Mother Tucker

The time thingy majig on my wordpress blog is screwed up and I, in my ultra limited computer experience, have yet to figure out how to correct it.  I’ve changed it but it still reflects the wrong time of day.

So, take my word for it, its getting late here in the Tucker house.  Hubby Tucker is on shift and won’t be home til late tomorrow afternoon, hopefully.

I’ve been putting together a photo book and have yet to fully conclude that it is the best option for me.  I almost miss buying albums and shoving photo prints in them just to take up time that I should be doing laundry or scrubbing toilets . . . something, the scrubbing bit, I should do more of.

I think, actually, its taking me more time to put these virtual photo albums together to pay someone else to print them, and mail them.  Hmmm.  Food for thought. Now if I went back, got together the prints I wanted and went in search of a pretty little photo album, it would be double the time! Aaack!

Who cares . . . time is something I have a tiny bit of right now anyway; in general.  Decisions decisions.

So, off to bed I go.  Up bright and early with the tots . . . and the neighbors, but mostly the tots. Oh, to clarify, sorry . . . I have upstairs neighbors in this apartment complex . . . yeah, thats all I’m gonna say about that.

Ok, nighty night!

God Bless!

My Tots are morning people . . . I don’t smile like that until I’ve drained half the coffee pot.

Mother’s Day . . . a day I attribute to my mother, not me.  I’ve been a mother only 3 years, and only to 2 children.  My mother has been a mother for 32 years, going on 33 years on June, and she’s been a fantastic mom to 7 kids, and one more added when she was a teenager; so 8 kids.  We’re all grown up and moved out now but she still takes up responsibility for us when we get in a pickle . . . more or less financially, anymore.  But her moral support and wisdom take the cake.  The older I get the more I’m aware of our similarities and quirks that mirror each others . . .  I’m sure I’m mirroring her more than the other way around . . .

That’s my momma on the left (obviously) and daddy and he’s holding Braxton, my nephew . . . and then Samuel is in my mom’s lap and Tobias is there too. This was July of last year, so a bit dated.

So my thoughts are with my mom today. Of course the card I bought was late being mailed so she won’t get until Tuesday or something but its the thought, right.  And I have a reputation to uphold here, you know.

I woke up this morning and my husband had beat me to the punch; getting the alert kiddos out of their cribs, feeding them, changing them, etc.  I went walk/jogging cuz I was feeling mighty guilty about the pizza I ate last night and I like to walk by myself . . . well, by myself with Bonko Byron

Yep, Bonko Byron . . . that would be the white streak of white off to your right.

Ah, it was a beautiful morning too . . . sunshine and all.  We went about 3 miles or so and came home.  My batteries a bit more charged.

Knowing Justin did have to put some hours in at work I didn’t want to bug him about going to the park or anything but it slipped anyway and he immediately agreed.  We packed Toby’s big wheel and the stroller and headed to Minto Brown Park . . . paved bike paths galore!!  Justin was teaching Tobias how to peddle the big wheel and when that got old . . . which, with a three year old, doesn’t take very long . . . played on the playground and then walked down to the dog park to let Bonko Byron run his energetic butt off. All with thick rain clouds intermixed with bright blue and sunshine . . . gorgeous and one of my favorite types of weather. Gotta compromise straight sunshine here in the Western bit of Oregon, eh.

You guessed it, I forgot my camera . . . again. But thats alright, I enjoyed myself so much that I would have forgotten it was there anyway.

Oh yeah, I got a card too . . . so funny . . . so Justin’s humor and it made it that much more special; and the one-of-a-kind Toby art drawn inside. Love it!

Words that describe how I feel about motherhood, in my severely limited experience:

*Love

*Fulfilling

*Protective

*Unconditional

*Sacrificial

*Overwhelming

*Challenging

*Commitment

*Insecure

*Secure

*Lonely

*Busy

*Tiring

*Worry

*Prayerful

*Hope

*Snuggle

Most of all I wanna be the best mom I can be to both my boys . . . as different as they are, I want them to come to their full potential; not in the world’s standards, but their full potential in what God has for them.  That their lives be full of the fruits of spirit because of their personal relationship with the one true God . . . spilling over into every part of their existence. And that they have confidence, not in and of themselves, but confidence in the one who ultimately created them and know His love and truth are secure no matter what happens in their natural world.

Again, this is July of 2007 . . . the boys were: Tobias 27 months and Samuel 10 months . . . give or take a few weeks. Oh yeah, and thats me, tanned from summer sun. Love that summer sun. I think Tobias was trying to get down and push Sam away at the same time; quite the feat.  And Sam was glaring or something at Tobias. hee hee . . . they were both squirming, I remember that.

