Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Birthdays, Thanksgiving, the Election…did I mention Birthdays?
Morgan,  James, Levi (early December), Doug (grafted in, gladly), and Tot. (We’ll save Tot for later)

Great opportunity, however, to get the whole clan together.

But first, church. And oh, how good it was. We sang a song called “Let there be Light” (Hillsong). I cannot stop singing the lyrics. We just sing LOUDER when we want to PRAISE HIM!!! WE love you so much, Jesus.

We arrived and were greeted by the lovely Kramer girls. I join …

(Note mom in the background saying, Hey!!! what about me!?)

SO……Tot and mom joined in.

Later, Kell and Doug discussed valves or wall space or something totally exciting.

Tatum enjoyed giving the baby tea while we readied the meal.  She is a great little hostess.

Funny faces and laughs.

It was so much fun being with the family. Doug fits in so well.

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.