Category: Totally Tatum

It was SIX years ago when I received the “phone call” about Tatum. She was to become my baby three months exactly from that day. Wow.!

Well, I was in North Carolina that day, and so I decided to make the best of it. Tatum stayed with Doug, so I made sure she had some new jammies. Giraffes make her feel taller.

Anyway, I decided to Uber over to the Billy Graham Library. It was about 15 minutes from my hotel. I had to be back at my hotel by noon to check out, so I only had an hour. When I arrived, my body filled with goosebumps.

This place.

Wow.

I had to stop and sit on this bench and just pray to thank God for this beautiful environment. Music played softly in the background, and I felt like I was sitting with Jesus.

OK, I’m ready. Nobody is around, so I selfied it.

When I entered, I was welcomed with open arms. Seriously, the genuineness of the volunteers was beyond kind. Elsie the cow welcomed us

and shared that the tour was about to start. The cow talked, yes. She mentioned that God wants to USE US (ALL OF US) for His glory as He used a simple farm boy in Billy.

We began the tour, and I sadly had to cut away because of my lack of time. I ended up going through and just relishing the pictures and the history of this man. As an evangelist, his message was so simple. Turn from your sin, repent, and be forgiven. No flowery words. No fancy speech. JUST PASSION and LOVE.

I loved this wall

How much are we loved. Completely; no matter what color or size or where we are from. We are all loved by Him completely.

Reagan loved him. He worked with 11 presidents!! That in itself is amazing.

At the end was his Just As I Am video and this walk into the cross. Ok, this was a bit surreal and not creepy but eerie? I wanted to be holding someone’s hadn’t but alas…. I pretended I was with Jesus.

I had to get going, but I ended up going in the prayer room for some silent time. Then, of course the bookstore. I had to buy a few goodies for my favorite people.

This day has always been my favorite because it brings me back to a TURNING point in my life. The day my life completely changed and would never be the same becoming a mommy. It is likened to the day my life has never been the same since I met Jesus. Billy Graham inspires us all to remember that day, embrace it, and SHARE IT.

I missed you this day, Tot, but I celebrated you, Doug, my mom, and my life since I met Jesus. It only gets better.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3  He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5  You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

We say (well, I say it) every day). Do you know why? Because I do feel like that sheep sometimes because HE has to MAKE me lie down and rest. It’s not natural for me. But, my cup overflows with blessings because I CHOOSE to focus on the blessings, have gratitude, and look at everything as that which works for good.

I love you, Jesus.

This was the first thing that came into my mind this morning. Well, it could also be that I heard that song on the radio by for King and Country.

You see, this morning, Tatum woke up with the stomach flu and a fever. That meant no church. But, you know what happened instead? We laid on my bed and read my first BLOG book from her first six months. The entries are hilarious if I do say so myself. I think I was so delirious from lack of sleep that I was not in my sane mind. (Or maybe that was my sane mind and now I’m insane? Oh well).

The theme of most of these blogs was digestion. Yes, digestion. Was it going to be a smooth process or would it end in gas, bloating, wailing and screaming? (Ironically this is my problem now) OR, would it end with a nice little giggle and nap. The latter never happened. So, Tot and I reminisced (for some reason she doesn’t remember (!?!?))

So why did I wake with JOY? Because this past 5.789 years has been gloriously amazing. They always say (They = EVERYONE except those with little desire to parent) it whizzes by, and it sure does. That first year felt like forever because I was so exhausted, she cried incessantly, and I was sadly working full time. But now, she just started Kindergarten, and I savor every minute with her since it’s a bit less now.  (I’m first to pick her up HEEHEE).

What is to come is very exciting because she continues to blossom as her personality becomes more vivacious, kind, and playful. Her class seems to be a great fit for her as she comes home everyday telling me she played with everyone (not to mention she is learning a bunch). These are some things she remembers:

Mrs Holman is awesome, bumping her head on the monkey bars (I got to pick her up early), learning more math, and not having any homework (yet). Oh, and going to the library! (but not getting a book yet (sad face)).

We still draw when we can (and paint!)

 

Tot, we are going to have a new home soon, and you’ll have a new daddy WHO ADORES YOU. All of us will just continue to grow in love. JOY. This is the word of the day.

 

Wow. I remember I used to say, “Oh, she’s got two more years before Kindergarten!” It was eons away. Now, here it is. It feels like she’s leaving for college. I am so used to having my little bumby around me most of the day, so now I must get used to getting her to school by 8 and picking her up around 3. It’s time to MAXIMIZE our time together. Man….it’s so hard for some reason. It’s a good thing that I not only LOVE my kid but that I LIKE her to bits.

