Author: Blog-admin

Hiccups. They happen in families. The key…and the MOST IMPORTANT THING is not that you don’t have conflicts or challenges; no, it’s how do you handle them?

This time, instead of singling out one person, I asked each of us to write a letter to the other two.

We decided to meet early before dinner and present our letters.

Tatum went first:

I like this and her handwriting. Asking for help….humility. A vital skill.

Now, Daddy. I love you honey.

Our promise of NEVER leaving, but just using a time to cool off when needed. We don’t want to operate in the emotional side of our brain but in the rational.

Now my turn. I kind of poured out my heart with a plethora of words!

more..

I love you both so much. My family. May we continue to TEAM up! In HIS name.

I am a student of Tatum, for I love to watch her play. As I learn about her gifts, I see so many ways God made her unique.

As of late, she is obsessed with any magazine with room pictures or people pictures.

She spreads out on the ground and orders them in story form.

Then, she informed me she is going to redecorate each room. Dining room is first.

Kitchen?

Oh, I love it. She said she’ll change it tomorrow for a new look.

Living room? Foyer?

Oh, I like the play room!

That bed is very unique and playful. Or this one for the bedroom.

The bathroom?

She makes FUN out of simple things. I have celebrated her brain so often because I love how she can turn a magazine, box….into a whole new world.

Tot, you INSPIRE me to think outside the box.

As we say in our home, “Bored people are boring.” She has never said the B word.

(OH, check out the Bible on the right. She BEGGED me for a new small compact Bible she could carry around) And she has been. She reads the PSALMS every night. I gave her a notecard of the most comforting Psalms to read before bed. (23, 42, 103, 62….) Tot is ARMED with HIS comfort. AMEN!

Last summer, we volunteered at Paradise Valley Food Bank. I decided for us to return this summer. When we first arrived, we checked the families scheduled to come and built our first cart.

She took over and was proud of her work. YAY!
When the family came, we blessed them and she proceeded to clean it off.

Wait…what is this? This was on the shelf. Cheeto Mac and Cheese?

Yes. Tot felt bad for families that received this treat. Was there any redeeming ingredients in this? Well, probably not, but at least they’d have fun eating it.

We are so grateful to get to serve. You cannot be sad when you are helping others. AMEN!

Wednesday. Why not? Let’s do our school at Starbucks today. Egg white cups and cake pops (and for me some espresso shots) can accompany our work. It makes it all more fun anyway.

First, Bridges. She agreed to save her unicorn cake pop until after she finished her math.

Ready? Set…..

Partake!

Now, it was time to plan our writing for the summer. For the past three years, we have written a book about Piggie and Puppy.

Year one: At the Beach

Year 2: Bait and Surf:

Year 3: Rock’n’Ride

Now…we are brainstorming.

We discussed:
Characters, plot, theme (message).

Stay tuned!

Oh, we also discussed our Quiet Time with God. What have you been learning? We discussed the ARMOR of GOD and the need to put it on every day to withstand the enemies: World, our own flesh (desires/voices), and the schemey devil. So good. I shared some stories from my past and how I failed and gave into temptation. She shared too. We always grow so close in our conversations. I love our honesty with each other and that she feels I (and DADDY) are safe places to share. (I told her to always go to GOD because HE is the ultimate safe place.

I love you, Tot. What a great summer!

Her arm must be sore! No, not from punches but from writing, math, Bible, and grammar. Yep!
Today, we set the timer and wrote together. She worked in her journal and wrote a story.

After today, she earned her final punch for her card. She earns a prize after 10.

Good job little Tot!

It was going to be a great day! Tot and I would do school, play, draw, and then I’d head out for Geron (my hair magician). I always send Daddy a pic. Geron is the secret…not me!

Later, we’d go see Tom Cruise in the new Top Gun.

Doug and I discussed with Tot the issue of the bad language, and we prepared her for all the difficult scenes. We don’t want her to learn about these things with her friends. If we can discuss these rationally with her, then it won’t be “taboo” and thus be a temptation for her.

We waited for Daddy as the previews played.

Well…not a good choice to see the previews. Lesson learned. Very inappropriate. Ugh. Why do they do this?

Anyway the movie was amazing. A true representation of Jesus. Sacrifice for your friends. Sacrifice your own life to save a life. Loyalty. Doing what is right. Patriotism. All the things that matter to God.

Now, sure, there was bad language, but we assured Tot to look beyond this and see the point. What a great time and great lessons learned.

I love it when another sees what I see in Tatum.

She just got her final report card back for 3rd grade.

Here are her grades:

Here are her comments from 4th quarter