Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Thanksgiving this year came with a different kind of weight. I woke up in that state: the one where my body says, “Not today… bed only.”
But the holiday didn’t care, and neither did the people I love. They were coming. I wanted so badly to be the hostess with the mostess… yet all I could really offer was: I’ll show up. (oh and make some butternut squash in my WONDROUS oven)

And maybe that was enough.

Thank God for Doug.
Truly.

He took over the turkey like an absolute champ: carving, basting, making gravy.. He never made it feel like a burden.

He also bought me the most gorgeous sunflowers, bright and golden in the center of the table, almost like they were cheering me on: You’ve got this. One moment at a time.

Tatum helped me with the table; together we set the table with autumn plates, plaid napkins, and our gratitude jar filled with the questions she helped cut, fold, and tuck inside.

She wished there were more kids around, but she smiled anyway. Coopy was ready for guests by waiting by the door, and Ollie was ready to see our family.

Austin arrived before I was ready, but honestly?
It was fine. More than fine.
He got time with Doug, and I got a moment to breathe, gather myself, and shake off the pressure to be “on.”

Then my mom came. Sweet as always. She brought whipped cream… but forgot the pie.
Austin, once again to the rescue, ran to Fry’s (thankfully open) and saved dessert. We laughed about it, because what else can you do?

So it was time to take PICS by the tree! My mom is so pretty. She loves Tot so much. It’s so easy to ADORE OUR KIDS! Here I get to be with both.

And then my honey. He looks so good! He’s been losing a few pounds and he really is feeling better I believe!

TIME TO EAT!!

Taties wanted Ollie to join. Coopy, you don’t get to, SAWY!

By the time we all sat down, Mom smiling across the table, Tatum standing on her toes behind us, and Austin ready to dig in…I realized:

It didn’t matter that I wasn’t at 100%.
It didn’t matter that the sides were “easy” and that Doug did most of the heavy lifting.
It didn’t matter that I couldn’t be the hostess I envisioned.

What mattered was that we were there.

Together.
Grateful for each other.
Grateful for the day, even if it wasn’t perfect.
Grateful for God’s grace in the middle of weakness.

We enjoyed our question strips which prompted some nice convos.

With help, love, and laughter it turned into a really beautiful Thanksgiving.

A quiet one.
A simple one.
But a good one.

Thank you, Jesus for my family.

Doug’s mom passed away about five years ago, but her love somehow still weaves itself into our everyday life in the most unexpected ways. She used to sew these little corn bags soft, simple, homemade heating pads filled with dried corn and stitched with fabrics she chose.

At the time, I don’t think any of us realized what a gift they really were. But this one… this one has become a lifeline for me.

On the hardest days, when my stomach hurts or I can barely stand from the pain, I heat it up and press it against my belly. The relief is physical, yes but it’s also something deeper. It’s comfort. Warmth. Care. The kind of tenderness only a mother’s hands can pass down.

She made this years ago, not knowing how much I’d need it, not knowing the way her kindness would keep showing up long after she was gone.

Who knew that something so small could hold so much love?

And I’m grateful. So, so grateful

The night before: THE EVE! We had to give her BLIZZARD (the cute BIG snowman) to warn her of exciting things to com.

I got that last pic before bed: Goodbye 12! (sad face/happy anticipation)

NOW: Today my girl stepped into teenagehood, and oh my goodness… what a day.
From the moment she woke up, Tatum was glowing : and somehow still my same sweet, beautiful girl.

Before the party, Oreo, the cutest little black-and-white puppy stuffy! She was so happy but said NO PICS! Oreo was by her side the rest of the day.

Then some PINK SUGAR so she’d smell sweet.

Before the party, of course I needed PICS!!

Oreo and DAD!

proud parents…we couldn’t decide on the best…so alas.

Party at Mavrix! Let the Fun Begin

‘

At 10:30 AM we headed to Mavrix (a bowling alley/arcade) for her birthday party.
Her crew for the day: Jos, Hayden, Liam, and Vivian… her people. (Hayden wasn’t there yet)

They bowled, laughed, cheered each other on, and of course:

Tatum won the bowling game!

After bowling came hours of arcade fun, tokens, tickets, glowing lights, and a whole lot of running around together just being kids. Then the CAKE arrived! She had no problem blowing out all 13 candles with one mighty blow.

Everyone sang, she beamed, the candles all lit up her face…
It was one of those moments I’ll remember forever .. the joy of watching her step right into this new stage of life surrounded by friends who absolutely adore her.

