Author: Blog-admin

Throughout the day, I like to soak up information. I cannot sit down to read a book until later on in the night, and if I am sitting, I usually am working or reading some article. Podcasts are a gift from God. I can listen to many in a day while I am driving, cleaning, cooking, or just doing odds and ends at my workspace. I LOVE to LEARN new things ever day! Well, this has influenced Tatum, and now she is creating her OWN podcast.

Her latest: The Tatum Hay Show; How to rock being in your family. She gives the TOP TEN TIPS on being a great sibling, daughter, or family member. She begins with a song, a few ads, and a welcome message from Woody.

When I was her age, I would sit in the living room in front of our stereo system with my mic in hand interviewing the latest star, making advertisements, and singing. Yes, I did pretty much the same thing. Yet, I never shared with her that I did this. The kid just did it automatically. SHE IS TRULY MY KID! OH, and Woody was on all my recordings too! HA!

She records all of these shows on her little watch, VTech. The quality is pretty low, but she still does a fine job with her ideas!

Now she wants to record podcasts all the time! (with me as her guest of course)

This would be so much fun! We headed to Williams for their brand new Canyon Adventure roller coaster and tubing.

Tatum has never really been on one, so why not?

So, Tot was a wee bit small, so she got to ride with me. They charge $20/ride (and $10 for the kiddo). ONE RIDE! They need to charge per hour!

She screamed the WHOLE way down, and I held on to her. SO FUN!!!

Up next, the tubing! Tatum went down 5 x.

WEEEEEEEE!

EEEEEEEE~!!!

Worth it? HEH? Maybe. We are ready for Knottsberry Farm now!

The HAYS have it!

That day, the mommy wasn’t up to par, but we powered through, ready to head home.

BONDING. This is what Tatum remembers the most.

Our family truly bonded this trip. I am so grateful for this.

We had a decent night sleep in our lovely resort room! Of course I was pleased because I got to cook in my mini kitchen last night. The sink, frigy, stovetop, micro…all the things, they were a dream to have! Whole Foods helped us too since I had to buy all the ingredients. Man, I sure love cooking our own food vs. buying some unknown ingredienty-type food.

SO…. the morning was lovely! We got up, I made our coffee, and we swiftly readied ourselves for the gym. BTW, the gym was HUUUUUGE and glorious.

Ok, so Tot got ready with Woody!

Tatum jumped right on to the rower and worked her lil fanny off. Literally.

Doug and I powered through our workouts, and Tatum didn’t stop! She usually just putts around playing with the plyo-balls.

As we headed back to our room to head to the hike, we enjoyed the beauty of the grounds.

Tatum picked a load of daisies for our room!

Ok, we picked a short hike since we were ready to just enjoy the day at the resort.

OH, the views!

Later, we headed back to our hotel to venture out. They had a mini golf course and a pickle ball court! Our first time! Ok, but first, we happened upon this river in the back.

I sat on the rock of DREAM. Yes, we dream of new adventures without sickness!

Tatum of course had to venture INTO the lake.

Golf~

We had many holes in one (ahem…)

And then.. our first attempt..and I mean ATTEMPT at Pickleball! So fun!
We chased more than hit, but our court buddies didn’t mind. (?!?)

We did the usual with the rest of the day. Swam, played games, cooked, and read. The next day, Williams!

We LOVE going to Sedona. We love going to Sedona when everyone is LEAVING Sedona. That is why we planned on getting there the evening of Memorial Day. (Everyone is going bye bye back home! HA!) The beauty of the architecture, the red mountains, the serenity of the water, the people…it’s just a true vacation. This time, I figured it would be fun to stay at a different place with a kitchen and a resort feel.
Our plan was to go first to Flagstaff and surprise Tatum to go on a gondola. Ski season lasted until MEMORIAL DAY this year! So we headed to Snowbowl first.

BUT…of course, the drive:

Guess who joined us on the road?
YUP! Our little songbird…no this one:

WOODY!

He sang to himself as he slept.

We stopped at Circle K to get ice, and Tatum got to have a treat. I say on vacation, she can just enjoy, so granola bars got a thumbs up.

The car rides are always a new adventure; between marriage and family podcasts, Adventures in Odyssey podcasts, TobyMac music, or just plain talking and games, we make it a fun experience. I am grateful I can get work done in the car too! Thank you GCU for that opportunity!

Tatum enjoyed having Woody with her! He did so well just riding along on her shoulder. I said she could look at the map on her phone while he enjoyed the view.

We arrived in Flagstaff midday, and Tatum still had no idea what we were doing. There was still snow on the mountain, so she wondered why we were headed up that direction. I knew this would be the last day to experience the winter gondola, so we hoped it would work!

When we arrived, there was one big party. Shirtless snowboarders, drinking, smoking, music…the works of the last day bash. Ugh. The lifts were closed too (for a while) and we figured we’d not wait, so we headed to the gift shop! HA!

And OH this was a great idea! Everything was remarkably marked down. We got Doug and Tatum an amazingly warm, insulated winter ski jacket. Original price for Tot’s was almost $200, but we got it for less than $59! WOW! What a deal. So, the whole trip was worth it.

After our lunch at Wendy’s and McD’s (ice cream of course), we headed to our hotel in Sedona.

After 3, we got to Los Abrigados Resort! Oh, wow. Right in the heart of Tlaquepaque!

This is going to work! Pool, here we come!

Tomorrow will be our Sedona adventure.

As you know, we greet every Sunday. This Sunday, we met Cooper! He is one of the volunteer’s small dogs who joins every week in our service. He is a bright boy..so much that he needs shades! HA!

Well it just got brighter as we discussed strongholds that may be inhibiting our walks with Christ. Man, there are so many SNEAKY ways that devil can invade our space.

What areas?

We were all captivated as we prayed through what was personal for us. REPENT, RECEIVE, REBUKE, and REPLACE. Daily! he will not win. The name of Jesus is all he needs to flee. “Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

As we sang, Tatum went through her EVANGECUBE (Bob gave it to her! SMILES)

It shares the Gospel in a fun, cubey way.

Tatum’s walk continues to grow. A little bit at a time….I’m so grateful for our church, our family (who is so imperfect but has so much grace, pointing to our total dependence on Jesus).

AMEN!

So beautiful, Tot! Let’s end 4th grade well.

On my birthday which fell on a Friday this year, Tatum had a birthday party (Noah’s to be exact which trumped mine!)

So, I asked if we could celebrate on Sunday. Friday, I still had a great day!
Pretty flowers, a lovely card, and so many lovely wishes from friends, Mom, and my dear brother. Tatum also gave me a sweet little card! (Smart girl! 30? HA!)

Sunday was so perfect too. We had such a great service, and then later that day, I enjoyed my favorite: A hot fudge sundae, pool time, and then some lovely gifts.

And…my lovebug sees my stomach issues as beauty. OOPS into GOOD!

I love my family.

Oh, and they know the way to my heart: Cookware.

HA!

I made them Buckwheat Sourdough to celebrate!