Is It Summer Yet?

This is a question Elizabeth has asked me every day for the past 2 weeks. She promptly digs her swimsuit out of the drawer and switches into it! I remind her - "Yes, it is sunny. NO- it is not summer it is 25' outside". She is not buying it! It is cold but not terrible. The snow has melted and it looks ugly. You can still ski but the look of the mountain has changed so very much. I know the rest of the country is getting bombed by weather-- but it would have been nice to keep SOME of the snow!
I assume Spring is next! :}

The new year has started off with a BANG! We have had a little unexpected expense ( to say the least) with our pond. We have 7 Koi fish and they are so cool. They love Thomas. Since we no longer have dogs, he has taken fancy with his Koi. WEEEEELLLLLL, our pond had a leak.... a BIG leak. Up here in the NW valley there are not a lot of folks who deal with fish ponds. A lot of people do it themselves
 (that was our pond from a past owner). In comes Anderson Landscaping. They have done some beautiful work at local businesses and wineries..... BEAUTIFUL stuff.
We agonized on what to do! Fill the pond but you got to pull all that junk out. Leave it and have it be a statement of white trash that has a breeding ground for bugs and fungus... or fix it! Trust me folks- this is NOT the check I wanted to write at the beginning of the year. It hurt!!
We choose Anderson and they literally came in and within 5 days it was completed and GORGEOUS! We still have planting to complete. Oh yes- we lost a 100+ foot spruce tree when we had 75 mile per hour winds.. it was dying so out it came. NICE!

Building the pond

Waterfall

Keeping the fish safe

The kids are doing great! Madelon Rose was in the school Spelling Bee! She was out in round 4 but I thought she did a great job for a Kinder kid. She was so cute and I was soooo proud. Thomas wants the job of "announcer" for next year. Of course he thinks he should throw in some "real" words to see just how smart they really are.... keep your day job honey!

Blaise started KARATE! He seems to really like it. I love their business. Stern yet loving. We will see if he goes into 2x a week. This was a 6 week class.... intro. It is a lot of commitment ( for me) to get him there 2x a week..... hmmmm!

Jax is doing good. Working on memorizing the multiplication tables and moving into division. Still playing the drums. Looking forward to some Summer sport camps. I have decided no Spring sports. Just at my limit. They will play Fall soccer. Who knows, I might change my mind.
Jax is such a great brother and helper to me. He really helps his Memom with Henry and is very serious when the responsibility is given to him. Such a blessing he is to us.

Elizabeth.....welllll, she is still "spirited". The latest is she has been banned from "Sunday School" class. Just too disruptive. I guess the teacher just can't handle her "spirit".... her loss. Oh well, I laugh daily when I think about it. I mean, seriously.... banned from "Sunday School".


Henry is walking everywhere and into everything. Cute ,little fat man waddles around digs through kitchen cabinets and sits in the drawers. He is a charmer. He has been congested now for a month... so he is a little bit of a pill. Otherwise- he is an eating machine. LOVES all food and wants it all day long. He will go over to his highchair and bang on it as a sign to eat! Kills me...

Well, we are gearing up for guests this Spring. My BFF from HighSchool is coming with her family for Easter. My mother and sister inlaw come for a week in May. My Dad, Step Mom and Bro come in the late Summer. It will be nice..... looking forward to sharing this great area to more friends and family.

Thats it for now! I will try to post more often. I "kinda" got myself involved with the school. I swore I wouldn't volunteer for a year. Thing is- I see a need and I just try to help. I don't have all the knowledge but I KNOW a LOT of folks with some and willing to pester them from 2k miles away to get it.
I am helping the school with Development. A BIG task. One I was not ready for.... since we are starting on the bottom of the barrel. But, it is ok. I am fine with taking small steps. I am learning as I go and planning for things with the most awesome principal!! This little Sister has a spirit and a drive and she is ready to plow through the rocks to get to the field of flowers. God Bless Sr. Olga. 
Will keep you posted! Just offer up prayers folks.
Till then..... you are in our prayers.

11 YEARS AGO....

 About 13 years ago I met a wonderful man that saved my life in MANY ways. He was my Doctor first and then became my husband. On Jan 15, 2011 we celebrate 11 years of marriage. It has been a fast rollercoaster ride. At times I thought it would fly off the track but never once did I want off!! It has been a great life.

We have done so many things. We have traveled extensively and gathered friends along the way. We have seen the birth of our 5 children and been amazed by every one of them. One priest has baptized every single one of our children. We have celebrated family and been grateful to those who live with us. We have become part of an Holy Order and now officially Sir and Lady Tucker (yes, we Thomas is a knight and I a Lady).  We have had parties for Halloween. Hosted dinner parties, social parties and Christmas and Thanksgiving parties. We have made friends so close to us that at times it aches to know we are not with them every day.We have traveled with friends to the beach, to Vegas, to Europe. We have friends clear across the big ocean. Never in my dreams did I think I would have such good friends in another country. We have moved and started a new life after so many years in Texas. We are now making new friends and are grateful for their kindness and friendship. We put God first in our family. We struggle daily to teach our children the right things and pray they will love Christ with all their hearts and respect and love their family. Over the years is has been so crazy I have wondered if I would remember it all. I think I have.... especially if I look back at pictures.

