Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

She had no clue!

Tatum and I planned on surprising mama at her Bible Study with a cake, songs, and our presence!

First, I talked to Pat to make sure we could drop by, and then the secret was on! I had to really work on Tatum not spilling the beans.

We got the cake…”Beautiful Inside and Out” was my theme for her.

 

Then I wrote a poem to read to her

Beautiful Inside and Out

Her outer self glows with glamour

It radiates with little help from a palette

And one might wonder what is her secret?

Her outer self shines with a smile

It permeates her whole being

And one might wonder what is her secret?

Her outer self glistens with delight

It travels through her mind and body

And one might wonder what is her secret?

Her secret?

Love, Joy, Peace

Patience, Kindness, Goodness,

Faithfulness, Gentleness

and

Self Control

 

She is beautiful

Inside and Out

She was so surprised!

Tatum sang her Happy Birthday and some Jesus songs. PERFECTLY.

 

More is to come since her birthday is next week, but we wanted to get a head start. Mama, you are beautiful inside and out.

Love you.

 

It’s wonderful being Tatum’s mom for a zillion reasons. One of them is getting to watch her master a skill.

First, she just loves going to Sportball. I stand at the window and just ooh and aah.

Her little hands can really maneuver that ball!

This day it was St. Patrick’s day, so they took a photo and wore their hats/beards

Note: Tot is the only girl amongst 13 boys

SO FUN!!!

 

Then we go to Open Gym at Scottsdale Gymnastics, and I continue to be amazed. She saw another little girl working those bars, and she was determined to do a flip. After about 10 tries, she did it! Then she did the same with hanging by her legs. I took a ton of videos just watching her persist with tenacity. Then, she’d go around and find mommies to watch. “Watch this!” I’d tell Tatum that they had to watch their own kids, but she didn’t care. She needed an audience!

When it’s all over, we celebrate with her pouncing on top of ……

 

ME!
I’m so proud of her tenacity and her will to learn. LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

We are enjoying our time at SBC so far.

We like to meet at the coffee shop before church and enjoy some conversation.

Then, we await the music to start at church so we can sing!

Tatum then goes into the kiddo room and learns about Jesus. Under the table?

I’m pretty sure Jesus is there too! We are grateful for Scottsdale Bible Church. I look forward to volunteering in the kids room with her in a couple of weeks.

 

Thursdays are bittersweet. Tatum goes to school, and I usually have my mom’s group at church.

We have a nice breakfast together after I get her her daily flower.

Tatum also has chapel at school, so we both get a little Jesus and a lotta lovin’ from our friends.

Then there’s school. Ah…..GCU. A new week starts every Thursday, so I have usually a ton of grading to accomplish, AND a new class for the week each Thursday to launch (and sometimes a brand new class). I also physically go to GCU to teach a cohort class of live students. This means I leave Tot every Thursday about 2:30 or so.

While I get ready, Tatum gets ready to read a bazillion or so books. And she does.

Graciously, my mom watches Tatum for two hours, and then my sweet Doug leaves work early and comes to watch Tatum for the final hours before bed, and then he puts her to bed. We have quite a routine going now.

I always send Tot and Doug a picture and they always send something back to me.

Hi Tot and Doug!

 

Hi mommy! 

And then I wonder…bandaid on her face? OK!?

Doug has antics with her.

 Did I mention antics?

On his way home from putting Tot to bed, I then talk to Doug all the way home on my way home (if the timing is right). Sometimes I get to talk about my class because they are so awesome. Yes, I get chocolate from them!

It’s a smoothly oiled machine, those Thursdays. I miss the Tot like mad, but I know she’s in terrific hands, and she’s having a great time. Did I mention antics!?

 

Tot came in this morning before the sun to tell me she had a nightmare about a whale. I let her come into my room and sleep with me, yet I did not fall back to sleep. It’s when I get awakened that I’m extra sleepy during the day!

Anyway, I made my bed (as she handed me my pillows), spent a bit with Jesus while she played, and then she told me not to come in her room (she was preparing a surprise. Five minutes later, she called for me, and do you know what she did?

She made her bed (and it is hard because of the million pillows and the way it’s tucked in.

She was so proud of herself and I was too!

Then, after tucking in Mr. Potatohead (yes..for realz)

 

She informed me that she was to get herself dressed (as she sometimes does), but this time she was pretty adamant.

She then wanted to take my picture and since I was in my morning face, I couldn’t run away fast enough for her to grab my phone. Little cutie pie.

We read the devotion, headed downstairs, and she proceeded to sing worship songs to mom, Coti and me.

“We’re going to sing sing sing, we’re going to shout shout shout praise the Lord! When the gates are opened wide I’m going to sit by Jesus side praise the Lord!”

And so it is. No spec of madness in sight. Where did it go?

First, it started out with a bit of volunteering. I decided to be in with Tot in the 3’s and 4’s room so I could get a feel for what it would be like to volunteer regularly. She made many little friends, and so did I! I loved seeing how the kids learn about Jesus. They play in the room, and then they all go into the “Warehouse” for singing, a little puppet show, and a video about the verse of the day. She will definitely learn the Bible at Scottsdale Bible. Also, she will develop a relationship with Jesus the way they stress it.

Then, we headed in the coffee shop to meet Doug and go to the next service.

Goofy goofs!

Aren’t they just so cute together?

Later, Tot and I headed to our favorite puppet theater to see the Frog Prince.

The theme was excellent about a princess keeping her promises. Then she was “forced” to befriend a frog if she was to keep her promise. The serendipity of this was that when she kissed him (because he hurt his toe), he turned into a prince. He had a spell put on him that when he was kissed by a “true” friend, he would become a boy again. She realized she could be a true friend!

She then got to meet and hug the puppets.

We learned about the importance of making friends and being a friend. I treasure our time together because Tatum and I always not only have fun together, but we learn about Jesus’ love and how when that is in our hearts, we can be truly the best friends, daughters, sons, mommies, and daddies. Thank you Jesus!