So this makes me smile. Why? Because 2016 is becoming a year of family. Doug and I have talked about having more time with our families and friends as an “us.” UNITED. I sure love that. This picture has that written all over it. It’s so foreign to both of us (Doug and me) to have this cohesiveness as a unit, but we are going to learn and grow together as to what that looks like. Tatum and I appreciate this guy so very much. He is dependable, loyal, wise, loving, kind, and just adorable. He keeps me grounded as Tatum’s mom, as a daughter, as a woman, and as a friend. Valued.
Firsts can be hard
They may be hard, but that is how we grow. How else can we become better if we don’t face our fears head on!?
7:06 Monday morning, January 4th. Tatum wakes me up, and I remember it is her FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL! Today!!! It has arrived. I know that I need to allow plenty of time for the usual tangents of the morning. Things don’t always go as planned with a three year old. Ok, with really any age, right?
She wanted to play with some Scrabble toys, pretending that they were ice cream cones. With that, she wanted to bring them to school. First “discussion” of the day. “Tatum, you can have them at home, but not at school. We will get dressed now.” Oops, I should have given her a choice to avoid anymore discussions! This caused a “moment” so I had to escape the premises for a few to let her calm down.
Finally after minutes of calming down, we arrived at the outfit and the teeth being brushed. Devotion, prayer and we have it. Success. Now, we have thirty minutes for a good breakfast. I was hoping to make her something special. She first wanted hugs and kisses because she knew she had been a bit difficult and was sad.
French toast, banana, milk and a few more hugs and kisses. Off to school.
What do I say in the car? Lecture her about listening to her teachers? Being kind? Sharing? To not poke people? Nope. I just tell her that I love her and I’m proud of her. I walked in and looked at Jerry, and said, “Can I have a hug?” I’m balling by now. Tot grabs my leg and I assure her I’m OK. We walk to her classroom, and she seems pretty happy. Where is Robert? He is late, so we end up chatting with Miss Jennie the teacher. I’m calming down, and Tatum takes off to play with toys. Not kids yet. She will get there.
I leave and realize…I’m OK. Coincidentally (ha), I ran into Pastor Tom at the gym right after and he tells me it’s a right of passage. It’s all good. Jennie, Doug, Gina, and Daisy all text me to tell me this, and I feel the presence of God. He sent all these angels to me today to remind me each “FIRST” is a growing opportunity.
Jennie texted me and told me that when Robert saw Tatum it was a sweet as thick syrup.
According to Miss Jenn and Miss Terri, you were a star! Kind, obedient, and fun. Hooray!
Ode to Tatum 2016
We say good bye to year five
of decade 2010
Tatum you’re three
And for me, it came
and did just flee
So what can I do but
Embrace the YOU
I see in you a spark or two
And actually a mill”EE”on
The sparks I say are not the kind
That extinguish that easily!
They are the contagious kind
That others find
so absolutely
Genuine
Because what I see is that you
Bring out in me
And in everyone..
Loving, laughing
Energy-catching
Did I mention kind and genuine?
The time we spend
Days upon end
I treasure for truly
The books we read
The letters we make
The songs we sing
The stories we create
It’s all I can do but to
Thank dear God through and through
For blessing me
With you dear T. A. T. U. M
Happy New Year 2016
WESTON!
Tot has a new brother in law. Ok, so if she married Robert, Weston David Love would be!
It did not take but two minutes for her to want to hold this bundle of two week-old joy. Jennie had her C-section on December 15, 2015, just in time for Christmas! Her present was this adorable little guy
We went over to visit and to bring her some dinner. I ended up holding him for about two hours, but Tot got a quick turn. She is a natural nurturer.
We love you, LOVE FAMILY! (And Robert, hang in there! You may not be the center of attention anymore, but you still have Tatum’s eye.
And there was M.O.R.E
Queen for a day.
Doug makes her feel like this, and yesterday, her crown was sparkling with appreciation.
Austin’s old firetruck was dusted off, FOUR C-batteried up, and warmed up for Tot’s arrival.
The babies enjoyed it I think more than Tatum, for they got to rid in the extend a ladder!
Then it was more. More presents? Yes. More presents. Doug, seriously? You are amazing.
Minion jammies went perfect with the Minnie helmet which she kept on ALL night. Yes. ALL. NIGHT.
Magna Tiles which I think her mommy loved more than anyone!
Then, he made her dinner. DINNER. A Queen eats turkey with homemade salsa, beans, corn and avocado on her solid gold yellow dish.
Fireworks outside now. Teeny tiny Tot ones only, please. WHAT A NIGHT.
We thank you so much and love you.
Into the next day…..it all continues. The question is did she sleep with it on? Inquiring minds want to know and will have to wonder.
Enjoying Christmas Part II
It was a cold day in December when Tot said she was ready to take on the bike! We got around the block with not too much ziggin or zaggin, and she even kept her eyes on the road. Last year she got this tricycle and finally can reach the pedal. She loves her bike, and is now asking for the next one. What’s missing? A Tater TOP!!! A helmet must be the next purchase for this Tot’s top.
She also is enjoying her new rocking chair. She plops down with a book and reads to me as I sit in my rocking chair. You’re never too young or too old for a rocker!
Painting away! Now that I got her the right materials to keep it clean, she can go to town! Drawing a ..a…a.. red, pink, green, and blue swirly cow? It’s art!!!
She also got some new generation paper dolls.Now they have magnetic clothes, literally.
She also received some Alphabet locks. You match the lower case letter (which is on the key) to the upper case letter (which is on the lock). The lock will unlock if you place the correct key in it.
The secret to her enjoyment is that I get on the floor with her and play. Time with the Tot. That is the best Christmas present of all.
We love you Gabby
What would we do without her?
She is so special to Tatum, and for me? Her presence allows me to have a bit of freedom and me time.
For Christmas, I got her a plaque which has an excerpt of my favorite poem, The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. (She’s taken the road less traveled by and that has and will make all the difference) She’s in her last year of high school, and she has risen above the riff raff and is striving for HER success. I’m so proud of her.