Ideating and the middle drawer

I listened to a podcast the other day from James Altucher. He has the great idea of writing down 10 ideas a day. A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G. Ok, so why!!? Why would I spend time coming up with any ideas.

It’s like exercise. You want to keep your brain firing, and that requires that the muscle be used. And used often. Daily, if you will.

I got Tatum a little journal, and she is to come to me weekly with her 10. Now, I must look in the mirror. Am I doing this? Am I “ideating” daily? It’s about time I start thinking outside my box. It’s also time for me to start writing again. How can I write if I have ZERO ideas?? So, here I go. I started yesterday.

In the meantime, I desire to grow certain skills in Tatum. Before she is “launched” there are 40 lessons I seek to have instilled into her. This requires humility on my part because if I am not doing these things, then how can I expect them of her? Here’s a silly example. She has a middle drawer in her bedroom which we spent time making neat. She rolls each shirt and puts them away. I opened it the other day, and there were shirts all over. (the bottom layer still in tact). I showed it to her, not to reprimand her, but to just ask if she could try a bit harder to keep it neat. Then….oh boy…..then, I went into my bedroom to change my shirt. My chifforobe has a shelf which houses my tank tops. It USED to be organized, but now, I (wince) kind of just put the shirts in (more roly poly than rolled). Look in the mirror, Steph.

So, as I learn to come up with ideas daily, I’m also realizing that I can’t expiate of her to do what I am not doing myself; I’m learning that parenting is really about who WE are and being the best of ourselves. Holy Spirit gives us the power to live and walk humbly before our God.

So, I begin my list. I borrowed much of it from the Art of Parenting by Dennis Rainey. I will write more about this later.

I love you, Tot. You make me a better person.

Greeting at SBC with the Tot

With the C-virus, we must be all masked up at church. This makes greeting harder because they cannot see your smile.

Luckily, we smiled with our eyes, and they gave us a few signs to hold.

The beauty of this morning was that Tatum had the opportunity to focus on others, and she could feel how good it felt to BLESS OTHERS with something as simple as a smile. Especially when she had had a hard morning. (the best time to serve is when you are sad or down…Y.O.U. go out the window and T.H.E.Y. become your focus).

What fun. We love our church and all they do to serve and love others.

Serving. Who can we serve today?

While we were at Trader Joe’s, Tatum wanted to get something for Mrs. Phillips, her 2nd grade teacher. She also remember that Zoe was coming over that morning, so she wanted to get something for her. Supposedly, she is always thinking about what can she give someone. I love this about her. When we got home, she made a Scavenger Hunt for Zoe to find her pumpkin.

She couldn’t wait to give it to her!

Then, on Sunday, Tatum made a card for Mrs. Phillips (just because), and she got a gift bag altogether. Her heart is truly one of a giver.

(She inspires me).

Coopy, seriously!?

Can you get cuter, please? You pretty much look cute constantly.

Case in point:

I read every night on the couch. Where do you think Cooper is? You guessed it:

Glued next to my side or under my side or around my side. One of the three.

Cooper, at least we know if anyone scary enters our home, they are in big trouble.

You’ll cute them to death.

XXOO

We got it!!! Adoring Daddy

Tatum’s new birth certificate came in the mail. Officially, she is Tatum Isabella Hay.

The timing was perfect because we just picked up the plate she made him at As You Wish.

Dinner will now taste so much better! We love you, Daddy. XXOO

Handwriting: 100%

The Tot. She has a fast hand. She loves to write, and sometimes, she can write in a way that….well, it just isn’t her best. She has it in her, and she C.A.N! It’s a choice.

So, you can imagine when she got her Spelling test back, I did the happy dance. I do the happy dance weekly when she gets an A, but this time, 100% across the board, handwriting included. Proud Mommy of my 2nd grader.

Keep it up, Taties! XXOO

Heading home from Coronado 2020. See you next year!

We have to say goodbye to the Cordova!

But it’s not forever. We will take you with us home. We’ll take the joy, the memories, the peace we felt..

Daddy did it! He got us off at 8am, and oh, it’s Sunday, so we won’t have the San Diego commute traffic.

Look at that sun!

We finished (one chapter left) of the Trumpet Swan! We also listened to the sermon, many podcasts, and some TobyMac (of course, what else is there!?)

Tot drew some fun pics.

Our trip was almost perfect. Probably one of the best Hay trips ever.

Thank you, honey, for making it comfortable. Thank you, Tot, for being YOU.

May we continue to grow as a family and make many special memories.