Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

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Day 11 was to make a grateful jar for each of us. That was not hard, so we filled each jar with something we were thankful for each person. I can tell you that I have been thankful for Tatum being my “hands” lately. You see, I have a hard time using my hands in the winter since they get numb, tingly and painful. So I am grateful for Tatum helping me.

Mama has also been so helpful with the wedding and some details. Thank you for all your sagacious advice!

Day 12, we would end with a giving bang.

We’d head to Kid to Kid to find a pair of Jammies, and then go donate them. This is always fun!

Well, our 12 days of Christmas is over for the second year. I hope that Tatum has enjoyed it as much as I have. She says the best part was “giving.” Being a giver is the best part of being a follower of Jesus. He was the biggest giver and Servant of all. Maybe we can strive to be more like this.

Colder here than in Anchorage, Alaska right now.

So, today we froze our way to her 6-year old appointment.
She is now 34.5 lbs and 40.5 inches.

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Hearing is perfect and she’s 20/25.

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Her weight and height are in the 1-percentile still and she is right on track.

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My little Tot may be little, but she is bold, beautiful and larger than life in personality.

She is bold on her new scooter. As I rounded the corner walking behind her, she was crying. Screaming really. She had fallen off and hit her lip. Her baby tooth was loose, her lip was bleeding and guess what? Her adult tooth had a chip *ahem* I said CHIP in it!!! I had Coti with me, so I ran with Coti, her scooter, a full poop bag, and my Tot all the way home.

She cried and cried (and I cried too) as we got her all rinsed off. The dentist can see her in 3 days! Oh boy, 3 days. Ok, so in the meantime, we pray for the pain to go away, and for help with her adult tooth.

Being a parent is a constant struggle with how much to be a helicopter, hovering over her at all times, and being hands off and letting her make mistakes. Geez! I wish I could wrap her in puff bubbles so she won’t hurt from a fall and earmuffs so she won’t hear the garbage of the world. But, the inevitable will happen. All I can do is give her tools and teach her how to access what she already has: JESUS inside of her. The rest I must leave up to God.

I love you Tot. To PIECES literally.

Yes, it was a cold day to do it, but we were prepared. Tatum and I had our gloves and our coat to put on in between shots. It was in the 50’s by 4pm-5 during sunset.

DK, our photographer took over 800 shots. Doug grabbed a few of the ones she took. They turned out so amazing. I’ll be putting them in a blog pretty soon here. Here are a few of the ones he got.

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The ones of my guy and me will be coming. It was an amazing experience at Veteran’s Oasis Park. Wow. We all felt so happy and excited. Cold but happy!

Can you believe we have used the same devotional book for 4 years! It has seen its days; that is for sure!

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Every morning, no matter what, we start the day out with our devotion and prayer for the day. It sometimes lasts 3 minutes, but it is always done. She is so used to it that if I ever miss it, it is brought to my attention IMMEDIATELY!

I bought a new one for us finally to start this year. I also got a perpetual calendar to start.

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Then we realized that the calendar requires another memory verse for the week. OK! Tatum recommended that EVERY time we walk by the calendar, we say the verse. And may it be!

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Later on, we worked on our goals for the year:

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It’s up right there in front of our faces; can’t miss it. I know the loving others “above” ourselves can be a challenge at times, so we’ll keep an eye on our behavior and our selflessness.

I’m reading a book right now about the importance of the words we use; it mentioned to use word pictures when talking to your kids so they can picture what you mean. Instead of saying, you are gentle, say, “You are as gentle as a dove.” Then put that picture up in their room.

I decided to give her a gift today. It was a reminder to her that if she ever has a bad day to remember:

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Tatum, I have on your wall to “Let you Light SHINE” because you are a light in this world ; you also are a gift and a blessing to me. I have wrapped you up in a box so you can unwrap it anytime and know what you truly are: A GIFT to me and so many. May your light shine and spread joy to the world. You’ll make a difference!

Happy New Year!

We decided to make wands again this year so we could turn people into various types of toads. HA! Actually, we had more of festive motive. This time, I figured Tot could be more involved in the process.

She drew the circles:

I cut and she helped me fold:

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Then snip snap flip flap boom!

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Stars! Contact paper would go under these babies, and I would trim them. Then they are ready to decorate.

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Then insert a coat hanger with some popsicle sticks and you have yourself a magic, festive, toad turning into (if your festive mate is not being festive) wand!

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It was a quiet day because of the rain, so Tot decided to make Coti some food

(wince)

and of course, Snoopy needed a raincoat.

It was time. Time to embark on our adventure now, but Snoopy and Coti would have to stay home. We got all bundled up so we were waterproofed and warm.

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I’m ready mom. Let’s vaminos!

I dawdled behind with my 100lbs of warmth.

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And off she went. It’s like the end of a year. She’s growing up and going off a lot more. I am learning to embrace the growth and relish every single solitary moment. That will be my goal next year: to be present and relishing at all times. May your light shine, my dear Tatum. You are a light in this world and God created you for an amazing purpose.

Goodbye 2018. We are ready for new adventures, dreams and excitement.

Both days required artistic ability.

For Day 9:

We needed to make Thank You cards, and oh is that fun! She had four people to work on. Mama, you’re going to love your doggie!

Day 10 required some thought.

We both decided cookies were in order instead of flowers. Austin was a perfect choice, so she drew him a picture of a character, Alex(?), from Minecraft. Not sure what that is, but we know he likes that game.

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All I know is that thinking of others more intentionally these 12 days is the way it should be always.

May we continue this through 2019.

A WIN-WIN!
Doug offered to take Tatum out on a date so Mama and I could celebrate our Christmas. She wanted to get all dressed up for her date with Doug!

When he arrived, she whisked him to the tree for a pic.

They sure look cute together. Isn’t he the cutest?
Then Mama and I posed and got excited for our night out.

Mama looked beautiful as usual. We had so much fun spending time together.

Tatum and Doug went to hit some golf balls and then dinner.

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I think her hole in one symbolized our nights out!

Thank you, honey, for making it possible. XO