Month: October 2017

Tatum woke up today with a frog in her throat. She sounded like she swallowed foghorn when she coughed. However, she powered through and we got ready for church.

She has been letting me curl her hair lately. With a real curling iron! This is big folks. B.I.G.

The best part is that she loves it.

Have I mentioned that she is going to be FIVE in a month? Have I mentioned that I’m Faaaaaaareeeeeaking out about it? How did this happen?
So, as time gets closer, I’m savoring every minute with her. And the Coti boy too!

I am not sure how he feels about this hug from Tot. Smoosh. Hmmmmmm.

Well, we tried again and he posed.

Is it over yet?
Yes, puppy. It’s just Tot and I now.

I love you with every teeny bit of my heart, Tot. Coti too. My kids. XO

Devotion and prayer always start our day. Our book is tattered and torn, for we have been using it for over three solid years.

Our morning would not be complete without snuggling with our little Jesus, Coti. He is filled with unconditional love and patience.

We love him so much. He really helps us understand how Jesus loves us.

This particular day, we wanted to paint, but we also wanted to find some fun things in magazines that would be important to celebrate. We love to find ways to make the most of our days, so this was one.

First, we painted watercolor on a background.

Then we went through magazines finding pictures of things we liked.

Mine was pretty simple.

 

 

Tatum found so many things she couldn’t even fit it all!

Later on that day, I spied on her in her bedroom. She was literally reading one of her Storybook Bibles on her floor. This ended the day exactly how it started: With Jesus and the celebration our lives with Him as the anchor.

Friday morning, I awoke to a big surprise. Tatum gave herself a haircut. Now, like most little kiddos, it was not just the bangs. I apparently gave myself a trim at 5 also. BUT IT WAS JUST THE BANGS! ahem. Excuse me for yelling.

She cut off her sides and left the bangs. Which is worse? Not sure. But, picture day is Monday, of course, and so, I shall barrette her up and camouflage the best I can.

She feels a bit like a penguin, so we made some out of recycled CD’s.

This is just a blip in the life of Tatum, I realize. It is another fun facet of being her mom. She’s still the most beautiful one to me. I heart you Tot!

Coti wanted to finish my work for me. What a loving doggie!

After all the grading he did, he bolted in my room. I wondered where he went? Well, he was tired of course!

Here I am, mom!

Today, he decided he was too cold to work, so he parked himself on Tot’s bed. Tatum let him snuggle with baby.

and down…..

he goes……zzzzzzzzz

It’s a hard life.

We decided to scribble and then color in the space.

And then, we embarked on drawing what we see. She loved this picture of the frogs finding the end of the rainbow.  (The fable pointed out that these frogs were not so wise, but they sure were chasing the beauty). The poor frogs were left out of the scene.

Wonderful!

Doug kindly wrote this blog, and emailed it to me in surprise. It made me weep with gratitude, humility, and joy. Thank you. Here you go:

 

I was looking way back through my email archives and photo galleries recently for something and literally saw hundreds of emails that Steph and I have shared and many thousands of pictures (I’m not exaggerating). To step back and see an aggregate perspective that is lost on the day to day for me was good. Things become clearer at the higher perspective. What is important in life and what is not so much. I have been seriously fortunate to be close to Steph and Tatum for more than 2 ½ years and I’ve shared so many life experiences with them. I’ve seen firsthand the joys, the disappointments, the celebrations, the struggles, the laughter, the crying, and most of all – the LOVE of these two for one another.

It’s been a privileged window that the Lord has opened for me to see the life with my two dearest sweeties. It’s the quiet times of Steph and Tatum that I get a glimpse of that no one else sees. The silent moments and special moments that seem to me to be the most powerful. These memories are the foundation of your lifetime bond.

It’s in the silent touch. Your hearts connect…

It’s in the quiet times. Time to be together…

It’s in the unspoken words. Time to just be close…

It’s in the solace of sleep. Safety and reassured…

It’s in a smile given. A smile returned…

It’s in a muted breeze from the ocean waves. God’s creation…

It’s playing the warm sand. Time stands still…

It’s in a wisdom known. A wisdom shared…

It’s in an encouraging word. Confidence grows…

It’s in the playful times. We want never to end…

It’s in the goofy times. Times to remember…

It’s in the birthdays together. We celebrate each other…

It’s in the joy of Christmas. Family traditions…

It’s in an adventure. Excitement awaits…

It’s in hearts filled of gratitude. Hearts are redeemed…

It’s in the everyday ordinary. Living each day to the fullest…

It’s in a whispered thought. You are one…

It’s in a tear shed. A mom’s comfort is there…

It’s in a stolen moment. A laughter shared…

It’s in a reassuring touch. Mom’s secure love…

 

All of these are where you find your lifetime bond. An unbreakable bond. It’s in the quiet times and special times that have cemented your LOVE! Steph and Tatum you both are strong together and have a blessed and rich life. And above all, your LOVE gives testimony that Jesus IS. Thank you Jesus for Steph and Tatum!

Steph and Tatum, here’s to many more memories to come. I love you both!

–Doug

 

Tatum has a gift. She sees something she wants in her head, then she decides to make it.

The other morning she woke up with a vision she wanted to make a reality in the morning. She imagined her bear being a watch on her wrist. We made it happen! This is the theme of most days. She wants glasses, we make glasses. She wants a new watch so she/we make a new watch. She wants a pup pad, she creates her own. This week, it’s iPads. Today alone, she has created about five. I just found her in her room making one with animal apps. It’s 8:08 pm. Again, she had a vision, so she made it happen.

Again, I love her brain. Instead of begging me for the latest “thingamabob,” she decides to create her own. She told me that when she wears her “homemade” glasses to school, she gets teased. Do you think it bothers her? No way.

Tot, you are my little creator. I love how God is purposing your life.