Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Tatum started out this week with excitement to head back to school after missing a whole week.

New shoes. New coat. New cookie pillow thingy that she made for her backpack.

We also made Mrs. Holman a little pizza purse and filled it with my new favorite indulgence (thanks to Mrs. Holman’s suggestion!): Dark chocolate covered peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s. HELLO!!!

We also spent the week practicing a snow globe picture. Finally, after four tries, Tatum was satisfied with this one, so we put it on cardboard and it sits in her room.

We ended the week with this driving to school.

Such a promise of God and His love for us!!!

She also ended the week with a 100%’s on her Spelling, Math, and Spalding sounds. WOW!
Tonight, we’ll celebrate by going to hear her sing in their Christmas concert.

And she did such a great job!

It was Tatum’s Christmas concert at PVCP! All grades from Pre-K – 12th performed.

Of course, she and Charlotte were so glad to see each other. It had only been 2 hours since school was over. Haha.

She also saw some of her other buddies:

They sang Joy To The World with their whole heart!

We got a little thrown off with the saga of sickness coming from my little Tot. Friday, being Doug’s birthday, was supposed to be this E.V.E.N.T, but instead, it was more of an event. Tatum still had a baby sitter, but I had to be home early so I could put her to bed. Doug and I went to the wine bar and just chilled. We are going to celebrate in two weeks at a concert. Stay tuned.

Then the next night, we had a party sponsored by her school, PVCP. Doug and I got all fancied up. But before we went, Tatum wanted to give Doug some gifts. She made him a nice card, a rocket picture and a shirt.

I know she was so excited to give it to him.

We were now ready to go to our party. Tot sent me off with her blessings.

And, Doug and I got ready to go!

Posing outside…

Inside being silly because you know you need to loosen up after smiling so much!

 

Tot and Coti watched while Mama snapped..

The party was at the Jacoby’s. Their home is so beautiful! The outdoors was bigger than the indoors!

He does own a landscape company, so it did make sense that his outdoors was  phenomenal!

We met so many wonderful people. I cannot believe what a wonderful school this is for Tatum. The quality of people and the love they have for Jesus exudes out of everything.

We got a few pics in front of the fireplace. He looks so handsome!

What a fun night…

Celebrating Doug, PVCP, and Tatum getting better.

 

 

December 1st means the Advent Calendar goes up and the Nativity scene enters the bedroom!

So far we have a camel and cow waiting for baby Jesus.

I also love to read her this little book to go along with her Nativity scene. This year, she would read it to me!

The donkey, cow and ox (we have a sheep instead Heehee) would come…

And of course the shepherd..

magi bearing gifts

Mother Mary!

And guess who we have left??

Baby Jesus is born.

Of course Baby is joining the manger scene this year.

The Angel rejoices above.

I like her reading it to me with her sing-songy voice.

Praise Jesus for He is coming!

Today, Tatum is home again. Still small fever and sore throat. NO energy or appetite, and if you knew my girl, you’d know this is NOT like her.

We are on the sixth day as today is Friday and this started on Sunday. She had to miss the field trip to the Puppet Theater.

So, she decided she wanted to make her room into a school. This is the sign she made for the door.

 

Now, she made some little signs for her wall. She thought of all of these herself. You can tell the emotion in each picture she made.

As you can see, the mommy is sad. Tatum is standing next to her.

Tatum and her baby. (her little comfort)

Tatum is sick (sadddddd face)

Sick and SIX.

We decided to liven up the room a bit and create the alphabet. Each letter has something on it to signify that letter! Tot worked hard on this. (and I helped her but not much; I just drew the letters and she decorated most of them)

I am praying tomorrow she’ll feel almost all better because Coti is missing his sister.

 

Deep down, I knew there was more wrong with Tatum than a virus. The Lord told me to make an appointment for the doctor for the next morning. Tatum and I prayed voraciously for wisdom from the doctor. My Reach group also texted me a pertinent prayer. While I was reading it, the doctor walked in. Talk about timing on an answered prayer.

She had wise and clarifying news; exactly what we prayed for!!! Tatum had polyps on her tonsils and the start of a serious ear infection.

She felt horrible this morning. SHAKING AND SHIVERING. Miserable.

The doctor told us although the strep was negative, she had every symptom of strep. SO we got antibiotics!!!!

Instantly, I knew this was an answer to prayer and GOD. Plus, in two days, her insurance runs out for this free clinic, so I’m so grateful this happened now.

She took naps, rested, and relaxed today.

She also built some Legos with the patience of Job. Wow.

Later in the day, she did have the shivers, but that Advil really helps. Thank you, Jesus!!
Coti and Tatum rested together, and I think we are on the mend.

She has missed four days of school. Prayerfully, she’ll return on Friday.

I have enjoyed all this time with her, and I think it’s been beneficial for her to gain compassion for what it’s like to be really sick. I also have seen her FIGHT for her health. I love this girl so deeply that it hurts. Thank you Jesus for your work on ME and Tatum. The blood you shed has been poured out on us today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 

 

 

Sunday was the first day of the dreaded fever. It was almost 104 when we got home from church. How is this possible? She has been so healthy at least for a couple of weeks! In a matter of a day, it was downhill.

Now it is Tuesday night, and she continues to have a fever. I think she’s getting better, and then boom… she is back to where we started.

I took her to the doctor on Monday to rule out strep. Just a virus is what I hear. Well give me something! But they just say time will heal. All Monday I trusted she’d be back on Tuesday. Monday night, fever up to 101.5 so no go to school on Tuesday. Now, this was a problem because I had to be at GCU to observe a classroom at 1:00 on Tuesday. Guess who tagged along with me promising to be quiet as a mouse? Doesn’t she look cute with her backpack? Baby got to join of course.

And she was. She didn’t even whisper to me. The class was even unaware of her attendance.

She colored and colored some more.
Her lunch did not interest her which was very uncharacteristic. This is when I knew she’s not out of the red.

The walk to and fro the class was quite far, so I knew it might take a toll on her as she trudged with  her little backpack weighing as much as she. She enjoyed seeing the campus with all the students skateboarding to class. She also sadly noticed the lack of attention that students pay in the classroom. It opened up a conversation about how to engage a class on the teacher’s part and how this was disrespectful on the students’ part; it also inspired a new article for me. So that was good!

When we got home her temperature was virtually normal, but she felt sick so I said we had to rest. This whole thing has gone up and down and up and down. I get my hopes up that she is better and then boom…nope.

So tonight, I was positive she’d return to school tomorrow, but her temperature was back up to 102. I truly got scared because she seemed more sick than before.

I think we will have to go back to doctor tomorrow. Meanwhile, she misses school, my work piles up, and …..well, I get to spend time with her which I wouldn’t trade for anything. This wasn’t what I had in mind, but she loves being with me, even when I’m working. I couldn’t ask for anything more except a healthy child. Lord, please heal my little Tot. Please give me wisdom on what to do.

I love you Tatum Knight.