Excited

I just wanted to say Congratulations to my cousin Rachel and her new fiance', Jace. They took a day trip down to the beach where he proposed. Awwww, how sweet!!

Don't they make a cute couple?



Love you guys and we wish you all the happiness in the world!

In the process of learning

I've had a lot of different things going on in my life recently and God is gently showing me some things about myself that are hard to take in.

I KNOW that God clearly told me last night that I have a control issue. And that I am extremely selfish. I honestly believe that I feel like I have to have control over all situations that come up in my life. It's my defense mode. It's what I do to keep from getting hurt. But in turn, I tend to always get hurt and hurt those in the situation with me.

Today when I sat down to have my devotions I asked God to teach me something that He wanted me to know about Him or about myself or just whatever He wanted me to learn. The scripture for the devotional was Exodus 2:11-15 and Exodus 3:7-12. I am quoting what the devotional said because the story is better explained that way. "It was the story of Moses and how he thought he could use his royal power to bring about deliverance for God's people from slavery. He has misused his power by killing an Egyptian, which only dissipated his power because he lost the respect of his own people. God had to teach him meekness. The meek prosper because they are the ones who have power under control. Our Lord said, 'Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth' (Matt. 5:5). You may be trying to live in this world by your own power. Let God teach you meekness so that you can live in and depend on His strength."

After I read my devotion I prayed and asked God what He wanted me to read in the Bible so I opened it up to this verse Isaiah 55:8&9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I cried when I read that because I KNOW that God told me last night that I had a control issue. How perfect this devotion and scripture was for me today! How incredibly convicting and humbling this was. When I asked Him to teach me something today He clearly answered my prayer. I have been trying to live my life being the one in control. Always saying "Your will Lord" but in reality I didn't really mean that because some way or another I would take control. He clearly tells us that His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways and that we should just simply trust Him.

So I am trying to completely give it all to Him. This is a new concept for me and of course I know I will falter but I'm so thankful to God for gently reminding me that He is in total control.

May Contain ADULT Content

CUTE BLONDE POLE DANCER!!!!!



Sorry, I know.....

Signs of the Times

As some of you know I have a myspace and facebook page. Some would argue that those tools on the Internet are immature and "high schoolish" and in some aspects I would totally agree, BUT those two tools have allowed me to get back in contact with old friends from high school and even a best friend that I had growing up when I was little. It has been neat to see pictures of their families and read, sometimes through notes or blogs, what has been going on in their lives.

I was supposed to meet with an old friend from high school today that I had recently reconnected with on one of these websites but for one reason or another, and I don't know why, she didn't show up. I wasn't mad that she didn't show but more disappointed because I really felt like she needed someone to talk to. Just based on communication with her I feel like she's struggling a little bit and she had told me that she felt like I was in a place in my life to help her. I don't know what happened to her, but I hope she's ok. J, if you are reading this, then please know that I'm here if and when you need to talk.

While I was waiting for my friend, the kids were in the soundproof play area for which I am so thankful for because my kids are the ones who seem to be the loudest. Anyway, I noticed a gentlemen walk in with a black bag. He walked around and around the eating establishment and then finally decided on his spot. He proceeded to take out his laptop and hook up this bulky something to an outlet that was up high on the wall. When he walked away , I snapped a picture. Why? It just showed me the signs of the times. Of course a lot of places now a days have WIFI but I usually don't go into those types of places or don't normally see people on their laptops out in public. I couldn't help but think what was sooo important that he felt the need to bring his laptop, with his big black bulky attachment thingy, in a Chic-fil-a. What could he possibly be doing? How long was he gonna sit there? Just seems like an awful lot to have to lug around when you are only getting a quick bite to eat. I mean you are at a fast food restaurant for goodness sakes. I don't think you are supposed to set up shop in a fast food place whose goal seems to be "get 'em in, get 'em out". Don't get me wrong, I'm not against people taking their laptops around everywhere but I just wondered what was so important. I know, it's none of my business...just curiosity getting the best of me. So here it is..



Notice the plug way up high on the wall? HAHA..whatever works. "To each his own" applies here I guess!

Another sign of the times..when a gas station gets digital signs because of the gas prices changing so quickly. **sigh**

One in a million...

This may be God's way of saying "I am in control. Have a nice day!"

