By request- Depth PRINT

A few of you showed interest in an affordable print of "Depth".  It is now up in the shop for $19.  It is professionally printed on larger format paper (11x17") so that cropping of the image is not necessary.  The colors will be stunning; you will love it!

Rebecca's Owen

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Rebecca over the course of our adoption journey.  She and I were both in the Taiwan program, and the Lord led their family along a different road to discover sweet Bing Bing- their son who resides currently in China.  They have chosen to name him Owen, and are nearing the end of the wait to travel.  Right now, Rebecca has a fabulous site set up to raise some of the funds necessary to bring him home.  There are amazing prizes, including one of my Hidden Name Paintings.  Check it out- there are multiple ways to win!  And, if you've got a blog, spreading the word about To China for Owen will also get you an entry in another drawing.

Eighteen months!

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt raises a jersey with his name and number (18) written in Chinese as his teammate Arne Riise looks on during a fan session in Hong Kong Wednesday, July 25, 2007. England's Liverpool, Portsmouth and Fulham joined Hong Kong's South China in the Asia Trophy soccer tournament on July 24 and 27 (2007) in Hong Kong.

I have all sorts of lovely pictures from my trip to New York City this weekend with my childhood chums Jen, Kim, and Candie.  Today, however, I am trying to re-establish school routine with the kids AND I am still recovering from lack of sleep, travel, a cold, and a broken foot bone (I know!).

So, for now, enjoy the image of the number 18 in Chinese.  We reached the 18-months-on-the-wait-list mark on Saturday while I was gone.  There has been no news out of my agency, but, as far as I know, there have been no new girl referrals since I last spoke with them.  

Just to remind myself....

Having three children is amazing.  Somehow, I'm always busy and yet I feel like I have nothing to show for it.  At the end of the day, feeling slightly defeated with what I wanted to accomplish (foolishly, I assume) and did not.  Here is a list of what I *did* do... I want it to count!!!

-breakfast for the kids

-Bible study during breakfast

-clean up breakfast

-unload dishwasher, reload with more dishes

-colored my own hair (about 1 hour start to finish)

- Read Aloud school work with the kids

-art with the kids

-make lunch (re-warm chicken soup I made for last nights dinner and plate with bread and veggies)

-clean up lunch mess

-Post Office to mail an artwork order

-Costco for groceries, and cross my fingers that $220 worth of food lasts a week (gosh these kids eat a lot!)

-run to dry cleaners with cocktail dress I will use soon while in New York during for our dinner at the Modern

-unload groceries while a neighbor watches Lael play in the cul-de-sac with her kids  (thank you, Kathryn!)

-run the sprinkler on all our new grass seed

-finish school work with the kids: Language Arts, Math, handwriting, reading with Dean

-make dinner

-put away laundry

-eat dinner

-clean up dinner

-get kids ready for bed

Mothers, let me encourage you that your jobs are necessary, and valuable, and while there may not seem to be anything tangible that you've done, you have fed into your children.  You have blessed the next generation.  You've, on the most basic of days, kept another human (or 2 or three!)  alive and healthy.  That, THAT, is amazing!

Bits

If you've been around LifeTrain awhile, you're familiar with my "Bits" posts.  

The name comes from what I've commonly heard my sweet English grandma call meals that are a table spread of pick-what-you-like.  Usually a sampling of cold items, a buffet, that can survive not being eaten on time: salad, fruit cocktails, chilled smoked salmon open sandwiches etc.  She usually has Bits for us when we arrive off the airplane because we'll be hungry, but can't be guaranteed to arrive on time after a 12 hour journey.

