We can always strive to be better. If we started out as perfect, what would be the need for God? We are to be dependent on Him, and when our weaknesses come out, it’s an opportunity to glorify God and to ask for help.
Such has been the road with Tatum this 1st grade year. Academically, she does pretty well. In fact, in reading, she is at the 3rd-4th grade level. In other areas, she is at grade level or 2nd. What I look at is her attitude, her work habits, her character, and social skills.
First quarter, she struggled with the wiggles, following directions, listening, and sometimes she didn’t know how to handle conflict with friends. Her neatness needed work too. She had A TON OF good areas, but these weaknesses were bothersome.
As a family, we are intentional. We spend time meeting, praying, discussing how to work together to overcome. WE rely on GOD to help us, realizing that we are not alone.
Mrs. Finnman complimented Tatum on how much she has improved in just 3 months. She accomplishes things first time asked, she is polite to her classmates and to authority. She sits still in chapel and on the carpet, and she is being much neater with her work. ALSO, she is just always kind and helpful.
Her report card shows her improvements.
Tot, we love you so much. I love watching you grow and mature. Man, you are a delight to raise, and I can’t get enough of you! XXOO
Get ready to say, “Wow” when you hear about this fuzzy little guy. Tatum has been assigned to study penguins, and she was given the Rockhopper specifically to study.
Did you know that a rockhopper hops from rock to rock as in the term “Rockhopper.” Her assigment is due on January 21st, but she finished the whole thing one week ahead of time.
Oh, note that she enjoyed a Kale shake as she reported. She insisted I make her one of my specialties.
Ok, now focus! Cooper was out since he did not want a kale shake.
Here we go! Read up!
She found this info on four resources. SO proud of her! We had so much fun. I think the Kale shake was the secret sauce. ?
Tatum has lots of kids. I mean there’s Charlie, Pierce, Tommy, Luke…All boys, you see.
Here’s how it goes: She loves to browse pictures of herself as a baby. We have gone through the 2’s and 3’s. She picks out about 12 pics since she has 12 plastic frames. We just went through the 1’s, and I got them developed. (she pays with her allowance).
Then, she plays with them. She gives each one a name like Charlie today.
Charlie came to school with us.
Supposedly he was crying all morning, so I have to keep my eye on him while she’s at school. After I pick her up, she’ll ask, “How was Charlie today?” And I’ll assure her he was in the best hands.
Oh, my sweet girl; I love how your creative brain works. Also, how you love to love. You love to nurture and care for others and you show this with how you love on your toys/kids/dolls/pictures.
When we got home from school, she pulled them all together and decided to read to them.
How about the story of Cain and Abel?
Yes, yes! Apparently “Cain was 100 years old and was in room 12 at Hospice. Abel visited him and while there, God showed Cain his life in front of him. He showed him that when he was 16, he could have lived better if he had prayed more to God.”
OK, I don’t know where she got this story, but it has so much wisdom in it. Again, I love her brain.
One of the presents we got Tatum for Christmas was this cool camper Lego set. I wanted to spend quality time with Tatum as much as possible over the Christmas break, so this present would allow this.
I had no idea 344 pieces could be so time-consuming. However, we tag-teamed and made it go by much faster.
She would do a bit, then I would find the pieces and I would do a bit.
It SLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWLLLLLYYYY came together.
Then the camper.
HOW CUTE! The little kitchen inside has all kinds of appliances…
My brother shared that the year 2020 would be a year of CLEAR vision. One of the presents I received for Christmas was this beautiful Nikon 7500 from my hubby. I have been wanting a camera for a while because I want to start taking pictures of birds. My cousin, Kasey, is a MASTER in birding. I only hope to be 1/100th this talented.
This camera takes such clear pics. Just take a peak at a few of my favorite subjects.
And of course, my honey. We went to dinner last night for a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Doesn’t he look amazing? I think the camera clearly captured our adoration for each other.
Tot popped in for a pic. She can’t handle being outside of the fun.
And one more of my honey.
What a great start to a new year. We shall savor every blessing. I love you, Family. I look forward to living with a clear vision with HIS help.
I was reminded today about a poem I once read. All of this from a simple act of giving out stickers.
~*~ A Pebble ~*~ Author James W. Foley Â
Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea. And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.
Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget, But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet, And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown; You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on. They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go, And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.
Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget; But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet, And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred, And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone; But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;  But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy circling yet,  And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard  Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.Â
This poem has profound messages. But, what I notice most is that a single act (positive) can lead to many blessings.
About a year ago, Tatum began giving out stickers at Einstein’s. She receives a bunch of them at Trader Joe’s, and then she proceeds to give them out at Einstein’s. The patrons and employees LOVE it. Well, the manager, Cindy, wanted to return the favor, so each time Tot would come in, she’d give Tatum a sticker back. Then this led to Cindy instructing her employees to make sure Tatum always received a sticker, so she had stickers always at the register.
Now, it has been about a year, and Cindy has moved on, but there is one employee who has run with this sticker graciousness:
Cynthia.
Yes, as noted a few blogs ago, Cynthia, now not only gives stickers and lots of love to Tatum, but she walks around with a tub to all the kids giving out stickers. Parents are so blessed by this as the kids love to come to Einstein’s now. ALL THIS BEGAN WITH TATUM AND HER STICKER-GIVING HABIT.
It’s a great lesson to teach Tatum and really all of us. You never know what can happen when you do something kind.
