Candid Candra's Photography and Art
Box 1084 s0h 0s0 Caronport, SK, Canada

Sometimes I look at them beginning to know each other, totally obsessed with each other, and I think about how they get to have each other to grow up with... and it makes me so grateful I could cry

Mary, did you know? That song has always pulled at my heart strings, but now, having held two of my own tiny new babies, I feel it deeper. When you first met your tiny person housing the enormous soul, did you know he was the maker of all souls?... When you were hit with wonder and overwhelm at his perfection, did you know that he was Heaven’s perfect Lamb? Mary, did you know? When the first waves of powerful protectiveness were hitting you, and your heart vowed to never let any harm come to him, did you know what lay ahead? When you counted his tiny fingers and tiny toes, and held his impossibly small foot in the palm of your hand, did you know what would one day happen to them? Mary, did you know? When you held him on your chest, feeling his peaceful sleepy breaths, did you know you would see him breathe his last? When you saw the light shine though the feathery soft hair along his back and arms, did you know the whips that back would bear? Mary, did you know? Oh, but Mary, did you know? Did you know those tiny hands were the ones that shaped the world? Did you know the love in those eyes, staring straight at you, is the very same love that would save all creation? Did you know that your baby boy Has walked where Angela trod? When you kiss your little baby, You kiss the face of God! Mary, did you know that your baby boy Is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy Is heaven's perfect Lamb? That sleeping child you're Holding is the great, I Am! The blind will see, the deaf will hear The dead will live again The lame will leap, the dumb will speak The praises of the Lamb! Oh Mary, did you know? Was your heart overwhelmed with the pain and the hope of it all? How I wish I could have been there, to hug you as you took him in. To see the wonder and love in your new mama eyes, whether or not you knew

All the Christmas movies and stories remind us that the true meaning of Christmas isn’t the presents and parties and decorations.. But the true meaning sure does feel tied to the gathering and loving and community. What are you and (maybe) your family doing to find Christmas anyway?

Here we are, one week away from you turning 3! One more week of this tremendous two. Two is something beautiful... Two can be also pretty hard on you. The way you joyfully conquer this age, diving deep and making the absolute most of it leaves me awe struck! Then sometimes, two hits you hard, throws you down and makes you forget that you and I are on the same team for a little bit. But it’s okay, baby girl. I remember for the both of us. Every time, I’ll remember. Two came fast and quick, one day you were a wee babe, and overnight you grew more independence and vocabulary than I thought possible! It came so fast that I found my self in a whirlwind of you, feeling absolutely amateur at parenting a two year old, while you were already an expert and thriving in it. But you were gracious with me, and we learned together. I watched you develop and demonstrate more and more of your tender, nurturing, wild and free spirit, as my heart physically hurt from my joy and pride and wonder. You’ve made two something beautiful, my girl.

!! 9 years since I first laid eyes on you, and was instantly smitten !! (Swipe for one of our first pictures together, back when it was a wildly new and awkward experience for me to have it be public information who I was crushing on ) Now, more than ever, I’m so deeply grateful to have you as my one. In a year full of uncertainties, gut punches and stress; you were constant, a comfort and reassurance.... We’ve all had our worlds stripped away from us, but our little family unit is lucky enough to be led by YOU. In all of your depth, quirks, wisdom, faith, and light. In all of your forms. Our family is complete and secure, because we have you. When a million sources of contradicting information and fear pull at me, you bring me back and remind me to keep my eyes on Jesus. You prioritize teaching our babies the joy of knowing and faithfully communicating with Him. Everything you do seems to be from a determination to have our home be a haven of peace, play and security, no matter what happens outside of it. I can’t count how many times I keep telling you how grateful I am to have made a family with YOU. How much I love this life we’ve made together. I can’t believe I get the privilege of living life by your side

Absolutely soaking up this unexpected December weather! Not to mention, fresh air days just make for the most peaceful bedtimes around here