Category: Totally Tatum

You need a hug.

NOW!

We adore you, pup. XXOOOOXXXOOOOXXOOOO

We want to be this kind of family and these kind of people. What does this all mean?
First, we started out our meeting with our verse: 1 Thess 5:15 and our Mission.

Then we went through the three traits of what kind of people we want to be (vs. the antithesis)

First, Contributor vs. Consumer

Yes, contributors serve. They give. They add to others’ lives. Consumers? They use others for what they can get. They have ulterior motives for being kind or loving. They take take take.

We want to contribute!

Encourager or discourager?

Oh, we can all work on this. Do we build up or tear down? Do we look to help each other grow? Or do we criticize, condemn, and complain? Such a huge difference in how we treat others (and really our happiness quotient).

Influence or distract?

Influencers are leaders. But lead others to do the right thing. They make a difference. Distractors can lead too, but they can lead to the wrong direction.

We came up with scenarios for Tatum for each of these. (and the WHY to being contributors, encouragers, and influencers).

For the activity to illustrate, we said, this cup represents you, Tatum.

Psalm 18:29: For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

Colossians 1:29: For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Ephesians: 3:20-21: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Wow. Now, this is power, love and strength our GOD gives to us!

Now, decorate your cup with HIS love all around you, in you, and through you. (Smiley faces)

Now: Ephesians 2:10; For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Tatum, you are his masterpiece, and He has prepared you to serve and do good! Your purpose is unique to what that looks like.

So, how do you fill up daily with his SWEET SWEET LOVE? (we filled it with juice)

PRAY (talk to HIM!!) and READ His Word. Build that relationship with Him.

When you fill up on HIM, guess what happens!!?????? You can now:

Contribute

Encourage

Influence

We are filled with His Spirit and we are equipped. Great illustration.

We ended the meeting with hugs, prayers, and a yummy dinner!! Hooray!

Let’s be contributors, encouragers, and influencers today.

About 12 years ago, I joined a group of Dennis Prager fans here in AZ. We called ourselves Pragerzona. There are Prager groups all over the country. I find that if you are a fan of Prager, you’d be a fan of mine. Plus, it would be a great way to meet others. Now, this was way back when I was single and a Prager talk junkie (still kind of am!), but now being married and with the Tot, I haven’t been as involved.

Well, a meeting was to take place this Saturday, and I figured I’d bring Tatum. We are all gearing up for the 2020 Presidential election (of Trump, Lord willing!) We would meet to celebrate the coming up election and share a bit.
There was only about 20 of us, but they are all lovely people who love God, country, and Prager!

Tot and I arrived right on time.

We were NOT required to wear masks (due to the C-virus), and NOBODY sported one. Halleluia! At the doorway, was this sign. LOVE IT!!!

We are grateful to be there! (and Tot loved the snacks)

We were warmly welcomed, and Josh, our host, started. He shared a few slides.

Since 2018, Prager University has gone from 1 billion views to over 4 billion. That is remarkable. I pray that Tot can start watching some of these 5-minute videos soon. They teach all she’ll need to know about love of country (and many other social issues).

Then he shared a few other whoppers. This quarantine/shutdown is the real issue. WOW. Look at the REAL fallout. Not from the c-virus but from the effect of the shutdown. Heartbreaking.

Then, some TRUE facts about the police. Yes, black lives matter, but so do all other lives. The BLM movement was all started on a false premise. Heartbreaking. Truth. Where is it in our media!!!!??

SO, we vote on the RIGHT because it is the ONLY way. What we stand for:
(Vs the Leftist agenda. ….love this picture since the other side is truly just full of bullies).

We went around to introduce ourselves, our profession, passion, and favorite quote from Prager. (He has a plethora of truisms he shares). I said that my favorite was “Clarity over agreement,” and discussed that this is needed in our world so we can have civil discussions. Tatum shared about her profession being in 2nd grade and that she loves the Happiness Hour. I am indoctrinating her young! heehee. One that she remembers is “Gratitude is the key to happiness.” This is one of my favorites.

What a great time!

We support Trump. We support TRUTH. We support GOD first, FAMILY second, and the U.S.A. Let Freedom Ring.

She was ready a few weeks ago. Ready to be a cowgirl!?

She sure is. It was going to be a fun Halloween; we wouldn’t let the lockdown stop us from visiting a few friends at my mom’s complex. But first….we had to make some Halloween bags for friends.

We made some for neighbors and her teacher. Zoe is one of the little friends we made one for. We filled it with all sorts of goodies.

She came over for a playdate dressed as a Native American. They made a cute duo.

We got all ready to head to Mom’s. We’ve trick or treated in her neighborhood since she was basically born! Two: Minion, Three: Batgirl, Four: Spidergirl, Five: Little Red Riding Hood, Six: Minion again!, and now Seven: Cowgirl.

Take us for a ride, little Tot!

Mama, we love you! (Coti too).

We got lots of candy, but more importantly, we just had a nice dinner with Mama. Halloween is not my favorite holiday, but it does bring out the creativity in Tatum. Also, a big sugar rush! haha

xxoo

She is doing so well! I love to watch you swim, love bug.

It was time. Time to surprise my family and make a fun outing happen! Also, we all earned it with our “Kindness in Kali” jar of coins we filled up.

Friday night. They had no clue. They only knew to wear their Hay Happens shirt.

It’s 5:45 and we are headed out to the restaurant. Daddy made us feel special as he pulled the car around. We selfied before he picks us up. I can’t wait to go with you!

We arrived at CPK, and the server came out to tell us it would be a while. Many called in “sick” that night, so he was pulling all the roles. Server, host, bartender…etc.

So, we found a table, chatted and laughed.

Tot took our pic too!

And Daddy took ours.

Time to order. We wanted to make the server, Robert’s night, so we tried to make him laugh.

Hopefully we livened up his spirits. We livened up Tot’s spirits, because after that spritzer with cherry juice, she was FFFFAAARREEEEEZING so she disappeared for a moment.

Oh, there she is. Hi Tot.

It was such a fun night with my family. This little chickie keeps us laughing and definitely on our toes. My HHH always makes the nights special with his smile and silly jokes.

Till next time my Hay family! I love you immensely.

As noted in a previous post, Tatum loves to give gifts to her teachers. Mrs. Phillips is probably her favorite so far; She seems to really encourage Tatum, and I love how she treats the kids.
One of the best parts of Mrs. Phillips is her showing gratitude. She wrote Tatum a thank you note for these gifts and the card.

Tatum did not expect anything in return, but she came home today with this note.

What a wonderful display of gratitude.

Also, our headmaster, Sheryl Temple, lost her mother a few weeks ago. Our family offered to bring them dinner one night. We just received the most lovely thank you note from their family.

Writing out a note of gratitude is underutilized nowadays. Most would whip out a quick email or text. To spend the time obtaining the stationery, writing it out, and putting it in an envelope (oh and to get a stamp!) is quite the effort.

This is why we will continue to do this as a family. It’s a lost art that we don’t want to shirk.

Thank you to her teacher and principal for modeling this!