For my blog, it usually means that I'll post a bit of this, and a bit of that.  And it also usually means that it has been waaaay too long since I've posted and there is a whole heap to catch everyone up on!  :-)

- I *just* bought fall/winter clothes for the kids.  School around here starts in mid-August, so all of the fall/winter clothes are out then for Back to School (everyone always wants new clothes for the first day of school!).  But, August is usually our hottest month and you really don't need to wear wool sweaters and mittens during August in Nashville.  September sometimes holds a few brisk days and October usually is a gamble.  But, if you can wait this long, so much has been marked down it's crazy!  This year, though, we haven't had a single "cold" day yet.  In fact, our neighborhood is the hub-bub of activity in the evening like it always is with kids playing in the cul-de-sac and adults visiting with each other... we have to remind ourselves that its mid-October (yesterday's high was in the 80s, I think).  So, we've really lucked out this year.  Anyway, since we're homeschooling right now Back to School clothing was a non-issue.  But I think we've done this the past two years, as well, and just bought a new outfit or two of the on-sale summer stuff for Grant to wear during the first week of school when it's hot then did fall/winter shopping later.  Now, like I said, this year has been warm, but there was a year when I waited a bit too long and we had a sudden cold snap and I had to wrap the kids in a blanket to stay warm on the way to the store to buy warmer clothes.  Oops!  The flip side is $2.97 shirts at GAP... can't beat that!

- My brother finally set a wedding date, so we know that we'll be going to Southern California in March.  When he first announced his engagement about a year ago, I thought we'd be bringing our daughter with us on this trip to introduce to all of our West Coast family.  As time went on, and he hadn't picked a date and we hadn't received a referral, I got nervous that he'd be married right as we might be traveling to Taiwan.  Thankfully, *that* won't be happening.  Sadly, *that* won't be happening. 

- I have not stopped putting Newman's Own Lime salad dressing on my salad since I bought the bottle about a week ago.  I had two neighbors over for dinner last Monday who enjoyed it with me, but other than that, the bottle is nearly gone and I've had salad nearly every day!  Sooo good!  On a side note, now that all of these articles are coming out to remember the life of Paul Newman, I can TOTALLY see why my mom adored him... he was really cute during her young years!  Besides that, he has an amazing body of work in film and I think Eric and I are going to watch a few of his better known movies when we have time and when Netflix sends them.

-Time.  Yes.  Eric has had hardly any time at home recently.  He has been working on the project of his career thus far- a huge, expensive, consuming project.  Not only that, another big project has come on it's heels.  He's tired.  I'm tired.  I am so proud of him though and so thankful that I have this amazing man.  You really can tell what a team we are used to being because I completely SUCK without him here.  The house is falling apart, my kids are behaving less sweetly, my mind is frazzled, and I just plain ol' MISS HIM.  November holds promise as a month when he'll finally see some relief.  Pray for him.

- We have about 30 kids on this tiny street of ours.  So, already, quite a blessing.  I just met some neighbors down the street who are a bit outside our normal play zone (so we hadn't met even though they've been in our subdivision a year) who have three domestically adopted kids.  Then, this past week, a new family moved in two houses down from us.  They have 4 kids, and the two youngest were adopted from China.  The girls are very close to Lael's age, and they hit it off immediately.  I love that our family is situated in a place where other races and adoption are commonplace!

- Dean is reading short vowel words!  I'm so proud of him.

- Ever since discovering the hair blog I wrote about, I've been making an extra effort on Lael's hair and am actually getting compliments.  If the compliments are within her earshot, she'll give you a pretty pose.  She is sooooo girly.  Lately, she's been walking around with a plastic/pretend make-up compact that came with some Princess dress-up set of hers.  Armed with an old make-up brush of mine, she goes around giving everyone painted faces.  At least 4 times a day, I stay still so that she can, very carefully, do my eyes, lips, and cheeks.  It's all pretend, so I'm fine.  Well, a few weeks ago, she was babysat while we went to Life Group.  One of the other kids (7 years old) at the babysitting house gave her a REAL makeover!  Oh My Goodness.  Aqua eyeshadow, bright blush, and pink lips.  Kind of scary, but Lael had such fun!  We do have talks, since I see her tendency to love clothes and make-up, about how she is ALWAYS beautiful and that it doesn't matter what make-up or dresses she has on.  In fact, I've told her, too much make-up is NOT pretty and you don't need that much.  So, as she's watching me in the morning pt a bit of make-up on, I often get lectured that "too much make-up is not good".  One time, when she thought I'd been at the mirror applying too much, she actually swiped the brush from my hand!  There are days I leave the house without anything on at all, so I know she was overreacting.  :-)

