she wondered how she would be as a mom. i knew she’d be amazing. he hinted about his fears of raising a girl. not a doubt in my mind that he’d be great. baby charis has only been here for three months but it’s obvious that amy and adam were born to parent this girl.
when daddy dresses charis in an outfit that is made up of a onesie, leggings and a hat all which include 3 different patterns and 5 shades of green, amy unashamedly brings her to church. she doesn’t make excuses or even tone down the ensemble for that matter because amy honors adam and the impact he’s already having on his girl to value uniqueness. charis will know the freedom that comes from being an individual and finding her identity outside of the label that’s sewn into her shirt. what a gift. they kiss her all the time. they snuggle her an awful lot. they giggle at her cooing, her funny faces and her bodily functions. i’m lucky enough to get to observe all of this on a regular basis and it makes me smile. i smile because i love them. i smile because my heart feels full for this place that the baby has taken their marriage. i smile because i get to play an intimate role as this story unfolds. and i smile because charis will walk through her life knowing deep down that there is something in her to be delighted in because of the way her parents have loved her.
the next time i walk into their home, i expect to see this next one BIG
February 9, 2010 - 2:55 amNikki B. - Love them Jen! I especially love the one with Charis snuggling on Adam's shoulder with Amy looking over it and Charis is just slyly smiling, thinking, "I am so loved and I know it".
February 8, 2010 - 11:27 pmsarah pay - Love the one of Amy with her eyes closed consuming all that sweetness. Captures that feeling like words can't.
February 8, 2010 - 10:42 pmlaura - I am dying over the coloring in these images, so beautiful!
February 8, 2010 - 10:41 pmcaroline - How cute are they?! These are crazy good!
February 8, 2010 - 10:20 pmNancy - what can i say... three of the most beautiful people i know ...and love. you have captured their joy ..and my heart. thanks jen.
if i’m honest, i just want the light to turn green. i get uncomfortable. like the kind of discomfort that brings on sweaty palms and a twitchy eye. i try not to make eye contact but on the rare chance i do, i immediately divert my eyes. it’s as if somewhere down deep i believe that poverty is contagious. and then i have this internal dialogue that goes something like: i should carry cash more often, maybe i should stop at mcdonalds, has she really tried to get a job, this is the longest red light ever, is it rude to give him change from my console, i wonder if he thinks that i think i’m better than him. wait a minute, do i think i’m better than him?i should do something. but more times than i’d like to admit, i do nothing. i’m ashamed at how often i turn my head and so i decided to change that.
on my list of february goals, #11 was to make snack bags. that way, when i see someone who is asking for money/food i can just reach behind me and easily grab a bag to hand out the window. i understand that with so many people hurting and in need today this is a very small gesture. but it’s a step, albeit a baby step. it was really simple and very inexpensive and so i thought i’d share.
sunflower seeds: 2/$1.00
peanuts: 2/$1.00
peanut butter crackers: $1.72 for a pack of 6
blueberry muffins: $2.33 pack of 6
nutty bars: $1.25 pack of 6 (now that’s just plain robbery)
6 pack of tissues: $1.49
6 pack of bottled water: $2.79
i made 6 bags at roughly $2.00/bag which i think is pretty darn good.
(i had the brown bags, tags and rope already in my craft supply closet.)
i grabbed these homemade tags (homemade by my crafty sister, stephanie) and stamped them with the words 'a little something'
and now when i pull up to a light, i hope it's red so i can hand out just 'a little something'.
would love to hear your ideas on ways to serve and love the people in our community!
February 8, 2010 - 5:18 pmAmanda - I love this post. Your thoughts mimic my exact thought process as well. Such an easy way to make a huge impact in someone's day. Thanks for sharing!!
February 8, 2010 - 3:49 pmHeather Witt - Love this idea Jen! I often feel that way too. I am going to make some bags. Makes for a great excuse to get to Target today!
February 7, 2010 - 4:44 pmNikki - wow. That really touched my heartstrings. You make people want to be better people Jen!!
February 7, 2010 - 3:30 pmNancy - Jen.. what a GREAT idea! i've been searching my heart to find out ways i can do something special for God. thank you for allowing Him to use you in my search. i would like to add just a note to say "if you were the only person in the world, Christ would die just for you because He loves you so much". we have been praying for the homeless in our sunday school class. this is awesome. and I agree with amy....can you get anymore awesome??
February 7, 2010 - 12:46 amDavid - Wow, that is a very thoughtful idea. A lot of people will give the money but to take it on your on accord and give your time as well is very inspirational.
