Me! Yep. It had to happen eventually. I turned 50 on Saturday! A few weeks ago Erica (my oldest) and I were talking about what we should do in honor of the big event. I half-jokingly said, "Hey, we oughta all get tattoos!" As soon as we hung up the phone I went online and came across the chinese symbol for goddess. I really liked it, and even more I liked the idea of me and my daughters having a fun bonding experience. Three of the four girls were able to join me
Amy was gone on a long-planned vacation so she was the only one absent. Here you see Melissa, Kate and Erica signing releases in the tattoo parlor (Melissa looks guilty because she just initialed that "NO", she's not currently breastfeeding 
)
Here's me getting the template applied
and here's me saying 'owowowowow!' while what felt like a hundred plastic toothpicks kept poking me!
I guess it doesn't really hurt that bad, but I wouldn't want to do it all the time! Well, it was fun hanging out that way. Quite the time the four of us will remember for a long while to come. It was funny--when we first went in we were all over the map about where we each wanted to have ours applied. One wanted the foot, one the upper inner arm, one the back of the shoulder...yadayadayada. Erica went first and when the other three of us saw it on her mid-upper back we all piped up "I want mine there, too!" 
Miss Madison will have to wait a while to get hers. 
Oh, and what made our multi-generational goddess tats even more meaningful is that March 8 was Int'l Women's Day. Girl Power!
Later that evening John treated us all to much-needed cocktails and a lovely dinner at a very nice restaurant
and I promise this is the LAST photo I'll be posting of myself til I lose AT LEAST the first twenty pounds.
Cheers!
ps: my apologies to you who I've not answered emails or left blog comments for. I was covered up in kids all weekend and I just gotta start the week fresh if you know what I mean!
Happy Birthday!
A few months ago for my 40th birthday my husband and I got tattoos. Mine is Hello Kitty!! I am glad I did it, because I wanted one for a long time! I have no desire for any more, it hurt to much!
Love your Blog...
Posted by: Cris Marsh | March 11, 2008 at 11:08 AM
First, a belated happy birthday! Your 50's are guaranteed to blow your mind! :)
Second, well timed for the ink post! I am getting ready to turn 53 in a few weeks and both of my girls are coming in for a few days. I had been considering group ink. I am now wondering if this isn't just the whisper of life saying .......... "See, I told you so!"
thanks------ have the very best year EVER!!!
Posted by: tina | March 11, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Happy Birthday Jen! Getting a tattoo is the bravest thing I've ever done (besides having kids, lol" What a great story for your beautiful girls to tell their kids someday.
Tracy
Posted by: The Vintage Sister | March 11, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Happy Birthday! Look at all you ladies with your new ink. You better be careful, they can be addicting. What a beautiful family you have, no wonder your quilts are so lovely. It is a blast following your adventures!
Posted by: Stacy A | March 11, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Hapde Burfday to you!
Posted by: Sarah | March 11, 2008 at 06:38 AM
wow!! you go girl, i mean girls!
how cool, what a great bonding experience.
happy birthday!
you are my new hero, im affraid to get a tatoo. pain!
oxoxox,
jessi
Posted by: jessi nagy | March 11, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Belated birthday wishes!! Glad you found a fun way to celebrate the big 5-0. I am dreading it, but Mark thinks we should have a big party. That is SO NOT going to happen. I am sure I will think of something to celebrate (but it will probably involve shopping) ;0).
Posted by: Barbara | March 11, 2008 at 05:51 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, My Friend! You make 50 look like the new 30! But...OWWWW!!!!!!! Jen, you are so brave! Is getting tats a West Coast thing? I don't know of any of my friends who could summon up the courage to do that. I guess we're just too uptight here on the East Coast :) Or too chicken.~~~I'm so glad you ahd a lovely day!~~~XXOO, Beth
Posted by: Elizabeth Holcombe | March 11, 2008 at 04:39 AM
Happy Birthday! I turned 48 last week...no tats for me thank ya very much. :)
Posted by: tammyCA | March 11, 2008 at 12:00 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love the ink!
Posted by: Kathi D | March 10, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Happy birthday to a wonderful lady who I think doesn't look like she needs to lose 20 lbs at all. You look amazing at any age!
Posted by: Doe | March 10, 2008 at 09:28 PM