Month: May 2019

I love hummingbirds. Did you know….

My honey gave me a card that had this on the back. I think it’s symbolic of what we need to have more of in our lives. We are so encumbered by our schedules. But what if we lived with more grace and more recognition of the beauty around us. We create it with what we choose to focus on.

Doug gave me that reminder for my birthday. Now, for a gift, I get Cooper, but he gave me more of a gift tonight. The gift of time with me at Ruth Chris steakhouse.

How handsome is my man? I am proud to be with him also because of that handsome heart of his.

When we sat down, they made me feel so special. Reserved for a lovely couple.

We decided to play “questions” for a while, and interestingly, we had a few misunderstandings and conflicts. But, what came out of it is what counts. We got more clarity! It’s so cool how that works. He held my hand and assured me of what was worrying me. In this way, he is a leader. He knows what I need and how to help. We also always talk and pray it out.

Then, he gave me the cutest card ever!!

Look who is on the front?

Looks just like little Cooper!

But more importantly, what he wrote inside. He never forgets the important things. His heart is full of love and desire to grow.

He is KING of the little things; he never forgets. I’m honored, blessed, and so grateful. 50 ain’t so bad! It is only going to get better. Thank you, dear husband, for being my HHH and for blessing me. Love you to pieces.

One of the skills Tatum needs is better writing. I also am a big believer in writing our thoughts down because it helps us process. Third, add an element of being grateful daily, you have a trifecta of an activity.

Enter:

Every morning, Tatum and I will write in our respective journals.

First, we will read the Bible verse for the day. Then, we will write what we are grateful for for the day. Then, we’ll talk and write about our verse following a prayer and who we will serve today.

This was the first day, so it was about making the commitment.

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I did it with her. We will do 7 days straight to get the habit going, and then a little reward. The summer will be so much fun doing this with her!
Plus, we’ll be focusing on what we are grateful for, and how can that ever be a negative thing?

I am so proud of you, Tot!

I caught Tatum today. She was doing something she was not supposed to be doing, and she tried to hide it. Sounds like something from…..THE FIRST MAN AND WOMAN, NO? Ok, so we all do it. We try to cover up our sinful ways, but as I told her, God sees it all, so what’s the use. Plus, I told her, that He’s not so upset about our sin but what happens after it. Do we ignore it? Do we hide it? Do we defend and justify? Do we minimize it? OR….do we admit it, and do we ask for forgiveness and try to make a change? THAT IS WHAT COUNTS, TATUM.

As Paul Miller writes from his book, A Praying Life, we have a fractured self when we sin and then try to hide our walking with God self and replace it with our naked hiding self. “Repentance brings the split personality together and thus restores integrity to life.” Well said.

She gets that. What happened you may be wondering?
Well, she ended up coming to me about 5 minutes later and telling me what she did and that she lied about doing it. She said she was afraid of what I’d think of her. I told her how did her heart feel when she was hiding and lying? It felt pretty yucky. Our conscience is pretty real and strong. It KNOWS, and that is the Holy Spirit.

After admitting, she felt freedom and clean. BUT FIRST, she recognized it with God and then asked for forgiveness. It’s amazing the grace we feel from Him when we repent and turn.

THIS is what He cares about. He wants our HEART! Our actions are not perfect, but what is perfect is His spirit inside of us. If we ask Him for His strength, He’ll help us overcome and do better. We also have a clear conscience and a short account with Him, creating a STRONG relationship with our Daddy in heaven.

I am so proud of you, Tatum; this is what character is made of. You are so loved!

Look at this weather. It’s MAY!! Wow. And Phoenicians pull out their winter wear. What is going on? It’s usually 100+!?

So, Daddy decided to take the afternoon off and take us to Sugar Bowl.

Now, if you know anything about history, this is a landmark place. It has been in existence for about 60 years! I have been going since I was a little bitty thing with my grandma. It’s time to take Tatum. Plus they have the best hot fudge sundaes in all of the world.

We got my favorite booth! I used to sit here with Mimi (my grandma who died in 2012 at 101 years of age). It was an ode to her, of course!
Daddy first wanted to surprise Tatum with a NASA astronaut keychain from Washington D.C.