- I'm going to New York at the end of the month!  Oh My Goodness- SO EXCITED!  Three of my high school girlfriends and I are having a girl's weekend!  I've never done such a thing before and have declined their previous invites because I was pregnant, or nursing, or we had already spent too much on travel that year  for me to go on such a splurgy trip (the downside to having family every where!).  BUT, it all lined up this time and so Kim and I will be flying to meet Candie and Jen in NYC for 4 days.  We've bought New York Passes to enjoy some tourist-y stuff, and have reservations at two amazing restaurants, but does it really matter *what* you do when you're with good friends, in a cool city, without kids?!  I think not!

- I'm currently reading "Are Those Kids Yours?", which was recommended to me by my adoption agency.  So, far, though, I haven't hit any information I didn't obtain elsewhere.  I've done the With Eyes Wide Open online course (which I would love for all our friends and family to take- I think it is the easiest, most concise format for anyone), read "Toddler Adoption: the Weaver's Craft", and "the Broken Cord" (a story of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in adoption).  For the adoptive parents out there, what was your most insightful book/resource?

- I've been thinking about Christmas lately and the economy, and poverty.  I don't have the answers, but I have this desire to do more than clutter our house up with stuff we don't need- especially toys.  I feel conflicted most years about excess (and I don't think we do a TON), but this year especially.  I'd love to see the hearts of my kids so passionate about serving others that they volunteer to forgo gifts so they can give to others.  Is that a pipe dream?  Do we just say that is what we're doing and do it?  The Samaritan's Purse catalog came yesterday and further drove home the needs in the world.  We've done the Operation Christmas Child in years' past, but have never ordered from their catalog.  Have any of you done something "radical" in your family to celebrate Christmas?

- We're having our lawn (lack of lawn, *ahem*) aerated and seeded on Monday.  Hopefully this will end the weed/bare patch misery that we inherited when we bought this house.  I must be diligent to water every day until then so that the machine can pull good "plugs" for the lawn guys.  Then I must be diligent to water every day for 3 weeks to help the seeds germinate and the grass to root well.  So, dear God, I would love rain, for I am not so good at being diligent about watering and it will certainly impact our water bill this month.  Today is overcast- cross your fingers!

New Painting

"Depth"

-12"x18"

-Yarka St. Petersburg pan watercolors

-Fabriano 140 lbs. cold-pressed cotton paper

Beyond our scope or imagining, are countless details abut God and His works. Never will we come to an end saying, "There! I know all there is to know about the Lord". Instead, for each morsel we grasp, each understanding we unveil, there lies beneath it another aspect to embrace or consider. Relationship with Christ is so simple, but the wonders of God's character and His actions are only waiting to be dug up. The more we seek, the more we know. As I marveled at our infinitely-facetted God, this image and phrase came to mind and demanded to be painted!

The original is up in my shop, and in the future, I may offer prints on 11x17" paper.

But you wouldn't know it.

It's October. 

Tonight, at dusk, after returning from the skatepark where my boys were totally awesome on their boards, we saw a few fireflies in the front yard.  Fireflies.  Actually lighting up.  I've only known this to happen in June- *maybe* July.  We soaked in the wonder of it, and chased them a bit as the moon seemed to get brighter and brighter.  Grant was even able to gently cup one in his hands.  In a moment, however, it was gone.  Magic slipping through our fingers.  Much the same way that summer did.

It's October, but you wouldn't know it.

