And Now You're Three!

Dear Tucker-
Your birthday is today - Friday the 13th. When you were born 3 years ago, Grandma Violet said every now and then, your birthday would fall on a Friday - Friday the 13th - and that was okay.

She would've loved the little boy you've become as does every single person who's ever been lucky enough to meet you.

I never knew true love until you came along.  I also never knew how challenging and rewarding it is to be someone's momma. This past year you've certainly tested my patience and my willingness to let you grow up and be more independent.

You make me smile. In the middle of the work day, I'll find myself thinking of you and my face just lights up. All the best times of my day revolve around you - hugging you good morning, kissing you good-bye, hugging hello, story time before bed, kissing goodnight...

You make me want to be a better person. Is that a weird thing to say to a 3-year-old? I'm not sure but I know it's true. I want to be the person you would be proud to call your momma.

You've become such an amazing little boy - so smart and sweet. You've learned so much this past year but I'm most proud of your personality. You've shown so much compassion and love for those around you - your little brother, your dogs, your friends, your family...

I love how many friends you have. All the kids at school know Tucker! I have a feeling you're going to have lots of friends your whole life.

And now as I'm nearing the actual minute you were born (3:48pm) 3 years ago, I can still remember hearing you cry for the first time. I'll never forget that sound. Ever. I thought you sounded like me!

Oh my sweet boy how my heart bursts with love for you. You are one of the best things that has ever happened to me and I thank God he gave you to me. I am so very lucky to have you in my life.

Happy birthday my baby.

Love,
Mommy

And We're Back!

Wow! That was some hiatus! Honestly - I can't seem to find a free second to do much of anything these days.

Because I we like to cram as much as we possibly can into the weekends, Tucker started soccer yesterday. I'm not sure if you call it practice, games, lessons or what but he seemed to like it somewhat. The class he's in (Cottontails) involves the parent too so Alec was the chosen one while I chased a very active Thatcher all around the bleachers.

In Tucker's class, there was one kid who seemed pretty advanced. I'll call him Pele. He was already kicking the ball into the goal and did all of the exercises perfectly. Who is this kid?!? There was also the kid who wouldn't put down his bowl of animal crackers and after about 10 minutes, ended up sitting in the bleachers with his moms for the rest of the time. And there was the one kid whose dad carried him. The. Entire. Time. So Tucker was some where in between Pele, animal cracker kid and overprotective dad kid.

We also planted our garden Saturday. I kept thinking we were getting a late start since Spring began in like January and apparently today Summer started. But actually I think we're a couple of weeks early. The Farmers Almanac says we're past freezing and Ben Franklin's been pretty reliable for quite a while so I was ok planting the garden this weekend.

We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, jalapenos and beans. Alec thought it would be a good idea to put tomato cages around EVERYTHING since Tucker did step on our one cucumber plant 3 times last year leaving us with no cucumbers for the summer.

That big thing above Thatcher's head is our rosemary from last year. Did you know you can plant rosemary and it will never go away? It's true. It never died and went away. And who am I to put it out of its misery? So...that's our rosemary. And Bubba planning his attack and how to maneuver around the tomato cages.

We also planted some strawberries and I'm working on something fun with my herbs but not sure what yet so they are just sitting on a table anxiously waiting to be part of our little world.

I also finally finished a little crafty project I've been working on. Here's the before:

And the after:

 

I sanded and repainted using milk paint. I've never used it before and felt very Martha-ish...though I'm not sure she's ever used milk paint. Anyway, I wanted something different than a regular ol' TV stand for all our components (DVR, DVD player) so my in-laws had this sweet old dresser and I had Pinterest.

Today our church had a lunch and egg hunt after services. Unbeknownst to us, our boys were also part of the service this morning! We were running late (my bad) and as soon as we dropped them off, they were whisked away with all of the other kids to march through the sanctuary waving palm branches. Needless to say, they were a little freaked out and were carried the entire time. Both of them. And apparently it is not cool to wave at your already freaked out kid as they are being carried by because this makes them cry more. Ugh.

After service, they seemed to be in better moods (whew!) and we had lunch, played games and took a picture with the Easter Bunny (after much coaxing).

I'm not sure why the Easter Bunny thought he was "The Fonz"- maybe he really was cool like that - maybe that's the standard Easter Bunny pose - Who knows?

Tucker also had a good time with his friend Olivia (or Livy as he calls her). Her mom and I made them hug a few times to get some good pictures. Here's one of them:

After the games it was time to hunt eggs. Tucker and Thatcher were in the same age group so that was nice because after Tucker found his allotted 10 eggs, he helped Thatcher find his.

And then we came home and crashed...except Alec who went to the recyclers and the grocery store while I attempted to clean the never ending mess that has become our happy home.

Life is good.

To My Sweet One-Year-Old

Dear sweet baby Thatcher-
You're one year old today! My how time has flown...what's a momma to do when her baby is growing up so fast?

The first few months of your life were tough. Not only was it a nasty, cold winter, but you had cradle cap, eczema and I'm sure a little bit of colic. You cried and cried for hours on end. I cried and cried because I knew you felt miserable...and I felt helpless. All I could do was kiss you and promise things would get better. Every now and then you would smile...and oh baby, when you smiled, the world stopped. It was as if nothing else existed in that moment - just you and happiness.

Eventually the cradle cap and eczema went away and there were a lot less tears and a lot more smiles.

