Category: SAHM I am

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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.
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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. IMG_2186I 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!

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Ode to Tatum 2016

We say good bye to year five

of decade 2010

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Tatum you’re three

And for me, it came

and did just flee

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So what can I do but

Embrace the YOU

Of who you are meant to beIMG_1648

I see in you a spark or two

And actually a mill”EE”on

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The sparks I say are not the kind

That extinguish that easily!

They are the contagious kind

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That others find

so absolutely

Genuine

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Because what I see is that you

Bring out in me

And in everyone..

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Loving, laughing

Energy-catching

Did I mention kind and genuine?20151121_131819

The time we spend

Days upon end

I treasure for truly

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The books we read

The letters we make

The songs we sing

The stories we create

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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


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Happy New Year 2016

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WESTON!

Tot has a new brother in law. Ok, so if she married Robert, Weston David Love would be!


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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.

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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.
IMG_2091The babies enjoyed it I think more than Tatum, for they got to rid in the extend a ladder! 
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See them smiling!!?IMG_2094

Then it was more. More presents? Yes. More presents. Doug, seriously? You are amazing.

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Minion jammies went perfect with the  Minnie helmet which she kept on ALL night. Yes. ALL. NIGHT.
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Magna Tiles which I think her mommy loved more than anyone!IMG_2108

Then, he made her dinner. DINNER. A Queen eats turkey with homemade salsa, beans, corn and avocado on her solid gold yellow dish. IMG_2117

Fireworks outside now. Teeny tiny Tot ones only, please. IMG_2118WHAT A NIGHT.
IMG_2122We thank you so much and love you.IMG_2119

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. IMG_2135

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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.
IMG_2071She 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!
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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!!!

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She also got some new generation paper dolls.Now they have magnetic clothes, literally.
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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.

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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.

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Love is….

Patient.

2015 was a year of new experiences. Tatum and I embarked on a new relationship, and it all started with me taking a step of faith. I decided to ddddddddate. With no expectations or literally no confidence in a successful outcome, Tatum’s mom got the chance to dress like a grown up and go out once in a while. The door cracked open at the beginning of the year 2015 as I went out on a date. Never did I imagine it would lead to a relationship and potentially more for me and for the Tot!

Did I say patient? This is the word that would describe this year with Doug. He has been kindly waiting in the sidelines as I have caught up to what was to be the experience of falling in love. What has this meant for Tatum? She has slowly grown to realize that he is a permanent fixture in our lives. AND she has truly learned about relationships and how they take time to fertilize; at least for her mommy.

Kind.

Did I mention that Love is kind? This would describe to a T our relating to each other. We are always kind, and he takes the cake for being the most. Everything I could have hoped for.

Douglas Hay made my Christmas so special because he is filled with love that has grown because of his patience.

Our first Christmas together.
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Spoiling me with warmth by the fire and warm toasty fingers.IMG_2008 IMG_2009

Documenting our wine journey and our times together

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Tiffany is that you?IMG_2027 IMG_2039

Smells just like candy. Tatum will love it too!

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We love you Doug Hay!IMG_2050

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The Day…The WHOLE DAY!

It was from 5:30am until 7pm with no break. Now, that is the usual drill with the Tot, but today, Sunday, it was her and me all day long with nobody else and also: NO NAP/QUIET TIME. Dumb? You be the judge.

We began the day getting ready for church with the daily shenanigans of do you want to wear this or that; do you want to brush your teeth now or even five minutes; can I have my phone back now etc..Breakfast with the funny paper and more shenanigans in the kitchen with Coti and can I have a taste of this and that, another taste of this and that, more of this and that, and can I have your this and that? etc..

After church, I decided to take her to the Christmas puppet show including the party with Santa. It was to be a surprise. Kids were e..v..e…r..y…w..h…e..r..e! We decided to go into the craft room and make a reindeer puppet.IMG_1782 IMG_1778 IMG_1779Tatum stuck close to me and even sat on my lap for the whole show. I was so proud of her ability to sit still for one hour and not move. The others? Not so much. The five vignettes for Christmas were excellent and even depicted the Christ child! Hooray, it was no all about Santa.

After the show, Santa showed up, and she wanted to leave. She was to have nothing to do with this red jolly man, and I think she could tell he was a fake. So..we went in and found a Coti puppet!IMG_1785 IMG_1783 IMG_1784She just can’t get enough of him.

Hot cocoa and cookie time, and guess who was first in line for this? I showed her the secret to a delicious cookie and cocoa combo. The big DUNK. Oh what have I done?IMG_1786On the way home, I realized that I was exhausted. She had sucked it all out of me and we had like four hours left before bed. I had to make a way to have a moment of just peace, but to no avail, I was snatched by her adorableness and singing at the top of her lungs. A bit annoyed and frazzled, I finally got to sit in her room and just watch without having to fetch something for her or turn on the light or help her go potty etc…
Looking back a day later, I’m realizing how blessed I am to just have the time with her. I will never take it for granted.