Month: May 2022

I love the idea of studying your child. How can we know how to encourage them in their “giftedness” if we don’t pay attention to how they are wired?

She is a delight to study because she is so interesting! First, she is always reading books. This aids her imagination.

(that’s our new outdoor furniture BTW) smile!

She loves to pretend, and she is always creating stories/characters/ideas. Here is her room just after 20 minutes of grabbing a few magazines and pictures.

Hi Coopy!
She is so creative in her ability to make something interesting. She has her own systems, and I’m grateful she is not me! She also thrives when she is building something, making up a story, or drawing something. Anything that involves her imagination.

Tatum, you just inspire me. I will continue to learn WHO you are and HOW God wired you. Then I can point you in the right directions for your future. In the meantime, keep seeking ABOVE! Your brightness will never be “ECLIPSED!”

Ok, so maybe not 30, but it is an opportunity to feel young again!

It all started in the morning when I was doing my quiet time in the art/play room. A little bunny came in while I was not looking and dropped a goodie.

What is this?

Oh, Taties.

She is my best gift besides my hubby.

She took a pic on her Polaroid and brought it to school.

My hubby would text me love notes through the day.

And…the delight of a hot fudge sundae was enjoyed by us girls. SOOOO YUMMY. Can you say DOLLOP? No dollops on our sundaes…more like WALLOPS!

And never be shy about the sprinkles. I mean WHY NOT!? I always say!

Later on, I was supposed to have my REACH girls over, but COVID struck two of them, so we postponed. (Shannon and Cana took me for coffee in the morning! smile)

My honeys surprised me with this then:

Flowers make me feel alive!
Then Tot and Daddy sang to me. Tatum opened the show.

Then Daddy joined. Yes, he did….

And the duet was born.

It elevated.

And then…aah…my sweet girl gifted me with a few blessings.

SBC cafe has the CUTEST stuff, so I’ll use it wisely. (Lord, help me).

Oh, babe…you are so good to me. We weren’t even going to celebrate tonight.

He is truly THOUGHTful.

I am so very grateful for you two. The evening took a detour and you both capitalized on it. You both made me feel so loved. (that is the best present a girl could ask for).

Coopy….you are like the cherry on top.

Being a mom. The bestestest job ever!

Tot and I started out with greeting at church on Sunday as usual. We stopped for a pic. LOVE YOU TOO, MY SWEET GIRL!

Then, we came home for mom to come over and enjoy some quiche and morning glory bread.

Mom came with her Derby hat because yesterday was the Kentucky Derby. (more on that in another post!)

Ok, time to eat!

We missed Austin due to him being ill today.

We loved on Mama and my honey loved on me! And then, the Tot!

She made me a Cinquain at school. Look at how fun this is:

Oh, Tot. She said she loves to read and swim with me too! I’ll take it!

SWIMMING!

I do love you to PIECES!!!

My honey…

He looks so handsome!

SANG to me with the inside: MY BEST FRIEND. (song from Queen)

Your so good to me love!

My favorite people in the whole world…here with me.

Oh, and I can’t forget the Coopyhead.

Bye MOMMY!

Thank you for the honor of being your Mommy, Tot.

I love you beyond measure.

Starting in March of 2022, we launched a PEACE effort for our family. Our circle of life needs to stay round without any sharp edges.

Daily, Tatum and I would embark on a lesson du jour regarding being pleasant and peaceful. It was an internal effort to change heart to change behavior. Jesus is the only answer vs. “behavior modification.” We talked about lessons on contentment, listening, humility….A little goes a long way when you focus daily.

I wanted to celebrate her growth with a “graduation” ceremony

and a new lens.

A Polaroid! So fun!
A new lens of GRATITUDE.

Daddy is so proud of you too!

WE will continue to pursue peace! It is a daily plan. LOVE YOU TOT!

We love to watch the horses race in the Derby. This year, there was a long list of leaders whom we all followed and studied. Little did we know what would happen.

My mom made some fun cookies for the day:

At the time to race, they all approached the starting gate. 1-21. Twenty-one horses. The last horse to enter the race, 21, nobody even gave a look. He was 80-1! Impossible odds. In fact, the camera didn’t even have him in the screen most of the race because the announcer was focused on the five leaders. (We had to watch it over and over to see 21).

Right near the end of the race, a horse in red came through the middle right neck and neck with Epicenter (the favorite). He came from NOWHERE!

He was running his legs off! It was unbelievable!

And guess what? He pulled in FRONT right at the end and…….

HE won!!

It was the best race I have ever seen!

Lessons we can learn:

Rich Strike, you are an inspiration. Sonny Leon, the rider, gave all the credit to God.

Amen. We will commit to being the best WE can be and let’s go encourage others. You never know how you’ll impact the world.

She wanted her hair like Princess Leia.

Oh be still my heart.

May HIS 4th be with you, my sweet girl. You are my star.

He is HIILLLLLLARIOUS truly.

Every day, Coopy sleeps on the chair; I mean he is completely OUT all day. Doug is usually home in the office, and Coopy really could care less.

UNTIL……

He hears the garage door and I walk into the mudroom.

He greets me and DARTS towards the office to say to Doug, “SHE’S HOME; SHE’S HOME!!! LET’S PLAY!” And alas…the door is closed for he is in a meeting.

NOOOOOOOO!!!! Wag wag wag…. But Daddy?
Ok, so then when it’s time for Tot and I to leave for school, he wishes he could climb in.

Darn. More disappointment Coopy.

We love you so much. Luckily you have wildlife to look at while we are gone. …like this beautiful crane who came to visit.

Disappointment is a part of life, my little puffball.