Tatum, Party of Five

Christmas at the Tatum house

2007-12-31T15:55:00.000-08:00

"Is Santa coming to see us this Christmas?" asked Mady Kate. "Well, have you been a good girl this year?" I asked. " Most of the time!" she said. John and I laughed that night about how honest her answer was. If one added up all of the "good" things and then added up all of the "bad" things would Santa really not come. I know that this question has entered many children's minds over the years. I can see many lying in their beds on Christmas Eve and wondering, "will there be coal and switches in my stocking"or" Did Santa pass over our house". I will honestly say that as a child these thoughts came to my mind. Not that I was really "bad". But who knew. This year was particularly fun at our house. My parents, brother and grandmother were all there. Christmas Eve night Matt, John and Pappy went out of their way to excite the girls. They first went out to "feed" the reindeer, then we made Santa's plate along with his diet coke. For some reason Lucy thinks that Santa comes at midnight. She was frantic trying to get in the bed before "he" came. Every year I have a feeling of guilt on Christmas Eve. 1. We spent way too much money 2. Did we stress the true meaning of Christmas enough to the kids? 3. This is a big ole hoax!!!! We go through so much to keep the big secret( lie) from them. One of those big things we teach our sweet babies NOT to do. In 1985 I was in the first grade. Of course my parents had also gone out of their way to keep this from Matt and I. Santa would always eat his cookies and milk and then leave the nicest thank-you note on the napkin that we had left for him. Only thing was that I had picked up on my parents handwriting by then. I quickly went to my mom and asked her if I was right. She confirmed and I began to ball, not cry, ball. then asked if I could tell Matt. Mom said that he already knew. How sweet, he kept that to himself for how many years? See Matt, you do love me.

Lucy, Mady Kate and Jack were not the only children at our house this Christmas.

Jack was pretty sweet with that reindeer outfit on. It had reindeer on the feet too.

Even though the football was as big as he was, John thought that he would take to it right off. Go long...

This picture was one of many like this. There is a delay on the camera and Jack would turn and look at the tree every time.

Jack had so much fun playing with Gram, Pappy and Nana.

This was Christmas morning. Jack got a Jumperoo. He loves it. (not shown)

Lucy's favorite gift was her pug Webkin and Mady Kate's was her "chocolate baby" Cocoa.

This was taken about 2 minutes before they went into the living room to see their toys. All of the adults had to go to the bathroom, make the coffee and start the video camera.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas as well. Please keep us in your prayers as we have many big decisions ahead of us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

Merry CHRISTmas Y'all!!!!

Mady Kate is reading Jack the Christmas story. She told me that Jack didn't know about Jesus being born yet. She never looked at the pages so he could look at the pictures.

2007-12-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Picture of the Week

Jack finally realized it was himself looking back in the mirror. He was very serious about it all.

Wednesday night we were getting ready to go to church and Lucy asked. "Moma, what shoes do you want me to wear?" I said, "your white Keds" Lucy responded, " you're not supposed to wear white shoes after St. Patrick's Day" She is so interested in those kind of things, she just has not quite gotten it.

We have all been out in the stores alot lately, squeezing down isles, waiting in lines and searching for the best prices. One of my least favorite places to go during this time is Wal-Mart. It seems that everyone brings their whole family and doesn't mind standing in the isle blocking just the items that one needs. I always seem to grab the cart that cla-clunks down the isle and the handle is so sticky with who knows what that you want to steer with your elbows, but one wheel wants to do it's own thing, so elbows are not going to work. You are using so many muscles trying to keep it in the "road" that you leave the place sore. There are 500 checkout lanes and only about 4 actual checkers per side. Let's not forget the self-check lanes. It never fails, someone tries to check themselves out , using the self-checker, for the first time during Christmas!!!!! They stand there searching frantically for the bar code, the item usually scans twice and the lady asleep behind the desk with the best attitude has to come a clear it out. Back to scanning and the customer is now talking to themselves blaming the dumb machine for not "doing" it right. Finally time to pay, and the customer can't seem to find where to put their money. The customer grabs their receipt, dripping in sweat and storms off mad at the whole place for being slow. Leaving the store walking out of the EXIT side, I am met by at least 8-10 people ENTERING in through the EXIT. Can this many people in one group not read. You know it is not easy trying to get out with a full clunkity-clunk cart, a baby, two little girls and being met by a group of people so anxious to get in that they can't even walk a couple of more steps to enter through the ENTER doors. Folks, let's all make it a smidge easier for other shoppers this season and enter through the ENTER doors and exit out of the EXIT doors. I know that I am up on my soapbox and a little perturbed. I just needed to get that off my chest!!! It helped. Thank you. Good luck out there.

Hungry Jack

2007-11-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hungry Jack

Lately Jack has been really hungry. I can feed him and 30 minutes later he is ready to eat again. I talked to his pediatrician about this and she suggested giving him rice cereal. She said because he is a preemie, that he might not eat well but to try anyway. So we tried last night...

Just as I thought. He loved it!!!!! His arms and legs were moving like he was riding a bike.

