“Life is a series of moments. Each moment should be welcomed in joy and relinquished in joy.” ~ Deepak Chopra
I spent time with Grace this morning, “decorating” her for some Christmas pictures. I think her favorite part of the experience was the makeup. When we were done with it, she looked at herself in the mirror for a while. She didn’t know it, but I was watching her and enjoying the way she so innocently looked at herself. She is a beautiful girl and I don’t doll her up very often at all, and this was good for her. I could tell she felt pretty. All girls need to feel that way now and then.
She wore my makeup. My golden necklace and golden earrings. My true treasure is my girl.
Some portraits:
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.
~Laura Ingalls Wilder
quotes from Alexandra Stoddard:
“Amidst all of our activities, it’s essential to remember that all we have is each day. There are no days that are more important than the one we are now experiencing.”
“Approach the ordinary with a sense of abundance”
“We can never get it all done, nor should we attempt to do it all. I have learned to leave things undone in order to do other things. . . .the important thing is to take time to do what you believe are your top priorities. List them in order; you are in charge of your choices.”
“You’ll never be able to keep up with everything without giving up life’s true richness—time to reflect, to read, to wonder, to dream. When things get too busy-busy, too stressful, and you are nervous, anxious, and worried, –walk away. You’ll come back with a clearer perspective. Give your soul some undivided attention. Unplug. Awaken your senses to new heights.”
My dear friends, my wish, my prayer, and my hope for you is that each and every one of you has a wonderful and meaningful Christmas. You are so special, such a valuable and unique individual, created by God for His glory. Seek Him with all your heart and thank him on your knees for all the gifts He has so generously and mercifully given. I will be doing the same. “Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” Jesus Christ is The Reason we take the time to celebrate on December 25, nothing on earth can com
pare to what He is and does for our souls. Let Him overwhelm you with His love. Take the time to make your relationship with Him sweeter, and more intimate, despite all of the things that need to be done at this time of year. Time with Him is what’s truly necessary and makes life so very fulfilling. The closer we are to Him, the closer we grow to one another.
Merry Christmas!
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14
Good to be Home 
Your little girl is so adorable. :)Merry Christmas to you and yours.
What a Beauty Grace is…I love her Golden eyes!
She is so lovely. And I love that first photo ~ straight out of Little House on the Prairie ~
How fun. You two have such a special bond as she is the only girl. She looks so pretty in mommy’s makeup and ear rings. I hope you too can slow down and cherish our Father. thank you for reminding us of that. I hope you have a Merry Christmas as well dear friend.
“Approach the ordinary with a sense of abundance”LOL!!! So my ordinary bathing should be approached with a sense of abundance???? I think I already think that when I look in the mirror before stepping into the tub!!! ROFLOL!!!Pretty Grace and snow pictures!
you take pretty pictures!
those quotes are very applicable to me today
All the pictures are gorgeous- but my favorite is the 3rd from the bottom. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
I LOVE that dress Grace is wearing! She is a beautiful girl. I look forward to girly moments like that with Maryn and Lucy. 🙂 Merry Christmas, Shanda!!!
Great photos Shanda! Grace is so very Pretty….
gasp! she is stunning, Shanda! the innocence is precious.thank you for sharing her with us.Alesha
Grace is such a special gift as your only girl. The pictures you took of her are gorgeous! That dress is perfect for her. It looks so nice with her hair and her eyes. She looks way too grown up in the black and white picture right under the Laura Ingalls Wilder quote. I appreciated the quote about choosing what is the most important thing and making sure that it gets done. When I get overwhelmed about what needs to be done, and I feel like I can’t get it all done, I need to step back and make sure the most important things are getting done. I tend to be a Martha, when I should be a Mary- sitting at the feet of my Saviour.
Lovely pictures. Lovely girl! I think it’s cool that you did this with your sweet daughter. We all like to feel like a princess occasionally!
She looks so grown up with the pictures:) She is beautiful! Those are very good pictures. Thank you for sharing with us. I hope you & your family have a wonderful Christmas.
It seems impossible that your Grace could possibly look so grown up as she does in some of these pictures. In the fifth picture (I had to go back and count) she has a strong resemblance to her pretty momma and in the 6th and 7th is where she looks the oldest and most “distinguished”. These are very pretty pictures and I’m glad that you both had the time (or took the time) to do something special.
What a beauty of a sweet girl you have!!! What a great reminder to spend time with our girls We only have one with our third boy to arrive in a few weeks hopefully I think I’m going to go copy your idea I know daddy would very much appreciate pictures of his sweet girl! You should have one of the boys take some of both you and Grace! I’m sure your honey would love them!!!!!!
Merry Christmas!
Don’t we love having a “rose among thorns”? Merry Christmas, dear!
Grace is so beautiful! Especially her bright eyes and smile 🙂 Lovely pictures and quotes.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful young lady. Loved the quotes as well! So appropriate for this time of year, but fits for just about anytime too!! 🙂 Merry Christmas Shanda and family!
What a beautiful girl — may she hold on to that innocence!
Wow! those beautiful brown eyes!! — (our family is all blue-eyed). I pray you two always have this close relationship.
Lovely…though she looks far too old to me in some of those. 🙂 Very nice, hope you all had a wonderful day today.
I like the first B&W one of her face, she looks darling! It was a great idea and very country home mag. to place the package there by the snow covered tree and the basket with treasures!
Also the details of the dress were so well done!
So sweet!
Grace is beautiful! I love her dress. Just lovely!! Great wall photos too!
I wish you to have a wonderful and magical Christmas with your family.
What a lovely memory for both you and Grace! She is a beautiful doll. Having girlies is such a blessing, isn’t it? 🙂 Merry Christmas! -Maria
Lovely pictures and thanks for the quotes… they were exactly what I needed today! Merry Christmas!!
your daughter is so beautiful. great photography!
Such lovely sweet pictures of Grace! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
She’s adorable…and your a great photographer!
Grace is absolutely breathtaking…I love the photos of her! I love the pics of her in the snow…Have a merry Christmas!!
Beautiful pictures shan. I love the dress she is wearing! Have a merry Christmas.
once i saw the pictures above, i found out that u and ur girl are so alike ^^
The character that shines from those brillinat eyes will bless you always. Papa and big brothers better have a future plan regarding the beaus that will find their way to your front porch. The pictures are (as always) brilliant. Merry merry Christmas to all!!! Love, m
B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L!!!
She is soooo pretty and looks so grown up! Love the quotes too. I’ll be writing some down.
Grace looks SO beautiful in these pictures. Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family. ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))
I think Grace is the PERFECT name for your girl! 🙂 She looks like something straight from a storybook in these shots. such a little beauty she is. Merry Christmas Shan ❤
Shanda, She looks beautiful. What fun you must have had doing her makeup.
Merry Christmas~
I wish the same for you, Shan! Grace is so precious and beautiful! I loved these photo’s of her. You did such a great job! Those quotes you shared really hit home to me. I love you! Lish
She is so pretty!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Lovely…simply lovely.
Love the snowy setting. Grace looks so beautiful…and we can see the women she will become…but happy to hold onto the sweetness of her in these pictures and days! I have several books of Alexandra Stoddards. Makes me smile…kindred spirits for sure.
What BEAUTIFUL picture! Grace is so pretty! What precious pictures you will I am sure treasure forever! I love her dress too!