Hair dos

Sometimes, I find myself at a loss on how to care for a girl.  This may sound strange, as I am a girl myself.  But, I'm not your well-versed-in-make-up-and-hair kind of girl.  I'm not the kind of girl that knows all of the fashion rules.  And, I'm terrible with completing a look... top, bottoms and my everyday purse and I'm good to go, right?  Right?  But, it is the details- I know this!- that make a "look".  I'm feminine - I'd rather wear a dress or skirt any day than pants or shorts- but I feel, at times, like I lack the girl information.  Where is my Being A Girl Handbook?!

So, I came across this incredible blog about a month or two ago.  It's a hair blog.  A hair blog?! Yes.  Check it out and you'll be wowed!

I've not got the patience for the more intricate hair styles- plus my 3 year old has only so much hair- but I do have a renewed desire to put a bit of effort into Lael's locks.

Look, this week I tried corkscrew twists!:

The girl certainly knows how to pose for the camera.  She must have gotten the Handbook.  I hope she'll share her copy!

Seventeen Months!

Our family has been on our agency's wait list for SEVENTEEN MONTHS today.

For those of you expecting to see a referral announced on this blog soon, I really don't think so.  Last night, we got an e-mail from our agency informing us that they haven't had a girl referral since May (sweet Hannah Claire, most likely) and that we can add 3-4 months to our timeline estimate.  So, we are looking at a referral between December '08 and April '09.

That is, unless, things slow down further, changing our timeline estimate again.

I'm struggling.  Maybe this is God shaking me up, saying, "don't trust in man, trust in Me."  Maybe our idea of perfect: perfect timing, perfect spacing between siblings, perfect whatever ...isn't His idea of perfect.  I know that there are countless examples of God's promises taking longer than hoped to play out.  

We feel that this child is a promise of God.  Further, we feel that God purposed us to care for one of His children- a child that needs a mother and a father and a home.  I guess it's just not supposed to happen right now.

Can you believe that it might be 2010 before we travel to Taiwan?!

I have more to say, and I certainly feel more right now than I can write, but I think I'll just go enjoy my kids, breathe in the fall air, and carve out some good meditation time today.  The crying isn't doing anyone any good.

Surreal

This week, Nashville has had a gas shortage.  Apparently, $4.00 gas prices haven't been enough to make us all consider our polluting ways- we've actually been forced into imagining the scenario of having no petrol AT ALL!  One statistic being put out this weekend stated that 85% of Nashville is out of gas.

Hurricane Ike interrupted work at the refineries in and around Galveston, TX.  These are the  same refineries that supply Nashville with gasoline.  There are specifics about a three-pronged distribution (Memphis and Knoxville being the other prongs), and something about 3-5 mile per hour pipeline flow.  But, all I know is that this could continue through the week.

It is completely strange to pass stations that are empty, with all of the nozzles covered.  Thanks to the fast traveling of information via cell phones and internet, it is pretty easy to find out which stations are expecting their next shipment.  The only downside is that these stations get slammed with cars hoping to fill up.  There is the potential to wait in line for an hour and have the station run out.  I've heard of people running out of gas waiting to put fuel in their car.

Friday night, Eric's sister was going to watch our kids so we could run out for a short date.  In arranging a drop-off time, she mentioned that they were having a mini-crisis because both of their cars were very low.  They just hadn't expected the shortage to be so far spreading.  We brought them our lawnmower can, which had about a gallon in it, and also dropped off our kids.  

On the way to their house with the kids, we passed the local Swifty mart and there were about 150 cars lined up because they had gas.  Eric and I went out to a local Japanese restaurant with hibachi grill.  I'd never done that before and it was fun (although, I still ordered sushi- that was what *I* was there for!).   Leaving the restaurant, we drove past Costco and noticed that people were filling up at the Costco fuel station and there was a very small line.  It was 9:30 at this point, so maybe that had something to do with it.  Anyway, I had about a half tank, but it was certainly worth topping it off then and there.  We also called Tim and told him to leave all the kids with Angie and to GET OVER THERE and get gas.  He did, and only two cars after him got through the line before they closed the station down.

I'm pretty much not going anywhere this week unless I have to and it has had me considering whether or not I could accomplish a quick run to the store by bike if I ever had to.  (yes, I decided I could).

