It's a momentous occasion. Jaslyn has been taken in for the first time by a television commercial. She suddenly needs "Pee-pee on the Potty Doll." A doll that comes with her own bathroom, and the whole set-up makes 40 different sounds and phrases. (I don't even want to know what 40 sounds can come out of a bathroom.) Frankly, it's really a dumb toy. And, even worse, it costs $60! We saw it in the store and she was so excited. So we sat down for a chat. 

Me: That doll you want costs a lot of money.

Jaslyn: Could you buy me some money then?

Me: I don't think so. It costs 60 dollars.

Jaslyn: I can only count up to 29. That means you'll need to buy it for me.

She then went on a quest to raise money. Of course, raising money in Jaslyn terms means a combination of begging and hunting. Yesterday, she showed me a handful of change. "Look what God gave me!" she said. "How did He give it to you?" I asked. And she answered, with all seriousness, "Through your purse." So, she's also apparently stealing.

Every night she prays that she'll get some money to buy "Pee-pee on the Potty." So we decided to let her start earning her money. She's become our chore girl. Or, as she refers to herself: "I'm like Cinderella." I guess that makes me the evil stepmother. She gets a quarter for all her extra chores. Maleah helps her by making extra messes for her to clean up. I think they're in cahoots.

So if you see Jaslyn anytime in the near future, she might ask you for a job. Just make sure you keep an eye on your wallet. 

things i do

Its a new dynamic for me to learn a new career after 11 years in the mortgage industry. I have been working for Compassion International for about 2 1/2 months now, and still trying to figure out which way is up. I love the cause, it would be pretty hard not to believe in children. I really believe in Compassion's ministry philosophy as well. Their mission is to "release children from poverty in Jesus' name" and they have a very thorough understanding that poverty isn't just a matter of economics. To see their holistic child development model take a look at this website www.Compassionmodel.org

My department is a brand new effort for the ministry to reach the business community. We are looking for creative ways to become the philanthropic arm for organizations. One example is the new product line that Hallmark will be coming out with this fall called 'Colors of Compasison'. 

Jaslyn's First Blog

Jaslyn is growing so much, she has a lot to say these days. In this politically charged season I felt it was important to give her an outlet to express her opinions....

"dad".

Oh, and Jaslyn's first syllogism... from her morning at the zoo today....

As Kathy show the girls the hippopotamus exhibit, the keepers were draining the pond.

"Mommy what's that?"

"Its hippo poop."

"You mean they poop in the tub?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Maleah poops in the tub.... huuuuuuuuuuhhhh (hushed stun) MALEAH IS A HIPPO!"