I thought he was going to eat the spoon out of my hand. I don't think that the fact that he is a preemie is going to bother Jack's eating. I wish you could have heard him smacking his lips.

Got Milk?

Jack really enjoyed his first "meal"

2007-11-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

John's surgery went well today. We got home about 5:15 this afternoon. I couldn't believe that he insisted on walking out of the hospital. He is now in the bed and working on recovering soon. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

2007-11-13T18:52:00.000-08:00

This summer before and after I had Jack, I had to really depend on John and my mom. They had to prepare meals, wait on me hand and foot, help me bathe among other things. I told them on several occasions that I appreciated their help so much. John said on more than one account that one day I could pay him back. Well, now I get my chance. John is having surgery Wednesday morning. I figure it will be Saturday before he will feel okay. I will have plenty of time to pamper him and make sure that he feels like every need is being met. Please remember him in your prayers. Actually, all of us. We all will be "displaced" tomorrow. I will let everyone know how it goes. Thanks you for your prayers.

All I want for Christmas

2007-11-07T19:19:00.001-08:00

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!!!

I personally, have never known someone who was toothless at Christmas time. It just cracks me up. I took this picture right after she got out of the tub tonight. Her hair is quite beautiful in this picture I see. ha.

I have heard my mother say in the past that she has a"good smeller". I know exactly what she's talking about because I inherited that trait. She and I can smell really well. John has had to get up many times during the night to go see if the attic is on fire or if the dryer is about to blow. I can walk in a department store by the perfume counter and suddenly in my mind be sitting in my grandmother, Ammo's, living room just by the smell of "Estee". I can open a fresh box of band-aids and be at the "bo-bo house" in Jena in a snap. Matt called the Health Dept. the bo- bo house. Oh, and honeysuckle. I am riding bikes with Matt and our neighbor, Katie Wilson on the "Junior High trails" and with that overwhelming smell we had to stop and drink the honeysuckle. That was fun stuff. I say all of this because I came across a smell today that brought back a vivid memory...

Jack had his 4 month check-up with his pediatrician this morning. His doctor checked him out from head to toe and then he received 3 shots which he did not enjoy. He got a good report except for an ear infection and a cold. Bless his little bones, he couldn't even tell his mommy. That makes me sad, you know? Anyway, he was given an antibiotic called Cefzil. Not that it matters. Then we all traipsed into CVS and waited to have his prescription filled. While we were waiting we saw many people come and go through the "fancy" drugstore waiting room. Oh, and by the way, this is a side note. The lady behind the counter was quite distraught over all of the people waiting for her to call their name. She kept coming over to the little room and asking our names( the ones who were waiting). I heard Jones, Willis, Brown, me, Tatum and then from a man next to me, sdjfhdhjsonliu. Folks, this is what I heard and obviously what the kind lady heard but she was not going to admit it. Five minutes later the lady is back for Willis and then says," Can everyone give their names again". So, Jones, Brown, Tatum and iqkdirndk. Confused, she said Thank you. she returns to the "outbox" and thumbs through the bags of drugs. She comes back and says, "Ma'am, what is your name". I said, "Tatum", with a slightly raised voice so she would be sure to hear and remember me. "Okay" 3 minutes pass and she comes out to the man next to me and finally asks, "Sir, would you please spell your name"? Again, very hard to understand so she asks him to spell once more. He replies" Look lady, I only have 2 teeth can you give me a pen". Needless to say, it took alot for me not to die out laughing. Again, my memory, I'm sorry. When we got home from the drugstore I opened the bag and saw that his medicine had to be refrigerated. Before I put it up, I measured out his first dose. When I opened that bottle, it all started coming back. Matt and I had taken that same medicine when we were kids and I still remembered the smell. I have to admit that one day, as a child, I was looking in the refrigerator for something drink and could not find anything I wanted. I took that bottle of Cefzil and chugged it. Isn't that awful. But, you know, that stuff was good and cold. Someone didn't get all of their antibiotic because I was drinking it as if it were kool-aid. I'm sorry Mom for drinking the medicine. Just thought I would share.

While I was Sleeping

2007-11-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

While I was "sleeping" during the days after I had Jack, John was preparing a video of what I had missed. He showed me and my parents the day I was discharged from the hospital. You can imagine the tears that this produced. He then added pictures of the first time I saw Jack and the first time holding him. We came across this tonight while looking at some pictures and we thought we would share. John reminded me that Jack's palm was the size of his thumbnail. Amazing...

Who would have thought

2007-11-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Picture of the Week!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Thank you Gram for making Lucy and Mady Kate's costumes for them. You did a great job and the girls were very pleased with them.

Who Would Have Thought

As many of you faithful readers know, I am a little different. And, I'm okay with that. I have gone through 29 years, 10months and 26 days of marching to the beat of my own drum. My drum has usually consisted of bells and whistles, bright colors, polka dots and streamers and at times plain brown or blue. I like to be different. When everyone wore their hair long and straight, I wore mine short. When everyone decorated their homes in earth tones, I didn't. It's not because I didn't like these other things. I just like to be different.

