The Parkers Come to Visit!

Easter kinda slipped up on me this year. Don't get me wrong, I did OK at the beginning of Lent but there at the end it kinda got away with me. I was glad it got here because my BFF (one of them) came for a visit from TEXAS!!

Natalie and Wayne Parker with their two kids Kate and Luke. Kate is 10 and Luke is 8. Kate is my God Daughter and both of them are really awesome kids! The Parkers decided to fly into Seattle, stayed the night, saw the sights then hopped the train to Wenatchee. It is Amtrak and it takes about 4 hours but I here the views are killer and Hey, its a train! They arrived Thursday evening and the adventures took out full force.
On Friday- we just kinda hung out and saw the local area. We took the kids up to Mission Ridge Ski Resort. Although it was closed for the season- we introduced them to the snow!! Wouldn't you know, my battery died so I only got this ONE picture! Basically, the kids hiked up the bunny hill and after realizing how hard it qas would rest by making little snow angels. THEN- they body surfed themselves down the mountain!! Oh My Gosh- I soooo wished for my camera! It was the funniest thing! Man- to be a kid again!! Well, after about 45 minutes of the wet and cold and no one feeling anything we stripped them down and took them back home for some serious backyard playing! Don't know if I mentioned how much I love my backyard-- but I LOVE my backyard. It is its own adventure. Later that evening we went for an "adult" only dinner. Lovely.... just lovely.

"God Father" with two of his "God Children".

Saturday turned out to be gorgeous so we went for a hike. The original plan, was for us to have a picnic and the guys would hike the kids up the mountain. Well, I realized I have gear to carry Henry and hiking sticks so why can't I go with them?! I had been told it would be easy and gradual....*^%$*#@!!!
UP, UP, UP I go....breathing like a dying horse every step of the way. Sweating like a cow waiting for slaughter. Weaving back and forth worse than a drunk getting a field test from a cop! The approximate weight was around 30 pounds.

Folks- if you haven't been "training" with a pack on or walking UP steep terrain..... its gonna be ugly! It was narrow, steep and other people were actually on this trail. WHAT are they thinking?????? Didn't they see this snorting pack mule grunting her way up the mountain? They look at me with a " Hey, I need to squeeze by 'ya" and I was looking at them like " You are S.O.L. , buddy!" Some how they would get around me--- but it wasn't me who was gonna move.... to WHERE- off the cliff?????
It was worth every gasping step. The view was EXCELLENT!

Up- Up- Up We Go!

Even Abby the Wonder Dog got to hike!

Proof we MADE IT TO THE TOP!

It made me excited to see what I could do physically and what I need to work on! I really, really enjoyed it- pain and all. It was so fun. It was even better when I handed the pack over to Thomas and said, "You get to carry him down- my knees can't make it!" Going down was JUST as big of an adventure as the first half. My legs were jelly and going down was rough on the Ol' Adcock knees.
*Side note: Adcock knees are a genetic malformation given to me by my Father! You don't know if they will hold you up in certain situations and you sound like sandpaper is living in your knees. We don't even discuss the pain.*
I was the last one down the mountain.

I think everyone else had a good time. During my gasps of breath, Natalie and I would get to catch up. She would tell me about whose, whose and what's what back home. It is my way to stay connected to back home. A lot of "Do you remember when we....." was said followed by lots of laughter. We also tried to take "do it yourself photos". She begged me NOT to put these up... but I must! The lesson? When you reach a certain age ( over 30) you don't always look "cute" when you are taking a self portrait.... Always try to get someone to take it. Sometimes- even that is as good as it gets!

Bad shot #1

Oh Lord-- it can't get any worse!

Natalie- don't pucker like that- we aren't 20-something!

Easter Sunday was followed with another hike after Mass. It was a nice Mass but you could tell the choir, the Deacon and Fr were a little frazzled from Saturday Evening's Marathon Mass. Lots of miscues and blank air!! We invited some of our friends over to the house. Lynn Kelley and her boys joined us for a steak lunch with all the trimmings. She brought desserts..... YUMMY!
Us girls went for a walk to digest and when we returned- Thomas, Mom, Wayne and kids went up Castle Rock for a hike. I stayed behind with the little ones as did Natalie. I just couldn't go 2 days in a row. I don't think the guys realized how hard it would be on them--- they were dragging tongues when they got home!
Monday came and went ... I let the kids skip a half day of school. We made an early dinner and roasted marsh mellows in the fire pit. It was a GREAT ending to a GREAT week. The next day I took them back to Seattle to catch their flight. It was a little sad to see them go. I know it will be a year if not more when I see her next. Thank goodness texting and phone calls are cheap. Remember when they were NOT?!  Big hugs and some tears and they were off. I am sure we wore them out!

