Category: Totally Tatum

As has been documented, Tatum’s friends happen to be mostly boys. And ALL of her playdates have been at others’ homes with BOYS! However, she does have many girlfriends! At school, she is making more and more friends, and some of them are yes, GIRLS!

Olivia is one such girl. Her mom is my age, and this makes it so much fun to spend time together.

Tatum had never had a little friend over to play with her toys, so I offered Olivia a playdate. Tatum was so excited to have a guest!

Tatum had a plan of what they would play with. Olivia had a different plan.

This was part of learning to play with a friend.

At one point, she enlisted Uli to play superhero.

Then Olivia joined in.

Watching those two was fun as they figured out each others’ likes.

We learned that when you have a guest, you allow them to go through your stuff and join in their likes. It was good for Tot to share her toys as well.

Fun times!

Blowing my mind lately!
I see now why I was so rigid and strict with her bedtime/rituals for four years. The fruit is now producing.

By 7pm, I’m ready for her to go to bed for me, not for her. Therefore, I attempted to test an idea.

I cannot control when she is tired and for me to say, “You must go to bed at 7pm,” well, that is not fair if she is just not tired. It also is a way for her to stay up a bit later without me being in the room involved with her.

We go through our bedtime rituals starting at about 6pm. Playing with Coti has to begin the fun, and then upon this whiz bang fun, we wind down with about five books. (sometimes more sometimes less). Then we pray, brush, pull-ups, and hug kiss goodnight.  She always wants me to tuck her in.

Then then then, I say, “OK honey, you may get out of bed and play if you’re not tired, but you MUST stay in your room. I’m not coming back in so this is your time and yours alone; I trust you!”

Guess what? It works like charm and is a win-win. I am “off the clock” by 7pm, she sleeps in a bit, and she also has a bit of fun with boundaries.

Tonight, she came to the doorway and said she was going to read. This is often what she does when she is in her room as I usually find over twenty books down by her bed.

Note:

So, she told me she was going to read her fairytale books. I hear her in her bed reading with such song in her voice. It’s music to my ears.

Her yelling, “I love you mommy! See you in the morning!” makes my heart sing. When she is finished, she’ll often say, “Mommy, I’m tired,” and she’ll turn off her light and go right to sleep. Disciplined.

Wow, I’m raising a little adult.

 

2017 has arrived. Every time a new year begins, we tend to reflect on lessons from the past, but more importantly, what hopes we can embrace and positive attitudes we can adopt.

It was quite timely that January 1st, Cinderella puppet show was playing.



Tatum, Mama and I decided to go. The show made me ponder some ideas for the new year.

1. Be true to yourself

I want Tatum to be all that God made her to be. Cinderella knew she was not a princess in title, but she knew deep down that she was worth more than what her step-family had made her to be. To be true to oneself means that you continue to check in with your motives and your heart and make sure they are aligned. As Tatum gets to know herself, she will be faced with opportunities to go outside of how God made her (perhaps temptations to be outside of God’s plan). It will be a that time that I pray she’ll look into her heart and see the princess that she truly is and make the right choices.

2.  Persevere with positive behavior when faced with negative circumstances

It wasn’t easy being ordered around with absolutely no grace or love from Cinderella’s step family. How did she act? She never wavered with her kindness. She obeyed. We are all faced with difficulties in life, and it is easy to complain and even disobey. However, what we can see from this story is that God always saw the injustice of it all. He saw that she remained true and honorable despite being treated with such disregard. This gives all of us hope as we know to stay the course and run the race God has designed for us even when it is so hard and life seems unfair. The story is not finished yet, and we have to have faith.

3. Love will find its way

Now, I’m not too concerned about Tatum finding her true love right now. However, in Cinderella, she never expected to find her destiny in the midst of such difficulties. We never know what is right around the corner. I have no idea what is in store for Tatum and her life, but I do know one thing: God is in control (not me). Love has found me and I was not at all looking or expecting. All I did was be me and be God’s child in my behavior and beliefs. I liken it to raising Tatum; I just do the best I can with God’s help, not expecting or doing it for a reward, but because it is right. What will come? Love? Blessings? I have no idea what it will look like, but if God’s in charge, it will be just perfect for Tatum.

Thank you Cinderella for teaching us some fine lessons for 2017

Also, the mice may come along, and what can we do? We rejoice in our sufferings too.

 

And even can be thankful for them because flowers always follow rain.

2017, we welcome you and we are ready to blast off!

Today was Tatum’s 4-year old check up. On the phone, I was told there would be no shots.