At times I have so many words to express my happiness and gratitude for my husband and family. I am most thankful to God!! Without his divine intervention my life would have been VERY different and very empty. For this I am forever grateful and will always praise him. As a wife, I have found my calling. I love taking care of Thomas and being his partner in life. He is my BFF and if there is one person in this world I want to spend time with-- it is him. I try hard to keep our marriage first then our children. I know, I know, how selfish of me. The truth, it might be- but it keeps us on track. Our children are VERY aware that we need "Mom/Dad time together". We tell them it makes us better parents.
As a Mother- I feel it is my calling but it is at times difficult. I love to hear them laugh, squeal and joke. There is a lot of laughter in our house. A lot of kisses, hugs and tickles. Sometimes, I wish it had gone by a little slower with me being a little wiser.... but I have learned from my mistakes. I love them with all my heart. I realize they are God's children and he is trusting them to us for now. Thank You, God for this opportunity to raise them up in your image. They are awesome kids! Even if they are strong willed and are taking me to an early grave.... I wouldn't change a thing!

The end of this babbling blog post is something like this......
I am one blessed woman. I am truly lucky and proud of my husband. I adore him. I adore and love my children. I love my life and wouldn't change the strife or crosses that come with it. I am thankful!
Reflection is one new hobby I have taken up over the past year. It is not over.... there is always tomorrow.
Much love and thanks to our friends and family who have stood by us, loved us and prayed for us.
You have made our 11 years together a wonderful trip!! :}
PS- I have so many pictures that I could not put them all on the blog. This is just a few over the years.

Jax holding baby Blaise

One of our Halloween parties... The Pope and Snow White

Rome- one of our FAVORITE places on earth.

Little Madelon Rose.... so beautiful!

Trip to Salzburg- The Sound of Music Atrium..
Jax threw a rock and almost busted out a window!

Fr. Bruce Bradley
baptizing baby Elizabeth

Baby Blaise
Little chunkymonkey!

Jax in Germany!
Making echoes in the churches!

Christmas time with good friends.

Trip to Germany
Pregnant with Elizabeth..

Our good friends from Germany
Love those Hempels

Elizabeth being like Mommy!
Waiting patiently for Henry.

Moving from Texas and heading to the NW

Baby Henry...
just wanna squeeze those cheeks!

Halloween in Wenatchee
Our friends the Jareckis

Thomas and Alisa on her visit to Wenatchee!
Great Friends, Great Fun!!

Mark and Brenda come for a Fall visit to the NW

Sir Thomas Tucker
EOHSJ

Lady Melanie Tucker
EOHSJ

Jinky meets baby Henry 2010

Baby Luke Whitaker
My precious God Son!
A very special moment...

Me and Memom shopping in Leavenworth
For being in TX all her life, she is doing well in
Wenatchee

Us in the Poppy Fields in Italy

All the kids LOVE their Memom

Our new school
WENATCHEE

My College girlfriends celebrating Turkey Day
TEXAS

Me and Baba in Seattle
WE LOVE BABA!

Some of the kids' BFFs...
We miss you friends.
TEXAS

First Communion for Jax
Me and my girl Nancy Guilloteau
TEXAS

Our good friends the Aziz Family
TEXAS

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

It has been a LONG time since I blogged. A lot of exciting things happened over the year. To be honest, I am still trying to catch my breath and take it all in. At times it is still overwhelming but exciting. I just wish my personality would sit back and enjoy what is before me. Oh, that is a New Year Resolution!! Stay calm and enjoy the moment..... oh and exercise, don't eat too bad and try to have a Holy hour 2 times a week.

So, where to start? Approximately 1.5 years ago we came to a little town named Wenatchee.... sounds like " WIN- NATCH-EE". According to the signs, it is the Apple Capital of the World! It is smack dab in the middle of the state of Washington, 2,750+ miles away from the state of Texas. Thats mighty far!!
We knew that if it was God's will we would live in a small town to regain the sense of "family" and try to raise them with some basics.We had a lot at stake. Thomas had a thriving practice in Austin and a reputation to follow. Twenty ( yes, 20!) years of a medical practice is huge to leave. We just felt there had to be a way for him to practice medicine, raise a family and have a more balanced life. Well, over all we have found it. We love it here!! Yes, we miss our friends but we have done more here than we have in the last 5 years! The weather is great. The mountains are beautiful. The fruit and veggies are OH so tasty. The outside activities never stop. You get up and go outside.... its wonderful.

Our Buddies the Donohoes come for a summer visit!

