Category: SAHM I am

My heart. She looks me right in the eyes, and says, “Mommy? I love you.” 
To feel loved from a child; this is a new feeling of awe and satisfaction. It’s like you spend so much time investing into your child, and then all of sudden, one day, you FEEL loved. It’s unlike any other feeling. I know that Jesus loves us with all that HE is, and the love from a child is the manifestation of this love. It’s all from her heart and from her soul.

I melt daily being with my girl. It’s ALL worth it.

Today, we received a lovely gift from my friend Jocelyn. T

At the end of the book, it has a pullout poster to picture what a million stars in the sky looks like.  When we were finished with the book, I reminded her that God made this sky for her to enjoy and dream about when she wonders if there is anyone out there!? YES!

As I pondered this book and what a million could be, I realized God’s power. I think has parents, we all have moments of fear when we wonder what our child’s future could be? Then, I am reminded of this principle of God’s love is so much bigger than we could imagine.

But, I’m also reminded of the law of sowing and reaping. This law is true in the natural world, but it’s also true in the spiritual world. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38) This basically is telling us that we must continue to GIVE OUT what we would want in return and in abundance. Love? Give it out in abundance. Grace? Give it out in abundance. Forgiveness? Give it out in abundance. 

For Tatum, we begin every single day with a  devotion and a prayer. Then we have many moments in our day when we discuss the application of the WORD. Middday, we read books and talk and sometimes pray. Before bed, we pray for other and play Bible songs. It’s one big cycle every day, and it is now a habit we have sown together. However, it falls in deaf ears if all we do is talk about it and don’t live it. This MILLION star poster is a visual reminder of the LOVE God has for us, and now WE SHOW IT BACK to HIM and to others. It’s just that simple.

She must have seen I was a bit stressed with much to do during her “nap time.”

At 2:00, she used to nap, but now she pronounces that she will not sleep but will play. Fine, I say, just so you leave me to work in my room, and you can play in your room (for the goal till 4:00). It seems to work most of the time, but usually, she comes to visit me for a moment concerned about my well being.

Today, she brought me a snack, and then asks for the usual ‘last hug and kiss.’

“Mom, you’ll love my shake. You just need to drink it with a straw.” Good thing those legos have delicious flavors.

Kind child. Now, go back to your room, as I say with a smile.

Fine tuning the somersault.

Straddling legs to a less than comfortable position

AND…it can be COLD!..

It was 50 degrees in the studio, so they just snuggled up to get warm.

Tatum sure does. It was Doug’s birthday, and although we were planning on going to celebrate, Tatum had to get in on the fun. She had a few things to tell him like…. When are we going to play T-ball??

Well, Tot, you’ll have to get in line. I’m spending time with him tonight! And so we did celebrate this guy’s special day.

There is a theater in downtown Phoenix called the Great Puppet Theater. Tatum and I decided for Black Friday to head there since it was a far cry from any mall, shopping center, or store!

Before heading out, we reviewed the story of the Little Red Hen (since this was the show today) so we’d be all prepared. They had a display of Frog and Toad! We had just bought all of these books! 

Tatum sat motionless for the whole show! Supposedly the story is over 500 years old! There was only one lady managing all of the puppets, and she made it so funny! Especially the dog (who was too busy chasing his tail to help Little Hen). 

Afterwards, we got to meet the puppets close up.

Tatum got to hug the dog, and this was the highlight of the day!

It started with a blank white card; well, actually a stack of them. Tatum and I both sat with a blank card and talked about what we were thankful for. As she spoke, I wrote. She scribbled the same thing on her card. I then hung them up on her wall.

It shall remain there for a while. We could have strung it across her whole room had we more cards or time! (and threading it was kind of a bear!)

It was time for Doug and his mom to come over and visit before they headed to his brother’s house. Tatum was stuck on Doug like glue, and so he fed her some raspberries. 

He brought us a huge (and I mean HUUUUGE poinsettia plant and some chocolate for me of  course), so we posed! Good lookin’ pair, eh?

Then mom and Tot joined the fun. She just fits right in front. Finally, after a few more pictures, of adoring Tatum…it was time for us to just enjoy each other. This is really what this day is all about. The people who we love in our lives, the CREATOR who made us and LOVES US..what more could you want?