The Endless Summer...

I'm a girl that loves fall.  The chill in the air, high school football, boots, change of leaves, pumpkin spice latte.  However, this year, the thought of summer ending and the start of fall is a little bittersweet.  After all, this summer has been amazingly fun.  Camps, VBS, activities, swim lessons, new best friends, camping, vacations....just fun!  So looking out the window and seeing the leaves changing and the rain falling brought on feelings of wanting summer to never end.  But I love fall - why is this so hard when it's normally so welcoming?   Then I realized... this particular season change is big in our family.

My baby starts kindergarten.  

Ok, he's not a baby anymore, but kindergarten?  Real school?  This season seemed such a long time out.  How did it get here so fast?

And if you know me and how I can SOMETIMES wallow in reminiscing.....

But I learned something new.

You see, everyone has 2 lives:  the one you are living and the unlived life inside of you. (Thank you Brian Houston for sharing this tonight at Vision Days).

Ill always have summer, but I won't let it keep me from the season God has for me now.  Nothing will keep this unlived life inside of me from seeing its fulfillment.  

So, kindergarten.... Let's do this!

With love, 

Mommy tam-tam

Such Joy....

As a mom, there is nothing that makes me happier than to see pure JOY in my son.  This summer, I have been blessed enough to see it almost every day.

It makes the time go by fast, when you are having fun.  To me, time passing is bittersweet; I just don't want the moments to end.

Where does the time go?  It is already August and summer is almost over.

This summer has been one of the best, funnest summers we've ever had.  Jarrett has developed a true friendship with 2 little boys.  He's had friends before, but these ones are "knit" in his heart.  And with that, I've seen him grow up just a bit more.  It reminds me of the story in 1 Samuel 20 - David and Jonathan, friends that truly loved each other.

When you have a friend:

• it makes sharing easier
• it makes you braver to face new challenges
• it makes learning fun
• it turns rainy days into fort building adventures
• it gets you excited when they have good days
• and, it helps you remember to pray for them when they are having hard days.

And, in all of that, you grow.  And my baby, toddler, preschooler and now Kindergardener is "big boy" now.  Seeing that transform in just a few short months, this Summer '13, to me is Such Joy!

with love,
Mommy Tam-Tam

"fancy-shmancy".....A Valentines Day Recap

I celebrated Valentine's Day with both of my valentines.....

And we had a "fancy-shmancy" dinner.

Sometimes it feels hard to get romance in when there are little feet around.  But this time, I thought I would include him.

We set the table together as a "apprise" (surprise) for daddy.
We brought out our best table cloth, put on the beautiful tulips Jeff gave me, sprinkled candy hearts around and lit the candles.

We made daddy's favorite dinner and a separate favorite for Jarrett.

During dinner, Jeff and I told our love story to Jarrett - which he thought was fun.  And it was fun, letting him get to know how we met, how we fell in love and how daddy proposed.  It was special to us and it as we shared our story, it became special to him.

I think that is important...with all the divorce and separation in the world today...I think its vital to let our kids know that we are committed to each other and actually still "like" each other.  Seeing us as friends as well as family is important.  We are a team and we love it.

After dinner, Jeff and I just had a little time to ourselves to talk and catch up.  Jarrett ran off and played, but like every 5 year old, always wanted to "interrupt".  It was good to remind him that mommy and daddy need our own time too...and he let us talk. :)

After dinner....dessert.  Chocolate cake.  With "love notes" written in chocolate on the plates.

So, although we didn't go out to a romantic dinner, valentines was special for everyone.

We hope you enjoyed your special day with your loved ones also.

with love,
Mommy Tam-Tam