Love is wonderful. God is Love!

I feel kinda funny posting on my own blog since it's been so long since I've been here. I am a very good and daily blogger... in my mind. I blog every day and come up with funny titles and have great ideas and stories but they never seem to find time to be typed out here. But, I'm back tonight for a short visit. I had a long day that went by too fast. I was in a very chatty mood today but didn't have much time to call anyone. I did however have a wonderful day talking to my Saviour. I told Him so much and felt Him answer me right back. It was one of those good days that just lifted my soul closer to Him.

On another note, today was also a very emotional day for me. I wanted to keep it to myself but thinking about it today changed my mind and now I want to share it with you. I have such a burden for a family who is going through a 'time'. It's both hard and wonderful. It's both sad and happy.

Kristin, wife and mother of 4, is dying of cancer. At this very moment she may be gone from this world. I am unsure. It's hard to find the words at a time such as this. Concerning death, many people say "I'm sorry for your loss" or "Why would God allow it?" We will never know but can only rest assured that God has a reason. A purpose. Not only are my thoughts and prayers with her and her family, but so is my heart, my mind, my love... I have some vivid memories of Mike and Kristin. They were friends with my sister growing up in high school. They came over our house a few times and I remember a few activities where we were all together. I remember going to their wedding almost 15 years ago and I also remember hearing updates of their lives through the years. Not too long ago, I heard Kristin had cancer. From then til now, seems like time has just flown. I can't imagine knowing my end is near. I can't imagine not seeing my kids grow up. I just can't fathom it.

On the other hand, I can't imagine meeting Jesus face to face. I can't imagine kissing Him, hugging Him, thanking Him and talking to Him. Can you? I don't particularly like the phrase "They're going to a better place" because we all know that everyone does not go to Heaven. For those of us who are saved, born again through the grace of God, we are going to the BEST place!

My sister has kept me updated on Kristin's condition over the last few months. With each update I read, I always felt that both her and her husband are so strong. They were praising God and giving Him all the glory while loving and complimenting each other. I was and am still moved by their marriage. I love 'love stories' and this is a true life love story.

So lately, whenever Sonny leaves for work or when I leave to go to the grocery store alone, Zach will ask "Are you coming back?". I always say 'of course' and give him a kiss before leaving. Today, when I started to leave the room after putting the boys down for nap, Zach asked his question again, "Mommy, are you coming back?". I started to answer when Luke burst out, "Zach, Mommy's and Daddy's always come back!" I gave them my love while leaving their room and as soon as I shut the door, the tears came. With Kristin in mind, my thought was that Mommy's and Daddy's don't always come back. My heart is just aching for the Wheeler family. I know God is there and will take care of them. It is just such an emotional time - hurting for the family but happy that she will soon be with Jesus. Her true home.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

My encouragement for you is - don't waste time. Time is so precious! We do not know what tomorrow brings for us, our family, our friends... love one another, spend time with your loved ones, make memories, give kisses and hugs, send flowers, etc. Love is wonderful. God is love!

Looking back, I have wasted so much time NOT doing everything I could for Jesus. Too much time fulfilling my own wants not always doing what He wants. Put away the cares of this world. If you're not serving Jesus, start now! If you need encouragement, I'm here! Just think - God gave Me/You his ONLY Son!! What a gift!!

Because of that gift, I know I will see Kristin again, even though I haven't seen her for years now. We will meet again.

Please pray for the Wheeler & Cook families during this time. God be praised!

Gray days are good!

This is Grayson's new take on the 'milk mustache'...

It's the 'milk nose'!!

Yes, we love Gray days around here! He has been such a wonderful and smiley addition to our family! He is now eight months and really starting to move! He sure brightens up our family!

So, it's been a while since I've been on here. Time flies for me, and even when I'm not having fun! I am preparing for Luke's 4th birthday in a couple weeks and really not believing this day has come. He is a little man now. We are having 'school' a couple days a week now and he has officially learned to write the letter 'L'. He said 'L' was better than 'A' since it's in his name, so, I went with it :)

Hope you are all doing well and keeping busy for Jesus! I'll be back soon with more pics - I promise. No, really, I promise! :)

True Love

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Happy "Jesus Loves You" Day!

Busy Nothings

Don't you just LOVE how I say 'check back soon' and then it's a month before I post again? When I first started blogging, I was pretty consistent. Now, I blog every day in my mind but don't have time to post it!!! Then, when I have time, such as now, I can't remember what I wanted to share!!! Welcome to my world!!! I love exclamation points (and you too, Schmoe!!!)

So, why do I have a picture of a bowl and spoon, you ask? Well, this little picture sums up why I'm often MIA in the blogging world. The main point of this is even though the spoon is where it's supposed to be, it's backwards - which is often how each of my days seem. Life is as it should be but often crazy and mixed up in the process!



All is good in the Tucker household. We spent 9 hours cleaning and organizing today, throwing out junk and getting goodwill bags ready and it feels.so.good! I mean SO good! I have been working day and night in our house for the past 3 weeks, going through every single thing in this house and now everything has a place and is neat and orderly. I encourage you to 'live simply'. It truly makes me happy to have everything in a place! Now I have to do my part and keep it up!


