Month: December 2023

Our small group…they are a blessing times 10! Doug and I have been blessed with four couples who truly have enriched our lives.

Alex and Von:

Julie and Matt

Giselle and Doug

Hilary and Brian

And then there’s my honey. Isn’t he the sweetest?

And…..WHOLE FAMILY!!!!!! OH SOOOO GRATEFUL! BEYOND.

Taties!! MY sweetie pie, I ADORE YOU.

Yes, we had a PAJAMA party! Truly a joy of pot luck (I made a ham and sourdough), and some fun conversation around our dining room table.

Each shared what they wanted for the new year, and each was so heartfelt. We are all going through much transition. Tatum joined us for the dinner, and after a few of the girls shared some heartfelt needs, Tatum went over to hug. COMPASSION> This has developed I believe because she has watched me suffer (fruit!). OH, and she shared this:
For 2024, I want my mommy to get better. MELT> She didn’t think of herself. I started crying in gratitude and a bit of guilt…I don’t want this for her! BUT….Stay tuned for the hope I have.

The next day, I sent this to the girls.

Good morning ladies! (WARNING: THIS IS LONG! ) The evening was such a blessing and I wanted to reach out to EACH of you and share some gratitude. You all shared your heart with some mighty challenges and changes for 2024 and know that I wrote each down and will be praying!!! First, Giselle…I loved your outfit!! The potatoes were a dream and ALL loved them. Your mom is in HIS hands and I will continue to pray for her to be a HEALTHY woman!! . Julie, thank you for the granola, card and just your beautiful presence. LOVE the salad! (I loved the dressing…hehehe) OH, the joy of seeing your boys move on, but it’s hard!! I know how much you love them. And your friends who struggle with health; I know you’ll be a sound/strong support for them!. HIlary, so GRATEFUL to have the beautiful you! Thank you for bringing the broccoli too! And your sweatshirt :0) You are entering a new phase, and it will be exciting! I will be praying for smooth transitions and new adventures for you. And lovely Alex…beautiful lady :0) LOVE your heart. Matteus is going to SHINE, and you’ve done an AMAZING job as mom. Rest in that. New adventures for him and YOU!! I know the wine was a hit (and the cakes.. OK, THANK YOU all ladies. I adore each of you. We WILL WILL WILL have coffee soon..maybe next Saturday? XXOO BLESS YOUR DAY!!!

We will be praying specifically.

SO GRATEFUL!!

Oh, and Coopy? He went berserk in his house until……..

He got to be on his happy place under the…

The joys of friends, kids, and our pets. I love you all so much.

She blesses our socks off! Tatum gave Doug and I a concert on Friday night since we missed the King and Country concert. See an earlier blog as to why. She also would sing and read Romans 15:13 at SBC on Sunday! BLESSED!

She started out with a recording of her welcoming us and telling us to enjoy our hot cocoa as we get seated.

HEE!

Then she came out singing Jingle Bells!

Then a bit of ‘wrapping at Christmas!

The fun just kept coming with a dance.

She then sang with the Chapel at SBC!

Oh…and the best part? She read from Romans 15:13. Not a coincidence!! This is my favorite verse about hope and joy. WOW!

OH THE JOY! Yes, Joy is the longing BUILT on hope. SO, do I still have HOPE? Yes, because He lives inside of me and fills me. Therefore, I must know that He won’t let me down; even if it’s not in MY time.

My honey gave her a card. He IS SO TO US.

We enjoyed decorating the tree…of course HOT COCOA as Tatum would want.

Wake up call. December 7th, 2023

I have put my family through a roller coaster ride, and truly that is half my battle. Tatum asks for prayer from her class and teachers almost weekly. Doug remains steadfast in his love and loyalty to me; patiently hoping that I will be “back” or better!

I know that I can’t control so much of this, and this is honestly the battle. I wish I could make it all go away, and I ask God daily….WHY? HOW? WHAT DO I DO?

Well, slowly, in HIS time, He is answering. We have had to sacrifice dating, vacations, “fun” outings because of me. Tatum and Doug seem unaffected, but it takes a toll. HOWEVER, what I do see cannot be created without true struggle. It’s CHARACTER. It’s TRUE LOVE and COMPASSION. Our Tot volunteers in Special Ministries and now with the 1-2year olds.

Also, just yesterday, I found this in her photos.

She WANTS to be with me…all the time.