So I have many friends and family that take on the same challenges, and more, in mothering their children . . . I want to wish you all a  Happy Mother’s Day and I hope your day was as full of peace and love!!

God Bless!

Since the purchase of our pooch, Byron, 3 years ago, dog parks have been an active part of our weekly . . . if not . . . daily lives.   He is, as you probably are already aware, a Parson Russell Terrier . . . also known as a Jack Russell (I’m not sure if “Russell” is spelled with 2 L’s or not, who cares).  Jacks are notoriously high energy, they were bred that way for fox hunting purposes.  We are the idiots that bought a high energy breed of dog but now he has wormed his spring-like self into the center of our hearts . . . so he’s stuck with us.

Since the big move to Salemland we had yet to find a loverly dog park to take our exercise deprived animal, to wear out him adequately.  No amount of walks or jogs can squelch the amazing resilience of his Jack energy. But dog parks take a little bit of it out of him, thankfully.

3 weeks ago we found one.  A dog park.  25 acres of leash-less abound! So many dogs, so many acres of green grass to romp, pee, and poop . . . but mostly romp.  And it is so spread out that I don’t mind the kiddos walking on the bark paths with us, instead of squashed in the stroller to watch the going ons.  So, in a fashion, its a dog and kid park.

And, thankfully, summer is slowing taking over, so the weather has been oh so nice!

Here are some pictures of the outing yesterday, late afternoon.  We’ve been multiple times but I managed to remember my camera . . . and I managed to remember to take pictures once we arrived.

Setting out for a walk around 25 acres of off-leash glory!!

Byron, Tobias and Samuel . . . in the lush scenery.

Tobias, growing up . . . so good looking. I’m not biased in any way though.

Samuel at the dog park. Didn’t have time to edit this one before the real live Samuel woke up from naptime.  And now that he’s sitting on me, fresh from a nap, I’m going. He’s good looking too, by the way.

Today I am grateful.  I am grateful for my unconditionally loving God, my awesomely hot husband, my two beautifully bright children, my completely provided for life, and the grace and faithfulness of God to keep covering it and creating it!

I dream a lot. Last night’s dream, that I won’t go into, brought perspective to the malcontent that creeps into my being; dissipating it completely, for now.

God Bless!

Hubby and Toby being goofy. Summer of 2007

I have two beautiful boys. Beautiful, I’ll say it again. Inside and out, that is.

Today a third was added to our numbers, just for the day, while my sister went to Vancouver to check out a new car. Yeah, we’re on the way here in Salem-land . . . so she dropped off my nephew, Braxton. This wasn’t a rare occasion when we lived less than 10 minutes away, but now we are over an hour . . . its a rare occasion.

I enjoyed the day, despite that we were basically trapped indoors due to the weather and, on top of that, my boys decided it was melt-down day . . . yeah, can we get a nap time. They did but they didn’t sleep. Ugh.

Braxton was a dream . . . as my boys probably would have been outside of their element.

We watched lots of Disney movies. Well, they played in the background whilst the business of playing with trucks and out on the patio, during sun-breaks, took place. They didn’t seem to notice the flicks of animation until they were over . . . then they proceeded to beg me to turn on another. And I was in the mood to indulge. So the tv and dvd player will have less visitors the next few days . . . I hope the weather gets better so we can live outdoors.

Ok, I also have to say . . . Tobias turned 3 years old three weeks ago and, if I’m not mistaken, he’s changing . . . and not for the better ( not better for mother tucker anyway). I thought I had it bad with tantrums from, a bit before two on, but this isn’t tantrums this is just a bad attitude or something. My mom told me yesterday she was gonna tell me that 3 years old is crappier than 2 years old when I complained about the 2 year old era but she didn’t want to scare me. Great. So here I am, terrible 3’s? Ugh! He’s usually not hard to discipline but I’m having to be more direct with him and really talk to him about what he’s doing . . . so much more energy.

Alrighty, I’m done whining. I’ve got it made, I tell ya, I’m home with my kiddos . . . what a blessing!! And I get to deal with the different stages, instead having to leave it someone else’s hands . . . its a gift and I know it.

So I mentioned I started jogging early morning . . . yeah, Justin’s work schedule changed for him to be there, majority of the week, at 5:30am. Guess what, I don’t have a treadmill and I ain’t runnin’ in the dark in this here neighborhood. I’m not sure I would in any neighborhood. So, back to work out videos but as it warms, I’ll get my jiggle on . . . in other words, I’ll run more. Sorry if that creates too much visualization for ya.