She had her clothes laid out two days ago! (She usually reads in her chair to relax)

We went shopping for her first day outfit. She even tried it on so she’d be completely prepared.

We woke up early (I did my devotions),  and she then jumped out of bed, and got dressed.

We prayed this morning for:
A smooth morning for Mrs. Holman.

For new friends and for Tatum to be an encourager, servant, and lover of people

For Mommy to find joy in this new season

She’s ready to go have breakfast!

I had her lunch all made last night, and oh was it fun to tuck in some little surprises plus a love note. These Yumboxes

make it so easy!

We got to school, and I went into drop her off with Mrs. Holman.

Tatum was so excited.

I, of course, needed a bit more power from HIM to withstand this. I am so happy for her, but geez….it’s hard!
So, they had a coffee/get together for parents in the gymnasium. I met some more new moms, connected with ones I knew, and got boosted up with love.

I’m so very grateful for this school, Paradise Valley Christian Prep. There’s so much love, nurturing, and joy in this place.

I think we are going to make it. Ephesians 6 all day (putting on HIS armor) and Psalm 23 to know we have our Shepherd present to comfort us.

I love you Tatum Tot. You are covered in love and His protection. Amen!

Today, Monday, we had orientation at her new school. It was for all new students.

We met in the gym, and ran into Cana and Ethan. He’ll be starting Pre-K. How fun it was to see them.

Mrs. Sheryl Temple, Headmaster, began at 10:30.

And shared with us that the whole school is dedicated to this theme:

We will glorify God in all we do!

Romans 11:36: To Him be the Glory! I love this dedication to the Lord and that all are on the same page.

We met the K-5th teachers

the rest, and then we got to visit the classrooms to meet Mrs. Holman and any other new parents.

 

She picked her stick (green!),

said “HI” to Brownie (who was hiding under the leaves),

and said hello to her seat.

She had a nice lump of clay at her seat with a verse about being the clay of the POTTER, God.

We are so excited. I can’t believe it’s here tomorrow.

 

the BIG DAY!
Tatum and I decided we would stay home today and make crafts, enjoy being home, and just have fun. We also had a meeting with her new teacher, Mrs. Holman. This was my idea because I wanted to make sure all of my ducks were in a perfect line before school started.

Our craft was just delightful. We made little animals out of egg cartons.

Painting first, then decorating.

After piggy and chicken, we made a family for the chickie and some friends for piggy.

So cuuuuute!

Now it was time to go meet her teacher. I had questions about the drop off, pick up, how can I volunteer, and to just get to know her. Her husband is one of the Pastors at Scottsdale Bible Cactus Campus. She also has 4 grown children (2 sets of twins). She worked at Tesseract when I did and she actually subbed for ME when I taught 7th and 8th grade at Tesseract. How cool is that?
I am so excited about Tatum having her as a teacher.

She posed and was ready to go! (Mrs. Holman took her class picture for the wall today).

 

 

The day was so great, and I just can’t believe the summer is over.

Good night my little love bug. I’m so grateful for you.

How much fun is playing at home? Well, we are milking it all we can before school starts full time! (happy sad face)

First we have broken out the Lincoln Logs. It’s about time since she got these like a year ago. I finally figured them out. (you need lots of patience which I have now) (insert eyebrow raise)

They became a home for bears and doggies.

She also loves playing with her Lego’s; she has three different sets now, and they are all mixed up, but that makes if fun I suppose. Where are my PANTS?? This is the running question. Aside from Where is my HEAD?

This box makes being in the kitchen a true joy for me as I hear her PLAY and role play. Joy to my ears.

Now, it’s time to learn to sew! I bought her a MY FIRST SEWING kit about 2 years ago. It’s recommended age is 7, but I learned at 5, so no time to waste.

Threading the needle was about to put me in the looney bin (but remember, I’m full of patience now, right?) ?!  AFTER THAT, we started our lesson.

stay in one line and make the stitch.

Now, she’s ready for the pillow. (She’s making it for baby).

Up and down. No poking fingers allowed, so we took our time. (another patience lesson)

Now we stuff da’ pillow.

close it up with the stitches.

Baby is so happy.

especially with the pouchy purse I made him.

This bear is loved. And she did it herself!

She ended her play with some play dough. She’s making dinner. Delishilous!

She made me the best dinner ever.

We had so much fun maximizing our home time. One thing I know is that you’re never too old to play and savor time with your kids. NEVER. As Pooh said, “Something always comes from nothing.” We had nothing planned today, and SOMETHING sure did come.