February 6, 2010 - 11:32 pmAunt Donna - Jen you are a special person with a BIG heart
February 6, 2010 - 6:11 pmannie - beautiful thoughts and kind gestures. A friend of a friend was similarly inspired. She had as small idea that has blossomed into a non profit and she is now going back to school for social work. check out http://helpbags.org/ and they have a facebook page as well.
February 6, 2010 - 4:38 pmamyp - can you really get anymore amazing? yes. so, i had a friend that made some bags with toothpaste, toothbrush, some soap too and i think even a washcloth (in addition to snacks of course).
February 6, 2010 - 1:09 pmPaula - You really are an inspiration Jen!
February 6, 2010 - 10:52 amLaurel Upton - great! i luv the idea! Mrs. Saunders used to do that to! except yours is a little more creative! i luv the tags!
February 6, 2010 - 10:34 amNancy - I love your heart - hugs to you!
February 6, 2010 - 10:28 amTiffany Rebecca - I absolutely love this idea! Even though it's something small.. small things really go add up :) Thanks for such an inspiring post!
February 6, 2010 - 10:20 ammeegan - Jen- such a great idea!! that is so easy to do! i must admit you have given me no excuse now to turn my head again! and it takes away those thoughts of- if i give them this money will they really buy food with it. Love it!! Thanks girl!
February 6, 2010 - 9:59 amamy free - a beautiful heart is what you have. love it.
February 6, 2010 - 9:48 amCandice {The Beautiful Mess} - this is a beautiful idea. i'm tearing up. for real. i think it's an AMAZING gesture. It shows love in one of it's most basic forms-treating someone with humanity.
love what you're doing. you've inspired me to do the same. typically i just carry extra umbrellas and pass them out to people who are walking in the rain without one. but...i like the idea of adding this.
what a beautiful heart.
i pretty much have a crush on him. have you ever seen eyes so blue and twinkle-y? every one of these pictures was taken in his kitchen with nothing but the natural light peeking through the windows.
when i arrived, little dexter was still napping. after 45 minutes of chatting with his mom (my sweet friend, sarah) she went upstairs to wake him. now, when i wake up from a nap, let’s just say people aren’t in a big rush to grab their cameras. a hairbrush, maybe. a toothbrush, possibly. an attitude adjustment, most definitely. but not a camera. when sweetness awakens, this is what he gives you:
yes, today was a good day
i think if you are under one, you should never wear clothes.
i spotted a bowl of oranges and knew they would look delicious against that aqua wall.
dexter thought they looked delicious as well.
boys don't always look good with this kind of belly, but at this stage in the game there's nothing better.
February 6, 2010 - 8:26 pmJennifer Briggs - what fabulous pictures! he is such a sweet, snuggly baby :)
February 5, 2010 - 11:27 pmkatie tolve - oh my! hes the most beautiful thing i have ever seen! what a lady killer- with those eyes! i would die! these pictures are amazing, the colors are absolutely brilliant.
February 5, 2010 - 9:16 pmAlyse Woodward - Your commentary was my favorite part. No one comes in with a camera after I wake up after a nap either :) ha
February 5, 2010 - 5:30 pmLaurel Upton - i.luv.it. the oranges against the blue wall work out perfectly! :)
February 5, 2010 - 3:29 pmamyp - oh my freaking goodness...these are amazing...he is delicious. is that weird to say? well he is!
February 5, 2010 - 9:39 amNikki B. - I love it! The 3rd pic is so cute! He is saying, "Who wouldn't love me? I am so darn cute!"
February 5, 2010 - 9:15 amLauren Wescott - cute cute cute!!!! I especially love how he's tugging at the rug/blanket in the first picture.
February 5, 2010 - 8:43 amNikki - Ok, the picture with his name is AWESOME!!! Love them all! What a sweetie pie!
February 5, 2010 - 8:39 amsarah pay - Oh oh oh. They are perfect. Seriously, they far exceeded my expectations. Usually cuteness like his is hard to capture. Thank you Jen!
February 5, 2010 - 8:32 amKay - I'm. In. Love.
February 5, 2010 - 8:30 amLucy - His face in the third pic is priceless! It made me laugh out loud. Your blog is great at that!
February 5, 2010 - 8:09 amSusan - These are amazing- adore your work!
February 5, 2010 - 7:23 amjulie s. - Great call with the oranges, Jen, and I adore the chalkboard. So cute!
February 5, 2010 - 7:07 amamy free - Yes, those eyes are ah-ha-ha-mazing!!! That is a rockin kitchen as well :)
February 5, 2010 - 6:58 ammeredith huntley - i'm pretty sure ive never seen a more adorbale baby... those eyes! ahhhh! :)
i loved this wedding. i love this couple. i put their pics to a slideshow last week and thought i’d share because it makes me smile. cheryl ann and david..it’s an encore.
by jen
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