As Dry Leaves that Before the Wild Hurricane Fly (DPP 10)

"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky"



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Here are some other photos I took today on my search for a lonely leaf.

Hello little bird perched in the mangled bare branches.





I loved how this apple was snuggled in this tree all alone and yet still bright yellow holding its own.

To the Top of the Porch! to the Top of the Wall! (DPP 9)

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"



One of my favorite decorations in our home is our WALL of memories in our bedroom. I get to wake up every morning to seeing all these wonderful photos of my favorite memories, friends, and family. I cherish each one. I also have some favorite passages on the wall too:

- Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart ~ Psalms 37:4

- Friends are like flowers in the garden of life

- Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, character is everything.

Today was one of those days that I am reminded of each of those passages and why they mean so much to me.

He Whistled, and Shouted, and Called Them by Name (DPP 8)

"More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name"



Calling /addressing each by name… I have gotten most of our Christmas card finished and ready for the mail. I just love how great they turned out. Thank you so much Red Pearl Designs (http://www.redpearldesigns-blog.com/) for your great work!
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Evelyn is 11 months old today. I cannot believe a year ago today I was counting down the days until I could hold her in my arms. Now she is such a blossoming girl, walking, talking (gibberish), and has such an independent personality. I am such amazed by her every day. To watch her grow over these 11 months has been such a humbling experience. The Lord is amazing; to create life in a woman’s belly, allow the miracle of birth, and to help this child blossom and grow. It is so amazing the miracle HE made in her. Happy Birthday (11 months) Evelyn Grace you are a blessing to us all!

A Miniature Sleigh, and Eight Tiny "Reindeer" (DPP 7)

"When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick."




Not only am I challenging myself to pick a photo of the day for the DPP, but I am also trying to make them fit with a passage from the story “The Night Before Christmas.” Some days I am sure are going to be more challenging than others to find a meaningful photo that not only fits the day, but also the story. I am up for the challenge, but today’s was a bit more difficult and a bit more of a stretch. Instead of eight tiny reindeer I have eight tiny elves. I loved this photo today just because in the evening playtime with Evelyn, these little elves spilled on the floor and Evelyn got a good laugh out of it. Here are some other great photos of “Mommy and Evelyn time”.

The Moon on the Breast of the New-Fallen Snow (DPP 6)

"The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below."



I just love winter and snow. How beautiful everything looks being blanketed in the white fluffy stuff. It is almost as though there is a sparkle on every tree and a glow on every surface. Even the small things we pass by everyday seem to have more of a luster when it snows. Winter makes me happy, especially around the holidays!

Away to the Window I Flew Like a Flash (DPP 5)

"When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash."

Today was a day of testing my patience, from being up often in the middle of the night with a teething girl, to getting food thrown on me at lunch. Sometimes days just don’t run as planned. It is those days I am reminded to have patience. The Lord reminded me today that I just needed to take a step back and take a moment, then come back to the situation with a different perspective. After we were all cleaned up from the food fight at lunch (no, no photos of that) we had some fun times playing through the window making funny faces at each other. Even when my patience runs out, there is always a beautiful smile to welcome me back.

And Mamma in her 'Kerchief and I in my Cap (DPP 4)

"And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap."





These little figurines were my Grandmother’s. I have 5 of them each holding something different. Every year when I put them out for Christmas, I remember my Grandmother and how much she loved the holidays. I miss the big celebrations we had as a family. It has been 5 years since she passed away from cancer. The last Christmas with her was such a large one with all the family there. This year we will be traveling to Eastern Oregon for a large Christmas gathering and it will be the first one our whole family will be getting together since she has passed away. I know my Grandmother will be there with us celebrating the joys of family, friends, and love. Here is to you Grandma!
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What a great weekend it has been. Reuben went Snowboarding with buddies Thursday. Friday we went into Portland for an overnight birthday party and today we finished up Christmas shopping and I went to a baby shower. With all that running around, we are both ready to settle down for a long winter’s nap, (well at least until the little angel herself wakes up).