Mother Tucker

Alright . . . some good friends of ours gave me a bag of popcorn kernels . . . is that what you call them before they’re popped? How old am I? Why don’t I know the answer to that?

Anyway . . . I have never popped popcorn outside of a prepackaged microwavable bag . . . careful opening it, its hot!

Ok, so I had a bit of the munchies (no I don’t smoke pot) yesterday and decided that that would be a healthier munchy than, say, cookies or candy . . . the two that were also on the mind’s list of yummy edibles.

If you weren’t aware I’m working on losing the next 20 lbs of flab that has stuck itself to my ribs (thighs, arms, fingers, butt, etc) and so healthy was gnawing at the back of my mind.

I read the directions (crazy!!) and decided it sounded easy peasy.  And it was easy peasy! And oh so good!!

If you choose to follow my diet ideas . . . be aware that tiny 1/3 cup of kernels pops a gigantic bowl of popcorn . . . the popcorn you then must drizzle with olive oil and salt it until tastes as though it came from the sea.

Yes, my friends . . . not so healthy after I mutilated it.  And I had one bowl (or barrel, whatever) . . . I did share with my boys, but how much can a 3 year old and 1 1/2 year old actually eat?

Then hubby came home and we were hanging out after the chitlins had drifted to sleep and I was going on and on about how good the “real” popcorn turned out, compared to crappy microwave popcorn.  I went on so much that he asked me to make some, that it sounded good.

Um . . . so I did.  And then I proceeded to eat over half the bowl (barrel) of popcorn cuz apparently he wasn’t as impressed or something.

So, diet didn’t go so well yesterday.

But, on a brighter note . . . I have started jogging outdoors in the wee morning hours, before the house wakes to the chaotic. I have found such solace in my time out . . . I take my crazy Jack, Byron, and we hit the pavement. I’m able to get home, take a shower, get dressed (for the day!!) and have breakfast on its way before the boys start screeching and talking from their cribs.

Mind you, its been COLD here . . . in the 35 or so when I start up at 6:45am . . . but I warm quickly the jostling of jogging and its been tolerable . . . though I’ve decided I still hate the rain.

So, one of my friends, K, and I are planning on a 5k in the fall . . small goal but not so small at the same time.  Maybe I’ll actually be in shape for it. weird

Ok, I’m going now.  Hubby is back to school and shift today . . . so I’m on my own . . . though I was pretty much ready for a day to myself, so thats cool . . . ask me in a week . . . I’ll be ready for him to be on break again.

God Bless!!

Upclose Byron . . . my crazy and obnoxious Jack Russell 

I thought I’d drop a quick note but my mind goes blank on the trillion ideas I had earlier about what to write. Oh well.

I do want to say that God is Jehovah Jirah (sp) . . . an overused and cliche statement but one I have found was coined in truth.

We always think of finances as provision but I think that is the least of it. Relationships, health, and spiritual wellness all rank higher . . . the highest being the relationship between the very God I claim to serve and myself.

Yesterday, Friday, we had some good friends up to see us. They drove the distance from Eugene and I am grateful for that. They blessed us with relationship and edifying conversation (I’m talking like an old person . . . oh well). And I’m reminded, yet again, that stressing over finances is goofy . . . seeing the blessings already gracing our lives is overwhelming . . . and God keeps providing the income! We have yet to go without a roof over our heads, food, electric, phone/internet, and a vehicle . . . even so, nothing separates me from the love and relationship with my God.

So, because I’m camera retarded . . . I forgot to take any pics yesterday of the festivities . . . the going ons of my household. I regret it. But we had a great time! I thank God for such genuine and dear friends!

So, thats the end of that one . . . kind repeat myself a lot but . . . oh well

God Bless . . . have a great weekend!!

Ok, Tobias turns three in about 2 weeks. Which is blowing my mind to think I gave birth to him almost 3 years ago! Weird . . . anyway thats off the subject.  About 6 months ago T finally outgrew all of his 2T clothing . . . especially pants.  We were blessed with some hand-me-downs that were actually SO cute . . . clothes I would have bought brand new if given the opportunity. That said, he has about 6 pairs of jeans/pants, size 3T.

Lately I’ve been glancing across the room and noting in my pea-brain how tall he seemed . . . his face is changing too . . . he can reach the banister! . . . crap, time to move all the breakables. Anyway, its not my imagination . . . his 3T pants are starting to inch of the floor . . . creeping into the high-water zone. Um, he’s not 3 yet! Don’t I have like 6 more months before I need to by 4T . . . and speaking of . . . do they make 4T clothing? Or do you start in on the little kid clothes sizes?

So, I think some shopping is in order. I think his feet grew too.  So fast, the grow up!!

I forget what he was up to when I snapped this photo . . . adorable, if I do say so myself. 

I posted pics of Samuel the other day, newborn pics I had acquired from my sister.  I had also gotten some of Tobias prior to being shipped off to the NICU . . . due to oxygen saturation issues.  It was a much more stressful time . . . my first go at it, the issues that ultimately had him removed from my arms (very hard on a new mom), the week spent hanging out in the NICU due to being released but Toby not being released . . . I think I left the hospital one time that week.  So here’s some beautiful newborn pics of my first born. 

