12 of 12 - December 2018

A number of years ago, I ran across somebody's picture collage called the 12 of 12. The idea was to take 12 pictures on the 12th day of every month. I did this for a couple years and it was fun to look back at the end of the year on these 12 collages that encapsulated one day each month. The only thing I didn't like was that some months, the 12th was just a boring day and sometimes it was hard to get 12 good pictures for the day. But as I was looking back at the 12 of 12's on my blog, I enjoyed the pictures too much to let it go. All of that to say, I am resurrecting the 12 of 12, but with a twist...I am just going to pick 12 pictures from the entire month. At the end of the year, I will have 12 collages with 12 pictures each.

Because December 2018 was so exciting for us, I'm starting with December rather than waiting till the new year. So, here are my 12 of 12 pictures for December 2018.

November 18 - OK, so on my first month I cheated with a couple pictures that aren't actually from December. But this was the Christmas tree lighting in Sundance Square in Ft. Worth. It was a fun date night and we talked about bringing James, the April-arriving grandson, next year :)  #JamesMayBeSpoiledByHisGrandparents

November 29 - Almost December. We went to Enchant with our friends Jeremiah, Taylor and Grayson (see next picture). It was enjoyable, but the general consensus was, "Lots of fun but WOW, glad we didn't pay $30+/each for this (we went on a free night). #LoveDateNights

November 29 - Went to Boomerjacks for dinner after Enchant. Yum! The burgers were awesome as were the Jeremiah-recommended Boomer Chips (fried Jalapeño slices with Ranch). While I did know that eating spicy food that late would not sit well with my stomach and I did know that Tums was not cutting at 2 am, what I did NOT know at the time was that  Milk of Magnesia is not only an antacid, but also carries certain laxative properties. Around 7 am the next morning, I could no longer say I did not know this. #ThatWasSomePowerfulStuff

December 14 - So, we have HUNDREDS of wedding photos and it feels impossible to pick just a few, but here's my best attempt. Love this picture with my Mom. It will probably end up on the front of a Mother's Day card for her (I make birthday cards, Mother's Day cards, etc and Mom really likes them). #ThankfulForMyMom

December 14 - Yes, I certainly did tear up when I saw my daughter in her dress, ready to walk down the aisle. The photographer captured a moment when I got to pray with her before the ceremony. #WowSheIsBeautiful

December 14 - Walking her down the aisle. A moment 20 years in the making. As I was stressing about the wedding a bit a couple days before, this is what the Lord spoke to me in my journaling time: "I love you, Rob. I am walking with you. I am rejoicing with you. This is a day we have been working toward for years. Since Amanda was a little girl, you have been praying for a godly husband for her. You prayed, you worked, I saw what was best and I provided... Lastly, focus on Me and let's walk through this celebrating together." How awesome that God would remind me that we had been discussing this day for the past 20 years and it made me tear up when He said, "Let's...celebrate together". Let us...Jesus was celebrating with me that He brought my daughter the godly husband I had been praying for since before Amanda was born (tearing up even now writing this). #GodIsGood 

December 14 - What a thrill be get to officiate my daughter's wedding. This will definitely be one of the highlights of my lifetime. #WillNeverOfficateAnotherWeddingAsSpecialAsThis

December 14 - So here we have father/pastor, mother/wedding coordinator (bless her heart, she was working the whole evening), most loved daughter and her husband/our new son. #WeAreBlessed

December 24 - Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. I love this tradition at our church and this year had some incredible moments (the worship team's rendition of Little Drummer Boy was incredible!) #ChristmasEveWithMyLove

December 25 - Christmas Day morning, just Brooke and me...and the doggies! I believe Sammy was helping Brooke wrap a last minute gift before the kids came over in the afternoon. #ChristmasPreparationWasALittleCrazyThisYear

December 25 - Delilah is always in the room where people are. I'm not sure, but she may be peeking at that package to see if it's for her. #HappyToBeWithHerPeople

December 25 - I love, love, love this picture! Look closely so see Paris (aka "Weenie") in Amanda and Canaan's lap...she blends in with the dark shirts. #DogsAreFamilyToo