When John and I got married 9 years ago, I had a vision of how my life would be. I knew that I wanted to be a mom and John knew he wanted to be a dad. I saw our house in my head and we were surrounded by color. As the years have gone by, I think John has come to realize that it's probably not going to change that much. I love my "early attic" furniture and my polka dot drapes. They make me happy when I look at them. I want my guests to be comfortable and enjoy something a little different. Polka dots are just plain attractive to me. I'm drawn to them like a thirsty man is drawn to water . My family questioned me when I chose black and white polka dot fabric for the drapes in my living room. I told them that I could not have it any other way because I knew that one day, people other than me would get as much pleasure from them as I. Plus, I considered them to be my neutral in the room. Did I mention that I like to be different? Well, guess what. I figured out who loves my black and white polka dot drapes as much as I. Our sweet son. Bless his heart, he can stare at those drapes and pillows forever. I know that little babies get smarter when exposed to black and white patterns, but this is hilarious. When I chose that fabric a couple of years ago, we were not planning on having anymore children. Maybe without realizing I chose that fabric for our precious miracle, Jack. So he could have something that he enjoyed looking at so much. Did I mention that I like to be different?

Now

I have a challenge for you.

This Christmas, John and I have decided that we are going to "adopt" a child for Christmas. This means that we will buy less for us so that another child can have a Merry Christmas. We want the girls to participate in this fully because we want them to feel the joy of giving. We have not found our child yet but I'm working on it . You can ask at schools, hospitals, churches and so many more places for a name that is in need. I am more excited about this than any other thing when I think about Christmas this year. Please join us and find someone near you that needs your family's love this Christmas. I would love to hear from the ones who would like to do this also.

Make this special.

Etiquette and child rearing

2007-10-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

I know that this is going to sound funny, but I love to read etiquette books. I'm certainly not saying that I always use the most perfect etiquette. I simply find them interesting and sometimes amusing. The "proper"way of doing things is just not always "available". Okay,I try to be polite, mind my manners and write thank-you notes. But some of this gets to be ridiculous and hilarious. I have been thinking about this lately because of the kids I guess. I want them to be nice to people. We want them to make eye contact with the person they are talking to, speak when spoken to, and never hide behind us to avoid the situation. Our children get in trouble for not being "nice". I want people to like to see my children coming. Acting like "little toots"( to quote my mother) is simply not tolerated. I know that to many people in this world I would be considered a strict parent. Great. Let me tell you, this past week I have been reading for the second time, Dare to Discipline by James Dobson. He really knows what he is talking about. With every page I hear my mother speaking. ( It was her book and handed it down when I had Lucy). She must have memorized it word for word. Or she gave Mr. Dobson the material to write ;) . He tells when to spank, how to spank and why to spank. Then he tells how to explain this to your child. I'm looking at this paperback book, yellowed with years and I see moma, hear moma and since most of my childhood memories are linked with smell, I smell moma. (merle norman cream if you were wondering) It's 1984, sitting on the end of my bed sobbing after receiving the "beating" of my life(I thought) and in walks Pam. "Julie, do you understand why I spanked you?" "no ma'am, "I spanked you because I love you and I want you to obey. I love you too much to let you behave like that. I spank you to help you to remember to never act like that again". Fast forward, 2007. On any day, at any time you will probably be hearing the same things coming out of my mouth to my kids. What I thought was soooo dumb and wrong back then, I now realize was right and not dumb at all. I just hope that my kids realize that when they get older. I just have about 3 more years to be smart. I figure after that I won't be smart for about 15 years. I got off the etiquette thing and these 2 subjects might not seem like they go together but they do. We are our children's life teachers. Lord, please help me on my lesson plans. Deuteronomy 6:7. Thanks mom for being a great teacher.

Okay back to the etiquette. I think that it is so funny when people see a new baby they automatically say," He looks just like his mother or she is the spitting image of her daddy". If you know both parents it is easy to see the child in both of them, but if you know only one, say the mother, they look just like her. Have you ever thought about that. "Cute" babies are precious and "ugly" babies are sweet. Right? That' s so bad. Since I had Jack my memory has not been the best. It's rather embarrassing. I'm sorry if I have said this before. John lets me know frequently that I am telling things over and over again. Because I do not remember saying these things, I deny it. Tonight, while thumbing through my "E" book I came across a section called Repeating Stories Again. Because I am told that I do this I decided that I would read on. The question was " Is there any method one can use to tell a friend that she has told a story previously and ask her to desist?" I'm not going to type out Miss Manners response. I thought to myself- I have become material for this book. Oh no. I have had this particular book for many years and I thought of a few new problems in our world. Can anyone say soapbox? Cell phones. I have one, love it, use it every day. My problem is the phones that people wear on their ears. I think it is perfectly fine to "wear" these things on your ear if you are driving down the highway and you need to be "hands free" but walking around in stores, entering bathrooms -not good. I guess people think they cannot have one moment without their phone connected to theirs bodies. They are so lazy that they can't reach into their purse or pocket and grab their phone when it rings. Or maybe they are so important that they have to have it there to talk to at the blink of an eye. Not sure. You don't know how many times I have walked into a restroom stall and hear from another stall, "Hey", Not knowing if they are needing something like paper or something I say , "hey". From the next stall, "what are you doing?" me, "aw, just going to the bathroom" next stall, "Can I call you back, the crazy next door is answering my questions" Oops. I think to myself, is anything private? Not when you have one of those phones. You could go anywhere you wanted with a phone connected to your ear, even to the Hancock Fabrics restroom. John is upset with me. It's late. I'll send some pics out tomorrow. to take a quote from Paul Harvey, Now you know the rest of the story. Good day.