Make Me Over

by Natalie Grant

I've been silent instead of speaking up
Gave my advice instead of giving love
I have been unfair, faithless and unkind
I have shut my eyes just so I would stay blind
It's not what I'm meant to do
Cause I wanna honor You

Make me over, make me new
Make me a mirror, a reflection of You
Take me all apart, take me to Your heart
And pull me closer
Oh Jesus, make me over

Take away the pride that whispers in the dark
Take the stone out of the middle of my heart
Hidden underneath my insecurities
Is the servant that You've destined me to be
Day after precious day
I get in my own way

So make me over, make me new
Make me a mirror, a reflection of You
Take me all apart, take me to Your heart
And pull me closer
Sweet Savior, make me over

I am only made of Your imagining
I'm dust and clay on the wind
Wash me in the river of Your sacrifice
Until I'm changed, purified

Take me all apart, take me to Your heart
And pull me closer
My Jesus, make me over

Make me over
Make me over
Oh, make me over, Jesus

Yummy Charms

Last night I was in the mood for something sweet. Not anything that was too sweet, just something that had a little bit of sweetness to it. A-ha!! I found it...Lucky Charms. I know you are probably thinking that those aren't what you would have chosen, but I wasn't really looking for the cereal part of it. I was interested in the marshmallows only. Awww now, don't act like you have never opened a box of cereal and eaten just the little marshmallows in it...come on now!! Let's be truthful, anyway..and I know that Dee-deed is gonna kill me :).. I'm standing in the kitchen with just the light under the microwave on as to not wake anyone else and risk getting scolded for only eating the marshmallows when I noticed something. Because I wasn't really interested in the cereal part of it, if I happened to grab a few little pieces of cereal I would just sit them to the side. This is what I noticed.

Do you see it? I know they have other shapes in this "wholesome grain" cereal but I took notice of this particular shape. Doesn't it look like the Christian fish symbol that Christians sometimes put on their cars or have as bookmarks or lapel pins? If I am correct, General Mills who makes the cereal is associated with Procter and Gamble who support the woman's right to an abortion, homosexuality and other agendas that I ,as a Christian, oppose because they go against what God teaches us in the Bible. Isn't it funny that they mass produce a cereal that has a shape in it that somewhat resembles the Christian faith symbol? I find that so amusing. I don't know if anyone else has taken notice of this particular shape, but I sure did. VEEERY INTERESTING!!

If you are wondering what I did with those little "fishy symbols" don't worry. I did not let them go to waste...I ate them.

By the way, I got the name "yummy charms" because that's what Bud calls them. Isn't' that just too cute! Have a great weekend!! :)

"Let go" & "Let God"

I have woken up feeling extremely old today(haha), BUT I am thankful that God has allowed me to see this new day where His mercies are new everyday!!

I am apart of a MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers)group and I haven't been to a meeting in a while. In part because we haven't met much this summer due to VBS, July 4th week and then one week the group decided to meet at one of the big bouncy places so the kids could play and I chose not to go. We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. I was so glad I went yesterday.

We had a Save-A-Life baby shower where we brought baby items such as diapers, wipes, bath stuff, gently used baby clothes, formula, bottles and other things. They are in great need of items like that so if you can donate something, they are greatly appreciative. We also had one of the SAL board members come and give us a devotion. She talked about Hannah (I Samuel chapter 1) and how Hannah really desired to have a child. Back in those days having more than one wife was the norm so her husband had another wife who seemed to pop out children like candy. Also, in those days if a woman was barren she was looked upon as being cursed by God. Can you imagine what Hannah was going through. Besides the anguish emotionally of not being able to conceive, being looked at as being cursed by God, she also had to deal with this other wife who would torment her year after year in part because their husband loved Hannah more and then because she had multiple children and Hannah had none. She would torment her so bad that Hannah would weep and not eat. One day they were in the temple area, where the women were allowed, and Hannah was in so much anguish that she stood up and was quietly praying to God for a child. The priest thought she was drunk because her lips were moving but no sound was coming out. She was crying out to God from the innermost parts of her heart and soul. She promised God that if He gave her just one child, a son, that she would give him back to God for God to use in whatever way He wanted. It says in the Bible that God remembered her and she conceived a child, a boy whom she named Samuel saying "because I asked the Lord for him".

