Category: Totally Tatum

We love to shower her teachers with appreciation. Mrs. King, Tatum’s 3rd grade teacher, is deserving of so much honor! Tot adores her.

Today, she made her a picture, and we bought her a little flowering plant. She is blossoming in Tot’s life.

We are excited about this year!!!

Tatum and I love being a greeter at the early service. She has made so many friends, but guess what? They are not her age. They are all 60 and above. And they A.D.O.R.E her. It is so fun to see her bring joy to them and for them to speak life into her.

Today was the Serving fair, and they took a pic of us greeting.

Someone wrote….

Yep. She is. I’m really just her accessory. But I love being a part of her journey with Christ. One such lady who has impacted Tatum is Lynn. She brings Tatum a gift every week, and likewise, we do the same for her.

She is just lovely!!

Thank you, SBC, for being such a lovely home. We are honored to be members and to be with you weekly.

Two more entries for a must read.

Embarrassing moment? Proud moment? Oh, my …..let me think. For me it was when I was a kid!

Then I shared

Following this, we had Friday’s entry. Superpower power?

Wouldn’t this be great!?

Stay tuned for more. Next week!

Doug’s lovely mother passed last August, but due to COVID, there were no opportunities to celebrate her life. She chose to be cremated and to be placed in the cemetery next to her late husband (Doug’s dad), Robert.

Before the service, Doug showed Tot and me his past wife who died when Austin was only 4 years old. She was so young, and I love how God has redeemed Doug’s life giving him a new wife, life, and girl. (He also showed me the baby that died before Austin).

Now it is time, August 14th; Doug would rise up and take the lead to celebrate his Mom, Darlene, at the grave site.

He spoke about how now she has been “promoted” to a better place; with Jesus in heaven.

You could hear a pin drop. Everyone listened intently.

Then it was time to bless her.

And then she was placed next to her late husband.

Here we all are. Doug’s handsome brothers. (But I’m partial to my honey…my HHH)

Doug’s mom would be so proud. It was lovely and honoring of Darlene.

Then, they all got together at BJ’s to eat and enjoy family. Here is Terri (Craig’s wife) and Tot.

With Austin and Baby William (Terri’s grand baby…Bethany’s boy)

And then with David’s girl, Kiara.

Tatum had a great time with her cousins, and I know my honey enjoyed celebrating his mom’s life with his brothers. She is partying up in heaven in NO pain and with a whole new body! HOORAY!

Darlene, you were such a terrific mom to these boys, and we love you so.

A waterfall. Truly a work of art from God’s Mighty Hands. Tatum was inspired by the cover of this Daily Bread.

And WOW! It is now hanging in her room.

Between Daddy and Tot, they have the creative juices flowing.

His mind is a creative blend of ideas and designs. My HHH dreamed of an outdoors which is likened to Coronado. He outdid himself. Plus, the fountain he dreamed up and built far exceeds any expectations I ever had! WOW!

I remember his design from an IDEA dinner months ago:

The flower bed….all of it!
Now look at it!!!

A tweak here and there, but it is nearly finished. Love, it is beautiful!

Since Tot was a baby, I have been producing inspiring art for Tatum’s wall. She has quite a few of my drawings, and I love to gift her with these from my heart.

I first had been working on a Lighthouse for like two years. I put it aside for a while, but then I revisited it a couple of months ago in the summer.

I finally finished.

I could blend more and fix a few spots, but I figured It was enough.

After getting it color copied, I framed it and put on the frame what I wanted to say. God is truly our lighthouse. He directs us when we feel like we are in the dark. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We can in turn be lighthouses in a dark world. This is Tot’s verse: “Let your light shine…” (Matt 5:16).

Then, the second one. I started this little cardinal after my cousin Kasey gave me this pic. I just fell in love with his cute little face.

She actually took this picture and then I wanted to draw it. This has been sitting in my art book for 4 years unfinished. I finally did.

I remember giving up on him a few years ago since it was so hard to get the colors right….blending and shading just got the best of me. Not this year! Holy Spirit power!!

I then put the caption to “Sing to Him a New Song.” This is what I need daily! Sing to Him with new found joy! What a reminder.

On the wall, now!

I love you, Tot!!!