This looks a little "uncomfortable". :}

A GREAT way to end a GREAT visit!

The final fabulous thing --- I brought Madelon Rose with me. A TOTAL girl day! We had a great time!! Shopping for shoes, dresses and lip gloss. We went for lunch, picked out gifts for the siblings then headed back home. She was darling!!! She had a dollar in her wallet and every time I would go to pay for something she would get it out and ask if she could pay for it. I almost cried!!

D-I-V-A!!

At the end of the day-- I rode home with her saying this exact exchange:
MR-"Mommy, not all the babies get born do they"?
Me- "No sweet heart".
MR- "Jesus must REALLY love me"
Me- "Yes he does"
MR " No -- Mommy he REALLY, REALLY loves me because he gave me to you and you are the best Mommy in the world! He really loves me Mommy because he chooses carefully"!!
Me- speechless.....
Worth the whole trip.........


*BUT- I was woken at midnight to MR telling me Elizabeth was vomiting.... Sigh! Back to Reality!

Spring Break 2011

It is Spring here in the great NW! I can't remember the last time I had a Spring Break in April but here we are and loving every minute!
So the week started with a visit from my Great Aunt (Memom's sister) and her daughter. They had plans to be in earlier from their flight. That was changed when they had to go over one of the passes in heavy snow. A late arrival and a change of plans to their accommodations ( my mother got the stomach bug) they went straight to bed. They were up and ready the next morning and off they all went "sight seeing". It was total fun having them around and GREAT to see my Grandmother so happy!
The trip was short and they took my Memom back to Texas till mid-May. I am sure they have already gone to most of the flower nurseries in a weeks time. I am sure Memom is enjoying some of the heat!
I already miss her and her laundry folding abilities.....seriously! I HATE folding sheets! :}

Coming home from Seattle... water looks COLD!

We had the opportunity to go to Seattle for one day. The 3 older kids and some friends went to see the Star Wars exhibit. TOTALLY worth the trip. I think I enjoyed it much more than the kids. Yes, I love the "original" Star Wars. It was fun and the kids were pretty good. For some reason, Blaise decided to walk through some plants by the Science Museum. Out of no where a "police officer" on this little scooter thing came chasing after us. Wow- we almost went to Seattle Center jail....kinda like airport jail. I honestly couldn't take the guy serious because he was on one of those vertical scooters that you see people on "sight-seeing".... really? You can't be on foot? You look REAL mean on that scooter!
Anyway- it was all good and the plants are the "no kill'em kind". You can't kill them by walking on them. Yes, he was wrong- but the guy didn't have to snarl!!

The last part of the week we just laid low! Went to a local museum, ate lunch outside and lounged. At the end of the week- I had 2 kids with 102' and bark coughs. OF COURSE, it had to be 2 days before they went back to school. Lucky for me- a virus- but Blaise still sounds like a seal.
Since then we have gotten into a groove. I received this niffty "chore chart" from the recommendation of my super duper organized friend Kathryn! We will start it this week. I am totally excited! I will say, I am keeping up with the laundry pretty good. Every day is 2+ loads but it is done and put up. Now, if I can just keep up with dinner planning!
This week we will be celebrating Blaise's 8th Birthday! He is really blooming and growing like a weed! He is now as tall as Jax. For those of you who remember Blaise-e as a baby- "tall" was not in his vocab! He was more like, round and jolly!! He is such a neat kid. More on that later!

Blaise was a little "Buddha Baby"!