2007-10-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Friday afternoon we headed to Oxford for the Ole Miss/ LA Tech football game. John had been in Knoxville all week so he met us at Matt's house. I wish you could have heard my girlies when John pulled up. Later that night our McCartney family from Ruston came to join us for the weekend. We had people staying all over Oxford. Gram and Pappy, Nana and Uncle Larry and Aunt Jeanie stayed at Matt's, We stayed at the Flynts house and Matt and Christi, Karey and Clay and Kristen and Jeremy stayed at Brian and Laura Carr's house. What wonderful people those Flynts and Carrs to "keep" us. Thank you!!!!

Saturday morning John and I got up and at em at 5:30am. We arrived at Matt's at 7:15. We were greeted at the door by my Dad with his mouth opened down to his knees in shock because we had gotton there so early with everyone bathed and dressed. Within the next hour everyone (the fam) started pouring in.

9am- departure from Matt's

9:30am- arrival @ the GROVE

We really had a great time with our family and friends. I have never seen my kids look so dirty and so cute at the same time. Lucy and Mady Kate played football with Tyler Smith and Bailey Simpson. Their feet were black with dirt. Jack enjoyed lounging in his stroller under the tent in the warm air.

One of Matt's friends came by the tent and offered to take our family picture. How nice. We really enjoyed being with all of them.

Saturday night we ate dinner at Matt's. Brian and Laura, Mrs. Cheryl, Jenny and Ann Alise came by also.Gram and Pappy, Christi and the Tatums spent the night at Matt's. The next morning we got up to go to FBC Oxford. My parents left to go home then. They stopped in Memphis to see Bro. Tom and Mrs. Donna at Baptist Hospital. After lunch, Christi and I took the kids to the Episcopal church to the pumpkin patch and took some pictures. We didn't get many because my batteries went dead-the story of my life.

Pictures of the Week

Christi and Matt in the GROVE

All of the ladies in the fam.

Matt's friend probably took a better picture, but here it is.

Trivia

I need to know the name of something. Christi and I can't remember what these things are called. I will describe it to you below. Please e-mail your answer to me at julietatum@comcast.net.

It's a piece of cardbord backing with a bald mans face on the front. The whole thing is covered with plastic and had metal shavings collected at the bottom. Using a little red pen you can gather the shavings and make hair and/or a beard for the man. You can buy them at places like the Cracker Barrel.

Friday is John's birthday so....

Happy Birthday John!!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

2007-10-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

Mady Kate had picture day at her preschool today. (Little Pam)

I know, I know she is dressed for a warm summer July day. All of the hand-me-down fall clothes are in the attic. The reason I did not get them down is because I am weak and can't open the attic door by myself. Which leads me to tell you that John is out of town.....

John has been in Knoxville this week and he's usually the attic man. Let me tell you, I have a whole new respect for a single mother of 3. It has been non-stop mommy for 4 days now. I rely on John so much and he is so helpful with the kiddos. I told my friend Christin today that I would just like to go to the bathroom by myself for once. You don't realize how "special" that is until you have a 4yr.old asking 500 questions and a hungry baby attached at all times. I really miss John and I'm really ready for him to come home. The reason I am able to do this right now is because Jack is asleep, Mady Kate is "cleaning" her room and Lucy is "organizing her life". the first thing I want John to do when he gets home is to get the clothes down from the attic. I pray that there are several things that will fit Mady Kate. Speaking of clothes... Lucy's second grade class is learning about the different seasons. Her teacher told them yesterday that people wear different types of clothes for different seasons. Then she gets everyone to pick a piece of paper out of a hat. Each piece had a different season listed. Then she tells them that Friday they will have a "FASHION SHOW". You will dress for the season that you chose. Well, what do you think Lucy chose? Winter. Guess where the winter clothes are. The attic and still at the stores.
I'm not sure how I feel about a second grade fashion show. I think they could have "discovered the seasons" in another way. Lucy is all about it though. I'll post pics later. We are all going to be in Oxford this weekend for the football game. Gram, Pappy, Nana, uncle, Christi, John, Julie, Lucy, Mady Kate, Jack, Uncle Larry, Aunt Jeanie, Kristen, Jeremy, Karey and Clay. That's just our crew. Groving will be fun with all of the McCartney fam. Again, I will say. I love my husband and he is soooo missed.

