Doug and I wanted to celebrate Tatum on Sunday night. I made her a nice dinner of her choice; she wanted a big salad with chicken, sausage, cheese and chips and salsa. Daddy gave her a sweet card.
We then took Cooper outside for a walk (new adventure!), and we let go the balloons into the sky: Launching into first grade!
I love the symbolism of balloons flying hight because they represent Tatum’s future. It’s going to soar and be an adventure. I can’t wait to be in the front seat of her life.
Now, we are ready for a new day tomorrow. We only go for an hour to her classroom to meet and greet and drop off supplies.
She’s all ready with her backpack filled with her supplies here. Tuesday is the official start.
Here’s her classroom. Tatum’s name is on the whale! The gentle giant which Tatum is for sure. A giant heart with such gentleness.
When we got there, there was a scavenger hunt for each student. Great idea, Mrs. Finman.
Part of it was to help with a puzzle and greet Mrs. Finman
All done!
She was to make a bag when we got home of all kinds of things that represent her. She wanted me to take a couple of pics when we got home to include in her bag. Cooper and her Bible definitely are included. She LOVES Jesus, Mommy, Daddy, Coopy, and her activities.
Here are some of Mommy and Tot, Daddy and Tot, swimming, golf, hiking, and family time. These are all the things that make Tatum the TOT!
I can’t wait for your first day tomorrow sweet girl!!!! I love you!!!
I had to snap their pics because not only is my little cutie pie all ready for church, but my honeybun looks so spiffy. You two are my sweetest dears ever. I love you both so much. And, most importantly, I love the relationship that is growing.
Daddy is so intentional in showing LOVE for Tatum. He is always buying her cards and making her feel absolutely ADORED.
Thank you, Daddy for being so amazing. Tot, you are growing so much, and we love you!!!
Not sure he thinks so. Jumping out of the bathtub is all he can think about, but when it’s all over, he LOVES being swaddled like a little baby. I kinda like it too, little cuddlebug.
Now the next joy is the drying and brushing. May it be over now??? Oh, little Coopy, you’re almost there. He gets extra treats during the whole process. And LOTS of TLC. Why doesn’t it feels as much fun as when I go to the salon to get all coiffed? Hmmmm..
It’s very exciting. Now, Cooper has all of his shots, and he is ready to relieve himself in the wide wide world of grassy areas. Ms. Karen (our dog trainer) came over on Saturday to help us out.
We are all very excited as we listen to her wisdom.
Ok, here we go! Pee pad, we are moving on. How’s he doing Lovebug?
All these new smells and sights. It’s beyond his comprehension.
Every weekday of the summer, Tatum worked diligently on Brain Quest. I told her the last day, we’d have a party. She finished on the Friday before first grade, and we all rejoiced.
She wrote a summary of Little Red Riding Hood with the correct punctuation and capital letters. The gingerbread man awarded her a
Brainiac award.
So, now we must celebrate.
I wrote out a few thoughts about PARTY DAY.
First, I wanted to celebrate her big, beautiful heart with a new pair of heart glasses. She hadaccidentally broken the pair she bought with her own money, so I wanted to reward her patience and great attitude about it.
Then, I wanted to celebrate her growth in writing with a new pencil. Not just any pencil…
(Yes, I was MOOOOOVED by her growth)! Next, I wanted her to know she is my sunshine and to always remember that.
She can keep smiling now with this bear lip gloss.
I love you, Tatum!
Here’s a little yogurt before we go get a…wait for it…
a new haircut and get her all ready for a new BEGINNING! Thanks to Brandy for this one.
She sure looks cute and mature.
Her uniform (and all its looks) is now the complete package. Her heart, smile, attitude, and kind words are the foundation from God. The clothing will go perfect now on top of it all.
Dearest Lovebug, I’m so proud of you. You are going to make new friends and grow in your faith and your academics. Your heart continues to grow with the fruits of the spirit. Keep being YOU and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape you.
When I walked in from my trip from Madison, I was overtaken by streamers and noise makers, my sweet family, and of course little Coopy.
First, let me back up. While I was gone, Tot, Daddy, and Cooper made the best of their time together. Daddy did so much with her to make the time special. He completely outdid himself.
He made nice meals,
and Tatum created her own works of art.
Cooper played of course! Well, he didn’t always play. He did a lot of waiting.
and waiting…. Where’s the mommy?
Meanwhile, the family was plotting a surprise. Tatum even dreamed of what it would be like; this reunion of family. She was at peace and ready for the next day.
And so it was. I flew all day, and when I walked in,
the place was decorated. Balloons, cards, streamers, flowers. They even decorated the table with all of the post-it notes I hid around the house for them to find while I was gone.
More surprises. Daddy took Tatum to Hobby Lobby to find presents.
