Month: June 2017

This final day (after Day 1 and Day 2), we decided to hit the park first before the beach. We were hoping to break up the day a bit, and a walk to the park was a great way to enjoy Coronado. Walking along the street and seeing the cosmopolitan of people, doggies, and stores was just the ticket.

We hit the breakfast bar and enjoyed seeing the foliage once again.

Birds of paradise! SEE?

Finally, we headed down, with this nice sunny day, and started to dig.

We made a nice pool, and Doug reinforced it to keep it in tact. The sand does something to Tatum. It’s like a magnet for her! The water is that way for me. I think a wetsuit is in my future. Playing frisbee and trying to throw the football  (grr) was the next best option. Doug has the arm!

As you can tell, we were all pooped by the lack of pictures! My sweetie does such a great job, and today, we just laid low. Nice, seriously.

A bit of a CARS puzzle to end the day.

 

The drive home was glorious.

All in all, what a great trip. The promise of coming back in September kept us all excited.

I’m so grateful to my sweetie for all his hard work making it easy for all of us. Tatum, you were so much fun! Doug, I love you and your kind heart.

See you in September, Coronado!

 

Day 1 now over;

It was a clear morning as we headed down to hunt for shells.

Because:

Stopping first at the Del to take some pics

The beauty and timelessness of the DEL. Doug always gives us so much appreciation for the foliage! I learn so much from him.

So pretty. Birds even are amazed

And then….

as we were down hunting, the fog rolled in

The Del started to disappear. We found each other, thankfully.

Looking for sand dollars, we learned to NOT PICK UP THE PURPLE ones as we were scolded by a 3rd grade teacher. They are still alive; you must save them.

We also came upon this amazing sand sculpture dedicated to some US Navymen who died in battle. Exquisite.

Finally, we headed back and found a grassy place to stretch. Tatum joined in. When in need, stretch, I say.

 

Now, it was time for a little brekkie and coffee since the stretch did not do much.

Now we are officially ready to beach it! But first, a phone call. HI MAMA!

Doug got us allllllll ready!

Go DOUGIE! (as Tot would say). He got us all set up.

Even Tot got a chair.  Doug, thank you for the Froggie!

The fog kept us pretty cold on Monday, so we did what we could.

Tatum definitely had it right playing in the sand. The water was too frigid to swim, so we played A LOT of frisbee and enjoyed hanging out and people watching. Tatum greeted everyone around us and made all feel welcome. Doug braved the frigid waves, and I did NOT. Sad face.

Same as the prior evening, we brushed, read, winded down, and got ready for day 3. We were exhausted! I think the best part was eating dinner outside and playing games (who am I, charades), all of us.

 

With the record breaking temperatures in Phoenix, dreams of sand toys, and bonding time needed, Doug, Tot and I headed back to Coronado.

Tatum prepared some of her travel bag. These little beanies needed a home in colorful bags.

Ok, now I just need to make sure she has enough goodies to keep her going during the 6-7 hour car drive. Between Doug, mama, and me, I think we have plenty. (two whole bags full of surprises!)

Doug showed up on Sunday morning, car-full of everything for our trip.

Seriously, he is so good at being prepared! Tatum and I just had to pack our suits, snacks, and toys. Did I mention toys?

We stopped in Gila Bend for the needed caffeine break. Gila Bend is known for heat, drive throughs, and the Space Age lodge. You want to blast off when you are in Gila Bend, you see.

Off to find the nearest Subway en route since they have something green to eat and their food can please all of us. The bonus Cars watch doesn’t hurt either.

Doug, when are we going to be there? 

Soon, sweetie. Soon. 

Glorietta Bay!!!! Halleluia! Cool weather! They have American flags all over the place too. Pretty nice.

Quick stretch, unload, then head out to the water for a looksie.

Tatum, now we are not getting wet, OK?

OK.

Then, it happened. She couldn’t resist laying in the wet sand. So, guess who had to carry her back to the hotel since she was cold? Yep. ME!  Doug. Sorry honey.

That night, we played JACKS. Well, Tatum version of jacks was more like bowling. Go with it.

We then read some books, put her to bed, chatted and readied ourself for an early morning shell-hunting. Day 2 here we come!

 

Have you ever had a day where you couldn’t get a break?

Tot had one of those days.

