Category: Totally Tatum

Doug has known Don and Leti for over 25 years. He used to spend time with them weekly, and for the past 9 months, he hasn’t seen them once! I know it has been hard on Doug. Moreover, I have wanted to get to know better them since they are terrific people.

They just moved out to Queen Creek, and they also got two horses! This was definitely another reason to go visit.

When we arrived, Tatum instantly noticed their jungle gym. Guess what she wanted to do??
P….L…A…Y! She viewed the horses after I pointed to them.

Do you see that big mommy hand pointing?

NOW do you see it??

Well, she just couldn’t wait to ride. But first, we had a lovely salmon lunch. GLORY BE was it delicious!
Don got Tatum already to climb aboard. But first, she enjoyed getting to know Muffin and Legit.

Then Don helped her on and away she went. Kiara helped out too since they are her horses

After only maybe 5 minutes, she was done. May I get down please?

We know one thing: Horses at our McCormick house will not be in our future.

It was such a fun time. I hope that we all can go horse-back riding as a family one day.

Don and Leti, we adore and love you. We hope to see you soon!

For Christmas, Tatum got some colored clay, and I couldn’t wait to play with her! We first decided to make a pig. Luckily, they had step by step directions.

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And then we worked on the doggie.

You basically start out with making little balls and then forming them onto the clay.

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And then they were friends.

I used to go there ALL THE TIME when I was single. It was my favorite place to lose myself in art and lose track of time.

This was our first time going as a whole family! I wondered how long Tatum would take since she usually finished quickly.

We all got started. Daddy worked on a mug. He is so diligent on his detail as well as artistic. Tatum worked on a cute little puppy. I suggested she look at some ideas before she jumped in.

She was so focused!

I worked on a tile for Tatum; it’s her mission statement and life verse. I hope it looks good after the kiln!

Doug’s turned out great!

He was inspired by Psalm 46:10 (Be still and know that I am God) and GCU. Hooray!

We had SOOOOO much fun! I can’t wait to go back. Art is so bonding.

And so we did!
Do you think it will be enjoyed?
I’m sure whoever gets it will love wearing it.

The 12 Days have ended. I only hope the joy of giving and serving becomes a habit every day.

Next year, we’ll do it again!

A few days before Christmas, Tatum spotted a singing Hippo at Fry’s Grocery Store. Upon pushing his paw, he belts out, “I wanna hippopotamus for Christmas.” She fixed her mind on it, not to be changed. I noticed the price to be $14.95, and I told her that the day after Christmas, it would be 1/2 that price. She was going to have to pay for it with her allowance, so if she waited, she’d save $7.50. Could she wait?

She reminded me every day that on Thursday morning, we’d head to Fry’s to buy that 1/2-priced singing hippo. Well, the day arrived, and when we got there, there was ONE left. The lady scanned it and guess what!? It was $7.49. She did a happy dance, and the hippo and Tatum were united. Her patience paid off.

And he’s been singing to us ever since. The brilliant toymaker allows one to click the button again and he shuts off. Hooray!

Later that day, I spotted her using TWO of her other Christmas gifts. She was doing a sermon to her kids. She was teaching them (on her new microphone) from the Bible and had them memorize part of one of the Gospels, Mark. She had them first memorize that there were 4 (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) all told from different points of view. It was so cute!

Her heart for Jesus and her patience (which is a fruit of HIM) shines through. I love watching her.

Tatum would sleep soundly all night, right? Well, she admitted she heard noises on the roof, but we are living in the condo, so it may have been our upstairs neighbors. Ha! Anyway, she awoke to a fully loaded tree.

It was a wet Christmas, so we listened to the rain pouring while she pined to open her first gift. I let her open up the gift from Coopy.

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He sure knows his sister! This would suffice while we waited for Mom to come over. I also let her open up the plethora of gifts from Dolly, John, and Thomas. Wow! She was spoiled with lovely clothes. They have great taste.

She slimed while I cooked. Reindeer pumpkin pancakes, sausage, and fruit. (Mom brought over the most delicious berries! Thank you!!!)

We gobbled up the breakfast, and then we began.

Tatum opened up the gift that just keeps on giving and giving and giving…(srsly, she doesn’t stop singing)

Daddy got into it. Sing it, brotha!

She sang all morning as she opened up each gift.

She gave Mama a giraffe charm to match the card she made.

She had asked for a devotional and a smaller Bible.

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Coopy got a GCU blanket. He’s officially a Lope now.

Tot and Daddy spoiled me with an ornament and some speakers. WOW!

We also got a board to write notes on; they light up so you just can’t miss the love note or reminder (hint hint).

We enjoyed more gift-giving and receiving until Austin came over. Cooper showed his affection. It’s what he does best.

Later, we would visit Doug’s mom. She looked so sparkly and festive.

Seeing Austin and Darlene smile makes me smile!

Later, we’d head to mom’s for a lovely salmon dinner. She spoiled Tot with clothes too! Wow, between my brother and my mom, she is clothed for years! Amazing taste also!!!

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I can’t get enough of my little red-nosed chickadee.

After the delicious dinner, we tooted some horns and laughed and laughed. Each one of us had a number and had to toot when mom (the conductor) instructed us to toot!

We need to work on our timing. And our rhythm. And our tone. And really our hearing.

What a fun amazing day. We are so grateful for family. For Jesus. For the joy of giving.

Next year, we’ll be in our McCormick home for many new memories.

See you soon!

I loved spending the day getting ready for my first Christmas dinner at our house. Doug made a delightful turkey breast with gravy, and I made the rest.
We would pick up Mama for church and begin the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

When we got to church, Tatum ran up to Jamie ( our pastor) and Derek (our worship pastor). She has no problem going right up and sharing! They ate her up. She said, “I love watching you every Sunday. I’d rather watch you than go to the Kids’ Club.” They both remarked that is a good problem. High Five!

Tatum had a super cute shirt on given to her by John, Dolly and Tommy; it’s filled with lots of love.

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Mama looked so pretty.

The service was beautiful ending with singing Silent Night. The whole place was lit up with candlelight. Magnificent and glorious. We took more pics after in front the trees.

I love how kind and giving everyone is at Christmas. So many offered to click click. We are pretty cute, all of us. (wink!)

Doug got the whole tree!

We headed home for a wonderful dinner!

Turkey, gravy, cauliflower mash, sweet potatoes, and salad. Simple table with some surprises under each plate.

Our first Christmas dinner! This year in the condo but next maybe in our new home. Either way, it’s special to all be together.

There’s my cute hubby.
We’d each share about the symbols of Christmas. The meaning of the candy cane, the three gifts, the wise men, Santa Claus, Christmas colors of red and green, and the Christmas tree.

I made snowballs for dessert with hot fudge. It was so great to share as a family!

Mama, we love you beyond belief!

The evening ended with Daddy reading The Night Before Christmas. We are now ready for Christmas!
He shall be born tomorrow! I love you, Family.