A quick story. Monday, we got in the van headed to Wal-Mart. On our way we got caught by the train. Not only was the train in the way but it was stalled there. We sat there for 30 minutes. It wasn't as bad as you would think. The wind was blowing so I opened the sunroof and the windows and listened to KLOVE. Then we started hearing sirens. An ambulance in fact. I said to the girls, " Oh no, an ambulance is needing to come this way and can't get by". Mady Kate replies, "Mommy, we need to pray". I thought to myself, I am so happy for Mady Kate to think about the poor people that need that ambulance. She prays, " Dear Lord, would you move that train so we can get to Wal-Mart and Lord, I'm ready for my Daddy to come home because I miss him, and Lord, free the Jena six. Amen. Not sure what we are going to do with her.

Happy Birthday Christin!!!

2007-09-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

Picture of the week

I found this in one of Lucy's notebooks here at home.

The title of it is "Accepting Christ".

Use your imagination with her spelling.

2007-09-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday

We had Parent-Child Dedication at church on Sunday and Jack was dedicated. Five families stood in front of our church and promised to make our home a Christian home and promised to be faithful to God, to prayer and His word and to the church. We also promised that we would lead Jack to a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. That was so special to us.

I remember on a daily basis about what Jack and I went through in July and how I was so down and sad about not having Jack home with us and me feeling physically and emotionally awful. I could have not put one foot in front of the other without our amazing Father. He is our ever-present help.

I love you, O Lord, my strength, The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3

I am reminded every day of the song by Kathy Troccoli, "My Life is in Your Hands". I wish that I were blessed with the gift of song so I could sing this to all of you. Instead, I will write out the lyrics.

Life can be so good, life can be so hard

Never knowing what each day will bring to where you are

Sometimes I forget, sometimes I can't see

That whatever comes my way you'll be with me

My life is in your hands, my heart is in your keeping

I'm never without hope, not when my future is with you

My life is in your hands and though I may not see clearly

I will lift my voice and sing 'cause Your love does amazing things

Lord, I know my life is your hands

Nothing is for sure, nothing is for keeps

All I know is that your love will live eternally

So I will find my rest and I will find my peace

Knowing that you'll meet my every need

When I'm at my weakest oh, You carry me

Then I become my strongest, Lord in your hands

I have always heard that we are God's hands and feet here on earth doing his work. This concept was shown to us over and over in the ministry of our friends and family. There was the blood drive at Trinity Baptist in Southaven, all the meals brought to us by our church, phone calls from so many places offering support and most of all the prayers of so many in so many different places asking for healing and comfort.

Jack weighed 2 lbs. 13 oz. when he was born. Last Friday, September 21st., his actual due date he weighed 6 lbs. and 14oz.

We feel so blessed to have Jack here and healthy. God has been overwhelmingly present and faithful.

Lucy learns how to do house work

This past week I have been teaching Lucy how to do basic chores around the house. I had no idea that she would catch on and love it so much. As soon as she gets in from school she wants to know what she can do to help me. While I know most of you are saying, "that must be nice" know that I am not counting on it lasting very long. I'm sure the newness will wear off soon. First I taught her how to clean out the dishwasher. Then she wanted to load it. She really does a great job. Now there were drops of water all over the floor, but I didn't say a word. Next I taught her to fold clothes. She's not real sure about what goes with what so she had many different piles, again, it's okay, I'm not complaining. You should have seen her folding towels, she stood up and used her whole body, too cute. Last, sweeping the kitchen. She pretended that she was the host of a TV show about house cleaning and talked the whole time to the "camera". I asked Mady Kate if she wanted to learn how to do house work and she said, "no thanks"!!!

Now for the "Jena Six"

Most of you know that I am from Jena, LA. I know that most of you have been seeing the news lately about the "Jena Six". It is very unfortunate that all of that has happened and I will not get into my thoughts on that. However, I would like to tell you that what you are seeing about the town of Jena is not really how it is. It's funny to me when they are showing pictures of the town they are picking and choosing establishments that does not necessarily represent Jena correctly. The background music that you hear is banjo picking that sounds like something from Deliverance. Jena is a nice, cute little southern town with many friendly, God-fearing people, black and white. Below, I posted a picture of Louisiana with LaSalle parish highlighted. Please remember the people who live there and are living through this media frenzy. Please remember to pray for the families that are involved on both sides of this issue.

Have a great week.

Oxford weekend

2007-09-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

Picture of the week

1984ish Jeremy Wilson, Uncle Matt, Snuffy, Allyson Cooper Fannin, Julie and Christin Cooper Ganey

Our Oxford Weekend

Saturday

I was invited to the Oxford High School Most Beautiful pageant Saturday night. The lady who does the pageant asked all of the past "beauties" to come that night. Because I won in 1994, we made the trip. I can't say I was very excited about it. I didn't know what to wear, didn't have much that fit because, let's not forget, I did just have my 3rd baby!!! Anyway, we arrive at OHS at 6pm along with the 1995 winner Mrs. Beth Boatright Kilgore and her hubby Joey. we were both thrilled as you can imagine. We were then taken to a holding room until the pageant started. As Beth and walked away, Mady Kate said, " Mommy, I hope you win". She's so sweet. Beth and I agreed that we were glad we were not competing. So here's how it went....