This is completely strange.

I've already got one order for a Hidden Name painting!  Hooray!  Four more and we'll have covered the costs for one pregnant woman to receive care during the roughest time of her life.  We can do this!

50% to Morninglight Sale!!!

I know that the talent God gave me is not only for my gain.  In the past year alone, I have been able to donate pieces of my work to three charity fundraisers: two art shows, and one silent auction.  

Most recently, I have felt urged to donate a percentage of my profit to Morninglight Ministries.  As we are adopting from Taiwan, the need there and the people of that country have burrowed in my heart.  An amazing family, the Pan family, is paving the way for incredible work to be done in the lives of children and women.  I've spoken of it before.  Right now, even before a formal home has been built, the Pans have taken in two pregnant women who need a place to feel secure before and after they give birth.  $500 is the cost for medical care, counseling, and housing for each woman and I wish to see that covered for them.

So, until the end of October, any custom Hidden Name paintings I am commissioned to do, I will donate 50% of the profit toward Morninglight.

Cost: $220 ($110 goes directly to Morninglight)

What you get:

-consultation time with me via phone or e-mail regarding artwork

-custom 10x14 watercolor painting with your selected name hidden in the scene

-a color key to make finding the letters easier

-a bonus blank greeting card of my design as a thank you for taking part in this special fundraiser!

Q&A:

Q: Does it have to be my name?

A: No, silly.  This is great for children- and that is all I've done so far.  But, I'd also love to hide a family name, or a favorite word (for instance, "family", or "peace", or "hope" would be great).

Q: I don't really know what I want, but I like the concept; can you help me?

A: Absolutely!  I actually work best with few constraints and I believe that my clients have enjoyed the surprise.  Seeing the hidden letters is the best part.  But, I often hear that the second best part is seeing how I took their favorite things and ran with them.  Favorite colors, important places, cherished animals, or hobbies translate into completely original scenes.

Q: How long until I get my painting?

A: Once I've had a phone or e-mail consultation with you, I aim for 3 weeks working time before shipping your piece to you.

Q: Is there any way I can get something smaller, or bigger?

A: Sure, contact me and we can talk about it.

Q: I'm a bit nervous about purchasing without seeing the finished product.  How can I be sure I will like it?

A: As we work through your consultation, I will not begin painting until you're confident with the vision I describe.  That portion of the process is a collaboration and influences the final artwork as little or as much as you desire.  For the more visual types, I would be happy to work up a rough sketch, scan it, and e-mail for an additional fee.  We'll work together until you're happy.

Q: Can I see some samples?

A: But of course:

This is one of my most recent ones, done for Grant.  Not my Grant,  Rebecca's Grant, and the waiting brother of Owen from China.  I also had the pleasure of doing one for Owen himself (not pictured).

this one was for Ivan

for Jackson

for Violet

My walls are Happy!

Two new-ish paintings up in our home.  I love them!

This one is 16x24", acrylic on canvas.  My gumption was rewarded, here, friends.  Simon and Ruby marked me as a shop favorite on Etsy.  When I clicked on their shop, I fell in love with these abstract pieces and suggested that if she liked my art, and I liked hers we should trade!  And we did; isn't it fabulous?!

This piece is done by my dear friend, Amy.  It was given as a gift to me,  and I couldn't be happier with how it looks in our home.  While this photograph doesn't allow you to see the texture or the sheen in certain places, trust me that its charming, and perfect.  I have it hanging near my kitchen and only recently noticed that the pop of red pulls out the accents of another piece of art hanging nearby.  Serendipity.  Word has it that she'll be opening up an Etsy shop soon.  I'll certainly let you all know when she does!

With school back in session, I haven't devoted much time to art lately.  But, this week, I finished a piece I was commissioned to do for Rebecca.  Once she gets it in the mail, I will reveal it here; I just don't want to spoil the surprise.

