Doing a leg lift to show off cute socks in front of the Christmas tree while taking a photo is quite the feat. It’s a new exercise in core-strengthening.

My faithful helper came back this year after I gave her every out. I am so grateful! To have someone—a very very competent someone—to share wrapping duties with is a joy, but it’s more than that… It’s the tradition of caffeine-fueled wrapping while watching Elf, and it’s the conversation we get to have while we cut paper and apply gift tags. Even when life gets busy for both of us, we get to have this time together. I can’t tell what fills my spirit more: Rebecca’s willingness to give up her time to help me or her willingness to give up her time to talk with me. What I can say is that this name-friend’s generosity is the best. Love you, Bec!

It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up my camera. I hadn’t missed it in several months, which was a weird headspace to be in. I got tired of shooting the DPP with my phone midway through the month and now I’m back in the swing of things. Photography is a beautiful art. It forces me to get more creative, to experiment, to actually work towards the shot I want to achieve. And the results are soul-satisfying. So today my DPP shot truly isn’t self-indulgent, but it captures a season where I had stepped away from photography but still find myself most fulfilled when I’m holding a camera. This is me at the start of being 42, and I’m grateful to be alive, grateful to have eyes to see God’s goodness, and grateful for his incredible blessings in my life.

Cutest ugly (but still adorable) Christmas sweater—and turtleneck—model ever. :D

When birthday presents come just a few days before Christmas. I’m not the teensiest bit mad about it either. Happy birthday to me!

First he walked down the street, found a pile of leftover snow and kicked it. And when we were still weren’t done chatting he flopped in the neighbor’s yard, much like the Santa Claus who is refused air by day but by night stands alert next to the lit reindeer. When I saw the light glowing around him I ran fast for my camera and begged him to stay in place. And he did. Because he’s that kind of kid.