Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

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.

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.

I started drawing her last week as it is a tradition to have the birds pics on the wall!

He is a little harder since he has a lot of white.

GOOD ol’ colored pencil. It’s a bit more forgiving than watercolor .

So I framed and voila!

Rio, Ollie and now BB! (Bluebell)

My favorite thing to bless Tatum with is this blog and my drawings. Truly memorializing her life. I LOVE YOU, BUMBY!

So proud of her! She was in charge of one of the main cameras on Sunday.

It’s bigger than she is.

And, she is a true natural at it.

Her skills with video and editing are sure coming in handy. SO LOVE YOU, TOT!

Literally!

He was trying to find some sun, and he ended up on the top of the couch cushions.

Then he realized, I’m up too high!! HELP!

Anyone?

Taties to the rescue.

Dear little pup. He is just lost without us.

Wince. SO cute.

Baby quail with their mommy while daddy is up high on patrol.

Bluebell and Rio are starting to warm up to each other. Rio tries to kiss her!! I wonder where he got that from!?

Anyway, they just hang out with us, and

Just the cutest!!

We love our birdies

Today turned out to be one of those unexpectedly meaningful days…. the kind you don’t plan, but somehow ends up feeling orchestrated by something bigger.

This morning, Tatum woke up to a new season of life (hint hint…yes, that kind of morning). It was emotional. Tender. A little rough. And while we’d already been thinking about getting a companion for Rio… our half-English, half-American budgie …we didn’t expect the timing to be so perfect.

Yesterday, our friend Jackie sent us photos of the most gorgeous little bird. A full English Budgie. Big cheeks, soft powdery feathers, and the calmest presence. Tatum saw her and instantly knew: “Her name is Bluebell. Or maybe Bell.” And with that, Bell became part of our family.

As soon as Rio and Bluebell met, something clicked. He was curious, she was gentle. English Budgies are known for their calm, grounded nature, and it was almost as if Bluebell knew Tatum needed that softness today. A steadying force in the midst of her new experience.

And here’s the wildest part… Bluebell was born on May 23rd. Tatum’s “Love Day.” … Of being alive. Of being loved. What are the chances?

It felt like confirmation: this was meant to be.

So now, our joyful HAY home is complete with:

• Coopy, our loyal fluffball
•  Ollie, our chirpy cockatiel
•  Rio, our spirited yellow sunshine
•  Bluebell, our gentle new bloom

Today, something shifted ….not just for Tatum, but for all of us. New life. New beginnings. New beauty. And a reminder that even when things feel hard, there are still soft landings waiting for us. Sometimes feathered ones.

Welcome home, Bluebell. You were born for us.