Claire (6yrs): Mom, my birthday is coming up. Me: Yup. Claire: And it might be time for you to start visiting toy stores. You know, to scope them out. For me. Me: Uh huh. Mental note taken. Claire: Because, you see, picking out the right gifts for a growing girl is a serious matter. Me: […]

At the butterfly exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science: Holly: Annalise, do you like butterflies? [excited] Annalise (3yrs): [looks around quizzically at the hundreds of beautiful butterflies twittering about; then she forms a slightly unimpressed frown, and answers, thoughtful yet decidedly] No. I just like caterpillars. Holly: O_o

Written August 27, 2011 Five years ago today at 6:30am, my whole world was changed, when my first child, my baby girl Claire Elizabeth Hemati, was born. I consider it an honor to be her mother and help her to grow into all that God made her to be. In case you didn’t know, Claire […]

June 18, 2010   Me: Claire, what are you doing? [she’d been downstairs alone and quiet for a while. That usually means mischief] Claire: I was praying. Me: [pleasantly surprised] Praying about what? [this was probably the first time I’d discovered her praying on her own] Claire: [matter of factly] I was asking God to […]

Annalise (3yrs): Mommy Me: Yeah, sweet girl? Annalise: <announces wistfully> If you make a wish, and blow on a dandelion, your wish comes true! Me: Yeah? Awesome! Claire (6yrs): <leans over and whispers to Annalise> Unfortunately, it doesn’t work. I’ve tried it tons of times.