Grant's Baptism

When Grant was 5 and about to enter kindergarten, he gave his heart to the Lord.  Leading up to that had been many question-filled conversations that Eric and I fielded with care.  The result was a little boy who knew that, regardless of the wisdom his age hadn't granted yet, he desired to walk with God all of his days.  Grant knew the price Jesus had paid for his sins (past and future), and prayed in thanks and submission.  He remembers that day, and that prayer, and can describe carefully where he and Eric were.  Three years later, after more thoughtful questions and prayer, he asked to be baptized- to show the world his faith!  The baptizing does not "save" him, it is just a public profession of the work that has already happened in his heart.

Sunday was the day.  Pastor Jeff Phillips baptized him in front of our church during worship with Eric there for support.  Family and friends celebrated with us.  It was beautiful!

We are very proud of our eldest, his resolve and commitment to grow in love with the Saviour, and to model his life after Christ.

Watch out world, this is one awesome kid!

waiting in the Living Room for service to start

a quick family shot beforehand

being asked about what he believes

being baptized in the name of the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit"

dunked!

Sorting clothes

Currently, I'm sorting through the ginormous mess that is Lael's closet.  I had some garbage bags with outgrown clothes in the bottom, waiting for her little sister.  About a month ago, she got into them during a dress-up-gone-wrong incident... dresses, panties, shorts, bloomers EVERYWHERE.  I threw it all back in the bottom of the closet until I had the motivation to properly sort them by size and season and box them up.  With Tape.  Tightly.

Today is the day.  I've been working on it for a few hours.  Maybe it would have gone faster if my sweet little "helper" wasn't pulling out clothes to try on.  To try on and plead with me that they aren't too small and that they "look good still".  

She's a funny one.  She has a hard time parting with the stuff that is recently outgrown, but quite easily is willing to donate her current wardrobe to her cousin, Olivia.  She also is often willing to stash away items (toys, clothes, shoes) for her sister.  

Anyway, right now *I'm* recipient of the cast offs.  My daughter, ahem... I mean fashion consultant, thinks it makes me look "bee-yoo-tiful"!

I just know all of you are going to race out and empty the stores of 12 month sun hats!

16 Months!

Today is sixteen months on The Wait List, waiting for the referral of our daughter.

The kids and I talked about it over breakfast after doing our Bible study.  Grant said he misses her.  He misses the sister he doesn't even know yet!  I feel a bit the same at times.  She's been a part of our hearts for over two years now (we knew we were going to adopt back in June 2006), and two years for our children is a LOOOOOONG time to hope for, pray for, and wonder about who will join your family and when.

Tired of waiting, but feeling hopeful and trusting in the Lord.

Cicadas

When we were engaged, Eric took a job here in Nashville, and I stayed in California to continue college classes and plan our wedding.  I vividly remember one of the conversations we had over the phone.  He was describing to me the unusual phenomenon of the cicadas- bugs and their molted skin/shells EVERYWHERE, the loud shrill constant hum of sound they made, and the crunching of the shells beneath feet because they couldn't be escaped.  He said all this as he spoke inside.  Then he stepped outside onto the back deck, and it could all be heard over the phone!

After our wedding, I joined my new husband in my new city.  We've been here for 10 years now, and the cicadas have not returned.  We talk about it now every summer with curiosity over when it will happen again.

There are different types of cicadas, with different life cycles.  In miraculous unison, the entire population will emerge and molt and have the same amazing (and admittedly somewhat gross) coming-of-age party with the noise, and the shells.  Well, it hasn't happened yet which means that most of the Nashville cicadas must be of the 13-year or 17-year variety.  More info here.

That being said, there are some cicadas that have short cycles and we saw one this morning on the trampoline.  They are huge!  And have these crazy big eyes.  The kids and I watched this particular bug for a long time this morning and then were treated to the animation on Wikipedia that someone composed from photographs.  Enjoy!