Alrighty I got some pics of the boys for ya from today. I do love pictures, mostly my own, but I love looking at other people’s photos too. I can go to flickr and look at random photos for hours . . . odd, you say . . . maybe but there are some pretty professional looking photos there. Type in ‘light’ in the search bar and it brings up some nice pics! Mine, not so professional . . . but fun nonetheless.

Braxton and Samuel, focused on Retro Rocket . . . super toy.

Tobias, Braxton on Retro Rocket and Samuel . . . apparently Retro Rocket and its rider are hypnotizing . . . this is the first glance of still life I had all day. And, yes, that is the very popular Cars movie playing on the screen . . . and, yes, no one is watching it.

This is more like it . . . chasing the pooch for the millionth time. Byron looks defeated but I’m pretty sure he’s also chewing up one the stolen crackers he managed whilst the chasing occurred.

Where the pooch goes when the tots have bestowed too much loving attention.

This is what it did most of the day . . . well, weirdly intense moments of sunshine, then this, then some rain, then some really intense sunshine, then this, then some rain . . . you get it?  Yeah, crrrraazy weather we’ve been gettin’.  I think they call it spring . . . maybe cuz it springs back and forth from winter to summer until summer finally takes over, eh?  Like that one?

I’m done jabbering.  I’m home alone tonight . . . today was/is Justin’s official shift day . . . Sunday was a makeup day since he missed last week’s. Thats my excuse for writing so much in one sitting.  I really really want some fatty butt ice cream . . . like Ben and Jerry’s S’mores . . . so bad, yet so good. I think I’ll go to bed instead. Can’t gain calories (i.e. more fat) by sleeping instead of eating, eh?

God Bless!

I didn’t mean for that last post to sound self righteous.  I have my many faults and do not live up to, even, my own standards most of the time . . . much less that of a faultless God. I am so very grateful for the grace God has chosen to show me in this life and lean completely and utterly on that . . . truth is something I’ve been convicted about gaining more of, through the Word, to balance out my daily walk with Jesus.

Nothing new to really update anyone on.  I do want to give honor to God for the place we call home right now.  A misunderstanding of a letter we received insinuated that we weren’t eligible to live here but it was ironed out quickly and we are no worse for wear.  God just keeps providing and keeps giving us favor where its obviously HIM.

And, again, finances just keep coming through! We are blessed with much more than money, but the finances are a necessity.

So, Justin tested for an officer position this past week; interview, written test, peer and teacher reviews . . . all 36 people left in the program did.  He should hear back next week.  Lieutenant or Captain (I believe) are one of the two he could be placed in . . . several people will be.  This is for the fire program and he will be over the first year students come Summer term.  Just the current update. So school is going good! He’s got a much more laid back term than last term . . . he’s home more frequently and he’s able to get to work study more often.

Samuel started going down the slide, at the playground, by himself.  For the past 3 months or so, he would climb the stairs just fine but then wait at the top for me to come set him on his rump and help him slide.  I kinda got busy talking to someone while they were playing and recognized he was at the top of the slide . . .  apparently I took too long; before I knew he was  squealing with delight as he came to the base of the slide. Tobias was on the slide next to him, so I’m sure he was watching and receiving coaching from his elder brother . . . but since then he has it figured out.  So very cute!! He’ll be 20 months May 12th and that means he nearing the 2 year mark! Crazy how life gets away from me . . .

Tobias, in the past couple of months has picked up singing. Mostly with his favorite movies and cd’s and sometimes to the radio with a random song. He mimics the sound and the words aren’t so clear but that does not keep the laughter at bay from mom and dad . . . or to keep us from joining him.  So far he’s been my hippety hopper (quite the moves that boy has!!) and now my crooner.  His dramatic nature just makes it so fun! I love it when he fake falls to the floor or dramatically fakes it as he runs into the wall and to the floor. I’m not sure where he picked that up but he’s obviously acting it out. And we really really have to keep an eye on what he watches cuz he mimics and acts out the stories and words with his toys, words and hands.

I have 15 pounds to go before I’m where I want to be physically.  Doesn’t seem like much but the last bit is so stubborn and motivation wanes with each passing pound. Thanks to Kacy I’ve revved it up with Billy Blanks’ Taebo videos.  I get so sore and keep saying “darn you, Billy Blanks, darn you,” whilst shaking my fist at the sky.  Justin keeps telling me that thats a really creepy thing to do and to knock it off.  hee hee. You know that just eggs me on. haa haa He’s not amused.

