Totally Tatum – Page 2 – Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

August 18, 2025August 18, 2025

Slowing Down and special prayers

Some days are meant for slowing down. Today was one of those down days with the birdies fluttering around, Coopy curled up close,

and Tatum stretched out with her UNO deck nearby. Sometimes a reset is just what we need before the big school season begins.

The birdies even had their own playground right on the bed—Rio and Bluebell exploring, chirping, and filling the room with joy.

Bluebell’s newness still feels like a treat, and watching them play together is the sweetest reminder of simple gifts.

You see, some days, I really struggle…to where I’m pretty much stuck in bed. Tatum doesn’t show her sadness or her grief, but I happened to see her work in her devotion book. It made me weep a bit.

Thank you Taties.

Dad surprised Tatum with MOJI the panda, another little delight as we get ready for the school year ahead.

It’s these small, ordinary moments—feet up, pets close, laughter and rest—that make the reset days so needed and so special.

August 13, 2025

Back-to-School Birdie Style

School (LIGHT) has started, but our official first day isn’t until next Monday. It’s been a RUFF start in more ways than one, so I decided to surprise Tatum with a special “Birdie” shirt to brighten the mood. Front and center are her beloved feathered crew—Ollie, Bluebell, and Rio—with “Bird Mama” proudly on the back.

This year, 7th grade promises to be joyful and full of growth. We’ll kick things off with The Outsiders for literature, dive into grammar practice, and continue memorizing stems (we’ve got 400 to go after mastering 100 last year!). History is on deck, too, along with three online classes: Writing with Mark, Allegories (C.S. Lewis, Pilgrim’s Progress, and more), and—brace yourself—Physics! (EEKS!)

I’m super pumped for this school year, and I’m praying every day for the strength and health to keep showing up. Here’s to new beginnings, lots of learning, and maybe a few birdie breaks along the way.

August 10, 2025

Feathers, Fur, and a Whole Lot of Fun

Life in our home is never dull not when you’ve got a lively crew of feathers and fur making every day feel like a mini-adventure.

First, there’s Bluebell, our calm and gentle English Budgie. Then there’s Rio, bursting with bright yellow energy, And let’s not forget Ollie, our sweet cockatiel, who keeps watch from his rooftop perch.

When these three get together, it’s a mix of chirps, flutters. Some days they’re shoulder-to-shoulder like the best of friends; other days, they’re in full-on “roommate” mode … polite but with boundaries. (Ribi wants to play with him!)

But the fun doesn’t stop with the birds. Enter Cooper: our fluffy, playful, always-ready-for-fetch pup. Whether he’s chasing his bright yellow ring toy or waiting (impatiently) for the next throw, Cooper brings his own kind of joy and chaos to the mix. Tatum and DAD are his favorite playmates, and together, they keep the energy in the house buzzing.

It’s a beautiful kind of busy here… the flutter of wings, the toss of a toy, the happy chatter (sometimes from the humans, sometimes from the birds). This little zoo of ours is a constant reminder that joy comes in many forms: sometimes with feathers, sometimes with fur, and always with a whole lot of love.

August 5, 2025