EDITED/ UPDATED: Soooo... we were playing the the backyard after lunch and found this:

One of the molted "shells"!!!!  We took it inside for a closer look, but we discovered it stuck to the frame around our back door.  The article we read earlier, said the shells are commonly found on tree trunks right where the bug crawled out.  (so, if you're on a hunt for them, that's my tip- look on tree bark)  It's really incredible the way God created them- each detail is essentially frozen when the cicada emerges.  Grant was so fascinated he started snapping camera phone pictures.

Field Trip!!!

The other week, Angie and I took all the kids (hers + mine= 5) to Frist Center for the Arts in Downtown Nashville for a picnic lunch on the lawn and time in the museum.  Overall, it was a good experience.  Each time I go, I have trouble editing what we do for the sake of the kids.  We went through the "Color as Field" exhibit (awesome!) and very quickly through the Tiffany exhibit (due to the fragile nature of the stained glass and the fact that it was at kid level... yikes!).  I think both were excellent for children because they are easy to appreciate- lots of colors or easy to distinguish subject matter.  In hindsight, though, picking a few pieces to look at would have cut down on the "whinies".  I must remind myself that it is okay to go and not see it all!  We finished the quiet portion of our time with an hour or two in ArtQuest - the hands on wing where you can learn all sorts of art concepts: printing, movement, painting, sculpture, models, lighting, collage.... so many manipulatives!!!

We came home with the family packet full of activities and short lessons that the Frist publishes for "Color as Field", which we haven't tapped into yet, but I think it will make a great follow-up/ art lesson shortly.

The Tiffany exhibit is ending this weekend, and Music City Moms has a free coupon somewhere on their site for adult admission on August 23rd (18 and under are always free!).  Enjoy!

what is my little man saying?!  he always talks with his hands.

Olivia in front of the statue.

tracing forms with whiteboard markers.

Ethan

Dean working the printing press on his carved image.

painting station

Now that I've told my dad....

I guess I'm ready to announce to the internet that I'm sporting ink.

Really.

Yep.

Saturday, after over a year of thinking about it, Eric and I went to Billy Joe's in downtown Nashville and had our designs tattooed.  Eric on his left arm, and me on my lower back.  It was a great experience.  I cannot recommend that shop enough- clean, friendly, knowledgeable, and wholesome (we took the whole family... including the kids!).  Nakota did Eric's tattoo first, and then mine.  It hurt, but not as bad as I thought it might (I guess after giving birth naturally 3 times, I'm less of a wimp than I thought I was!).  Mostly, it was irritating (although there were some spots I did have to breathe through and really focus... spots where it burned or felt like I was being cut... but they were over pretty quickly).  Then again, I didn't sit in the chair for hours... mine took only about 30 minutes.

I selected a flower and leaves design that came off of a hand-painted jewelry box which was my mom's.  It reminds me of her.  Additionally, there are 6 leaves and six stamens on the flower and I feel like it symbolic of the family we've made... even if that 6th member is only known in our heart and not fully realized yet.  While being feminine, it is "artsy" and contrast-y and all done in black line (slightly Asian or islands inspired).  It's quite pretty.  I'll happily show those of you who are close enough to me.  I'm not posting it to the world wide web, which ensures that no copy-cat will find it while googling floral low back tattoos and ask their tattoo artist to do the same thing.  :-)

Eric has a wonderful, simple, manly symbol and I love it.  He selected the Chi Ro- a Christian symbol that predates the cross, and represents the starting letters of "Christ" in Greek.  Encircled in black line, the chi ro is also flanked by the symbols for Alpha and Omega ("beginning and end").  A strong statement of faith.  And it looks great on him.  

update... kind of... sort of... oh, who am I kidding

We've taken a week off school to enjoy Becky and her kids (Eric's little sis).  They just left and were out from SoCal visiting for the week.  It was fabulous.  Lots of memories.  Lots to update on.  So many pictures.

But, I think I'm becoming a blog neglecter- a "hobo blogger".

I have no motivation whatsoever to post more than that right now and tomorrow we're going to jump back into homeschool because we had a nice rhythm going before the week off.

There you have it.  I guess I'm basically saying, "I'm alive".  :-)