Tatum really can blow it! In a good way that is.
I felt so completely adored and appreciated. Tatum made me some pictures; she put up a cross for me; and Daddy and Tot gave me love cards.
I don’t like to be away, but this made me want to leave more often. (not really)
The beautiful thing about Doug is that he makes sure I feel completely adored. He’s teaching Tatum the idea of edification and the importance of putting others above ourselves. Also, GRATITUDE> It’s what our family is all about.
Sometimes I get to leave the nest. It’s not often. But when I do, I sure feel the love. I also learn so much.
This time, I had the honor to attend the Distance Teaching and Learning Conference in Madison, WI to present my paper with my co-author’s Dr. Scott Greenberger and Morgan McNaughton. It was a 2-year endeavor, but we finally got it published in the Active Learning in Higher Education Journal. So….I got to go; Thanks to my honey taking care of Tot and the Coopster and his loving encouragement.
One of the interesting things that Doug prayed for me is that I would make a difference or meet someone to help. I wasn’t looking to move mountains here or to puff myself up. I merely wanted to just show up, share, and learn. Done. I didn’t know what was in store.
I arrived on Tuesday night late, and what do you know….my view.
I was going to be staying near the capitol?
I would be staying right across the street!
What a blessing. I got to know my driver, a student from the University right next door too. I just listened and asked questions. This is one thing you do: Ask questions and care about the other person. He didn’t need to know about me.
Then, my room….so pretty! I found it funny that they cared about the remote. God knows that I clean it every time I stay somewhere because a study showed it was the dirtiest thing in a hotel. ( I know, I read these things). SO…..there it was. Clean for me. God was looking out for me.
I sent my loves a video hello and I got a cute pic back. My home loves were finding all the hidden notes I left. (Can you even stand this pic???!!!! STOP THE CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!)
Hee hee. I loved making all these notes. I wanted them to know I love them so much. Tot and Doug. SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU! OH, COOPER TOOOOOO.
Ok, so I had a nice sleep and then the next morning, up and at ’em. Swam a good mile in the indoor pool, walked all over downtown, and I was ready to go.
On the way to my destination, I came upon this little guy. Tried my hand at using the portrait setting on my iPhone. Not bad. He was a reminder of the beauty of the Lord in my day. Be a vessel of hope, Stephanie.
It was funny….I wanted to try cheese curds, but I had no time to go to a shop. What do you know; right there in front of the convention center, God gave me another gift A Farmer’s Market and guess what they had? Cheese curds to sample. Glory be!! I got the full run down from Farmer Bill about how the curds turn into the delicious pepper jack which I had to try as well. Blessings.
When I got to the conference center, another present was present. This view.
I sat and just enjoyed it as I waited for my team.
Here they are!
We have been meeting for two years via ZOOM conference, so to see them face-to-face was a blessing. They invited me to lunch, and I was in. Plus, GCU was paying. Yahoo! Another gift.
Now I know why I came. Scott had gone through a divorce last year, and this answered many questions as to his lack of excitement in our process. He was a different man today. (He also was 1/2 the man as he seem to have lost 100 lbs!) He wanted to know the story of Doug and me. I shared our 4-year affair of friendship and love, and he was hooked. He then shared how he has been in a 7-month relationship. OK….now I get to love on Scott. My turn!
This girl he’s dating…she brought him to the Lord! He is now attending church. WOW! Ok, and what else? I encouraged him to be the MAN and grow HIS relationship with Jesus. That is what she would want. I also gave him some advice and ideas. He soaked it all in, and he thanked me profusely. He’s going to get her a promise ring now and finish out the year with her (date for four seasons). Wow. I felt so grateful I could be there for him. It made me realize why I was there: To be a vessel. I realized my experience with Doug and my relationship with Christ was a WITNESS! OH now I get it! You used me LORD!!!
Then we had our session. It was a roundtable discussion, and afterward, the gang decided to get together for more research. That means I get another opportunity to write with these two. The conversations were so fruitful. I kept thanking the Lord for using me and for humbling me to learn more.
After, I decided to enjoy the weather and sit outside to read.
In Scottsdale, you don’t sit outside to read, right? Unless its November-March.
As I reflect, I feel blessed. I feel honored. I feel so grateful that I can just be smiling, loving, and being. That is God working through me and being a witness; rising above the world’s ways and being a hope. HIS hope. That is what I want my life to be; I will choose to look for the God pokes and the blessings each day.
I’ll be home tomorrow, and as I reflect, I am a newer version of me. More grateful and more focused on the blessings. I love you Lord. I love you, my dear husband. I love you Tatum (My bumby!!!!) ! I love you Coopy!!!!. My cup overfloweth. (Oh, and mom, I love you. Thank you for being my mom and supporting me too).