My sweet Bubba, you taught me compassion. I always thought I was a pretty compassionate person, but when I looked in your deep blue eyes and saw nothing but your love and innocence even though you didn't feel well, my heart would almost burst.

I've always felt this bond with you that I can't really explain. I don't know if it's because I was the baby growing up so I know what it's like to play second fiddle or if it's because Daddy had to stay home with Tucker when we were in the hospital so it was just the two of us. But whatever it is, you are my saving grace.

And now when I tickle your belly or kiss your ears and you laugh - that deep belly laugh that has you doubled over - I'm ecstatic that we made it through this first year!

I can't promise life will be easy, but I can promise you the moon and I'll do everything in my power to give it to you.

From one baby to another, I love you!

Love, Momma

My Hero

My grandpa is my hero. There's never been a doubt in my mind. I've never known someone so respected and loved by his family, friends and community. He's a WWII vet so I'm pretty sure he's a hero to many other people too.

Until I married Alec, my grandpa was the one loving and dependable man in my life. I hold him pretty high and haven't really been able to find any faults.

So for my grandpa and everything he's done for me, I'm thankful.

Thank you for teaching me how to bait a hook - though I always preferred to weave on worms than to spear a little minnow.

Thank you for not giving me money when I asked for it after my college trip to Cancun. I never took you for granted again.

Thank you for the countless times you changed the oil in my car and making me drive up those ramp things! I was always so scared!

Thank you for hauling me back and forth to my first job at Sonic when I was 15. I'll never forget listening to your tape recorded fiddle music and Armor Alling the inside of your pick-up.

Thank you for "taking care of" that turtle the last time I went fishing with you. He'll never steal someone else's bait.

Thank you for always answering back when I'd say into the radio "Base to unit 1, come in Carl."

Thank you for letting us grandkids play in your chicken coop.

Thank you for never telling me I was playing in a chicken coop.

Thank you for always having mini candy bars in the fridge and ice cream in the freezer.

Thank you for the endless supply of catfish and pecans.

Thank you for telling me to register to vote and then to actually vote! I think of you every time I do.

Thank you for marrying and loving Grandma for 67+ years. You're the inspiration for my marriage.

Thank you for being proud of me and for believing in me.

My grandpa had a stroke last Monday. He had a stent put in his carotid artery and is slowly recovering.

What do you do when your hero becomes mortal? You thank God for giving you the time you've had and for the faith you have.

On This Day

On this day last year, I was about 200 weeks pregnant - well ok maybe 35. I was worried my days of traveling out of town were numbered. Soon I would be way too pregnant to go anywhere and then I'd have a newborn so we loaded up Tucker and headed to Wynona to visit my family.

On this day,  I saw my grandma as my full of life, young at heart, grandma for the last time. A few days after this visit, she became sick and we lost her in just a couple of weeks.

On this day last year, we first visited my mom and step dad then headed over to my grandparents house. I remember being very impatient and frustrated as an 18-month old Tucker tore through my grandma's kitchen - getting into anything and everything he could! Why wasn't my grandma helping me?!? I obviously couldn't move around very well to chase Tucker and I was getting very flustered. I now realize she wasn't worried. She was only enjoying the joy, mischievousness and orneriness of this sweet little boy - just like his mama at that age and his mama's mama.

That evening, Wynona had their trick-or-treating. We sat on the front porch with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma gave out little bags of candy that she had made up. She always went above and beyond and made sure something as simple as Halloween candy was a little more special. My grandma knew each kid that jumped up on her porch - no matter how good their Halloween disguise! We sat and laughed and visited and ate candy. When the little bags of candy were gone, she went inside & filled her bowl with a Tootsie Roll mix of candy. And then the orneriness in my grandma came out! While she passed out the off-flavored Tootsie Rolls to the kids, she would hold back the chocolate ones for herself! We even called her out on it and she just laughed. After all, it was her candy to do with what she pleased!

And so now on this day, I'm so thankful for that day and the precious memories I'll always have.

Tucker Joe and his Grandma Violet

Pest-O

Our fall garden is thriving! We planted acorn squash, butternut squash and spaghetti squash. I tried planting pumpkins but after the 3rd failed attempt, I put beans in their place.

Here is a blossom turning into...well some sort of squash! Alec thinks it's butternut, but I'm not ready to identify it just yet.

The vines are all over the place and I'm not sure with which plant the blossoms are associated.

 Our basil is giant and out of control. I was going to harvest it this past weekend and make some pesto to freeze but...I have this little pest:

Here it is with a trapped locust:

My fearless boys are working on a game plan to rid garden of said pest.

So until that happens, the pesto will have to wait. Maybe I'll work on some delicious winter squash recipes!

Silly Little Boys

I sometimes try to remember life before my silly little boys. I honestly can't remember much but I'm sure I had way more time on my hands. I remember meeting friends for happy hour, going out with the girls, long phone calls with Alec, working late, sleeping in....

But now my days are filled with silly little boys asking questions like "Mommy have wiener?" and saying things like "I pee in grass!" Silly little boys splashing like crazy in the bathtub and wanting to be wherever we are. I asked Alec why we have a 2200 square foot house when our silly little boys and 3 crazy dogs want to be on top of us at all times.

I lose my patience and have given up on anything close to a sparkling home, a nice hairstyle, stylish clothes and sleep. But when my silly little boys grin ear to ear at each other and make each other laugh. Who needs anything else in the world?

They are angels, they are little devils, they are monkeys and bean-faced filthy monsters. But they're our silly little boys.