Goals & prayer requests:

I have a goal this year of reading my Bible through. I also have a goal of losing weight (ugh, I hate even writing that!) I have a goal of keeping my home clutter free and staying on top of paperwork. What are some of your goals? I would love to pray about them for you!

Prayer requests: I have recently joined Weight Watchers. Ugh. It was time! I can't keep trying to do it alone. God worked everything out so I can go and I am so thankful. He is so good and meets every need! I ask, if you think of little 'ol me that you pray that soon I will be a "little 'ol me"!!!

Lots of Love and prayers in the new year!
~Mary

Manic Monday

Technically, it's Tuesday right now, but for me, it's still Monday... It has been a LONG day! I was up late last night and got up early and had a full day today and am still going at quarter to 2. 2 a.m. that is! Sonny was gone all day plowing, bless his poor, cold soul. I can't remember a snow storm this bad for quite sometime. He's all cooped up in a truck for hours upon hours pushing snow that just keeps coming down! I felt so bad for him today. He just left about an hour ago and I haven't been able to fall asleep since I got him out the door - so - I am checking emails, Christmas shopping online, making lists and now, going through pics online.

This terribly cold day of 15 degree temperatures took my mind to a much warmer place. It was not too long ago, during my 6 weeks of being MIA, I was in Florida! We took our annual vacation to Florida and spent 10 days at my grandma's. It was a nice visit all around. Here's a snip it of cute pics...

I will be posting more vacation pics of fun stuff and super beautiful beaches so hang on. Off to bed! Stay warm, ya'll!

Anybody Miss Me?

Hi, it's me... Do you remember me? :)

"Wonderful chaos" is a good way to explain why I've been MIA for 6 weeks! Life in our little abode has been non-stop, tiring, crazy, trying, loving and just plain wonderful!

As the days went on, I would think to myself "This would be good to blog about" or "this would be funny..." but alas, the mom in me said "Do the dishes. Finish the laundry. Feed and bathe your children." Since those things are done this very minute, I am now blogging again!

Here's what's been going on in our family lately...

This itty bitty will be 6 months old in a matter of days... ugh.

This is his first time in a 'big boy' seat!

My older kiddos have now moved onto 'big boy' beds! Another ugh.

Zach now has Luke's toddler bed and is loving it. He stayed in it all night his first night with many prayers!



Luke loves his bed! Even with all the extra room, he still curls up in his same 'ol spot!

This itty bitty love is now in a crib (instead of a large bassinet)! Triple ugh.

A baby mug shot :)

And what does this all mean? MORE laundry! :) But it was fun putting up the new bed for Luke and rearranging some things in their room. The baby-ish-ness is leaving my big boys and it is sad for me. I have so many wonderful memories of these boys who are growing up too fast! Even Grayson is rolling over and trying to sit up. When does 'newborn' stop? He's already almost half-way to a year old! Quadruple, ugh!

Even with all the work and frustrations and boy, is there a lot of all that... I would trade my life for anything! It is wonderful chaos!

Perfect Pose

Now sit nice and smile, Gray!

Cross your feet... say "Maaa-mma"

(love that bib!)

Happy Humpday!

Enjoy that Sunshine!

For those of you in NE Ohio, enjoy that sunshine! We had a fab.u.lous. weekend and can't wait to share about it! Come back soon!

You know you're a Mom when...

you open your purse and find ___________________.



I saw this post on another mom's blog and I thought it was cute. I used to be an avid "purse changer" but now, after 3 kids, I go with what's big and easy to fill with diapers and coupons and etc. I no longer have time to change my purse to match my outfit anymore. I don't have nice outfits anymore either, now that I think of it :) I am lucky to remember to grab my purse these days, but I will stop complaining and start writing fun stuff.



I find:

my wallet open and unorganized from the last grocery shopping trip

coupons for diapers

hot wheels

smarties NOT in the packaging

a granola bar for when I forget to eat lunch

sometimes a crumpled grocery bag in the zippered pocket for dirty diaper storage

last month's to-do list with nothing checked off

spare little boys socks that are clean but look very dirty





So, what's in your purse?


Even if you're not a mom, you can share funny stuff that you find in your Mary Poppins bag!!

My Itty Bitty

I am VERY behind on posting about Gray's last 14 weeks of life, but I am working on it! I am enjoying blogging much more these days as I don't feel I have to but really want to! There are so many times I think of something funny or clever and then never get around to posting about it but I am working on writing things down so I don't forget. How time flies!

Here are a couple pictures I took recently. I always seem to hit 'click' right before or after the smiles!

He has changed so much in this short span of time. He is very alert and is already laughing and talking!

He can be very serious at times and then very silly at other times.

He loves his big brother's attention and tries to play along with them sometimes.

His hair is coming in but is still a mystery as to what color it might change to. Another blondie? Maybe darker? Will SOMEONE look like me already??? :)
He's a "Tucker", that's for sure!


Thank you, Jesus, for my itty bitty!


I so love this itty bitty with every bitty of my heart!