Me, a hot pink feather boa, Roy Orbison singing Pretty Woman and a packed OHS auditorium. Fun.

The girls really enjoyed seeing their mom in that "situation".

Where was Jack? He missed all of the action. Mr. Johnny and Mrs. Joann Flynt kept him. Thank you so much for taking such good care of him. He really enjoyed watching the game.

After the pageant we went back to Matt's house and had burgers with his friends. Jason, Leslie, Brian and Laura. What great people!

Sunday

Sunday at lunch we went to Oby's for lunch. We saw all kinds of Oxford folks. Then we headed off to the Grove to take some pictures of the kids. It was such a pretty day. We took lots of pics there and then we went over to the stadium so Jack could experience that. John's dad had not seen Jack so we went to "Splinter" to see him and all of his wildlife. (4 dogs, chickens, roosters, baby chicks and more).

Pure joy! They had so much fun with that dog. You can imagine how they smelled after that.

John and Howard (his dad)

Jack was not thrilled about all of this.

Jack was really paying attention like John wanted him to. Ha

Oh what a night

2007-09-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to "Picture of the Week"

Every week I will post a picture that I think is blog worthy. I promise to make it interesting as well as entertaining. This week, my first week, I had a bit of trouble. A 3-way tie. Oh no!!! So for this week only, because it's the first, I will have 3.

Enjoy.

Picture #1

This is Lucy's art. Notice the spelling if you can see it. Some of you might want to pause and grab your glasses. Lovely picture.

Picture #2

Can any of you guess who this tube of toothpaste belongs to? You guessed it! None other than Mady Kate. I walked into the bathroom this morning after she left and found this pink mess.

1. it's gross

2. it was left out, no surprise

3. if I asked her about it, she would say,"What"?

Tears came to my eyes. I am getting paid back royally with her. This picture pretty much sums her up. Bless her.

Picture #3

Am I the only one seeing the ever so slight rolls in Jack's legs?

Yummy!

Now for last night!

Our little man. The girls had gone to sleep, John doing his usual( see below), TV on and we were have our Mommy/Son time, like we do all day:)

Then Bigguns gets into the bouncy seat.

This is John's usual....

I'm just joking ;-]

Okay, so...

the girls are asleep, Jack's snoozing and John's, I don't know, browsing. So I decide that I would do a quick swoop through the house to see if the girls did what I had asked them to do today. I asked Mady Kate to make up her bed this morning before school and to straighten her books in the shelves. I asked Lucy to do the same.

This is Mady Kate's big job. Oh, and no, this is not a before picture. She did manage to get one pillow on the bed. I just stood there in the door, mouth wide open. Normally, I would have made her redo it right then but she was asleep( in Lucy's room). That would have been kind of cruel don't you think!?! It did cross my mind though. But this is what I found in Lucy's room...

I took this picture in the dark. What little angels. My sweet, messy, goofy angels. They love each other so much. I kissed them both and walked out of Lucy's room, down the hall and into Mady Kate's room and made her bed. This morning she asked me, "Mommy, did you see what a great job I did on my bed?"

Silence.....

Happy Friday

2007-09-07T10:48:00.001-07:00

Jack says "HI"

The girls claimed this morning that they had never seen John in a yellow shirt. They both thought it was sooo funny for some reason. Mady Kate ran to her room and grabbed her yellow bow and said " OK Daddy that should do it, now you are ready for work". He was a good sport about it. He wore it long enough for me to take the picture. I'm afraid that John and Jack have no hope living with all the girls in the house.

Ole Miss is playing at home this weekend and we are all so sad that we will not there. John has to work and Jack is still a little young for all of that excitement. Soon he'll get to go though and John can't wait. As if Jack will even know.

Happy Birthday JO JO!!!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

I'm back!

2007-09-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

I don't think that the WORLD WIDE WEB is big enough for my story of the last few months. However, I will try to refer back to moments as they come to my head. For now I will still start with NOW!!

This past weekend my parents came to Brandon because Lucy got baptized Sunday. We are so proud of her. She made a profession of faith while I was on bedrest back in June and I was not there to see her make it public. John and Moma were there with her. I wanted to see her baptized so we wanted to wait until we could all go.

Sunday afternoon Lucy finally lost her top front tooth that has been loose since January!!! She was so brave. However, she sort of looks like a hillbilly. She went from looking like a sweet little girl to being toothless in 2 seconds. I know that all kids have to go through this but it was sad to me because she doesn't look like a little girl anymore. :(

Uncle Matt flew into the Jackson airport Monday night. He had gone to Houston to see a friend and the whole family went the airport to pick him up. Pappy, Gram, Lucy, Mady Kate, John, Jack and I were all waiting at the gate for him to arrive. As he came out we all started jumping and waving our arms in the air screaming," Matt, over here"!!!!!! We all love to embarrass him. He had a little gift for the girls from his trip. He also was able to visit with our family friends, the Suttons, while in Houston. [ What about those tacos?-Mrs. Charlotte]

Tuesday morning my parents left and life goes on for the Tatums. We took Jack to the doctor for his weekly weigh-in and has finally doubled his birth weight. 5lbs. 10 oz. He's getting so big. He is still having a little trouble with going to bathroom so the doctor wants him to take Milk of Magnesia everyday. My Ammo would be so proud. She believed in that stuff. It was the remedy for every ailment.

