What makes an artist?
(credit to http://babyloveletters.typepad.com/baby_love_letters/)

I'm not sure how to answer this question. I think that we all have some sort of artist in us, whether we choose to access that part of us or not.

Sarah Clark had amazing talent (so does her mom--Nan). She could see something in her brain and create it on a canvas in an incredible way. Erika creates art with paper and photo prints. Marleny creates art with her camera. Some people create audible art with their voices or instruments. They key word is "CREATE".

God gave us all talents, but He also created us all in His image--leading me to believe that He instilled in us the desire to create, too.

Funny as it was at the time, it may prove to be profound later... Emilie asked you the other day when you were coloring at her desk if you were an artist. You didn't miss a beat, but in a totally casual, matter-of-fact tone you answered, "yeah" and kept right on scribbling. You ARE an artist--we just have to wait and see what medium(s) you choose to use your creative talents in.

What is your favorite family memory from 2008?
(credit to http://babyloveletters.typepad.com/baby_love_letters/)

My favorite memory isn't a specific one-time event, but a recurring part of our daily conversations...

You love animals. More specifically, you love animal sounds. I think that at one point in 2008, you knew twice as many animal sounds as words, and you have consistently had a descent vocabulary. You knew the basics--dog, cat, cow and sheep pretty early on. Then we learned some more interesting animals like dinosaurs ("roar"), monkeys ("oo oo ah ah"), and donkeys ("hee haw"). The most fun is to teach you silly responses to "what does the _____ say?" and then for you to repeat them. My favorite is what a turtle says ("peek-a-boo"--which sounds more like "peat ta tu" when you say it). Although the skunk ("pee-eww") and the alligator ("snap", with hand clap) are close seconds.

But now you're starting to string together 2 and 3 word sentences and it's getting hard to remember when you were so little. I barely remember when you didn't call me "Mommy". The time is going sooo fast--I need to remember how fast during the 5 o'clock hour most evenings when you're so cranky and when you're crying at night (like right now) because you're not reaclimated to your bed and routine since being on vacation, so that I don't lose my patience. You're still very little, in the grand scheme of things, and will definitely be my baby for a long, long time.