But first, the day started out quite fun. We started with a bike ride around the block. At one point, Tatum knew I was lagging behind (since she’s speed racer now!), and she stopped, got off her bike and said to me, “Mommy, I want to give you a hug.” Huh? Wow. I was so touched. We hugged, she got back on and rode off with me in tow.

Next stop: the library.

Tatum decided to entertain the crowd with the puppets. Seriously, she had a crowd.

Upon much laughing and reading of many books, we headed to the doctor. I was excited because I knew she’d have no shots.

Tatum got weighed and measured. I think she’s gained three pounds since her last visit.  And….

She’s now 36.5 inches. (so about 2.5 inches taller!)

Then the hearing and vision…all good!

Feeling great now, we waited for the doctor. When she came in, she tested her colors.

What color are you wearing? What color am I wearing? What color is my pen? etc. Then she drew numbers and letters on her table.

Tot got them all. Then the shapes….oh the shapes. Circles? Sure! Triangles? No problem. But a square? Silence. She said, “oval?” Drawing one then…. Nope. It was an ovally thing. She knows this!!! Oh well.

She wrote her name just fine, and this impressed the doctor immensely!

Then. The news. The BIG bloody news.

She needs FOUR shots!!!!!? 

The bedside manner of the guy nurse was below zero. Like nil. He got it over with fast, and put on the bandaids fast, but no joking around or anything. He fled the premises fast and she wailed away. She wanted nothing to do with a sticker or a lollipop. She just wanted mommy to carry her and hold her. DONE!

Of course I took her for frozen yogurt and cuddled with her the rest of the day.

Looks like four shots is a bummer for her but a winner for me since I got extra cuddle time.  I love you Tot. I would have taken those shots for you in a second if I could have.

 

One thing about Doug and me: We are discovering each other’s playful side. Tatum aside, we have a lot of fun.

These pics are a fun look inside of what we are learning about each other. The best part? We have so many sides to our relationship that we are like a decagon! What has one hundred sides? A centagon? OK, all kidding aside, our Christmas was a time just for us. To truly celebrate the year of 2016 and to put Jesus in the center.  We both did this for each other with our big gift. Wait and see!

First, I had to give him a hat. He tipped it off to me as a tribute to his very first visor. It’s true!! But, honestly, why would we cover his perfect hair!?  Well, it won’t always be that way, so hence, the hat. Plus, it’s the Cardinals. Maybe it will help them somehow!?? Geez.

He had fun with me teasing me into my big gift. I did receive a spiralizer which was on my list of wants and needs. Now I can make zoodles which promise to be good? He loved on me with pics and ….

Heating pads for my hands. The sweet guy researched all over and found these cool heating gel packs.

How sweet that he got these inventive packs for me!

Ok, so his gifts? A turtleneck because every man should have one! A Nike Golf shirt, and I got him his name engraved on a leather ESV Bible. I also got him some books for us to read together along with a devotional.

For me? Well, he was pretty sneaky. First, he surprised me with some nice clothes. Then a metal rod. He wrapped it so well, I could not get it open.

 

Finally, after HE did, (note heating pad is on me since I was cold), it said that my real gift was in the stocking on the mantle. Sneaky guy.

And OOOOOHHH!

I actually wanted this, but he got it!

It’s a Roberto Coin baby cross in white gold. I had seen it in Sedona months earlier, and he found it.

SO blessed and grateful!

Now the key….It is a reminder that the HOLY SPIRIT is working in our relationship at all times. This cross is close to my heart to remind both of us!

I shall wear it forever. I shall love Doug forever. I shall have Jesus in my heart and the Lord in my life forever.

All the way from Utah.

This was to be the piece de’resistance! But first..

We had to unwrap each piece. Man, they know how to wrap with beauty!!

Dory!!!!

and all her friends!

There’s another one!!

The wrapping is enough to wow us all.

No way…no way!!! It’s a Minnie purse straight from Disney.

Only question I have is….

Where do I get one in my size?

So awed and wowed! Thank you, Johnathan, Dolly, and Thomas. SO grateful for you. We wish would could have been with you on Christmas. Maybe in 2017!

Merry Christmas family!

XOXOXO

 

Doug’s house!

This was our chance to see Austin and exchange gifts. Also, Tot was going to get her big present from Doug!! What could it be!!!????

Well first, Austin had to get his new shoes. He was in total need of some new footwear and Van’s were the answer:

Austin got us both some lovely smelling bath essentials.

Now, it was Tot’s turn!

Batman shirt!

And….wait for it

It’s… coming…..

Pumping it up….

We need you, Doug. 
And we are there!

The little roadster couldn’t get enough of this Paw Patrol machine.

Again, we are in awe of this guy, Doug. He is such gem and he loves us so much. Thank you for making Tot’s Christmas so special.