Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

What makes a team thrive? Well, I know that a tree only grows stability through the hard storms. I know that rose bushes only grow with much pruning. So, the same holds true for a family. A team. Those hard times, those conflicts; they all are so necessary for growth to occur.

Now, we have a choice of course when struggle occurs. We can chop down the tree, cut down the rose bush, or we can run away from our families. OR, we can talk it out and thrive. Sure, it may hurt at first, just like the pruning shears don’t feel so great, but in the end, you have a blossoming, fruit-filled, bushy tree or plant.

Such was the other day. Tatum had a tough morning with learning to be a leader in a kind, humble way, and her words did not reflect who she really is. Daddy and I had to have a meeting with her later. It was a wonderful conversation, and Daddy even gave her a lovely card. I love how his heart is so geared to growth and especially love.

She does have a heart of gold, a beautiful smile, a repentant and contrite spirit, and ….well, I know she is growing in HIM every day. I love how our family works.

We are forming our team every day. With Christ as our center, nothing can break us apart.

I love you HAY team. And thank you Daddy for being our ROCK too. XO

Today was the big day! You had to call and schedule and appointment, and only front line workers and people over 65 can be vaccinated right now. So I told her I would drive her over to the parking lot area that is doing drive-through vaccines.

We got there about 15 minutes early and drove through the designated cones.

Then, they asked my mom some questions, and we were directed to our shot locale! Easy peazy really.

The lady came over to our car, but first a nurse went through potential side effects. Basically none because there is only ingredients such as Miralax (whatever is in that) lipids and other natural fillers. Zero allergens, so my mom was thrilled.

She gently pierced my mom’s arm and VOILA it was finished.

She said she didn’t even feel it. What she did feel was this delicious lolly that she received. Some sanitizer too as parting gifts. Not a bad deal!

Now, we wait for 30 minutes in the parking lot just in case there is a reaction.

So far she feels great and not even a sore arm. We return in 3 weeks for the same shot same dose. Same bat time, same bat channel.

Amen! So grateful!

Reading with Coopy always makes it better!

This time it was Puppy in the Puddle. An Animal Ark book. I love watching you read! You sing those words with the right fluency and prosody, my love. Keep it up!!

She asked if she could cut up this book:

Really? Why? Apparently she wanted to play with the food for her kids.

I love her brain.

So she did. Oh she did with precision.

Honey, honestly, you find ways to play that are so creative. I love watching you. And now, you are fed, and for that, I’m grateful.

I used to read my students Hailstones and Halibut Bones to inspire their poetry. Tot and I read it this week, and oh, the joy that came from it!

After we read about each color, we chose a color we would poetize! (is that a word?) Maybe personify?

I wrote about pink; no surprise there.

Tot wrote about green.

This is her work in progress.

I love that an elf shoe made it in. She has a mind like a whip! I love it so much I can’t even.

Doing these activities with you, Tot, makes me soar like an eagle. (How’s that for a simile?)

We have been shopping for it for a while, and we finally found the one. THE ONE is white; THE ONE is large; THE ONE is melodious. And it looks perfect in our new living room which we are starting to decorate.

It even matches Coopy.

Tatum and I enjoy it so much more than the keyboard we used for two years. Daddy is next to learn!

Tatum was home from school for three days due to too many teachers being quarantined.

So, I had to think fast. What can we do that would be kinda “schooly” but also fun? They did not provide any work, so I came up with some math, reading, art, and of course WRITING!

I pulled out a book I used to read my middle schoolers to inspire them to write a poem.

I read her the book, and she helped me read the repetition.

The first and last lines are repeated and the middle tells more about the item. It’s such a fun way to have perspective.

Here is how the book ends:

I just adore this book.

After, I told her to pick ANY item and write about it. I picked a cup of coffee. Ha!
She picked……

Yes, an umbrella. This is her FIRST copy! Not bad for a first. Also, her’s is much better than my 7th graders ever wrote.

Oh, what was Coopy doing?

First, he paid attention:

But then the rain was putting him to sleep.

Tot put her picture next to him so he had something to look at.

So proud of you, Tot…for all you do from drawing to writing to loving on Coopy.

We miss Mrs. Phillips and are praying for her daily!