The bowling alley gave her the coolest pin which they all signed. HOW COOL!

When we got home, she opened her presents from us:

• New hair + body things
• More Littlest Pet Shop treasures (the nostalgia!) (We gave her an advent calendar which lasted ….TODAY only HA!
• A vanilla sugar scrub
• Pens, cute accessories, and a Barnes & Noble gift card
• Soft cozy pajamas
• And of course, more time cuddling Oreo

And then? She did exactly what a newly minted 13-year-old should do:
She sat on the couch, comfy clothes on, and played with her LPS toys like it was the happiest place on earth.

Chik Fil A for dinner since..well, she can!

This birthday was everything I hoped for her:

Simple.
Sweet.
Surrounded by friends.
Filled with laughter, bowling, arcade chaos, sugar, surprises, and so many little joys.

Tatum HAY what a treasure you are.
Thirteen looks beautiful on you.

Every year I think my heart can’t possibly hold more love for this girl, and every year it stretches a little further. I see the little girl who used to SING AT THE TOP HER lungs with the plastic mic and line up stuffies on her bed… and I see this radiant almost-teen standing in bowling shoes with a sweet grin, cheering on her friends and still clutching a stuffed dog.

I’m so proud of who she is becoming; kind, funny, creative, loyal, tender-hearted, a little wild, and wonderfully herself.

If this is what 13 looks like, I can’t wait to see 14, 15, and all the years ahead.

Tatum, if you ever read this someday:
We love you more and more every day. You are one of God’s sweetest gifts to us, and it is the greatest joy of my life to be your mom.

From the moment she was born

to this very day,

my heart grows deeper and deeper more crazy about this girl. Watching who she’s becoming so creative, bright, sharp, and genuinely funny might be the greatest privilege of my life.

I ADORE her as a person not just love her as my kid. My biggest prayer for her is to love Jesus with all of her heart soul mind and strength. I LOVE YOU, Tot.

Apparently, “The phrase “six seven” comes from the song Doot Doot (6 7) by Skrilla (released early 2025) in which the lyrics repeatedly include “6-7”” (from a reputable source)

Then TikTok, Instagram and other social media, especially in edits of basketball players (one being LaMelo Ball, who is 6′7″ tall). (another source!)

But it’s basically a nonsensical expression, with no fixed meaning,

So, for Tatum….

All I know is that:

It’s not a secret code

It’s not a “meh” response

It’s just an in between of this or that and really just nothing

Trends! They really just exist to keep adults clueless and in the dark so our kids can make fun of us since we are “out of the loop.” For me? I’ll think it’s something like this!

 

Tatum has tried it all over the years : gymnastics, karate, swimming (which she rocks at), ballet, piano (still part of her routine at home), and even guitar. Each one taught her something different: confidence, rhythm, balance, focus. But soccer? Soccer has lit her up in a new way.

There’s something about this game that’s captured her heart. Maybe it’s the teamwork, the energy, the thrill of the chase, or that electric moment when the ball hits the back of the net. Today, she scored a goal!!!! And her team won their first game of the season!

She’s out there determined, focused, and full of life, I can’t help but think how every activity she’s ever tried has led to this moment. Every lesson, every tumble, every song practiced .

She’s at that beautiful age where creativity and courage meet; where she’s learning what she loves, and who she’s becoming. And right now? She’s loving this game.

Tatum is enjoying toys again! She’s completely into LPS’s (Littlest Pet Shop) and wow, (they’re pricey) but we’re slowly building her collection piece by piece. She’s also rediscovered my old childhood treasures: the vintage Fisher Price house and the wooden dollhouse that had been tucked away in storage. Watching her bring new life to them makes my heart so full.

She’s “toying” again: creating, imagining, storytelling. Just when I thought that part of childhood might be fading as she approaches 13, her creativity is blooming in brand-new ways. She even makes her own furniture for her little worlds!

And her bed… it’s a testament to all the things she loves. Stuffies galore: big, small, squishy, fuzzy and especially capybaras. They’re her current obsession, and honestly, they’re adorable.

Her birthday is just one week away, and I’m soaking in every bit of the magic that’s left in her “twelve.” As I write this, she’s out playing a soccer game (Doug just texted that she scored a goal! I can’t help but smile)…(stay tuned for this blog!)

Her creativity, her mind, her energy, her humor, they’re all such gifts. She is delightful. She is bright. She is pure joy to watch grow. (ONE WEEK FROM TODAY she’ll be 13!!)