Living an Intentional Life
Coti wanted to finish my work for me. What a loving doggie!
After all the grading he did, he bolted in my room. I wondered where he went? Well, he was tired of course!
Here I am, mom!
Today, he decided he was too cold to work, so he parked himself on Tot’s bed. Tatum let him snuggle with baby.
and down…..
he goes……zzzzzzzzz
It’s a hard life.
We decided to scribble and then color in the space.
And then, we embarked on drawing what we see. She loved this picture of the frogs finding the end of the rainbow. (The fable pointed out that these frogs were not so wise, but they sure were chasing the beauty). The poor frogs were left out of the scene.
Wonderful!
Doug kindly wrote this blog, and emailed it to me in surprise. It made me weep with gratitude, humility, and joy. Thank you. Here you go:
I was looking way back through my email archives and photo galleries recently for something and literally saw hundreds of emails that Steph and I have shared and many thousands of pictures (I’m not exaggerating). To step back and see an aggregate perspective that is lost on the day to day for me was good. Things become clearer at the higher perspective. What is important in life and what is not so much. I have been seriously fortunate to be close to Steph and Tatum for more than 2 ½ years and I’ve shared so many life experiences with them. I’ve seen firsthand the joys, the disappointments, the celebrations, the struggles, the laughter, the crying, and most of all – the LOVE of these two for one another.
It’s been a privileged window that the Lord has opened for me to see the life with my two dearest sweeties. It’s the quiet times of Steph and Tatum that I get a glimpse of that no one else sees. The silent moments and special moments that seem to me to be the most powerful. These memories are the foundation of your lifetime bond.
It’s in the silent touch. Your hearts connect…
It’s in the quiet times. Time to be together…
It’s in the unspoken words. Time to just be close…
It’s in the solace of sleep. Safety and reassured…
It’s in a smile given. A smile returned…
It’s in a muted breeze from the ocean waves. God’s creation…
It’s playing the warm sand. Time stands still…
It’s in a wisdom known. A wisdom shared…
It’s in an encouraging word. Confidence grows…
It’s in the playful times. We want never to end…
It’s in the goofy times. Times to remember…
It’s in the birthdays together. We celebrate each other…
It’s in the joy of Christmas. Family traditions…
It’s in an adventure. Excitement awaits…
It’s in hearts filled of gratitude. Hearts are redeemed…
It’s in the everyday ordinary. Living each day to the fullest…
It’s in a whispered thought. You are one…
It’s in a tear shed. A mom’s comfort is there…
It’s in a stolen moment. A laughter shared…
It’s in a reassuring touch. Mom’s secure love…
All of these are where you find your lifetime bond. An unbreakable bond. It’s in the quiet times and special times that have cemented your LOVE! Steph and Tatum you both are strong together and have a blessed and rich life. And above all, your LOVE gives testimony that Jesus IS. Thank you Jesus for Steph and Tatum!
Steph and Tatum, here’s to many more memories to come. I love you both!
–Doug
Tatum has a gift. She sees something she wants in her head, then she decides to make it.
The other morning she woke up with a vision she wanted to make a reality in the morning. She imagined her bear being a watch on her wrist. We made it happen! This is the theme of most days. She wants glasses, we make glasses. She wants a new watch so she/we make a new watch. She wants a pup pad, she creates her own. This week, it’s iPads. Today alone, she has created about five. I just found her in her room making one with animal apps. It’s 8:08 pm. Again, she had a vision, so she made it happen.
Again, I love her brain. Instead of begging me for the latest “thingamabob,” she decides to create her own. She told me that when she wears her “homemade” glasses to school, she gets teased. Do you think it bothers her? No way.
Tot, you are my little creator. I love how God is purposing your life.
Seeing all things red raises the blood pressure because it means the holidays are nearing and the hustle begins. However, something about seeing orange makes one feel cozy and forward thinking to spiced cider and pumpkiny treats.
It all seems to start at Trader Joe’s. They seem to have the ability to make fall come alive with pumpkin EVERYTHING
Pumpkin Sunday started with these little orbs of tastiness
Then, we had a nice time at church, and although it’s not cold outside, we all felt warm and cozy inside.
After church, we continued the trend with a leftover Einstein’s scooped out pumpkin bagel with feta and cream cheese (my fancy addition) for Tot.
I wanted to surprise her for dinner for some more orange treats, so I made orangey lentil pasta with butternut squash and a few goodies thrown in like coconut oil, feta, and smoked turkey.
She devoured it.
The usual dinner guests were present:
Baby…being polite sitting quietly.
Coti, staring under her chair waiting…and waiting…and waiting for Tatum to be bit of a mess.
No luck, Snuggles..she’s eating it up just fine; no dropsies.
Sorry puppy!
Feeling orange today. Warm, snuggly, and always a bit of spice too! Sundays should always be this wonderful.
to be warm! The itchy sweater wrap did not suffice as evidenced by her spending more time itching than skating.
So, earmuffs to the rescue.
Hopefully this gives her happy ears!
We were just winding down on my Thursday night with Tatum. Getting our teeth flossed, brushed, and ready for bed. Then Tatum asked me: Doug, could you make me some rainbow glasses? …..uuuh what? You know some rainbow glasses. Wait a minute, we’re going to bed in 15 ya know. Then I’m thinking this must be a test? (are you going to measure up Doug or not?)
OK, we can do this!
We traced around a pair of real glasses on paper. Then we colored in with emphasis on the rainbow!
All we needed to do was cut out and… Ta-Da!
I must have passed the test because the next week the same question: Doug, can you make me some glasses?
Sure!
This time we investigate the art cart for materials. I realize this art cart has EVERYTHING you could possibly ever need for art projects (and many home repair projects too I think). Steph, you should just go into the art cart business – seriously! OK, we find colored pipe cleaners – these things are the coolest!
Tot, you make our Thursday nights fun!