Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

What else would you call yourselves when you have pink jerseys, hmm? I mean how perfect. Let me back up, however.

I remember her first soccer game two years ago when she was 5. We have come a long way since then. This time, we are more prepared, I think. First, Doug is out of town for our first game, so I am hoping I have a bit of a backup coach to give me pointers. The day did not disappoint.

We picked up our team’s jerseys at the Phoenix Rising tent, and they handed me a bag of PINK jerseys. All mediums, but still. They were perfect! They also instructed us to get black shorts and socks for each player.

Tatum immediately put her’s on, and luckily they had a small to get in trade. She looks so stinkin’ cute.

OK, then Coach Matt showed up at our field and got all the girls together to dribble and practice to warm up.

Finally we met our opposing team. They were in their blue jerseys and each girl had matching hair ties with their outfits. I mean, they looked put together. The coach was a master and had been doing it for years.

Let’s rally girls!

GO PINK!

Game started and Coach Matt instructed the girls to follow that ball and get around it constantly. I picked up a ton of pointers that first quarter while he was with me. First, the diamond shape is important to have the girls know their position. The girl closest to the opposing team’s goal needs to make sure she is close to that as their ball gets close. ALSO, they must all go TOWARDS the ball and get in DOWN the field.

After the first quarter, Matt left, and I took over. The second quarter was our worst. The other team scored about 6 goals and the girls got a bit flustered. BUT THEN at the half, I had a nice long chat with the girls in a circle.

We talked about staying strong and focusing as a team! We can’t let this get us down.

Third quarter, GOAL! We got one. They looked so much stronger the whole game. Our defense is strong. We have some aggressive players, TOT being one of them. They all have so much fire, and although we only had six players today, they all made up for what was missing.

At the end, although we lost, we all shook hands with the other team and did a cheer with the parents. I then found out that team has been playing since Pre-K!!! THREE YEARS. Ok, three years vs. us with one practice and just meeting each other. I feel pretty darn good about it.

We are only going to get better and stronger. I can’t wait to get to know these spunky Pink Flamingos. Stay tuned!

I arrived at school to pick up Tatum as Sra. Walker was lining up the kids from Spanish class. I happened to be standing in the hall as Sra. Walker was telling Mrs. Finnman about the class today.

She proceeded to pull Tatum out of the line and present her to Mrs. Finnman. “Tatum did something today I couldn’t believe. I’m so very proud of her! Because of her, I am getting the whole class popsicles next week.”

Now of course, I’m standing there wondering WHAT DID SHE DO!?

Then, Sra. Walker continued, “Tatum explained what I was trying to teach to the class. I could have never explained it the way she did! She did it better than I could, and guess what? The whole class got it because of Tatum. She is so smart.”

Mrs. Finnman looked at me and winked. She then said, “I wonder where she gets it.”
I pointed up and said, “HIM.”

Yes, I was/ am proud of her. I made sure she explained it to the class with humility and not arrogance. That is so important; not to be a know-it-all!

I love when I get to see this side of Tatum shine because I get to see it daily.

I’m so proud of your brain and your heart, love bug…..MY HAY GIRL!

Before church, we love to go visit Mama. She has been watching it online lately due to her knee giving her fits.

She wanted to take a picture of Tatum and her in front to her pretty purple tree.

Now that is so Springy! It is getting here; we only have about three weeks until the big day, although in Phoenix, it becomes Spring like March 1st.

Bumby and me with Coti!

And now Mom and me. We love you so much, Mama! Come back to church soon!!

It only comes once every four years, so what else could we do to celebrate but write a book together. It all started with us planning out what we wanted to write about, and we landed on it being about a pig and a pup. Perfect! Now it was time to come up with a plot. We didn’t want to have any words in the book. Therefore we would portray our story in pictures!

A notecard would hold our ideas.

Now we are ready. We divided up the pages and got to work.
Tot started with the cover of a beach.

(We added the words later).

After we each drew each page, we “bound” the book and VOILA! It’s ready for publishing.

Would you like to read the story with us? You follow along and add words with your own imagination.

Book TWO here we come!

(special thanks to Mo Willems and Charles Schulz for the inspiration behind Piggie and Snoopy).

Doug and I decided to spend the evening together sans Coopy and Tot on Saturday. Mom offered to watch Taties, and Coopy went to the pet hotel. We are so grateful for the help!
I got up early on Saturday morning to take Cooper to the hotel, and this was on my window. I didn’t even notice it for a while because it was literally raining cats and dogs; more like tigers and wolves! How sweet this is.

• 

• 

Later on, we both got ready in separate bathrooms, and this was sitting on the kitchen counter. I have the most romantic sweet hubs ever.

He wanted me to wear something a bit short and tight, so I tried to accomplish this. The things we do for our loves!

We tried to get some self shots with our new camera, but we realllllllleeeee need a tripod. So…we waited until we got to Mastro’s. Doesn’t he look AAAdorable!?

Mastro’s is one big class act; it is a bit dark inside to set the ambiance. It is also staffed with sub-waiters and sub-sub waiters to make sure you are completely spoiled. We sat down and received a nice card.

Started with a little vino.. CHILLED table-side.

And then we ordered some sashimi tuna sliced ultra-thin with a lovely truffle oil on the side.

We decided to make a list as we ate about, “The Benefits of Being Married.” We each took a turn. Stay tuned for this!
The dinner was immaculate and perfect. Filet cooked to medium and perfection and I had the coveted Chilean Sea Bass. Melt-in-mouth delicious.

During our transition time, my love went to the car and returned with this:

I slowly unveiled the SCROLL! He used a branch from our new neighborhood in McCormick; tied it with leather straps and wrote on the vellum papyrus.

• 

• 

• 

• 

WWWWWHOOOOA! The memory key made it even more special.

Look at this:

He captured the most significant milestones of our year. He’s so right…we’ve grown SO MUCH as a family and as a couple in this short time. What more we have to come!

He is so incredibly creative, but more importantly, in tuned with ME. Together, we captured so much of the joy of being married. (disregard my less than stellar penmanship).

We would’ve filled up the whole card, but this came:

STOP THE INSANITY! This looks good enough to eat. Ok, we will!
Served with a bucket of cream on the side. SRSLY.

What an amazing evening. Yes, it was pricey….

but so memorable. Tatum and Coopy were missed, but it’s so important to build “US” apart from our other parts.

I love you, Douglas Hay. I love being your Mrs. in every way. SMOOCH!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A couple of weeks ago after school, I received this note in her notebook.

Tatum told me they had been working on a horse in class. I had no idea that she had been working so hard on it. The tickets were included with a shirt.

Well, the day arrived, and she was ready!

• 

• 

We arrived right on time, and I couldn’t wait to see it!

Mrs. Guy was ready for her when she arrived.

WOWWWWWW, Tatum! Look at that!! It’s magnificent. I’m in awe. It looks like a Picasso, sweetie!

I am seeing her uniqueness in this; the others were good, but her’s had such a colorful flair. The horse is wearing cross earrings and a cross bow. Jesus is in it! Love it.

Now, we got a wee bit distracted while there with this beauty.

Tatum had to climb in and go for a spin.

• 

Can we get one, Daddy?

Oh, yes… back to the artwork. All the kids did such a good job!
Her friend, Mina won first place. We are proud of all the kids.