The voices inside my head had a lot to say about this shot:
You forgot your camera. Again.
Don’t knock on a neighbor’s door.
Look, the sun is already going down!
Not another selfie. Groan.
A self-portrait is fine, just do it.
No.
You have to. See that setting sun?
There is too much of you online right now.
No one wants to see another moody picture.
Thirty-seven shots and five are in focus?
Take your pick!
Looks like you’re an art student.
So?
Isn’t every artist an art student?
That edit looks dumb.
No, it looks fine.
Post it already.
Whew. Day 8 of the December Photo Project.

December Photo Project, day 7.

Sometimes the right place to shoot your DPP is in the entry to your favorite little Japanese restaurant and there’s only room for one parent to sit. Let’s just say Mom dodged a bullet today and Dad took his seat in the spotlight. Happily full of udon soup and sushi, we got the shot and walked out into the warm sunshine-y December afternoon.

I began to think of throwing a big party for my birthday some time ago, only the idea of narrowing down an invitation list made me sweat. So I didn’t narrow down anything, rather I hosted a brunch for all the women at our church (we have a smallish sized church body) and rather self-centeredly did so on my birthday. It was kinda awesome and I only questioned my sanity a few times in the process. I asked several girlfriends to help set up and clean, and a potluck-style brunch meant I didn’t have to cook anything more strenuous than coffee—and even then I only prepared one pot.

I had a really fun morning with a lot of wonderful women, chocolate cheesecake and laughter. Thanks to all who came and all who helped. I love you, chicas!

December Photo Project, day 5.

Here’s the oh-crud-I-forgot-to-shoot-a-DPP-pic-today-I’ll-try-to-snap-something-in-Trader-Joe’s shot.

December Photo Project, day four.

My mom is such a good sport! And she’s so pretty, too. I was dropping all my crafty items on the floor in a rush to whip out my camera while she was walking towards me at JoAnn’s Fabrics today. And then the cashier commented on my activity, so really, I was the opposite of discreet. But I snapped one shot and I love it. DPP on a sunny Friday. Check and check.

December Photo Project, day three.

I ran to grab my camera and she ran to grab a prop, her almost-four-year-old son. I don’t know that I’ll have any friends left after this month of covert and not-so-covert portraits. ;)

I am pushing myself to shoot people this month. So far I’ve forgotten to take my camera with me and I’ve forgotten to ask someone for a shot when they came to my door. I ended up at Maralee’s doorstep today for a brief moment and, voila!, I had my moment. Good thing Maralee never leaves the house. When I run by and she’s not there I assume great tragedy has befallen her. Good thing for the DPP that I *do* leave the house as it’ll give me ample opportunity to fulfill my own challenge of photographing human beings over the next 21 days…

December Photo Project, day two.

I wonder how many times the HONY photographer gets told no? A lot, I bet!

Rebecca B. didn’t tell me no this morning because I didn’t ask her. And yes, I realize how annoying that is to have someone point their camera at you. I totally took advantage of her and I am 100% happy I did so. (She’ll forgive me—just look at her joyful face.) I couldn’t resist the light flowing in through one basement window, the way it washed right over Rebecca as she stood patiently making coffee for our women’s bible study at Redeemer. I love the grittiness of the scene around her. Something in me greatly delights in capturing life as it is, not being afraid of some peeling paint or exposed ductwork.

Thanks in advance to my name-twin for letting me post this (even though I didn’t ask). I hope you see here what we, your friends and admirers, see in you: a beautiful, open, friendly and generous heart.

Homework is always done with a smile around here.

Wait a minute. Not really. BUT TODAY IT WAS. Praise Jesus.

Day 1 of the December Photo Project is for all of you who have prayed with me over my child and prayed for my parenting. We all need people who care about our kids, and I’m so grateful of the people in our lives who love this amazing kid of mine.

For all you moms and dads who fight over homework, I wish for you days where smiles prevail. For all you teachers who hand out the homework, thanks for persevering—and also, thank you for homework-less weekends. And for all you students who work hard both during and after school—especially those of you who struggle with academics—know that we see your awesome selves and we’re proud of you.

Hello, friends! You can now sign up to join us for the 2015 December Photo Project or DPP as we affectionately call it.

First off, you should know that the ONLY reason I do this is because all of you like doing it with me. I’m 100% sure I would’ve ditched the project years ago if I was doing it alone, so THANK YOU for making it so fun for all of us.

Second, much thanks goes to the awesome Kaylee Koenig for aiding me in creating a design for this year’s DPP. She stepped in and handled it and I am so thankful! Lovely work, Kaylee! I also appreciate my husband who does All Things Web-related for me so I don’t have to. He’s always a good sport. (I love you, Jeremy Tredway!)

Final thing. Some of you are wondering why we do this thing called the DPP. Well, we do it because we like to capture the first 25 days of December in a unique way. Though photography is at our fingertips through phones these days, we all lead very different lives and have found it to be a particularly fun challenge to document what the month looks like for us. Some of us add a challenge to it all by, say, taking only photos in one location, or just photos of friends. Others have gotten creative with their DPP shots and have printed books after the project is complete. Whatever you do, take pictures each day, select one as your “image of the day” and post it to your blog, to Instagram or to a Facebook album. You can also share the images in a group pool on Facebook or Flickr. Get creative! And enjoy the wonderful month of December.

The DPP begins tomorrow! Sign up is here.

2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

– Isaiah 9:2-7