ANd then there’s my honey. He doesn’t deserve this! Just today, he gave this to me.

Man. I’m so blessed.

December 7th, I got a diagnosis of:

I won’t be a VICTIM ANY LONGER. NO, I am the CEO of my health, and from now on, I’m going to be taking control WITH HIM. God is giving me answers while humbling my family and ME especially.

You can turn around a disappoint by taking your eyes off yourself.

Can I tell you a quick story? 

Well, back in the summer, we went to a King and Country concert…they are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G in concert, and I decided to buy tix for their concert this Friday night Dec. 8th. Bought the tickets back in July!

I got awesome seats and parking..spent a TON of money. All good, right? 

Well, alas. It’s been a VERY rough year for me (actually the past five but this past one has been the worst), and I was hoping for a break by Dec. 8th. I’ve been going to bed at like 8:45pm every night because that has been life or death for me. Since the concert starts at 7, and seriously I have a bit of fear to go. Breaking Tatum’s heart has been the toughest part.

We turned it all around; TATUM and I decided: LET’S DONATE THE TICKETS! She WOULD LOVE TO DONATE the tickets to someone in Unlimited Special Ministries or a Pastor at SBC.

We reached out to Carolyn Meyers at SBC who is the head of the Special Ministries.

This is her email.

Hi Steph, 

I reached out to all our DK Unlimited families as well as the special needs moms in our moms’ group at SBC.  A woman named Brittni has a son in a wheelchair She, her husband, and her sister will be going. She is THRILLED! How could she not be.  This is amazing! Thanks so much for thinking of our special needs families.  This is huge for them. 

So Grateful,

Carolyn

THEN, Brittni emailed:

Hi!

Can you please send this to the generous donor!

Hello!

Thank you so much for these concert tickets! We love country music and get out for concerts rarely so this is such a treat! So thankful for you generosity! 

Love, blessings and Merry Christmas!

Matt and Brittni Lamb and Brittni’s sister who is joining us;) 

Tatum also decided she’d give US a concert tonight! She’s been working so hard on practice. Here is her dress rehearsal.

I love her ATTITUDE. We have so much JOY. Yes, we miss out, but we MAKE THE MOST of it and SEE JESUS’ hand in everything.

Tonight’s her concert! We cannot wait. Make giving a habit. Amen.

She had tried out back in October to play Mary at the PVCP Christmas concert, and tonight would be the big night!

She practiced so very much with Mrs. Cline, and Mrs Cline had such kind words to say about Tatum;

In fact, this was the email I received the next day after we gave her a thank you gift:

SHE DID TOTAL EMBODY MARY with her nurturing way. This night would be never forgotten. …Anyway before the night, we gifted Tot:

We arrived early to save front seats, and the program was waiting. Tot: Top billing!

The first part of the concert led up to Mary and her calling from God.

All the music and was just so inviting and beautiful! Of course, I just couldn’t wait for Tatum to arrive on stage. Oh…wait, here she comes with her hubby, Joseph. (Hayden!!! We love him!)

We awaited for her to speak!
But they first had to be near the angels and manger.

She then prayed and prayed.

We all were speechless. Her speech humbling herself before God as a chosen servant was awe-inspiring.

She then held Baby Jesus as if she was really holding him.

Gulp. Wow. Just ….wow.

Her dear friend Felicity also sang a beautiful solo

After, so many came up to me with so many compliments of her maturity, beauty, and articulate words.

It should have been a HUGE shindig. No, a fabulous PARTAY…but alas; it was just us. The three of us. Which to me is the best of all.

Tatum loved on him with a card.

She to multiply his age times a billion and give him this many hugs!
She wanted to find a bonding activity, so she got him this video game. We are still looking for fun ones to do together.

WE need ideas here as we are not video game geek experts! sigh.

Now, I wasn’t sure what to do for my honey as I wish I could give him a weekend away. Suffice it to say, I am hoping to help his sleep at least so he remains top notch!
The OURA ring will hopefully help. I LOVE MINE!

He will size his finger and then we’ll get it ordered.

Lotsa cards and love to my honey bun.

Oh, and then..his FAV. Lemon cake. (now mind you, I make it keto-friendly, but it still tastes..well, DELICIOUS!

I love you beyond I can express. You keep me going, my love. Without you, Tot and Jesus, I’d be a mess. May this next year be our best. xxoo

And we still are communicating often.

She is our girl in Rwanda. We cannot wait to meet her one day!