Back in those days it was customary for moms to nurse their children until they were 3 years old or longer because there was no way to keep milk sweet. But after she weaned him , she took him , young as he was, to the house of the Lord. She went to Eli, the priest, and told him that her child was a gift from God to her and that she wanted to give him to the Lord for his whole life. So she left Samuel to be raised by Eli the priest to be used by God. I can't imagine leaving my child with someone else, but because of her promise to God and because He blessed her with a child she was able to leave Him. Year after year she would travel to Shiloh to see her son and to bring him a robe that she had made. Eli would bless Hannah and her husband saying "may the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord" and the Bible says that God was gracious to Hannah and she gave birth to three sons and two daughters while Samuel was growing up in the presence of the Lord.

She had so much faith and trust in her Lord. She gave her son to the Lord for Him to take care of. Now some of us have our children dedicated to the Lord, but have we really thought about giving our children to the Lord. I don't mean just dropping them off at the local church but I mean in our everyday life. Giving them to God to use for whatever purposes He has in store for them and in store for those who know them. Completely handing them over to God.

After everyone had gone to bed I re-read Hannah's story and just prayed and cried because honestly, I don't know if I really put my complete trust in God to take care of my babies. To give them to Him whole heartedly. Because in my mind I'm thinking, Ok God, that means that you could possibly (which I pray not) take them away from me here on earth and I just don't know how I could handle that. I want to hold onto them forever and them to always be in my life and if I totally give them to you then that means that you might do and use whatever you want to for your purpose. In general we always tend to say OK Lord, your will not mine but do we as mother's really think that? We have a tendency as mom's to think that they are ours because we birthed them,nursed them,and we spend so much time with them taking care of them, raising them and molding them into the little people that we know God wants them to be and that if God gave them to us then why would He take them from us? God already has our days numbered and if our numbered days are shorter then what we think they should be, it is still apart of His will and plan. So I guess that if we go ahead and really give them to the Lord then we can rest easier knowing that they are in His hands solely and that He will take care of them whether they are in Heaven with Him or down here with us. I'm not saying that I am totally at that point yet because whenever I think about it, I start to cry and beg and plead with God to not take them from me. I think that is a fear felt by all moms, but then again, God does not give us a spirit of fear. I think it's the "how they are taken from us" part that makes us so scared. It's the "how will I live with out them?" that invades our minds.

I guess I'm saying that I wish I could be more like Hannah. Totally giving my babies over to the Lord for Him to use for whatever purpose and plan He has for their life and mine. I am trying to "let go" and "let God". The human side of me is really struggling with that.

Are you willing to totally and whole heartedly give your babies, your family, your spouse to God? After reading the story of Hannah I got this email..thought the timing was perfect!!

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.

P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.


Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!

Now, you have a nice day.
God

God has seen you struggling, God says it's over.

A request

I have several friends who are going through some really hard times right now. I would just like to ask that you please pray for them. I won't go into details because these are private issues with each of their families but they are hurting. Just in generalization....family issues within the families, loss of a child during the 7th month of pregnancy, trouble getting pregnant, friends getting/or have gotten divorced, financial issues, depression and family members that are ill. And I know there are others who may be going through the same types of problems or even problems that no one else knows about. We really don't know what goes on behind closed doors and we are all good at making sure that it seems as if everything is ok sometimes.

I also ask you to please pray for my friend Crystal. She is married to a guy that I went to high school with and she actually went to school with my husband. Small world! Anyway, she has found out within the last couple of years that she has Lyme disease. It is very debilitating and causes her much pain and anguish. Currently she is in treatment up in Kansas City and is away from her husband and three children. She has her good and bad days, but it seems so more lately that she has bad days. I can't imagine what it's like to be sick and away from your family. The thing about Crystal is that she has strong faith and a strong walk with God. She almost always uplifts me and others when we read her updates about how she is doing. If you are interested in reading her story you can click on the C. Burchfield link here on my blog and it will take you to her caringbridge website. From there you can read her entire story and her struggle with this disease and you can even leave her comments. She loves to hear from others.

Remember to pray for your friends or friends that you have that might not be so close anymore. You don't know what each of them are going through.

Thank you in advance for your prayers! I know God will hear them and answer in HIS timing!!

Must I hear this????

Ugh! Must I hear this arguement....(crying and screaming at the top of his lungs) Bud says "Momma, Meghan flushed my poo-poo..I wanted to do it!!"

