Living an Intentional Life
It was a request.
“Mommy, I would like a giraffe right there,” as she pointed to the space above her oven.
The next few days I perused giraffes from books to sites to magazines…Nothing.
Finally, I found one that reminded me of a mommy modeling to never give up on reaching beyond one’s self. The little one tried so hard (and is encouraged), to reach for her dreams!
At 3 years old, these are her stats.
The doctor showed me the comparison chart and she is definitely in the teeniest percentile of kids her age in terms of height. 34 inches means that her weight has gone up by a factor of 8 since she was born at 5.11. Now at 25 lbs, she is perfectly proportioned in the middle of not too over and not too under.
Perfect in her cuteness overload.
We woke up to a sea of deflated helium-less balloons. They provided much distraction while I made a birthday breakfast however. Today, we celebrate Tatum’s real birthday, November 22nd.
The day really began AFTER nap, when she knew she was getting more cake (well a cupcake!) and a bit of chocolate ice cream.
Make a wish!
Success. Wish granted hopefully. 
Perhaps it was, because Doug showed up with a few gifts. So she waited.
And waited. Coti joined her.
Top gift…Minion slippers! Doug’s so good at this!
Ukelele from Mama. She’ll be a pro soon.
Then the piece de resistance.. A TRAIN SET from Doug! She helped him put it together.
And 400 batteries later, VOILA!
Remote-controlled which fits Tot’s personality to a T! (that in the ability to turn on and off the lights)
Thanks Doug! Thanks Mama!
Tomorrow, we go to her three year old Dr. appointment; I got her a doctor’s kit, so we will bring it and learn all about how to give a shot, look in her ears, take a heartbeat and check reflexes. I feel sorry for Coti after this.
It’s going too fast, God. Slow down this age clock, will ya!!
Three years is a drop in the bucket in one’s lifespan. However, in the case of Tatum Knight’s existence on this earth, it rocked and continues to rock the world (and I’m sure a few star formations)
Being her mother is nothing like any other adventure I’ve ever experienced. It’s an honor. Knowing her is one thing, but being her mommy? That is something else altogether. I am on my knees day and night PRAISING God for the opportunity to love this child as her MOMMY. Wow.
Tatum’s zest for life is apparent in everything she does. Eating (which is her favorite thing to do), reading, singing, playing make-believe (which shows her incredible creative self), everything, she does, she does with her full 24lb will and might.
She loves her family (as she says, “My mommy is in my heart, my Coti is in my heart, my mama is in my heart, my family is in my heart!!”)
She loves her friends; She loves any doggies; she loves to be out talking to people and asking their names….She just LOVES to LOVE!
Picking a theme for Tatum’s birthday bash was not difficult. Her love of music is very apparent in how much she enjoys grooving and moving! She loves to jam on her little guitar and so this was a perfect idea for a cake. My mom made the most beautifully decorated (and fully homemade!) guitar cake, and it was delicious!
Then Doug made a bountiful fruit platter and it was overflowing! WOW! Can I get an Amen to this?
Tot and I arrived at the park to reserve the table and classic Tot stood in the cold clutching her babies as I scrambled around looking for something to hold the tablecloths down. 
Then we went home to get ready and practice our, “Thank you for coming to my party!” We are still working on manners. She just was focused on having some cake! We also practiced our “SMILE!” Rick was helping in the background withe Addison. 
Finally, the table was ready and her buddies (and mine) began to arrive.
Nyla and Morgan helped with the balloons. Except for the ones that flew up into the trees. Oops!
Hi Ni and Maxie!
Mary Jo, Max, and newly adopted Libby!
Jeff (Timoree’s hubs) and Forest
My gal pals, Amy and Denise!
Her many boyfriends. Aye! Jack, Avery, Levi and of course Robert.
Marcie and Isabella!
Addison and Alexa
Evelyn, Antony, and Alexander.
Oh Robert!
Hi Kelly!
And then there were more friends coming and chatting!
It was time for CAKE! After much shaking of the maracas, we ate, yes…THE CAKE, but gosh, I did not want to cut it!
So, cupcakes, were more kid-friendly.
Tot, can you get a bit bigger of a bite? It isn’t the size of your whole face!
Mom, a teeny bit more?
Happy children.
So, then…time to play!
Doug!???? Help! He chases her around then catches her for a quick pic.
What would I do without him?
Finally, time to wrap up and enjoy some of the presents. Definitely a phenomenal day.
Perhaps she’ll be a chef with her love of food?
Whatever she does with her life, she’ll do it with HEART. All I ask is that she lives up to the incredible potential that God has blessed her with. I love you so very much, Tatum.
