Month: August 2021

Since Tot was a baby, I have been producing inspiring art for Tatum’s wall. She has quite a few of my drawings, and I love to gift her with these from my heart.

I first had been working on a Lighthouse for like two years. I put it aside for a while, but then I revisited it a couple of months ago in the summer.

I finally finished.

I could blend more and fix a few spots, but I figured It was enough.

After getting it color copied, I framed it and put on the frame what I wanted to say. God is truly our lighthouse. He directs us when we feel like we are in the dark. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We can in turn be lighthouses in a dark world. This is Tot’s verse: “Let your light shine…” (Matt 5:16).

Then, the second one. I started this little cardinal after my cousin Kasey gave me this pic. I just fell in love with his cute little face.

She actually took this picture and then I wanted to draw it. This has been sitting in my art book for 4 years unfinished. I finally did.

I remember giving up on him a few years ago since it was so hard to get the colors right….blending and shading just got the best of me. Not this year! Holy Spirit power!!

I then put the caption to “Sing to Him a New Song.” This is what I need daily! Sing to Him with new found joy! What a reminder.

On the wall, now!

I love you, Tot!!!

It was only going to be a few minutes we would be gone. When we got home from picking up Tot from school, it was very quiet. Too quiet. Where was the Coopy head? Coopy? Coopy? Oh, dear. No answer. Not in his house. Not on the chair. Not….anywhere!

Then, I hear, Mommy, come quick!!!

Oh, my! Coopy! What have you done? Well, first he found Tot’s Kleenex box. That is obvious.

Then Coopy showed himself. All boxed in, boy?

He’s wagging like mad, and he’s swinging his head around trying to get free. We are ccccccaaaarrrracking up.

Poor guy that he’s providing our comic relief as he suffers in blind dark boxed silence.

Tatum finally freed you from your blindness. Did you have fun in your little box o’tissues?

At orientation, Mrs. Temple stressed that PVCP will be a school of lovers of country. With all of the division in our country, she wants the kids to understand our freedoms and the precious gift that is our country. American flags are all over campus.

She also wants to have PEACE be the theme this year. Jesus is our peace! I love this school and its heart for love, country, and faith.

First, I made Tot a lovely breakfast so she was all ready!

Then when we arrived, the whole school gathered around the flagpole with some military officers to celebrate America with the pledge. Here is Mrs. Temple and one of the teachers leading us.

Tatum, you are ready! Prayed up and set with blessings.

Coopy will wait for you (and so will I, my girl!)

It all started with a song. Yes, she wrote a song to commemorate the end of the summer and to get ready to move forward. Here are the lyrics.

She then sang it to us a few nights ago.

Tickle those ivories, Tot!

Now, it was vital that I get all the goodies together for dinner. I wanted her to have the best day before she goes to 3rd. We did have to go into school for orientation and also to meet Mrs. King. Tatum knows her from last year so it wasn’t too scary! She is a lovely women with three grown kids, a hubby, and a strong walk with Jesus.

First, she had some directions on the board to follow, then we said HI to Mrs. King with a plant and card.

She looks ready!

Dinner time! I made maple salmon with oven roasted maple carrots and rice. Salad too of course.

We got her all kinds of things to encourage. But first, she graduated from our little summer school which I wanted to celebrate.

Then I owed my wonderful family another big THANK YOU. I wanted this dinner to be about ending the summer well, and then launching her into a new grade with a special blessing.

Here is Tot’s card. Thank you for being with me all summer. I needed you so much and you were so present.

I also wanted to thank the Daddy. My HHH.

Tot, I am so excited for you. ROMANS 15:13 I claim for you!
 ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Then, I gave us all a keychain. See how it becomes one when it is put together. We grew so much this summer.

The middle is for TOT: Daddy’s girl and Mommy’s world.

I gave her some scripture cards for her backpack. She is going to see if Mrs. King will let her keep them in her desk.

Tomorrow is the big day!
I love you so much, TOT!!!

I didn’t get a pic of dinner, but it basically looked like this:

And it was tasty!

Ok, back to dinner. We had a great night of IDEAting.

I made a card for each one of us using the the acronym IDEAS

Daddy first:

He continues to give us great ideas for Hay Happens and the house. It’s coming along, honey!
Tot, you are full of creativity.

We are definitely going to make gingerbread houses, ice cream sundaes, and popcorn.

I’ll add to it with my s’mores idea.

Stay tuned for implementations.

We were to draw a picture of each other. She drew a picture of me in heaven. I’m so tall reaching to God and she says I’m happy. I no longer suffer from ANY tummy issues in heaven. Be still my heart, Tot.

I drew a picture of Tot. Centered on Christ, and being centered, she is so filled with Love to her peeps all around.

Then we had one more entry. Getting in trouble. Oh boy.

Now, Tot’s.

We learn! I love her lesson. Just say no.

So much fun with you, Tot. I love you!

Oh, what a summer. It was actually my favorite summer ever which is ironic because it was the most difficult. (health wise)

I suffered daily with SIBO, yet I was surrounded with love. My hubby and my daughter were constantly caring about me, and I think we all got closer during this time.

We also did so many fun things despite feeling yucky. I wanted to still create memories and make our summer filled with joy. And it did not disappoint.

We had some grand plans for the summer. Here is what we hoped to accomplish:

M, W, F: Bridges, Brainquest, Math. T, Th: Bridges, Math, Writing! Plus we did Bible every day (praying, reading, and devotion), a Prager U video and reading Courageous Women.

Here’s more of JUNE! It busted out all over. And the landscape began!

Oh, she wanted to add school.

July came in with a bang and lots of rain! We loved the cool weather, but it didn’t help the landscape get done faster.

Wowza!
August came in so fast, and Tot and I started with our GIRLS getaway.

And we still have a few days left. I am going to miss her so much when she returns to school. Tatum had such a great summer, and to top it off, she made a new friend in Lynn, a lovely woman from church. They trade writing in their journal each week. She’s just lovely.

Thank you Summa’ o’fun, 2021. May we continue on our journey into 3rd grade!