We decided to all order a regular one-scoop of vanilla drenched in hot fudge sundae. Now, I like to pour the piping hot goop on myself so I can watch it melt. Tot copied me. We also wanted whipped cream and of course sprinkles. She brought Tot and I a candle to celebrate. ( I wished for….I can’t tell you!!!). Tatum had never had a sundae like this before, and for me, it had been eons! I used to eat these more often, and it’s time I started again.

Dig in, Hay Family! Breathe please.

It’s getting closer to the bottom and there is NOT much rejoicing.

She’s not looking, so I’ll just partake of …..OOPS! Caught.

Ok, now Daddy is morose as well. We licked every drip and drop of chocolate and tit and tittle of sweetness from the bowls, plates and table. I think my family was craving sweets, no? It’s OK; we’ll be back soon, right? We’ll find a reason to celebrate I’m sure.

We headed home happily filled, and now we’re ready to tackle some projects. Daddy worked on the bathroom light fixtures and I worked on Cooper’s little bedroom. First, I had GCU stuff, but then, it’s all Cooper-time. Tot helped preparing for her little brother.

Good job TOT!

She’s checking the measurements. Yes, Cooper will love this place.

We did a little switerchoo and gave him more room in the front of the house. I love it.

And with blankets… So cozy and ready for you, buddy.

Tatum now had a whole little corner and it’s much more cozy for her. It’s looking good.

What a great day with my family. We celebrated and prepared. Daddy bought us Wildflower for dinner and that helped me immensely. Qwirkle, reading and prayers to end the night. Groovy day all and all.

XO to you and THANK YOU Daddy and Tatum for another amazing day.

Faith, Joy, Love. What a beautiful theme.

These girls keep the faith: Charlotte, Selah and Tatum. They build each other up.

Here is the agenda:

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Mrs. Holman had them do a little Bible, Spanish, Math, and Language Arts to commemorate the year and show all of their hard work.

Tatum got to show the counting by 2’s part.

Then Mrs. Holman had them individually come up and receive their diploma. Each child was bestowed a character trait. Tatum’s was “Attentiveness.” She always paid attention, listened closely and obeyed *mostly . I’m very proud of her.

Cupcakes and friends to follow. I love the cross. And…2031! Wow.

We received some nice gifts from Mrs. Holman. What would we have done without her. She made the year so special and she was a perfect teacher for her (and a friend to me).

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We received a list to prevent the “summer slide.”

Tot and I went through it in the car and made notes. This will be a fun-filled, learning-filled, joy-filled summer!

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We are ready now! Stay tuned for the rest of the day.

Doug made sure that Tatum made my birthday special. And she did.

A singing Snoopy card that lights up, creating a party on paper!

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Could it get better!? YES! Guess what they did for me?

Well, I wanted Tot to have more of a green thumb and appreciate the idea of reaping and sowing. What better way than with a tomato plant! Plus, you get to eat the work you do. Bonus ladybug to adorn the plant.

To top it off, I got a doggy mug.

After church…. and much gratitude for my family,

we headed to Craig and Terri’s in Anthem. They had a great spread and lots of LOVE from the HAY’S. We got home early, and decided to take advantage of this crazy weather. It usually is 105 by May 19th. It was only 75!!!! Bike riding, here we come!

Go Lopes, right? Thanks Tatum for the pictures, cutie.

We enjoyed some macaroons for dessert and some laughs. I LOVE YOU GUYS!
I feel so loved.

Stay tuned for more fun. My honey will take me out for dinner on Tuesday. To be continued……

Oh, he did write this to me on Facebook. Melt.

We have been going to dance every Monday for almost 9 months now. Today, we got to witness her adorableness and hard work.

We had to stop for a quick pic on the way in; she’s getting excited!

All posed and ready, I gave her pep talk.

Smile, sweetie; have fun and be YOU!

Now, it’s all her!
Ballet first. She was poised, smiley and graceful. God was with her in her Spirit!

Then it was the JAZZ performance. Look at this little personality shake her self. (second from the left)

Now gather round for that last HOORAH!

Daddy and Mama were so proud of her (not to mention her mommy!)

Thank you for the flowers, Daddy. Mama got her a nice dress and necklace to praise her hard work.

I gave her a refreshing water bottle and a fun game of Qwirkle with Daddy to celebrate. I love the little things like this with our family. Time home just hanging. I am so proud of you, Tatum. You did it.

Tatum ALWAYS appreciates everything. She never fails to ooh and aah of her gratitude for her blessings. It’s one of her best qualities. I LOVE YOU SWEET GIRL!