Month: June 2018

We love to celebrate Doug. There is our FATHER in heaven, but we have our earthly Dad. A real Dad. Doug has been a phenomenal Dad to Austin, but now he has a new opportunity to be Tatum’s REAL Dad. What a blessing for all of us. So, today, we celebrated the now and the future. The now of his presence in our lives and the future of more love!! Serving him is one way we can show we love him.

Tatum got all dressed up for him. She loves to do this.

We made him a lovely breakfast: Sausage, muffins and mom’s famous gazpacho.

Then it was present time.

Tatum made him a card and then it was time for the unveling.

Whatcha think?

Mom got him a lovely shirt too.

Nice!

Tatum just wanted to hang on him all day!
He seemed pretty satisfied.

There’s more?
Yes, a picture of the new Hay family to come!

I like this one.

Ok, now, for the fun gift.

A new FitBit so he could be obsessed with steps, movement and the BURN!

Honey, you’re going to love this.

I also made you…..

 

heeheeeeeeeee

But really, we had such fun.

Now, I needed to celebrate my dad, and really that is my mom because she has been with me at all the times when dad should have been there. My performances, games, and graduations. My STUFF…..cheering me on. Always!

So I had to give her a book. The newest blog book:

We enjoyed reading it for a bit.

All in all what a fun, special day.

Thank you Doug for being the BEST of the BEST Dad around.

March 2018, she started her first sketchbook. We have just completed the last page of memories and drawings from this book. So…..it’s time to start a new one!

This time, I bought one to match so we can do twinsie drawings.

I love you, Tot!

 

Tatum wonders what happens to all of these posts.

Well……

We are up to 11 books. And guess what, Tot? You are going to get ALL of them someday. By then, they’ll be 111!? There is ALWAYS something to record and remember. I never want to forget one moment with, my sweet Tot. You’re the light of my life. Let’s keep making memories, shall we?

This year, I did not volunteer due to some outside circumstances, but it was still a hit for Tot!

She spent the week in Room 24 with 15 other little 4 and 5 year olds. The best part, she said, was her leaders. The girls who led the class ranged from middle school to soon-to-be freshman (at GCU!). They even wrote her a little note the last day.

Such maturity! I love the message of paying kindness forward.

Also, every camp, SBC raises money for a cause. Last year it was for Bibles, and this year it was for some sports equipment for the needy. She wanted to give ALL of her spend envelope! All of it!

She was positive. Wow.

We were so grateful for the camp and the leaders, that we made gave them all a little EXTRA treat.

This connected to a pack of EXTRA gum.

We are EXTRA grateful for all at SBC. See you on Sunday!

Tatum clutches her baby with such love. Coti watches over them to make sure all is safe.  Tatum is surrounded by LOVE.

She has been taking good care of me too.

She sings to me with her new blow up guitar. (thanks to the library for this gift from summer reading)

And even in the car

I feel I’m not only in HIS grip but my kid too.

You see, it’s been a tough few weeks for me. Now, in comparison, it’s not a big deal. There are many out there who are going through horrific health challenges, so mine pales in comparison. However, I have not been at my best to MOM, to WORK, to SERVE. It’s been eating away at me because I WANT to feel better.  Physically, I just have been sub sub sub par.

Then, I visited Doug’s and Mama’s naturopath, Dr. Ruiz. He immediately took me off dairy, eggs and gluten. I know I’m going to feel better!

But in the meantime, I’m clutching onto the good. Why? Because God will work even this out for HIS GOOD. Nothing is wasted. So, I know that this is only going to make me stronger and more dependent on HIM. That can only be good. I wait with this confidence.

I heard that the term “patience” means to “abide under.” To abide means to reside or make a home in. So, that means I am resting in HIS hands under his control, confidently.

Thank you Jesus for your promises.

 

 

Servant. Helper. Lover.

This is what I tell her a leader is. A leader leads with her heart thinking of others first.

She is off to VBS this week at SBC and I will not be volunteering in her class this year. This is another story. Last year, I noticed many kids were distracted, didn’t pay attention, and also did not obey. Oye!

So, I told Tatum that she should be gently suggesting, “Hey, let’s sing this song!” OR “Hey you guys, this is a good message! Let’s listen.” It’s all in HOW you say it. If you sound bossy, then no one will want to follow you. However, if you ROLE MODEL it, and then suggest gently that others join, then you’ll get more bites.

Also, Jesus came to serve not to boss. So, she should be the first to help and the first to clean up.

I’ll continue to stress this point.

Dream sweet dreams tonight for tomorrow is a new day to…..

 

BE THE BIGGEST no matter your size, Lovebug. XO

 

We couldn’t say goodbye completely, so we signed her up for just 5 or 6 days this summer to go to camp at Paradise for Tots. Ms. V and Coach Matt were going to be there after all.

So, thanks to Doug for providing an adorable shade over her face, she was off to camp. Can you just never get enough of that there hat???!!!

While we were there, Ms. V gave Tatum the Bible she was supposed to get on her graduation. Hooray! We finally got it autographed with Ms. V and Coach Matt’s John Hancocks. Now it truly is special.

When we got home, she dove right in, reading to her babies.

I think they are excited to hear about Creation.

I know Tatum is reading with all the feeling in the world.

We love you Father, and I love you Tot!!!!