It’s been a heck of a day with my five year old. Personal apologies go out to the patrons of the Coffee House this evening who were witnesses to, first, the screaming fit of my child, then second, the lugging of the aforementioned child’s body out the door by one p’oed mama.

Apologies also to anyone in the downtown parking garage who may or may not have heard me say something like, “If you don’t start walking now, I will leave you behind.” I wouldn’t have done that, I promise. But only because they, too, wouldn’t have known what to do with a 5 year old tantrum-thrower either. Kidding. I’d never leave her behind and darn it, I shouldn’t have said something like that. Argh.

We get home—finally!—and the behavior improves only marginally. She sits on the antique coffeetable, feeds the dog her prime rib dinner and tells me more than once, “No way, Jose.”

Many time-outs, scoldings, and toy removals later, and it’s bedtime. At one time during the bedtime routine, I have to walk away in order to gather my wits and not lose control of myself. Upon returning to her room, she sees that I am nearly crying in exhaustion and sadness and thus commences a conversation about the softness of one’s heart. She is sensitive. She is sad that mommy is so sad.

She tells me that the top parts of her heart (I imagine she’s envisioning a literal heart shape) are soft, but that the bottom grew hard and broke off. It fell off somewhere inside her, but Jesus went in through her nose, took some snot and put her heart back together. With snot. Then wiped the snot off after her heart was repaired. Problem solved. The whole heart is soft now.

That’s not all.

After I pray my somewhat brief bedtime prayer, I hear this:

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to go up my nose and fix my heart with snot. Amen.

Now my daughter is asleep. My heart is soft. And I’m still not sure whether I need a stiff drink, a bunch of kleenexes for a hardy cry, or just a good night’s rest. I, too, thank God for sending Jesus to redeem my heart from hardness. I need Him, moment by moment, to fix my brokenness.

Five going on fifteen.

Liv’s groovin’ to those rad Jesus Sunday School tunes, with fingers in her mouth, during breakfast on December 14.

DPP Reject #3. Category: Makes Her Mama Smile.

This shot is DPP Reject #2, though the word “reject” is really just a joke as I love this shot of my nephew Noah. Isn’t he the cutest little baby boy?!

Noah’s sister and cousin, ages three and five respectively, have their moments of sweetness, but I can’t say their best sides were shown on Christmas Day. Of course we love these little girls a million times over and find great joy in them, however we witnessed a bit more bickering, non-sharing, and dramatic behavior than I would have preferred. But Noah? The kid was the picture of sweetness. His big blue eyes delighted in watching the antics of the girls, his dimples oozed adorableness to anyone who smiled at him, and he was a joy. As Adam commented today, Noah’s either going to continue to grow in his sweet personality or become doubly tough in order to keep up with his big sister. I told him, from one second-born to another, that I’d school him in manipulation if he ever needs such skills. ; )

This is DPP Reject #1.

I had a few December Photo Project days where I liked more than one shot, so I’m going to post them here before the new year arrives.

This image was taken on December 23, the day the skies opened up and rained while temps hovered at 32 degrees. The result was a lovely ice covering on all the plants outside. Recognize the dill plant from last summer? It now doubles as a glass ornament.

Through the blizzard we drove home last night from our big Tredway celebration, and through the blizzard we drove home tonight from the Lawton homestead. I can’t recall another Nebraska Christmas quite like this one. The photo above, for those who know Lincoln, was taken on Rosa Parks Parkway this evening. You can see how the winds have swept the lanes clear—and I’m sure snowplows have been through as well. We had to clear some major blockages to get into our neighborhood however, and then the alley was another journey altogether. But I have a cool husband who is handy with a shovel. While the pioneering Tredway women, uh, stayed in the car like the pansies we are, Jeremy braved the wind and snow to clear a path for us. It was worth the effort, I believe, as we spent Christmas Day eating ham and watching the kids play with the Lawtons.

Tonight we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus as we lit and blew out the Advent candles, and it really felt like a celebration. It’s a bit odd in a way, to celebrate the birth of Someone who came to die for our sins. But that’s the reality of this God I know: He came to seek and save sinners. So I praise Him today for the gift of His Son.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Finally, if you’ve joined the December Photo Project this year, whether for one day or all 25, THANK YOU! We’ve had a wonderful turnout and I feel like I’ve made all sorts of new friends through photos. I’ve been impressed, encouraged and inspired by your stories. Thanks for joining me in the challenge and fun of the DPP!

My husband Jeremy deserves a huge thank-you as well. He does all the heavy-lifting behind the scenes while I just make things look and sound nice. Whether I ask him to move whole sections of the blog or I forget for the umpteemth time how to resize my photos, he is my faithful helper and support. Thank you, Jeremy!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Has posting DPP shots this close to Christmas always been this challenging? Hmm. Amidst wrapping gifts, finishing last-minute shopping, making plans for family/church time, grocery shopping and general anticipation of a supposedly large winter storm, there’s the camera. And it can’t be ignored!

I hope all the other December Photo Project participants are enjoying this beautiful season. It’s been a joy to see it through your eyes!

Livia and Uncle Andrew.

Via The Dolly Mama