Category: Totally Tatum

My dear sweet Doug added the pedals, and now, nothing can stop my little speed racer.

Help! How am I going to keep up now!??

Well, Lime Bike, here I come!

It was to be a special day because we were going to spend a bit of time with my friend Bob. We’ve been friends for over a decade.  He was going to get my old computer so we planned to meet at SBC for a coffee, a bit of talk time with Tot, and the big “give.” My goal in giving it to him was for him to be more mobile and meet some people. He is such a gift to so many, and he deserves to find the right gal. He also deserves for his business to get off the ground. Being out and about will give him this opportunity. All I wanted to do was equip him.

So, Tatum wanted to dress up! (Now this is a big deal because she only wears dresses on Sunday’s).

Then we hit Einstein’s for our usual coffee stop. Tatum had made a card for the bagel team and she gave it to Matt the manager. He hung it up in the store. Yes, this is Tatum’s usual mode: GRATITUDE. They give us free coffee almost every time we go in; plus they just are so kind to us.

Anyway, we finally made it to SBC and gave Bob the MacBook. Tatum wanted to play a game, so she got it all set up.

She wanted to “school” us both, and guess what?  She did.

Those memory games are her specialty.

That brain!

Thanks Bob for being such a great friend. We pray for you every day. We also had a great time with you. Tot sure adores you. It must be the dairy allergy twinsie thing!?

 

 

 

So, she knows my age. I mean really?
Ok, and she knows I love her. I think that is my favorite part; next to being a good hugger.

I love you Tot.

Celebrating Mother’s Day. It’s my fifth one as a mom, and it sure is special. I also get to celebrate MY mom. The beauty of motherhood is truly, as Pastor Jamie said, filled with imparting grace/kindness and knowledge to our children.

Often, I feel like I could do better, but again, as he mentioned, I am marked by God, and He will fill in the gaps. I shall have sincere faith throughout so I can guide Tatum. Thank you, mom for being that rock for me!!!

We arrived early for church and Tot took pictures of me with her baby. I love being the Grandma.

Then my guy showed up and took our pic. Can you tell I can’t get enough of her? I wish I would have gotten a picture with my handsome man. But alas….

She joined us for the singing and it was incredible. The men all dressed up in black suits sang a serenade to us ladies; HELLO! It was “We believe” by NewsBoyz. So goosebumpy!! Men singing and playing instruments….a wonderful gift.

Anyway, after service, we posed and Doug clicked again.

After we got home, I made brunch for us all. My dear mom’s back was hurting so she couldn’t attend church, but she was ready to eat and be with us. Hooray!!

Doug prepared the gifts with Tatum. He went ALL out to make us feels special.

He also played with her while I got everything ready. Tot tired him out I’m sure.

She cuted him to death for sure, and I pretty sure he doesn’t mind.

She also took him out on her bike, and I should say she is almost ready for the pedals!!!

GO TOT!

The rest of the morning, she sang for us, danced, and made us laugh.

Doug gave me the sweetest card EVER (well, I don’t know if ever because he’s given me so many amazing cards),

and just look at this pic?

Wowza wowzy!!!

I got to spend the day with my bumby, my beautiful mom, my little snuggles, and my love.
Could I be more blessed? XO

 

They’ve got it all backwards. I think I should be the one singing to Tatum. You see, I GET to be her mommy. That in and of itself is a reason to celebrate.

Well, Paradise For Tots thinks otherwise, and they prepared the kids beautifully for this big Mother’s Day celebration on Friday.

Each one of the students came out individually and ushered us (Tatum came out and grabbed my arm) into the classroom and to our lovely decorated place at a beautified table.

All was ready!
They sang, “You are my sunshine…you’ll never know MOM how much I love you….”

Then some crawdad song about taking me down to the pool with a pole and a line or some jazz like that (sounds fun to me!), and finally a song which we all teared up ending with a flower gift.

Melty melt melt.

I got to take my bumby home literally in a pot.

Now that is a celebration!

So, you know what I did?
I made her her very own computer. She’s been dying to work with me, so I cut, pasted, pasted and cut, and voila.

I said, VOILA!

Now, we can work side by side. I’m working on making a thank you note.

I love you sweet Tot. I can’t wait till Sunday!
XOXO

Little hints of maturity abound onto Tatum every single day. They are not about her being able to write her numbers more neatly

Or her ability to organize her shoes (which she did out of pure delight without asking)

No, they are glimpses into her heart.

You see, we chat A LOT about what it’s like to have responsibilities or to exude kindness, or to be a light in a tough world. It is not just theory for us; we live it. (Well, we try). I show my humanness to her often as I probably apologize daily for an oops on my part. I’m very transparent with her in my parenting; (I don’t mean in the  what’s of parenting, but in the “why’s”…why I make certain decisions or why I don’t back down on vital issues. )

I want her to see my heart.

Well this is when I see fruit; she wants to do chores because she WANTS responsibilities. She WANTS to do right and please.

Just last night she cleaned her room just for fun.

It is pure joy to watch her! Today, I had to take a second look to see how much she has grown. I love you Tatum Isabella Knight!