lunch (it’s Cafe on the Corner now) where I ate one of the best salads ever and we had really attentive and kind wait staff care for us. Then we enjoyed views from The Incline and my knees felt only the tiniest bit wobbly. I can’t fathom living on the very edge of Lookout like some folks do. Before going to Covenant College I used to have terrible dreams about accidentally slipping off the side of the mountain. Clearly I’m now a 100% plains girl; no worrisome terrain here in Lincoln, Nebraska!

Friday evening found us at Northshore Pres for the wedding rehearsal. Lawtons and Pankratzs met up alongside Andrew and Jenny’s friends. One of the joys of that evening, for me at least, was realizing how great A&J’s friends are. I’m so grateful they have this awesome community of friends in Chattanooga! This fact became more evident as we watched how their friends helped support them before, during and after the ceremony and reception. They were wonderful.

I love so many of these images. There’s Uncle Steve beaming at me above the heads of Jenny and her dad. Andrew greeting his new family at the church door. Dressed-in-plaid cousins Livia and Madeleine. The hilarious duo of Patty and Meg. Adorable and shy ring bearers (who donned navy bowties for the actual ceremony—they were killer). Nana and her granddaughters caught in a squeeze. Andrew and Jenny looking tres cool and very in love as they walked into the rehearsal dinner.

It was a huge joy to celebrate the beginning of this marriage among family and friends.

Jeremy, Livia and I flew into Chattanooga a bit later than expected last Thursday night. (Thank you, Delta, for the delay that had us chasing standby seats for hours. Apart from that snafu, you did well.) We drove up Lookout Mountain to our guest lodging at Covenant College in the dark—no beautiful scenery visible, but oh those twinkling lights of Chattanooga far below! I love Lookout Mountain.

The next day I walked into Hampton Inn’s lobby and found both my folks and brothers waiting to get the day started. A photo opp with my grown siblings is a rarity indeed. Thanks to dad for getting this shot!

My soon-to-be sister-in-law hosted a breakfast for moms and sisters at The Blue Plate. None of us had met each other yet and bonding over a delicious breakfast was a perfect way to start the wedding weekend. I’m still thinking about the pancake I ate, or tried to eat. It was huge and so darn good.

This handsome guy is clearly not a mom or sister. His name is Burl and he is adorable. His mama Meg blogs at A Barefoot Day—besides being one of the funniest gals around, she has a great eye for design.

I came around the farmhouse after the ceremony and found the newlyweds on the porch, taking in a few brief moments for themselves. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a bride as confident and happy and absolutely relaxed as Jenny. My brother is a lucky man indeed.

Congratulations, Andrew and Jenny! We love you guys.

First I’d like to say that I have rock stars for in-laws. Jeremy’s parents have been coming over nearly every day to scrape, patch, plaster, sand and paint our house—and I can’t express adequately how grateful we are for their help. I have very un-rock star elbows this summer. Thank you a million times over, Karen and Bill!

I know, I know. You want bathroom photos. They are coming. Besides installing some quarter round (is that the right term?) and adding a candle or two, the bathroom is complete. Showering is quite the luxury, I’ve discovered, and after living without a bathroom mirror or lighting for way too long, seeing oneself in the mirror is quite delightful, too. Adequate shelving and storage are nothing to sneeze at either. I love this new bathroom.

I am struggling to get this house ready to put on the market. There’s a lot to get done. But I am really blessed with loving parents (mine included), a hard-working husband, generous friends, and a mostly patient kid. While this journey feels never-ending in some senses, I have a lot to be thankful for.

When the economy feels really shaky, and when I worry about all the what-ifs of the future, I am reminded of these verses and take comfort in the sovereign nature of the One who strengthens and equips me.

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
– Habakkuk 3:17-20

Nothing says Happy 4th of July like a fully-lined knit penguin hat.

Livia’s Auntie Bean gave her this super cute winter accessory last weekend and of course Livia put it on immediately. Who wouldn’t want to wear a penguin hat while lighting fireworks?!