Category: Totally Tatum

I love Colorado. Going to University in Boulder way back in the 80’s has made me even more hungry to return, but this time I’d return with my family. What a blessing.

I would surprise my Hay loves with the idea of going to Colorado Springs for a few days then we’d hit Boulder the last day. What would we do in CO Springs? Stay tuned!

We left on a Tuesday, and on the way to the airport, Doug remembered that he forgot his glasses, briefcase, and his book in his car. First bummer, but he made the best of it. Parked and ready to go in.

Then it happened. The Tot froze. I was on my way up the escalator to the gate shuttle and no Tot. Mommy!

Just get on, sweetie! You’ve done it a million times. Well, this nice man just yanked her on. He noted I have girls. What a helper he was.

And now…to the plane.

Aboard, Tot read,

I puzzled, and Daddy perused a magazine. All good and very lacking in food. But we survived.

After we got our rental, we headed to Co Springs, and oh, were we ready to get there!

But how beautiful does the greenery and the gray clouds look!
Hungry….hangry really and a bit pooped. We even didn’t want to make two trips to our room, so we hauled it all in one. Srsly.

Ok, Spring Hill Suites. We are ready to chillllll out and start our vaca. Honestly, just being together is the best part of it all.

Day 2 will be Focus on the Family!

We are so proud of your hard work. Wow, look at the handwriting improvement.

More importantly your character is what we look at. God looks at the heart, sweet girl, and you have the kindest and most loving. I love you!

Sunday morning started the weekend, and as always, we did our greeting. Vera Beck, one of our dear greeting friends, wanted a picture with the Tot. Look how cute they look!

Monday, the fire kept burning in Tot as she drew a wonderful picture to commemorate the day.

I drew one too, but I did not flower mine up as much as she did. Her’s is remarkable and so heartfelt.

We had to check on Daddy at one point as he worked on our kitchen. I LOVE LOVE his passion for creative work outside. I couldn’t find my outside shoes, so I wore Tot’s. She then, of course had to follow me, so she sported the Daddy’s lovely footwear. Not sure if it is still considered footwear, but it did take over her body.

Later that night, we shared our gratitude journals, and Tot had much to say.

This is the eve to our CO vacation. We are ready to experience our beautiful country and a fine plane ride tomorrow.

Thank you to all who fought for our country and our freedom.

It bonds and holds FOREVER! No wonder Doug is enamored by his…..

The angels singing….

His cement mixer. It’s a mainstay in our backyard; the permanence of it is just like HIS love for us. It’s permanent. Everlasting.

Well, this mixer comes in handy when you want to make an outdoor kitchen. This was one of his creative ideas at our idea dinner.

And now it comes to fruition.

Guess who helped him out?

The TOT!

My honeys are working so hard out there. Doug’s creativity is fun to watch unfold.

Then the most important part.

Wait for it…

The cement, she meant, will be forever a part of our lives. It is a symbolic idea of the permanence of HIS love, the permanence of the HAY family and our love for each other.

Tatum made it so.

Thank you Hay family. Thank you HHH for making this a reality!

It was a special day of testing, and Tatum would be with me the whole day. Dr. Ruiz, our dear friend who is also our Dr., came over to give me the breath test to test me for SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth).

First, Tot and I would go for a walk to our “ocean” to see the duckies. This always cheers me up!

Hi Tot!

I got a few love notes too!

He arrived at 8:30 am, and we started immediately since it would be a three hour test (and I was fasting).

After nine bags, we finished. And guess what I did? ATE FOOD!

Daddy, Tot, and of course Coopy….

They all loved on me all day. I am so grateful for Dr. Ruiz too. He is committed to my healing. (Thank you, Jesus, for sending him to me and for my family. You always provide).

What others say about you is so important. Why? Because it’s how we are perceived when we are in public. Do we shine as a light? Or do we bring others’ down? Do we stink up the room or do we add a delicious smell?

When Tatum was Camper of the Week,

her classmates wrote letters to her and about her. What did they say? Those sweet little 2nd graders.

WOW!

She read every word. She realized that she has some great friends who truly love her.

I see all of this in you, my sweet girl! I LOVE YOU and so do so many.

YOU TRULY LIVE YOUR LIFE VERSE!

“Let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to God your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)

Now, with the last day of school, you think she’d be thinking of school. NOPE.

Doug and I were still in bed around 6am, and we heard some movement in the kitchen. We weren’t really sure what was going on, but no bother… we ignored it.

Then, as we got ready around 6:15am, Tot came in and said to come into the kitchen with our eyes closed.

I was expecting her fake food to be out from her pretend kitchen. NOPE! She had prepared her own breakfast: Toast and yogurt,

and she got out our muffins with all the fixings. Water, note, and my devotion.

Daddy too!

This is a big deal! She hasn’t been able to reach much, so her doing this is a game changer. She is taking control and wanting to help. I LOVE her heart so much!

TOT!!! You are GENEROUS!
She wore her red, white and, blue earrings for the last day to celebrate our country as well.

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She’ll be out soon. I can’t wait for summer to begin!!!