She woke up this morning showing me a list she had made for the Balance Landscape boys. She’s been loving on them daily. Donuts one day; Gatorade every day (we went and stocked up so they’d have some goodies to keep them cool); lunch maybe one day. We look at it like a ministry and a way to be a little Jesus.
Tatum’s life verse is Matthew 5:16: “Let your Light shine so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven.” YES! She is living it without me telling her to.
So she wanted to find out what the guys like for lunch:
I asked her to ask them what time they like to eat as well. She goes out there often to check on them. They have become buddies (she and Eric at least).
Later this Friday, we headed to the Paradise Valley Food Bank. I have been volunteering there now for a while and during the summer, I’m bringing Tot with me. This was her first day.
One of the volunteers helped her put together a food box for a family of one.
Nancy then came in and gave her her own name tag.
Next, a family was to come in about one hour, so Tot insisted putting together to food box by herself. I stood back and helped if needed.
She followed the list perfectly! I barely had to help her.
What a life-giving day. On the way home, I asked Tot how often she thought about herself today…like problems or tummy aches…. She mentioned NOT AT ALL. When we are serving others, we forget about our own problems (We are serving Jesus when we serve others). We focus: Jesus Others You. It’s how we get JOY.
I love serving with you Taties. You truly are a joy to be around and everyone notices your giving, generous heart.
Today was a tough day for our Twos-day due to Praxis today. I would be presenting in the afternoon, so we had a shortened day. I figured, let’s go to brekkie, bring our work with us, and enjoy each other.
Luci’s here we come! Tot wanted eggs and sausage. Potatoes filled the plate, so she was plenty filled up!
During our breakfast, we did our new devotion from Focus on the Family, our new Piggie and Puppy book brainstorming, and Bridges.
Day 2 of summer is becoming more exciting! We decided to bless our landscapers with some Krispy Kremes.
It was our first day back since CO. We finished school, then immediately went to Colorado for HCA. (Hay Colorado Adventure). Today, we would begin our summer “schedule” of sizzling, spicy, sweet schooling and other surprises!
I’m going to give her incentives after 150 points (one minute = one point) for reading, 100 points for Math, 25 points for Piano, and 50 points for Bible.
Our landscape plan also began to unfold today when Balance Landscaping tore up our driveway. It’s all beginning now!
And now the driveway is all cabonkers! WOW! Where did it go?
Ok, back to our spicy summer. We started a new devotion today and of course a bible verse of the week. This week: Eph 2:5 “Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” Easy to remember with a little treat of yogurt thrown in.
Meanwhile, Tot and I decided we’d like to love on these guys through the month. Tomorrow, DONUTS for the crew.
After this, we’d head into the art room for Brainquest and Math.
She began Day 1 in Bridge book…
This was no problem for the girl! Then onto Brainquest.
Math!
Tot had a haircut appt then. She wanted it all chopped off, so Brandy to the rescue.
SOOOO CUTE!
In action…. playing
And then…our journal. MONDAYS and FRIDAYS, Tot and I will work in our journal.
We read them to each other:
What a great first day. More to come! I love you TOT>
We are coming home today! Woke up early, worked out, ate a FREE brekkie, and we were off! Now, we had an extra hour or so before we would head to the airport. So, my honey found a little hike for us to do along the way. And WOW, was it glorious and so hidden!
We would hope to find these treasures on our hike:
or some flowers:
We were awed by the views!
Though the canyon, I could hear different birds and see them flying, but we didn’t capture any of them on camera.
This rock looked like it was going to fall!
Teetering as such. Just amazing.
We headed out in about 45 minutes since we had to get to Denver. Sadly we couldn’t hike the canyon.
When we got to the airport, Tot powered through with NO complaints. She had packed her bags full, and she insisted in carrying her backpack plus my suitcase.
THE TOT!
After we dropped off our bags, she just kept powering through our million mile walk to the gate. Denver airport is HUGE, and of course, we were in the farthest gate.
Tot, I am so amazed by you.
We got home on time, and oh did it feel good.
That night, we shared our gratitude and I gave Tot a little Ralphie from CU.
He suits you, cutie pie.
I love you family. I LOVED GOING TO CO on our ADVENTURE! HCA!
We won’t let the rafting incident get us down!! NO! We are bolder now. Ready to go to Boulder by the way! I graduated from CU (University of Colorado) in 1990. I haven’t been back (but only once) since then. I get to return back with my two LOVES! My family! We started at Chautauqua Park. I used to ride my bike here, hike here, picnic here, drive around these roads….all of this when I was a young gal. It is still more beautiful than ever. Those flatirons!
See them all?
The day was a bit warm for CO, but we still sauntered up the park a bit. Daddy and Tot were awed by the beauty.
It was a busy day there at Chautauqua, but we wanted to take in the view. Tot and I found some dandelions. She couldn’t help it. OK, let’s blow!
I always pictured Tot prancing in a flowery field like a little puppy. Truly this place was made for her.
And Daddy? He’s focused on the view. You can see the city… And CU!
He couldn’t get enough of the flatirons. See this majestic bird flying in the picture?
Time to go, Tot.
Next stop, Flagstaff House. This was a restaurant my mom and Mimi took me to for graduation 30 years ago! It is on the top of the mountain, and it’s so fancy and glorious. We headed up the mountain 6000 ft!
Such great memories of overly pricey fancy dinners with my family.
OK, so now we are headed to the campus! Doug couldn’t believe how beautiful the architecture was. First stop: Kittredge Hall. My first dorm! Papa moved me in August of 1986. Hard to believe! It was the first year of Kittredge being open.
WOW! The beauty and the memories. Me on my bike riding to class was a common occurrence.
Now, I also drove occasionally and I had to tell the story of me hydroplaning down University Blvd. But, first, we had to visit “The Hill” where mom’s sorority still lived. Delta Gamma. My grandma Mimi and my mom both lived there.
And the Sink is still there! The best burgers ever. Mom’s first hickory burger was there in 1956. Mine in 1986!
Instead of eating we decided to go shopping. We headed to the University Memorial Center (UMC) to the bookstore.
We bought a few goodies for Tot and Mama to remember our CU experience. Tot will get her gifts in a couple of days.
Until then, she enjoyed the experience.
My 4 years here were so amazing.
I wanted to show Daddy and Tot my sorority. I lived here with 80 girls my Sophomore and Junior years. I tried to go in, but nobody was there.
It’s such a beautiful house.
Wow…just wow.
I brought them down to Pearl Street and it has not changed much. Street performers, little shops and chocolate! So…I bought Tot and Daddy a treat. We just went to Wendy’s for lunch which is probably a sin in Boulder because of all the foodie places….but we still like it.
After lunch, I gave Daddy his little chocolate treat and he was a bit……
Now, Tot’s turn. Little love bug…what will you get?
Oh…yes.
Now, what does the Mommy get for dessert? Wellllllll, since she’s having her tummy issues, it’s…..it’s….
Oh, it’s not funny!
We had a great time, and Tot and Daddy enjoyed seeing my past. The ride home to the hotel we played little games and made the time go by quickly.
That night, our last night, we had fun conversation, lots of chocolate, and a good dinner. Chik-Fil-A of course. We doctor it up a bit, and it taste so good! Gratitude all around. Here is mine:
I probably missed a ton, but here is a little list of my gratitudes. I love you family. Ready to go home tomorrow.
