Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

He does have a magic touch to Tot’s hair. Not to mention Doug’s and mine. But today, it was Tot’s turn!

He had so much fun trimming her, and she couldn’t get enough of his brushing technique.

VOILA!

IN action!

Thanks Geron for your magic touch!

Coti won’t admit it, but he likes it.

Thursdays are my GCU day. I must leave in the afternoon, but the promise of good to come awaits the Tot. Even Coti looks forward to it:

The Doug Arrival.

Yes, it is the moment that happens around 4:30pm, and what does Coti want? TO PLAY CATCH of course! What does he get!???? A selfie for mom. Srsly!?

Yes, Coti. Seriously.

Knowing these two are in good hands eases my mind. It also puts a smile on Tot’s face.

And for puppy? Well, he’ll have to wait until all the celebration is complete. THEN, and ONLY THEN, will that squeaky _____ get thrown. 

“Life moves pretty fast; If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” (Isn’t that the line from Ferris Bueller?) I may be dating myself, but one thing I do know is that this is way too true.

It is an obvious truism to stop and smell the roses, yet it did not come completely apparent to me until really today. Tatum swings with that attitude which translates this whole concept to me.

First, she pumps those legs with such vigor which I analogize to taking in the moment with full intensity. (just look at that face)!

She continues with extreme focus taking in every single solitary moment of this ride.

Then, she just lays back and lets it flow naturally! Freedom.  She is free!

Perhaps this is what freedom is all about!? Perhaps, stopping and making the absolute most of EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY MOMENT in one’s life allows one to be completely FREE. The alternative? Letting it all pass by and missing the little things in life. That only usurps the joy that comes from letting go completely.

Thank you Tatum for showing me this….all in the gusto of a swing.

 

Is this day only about the candy? Well, maybe today, it was about a bit more.

First, Tatum decided to be Batgirl. WHY? The cape of course! The ability to leap a few more inches, the way she glides across the sidewalk and fights those bad guys with her flashy light! Now she can make anyone drop her bag of candy if one would dare take it!

Next, she had a chance to get Mama to wear funny eyes.  Another thing is we had a chance to meet new neighbors and make them smile. That was a gift unto itself.
Then there was this:
ahhhhhhh, that sunset.

Finally, the C.A.N.D.Y! (which she got to pick two). 

Of course I put my opinion in with my choice of M & M’s because they are so fun to sort. (It’s the OCD, OK!?) Save the green ones for mommy. 

The next delight?

What do they put in this that makes it taste so good?? Peanut butter and chocolate!? Seriously? They make this!? Where have you been all of my life, Resees!?

She slept like a log….a bat log that is!

Don’t you mean snuggle bugs?

YES!

 

I would describe Tatum this way. Her art even depicts her personality. She has so many dimensions which makes being her mom a true joy. She is my mosaic.

She just received some new paints, and I tried to explain not to paint on top of each other but to try to focus on a color at a time. Sounds like good advice. One day, one color, one moment…at a time.

Delightful.

Her she is represents so much color on one sheet; a mosaic of delight.

 

Our final day in Utah was relaxing and just plain peaceful. Dolly spent some time reading to Tatum. She even found a book I had never heard of for Tot! Look Alikes. Of course I immediately bought the series. A creatively brilliant book of looking deep at something and seeing what it could be!

Off to the airport from an amazing trip. More on that in a moment.

Tatum instantly missed Thomas, so happy that Doug had a secret weapon, besides his charm, to keep Tot busy on the plane!!

Yes, about 10 little plastic dogs. They were a hit and a half. (Aside from the free peanuts and pretzels)

Once we landed, Tatum was Doug’s little bag helper while I went to get compensated for my lost bag. Now, that is a nice little bonus.

As I reflect on this amazing trip, I am reminded of ONE THING.

I miss my brother. I miss him with all of my heart. It’s time for Tatum to fully experience her uncle and all of the trimmings! Those serendipities are not only Dolly and Thomas, but WHO they are. Thomas represents so much more than just their son. He represents a huge piece of WHO Dolly and Johnathan are and the values they represent.

My dream is to spend so much more time with them, and if Johnathan has his way, it will include a trip to Disneyland (he’s an uber-expert in avoiding the crowds and finding all the morsels of what this park is). I’ll add some time in the snow, Christmas gatherings, oodles of board games, and more piano recitals by Thomas. I also can’t get enough of Dolly and her wise, quiet spirit. (although she is a spunky gal!) All of this will be so great for my Tot!!!

Doug also is so grateful for the time as shown by his gratitude card:
Thank you Johnathan, Dolly, and Thomas. You carry on the Scharf name with HONOR! We needed that in our family and its generations to come. We love you with all of our hearts.