 Yeah, this pic had been edited for Hubby’s benefit, he’s not everybody’s son . . . just ours.

Tobias never really cried much and was pretty limp, he hung out with us a mere 2 hours before he was taken to the NICU.  Also, the pics of Sam, yeah those were taken by my sister and her professional camera gear . . . these, not so much . . . 

So, as most of you are fully aware, our anniversary was yesterday.  A great friend of mine had offered to come watch my boys while we went out . . . mind you, for the first time in almost  a year without chitlins . . .

We didn’t have any money.  Hiking Silver Falls was elected for several reasons . . . it was close, its one of my favorite spots, its gorgeous, its free (minus gas moola) and, mostly, because it was one of our beginner dates, back in the day.

We were geared up for that, mentally, not literally . . . not that extensive of a hike. But I was fine with it . . .

Hubby wanders out to check the mail about 1pm, opens the door and I’m immediately aware of the giddiness radiating from his being.  We had received a check in the mail, thanks to our lovely and proficient state tax system.   OH YEAH, BABY . . . we’re goin’ out!

Jake’s Crawfish is where we ended up, in downtown Portlando. It was some of THE best seafood I have ever had . . . and the service (which is the selling point for me) was tremendous! We made online reservations and they had special menus printed with ‘happy anniversary’ printed on the top . . . we got a free chocolate decadent desert after our meal . . . scrumptious dining!! So, after just hanging out, eating and talking, we headed back.

Ok, and Woodburn Outlet mall . . . that place needs to keep its doors open til 9pm . . . we showed up at 7:55pm and were disappointed they were already shutting the place down. Oh well.

So, a movie was rented . . . Hubby got his pint of icecream and we headed home. We were home by 9:30.

Our fantastic and deeply appreciated toddler-watcher had already put my tots to bed . . . my house was spotless . . . all was peaceful as we walked in the door!! I could not thank K enough for her time, expertise, thoughtfulness, kindness, graciousness . . . I know I’m forgetting some.  I’m just overwhelmed by her friendship sometimes!  Thank you, K!!  I owe ya one (or 20, whatever)!

So, we watched Dan in Real Life with Steve Carell and it was cute . . . I like Steve Carell due to The Office sitcom I catch periodically and he was good in the above.

Ooh, and I shall mention I acquired two . . . TWO new workout dvd’s . . . thanks to my undeserved (as in, I don’t deserve her) friend, K . . . so I shall Taebo and run my fat arse into shape!! I shall!!

I also know God is the one who ultimately blessed yesterday’s outing . . . providing, keeping us safe, etc etc etc . . . all is in HIS hands!

God Bless and have a great March 26th!

#3

Ok, the numbers don’t line up . . . as you can tell . . . so I’m going to include #3 and #2 in this particular email.  I apologize, but it is me . . . so what did you expect. hee hee

#3 on my countdown is the simple fact you survived and thrived through pregnant Mother Tucker.  I won’t go into how mean I got or depressed . . . we both know how bad it got.  I won’t talk about how fat I got . . . too fat for anyone . . . but you loved me and never once criticized me.  Not once but twice, in a row, you dealt with the severity of the situation and made the best of it. Now we have two gorgeous boys . . . so worth it but not to be repeated. 

I absolutely love your God given love and grace towards me as a human being.  I know I don’t deserve it but I am so very grateful! And during one of the toughest seasons, so far, in our relationship . . . I say ‘thank you’ for hanging in there and I love that about you!! #3 on the list.

My prayer is I can show the same love, devotion and grace towards you at all times. High calling but one I pray dearly to achieve!

#2

We could have had a fancy wedding . . . all the trimmings, etc.  But I couldn’t picture that for us.  I tried, believe me. I bought the planner, I added up the costs, and shopped for spiffy dresses . . . but I just could not envision my day in a church anywhere in this world.  We talked about Vegas and making light of the ceremony . . . but that was shattered with my mom getting wind of that . . . yeah, I really don’t know how she found out. hee hee.  Um, anyhoo . . . we ended up doing what I originally had wanted to do . . . in the most beautiful, natural cathedral created by the very hand of God . . . right on the beaches of the Oregon Coast. We ended up having gorgeous weather and the day ended up being so blessed . . . considering I planned very little to none of it . . . Thank God for family and friends who know me too well. It was a day I couldn’t of done better and I love that it was with you!!! You made the day . . . obviously.

We didn’t have a fancy honeymoon either . . . we had looked into it but nah  . . .  we stayed where we were most at home, right there on the coast.  A warm and inviting bed and breakfast was perfect and the room, stunning!! We traveled up and down the coast, doing the touristy thing, though we weren’t really tourists. Relaxing, fun and memorable. I won’t mention the unmentionables.

Ah, the man of my dreams . . . I love you with all my heart!  Thank you for choosing me . . . thank you for having a sensitive heart to God and recognizing what HE had in store . . . for us to fulfill life together.  As tough as it gets I know I’m with whom I’m suppose to be with and I know I’m where I’m suppose to be.  That, in itself, is so peaceful.