In the last year, we have had another baby! Henry Joseph. He is a year old and just a doll. A sweet natured baby that has killer blue eyes. I remember thinking-- "Really? I am pregnant-- AGAIN?" but I would not change it for the world. He is perfect. As I have reflected in the last couple of weeks, our children are not ours. They are a gift. They are entrusted to us for a short time. We do not "know" the plans our Almighty has for us or them.... but they are a gift. Cherish it and try to take a moment to realize it! Enjoy the crying, screaming, giggles and whines. Even when you want to bang your head against the wall..... it won't last forever.
* Side note- God Bless our Friends the Hempels. They lost a child in December. Our prayers and hearts are with you friends. We love you.

Jax is growing like a weed. He loves it here. Loves to garden, pick fruit and totally addicted to skiing. He will start a program next week that focuses on ALL mountain terrain. He also focuses on racing. Jax has an awesome teacher, Mr. C, who is inspiring him every day. He misses his friends but has met some really nice kids. (9)

Blaise is almost as tall as his brother. He loves to be outside. We are looking into wrestling club for Blaise. He is a leader in his class and a good brother to his siblings. He is thriving in school. He too loves to ski and seems to be a bit of a dare devil with the more difficult terrain. We are going to have to really "train" him.... God help us. (7)

Madelon Rose. oh Madelon Rose... she is a hot mess. She is skiing Blues and loves gymnastics. Madelon is a huge help to us when it comes to caring for Henry. She has made some BFFs and loves art and crafts. She loves to garden and is great at digging for worms. Her favorite trip was Whale Watching. She is requesting to go back for her Birthday next year. She is still a giggle monster!! (6)

Elizabeth is going to put me to an early grave. She is smart, tenacious and has no fear. She is almost on the first green run on the slopes. She is amazing!! Henry loves her. I am sure he is picking up bad habits! She is still an "elf" and weighs 24.8 pounds- 25 pounds. Wears a 12-18 month pant and will be 4 in Feb!! She is a blessing and a challenge. Anyone know a good boarding school? :} (4)

Henry is a pure delight. Sweet. Loves his pacifier! Not walking. Why should he- he has LOTS of folks packing him around. He is a love bunny. Loves Daddy.... He is my buddy. Can't believe a year has flown by. Loves the snow and his sled. Screams at the deer when they walk through the yard. So easy going BUT he IS a Tucker- it will change. Oh- he is short and has a big noggin. Dude is vertically challenged!! :}

Thomas is working hard trying to get into a groove. Figuring out the system, hospitals and staff. He is enjoying his work and feels he is practicing the way he should. He even has skied while on call. Yep- that would NEVER happen in Austin. We are now focusing on how "we" can refocus on the kids, not feel so tired and HOW to squeeze in exercise. Thomas is going to daily Mass, sits on the school board and has been asked to sit on another Catholic school board for the upper grades. He stays busy but not too.... I reign him in every once in a while and remind him WHY we moved in the first place. Old habits are hard to break!

Me-- well my lifestyle has changed. After 9 years of having "Baba", my nanny, I am in charge of the little rascals. Still trying to get the groove. Every time I think I have it- something throws me for a loop. Oh, such is life. Every day I start over with a "Dear Lord don't let me loose it" prayer, a cup of coffee and a side glimpse in the mirror-- "go get'em kid". I am working out ( well, starting over this week) with Jillian Michaels DVDs... LOVE it and I have seen HUGE results. Check'em out- I am her unofficial cheerleader.  I am skiing as MUCH as I can. I LOVE it. It is challenging but relaxing. It sets me free and lets me relax in the most gorgeous surroundings. Awesome.
Love, Love , Love to ski!

We have been so lucky to have friends come visit. Baba and Terrance came back in August to get me "together" before the school year. My friend Sarah D came with her brood. We enjoyed white water raftiing, baseball games and camping in the backyard. Brenda and Mark came at the beginning of November. They are good friends and past patient. Dr. and Angela Helmer ( Tom's old partner ) came for a quick visit. They promise to come back to fish this summer! The Slevins came for Turkey. Alisa is a BFF and was Tom's nurse of 20 years. She stayed for 2.5 weeks. It was GREAT! Finally, my sister Kelly came from Dallas.
We tortured her with high speed sledding and snow shoeing. Constant attention was requested by the kids for her to "play" with her. Pretty sure she needs a vacation from her vacation. It was super special for my Mom to have her here. She misses her little girl.

Our new year is to take it slow and easy. Enjoy skiing and reconnect as family and as husband and wife.
It has been a crazy year. One I hope to remember when it all slows down. One I know that no matter WHAT craziness happened it has been worth it.  We have made some wonderful friends who I look forward to getting to know better. I look forward to being more active in this great Catholic community.I love it here. I love seeing my children thrive.
I will be better in updating more. I wish you all a happy, healthy and spiritual new year. May our Almighty bless, guide and grace you all in every aspect of your life. Actually, he is- but are we listening?


Remember- fear can paralyze you. So you can get busy living or get busy dying!
 ( Shawshank Redemption).

God Bless and much love to ALL of you and those I have reconnected with in the last couple of months.

Seattle Seahawks Game

Baseball Games with the kids

Trips to Seattle

Whale Watching

Cherry Gathering