My First Tattoo

I start getting it in a couple weeks. I am so excited I told my tattoo artist that I wasn’t going to be able to hold still. He didn’t think that would be such a good idea. I put it in my planner in all caps and double exclamation points!!

This is a prototype he drew on me with Sharpies. The real thing will not be as red and the insects will be bigger.

Aviana is a ladybug because she’s bright unique. She’s hard working and helpful. She’s beautiful and rare, and poems will be written about her.

Brielle is a dragonfly because she rarely is still, she’s bold and bright, she gets attention wherever she goes. She flits from thing to thing and makes things happen. I’m sure they’ll pattern a better helicopter or some other new invention based on her design.

Cadrian is a grasshopper because he is constantly on the go. He’s always outside. He moves fast and leaps and bounds into his life with all his energy-which is considerable.

Denton is a honeybee because he’s a hard worker, continually moving, intense, and creates beauty. He is as sweet and snuggly as can be, but if he feels he’s been wronged by you, he’ll kill himself to sting you.

Elivette is an orchid praying mantis because I nearly died giving birth to her. My midwives saw a praying mantis in the parking lot of the hospital once they knew I was going to recover and sent me selfies with it, telling me they recognized it as a sign all of the prayers of the hundreds of people praying for me were answered and to remember God answers prayer. On Elivette’s first birthday, I saw a praying mantis outside my kitchen window (the ONLY time I’ve ever seen one here on the farm) and knew God was reminding me how much my family needs me and how faithful He is, and to always pray. Because Elivette is my precious pink pixie, it couldn’t be an ordinary praying mantis to represent her though!

And Finnella is my firefly. She brings light to all of us. She’s the gift we didn’t know we needed. She lights up our home more than we thought possible.

All eight of us were born in June, July and August, so that is why the bugs are positioned on the rose, larkspur and gladiolus. Also, the gladiolus happens to be one of my favorite flowers and reminds me of my paternal grandma’s country garden. I had Latin Lady roses in my wedding bouquet. And larkspurs are purple, which is my favorite color.

What are your tattoos? If you don’t have any, would you get one?