Festivities on the Fourth

The Fourth of July ranks with Christmas for me. I love it. The Star-Spangled Banner makes me cry. I love this country and what it was founded on, and I have a desperate hope that we can remember as a nation what has made America strong.

This year, all Wigingtons wore red, white, and blue. My awesome neighbor Alicia did Tatum's hair in messy buns and curled pipe cleaners. It was so stinkin' cute. I've got to get better little-girl hair skills. Tate is a tough one, though. She never leaves her hair-dos in. But while it lasted, she looked as patriotic as she is (she's annoyed that we don't have our own flag).

Our day started with a neighborhood celebration. The kids rode decorated bikes in a bike parade, then we had a flag ceremony before the pot-luck breakfast at the pavilion.

What took my breath away might seem simple. Rick Gardner in fatigues, little scouts marching at his side. I loved the example of service to country, respect for the flag, and teaching it to the next generation.

The morning went on with some patriotic performances and kids having potato-sack races and faces painted. Perfect way to kick off an Independence Day.

We ended the day at my parents' house for their annual barbecue. They're just across the field from Thanksgiving Point, a great spot for watching fireworks. Tatum's the only one who stayed that late, though. We had to get Teague home and into bed. Got to keep that kid healthy.

Girl Time

Such great timing to reconnect with friends from the dorms. The visit took my mind off of the cancer stress. Nicole came in from North Carolina, which prompted Susan to drive down from Washington, Shelley from California, and Kim from Idaho. Laughing, reminiscing, and catching up equal good medicine.

I never believed it when I was a teenager, but decades fly by. This fall will mark 21 years since we all moved into Budge Hall. I don't think I could have predicted what great people I would meet or how much growing up we were in for. I'm convinced that the people you grow most with always hold a special place in your heart. My friends, seeing the amazing women you are makes my heart swell.

Ants

He catches them. He eats them. I let him. He comes and shows them to me, pinched between his fingers and in his teeth. It's gross, I know, but I figure, if I had poisoned them, I'd worry. Since I haven't, he can crunch a few. He's a boy, and he's just hunting.

Little Miss Jump Rope

In her last few weeks of kindergarten, Tatum took to jumping rope. Talked about it all the time, and when I'd come up to the school, we'd have to go out to the playground so she could show me.

Until yesterday, we didn't have one of our own. We used to, but I remember throwing it out because Braiden kept tying things up with it and it was making me nervous. So Tatum has improvised with a plastic slinkie, a computer cable, and my pajama pants.

Yesterday Grandma Francie came to the rescue. She brought some jump ropes as party favors for the Braiden and Tatum birthday barbecue. Tatum is in heaven.

My baby is two

Two years ago tonight I had a newborn baby. Who wouldn't nurse. But that was really my only concern. Teague was a beautiful, healthy, 6 lb. 3 oz. boy, and it had been a beautiful day. The things I remember most are, of course, how quickly he got here, how much he looked like Tatum did at birth, and how much I loved him and wanted to get to know him.

Really, his birth wasn't quick; I'd been in labor since the night before, but since I wouldn't admit it to myself until about a half hour before he was actually born, it seemed quick. And we were blessed and lucky to have made it to the hospital in time. What a whirlwind that was, and how miraculous birth is.

He was born at 1:58 p.m., and today at his naptime, I snuggled him longer than usual. I felt so nostalgic about this little boy that I'm so blessed to have in my life. He is a joy, a miracle, a bright spot. Thank you, Teague, for being my son.

Her official first day

Quinn and I went together with Tatum to her first day of kindergarten. She wasn't nervous at all; she didn't even expect us to go in with her. But we did, and we took pictures. We even got one of her with her teacher, Mrs. Hiatt.

After school she hopped into the car and said, "Recess is awesome!" I noticed that she was minus her tights. She said it was way too hot on the playground. We'll save the tights for colder weather.

She also told me that the principal read them The Gingerbread Man, and then they made gingerbread cookies. Tatum got to put the butter in. She had a delightful first day.

Thoughts on Kindergarten

It's just hitting me now, the night before my little Tatum starts kindergarten, how fast the time has gone. I have so many thoughts that are just now surfacing. I've been so focused on making sure she has school clothes, shots, registration, and meet-the-teacher night taken care of that I haven't had time to realize what a momentous occasion this is. Didn't we just barely have her? Weren't we just remarking that she was walking? And now, school. The little-kid days are over. The home-with-Mom days are over. Starting tomorrow at 11:30, Tatum is in school, and life is different forever. It's her official transition to becoming a big kid. I'm so proud of her and nostalgic at the same time. This is the first time I've really felt the way it tugs on my heart to know that everything I'm teaching her is preparing her to leave someday. It's bittersweet. I've been so excited for her to start school, and now I don't know if I'm ready to let her go.