As I have been contemplating this "Photo-a-Day" blog, I've thought I should set out a guideline for myself...

Although the photo does not have to be taken on the day it is posted, it should be taken by me or my husband, or with our camera. The photo should not be from an outside source.

What are my goals of this challenge?

1. Inward: By capturing images that I think were an important and integral part of each particular day, I hope to learn about what I find valuable. I also hope to gain a better understanding of my camera!

2. Outward: By sharing these images I hope to communicate with those who visit my blog what I see and hopefully, how I see it.

3. Upward: By intentionally taking photographs of the things I see and experience. I am hoping to have a closer relationship with God, the Creator. I hope to be able to see beauty and joy in the everyday...I believe that to be a great motivator in itself. And on the days, that I just can't see beauty and joy... I hope you bear with me.

Another goal I have is that when this year is through, I would like to make a photo book of my journey, so that I can look back and see the world as it was to me then.

Thanks for visiting.
shannon

We're giong to the zoo, zoo, zoo...you're doing what? Have you looked outside? Ha. Jacob and I had a free day, and our zoo passes were burning a hole in our pocket, so we thought we should go. Now you might ask, at what point did you begin to question this decision? Was it when you felt the bitterly cold wind? Or how about when you were driving there and saw the snow start? What about when you slid on the ice in the parking lot? I have to admit, at all three of those times I questioned our decision. However, that all being said, Jacob and I had a fun hour at the zoo. It was us, another Mom and child and the animals. We saw the lion and tiger eating lunch. We saw the giraffe and the rhino. The spider monkeys were extremely glad to see us. We also got to go on the train, where we were able to see the rest of the zoo, quickly and efficiently. All in all, I am glad we went...but we were definately glad to get back in the car!

All in a days work! In the past, Christmas baking has been a well thought out, organized event, taking place over a week or so. This year, I wasn't actually sure if it was going to get done, let alone all in one day. The boys were out, the house was quiet and I got to work. And the amazing thing was - there were no catastrophes.

There are two kinds of people in my life...those who have tasted my baking and those who have watched me bake. Now, the first group of people probably have conceived some notion that I am somewhat of a decent baker. The second group of people (being mainly my husband and my son), have witnessed the near disasters in my kitchen. There has been tears, there has been threats of throwing small appliances out the window. So, for me to accomplish what I did today without such event, is nothing short of a miracle.

Oh the wonder of it all! As parents, Rich and I haven't really pushed the Santa issue. Jacob has been scared...no, petrified to go and sit on his lap. But, this year something has changed. I saw it in Jacob's face as he waited for Santa at the Breakfast we were at this weekend. From a far, I could see in his precious little face all the anticipation, all the wonder and all the hope that a child should have at Christmas.

Some of the coldest days have the warmest memories. Snow makes the everything beautiful, everything clean, everything magical. We are supposed to have quite the winter this year, and if that includes days of making snowmen, snow angels and snowball fights...I'm okay with that.