Days with the Dorans

So I've been talking about it for YEARS- literally... I was going to get one when I turned 40 (said a girl in her mid-late 30s. At 43, I finally actually did it. When Great-Nan died, I got to really thinking about how much I loved the Jonasens and how much I treasured them. I found an old letter my Grandpa had written me when I was 18 and he signed it~ Thanks for the memories~ All my love, Grandpa J. I loved the idea of having not only his words but in his handwriting forever on me. I got the name of a guy from Ty and my dad met met me at the tattoo shop (which oddly enough was where my dad got his (2) tattoos.  It literally took about ten minutes and it didn't hurt at all It felt a bit like sand-paper on my skin and that was it. I'm already wanting another! He put some tape over it and I can't run for a bit (which will be hard) but I have no regrets and keep looking at my arm and knowing wherever I am- I will always have all my Grandpa's love and that is...

I admit that I have some pretty creative kids and I often wonder where they come up with some of the things they do.  I was surprised one night to come home to a "Tattoo Parlor" in our home.  Joe had turned over a plastic bin to use as a work area and made sure he had adequate light for his customers. It didn't take me long to realize that this parlor had been in business for some time.  Zach had a number of 'tats' on his arms and so did Ali.  Joe cleaned the area prior to tattooing his sibs and then got to work.  He had a paper that displayed a variety of patterns and pictures that his customers could choose from and he had even made up fake money for the Middles to pay him. I did shut down the operation (which brought back memories of when Zach was our tattoo artist- click on the label "tattoos below for more). I have lectured my kids on things~ like not reading/ writing late at night, when secretly I am thrilled that they love to do things so c...

I was working on my school blog (while the Bigs made cards for their Nana's birthday-with markers-) when the Goose joined me. He was asking me if I wanted to see his "Tats" and I have to admit, I thought at first that this was just one of those times when I had no idea what he was trying to say... (For years Z's language sounded like a garbled mess to me- understandable only to his bigger sibs). He repeated himself again, "No mom, do you want a tat? Do you want to see my tats? I could give you one..." And seeing the marker in his hand I suddenly had a flashback to a Sunday long ago when my little darling became a tattoo artist in church. Upon further investigation, I learned that I was understanding my little Z perfectly well and that he was just talking slang for the word, "Tattoo". I can't wait to see what he looks like when he's 18. Until then, all his 'Tat's will be washable markers (I'm off to hide the Sharpies r...

It seems we rarely go to church as a family anymore. Jeff is one of the worship leaders, so often I am solo in the congregation with the kids. (My mom is usually there too.) Today Jeff was 'off' so we were able to sit and worship together as a family. It was nice. I had had a rough week- with some added melancholy- missing my Andrew more than usual. It was great to be in that place- with all I love surrounding me. I felt refreshed- happy. We were singing and I was connecting with God with thoughts of how truly blessed we were. The kids were great and I was really able to focus... I should have known that silence (even in church) is never a 'great thing' because in the middle of one of the songs, Ali Jane whispered to me, "Mom, Zach is coloring on himself." Let's just say that Jeff and I looked at each other- smiles spread across our faces- hearts full. My sadness and melancholy left me. God is good- and perhaps he has blessed us with a future tattoo art...