Well, geez . . . there’s an earful for ya . . . or eyeful, whatever.

We are in Harrisburg this fine weekend.  We are to be visiting and spending the night at some dear friends of ours, house.  An overnighter . . . thats a first in a long time, minus my parent’s house.  A bit nervous I am but so at ease when I remember how much we are loved and accepted by these cool people we call friends.

Welp . . . God bless!  I hope all of your weekends are fabulously full of family, friends and good times!!

mmm mmm . . . hotness! My hubby . . . don’t tell him I posted this, it would embarrass him.

I avoided it at all costs . . . we ate our picnic to the side of the it . . . walked around it, Byron in tow, boys running amok. But it’s gravitational pull finally sucked us in . . . Byron was placed back in the van (I can only chase so many boys) and we headed for the overcrowded but so brightly colored playground at my favorite park.  My favorite because its so open and wooded and pretty and  . . . open.  We can run around, all our energies being burned off without stepping foot on the playground area where the boys decide they need to run opposite directions and endanger themselves while I’m tending to the other across the bark littered gauntlet. All the while being friendly and smiley towards all children and adults that I come in contact with in any way. “Aaack, where’s Tobias?” Obviously when Hubby is with us, that panic is not there . . . I just tote around behind Samuel, helping him climb the steep stairs to the slide and then sitting him down for the sliding part prior to him trying to walk down it . . . ugh.

The other thing is . . . my boys wore shorts.  You heard me, shorts! They had layers of cute shirts with the vests for warmth, but shorts adorned their lower half . . . SO VERY CUTE! And my, Toby is getting tall and . . . oh my, Samuel has short legs and a long body . . . thanks, Grandpa Matthews.

Yeah, I forgot my camera . . . bummer! Cuz they were cute!!

Spring is here . . . this is one of my favorite types of flowers . . . an African Daisy . . . this is not one of my own photos, I stole it from a random flickr account. I’m cool like that.

God Bless!

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!

#18

Tobias was a wee 17 months old when Samuel was added to the fam.  You were more aware of how to support me and took time off work to care for Toby in the last week before and during Sam’s first week of life.  Then my mom took over. Awesome sums up how you were during that routine but stressful time. I was in and out of the hospital within two days . . . with a happy and healthy baby boy.

Being only 17 months now, Samuel is still very much a momma’s boy but he’s slowly being converted to your side . . . but for the cuddling; unlike Tobias he’s not for the rough-housing bit. You didn’t quite know what to do with the cuddle bug of a boy for a little while but have realized recently he just wants to be held and loved on.  So different his personality than that of his elder brother!

I watch as the bonding blossoms between you and Sam and know, in a matter of time, he will be a member of the dad fan club and I will marvel from the sidelines.

Our little family feels so complete at this point and I thank God for such a fantastic man by my side . . . husband and dad!!

Hubby and Sam Christmas day ‘07. Typical rough-housing . . .

Prior to moving to Salem we lived in a house on a good sized lot, fenced, manicured lawn . . . nice little place. Tobias loved playing outside in the yard and the dog enjoyed being off leash; both able to move about freely. We decided Justin had hit the dead-end part of a dead end job; mill work was not his favorite either. The school here in Salem has one of the best fire suppression and EMT programs in the area, so here we are. To get through this time of financial lack we are renting an apartment. This has been a change for all involved, obviously and God’s grace is sufficient . . . just so thats clear.

Our apartment has a patio. It is good sized, I suppose; I haven’t really lived in too many apartments, and none with patios. But its outside and its paved and it has wall of lattice so the monsters can’t escape. And to their great enjoyment, we house our 3 ice chests out there, which make great climbing obstacles and tables to play.

As the weather warms I’m more and more grateful for our little patio. I leave the sliding glass door open for fresh air to enter and the boys run in and out . . . leaving trails of dirt (not sure where the dirt comes from since I sweep the patio daily) for mom to vacuum.

But the patio experience also makes me miss my yard, my great big yard with my flower beds and green grass. MY yard, not sharing the grassy slopes with anyone else. Selfish thought for the day . . . or for the minute, whatever. But I also remind myself that because of what the fam endures today, tomorrow we will actually OWN our own yard and house (God willing) and to just lay low, that it will pay off in the end.

Sam in front of the sliding glass door . . . T is heading outside . . . again.

Samuel, on top of his mountain . . . it was quite the feat, that climbing bit. He’s not on the tall side for his age. Oh, and ignore the bare patio . . . many plants to come . . . and slowly more toys are finding a home out there as well.