Last night Mady Kate had open house at her school. (4K) Her teacher is Mrs. Mary and she calls her 10 students her little lambs. Get it? Mary-lambs. She knows 2 other kids in her class. She walked in there like she owned the place, not one bit scared or timid. I think she is going to love it. So now we get to this morning....

I had a garage sale last week and we decided to put a for sale sign on John's truck because it does have room for car seats and it's a stick shift, in which I can not drive. He wants to get a vehicle that can fit all 3 car seats and I can drive when I leave by myself. I put the sign on and within 20 minutes it was SOLD!!!!! We couldn't believe it. Soooo, we are a one car family for now.

This morning we all got up at 6am. A water line was cut in our neighborhood last night so no one got a bath last night. All 4 of us got up and had breakfast, baths, hair, dressed and backpacks and Jack wakes up, hungry. 6:55a We usually get Lucy to school by 7am, however, All five of us had to go together. Here's how it went... Lucy and Mady Kate in the very back of my van, John and Jack in the middle seats(John feeding Jack a bottle because we didn't have enough time before we left), and me driving my load.

7:00- Left home

7:15 -Arrive at Lucy's school, wait in line

7:31- Lucy dropped off at school

7:32- Drive to Pearl

7:45- John dropped off at work

7:47-Drive back to Brandon( passed 2 wrecks, slow and go)

8:07-Arrive at Mady Kate's school, wait it line

8:22-Mady Kate dropped off at school

8:30-Jack and I arrive back home

When I dropped MK off she was out the door before I knew it and she didn't even turn back. After all of that hustle and bustle this morning, I felt like honking my horn and saying " Goodbye to you too" It was a wild morning but I loved every minute of it. AND guess what. I have start all over again at 11:15 and then at 2, and 5 and church at 6. Can anyone say- burning gas?

Considering what Jack and I went through in July, I don't care how much gas I burn or how long I stay in the road or anything else. I am here to be with my sweet baby boy and my precious girls and my wonderful husband. Praise God. He is so good.

Jack is calling so I must run.

Hope everyone has a super day.

God is so good!!!!!

2007-06-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

I went to see both of my doctors Thursday and received wonderful news. I still have to be on bed rest, but she said I have more"privileges" which is super!!! Jack looked great and my doctor said that this pregnancy could last longer than she ever imagined. Praise God!!

I remember my first visit at 6 weeks I had an ultrasound. After this my doctor told us that this pregnancy probably would not last. Four weeks later I went back and she said that things still did not look good and to call her if anything should happen. Then at 14weeks pregnant, and sick as dog, Dr. Kimmel said she was shocked that I was still pregnant and that it was a pure miracle that I was still coming.

We feel so blessed that Jack has made it this far. We have prayed for this little life from day 1, and God has taken care of both me and Jack. I am reminded everyday that I can do nothing without Him. God has been so good to us. I can't wait to tell him what a miracle he is and just how many people were praying for him. I also feel blessed that during this time I didn't have job to deal with, school was out for the girls and Mom could come and stay for this extended time. People at my church have been wonderful bringing dinner to us twice a week and entertaining the girls when we need them. Thank you all for your prayers.

If things go like they are now, my doctor wants to deliver at the end of August.

Olio

2007-06-18T19:09:00.000-07:00

Mady Kate thinks that she is having a baby also.

I named this blog tonight, Olio, because I could not hold to one topic. I hope that's okay.

Since I became a parent 7 yrs. ago at the ripe old age of 22, I have had to grow up pretty quickly along with being a parent. I have to say I have really enjoyed it.... most of the time. No, really I have. I love my girls sooooo much! They are funny, clever, sweet and most of all, they are ours. From Lucy's nose to Mady Kate's chin, there is no doubt who they belong to. Not one day passes that they have not put me in stitches. I love the way they have mixed up words or have their own vocabulary for things. Example: MK- wash cloth- dosh caw, L- pancakes-cancakes MK- pop-tart-whap-tart, L- Tylenol-tynyn-nonal, MK-Wal-Mart- Mall-mart and L&MK -Hobby Lobby -Holly Bobby. The Bible isn't spared either. Mady Kate thinks that Jesus walked on the water at the Ross Barnett Reservoir here in Jackson and poor Joseph is called Jo-ves. I love to sit down at the table every day to hear what they are going to say next. Now that we are about to add on to our family of four and I am 7 yrs. older and hopefully a smidge wiser and not sooo green, I only look forward to what our son will look like, act like and what our girls will teach the poor little fella.

As most of you know Lucy just finished the 1st grade. She ended the year with all A's and on a 3rd grade reading level. Beep, Beep, I know I sound like I am bragging, I'm just so proud of her. As well as she did in school, the one thing she didn't get very well is spelling. I know this will come, but for now we have to really put on our thinking caps to read letters or cards. Below I am going to type out something that she wrote out today about her memories of first grade.....

