Top Ten Photos of the Year

Its that time...when I go through my photos and pick my favorite ten. Since I've lived a while now, I already know this to be true...the sweetest, most important moments in life are usually not fancy. They are usually wrapped up in everyday, ordinary life.

Here they are, chronologically:

Its inconvenient and extra work to have Dakota. It means more driving, less sleep, etc. But the joy we receive when we give is undeniable.

This photo, taken at Fine Arts, represents Avery and Amanda doing things afraid, pushing past the fear that loudly lies. Amanda sang a solo and duet and both she and Avery were part of a drama ensemble. We were so proud of their bravery.

Also, Shaun is such a great dad and works hard at relationship with the kids. We make so many mistakes, but we care deeply and are intentional in our parenting.

This represents hours and hours and days and weeks and months at home. When life came to a screeching halt in March because of Covid, we embraced the time to be together. We did puzzles, played games, read books and enjoyed a serene pace of life.

Our very first family 5K run at the high school track. There was much grumbling about being forced to do something so terrible but we pressed on. After every run, we'd drive 30 minutes to get Chick-fil-A. It became a treasured weekly ritual.

In the early part of quarantine, my dad retired, something he'd planned six months prior. All my life he's been a pastor, and I've watched him serve and love people with a genuine heart. It was special to be waiting in his yard with my siblings and their families as he drove in after preaching for the last time. 

This robin's nest was built right near our front walk in a low bush. It was a delight to us all to discover the eggs, see them hatching and watch, as the last one toppled out of the nest and tried its legs and wings for the first time. I can't explain why it was such a special thing for our family. Because it was not a "normal" year, our lives slowed enough that we got to be eye-witnesses to this miracle.

Our very first foster child, who came to us when he was nine, graduated from high school and we got to be there. I'm so grateful to still be part of his life and I'm thankful for "wins" in this whole system that can sometimes go a while without obvious bright spots.

I hesitated to include this, but its a big part of 2020.  For years I walked closely with two families who had been affected by cancer. This year, both people passed away, one in February, one in July. So much hard, so much holy.

Days after Jay moved out, we took a family road trip to Maine. We went to the cabin, the boys fished Moosehead and then we spent a couple nights in Acadia National Park, our first time there. After having our hearts bruised and battered, it was time and space for the healing we needed. The kids are at such fun ages for hanging out with...we're aiming to be lifelong friends with them.

This blurry timer photo was taken at Cadillac's summit. We made it, even after experiences doubts and setbacks along the way. I think there is something inside us that shifts ever so slightly at the top of a mountain climb.

Not for the quality of the photo but for what it represents....a typical weekend morning. Teens and toddlers milling around the kitchen, coming to or from a soccer game, happily being together.

Again this year, I choose us.

 “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” (Mark 8:35)