why i do what i do

I was inspired by this. I hope you are, too.

Why I do what I do ...

and try my darnedest to cultivate a good life.

Pause the tunes ... and consider documenting your life.

It is important. Really.

Becky Higgins - Project Life

never grow up

Your little hand’s wrapped around my finger
and it's so quiet in the world tonight.

You're little eyelids flutter ‘cause you're dreaming,

so, I tuck you in –
turn on your favorite night light.

To you, everything's funny.

You got nothing to regret.

I'd give all I have, honey –
if you could stay like that.

Oh, darling
don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up –
just stay this little.

Oh, darling
don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up –
it could stay this simple.

I won't let nobody hurt you.
Won't let no one break your heart.

And no one will desert you …

just try to never grow up.

Never grow up.

You're in the car on the way to the movies

and you're mortified your mom's dropping you off.

At fourteen, there's just so much you can't do

and you can't wait to move out someday
and call your own shots.

But, don't make her drop you off around the block.
Remember that she's getting older, too.

And don't lose the way that you dance
around in your pj’s getting ready for school.

Oh, darling
don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up –
just stay this little.

Oh, darling
don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up –
it could stay this simple.

And no one's ever burned you.

Nothing's ever left you scarred.

And even though you want to …

just try to never grow up.

Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room.

Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home.

Remember the footsteps, remember the words said –
and all your little brother's favorite songs.

I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone.

So, here I am in my new apartment in a big city …
they just dropped me off.

It's so much colder than I thought it would be,

so, I tucked myself in and turned my night light on.

Wish I'd never grown up.

I wish I'd never grown up.

Oh, I don't wanna grow up,

wish I'd never grown up –
I could still be little.

Oh, I don't wanna grow up,

wish I'd never grown up –
it could still be simple.

Oh, darling
don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up –
just stay this little.

Oh, darling
don't you ever grow up,

don't you ever grow up –
it could stay this simple.

I won't let nobody hurt you.

Won't let no one break your heart.

And even though you want to …

please, try to never grow up.

Oh …

don't you ever grow up.

Oh …

never grow up.

Just never grow up.

Lyrics: Never Grow Up; Taylor Swift

what christmas is all about | day 12

A tribute to Ammon's favorite this year ...

and a reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Luke 2

let it be a time | day 11

return to memory lane | day 10

Another bit from Muppets Family Christmas.

Enjoy.

what shall we give? | day 9

A gift in itself.

Or at least I think so.

Grab this print for yourself or a loved one here.

the sound of christmas | day 8

A piece of my childhood.

Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas

This aired on television around the time

my obsession with this woman began.

When I was the ripe-old age of 2.

While this is not my favorite part of the special -

it does contain some heavenly music.

Sure to make your heart warm and face beam.

Enjoy this taste of

Plácido Domingo, John Denver, The King's Singers

... and my favorite.

7

It’s safe to say that Brian and I are imperfect people.

Yeah. I’ll buy that.

It’s also safe to say that our relationship has flaws. It has holes.

But what I like to believe, and what I really feel is true, is that – nestled underneath our natural, defective natures – our love is perfect.

Yeah. I’ll buy that.

That fact makes all the other gritty details of everyday life seem a bit inconsequential. It makes me feel a little better about our imperfect selves. That there's hope for us yet. And I’m glad we have eternity to work on that.

Happy Anniversary, Brian. I love loving you.

1 2, 1 2 3 4

Give me more loving

than I've ever had.

Make it all better

when I'm feeling sad.

Tell me that I'm special

even when I know I'm not.

Make it feel good

when I hurt so bad.

Barely getting mad –

I'm so glad I found you ...

I love being around you.

You make it easy –

it's easy as 1,2 1,2,3,4

There's only 1 thing 2 do,

3 words 4 you –

I love you.

There's only 1 way 2 say

those 3 words and that's what I'll do -

I love you.

Give me more loving

from the very start.

Piece me back together

when I fall apart.

Tell me things you never even

tell your closest friends.

Make it feel good

when I hurt so bad.

Best that I've had –

I'm so glad I found you ...

I love being around you.

You make it easy –

it's easy as 1,2 1,2,3,4

There's only 1 thing 2 do,

3 words 4 you –

I love you.

There's only 1 way 2 say

those 3 words and that's what I'll do -

I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

I. Love. You.

Lyrics: 1, 2, 3, 4; Plain White T’s

let your heart be light | day 7 part 2

Two posts today.

Because I love my boy.

And, frankly ... because I just can't help myself.