This is the fourth year my favorite gift-wrapper has graciously come to my house and cut, taped and stacked gifts alongside me. We put Elf in the dvd player and get the job done. Liv’s assigned task is to lay on the couch and not look at what we’re wrapping. It just gets better and better each year and Rebecca brings me much happiness each time.
Look who handed me my white mocha this afternoon! MADDIE!!! It was honestly the brightest moment in my day. Barista Maddie in the window—my first time seeing her at Starbucks—holding a warm beverage of happiness. It was just the ray of sunlight I needed.
My beautiful friend Rachel and her girlies, decorating cookies on this December morning.
The Redeemer Christmas party is always a fun time. Lots of yummy food, great people, and a white elephant gift exchange that is always hilarious.
Tonight I am very tired, but will go to bed laughing. Laughing on the inside. External laughing would require too much energy. Goodnight!
I’ve started and deleted several sentences so far. Just goes to show I should write up my DPP posts before 8:00pm as I’m entirely certain that my brain goes into rapid shutdown mode by the time my children go to bed.
Tonight the lovely Claire knelt down and received the sacrament of baptism on her head. It was a profound moment and utterly moving. At least two women in front of me were also wiping away tears. We’re knit together in this body of believers and witnessing Claire (and Tess) become members of Redeemer made me more grateful than ever for these brothers and sisters in Christ. Christ is the head and we line up in the Body underneath his authority. Perhaps that’s why the humility we saw up front carried even more weight. The humble posture of submission to God’s authority was a perfect visual for the way we want to live our lives.
There. I’m not going to delete those sentences. December 7, you’ve been beautiful.
Having Clara eat a Happy Meal at my table makes me feel like there’s a hidden camera from McDonald’s marketing department somewhere in my kitchen. She is ridiculously cute in that totally-not-trying kind of way. I have one shot where you can see the chocolate milk dripping from her straw onto the table. She’s a real kid, but also a real cute one. And TOUGH AS NAILS. She is not one to mess with. If you’re in a street fight make sure Clara’s on your side. Just sayin’.
Ten steps back? Who said that? Surely I didn’t!
I might have a December Photo Project: Part Two project that will actually take place in January because I honestly have an alternate image for each day that fits the “10 steps back” profile. But those shots were edged out ever so slightly by the ones you see here. Oh well. Moving on.
The fabulous, talented and servant-hearted Jen Hinrichs drove into my driveway today and I instantly knew why she was here. Earlier in the day I suggested that she stop by people’s houses and make them sit for her own DPP desires. Well, guess what happens when two photographers hang out? They sit for each other. And then they might edge out all earlier shots for the day and become that day’s featured photo. Because really, I couldn’t pass up this shot. I heart Jen!
Any night feels somewhat sacred and holy when you welcome a little one into the world. Last night we got to cuddle a beautiful addition to the Wittmann family—Betty Jane Wittmann—after she arrived in the early hours that same day. She is a little beauty. Congratulations, Mike and Amanda. You done good.
It seems strange, in the current cold of Lincoln, Nebraska, to think I was sitting out in the relatively warm sunshine with Charity and her boys a month ago. Strange and wonderful, that is. Though I have often confused the boys’ names, I am paying attention right now and can say with certainty that this is Sam crawling around in the setting sun. Such precious children these boys are! I love them.
