View from the Prairie Box

I like this shot so much that I don’t mind at all that it’s blurry.

Day 22 of the December Photo Project. Time is flying by! Three more shots and we’re done, folks. Wow.

My pretty and industrious hard-working Wrapper was back for the third year in a row today! This girl can wrap like no one’s business and I am so grateful for her cheerful service to our household. We keep things fun by watching Elf (also for the third year in a row) while we wrap and tie. Thanks, Rebecca! I’m so glad for your help.

Today involved shopping. Which then required something to keep up my stamina. You know how that goes.

I jumped in the car and backed out of the garage this morning, pausing for a few minutes to let the engine warm up and put on some makeup before meeting a friend for coffee. And then it dawned on me, no camera. I almost pulled an I-totally-don’t-care but then the weight of my public DPP announcement made me run back in the house and grab my equipment.

I’m glad I did.

If you don’t have the tools, you can’t create. Whether it’s a notepad and pen for recording ideas or the phrase/sentence/paragraph that keeps churning in your mind, or a camera for capturing that hilarious thing your kid is doing or the beautiful sunset, you’ve got to show up prepared. Doors won’t open if you aren’t even trying.

So I brought my camera. Now I have a small file of images from a coffee shop AND my sister-in-law’s floral shop to play with. Thanks, Chelsea, for letting me snap your picture and walk through your amazing flowers. Me and my camera are happy campers indeed.

Christmas tree in morning light

While folding laundry and listening to last night’s sermon at Redeemer, I glanced up to see incredible colors cast across the sky. The very God who created this world, who sets the sun in place each night, listens to your prayers and cares for you. Wow.

The future veterinarian at work—this kid is LEGIT. The moppet on her lap is Shiloh, our Coton de Tulear, and as you can tell if you have two eyes, he very obviously needs a little grooming. Excuse his open mouth, he’s mid-yawn.

We’ve had a delightful and busy weekend, a very festive one if I do say so myself. I took Livia to The Nutcracker yesterday at the Lied Center and we had a wonderful time together. I’m still gushing over it. Then Jeremy and I enjoyed our church Christmas party last night and I’m still laughing over that. We also had a young guest in our home this weekend for respite care. We’ve had this little guy over once before and thoroughly enjoy him. He and Livia play beautifully together. What I’m getting to is the fact that I left my camera at home when we left for church this evening. I had the prime opportunity for cute kid shots as we were helping with Children’s Church, but oh well! We got home late and I was all prepped to walk around the house trying to get creative with shots when—BAM!—I remembered I had taken some pics of Livia today. At her encouragement, I might add.

Whew! Saved.

Day 15 of the December Photo Project. Done.

One shot from today’s photo shoot. Miss Elsie is a cutie!

When you’re nine years old and you’ve had a long day of working hard, it’s nice to snuggle with your Nana while you wait for dinner.

Sometimes I just want to bottle up Age Nine and savor it forever because these years seem to be moving by faster and faster. Ten is right around the corner—it’s a big deal because it uses up ALL fingers on BOTH hands. Double digits.

Today she is nine. And cuddly still. And I love her to the moon and back… so does her Nana.