I have been sick with a stomach virus for two days . . . I won’t go any further than that because you will upchuck in your mouth a little at the description and I just don’t want to cause any horribly bad breath out there.

But I do have to say that it has made me so sleepy . . . I believe the title of this very post describes how I feel from the time I rise in the morning, until my head hits the pillow at night.

I don’t have a fever, I don’t have a headache, I don’t have any sinus thingy going on . . . no, there is no other sign that I am a sicky, except the constant churning of my lower intestines . . . I’m sorry if that was too much . . . I will pause so you can go brush your teeth. . . . the other sign being that I just want to sleeeeeep!

I behaved badly today and decided to sit upon my couch (throne) and, for the most part, allowed Justin to take over my daily duties. Thats not to say that I didn’t change a load or two of wash or do a load or two of dishes . . . but he did chase the kiddos around a bit more than me and deep cleaned the old kitchen . . . which needed it severely. So, to my fantastic hubby . . . Thank You!!

Ok, that is really all thats new in the land of Tuckerville. Not a whole lot happening.

Oooh, I do have to say that God has truly provided for us to continue here in Salem . . . finances got super sticky there for a bit but I see a teeny tiny light at the end of the tunnel . . . so we will make it! Thank you, Jesus!

My sister also sent me newborn pics of Samuel . . . yes, a bit overdue but I was one overwhelmed Momma there for the first year of Sam’s little life . . . Tobias was only 17 months when Samuel was born . . . so I had my hands full. So I’ve just now managed to extract photos from my sisters regarding their time spent in the delivery room on September 12, 2006. I included a few of them below. I cried when I was looking through them . . . but, if you know me, that really doesn’t take much.

Pictures are powerful things . . . such emotions come flooding back with even the sight of these! Such a healthy and happy baby . . . so quiet. If you knew Tobias when he was a baby . . . he was a bit colicky the first 3 months and has been my loud and passionette one since. Samuel, he’s mellow yellow . . . my contemplative one . . . and such a cuddle bug. They are so different but yet I love them equally . . . to the top of my very love-meter.

God Bless!

#4

You’re in the next room with a wet dog running all over my bedroom from bath time. My favorite . . . not really.

Anyhoo, #4 . . . wow, getting close to the super date!!

I have to say for number 4 is one that I had the hardest time appreciating . . . and at times, still do.  But its when you are taking your lead as the head of this house that peace reigns.  You are highly sensitive to me and my needs but its the final say that, if I allow, brings rest to my very soul.  I know this is a sticky subject with pretty much any woman on the planet but between you and I  and in this relationship, I appreciate and admire you being the lead of this house . . . the head of the household.

I love you and the God-strength inside of you!

Ok, this has little or nothing to do with the above anniversary countdown message . . . but I ran across this newby pic of Samuel and I just had to share!! 

#5

In the past 6 years there have been times that stress has been in the equation of life.  Fears of the unknown, stress and fears related to finances, fears and stress related to new additions to the family (i.e. two bouncing baby boys); the doctoring and death of my prized filly, surgery ( gal bladder, though routine and easy peasy . . . still stressful for me, especially with a 6 month old Toby in tow); so many changes and circumstances where I thought the fear and/or stress would overwhelm me . . . but you held my hand . . . you chose to calm those fears and reduce the stress as much as you could, instead of leaving me to deal on my own. Within my relationship with God and having you . . . I deal much better with what life throws at me. And that is definitely in the top five of the wonderful and unique things I adore about you! You are a peace-maker . . . and thank you for that!

Flowers, watching them grow into beauty from nothing but a tiny seed . . . about stress-busting as it gets . . . God is so good to us!!

Hubby is taking his last final of the term as I write this. His medical terminology final is/was today and he didn’t seem too nervous about that one . . . its the Chemistry one he was SO SO nervous about . . . shock and awe, he did just fine.

At times its been hard this term.  He had 26 credits to complete, 7 different courses.  He was gone a lot.  If it wasn’t the 24 hour shift, it was work-study, studying/homework, or just trying to catch up on what little sleep he could. I didn’t see much of him and what I did see, he was a bit stressed . . . yeah, not exactly refreshing fun.

I’m finding that, with God, I’m stronger that I ever thought I could be.  Though thats not to say I haven’t seemed to lose it a few times . . . unfortunately I can have quite the temper and a sharp tongue; two attributes about myself I am not proud . . . and it comes out a J.

I am thankful, mostly to God . . . but also my good and dear friends that have kept tabs on me and have made the lengthy road-trip to come see me . . . multiple times. I am so blessed and so grateful to have such friends and family!!

So, I am truly truly looking forward to 10 day of Hubby’s smiling face (extra help w/toddler #1 and #2) and to have him just relax, even if it is a short time.

I have questioned why I keep a blog at all. Words words words . . . but in the end, if anyone gets anything from me or the words written here (except to just catch up on us)  is that I am a completely imperfect person and to see the one that keeps me sane, sanctified and joyful . . . Jesus!