Archive for the 'December Photo Project' Category

As we slowly made our way down the stairs this Saturday morning, we were greeted by a fresh layer of fluffy snow. With Michael Bublé crooning “It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas“, we watched the big flakes continue to drift down from the sky.

Daddy made us all a delicious breakfast and we had a peaceful morning together.

After pulling on our boots and warm clothes, we headed down for the annual Holiday Market. This photo was taken from our driveway as we were getting ready to leave. We love the small town atmosphere in Nederland and had a great time connecting with old and new friends, sipping hot cider, and buying handmade Christmas gifts.

The snow is predicted to continue for the next couple of days…I think we need to go sledding!

 

After spending a long day in the truck running errands around the Denver area, I was frazzled to say the least. Even with Matt driving, I was still at the end of my emotional rope. As we came back into Boulder, I quietly said…

“Matt, I need to go into the thrift store for a little bit…BY MYSELF.”

And being the fabulous husband that he is, he didn’t question or argue, but just dropped me off and waited.

Inside, I was able to take a few deep breaths and regain my sanity. I grabbed a few things from the maternity rack to try on and made my way to the fitting rooms. The first thing I tried on was a pair of Citizens for Humanity jeans…marked at $4.99. I’m not big into brand names, but I did know those were normally quite spendy.

As I pulled them on…and they actually went over my ever growing thighs and rear end…I started crying. Yes, when you’re pregnant and you just outgrew all of your clothes and your 2 tubs of maternity clothes are 2 states away in storage and then you find an amazing deal…you cry. Can I get an AMEN from all my pregnant sisters out there?

From there,  I walked over to the fabric section because we needed some curtains. I found a set of four red cotton panels that were brand new…and it turns out they were Pottery Barn. My smile was pretty big at this point. I turned down one more aisle, and see a toaster with four openings. I’ve wanted one for quite awhile and I was so thrilled to find one there. I added a few pieces of clothing for the girls to my basket and checked out.

We headed back up the canyon to our house…and I quickly showered and got ready for a prenatal massage that I had scheduled for my frazzled self. The therapist was AMAZING and fun and I’m so glad she is right in Nederland. I can’t wait to go back.

And so…the day turned out for good.

It was just a gentle reminder that when my eyes are on my circumstances and I allow my emotions to control my actions, it’s really hard to lift my head up and see all the blessings God has in store for me.

I am so thankful for a God who knows me and my emotions and loves me anyway. Like a good father, he takes me by the hand, helps me to find my balance again, and sends me back on my path. Oh how I love Him for that.

 

 

It’s December! That means a lot of things…but one of my favorites is The December Photo Project. This is my third year participating and I just love how it causes me to see beauty all around in one of the busiest months of the year. It also encourages me to blog every day…so you’ll be seeing a lot more of me during this month!

Today we lived in the kitchen. We started out making applesauce-cinnamon ornaments…which turned out to be a lot messier and more complicated than it seems! I didn’t have any white glue, and I think that was my downfall.  The batter seemed so wet, so I added more cinnamon…and now I think they are too dry. They are hardening now, but we’ll see if they actually stay together. If anyone has any tips for our next round, I would appreciate it

We enjoyed watching the snow fall outside all day…it looks like we got about 8 inches. I just love the snow…it makes everything so beautiful and quiet. Click here to see the “runner up” image for the day.

Banana muffins and Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookies completed our afternoon of baking. And now Daddy is home, the sun has set on another day, and supper is being prepared. Looking forward to our Jesse Tree devotional and also to our family viewing of X Factor Have a great evening everyone!

*note the two different boots on my little Lucy…she cracks me up.

 

As I type this, I am sitting on that same couch in the photo above…but I’m all alone. The house is quiet. The gifts have been opened.  Almost everyone has gone…headed out to embrace what 2011 will hold.

I’m thinking back on the past two days, and I am so thankful.

Thankful that our entire family was together.
Thankful that we love each other so deeply.
Thankful that all of us call Jesus our savior.

I take a deep breath and re-live several of the moments from our time together.

Family marbles.
Caramel rolls.
Via coffee. Lots of Via.
Late-night movies.
A new sister.
Bella and The Easy Bake Oven.
Breakfast made by Mom and Dad.
Lucy giving kisses.
Homemade pies (thanks Jess!).
Wedding talk.
Amazing food.
Gifts given in love.
Blessed togetherness.

I hope your Christmas was just as joy-filled as mine was!

*This is the last photo of the official “December Photo Project”. I love posting photos of daily life though…so I will try to continue to post more

Oh the excitement! Christmas Eve is here. We went to a beautiful service celebrating the birth of Jesus, and then came home to a delicious meal of steamy soup, warm bread, and salad. We ended the night with sangria, gift wrapping, and a movie. Tomorrow morning, the last sibling of five will arrive and we will have the complete Otis Commotion together again. I can taste the caramel rolls already

Have a beautiful Christmas my friends!

This is the only photo I took all day. Aren’t you just inspired by that giant hot dog right there in the middle? My mom and I ran errands all afternoon, preparing for the arrival of the rest of the Otis Commotion.

We giggled.
We shopped.
We sipped coffees that were much too sweet.

It was wonderful…I’m smiling just thinking about it. This Christmas we will have 12 people + 1 dog and 2 cats under one roof…and I can’t wait!

I went to Mars Cafe today.
I sipped a soy caramel latte.
I ate an egg sandwich topped with sun-dried tomato mayo + lavender dijon and greens.
I read a little Elsiecake.
After all this goodness, I died and went to heaven.

One of my favorite things about staying at my parent’s house: the morning hours. The busyness of the day has not crept in yet…and we can sit together and just enjoy the dailyness of life. And in the dailyness of life…there is magic.

The way my mom’s hand look as she sips her coffee.
The way Lucy looks at her Nana.
The sparkle of the Christmas tree.
Bella’s pink cozy pajamas.
My dad making breakfast.

Enjoy the magic you see today in your own life.

Creating good things together.

I like to reflect. Look back. Think upon. Or as the dictionary puts it, “to carefully consider”.

This holiday season I am reflecting on the ridiculous number of places we have traveled to and the ridiculous number of people we have met and been inspired by…and I am so thankful. What an amazing journey it’s been…I truly have no way to describe the wonderful richness that all of you bring to my life.

What are you reflecting on as we come into a new year?