Month: January 2019

See this picture?

It’s Tatum’s teeth! She had fallen off the scooter last week and chipped her one adult tooth up front. Well, we’ll deal with it after braces. Not to worry now.

However, look at this crowded mouth!

This is my life right now. (Doug’s too BTW). It’s crammed full of work, wedding planning, moving planning, remodel planning, parenting, financial stuff, etc etc. It’s busy!! Like Tot’s mouth.

Well, today, I did not accomplish my dreaded list. In fact, I fell behind because I was so bloody tired from lack of sleep. Tatum did not like me not being fully present. She made it clear to me that when we were at the piano lesson, I was not “right there next to her.” Then when we did homework, I was just sitting there not doing my cheerleader moves as usual. We didn’t play a game. And, I chose to talk to mama a bit when she needed me. She balked, I need more mommy!! I don’t even want to go to school. 

Oh, Tot. We had a nice chat about how I can’t always be ON and sometimes, I just need some compassion from her. We need to forgive and take care of each other and lift each other’s burdens. She is learning this, but I did tell her I’m so sorry that she felt ignored by me. It wasn’t my intention.

Tot, no matter what, you’re always in my heart. That is why I make sure you always get a love note in your lunch. I’m with you always, even when I’m not physically present. (And guess who else is? JESUS. ALWAYS, but HE IS PHYSICALLY PRESENT). So, Tatum go to Him when you feel something is missing. He’ll fill those empty places. In the meantime, I’ll do my best to be there for you whenever you need me.

I need you too, Tatum. You’re my special gift, blessing and light. I love you to pieces.

After about 6 months of asking to get her ears pierced, I finally agreed. Santa brought her some pretty earrings, and we scheduled the big day!!!

It was today, Friday, the last day of her vacation. Brandy, our hairdresser, said she would do it since she is an expert in this area. Perfect!

Tatum has been patiently waiting for weeks, and now with it being here, she is so excited. Brandy texted me early to say she had a cancellation so we could come in at 11:30. DONE! We arrived with so much anticipation!

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Brandy showed us some choices of earrings of stainless steel, and we picked the crystal balls. They were sparkly just like Tot! Perfect!

She put a little dot on each ear and asked me if they looked even.

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Now we are ready! Tot held my hand. OH, I must say that Brandy previewed everything with Tatum with such grace and honor! I was so impressed. Tatum wasn’t even scared. OK, ready!

Right after, she looked …..waited….and then…………..

Oh, my….That hurt mommy!!! Brandy asked her if she wanted to wait. She said NO WAY and the next one was done…boom!

OK, you’re brave kiddo.

Not so happy at the moment, but just wait, folks. When she sees her sparkly ears, she’ll be beaming too.

OH, yes!!

Thank you, Brandy!

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Brandy was as gentle as a dove.

Then, after a LARGE mint to suck on and get some sugar to the brain, she could think. Wow! These are awesome! Now, she was perma-grin.

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When we got home, are you still excited?

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OH yes, mommy! I love them!

Later on, it was time to get something cool to eat and celebrate her bravery.

Brandy even texted us,” We told everyone how brave she was!”

I feel great about the decision now that I see how she is handling it. We’ll be doing the 3-week plan to keep them clean and sanitized. I’m so proud of you Tatum, my light, my sparkly gal. I love you! Thank you, Brandy!!!

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Day 11 was to make a grateful jar for each of us. That was not hard, so we filled each jar with something we were thankful for each person. I can tell you that I have been thankful for Tatum being my “hands” lately. You see, I have a hard time using my hands in the winter since they get numb, tingly and painful. So I am grateful for Tatum helping me.

Mama has also been so helpful with the wedding and some details. Thank you for all your sagacious advice!

Day 12, we would end with a giving bang.

We’d head to Kid to Kid to find a pair of Jammies, and then go donate them. This is always fun!

Well, our 12 days of Christmas is over for the second year. I hope that Tatum has enjoyed it as much as I have. She says the best part was “giving.” Being a giver is the best part of being a follower of Jesus. He was the biggest giver and Servant of all. Maybe we can strive to be more like this.

Colder here than in Anchorage, Alaska right now.

So, today we froze our way to her 6-year old appointment.
She is now 34.5 lbs and 40.5 inches.

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Hearing is perfect and she’s 20/25.

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Her weight and height are in the 1-percentile still and she is right on track.

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My little Tot may be little, but she is bold, beautiful and larger than life in personality.

She is bold on her new scooter. As I rounded the corner walking behind her, she was crying. Screaming really. She had fallen off and hit her lip. Her baby tooth was loose, her lip was bleeding and guess what? Her adult tooth had a chip *ahem* I said CHIP in it!!! I had Coti with me, so I ran with Coti, her scooter, a full poop bag, and my Tot all the way home.

She cried and cried (and I cried too) as we got her all rinsed off. The dentist can see her in 3 days! Oh boy, 3 days. Ok, so in the meantime, we pray for the pain to go away, and for help with her adult tooth.

Being a parent is a constant struggle with how much to be a helicopter, hovering over her at all times, and being hands off and letting her make mistakes. Geez! I wish I could wrap her in puff bubbles so she won’t hurt from a fall and earmuffs so she won’t hear the garbage of the world. But, the inevitable will happen. All I can do is give her tools and teach her how to access what she already has: JESUS inside of her. The rest I must leave up to God.

I love you Tot. To PIECES literally.

Yes, it was a cold day to do it, but we were prepared. Tatum and I had our gloves and our coat to put on in between shots. It was in the 50’s by 4pm-5 during sunset.

DK, our photographer took over 800 shots. Doug grabbed a few of the ones she took. They turned out so amazing. I’ll be putting them in a blog pretty soon here. Here are a few of the ones he got.

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The ones of my guy and me will be coming. It was an amazing experience at Veteran’s Oasis Park. Wow. We all felt so happy and excited. Cold but happy!

Can you believe we have used the same devotional book for 4 years! It has seen its days; that is for sure!

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Every morning, no matter what, we start the day out with our devotion and prayer for the day. It sometimes lasts 3 minutes, but it is always done. She is so used to it that if I ever miss it, it is brought to my attention IMMEDIATELY!

I bought a new one for us finally to start this year. I also got a perpetual calendar to start.

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Then we realized that the calendar requires another memory verse for the week. OK! Tatum recommended that EVERY time we walk by the calendar, we say the verse. And may it be!

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Later on, we worked on our goals for the year:

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It’s up right there in front of our faces; can’t miss it. I know the loving others “above” ourselves can be a challenge at times, so we’ll keep an eye on our behavior and our selflessness.

I’m reading a book right now about the importance of the words we use; it mentioned to use word pictures when talking to your kids so they can picture what you mean. Instead of saying, you are gentle, say, “You are as gentle as a dove.” Then put that picture up in their room.

I decided to give her a gift today. It was a reminder to her that if she ever has a bad day to remember:

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Tatum, I have on your wall to “Let you Light SHINE” because you are a light in this world ; you also are a gift and a blessing to me. I have wrapped you up in a box so you can unwrap it anytime and know what you truly are: A GIFT to me and so many. May your light shine and spread joy to the world. You’ll make a difference!

Happy New Year!