OOhhhh the life and times at the Tucker household! Hope you had a goooood laugh and have a GREAT weekend!! :)

A revelation..DUH!!

Ok, D is at work again today...darn weekend rotation(but thank you Lord for his job), so I have been doing some dirty cleaning. I'm not talking about just the normal kind of cleaning, I mean nitty gritty kind of cleaning. Getting in the grooves of the baseboards, grooves of the microwave..you know, that kind of stuff. Like any other good cleaner I constantly am cleaning the top of my stove. I do wipe down the top part, with the knobs, but am always stressed because I can never seem to get right around the knobs good enough. Well today I figured out that the knobs come off! **GASP** I was so excited because I could actually clean under where the knobs go. I know you are probably laughing at me right now so please pick yourself up off the floor for your own dignity's sake....but I honestly did not know that the knobs could come off. Here I am thirty something years old and I just realized the knobs can come off. Makes me wonder what else around here could come off?? HHHMMMMMMM.....

OHHH and I found out the other day too that saran wrap and aluminum foil have these little tabs on the end of the boxes to make sure the whole wrap doesn't come out. Isn't that amazing?? It's the little things that matter to me.....Stop laughing at me! ;)

Something to ponder...

~Today started out pretty normal. D had to work today so I was at home with the babies and decided to take them to the pool for a few hours. I'm not as comfortable going to our neighborhood pool as I used to be because of an incident I had with one of the life guards a few weeks ago (that will have to be another post), but the kids love to go swimming so I go anyway knowing that beady eyes are constantly watching me and I'm probably known as "the trouble maker" or "that lady". The kids have fun none the less. I did happen to run into a previous neighbor so it was nice catching up with her. I didn't feel so self conscious then.

~We stayed out there for about two hours then came home and ate some lunch and then decided to lay down and take a nap. All three of the kids and I got snuggy wuggy on my bed. While I was waiting to go to sleep I started thinking about what today means. I honestly think that we don't make enough of a big deal about what this day means anymore. All you ever hear about is the bbq's and the get together's and parades and then the big firework shows. While I was laying there I started to think about our service men and women. Unless you are actually in the line of fire you don't really have an inkling of what it's like to be doing the important job that they do for this country. And I also started thinking about the husbands and wives and children that are left behind while they are doing their job. I have a cousin whose husband just recently returned from his tour of duty and I also have a sister-in-law whose husband just recently returned from his most recent tour in Iraq. He has been before. I guess that's the life they lead. I applaud our service men and women but I also want to applaud their spouses. They become the single parent for who knows how long and all of the responsibility is theirs. All of the parenting, all of the errands to run, dr's appointments, their own job, all of the things that the other spouse would handle such as car maintenance, lawn maintenance and anything else that you could think of..they are responsible for handling. Little things that we take for granted. On top of the stress of constantly worrying if they will get the call or that knock at the door from a officer. I can't imagine what it would be like to live like that or to have the emotions they would feel when their loved one has to leave and not know if they will return.

**We really do need to be praying for our service men and women but we need to also be lifting up their spouses and children. They have a hard job too. Just something to think about.**

~We decided to go see the big fireworks show and so we loaded up, stopped to get some ice cream and then headed towards downtown. We ended up in an Arby's parking lot in Homewood. Unfortunately there was a building in front of us so we couldn't see the fireworks that were low but we did get to see the big ones that go up high. We stayed in the van so that our exit would be quick and if you know about our city's fireworks show, then you know what I'm talking about.



Even in the van, they still covered up their ears!!?!!


Thursday night we celebrated my dad's birthday. We had red velvet cake from Edgar's(which was absolutely delicious!!) and dad showed us his beautiful pictures that he took up in New York. He took lots of pictures of the different types of architecture and we also saw pictures of ground zero and all the work that is being done where the Twin Towers used to stand. It was interesting! The kids played outside and were even catching lightening bugs. I hope dad had as much fun as we did! :)

Funny

Someone sent these to me through email and I just thought they were too funny not to share, so in honor of my dad's birthday today...HAHAHAHAAAAAAAA. Happy Birthday!! Love you dad!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Here are a few more pictures that were taken at the beach.















~~Also, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to my good friends Faith & Grady on the birth of their second son, Joseph Declan. Love you guys! :)