First, we woke up at  double 00 early to take mama to the Dr. to get her knee checked. Tatum helped the Dr. out showing mama how to stretch out her legs.

Now do this mama:

After this, we headed out. Tatum was cold, so she wanted to stand outside. I was ready to take her when she headed full force into the window. Their side window looked so darn clean that it was clearly invisible. (no pun intended). I screamed and cried more than she did!
We got an ice pack and headed home.

Later that day, I had a meeting at GCU for brainstorming on curriculum and instruction. An hour long meeting for a two hour commute. Worth it? Hmmmm. I’m still wondering this.

Well, our dear friends Chelsea and her son Mason took Tatum to Sportball so she wouldn’t miss. She was in hog heaven riding in a fancy car seat in another’s car!

Apparently after class, they went to wash their hands, and some turf fell on Tatum’s finger. What!? When I picked her up she had a red and black bandaid with some character I cannot remember at the moment on it, but I do know it helped cheer her up.

We ended the day with no running, jumping, wiggling or hopping. I said we needed to just lay low and be. So we opted for a board game with mama to wind down the night.

Mom is recovering well, and Tatum? She fell asleep with a smile and a twinkle. I think she’ll be just fine.

 

Father’s Day has arrived. Now, this day has not usually been my favorite holiday, honestly. However, this year, I wanted to celebrate a particular DAD who has shown love, patience, kindness, strength and long-suffering.
Doug.

He embodies all that is good about being a dad.

I wanted to make something for him which would be significant and communicate this message. This is when the verse, Isaiah 40:31 came to me:
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.:

An eagle! So I got to work.

Slowly but surely it came together. Tatum encouraged me all along the way, and actually she made art with me as I persevered.

She wanted to make something for Doug, and a rainbow was just the ticket. A promise of good things to come!

The eagle finally landed and was ready to frame. I had to make sure the writing was just right. Painstakingly, I tried to line it up only to find out it was not so.

But I tried!

Then I framed it and voila…gave it to my Doug.

I think he liked! I know it was sure fun doing it. He is so patient, and has endured so much through these last few years with me especially. We needed to celebrate this and remind him that GOD HAS IT ALL in HIS HANDS. (or under His wings, I should say.

Happy Father’s Day!

 

And thank you to a wonderful Friday!
Today, we learned more about the forgiveness that Jesus offers. Also, how God wants to have a relationship with all of us. He never leaves us! NEVER!

We made superstar sunglasses today to signify how important we are to HIM.

I have to say, being with the pre-K’ers all week really made me appreciate Tatum even more. She is a shining light even when she loses a bulb or two if you know what I mean.

The kiddos at camp were to raise money for kids in Jordan to have a VBS also. So they collected money all week. I’m anxious to hear how much was raised. Tot gave her share. She has a stash of quarters for “donations” she’s been saving.

It was a great week, truly. I pray the kids will never forget the message of Jesus.

We ended the day with a lesson and some crafts for a special Sunday coming up. 

VBS, skating, crafts, and lots of loving on others. I love you Tatum Isabella Knight.

Today was day 4 of VBS. Today was the day she would see (and relearn about) Jesus giving his life for us; it’s nothing new for her, but it is always good to see the reminder for our sins being forgiven.

It was a tough morning, however. Tatum had a few unkind words slip from her mouth, and the minute it happened, she couldn’t believe she said it. I couldn’t either, honestly.

But then I was reminded of the power of sin. Especially in a child; they impulsively say and do things, and we can’t be surprised when our little sinners do this. Even us, as believers, do things we aren’t proud of.

Tatum and I sat at a table at church, and she wept. I joined her!

ME: “Tatum, do you know why you said what you said?”

TOT: “No, mommy, but I’m so very sorry. ”

ME: “Well, Tatum you did because you, like me, are a sinner. Everyone is! We all make errors! Daily! BUT, Tatum, there is a way to be forgiven. And what does God do with our sin once we confess it to HIM and to the one hurt?”

TOT: “He drops it into the bottom of the ocean never to be seen again.”

ME: “Yes, darling.” We need this kind of forgiveness because we mess up, don’t we!?”

The sting didn’t go away. But, I think she is getting her need for Jesus.

There was a consequence for her unkind words, but I’ll tell you, she sure did repent.

Day by day, I learn more and more the need for the POWER of JESUS and the LOVE He has for us.