Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

My sister-in-law had suggested that I start reading chapter books to Tatum. This is a great idea to get her to transition into books with little to no pictures. She is forced to imagine what is on the page! She also is forced to have no wiggles during the chapter read.

Well, I discovered a super series! We have now been through 6 of the 12 Magic Bone series of books.

The narrator and protagonist is a cute little puppy named Sparky. Each book starts with Sparky and his “two-leg” (owner) named Josh. Josh usually scolds him for something, and he chews a bone which transports him to a new place. Each book is a new place: London, Tokyo, Hawaii, Washington D.C

We have fallen in love with this little puppy. Plus, we enjoy reading them together.  It’s hard not to finish a book a day!
Ok, onto read!

It’s that time of year in Scottsdale where it drops below 70. Yep, we get out our sweaters and our cozies, and try to keep warm. Wool is not in our vocabulary, so we function on layering.

My little fingers don’t do well in the cold! They go through a numbing period and turn all colors of the American Flag. Today, one finger just stayed white.

Well, the cold also  means we are ready for the holidays! Tatum and I are making gift bags once again this year. She had to do most of the cutting and pasting, as opposed to last year where she barely did the pasting. Yeah Tot!

The fun will now be filling the bags with cookies and giving them out!

In the meantime,  we are finding the nearest blanket to hide under and stay warm.

and sand in your toes.

I was inspired by our trip to Coronado to draw a shell. I also saw this picture at the Hotel Del.

 

Tatum also has a wall filled with my art. She is a fan who is easy to please, so I figured she’d love a nautilus shell.

This was the picture I would draw

So, I started….

And used over 20 colors!

It’s coming along…

Then you cover it all with white pencil and reapply color

Honestly, it took me months to complete this shell. It was much harder than I anticipated. But with much sweat and a few tears, I completed!

I framed and gave to Tot.

It is so rewarding to see her enjoy it.

It was the next year of the Christmas Program at her school.

Ms. V was so great working with the kids

Happy Birthday Jesus

and Up on the Rooftop!

This year was much more successful!

She couldn’t wait to give her his present.

First, she had to have dinner. Doug always feeds her on Thursday nights.

I also leave a love note.

She gave him a pretty blue Nordstrom shirt! I got to celebrate my guy on Saturday night.
We got all gussied up and went out to dinner.

Doesn’t he look so handsome?
It was fun for us to celebrated this man. He’s truly a gift from God. My blessings are abundant with not only my mom and Coti, but my sweet girl and my wonderful guy.

It’s no wonder I got to smile that night!

Every day, well, most days, I travel along Tatum Boulevard to get to my many destinations. One of them is Tatum’s school! On the way home, between Shea and Lincoln in Paradise Valley,  there lies a street that gives me a smile.

Yes, it’s a teeny tiny private  road with three enormous houses on it.

Now, the smile comes from the fact that she is quite little, like the road, but she is not at all little in personality (e.g the enormous homes that reside there)

Just this Sunday, I volunteered in her class at church. I even got to teach the lesson that morning.

When we arrived bright and early before the crowds, we spotted the Christmas trees! So pretty.

We headed to the classroom to set it up. As usual, it was a nice group of kiddos. This particular morning, Tatum was a bit needy, interrupting my lesson. This, along with a few other foibles, sent me to the “I need a time out” chair. When we got home, I had to take a few breaths, and then talk to her. She knew I was upset.

She walked into my room with this picture she created:

She pointed out that it was she and I looking at the sunshine. We always see the bright side together. She didn’t realize how symbolic she was being. Our relationship is filled with all sorts of emotions, but one this is never-changing. The bright beautiful sun which God created. This sun shines on both of us at all times, and makes all things work together for HIS good. It’s all part of the journey.

Later that night, I was a bit forlorn, and I mentioned that sometimes it’s just hard doing the momming by myself. She pointed to the sky. “Mommy, God is right there with you as my daddy.” HUHHHHHHH!? From the mouth of this light. This little Tatum. This BRIGHT shining LITTLE Tatum.

 

Dearest Tatum,

Before you were even born, I knew you would be the best thing that ever happened to  me. Baby couldn’t wait for you to come too! There he is…on the tippy top of your cake.

So then, 5:47 pm, November 22nd, 2012,

you entered my life….

I cut your cord and your were now a part of me. My life.

Our eyes met, and we bonded forever.

My little love bug….

In five years, we’ve been through so many experiences. Daily. Minute by minute.

The mornings with Coti…

Our Sundays….

But, do you know what is the best part of our lives?
The day in day out. Every. Single. Day.

At five, I know that you are becoming more independent. You may not need me to carry you or hold you as often. You may not need me to cut your banana or put on your shoes. You may not need me to draw you a circle or unscrew your water bottle. But, I know that our relationship will continue to morph into something more beautiful. Perhaps  our bond will only grow as your needs might lessen for dependence, your heart will grow towards love,  joy, and strength.

What I do know is that the mission for your life has not changed. I posted on your wall these four words:

And this mission statement

and….”You were created for a purpose.” (Matt 5:14)

I knew this the minute I saw you. Your vibrant personality; your creative mind; your spunk and charm, and might I add…your inner and outer beauty. The minute you walk in a room, you exude energy and brightness.

You turning five created in me a bittersweetness. I will continue to miss the toddler in you where you would attempt to speak in complete sentences. And now you are almost reading and will not rely on me. We will celebrate each day with our “cavotion” as you say (she means “devotion) and our oatmeal. We will still have our fun days since I know they won’t be during the week. We’ll still do crafts from our art cart. We’ll always read many books together and still snuggle at night.

I love you, Tatum Isabella Knight. Five years has flown by, but it’s only going to get better and better as we grow closer and our family grows as well.