Tatum spent the day birding at Boyce Thompson Arboretum with Kasey, and I don’t think I can overstate how beautiful it all was for her…both the place and the experience.
The arboretum in the fall feels like a quiet invitation to slow down which was great for her! Ancient rock, living water, and trees that have seen so many seasons.
But the real magic was watching having Tatum experience the nature; the BIRDS! Kasey is so good at birding and she is such a gentle teacher that way. I’m sure she helped her attentiveness and curiosity.
The birds they spotted were incredible!!
A robin perched high
Warblers
A flicker with its markings
A hummingbird glowing green in the light
And a flash of red from a cardinal
It was a great time of connection and appreciating how much life is happening above us if we only look up.
These are the days I want her to remember. I only wish I could have been there too. Kasey is such a great cousin, teacher, friend.
So grateful for days like this, and for the people who take the time to invite kids into the beauty of nature. I love you both so much.
Watching Tatum write this book has been fascinating, because she’s not just telling a story she’s learning how to build one.
Her chapters move between multiple viewpoints and settings, and she understands that tension can grow in parallel, even when characters are apart.
Her pacing has matured. Scenes don’t linger too long, but they also don’t rush past important details. She’s learned when to slow down for atmosphere and when to snap forward with action!
She’s developing a strong sense of tone. I LOVE her sensory detail to create unease rather than relying on explanation. She lets the reader feel what’s happening instead of telling them how to feel…SO COOL!
Her dialogue sounds increasingly natural, especially in moments of stress, and she’s taking risks. Some of her chapters are SCARY and dark, but she has them come alive with her descriptions. She’s currently finishing the final chapter (12) which places her firmly in the final resolution of the story. (maybe to a book 2?) This isn’t a project she’s trying out anymore; it’s one she’s actively bringing to a conclusion.
I’M SO PROUD OF HER:
She’s learned how to stay with a long project; NOT abandon, and how to trust her voice even when the story gets complicated.
She can actually do hard things all the way to the end. Stay tuned!
We finally made it back to the Train Park last night! The last time we went at Christmas was 2019!
Oh….WAIT a MINUTE!! 2020!
Back then, Tatum was little and everything felt magical: the lights, the whistles, the “up and down!” Geez, from ages 1–6, we practically lived at this place. It was our little world.
And now she’s 13. Different season. Different energy. Not the same “OOOMPH” as those early years, and honestly, that’s okay. We waited in the train line. Not as bad as years yonder since this year they had “ticketed entry.”
This time, it wasn’t about recreating the old FUN… It was more of a sweet reminiscing to what used to be. A “we were here once” kind of night. AND, I WENT OUT AFTER FIVE!! Again, a new normal.. I pray..
Ok, onto the train. Pics for the “mommy” everyone.
and with my other honey. HHH
Note the UGGs. Any excuse to wear these! Yes, they are 20 years old. Yes they are filled with delightful scrumptious sheepskin, and YES, it was about 70 degrees. HA! Ok, cute but posed. Still…cute.
Here we go…into the TUNNO…TUNNO!! (tunnel). No, she didn’t say it, but I did in my brain. What happened to the years!? Ok..snap out of it.
The carousel (aka the “up and down,” as toddler Tatum used to call it) brought a little gem of the old days.
Yes, I was on my high horse. HA!
Snowman, where are you here in Scottsdale?
The lights were beautiful. The air was chilly (sorta). And even though her excitement looks different now, she was there with us…. present, smiling, humoring the nostalgia.
The S’mores made it all worth it, eh?
It wasn’t the same as 2019, but I had my two favorite people with me.
The mommy? VERY HAPPY.
And…..the piece de resistance? Coopy under the tree waiting for us when we got home.
Taties was invited to her SBC youth small group movie/PJ/junk-food-o-rama night at her leaders house, and Doug and I had a night at home. He had just put up the train for around our tree. Glory it is SO cute and Coopy-worthy. He loves being under the tree, but now he has entertainment.
I also spent the day crock-potting a corn, sweet potato, chicken chowder. It turned out pretty good after pureeing it and adding this and that.
I added a little greek yogurt, cilantro and bacon (because c’mon!) and voila!
He showed me his work station. It is now “HHW-ized” so he is always reminded how much I love him.
So cute!! We also ate to “Tesla” light. Very romantic, eh?
It was a fun night. I am so grateful for my family.
Tatum has had some ROUGH days and PLUS she is going through some heavy emotions (welcome to puberty). So, I told her, these are Mommy’s rules for staying cheerful DESPITE life curveballs (which are going to happen ALL THE TIME. BUT, Hay’s Happen, right!? They make good choices.
1. I start my day with God.
I thank Him for another day.
I pray for others first and then for myself
I ask Him to guide my attitude and my words
2. I stay busy with things…accomplish
Cooking
Cleaning
Crossing off tiny tasks
3. I shift focus off myself and think of someone else
A text to encourage someone
Doing a small chore for someone
Preparing something thoughtful for Doug or Tatum (like cook!..or postit/email)
Praying for a friend who needs it
4. I do something creative
Draw (not as much L)
Write
Plan/make something fun…It’s USUALLY SMALL!
5. I move my body
A short walk (around the house!..for me it’s little)
A stretch (gym if I can)
A quick tidy-up that gets me moving
6. I speak truth to myself…not feelings (or pray!)
There’s a whole story in these pictures… little snapshots of us through the years.We have lived through a lot of good and bad times, but (especially the hard ones), our love keeps deepening.
Portrait, Lifestyle, and Wedding Photographer
This year, Doug turned 65, and we celebrated! Tatum made the sweetest homemade card.
I made your apple birthday treat with whipped cream because you always deserve something homemade.
And you opened all your gifts..hacksaw and all (since you love to fix all of our problems and you DO!) Some polisher for your car, a calendar, a new fancy water bottle, a NEW WATCH!!
Oh, and COOPY watching:
But the real celebration for me wasn’t the gifts or the cake. It was YOU.
It was looking at you that day: I love this man so much. I love the life we’ve built. And I am so grateful for him.
You have been:
• My steadFAST ground through every unpredictable twist of my health journey My protector, and the one who looks at me with love even on the days I don’t look or feel like myself (OFTEN!) The most tender, patient father to Tatum Our breadwinner and our rock (Truly a KINGDOM MAN) The fixer of sinks, broken doors etc, and the one who turns the outside of our home into something spectacular lights, trees, flowers, fountain and all Still the HHH I fell in love with The encourager who reminds me I’m stronger than I think The loving, loyal, hardworking man I prayed for before I ever met you You are truly getter younger and stronger.
We have weathered a lot. Storms that tried to knock us down. Doctors, symptoms, fear, grief, exhaustion.
Through all of it, you’ve held my hand; literally and figuratively in every season.
Maybe that’s why that little crocheted penguin feels so perfect:
“Just like penguins, we are soulmates forever.”
Because that’s what we are. That’s what we’ve chosen to be: again and again, year after year.
And I just want you to know this:
I see you. I appreciate you. I admire you. And I love you so much.
Thank you for loving me so much Thank you for loving Tatum so unconditionally. Thank you for showing up every day; for this family, for our home, for our future, for me.
You’re 65, and honestly… you’re still the HHH I fell in love with. Happy, happy birthday, my love. Here’s to more years, more memories, and more of this crazy life with you.
