Living an Intentional Life
I had the honor of speaking to the EdKey teachers about Writing Across the Curriculum.
We showed up early, and sweet Carol Lippert, the head of GCE, gave Tot another goody bag.
Yes, my future LOPE!
Lunch box as well. Chicken sandy! So thoughtful, and it kept her happy.
But wait, there is more! Thunder, the mascot at GCU gave her a PERSONAL note!
The EDKey staff loved my prezi, and Tatum was blessed to be a part. THANK YOU so much for all the opportunities!
As a kid, I was a major Barbie fan. Oh, yes, it occupied all my time…the hair, the clothes, the “vette.” I dreamed of a Barbie Playhouse, but alas, we could never afford.
The Barbie bug has bit the Tot.
Target has a plethora of choices now. She took her allowance and bought two new sets today,
and NOW, guess what she wants?????
The Dream House. The price? A nightmare. ($150-$250!)
Stay tuned. She is saving her money.
In the meantime, we are selling stuff! Going through her stash of shoes and toys.
I love speaking to teachers. I had the opportunity to speak at the EdKey conference put on at GCU this week.
Here is my topic: (Working with the GIFTED in the Gen Ed classroom)
I had about 50 attendees, and guess who came to watch me and help me?
TOT!
She was such a helper.
I can’t wait to see what they thought. Tot loved it. She pushed in the chairs after.
I get to go back Monday for another presentation: Writing Across the Curriculum. MY FAV!
I wanted to return to Ohio to see Dr. Nemeh, but this time, I’d bring my mom. He could fix her scoliosis. Me? I could use a miracle too for my intestinal troubles.
Tot made me a pic…love this so much
I got up early (our flight was at 7:30 am) and hung with Coops, Daddy and Tot. Thank you for the coffee daddy!
We will miss you, Tot and Daddy!
We got to the airport, and I got my mom a wheelchair; so helpful.
Through security and to our plane…we made it. Smiling and ready for Ohio.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Tot and Daddy are having fun. I left a few goodies for Taties to open each night if she behaved well.
Jammies!
Coopy got a little nighty too. (Thanks to Tot!)
Also, Tot made Daddy some dessert. Just look at this creation!
He also grilled every night…that was heaven, I’m sure! Along with many chess games and playing in the pool.
Mama and I got our car, a shake from Chik-Fil-A (Thanks to a lovely lady who pushed the wheel chair for my mom), and headed to our hotel.
Cheesecake Factory for dinner and then she gave me a lovely bracelet to commemorate our trip and memories. We haven’t been able to spend much time together, so this was a special time (and for Tot and Daddy too!)
THANK YOU! I just love it;
Tot sent me many texts of love.
I miss you too little cutie.
The next morning, breakfast bar, gym, and delightful time with mom. Ready for Dr. Nemeh!
The water is always a surprise! What fruit will it be today? Blood oranges, OK!
Mama and I got ready and headed to see Dr. Nemeh.
We arrived as we were so excited! I’m ready for a new start. (so is Mama)
Mama went first. He commented that she was so healthy except for her back. He worked miracles on it so she won’t have the improper curvature.
I was next. He commented that I was much better than Feb. (but much inflammation in my back)
But I complained of all the pain and bloating…gas etc.
After we were finished, we went to McDonalds for ice cream and just to relax. I felt awesome, but still so bloated. Not sure WHHHHHYYY!??? Still!!! So glad we go back tomorrow for some followup questions.
Shopping…browsing. Enjoying every flower and tree. It’s so green and colorful!
She offered to take me back to Cheesecake Factory! Oh, my…salmon again. Thank you so much mom.
Tot and Daddy grilled and enjoyed their chess game. I knew they were having a great time.
The next day, we visited Nemeh again.But first, we found an EINSTEIN’s! My coffee! It’s so stinkin’ cute too. Like a little cottage.
Ok..at the office: I told him I just don’t understand: all of my biomarkers have come down. He told me that I have a functional problem. What does that mean? From an injury? I was told it was from food poisoning. The gas in my intestines is caused by archaea (upon eating, they get activated) which produces methane and causes extreme bloating. Then the gas gets stuck and does not move through my small intestine. WHY!!! Finalllllllleeeee….he noticed my bump near my groin where the trapped gas goes. It has become weak and compromised. OH MY…. WE HAVE ALL MISSED THIS: It’s a INGUINAL HERNIA! I have every symptom.