1st grade Memaris

Favroit Subgect

1. Sians

2.Math

3. Langwish

Favroit Frand- Emma

As I close for tonight, another thing that I have learned being a parent.....

Children listen alot better if you sing what you want them to do. example..

Clean up your room, quit crying, calm down or even GET OUT OF THE STREET MADY KATE is so boring and predictable, however if you sing to them to the tune of say a 70's or 80's sitcom or Negro Spiritual on these topics not only will they pay attention----they obey!!! It's amazing and you should try it. I even made one up for my mother to get her off of my back about sitting up on bedrest to the tune of I think it was to some Roots song. I made her laugh and whatayouknow-- she got off my back!

PS: this also works with potty training(use your imaginations)

Have a great week!!!!!

VBS

2007-06-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

VBS t-shirts

Just like their mom-posing

You think the sun might be in someone's eyes?

before church

Posing as she gets ready for VBS

Getting ready for VBS

Gram likes to take their picture before church every Sunday

Does anyone remember VBS when you were little? The pledges, taking up the offering( which I'm still sore about, because I was never chosen to hold a flag or take up the offering, I'll get over it), the round little cookies and kool-aid from the senior citizen ladies? Well, at FBC in Jena where I went to VBS, I remember the "refreshments" were served outside under a tree in the shade. I'm not sure why but they served the kool-aid in a big metal pot and a ladle in these tiny little cups that seemed to be waxy-I think they were actually bathroom cups that someone found for dirt cheap in bulk and decided that would be the perfect thing to serve the young. I also remember that if any one got hurt, that the church secretary would handle the first-aid- now this was before Neosporin so every one that walked through the door would receive a big old "slathering" of Merthiolate( some know it as monkey blood) and a gigantic band-aid that covered the scrape plus about 2/3 of ones body. I remember the games played including, rolling down a hill, potato sack racing, playing in boxes, chase and bobbing for apples. This might sound like it was a bad experience for me, but it wasn't. I can still smell those band-aids. I write all of this to tell you, times have changed people!

These days they still say the pledge to the US flag, the Christian flag and to the Bible and take up the offering. The snacks or "refreshments" have changed quite a bit. They now have an assortment of snacks and goodies and a choice of water bottle or juice box- - -choice? how nice. Oh, and they are served indoors so no one will be hot. Now, for the bruised and battered, the mother is called, seriously?seriously. Games played these days are well thought out and planned by the Lifeway writers and planners. You have to follow the lesson. Rolling down hills and potato sack races are much too dangerous and bobbing for apples- okay that was pretty gross even then!! You would always see little teeth marks (from someone else) floating in the big galvanized bucket.

I know all of this because I now have 2 children in VBS this year. They are loving it. Mady Kate calls it BBS. They are learning so much and love their teachers. The funny thing is they come home fairly clean! I was going to do the music this year, but something came up.... Tuesday night we were eating dinner and John was asking the girls about VBS that day. Lucy, of course, went into every detail and painted a picture of the days events so vividly(and you would know that she was chosen to hold the Bible for the pledge the very first day!). John then turns to Mady Kate and asks , "What was your Bible story about?" she replied, "John the Baptist Church"!!!!! Isn't that great. She almost got it.

I went to the Doctor today and Jack looked great. Wonderful news. I'm really tired of being in the bed/sofa, but I am seeing things in my house are pretty interesting from that vantage point. Happy Father's Day to all of you dads. My daddy is coming this weekend, can't wait to see him.

Welcome

2007-06-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

Lucy is 7 going on 15
Gram and Pappy

Our little Ballerina

Lucy made a Profession of Faith a couple of weeks ago

Mady Kate got bangs!

Mady Kate turned 4.

Relaxing in the pool

The Tatums

This is all new to me, so let's see how I do. We're the Tatums. John, Julie, Lucy 7, Mady Kate 4 and baby Jack is on the way. I am about 26 weeks and on very strict bedrest. I told my mom (Gram) that after having my sweet girls that God thinks I need lots of rest before " the boy" arrives. I started this blog so my family and friends living away could keep up with all the wild and crazy happenings around here. Stay tuned.....

Gram is here with us until Jack is born. I'm not really sure what we would do without her. Right now she is the mom, grandmother, mother-in-law, maid, cook, babysitter and carpool queen. She misses Pappy sooooo much.

We recently broke down and bought a MINIVAN!!!!!! I always told myself that I would never drive a minivan. But, you know it has really been handy. The girls love it. The only time I feel really goofy is when I am driving alone. I look back over my right shoulder and then put on my sunglasses so no one will recognize me. Okay, I haven't grown up all the way, but I'm trying here.

I'm not getting out much lately due to Dr.'s orders, which is probably a good thing because I have a least 4 inches of roots showing on my head. After J is born I'll have to pay a visit to the hippest, most cool stylist in the south at Diva's in Jena, LA. I know she will get me back to looking normal. Penny, it's bad.

Please keep baby Jack in your prayers that he will be born much later than the Doctors say and he will be a healthy sweet chunk of love.