Visiting the Capitol! In Van’s style of course

She wanted to sport her new shoes to the field trip.

I didn’t go, but so many wonderful parents sent me pics. She had an informatively great time!
She and Milania hung out the whole day!

And her whole class…

The Red 4 group: Milania, Lincoln, Hayden and Tot.

She brought some spending money and bought this cute little guy…and also some trinkets about our wonderful state.

Scramble 7 years later!

June 2016:

That little chickie! She is so stinkin’ cute. Fast forward to today, 7 years, before school!

We like to go on Fridays, so why not revisit an old flame?

We still adore each other, and she STILL loves her brekkies. Those little dollar cakes have a way to her heart.

Habits schmabits…is the analysis of OURS worth all the latest buzz?

I’ve always been a “routiney” type of gal. Yes, I thrive on getting into a routine and making it stick. Sometimes the routines are not necessarily healthy. For example, my car used to automatically stop at Circle K for cinnamon coffee. FOR YEARS. Good habit? Hmm…not really. Maybe good in the terms that I made positive relationships with the staff, but not health-wise. Exercise? Great habit, right!? Not if it gets in the way of your health or your relationships.

Recently, there’s been a WAVE of books written on the topic of habits.

Example:

These are the top books. There’s also a great podcast and company called KOH: Kreatures of Habit. The founder has a repetitive routine from 4:45 am -9pm. DAILY! I’ve been inspired to look at my habits and also how I am modeling them for Tatum as to teach her.

We’ve always been very intentional with our routines. For example, every morning, we do our devotion and prayers. It’s SO missed if it fails to happen! We end every night with reading in her room, prayers, and talk. I decided to add one:
10 Things. (I’ll add one when she’s 11)

I read these to her the second before her eyes close. (see the bonus one?) That is one we always follow and hopefully she’ll always get to her responsibilities finished first before play. I know that we INSTANTLY do her homework when we get home. This will pay off when she is on her own with her homework.

I’m adding better habits into my life as well. I start every day with a smile in my bed (and I try to hold it for 10 seconds). I do my breathing to wake myself up, and then I go right into my prayers and devotions. The key to any habit we start is to see if it is sustainable. It is a chore at first, but after a good month or two it can become second nature.

Stay tuned with how we are doing!

Happpppeeee Easter! A NEW day!

We awoke to a beautiful sunny day! MUST WALK OUTSIDE!
So we did

We find the neighborhood and our “ocean” is worth visiting as much as possible!

First JESUS IS ALIVE and has CONQUERED DEATH!

Praise HIM for giving us eternal life, a FRIEND/COUNSELOR/HELP ALL THE TIME! (through Jesus) and….HOPE.

Now, let’s get on with the Easter hunt!

What’s in there?

(now I can buy that Lego set)

She also can read read read!

And those books won’t fly away with this bad boy!

Family Life sent her this as a thank you! (for donating)

My honey got me this. I love the story of this man (who wrote the song). He lost EVERYTHING…(like Job), and still he praised God. May I always be well with my soul.

Mama came over for a nice brunch: Sausage, eggs, sourdough with apple jam, and fruit.

The day couldn’t have been better. I experienced a healing for my gut, and I continue to live in victory. The enemy is NOT ALLOWED.

AMEN! HE IS RISEN.

Readying for EASTER! In between Saturday

Tatum and I got ready for Easter by making a little craft for our table. We would go to church on Sat. night so we could allow the church to fill up with the ALL who don’t usually go to church.

We are focused while Coopy and Woody occupy themselves. Cooper staring and Woody singing.

Tot focused on the sticky parts.

How fun!

Pastor Jamie shared how we all yearn for answers to our ORIGIN, our PURPOSE and our DESTINY.

Jesus really answers all of it. We have a purpose when we LOVE others: seek justice and walk humbly (Micah 6:8) with our God!

We also know we have no fear of death as we know our destiny.

AMEN!

I love you family! HE is RISEN!

Hi TOT!
May you always know your purpose and destiny! (and that you are born out of LOVE!)

Happy Easter and more to come on RESURRECTION DAY!

Good Very Good Friday 2023

We usually go to Tempe Town Lake, but this year, we decided to keep it simple, hop on our bikes, and head to Luci’s.

I love our lake! It’s so glorious in the morning, and with the golf course, the colors are so vibrant.

Tot enjoyed some butter. OH, she ordered pancakes, but the butter was the star of the show.

And, we discussed what we were going to NAIL to the cross! Daddy, busyness. Tot, not going with the flow, and me? sometimes, I get very down/angry/sad about my health. Look on the blessings!

Resurrection Day is near and family is the best.