Hay Happens and Hay's Happen

Rio joins us for brekkie as we get ready early to arrive at school. Her class has the honor of singing the National Anthem this morning at the flagpole.

Today also is the day of my dad’s death which was 14 years ago. It’s a somber day, but also a day of gratitude for all we have.

Such as this breakfast!
Can you say peanut buttah!? Throw in some bacon and berries, and you have a big fat winnah!

She’s also pretty darn cauuute!

The class walked to the pole, all ready to go!

Head of School Nyhardt read from Psalm 91. So beautiful that HE is Lord of all.

And the National Guard readied the glorious flag.

And they took it from there. Just wow.

Thank you for reminding us of the beauty of the freedoms we have in our country and for our gratitude in what we have. AMEN!

Tatum has been asking for a desk. Now, who would ever deny one a desk when USUALLY a desk is used to accomplish something! So….we headed to IKEA one day when we had an extra 10 hours in our day (ha). If you need steps, go there. If you want to be in a human maze? go there. If you want to be overly stimulated, go there! We found the day when it all the planets aligned and also we were prayed up!

Took pics, no money exchanged, got out of there and ordered online. Brilliant!

The load arrived, and I got to work on building this Saturday. Now, what do you think Coopy did the whole time?

Directed me. Yes, Mommy, this one there and that one there. He’s gotta be right there~!
Desk done. Now chair. Tot had to test.

This side….that side! You like? I LIKE!
Daddy, the file thingamabob is to screwy…literally for me. So, you to the rescue.

YAY! Now, organization can take place. My language.

Sunday morning, I found her doing this:

She was doing her Bible Study, and Rio was right there.

Thank you, IKEA, Daddy, Coopy, and RIO for all the help! Now, let’s get organizing and learning! HEE~!

I’m so proud of Tatum for just trying. Her music teacher told the kids about an opportunity to sing a solo of the Star Spangled Banner. She immediately signed up and told me she was going to tryout.
So, Monday morning, we got to school early to meet Mrs. Cline.

Poised and ready, she warmed up with the la la la’s.

Then she stood tall and sang it out with all of her might!

Later, Mrs. Cline asked her to practice her la la’s from D flat to G flat.

All I have ever told Tatum is that she should try for opportunities because that is just one step forward. The point is not in winning or losing; it’s in the moving forward and learning from our mistakes. That is the value of failing! So no matter the outcome, we enjoy the process.

We celebrate hard work! HOW?
Coffee talk.

Happy Labor Day!

It’s a famous verse you hear at weddings and events that celebrate LOVE. But, is it really applied? Sure, we say, “I love you” often, and we also say, “I love xyz” all the time, but do we mean the kind of love that is described in 1 Cor. 13? Agape love? Unconditional love?

“ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. “

Today, at our Hay Happens meeting, we wrote out the verse, and then we focused on areas that maybe each of us could work on.

For example, “Stephanie is kind, patient…” and then I circled “Patient,” with the intent that I need to focus on this more! I also probably could be less irritable at times!

Little Rio helped out with inspiration for the Tot.

This week, when we eat dinner, we’ll have out our little reminder.

Let’s APPLY the verse! AMEN!

I LOVE watching Tatum PLAY! At almost 11, she still uses her imagination on FULL TILT with her love of teaching and drawing.

She spent a couple of hours doing a read aloud to Coopy and Rio the other day; it was a joy to watch her be so animated and creative. Little Coopy kept looking at me.

Seriously, Mom? Do I have to listen to this?

Coopy, it’s good for you to F.O.C.U.S (since he is all about the squirrel moments. Literally).

Rio watched attentively. He knows his mommy is in charge!

Take it away, TOT!

She’s going to be an amazing teacher some day, or whatever she chooses to do, she’ll be truly a leader.

Later, she FOCUSED on drawing her new little feathered friend. WOW!

I immediately had it made into a portrait for her wall. You WOW me, kiddo!

She has been begging me to work in the Special Ministries at SBC. After the training, we were scheduled for this Sunday. You have to be at least 14 to serve, but if she is with me, it’s all ok!

So, today, we worked with Carolyn’s (the head of SpMinistries at SBC) daughter, Megan. She was to work with Arabella, a sweet little Special 4 year old). Tatum just shadowed and helped Megan.

Here we are arriving early!

Then she got to serve in the 4-year old room. Little Arabella is playing hopscotch.

Tatum learned so much as this sweet little girl was so curious about EVERYTHING! Tatum had to learn how to help her keep her hands to herself and take turns.

Also, to help other little kids understand that Arabella is different but SO special in GOD’S EYES!

the Bible verse this morning was “coincidentally (NOT!)” the same verse from her school this week.

I’m HONORED to be Tot’s mommy. She inspires me daily. XXOO.