Today at church I weeped. I weeped for joy and awe at the land that still remains. Pastor Terry discussed Joshua 13 and how Joshua, yet old and accomplished, still had much to discover. Here he got to enter the land flowing with milk and honey after wandering in the desert for 40 years, but there was so much land still to take! It never ends..our lives on this earth. The day we stop dreaming, hoping, discovering, sharing, giving..well, then it’s the day we die. God has such treasures for us to discover and to share with others in our lives, and he never wants us to stop. We can never STOP sharing. This world is empty and hopeless! It needs Jesus. It needs hope! It needs love, and it’s aching for arms to be wrapped around it with GOD.
This is where my dear Tatum comes in. She was given to me as a gift, and it is my duty to invest in her. I also have so much to give back to others in the form of sharing His love that has been bestowed upon me. It’s hard to keep God’s Love a secret when it has been lavished upon me and CAN BE lavished upon them if just accepted. Also, as I invest in her, she shines the love of Jesus in her actions. And she does.
I love hearing her sing. She sings praises to the Lord in her music, and she doesn’t even fully understand (nor do we) how much HE loves her! Yet, she praises him. Isn’t that the childlike faith that Jesus talks about? She’s the first one to share her instrument in her church class. 
She’s the first one to give a hug if one is hurting. THIS IS HOW WE SHARE HIS LOVE! Aiyana and Taina (her gymnastic coaches) tell me that she is an old soul who observes and thinks. She has the heart of Jesus, and seeing this makes me realize that she is adding on to the land that still remains; the untouched land where Jesus can still reside.
Paul even discusses how we plant (others may water) but our job is to at least go around and plant seeds of Jesus love in other’s hearts.
Each and every day, I do feel that tension where I want to just let things sit, rest in my laurels,
and chill. Then the other side of me has to make sure I’m not quitting! I take the time to be extra kind to others, to share the Love of Christ, to invest in Tatum’s heart and on it goes. So, WE (Tatum and I) choose to keep climbing and striving, (but not in our strength but His) to discover new territory (friends, acquaintances) to share the love of Christ, to pray for them, to learn more about this lost world.
And as we get closer to the top…
we stop and enjoy a hot dog or some ice cream. 
Because, you have to enjoy the journey, right?
This is no ordinary zoo. It’s out of this world! Well, actually out of Phoenix and into Cottonwood.
Doug and I took Tot to Out of Africa, and once we got there, we were amazed at the true beauty of God’s creation in animal form!
Immediately arriving we jumped onto the Safari ride. We were handed some celery sticks and off we went. Tot rode on my lap, and the next thing you know, we are surrounded by zebras! Now, supposedly there is only ONE male in their group, so he is pretty lucky. The rest are females, and he spends his time making zebra babies. The poor zebra mommies are pregnant for a whole year. Not a good plan..not at all. 
The horned cow came sauntering along and broke up the zebra party.
Then it happened. It was love at first site. Kiva, the giraffe, and I made eyes, and the rest was history. Now, I’m sure it was Tot he was eyeing, but I think for a moment, we had a bond. However, he was a bit old and tall for me, and his skin was too saggy, but otherwise, we both shared a love of celery. He came down to our eye level, stared at Tot and I, and boom…celery love. 
Upon this, what more could there be!? A Gemsbok! Oh, of course! It’s from the Oryx genus and he looks like a unicorn. Beautiful
A sable antelope was next. 
And he was staring at the beautiful camel..who wanted nothing to do with our celery.
Finally, the three side-chewing-lazin in the sun-not a care in the world water buffalos. 
Once the ride was over, we hopped out and headed to Creature Feature. Doug comforted her as we headed to the sssssssnakes. (didn’t know this!)
I had no idea it would be real critter things. But…we stayed for a minute. Tatum got a bit cold as we waited so I cuddled with her.
Yes, we pet the snake, but more importantly, she met a Coati! And what a funny looking bunny-dog-rodent thing. But soft as could be.
Before lunch, Tatum was being eyed by a hyena FOR lunch. The way he looked at her had Doug and I stewing, but she was undaunted.
He just paced back and forth with his eyes focused on her. All he could think was…delicious! EEK! Yes she is, but not for you!!!!
Lunch time! I discovered Tatum loves mustard. Well, maybe she saw me dip everything in it, and she did too. It does not go well with white.
So, now, we had some time to kill, so we took some pics….
Tatum and Doug played, “On your mark get set…..”
and Tatum ran up the steps as I sang the Rocky song. 
Go TOT!
Ready for Tiger Splash… These crazy men run around with play raft toys and the cute little tiger chases it to its death. It’s quite a show! 
We ended the day with a trip to the gift shop and Tatum spied…. some “I can see you’s!” She spied things all the way to the parking lot. James Bond has nothing on her!
Thank you Doug for taking us on our adventure. We are grateful for you! You are one prepared dude, and that made all the difference.
