Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Are we ready?
It came off without a hitch. Did I stress just a tad about it? Mmmmmm, more like a tremendous tad! Why? I had originally wanted to have friends and family just pop in for some cake and a toast to Tatum’s first year celebration. However, without a kitchen and with the house in utter disarray, this was not an option. So, the next step was to find a neutral place where people could come and go and especially where Tatum could be comfortable. A one-year old on the verge of walking does not do well just sitting quietly nor does she stand in one place; she is a mini-crab crawling in every direction attempting to walk. It’s not an easy age to manage! Therefore, the McCormick Railroad Park was the best choice.
Now, the park has multiple ramadas to reserve, yet they were BOOKED until January. Ok…sure, now what? Well, I had to figure the week of Thanksgiving right after work on Monday or Tuesday would be perfect for getting one, without a reservation; just show up. Tuesday at 4:30pm was perfect. I did have school that day, but I would leave early, pick up the cake etc, grab a table (or have my mom get one for us) and go pick up Tatum! It was all set.

I invited only close friends and family, and I did not want gifts. Our church, City of Grace, has a foster care/adoption initiative which I want to support so this is what I wanted for gifts for Tatum.

After picking up Tatum, Melissa at Temple Chai said she DID nap in the afternoon (upon much pleading from me!) so I prayed she would be in good spirits.

While the guests showed, Bob and Tatum played on the grass to my mother’s chagrin. Yes, I know dogs have been on the ground and so have hundreds of feet, but I needed to let her scope out the place. She stopped for a pose: 

Then, time to cut the cake! Thank goodness I had a couple of my students present to help me take pictures. Gabe and Lauren were so helpful! 

Tatum looked to me to see what the heck to do with this sugar masterpiece. Did she know she was about to get creamed? 🙂

 

Upon tasting this cake, and I mean just a teensy taste (I had to put it on my fingers first), she decided she was done. Susan had brought her a couple books, and she put those in her mouth instead. Words always trump sugar!

 

Thank you to all who joined us and donated money. She is certainly a blessed child and a BLESSING! 🙂

 

November 22nd, 2013. What was I doing this time last year? I was defrosting my turkey in the sink; it was Thanksgiving no less! Next thing you know, I’m at the hospital awaiting the birth of Tatum. That Thanksgiving had far more meaning than former years. Tatum would symbolize true gratitude and over-abundant blessings to me and my family and I would never let a day go by that she would not know how loved she is. 
Fast forward ONE YEAR TODAY! The gratitude I feel has only grown. With Tatum has come friendships, challenges to grow character, family closeness, and so many lessons which I need to learn to be the best mommy ever.

Today, was a Friday, so that meant at Temple Chai, there would be Shabbat services. I had two wonderful colleagues cover my English classes since I was only giving a Grammar test (:)) and head over to the services to surprise her. We headed over in the cart with Will, Eli and Malea, along with Fran and Marla.  They sang songs and then we headed forward to say prayers, break Challah bread and sing happy birthday!Then Logan hooked her back in and I headed back to school until I would pick her up for her surprise evening. She stared at her cupcake in wonderment.  Oddly, she just wanted to play with it. Of ALL things she puts in her mouth, this was NOT one of them! I kept saying, “Try it Tatum!” Nope. She just threw it on the floor and Coti cleaned it all up for me…very convenient these dogs. Then Grandma gave her a teaching clock and she lit up like the candle. This topped all of her day.

 

Thank you Grandma for my gifts!

What a fabulous day of ONE! Such a fabulous number. 

 

It was just another day in Tatum’s playpen room. She donned her blue and white striped socks with her blingy Adidas sneakers. Due to it being about bath time, I carefully removed her socks and shoes and placed them in the corner. She went about playing, and I went about playing with her. About 15 minutes later, I continued to undress her and decided to clean up her playpen a bit. It was then that I noticed that one of the socks that I had so carefully placed in the opposite corner had escaped. I searched high and low, knowing that it had been there 15 minutes prior. It could not have gotten away from the playpen unless it grew feet! Where did it go? I looked in her basket of toys, under the mats, under the pillows….everywhere! About 15 minutes later(!), I decided to peak in the only place I had not looked:

This little door that says, “OPEN” and “CLOSE”. I proceeded to “OPEN” the mini-musical door and POW! There it was! How did she do this without me seeing, the little sneak!

She never even gave me a hint to look there….. hmph.

 

The weekends are such a welcome time of the week. Saturday, we spend the time at our swim lesson as she continues to gain confidence in her back float and going “under!” Going to Cousin Kelly’s house with Morgan and Nyla made for a completely fulfilling day. The girls are getting closer, and I desire for them to be true “sisters” in time. Each of the gals brings such a uniqueness to our family; Morgan with her passion for horses and reading and Nyla with her love of golf. They both are so kind and enjoyable. Plus they ooze integrity and love for Jesus. It’s so contagious.

Sunday, I get to dress Tatum up and enjoy fellowship with friends, family, and of course Jesus. It is also a reunification of Tatum’s time with her mommy as I relish every moment with her. It’s hard to believe that she will be ONE year old in five days.

This once little Tot is soon to be moving on FOOT! Today, she decided to show off for mom with ….The takeoff….

…and landing with the “Aren’t I graceful, Mom?” pose.

Starbucks was a huge excitement upon church today also. We got to visit with “Auntie” Nancy who we just adore. Nancy has been our little angel from almost day one; Nancy and I have so much in common with our kids, and I am so grateful for her in my life.

But, where would I be without my dearest mom?

Moving in with her was the best/hardest thing I ever have done. We are basically on top of each other with the remodeling of the kitchen and the addition of a room to the patio. In fact, the chaos of the house only adds to the need to develop patience and tolerance. Since Tatum came along, God just decided to throw all the chaos and “discomfort” to my life; injury, moving, remodeling…..etc.. Some would say, “Man, that is so unfair and difficult!” I would say, “Thank you, Lord for allowing all of this to develop my character, to develop my relationship with my mother, AND to bring me closer to you for dependence.”

CONTROL: it’s such an illusion. I have none, and since Tatum has come, I have seen that for the more that I desire to make perfect and do myself, the less I can do right. Therefore, God allows this discomfort and “chaos” to enter my life to almost force me to depend on him. I have two choices: Let go, pray, and accept the beauty of change OR grip tight onto my need to control, increasing my frustration and misery. It’s not a hard choice. Not easy, but simple.

Finally, I must say, this week was made even better with my dinner (OUT!) with Denise (thank God for girlfriends), and my BFF, Jocelyn. I had a disconcerting text mid-week, and immediately, I texted Jocy with this. This beautiful, dearest friend of mine checked on me and reached out to me to make sure I was OK. Truly….beautiful friend and sister.

Choose to focus on the GOOD. Again, not easy, but SIMPLE. 🙂