I immediately scheduled an appt for a surgeon in Scottsdale. I’m on it like white on rice.
Mom feels AMAZING too.
Thank you Dr. Nemeh
Mama and I visited the park and the VIEW of the lake. The beauty is breathtaking.
You can sit on the swing and just Be. I NEED THIS in my life.
The path!
We headed downtown to the Rock and Roll Museum, and we parked near the water. Oh, I wanted to get in!
It was packed, so we decided to just go in to the gift shop. They had a cool band playing out front.
The gift shop was little rocking! I found the cutest shirt for TOT since she LOVES music!
Stay tuned.
Now, back at home, Daddy and Tot
Had brekkie…(Starbucks unicorn cake pop. Can’t beat it.)
had some BBQ parties apparently.
And lots of good ol’ fashion frolicking in the pool!
OH, the joy of it all! They are blazing hot in Phoenix, as I enjoy the rain and cool weather in Ohio. 75!
More flowers for us! Many more in Ohio.
And our final night at Cheescake.
Oh, I miss the Tot and the Daddy, and she misses us!
Now, mom and me? Oh, the blessing. We bonded so much over talk of family and growing up. Daddy and Tot bonded too! I see so much fruit on the tree. I feared traveling with mom, but she was so delightful.
When I got home….WOW!
the card too?
She always draws pictures of her with me or Daddy..it’s all about relationship for her. (The family is her number one!)
Look at how much she and Daddy did to make me feel special!
Here’s the shirt I bought her…MUSIC is her LOVE so I thought this was great!
Such a great time and WINS all around.
LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH
WE LOVE TO READ! More importantly, we have some daily habits that we practice, and I try to model.
I hope she can keep these as she grows and matures. Here’s some things we like to do!
First, there’s always the COOPY who gets some attention in the day…but usually he is sleeping or following us around.
First, Tot is all about cultivating memories. She is very nostalgic, and she loves to keep everything. Case in point; her R2D2 shirt. She resurrected it, and I made it cute again sans the sleeves. (see the Coopy’s nose looking up to his sis?)
The mornings start also with our quiet time. I usually get a head start in our art/play room, and then she goes in to do her devotion.
Right now, we are doing one from Adventures in Odyssey with Average Boy! (I usually leave her a note)
But she also likes to have a checklist.
She goes through the “Armor of God,” Says “Jesus has a HOLD ON ME,” prayer, devo, and then …great day!
Later in the day, we end the day (or during the day) we read some fun books. Right now, she is into Adventures In Odyssey! We are reading this book which has 4 books inside.
We also are kind of into mysteries! The Westing Game is our latest unraveling novel!
Or I read to her from the Book Of Virtues. A classic. Short stories about important values/character traits like HONESTY, LOYALTY, COMPASSION, SELF-DISCIPLINE…
AND…well, I believe in being proactive as a parent. We are going through a Biblical Sexuality study and talking about marriage, sex, and identity in Christ (celebrating her gender!)
Or apologetics she can understand and own what she believes.
We also end every evening with bible reading. We started in Matthew a while ago, and we are reading through the NT. Just started Ephesians!
And…maybe we’ll watch a video of TobyMac! He just came out with a new song: THE GOODNESS! (The Goodness of God!)
(Yes, Jesus!…our King).
We love our time together, and all of these parts make it one special (and hopeful RICH) day! I love you my TOT!
We have so much fun together. Truly…she plays, I work. Then we come together for some drawing, reading, or just talking.
Today, she had a couple moments of “not so pleasantness,” and I LOVE how she immediately has remorse, we talk it out, and IT’S over.
She even sent me this text (she grabbed my phone as I went in the bathroom) and sent me this.
I LOVE HER HEART!! XXOO BABY.
Even for the daddy. Daddy cracked his tooth, and Tatum wanted him to have a visit. She has been losing teeth left and right, and so she felt it was HIS turn to experience some love.
So, she secretly and carefully slipped her tooth pillow under his pillow.
and when he woke up…
Now, if he could get it fixed without it costing more that $5? EEK!?