One of the great responsibilities of being a parent is navigating them through the questions of life. And while someday I am sure the girls and I will tackle some really big questions, we have answered a few here and there, I was laughing today at the kinda silly questions I seem to spend most of my time answering right now...

1. Do I have to wash my body? (she was taking a bath--you know, a bath, some people do it to get clean- my daughter currently thinks it is a fun time to splash around in her own filth and then get out). I told her "Yes, you definitely have to wash your body EVERY time you take a bath".

2. Is today tommorrow? (now you may have to think on that one for a while...we were supposed to do something tommorrow and she wanted to know if that was today--follow?) Seriously people, I just could not even think how to articulate an answer to help her understand, so she just got a no. Yet another thing I am dumping on her elementary teacher to take care of. :)

Jamie is away this week at the Christian Life Center in Waveland, MS. He and some others from our church community are there helping with the rebuild from Hurricane Katrina. My friend, Chuck (who is on the trip) is posting updates and pictures of their time down there on his blog--check it out!

"Angel you were born to fly and if you get to high I'll catch you when you fall" - Nickel Creek

So blessed to be your Mom. So amazed by all the strength and gifts that you have been given. I love you! Happy Birthday Tori!

Despite my normal routine of hibernating in the winter, the girls and I went on an outing last night to the Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington. As is typical me, I came across a flyer advertising that this week is "BLIK" or Bloomington Loves Its Kids week. These events are hit or miss--more often than not they are kind of cheesy and boring, but last night was a winner. Isabelle was in learning heaven with animal puppets and tiny turtles. And Macie just kept saying "oh--what's sat?". And Tori, well, Tori pet a snake--didn't even think twice about it. Who is this child?

So, they had hot chocolate and cookies, made a craft, saw a live owl, falcon and some other bird I can't remember (owls are so cute by the way), they pet a turtle and a snake and I was the coolest mom in the world (well, until I made them go to bed then my cool status plummeted). The only fun thing we did not do was go on a snow shoe walk (it was a little chilly for that)...but I will be going back to do that if we ever break into the 30's, because how fun is that? And did I mention it is all FREE--Here is to new discoveries!

Did someone say they weren't having a happy Valentine's Day?



Do you need a hug?



How about a big old kiss?



Will you be our Valentine?



Jesus loves you and so do we!!! Happy Valentine's Day!

Macie has recently joined the girls club. It is quite entertaining to see her "playing" with the big girls. She is normally the dog--that is how Isabelle started out, too.



That is her little hand around Isabelle's neck...she did that all on her own. She knows the classic "girl" pose. I love it!



Don't worry- they are only allowed to play this under my supervision.



And pictured below is Macie's face when she is done playing. Poor little thing.

I have never heard of this before in the blog world, but my blog well is dry so why not? I was tagged by Amy...

8 things I'm passionate about:
1. Jesus
2. Jamie and the girls
3. My family (by blood, by marriage, by Jesus)
4. Speaking Truth
5. Journaling (leaving a written legacy for my kids)
6. Women (in a totally pure way, but there are too many areas I am passionate about so I had to shorten it)
7. Being Hospitable
8. Ohio State Football (Go Bucks!)

8 things I want to do before I die:
1. See my girls all growed up
2. Adopt some aged child/children (maybe a boy) from some place (this is all very sketchy)
3. Travel places I have never been
4. Learn to speak Spanish
5. Take the girls to Disneyworld
6. See the dreams of GC and Consumed continue to come to fruition
7. Finish the laundry. (I am running short on answers)
8. Live downtown in a loft

8 things I say often:
1. Jame
2. Maso, Butters, Ronsi Ponsi, Tor, Tor-Dor
3. Stop Whining
4. Sweet thing
5. The church building or the church is the people
6. What's that?
7. kisses
8. He/ she is on my team

8 TV shows you recently watched
1. American Idol
2. Miss Spider's Sunny Patch
3. 30 Rock
4. Little Bear
5. Survivor
6. Sportscenter
7. Wow! Wow! Wubzy!
8. The Office

8 Artists I never tire of listening to:
1. Charlie Hall
2. Nickel Creek
3. Brad Kilman
4. Sarah McLachlan (especially her Christmas album)
5. Country- whatever
6. Indigo Girls
7. Norah Jones
8. Dave Matthews Band (this is Jamie's fault)


8 things that attract me to my friends:
1. Down to earth
2. Sincere
3. You cry easily...you're in
4. You laugh easily...you are also in, especially if you laugh at your own jokes =)
5. Loyal
6. Humble
7. Friendly
8. Common Interests

8 Things I learned in 2007
1. I am assertive, especially when I feel attacked and that is NOT a bad thing.
2. I love having older women in my life and being an older woman to younger women.
3. Macie's smile can brighten anyone's day.
4. I can bring forth food from the ground (this was quite empowering).
5. All day school makes kids old.
6. Tori is good at soccer and Isabelle, well, she looks really cute in her uniform--and that is okay cuz that is how God made them.
7. God wants me to make a difference in this world and I can.
8. I turn into a junior high girl when I see The Ohio State University Football team.

Who am I gonna tag?
1. Tara
2. Abs
3. Lisa and/or Eric
4. Chuck
5. Heidi
6. Marissa

If you are sad your name is not included just keep this in mind a. I did not think you would participate or b. you are hiding your blog life from me (come out of the secret blog closet).