This was the May calendar opening today! We are always. G.R.A.T.E.F.U.L
We got ready for church and Tatum wanted my picture. She has a watch that takes pics.
Cooper is feeling left out, so we posed.
Oh COOOOOOOPY!!!
We are all ready to go and greet at the early service.
Now…..AAHHHH>>>THE message:
Thank you Father for your compassion. You wanted a relationship with us. A DIRECT one on one relationship. BUT, there had to be a payment for all the sins; You cannot be in the presence of sin. No longer is the unblemished lamb needed.
No, Jesus took on ALL of it as the unblemished lamb now. That is what Kevin preached on today. Hebrews 9.
One and done. Over. Finished. We are JUSTIFIED> You see us “just…if…I..never sinned.”
And for that. WE LIVE IN GRATITUDE. (and we look to the day of our Heavenly sanctuary as we live each day in our earthly bodies making the most of our time on earth.) (Thank you Jesus for interceding for us as you sit at THE FATHER’S RIGHT HAND).
From Tatum’s idea journal back in the fall, we decided to open up a business when it got warmer. It seemed like we kept putting it off, but finally this weekend, it was time. It’s soon to get too hot.
We first watched a few videos on successful business practices for our mini-entrepreneur. We also watched many Shark Tank shows to inspire.
Of course, we had our list of all the things. ALLLLLL the things to make it successful. Doug pitched in with his ideas, and oh how valuable! As a team, we all worked on it. I ventured to Fry’s to get the first needs.
Then I got to work on the baking. My Mimi Blossoms and my whipped shortbread cookies would be the sweets, and Country Time (we opted for easy vs. carpal tunnel from all the squeezing!
Then it was time do some marketing. Tatum woke up at 5am and made fliers. I told her I’d make copies, but she opted to make each one by hand.
She went around and gave them to neighbors. Overawesome. (ha!) A Tot-created word non-hyphenated. (no puns intended here)
Now, it’s time to make our big sign and get all the goodies together. My HERO HHH found this awesome credenza and table in the garage and got it all cozy for us. The set-up is perfect!! In fact, our neighbors came by asking when we were opening!
We set the prices just right. A dollar for each item and a free rock for the Homeless. (Tot’s idea)
Ok! We are ready!!!
I spend the next two hours hanging and helping.
COME ON OVER!!
Tatum wanted more traffic, so she pulled out the BIG DADDY!
Get your ice cold lemonade! It’s HOT! H.O.T!
On her journey yodeling the Lemonade Mantra, she happens upon some landscapers who were H.O.T!!!! She ran back to tell me she wanted to give them free lemonade and cookies. Of course! (She did this a couple of times).
Well, you reap what you sow. From more than three people, she got a 20 dollar bill and a “keep the change” response. It all comes back when you GIVE, Tot! One guy gave her…
So, at the end of the day, she pulled in $91 (less 20 since Daddy gave us 20 one’s so we’d have change).
Two tens and a five for just two cookies. Just wow!
Then the doorbell rang. It was a landscaper. He handed her a $10 and a thank you. Again, you reap what you sow TOT! Sow kindness seeds; receive a bushel of kindness
What fun! Stay tuned for next weekend. Probably one more chance before the heat. I am so proud of our family! We all pulled it off together.
Last night, Tatum attended a dinner/movie birthday party for her dear friend, Hayden. (He was George Washington when she was Martha for their wax museum project)
He’s such a sweet boy!
Sadly, when she came home, she felt so sick. The party was all outdoors, and this was no bueno for her allergies. Plus, the prior evening, she felt stomach-sick, and this returned that night.
Sunday morning, we opted to stay home from church and watch it online. She resurrected this shirt from the back of her drawer.
It still fits! I love this shirt because it captures the Tot so distinctly. Yes, she is a tot, but moreover, she is becoming more mature and beautiful inside and out every day. Take for example our class: PROJECT PEACE> We are going through some ideas each day of making our home a more peaceful environment. We do role-plays, discussions, Bible reading almost daily. And…there’s “application” after which I call homework.
Here was the other day:
Yes, going with the flow. A sign of contentment. It also is a way to keep peace, to show love, and to remain humble (putting others above yourself). It’s tough for even adults. We work on this concept daily because disappointment is a fact of life.
She also continues to pour into books. Always, she is reading, singing, or acting out something with her “kids.”
She’s pure JOY to be around.
I love that you continue to not only “know” things as you mature but to grow in your heart HIS love!
He has RISEN! He has RISEN INDEED! We went to church on Saturday so we could go out early Sunday morning to enjoy nature. It did not disappoint!
We decided to head down to our “ocean” and loop around. A beautiful 65 degrees too.
Daddy tried to keep up with Tot and me (teehee), but he did stop to smile with the Tot!
When we got home, I got the brunch ready for Austin and Mama, AND we prepared the egg hunt.
First, we wanted to finish out our Easter blocks and celebrate the resurrection! New life; nee hopes; new foci! I like to think of this day as new beginnings. Tatum wants fewer “hiccups” and more peace. Love that.
Thank you for your sacrifice and our freedom, Jesus. We owe you our lives.
To completely switch gears, we had our Easter egg hunt.
She found them all, but there is still one mystery egg!
Austin and Mama arrived, and boy did she look pretty and he looked so handsome.
Just the daddy and A.
My handsome boys.
And of course my Mama!
I wanted an A pic too!
I heated the quiche and laid out the food. I made a sweet-potato crusted quiche with coconut flour lemon pound cake and strawberries. (with whipped cream OF COURSE)
I think Cooper is waiting for you to share your whipped cream! Austin, where’s you food under all that!?
I think they are all excited to eat!
I absolutely LOVE to spoil my family with food. And this Easter, it meant so much to me to have all of us together. NEW BEGINNINGS.
The girls:
Oh Austin. Austin, we are continuing to pray for you to come back HOME to Jesus. you definitely have grown in wisdom just from making mistakes and learning.
Coopy sure loves you too.
Now, it’s time for the mystery gift. Mama gave Tatum some Easter money toward this gift Tot wanted, so I surprised her with it! I made her a riddle to find it.
Where could it be??? Yes! The “cold walls” of the mini-frig!
And VOILA! The analog watch she wanted. She is still trying to learn about the clock and how it works. So….she asked for this.
What a wonderful glorious Easter with my HAY clan (and my lovely mom).
This day truly embodies so many new HOPES! I love Easter for all that it is. I think of the freedom that we have in Christ and the POWER he gives us to overcome. Thank you for YOUR love, Father and sending HIM to us. His firstfruit resurrection also gives us a guarantee to eternal live secure with you, DADDY! AMEN.