Surfer dude in 2009

Easter we will have my BFF from High School and her family here! Natalie, Wayne and 2 kiddos! I am totally excited. She will probably think it is cold here ( 50-60's) but it is very nice. There will be LOTS of hikes for the boys and us just catching up. It will be bitter sweet I am sure!
Still working with the school. Pray for us-- ! We got a new Bishop in our Diocese! Pray for him.
OOOOHHHH- one last thing, Thomas and I have started getting up at 4:50AM to workout. Will let you know more in the next blog....lets just say this is H-U-G-E for my hubby to make this type of commitment!
More later- promise to be better on keeping up the posts-

ABBY: The Wonder Dog

Yes, we lost our minds and got a dog! ABBY came from the Humane Society. She is 3 years old, house trained, leash trained and has many tricks. She really is a dream dog. Trust me when I say- I wasn't going to get "any" dog. I was NOT getting a puppy. I was NOT getting a high maintenance dog that required a lot of training...etc. She fits into our family perfectly. She is half pug and jack russell ( maybe). She loves to play but knows when it is time to chill out. Abby tolerates Henry beating on her and loves to see the older kids walk through the door. Abby is fast as lightning. Loves to play catch and chase.

It has been over a year since we have had a dog. If I had never gotten one again, it would have been fine with me. The decision came from many things. We noticed the younger children were getting frightened from dogs that were super calm. Red flag. That should not be happening. Jax really wanted a dog. He offered up his birthday money. I really, really had zero interest in a dog. She needed to be completely trained and I refuse to chase a dog down the street or the canal. Been there-done that! I am too old, too set in my ways and too busy for that kind of chaos.
So, I did a bunch of little tests on Abby to see her temperament, behavior and interaction skills with dogs and kids. She won me over. She had Thomas at "bark"!
Abby really is a wonderful dog. She travels well in the car and loves to sit in your lap. She keeps Memom company too! It was win, win for us all and we are thankful for her.

It is finally getting to be Spring here. The bulbs are creeping up through the ground. It has turned from snow to rain and some drizzle, grey days. I think I can start putting up some snow gear soon!!

I had a Dr. appt the other day. Since I am now 13 years out, I get to do a battery of tests to check for "other cancers". Folks- I haven't had a scan in 10 years. I was like- no big deal! I had an echocardiogram, chest xray, CBC, colonoscopy ( had it 2 years ago), mammogram ( Sept) and a MRI of the breast. All good BUT the MRI kinda wigged me out. It wasn't the MRI but the IV with saline solution then contrast flowing through my veins. WHOA!!!! Brought back some serious memories. It was ALL the tastes. Totally freaked me out. I actually went by Jack in the Box for comfort food,came home and napped just to get over it.
For some reason I thought--- "WHAT IF"??? I must say- I know better to EVER walk down the what if aisle but it happened and it was terrible all day until the results came back -- normal! Thank you Jesus!!
Don't want to allow myself to walk down that road--but it happened. Next year, I will be more prepared.
I am not stupid to think it won't ever happen again.... I do have a higher chance of boob cancer. I think it just reminded me- to slow it down and enjoy them moment! The next moment can change your life forever......
Glad I know a good Doctor!! :}

A Quick Update Jan-Feb, 2011

I know it has been a long time since I have posted! The house has been a shakin' and a movin'! From Catholic Schools week, Auction and the end of ski lessons.... things are in full swing. We realized that we have skied every weekend since November and were a little burned out by the end of February. Its been a fun ride.
We had our school's auction. It is one of the biggest fundraisers. We had a blast. No dancing-- a little odd but you were home by 10pm--- didn't give Thomas a chance to turn off the lights!! A nice dinner and great auction. The fund goal was 100k... I think we raised around 95k!! Not bad at all for such a small community!!!
Henry got his first haircut. He looks like a lost member of the Beatles. We will try again. He also got his first pair of shoes. He LOVES them... and loves to show them off. He has learned the art of a "fit". He literally stands on his head with the diaper bottom straight up in the air in screams!! It is hilarious.
The rest of the crew is good. Jax is enjoying the Harry Potter books. We even skipped school and went to the exhibit in Seattle. Blaise is taking karate. A good discipline for him.
The girls are fine..... sassy, sassy, sassy but fine! They will definitely challenge me in the future. I see an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs in my future! :}

Getting ready for the traffic of guests. Memom will return to Texas with her sister in April and be gone for 6+ weeks. This is will be great for her.... hard for me. Its just terrible when the "Laundry Fairy" leaves town. My BFF from Highschool comes during Easter.
The rest-- is not very exciting.
Thomas and I are great. Trying to get in a groove with life... but good. I love him more and more everyday.
I will update soon... take care, much love and we miss you.

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