Wednesday, March 23, 2011

my thoughts on blogging...possibly more than you would ever want to know!

i've been a part of the "blogging world" for about 3 1/2 years. never in my life would i have thought that i would ever step foot into this "world", but man am i glad that i did.

it might sound very silly to those who don't either "own" a blog or read them regularly (i happen to fall into both categories!)...but i am profoundly affected by both. writing and reading.

i started my family's blog back in the fall of 2007. i was facing some of the darkest and scariest moments of my marriage and parenthood. if i allow myself, all of those burdening feelings come flooding back so quickly. i knew that a move was impending...and not a welcomed one. i knew in my heart that i was about to be relocated with my two tiny daughters to a place that seemed vast and unfamiliar. i would be moving to our nation's capitol. i was terrified.

somehow writing about those feelings...that deep hurt...made it easier to bear.

it also made it easier to detect when those clouds began to lift...and life seemed to regain a little bit of normalcy. when my heart didn't hurt quite as much.

i have loved documenting lots of other precious moments. rejoicing over new life and the blessings that a new baby brings. welcomed relocation! lots of firsts. funny, funny nuggets from our children. times when the love for my family is so overwhelming and palpable that the english language seems insignificant.

it's like taking a trip down memory lane that never gets old...and never requires the obligatory "are we there yet?".

i love when my children ask to see pictures of something they remember us doing together. i love when someone comes up to me in the grocery store and tells me that they read my blog...and as was the case today, an incredibly sweet person called me specifically to leave a message that i will never forget. she told me that she appreciates the way i love & express my love for my family. my soul smiled. seriously.

of course, i do not write my blog with the intention of seeking affirmation. i would post if i were the only person reading. but knowing that there are people out there that do makes me feel good...and knowing that this sweet "mommy friend" of mine loves her little people too also makes me feel good. it's a win win.

yes, the blogging world is amazing.

not only do i get to experience, through written and photographic evidence, as many memories as i would like...i get to peek into the amazing lives of so many other people. some are famous...and some are ordinary like me.

some are posting pictures of disney world and giving the play by play of their vacation. some are motivating others by posting pictures and recipes of healthy food. some are giving birth to or expecting beautiful, healthy babies.

some are on a journey so horrible...that a physical pain attacks my heart - when i read the terrified words of a mother caring for her baby that has been diagnosed with cancer. you don't have to know one cell of that human being to understand what she must be feeling. but you know she needs prayer...so you pray.

some are stuck in a valley of guilt & hopelessness...maybe they feel they are letting their children down by not being "enough". you know she needs encouragement...so you comment to let her know you care.

friend. stranger. acquaintance.
it doesn't matter. we're all swimming in the same direction...towards the same goal...with the same intention. loving our children and our families with the best that we have.

luckily, i don't experience any negativity on my blog...but some people do and that saddens me. i just read a post from a hilarious blogger...that wasn't so hilarious. she was feeling incredibly defeated and judged for making the choice to stop breastfeeding even though she was producing bloody milk.

it made me wonder..."why do we as women do this to each other?".

why do we conduct ourselves in such a way that would make another mom feel less than? why do we insult someone's intentions instead of giving them the benefit of the doubt? why do we not rally around one another more...and criticize less?

it certainly makes me want to give myself a thorough check. make sure that i am doing all i can to support those fellow moms.

and let's face it...who doesn't like to see a comment added to a post! it makes my day!

the blogging world is fascinating. i love it.

i'm so thankful that the legacy of my love will live on in my words far after i am gone (which i hope is a very long time from now). that there will be no doubt in the minds of my daughters and my husband and my family that my love was true. and pure. and abundant.

that i tried. and failed. and picked myself up time and time again. to then succeed.

because that is what life is made of.

yes, the blogging world is incredible...

and i look forward to the rest of the story...


Saturday, March 19, 2011

i got to witness a miracle!

with it being said that there is "one born every minute"...i honestly believe then that miracles happen every minute. to me, there is little else more beautiful than the birth of a baby. i've obviously had the opportunity to give birth a few times myself...but until march 2nd...i had never witnessed a baby being born that wasn't mine!

sure in 1986...i almost made my way into the delivery room to see slade being born. unfortunately, they didn't allow 9 years old in there!

fast forward to 2002...i narrowly missed seeing my precious friend mer give birth to her first baby boy! she pushed...and she pushed...and she pushed...and she finally birthed that beautiful BIG boy via a cesarean! once again, i would have gone in there too...but it was hubbies only!!!

so when my sister in law gave me the special invitation to be in the room for the birth of her third boy...i was beyond excited and honored!

the beauty of the moment did not let me down!

at 3:26 p.m., those of us in delivery room #5 witnessed luke cotton tucker take his first breath. it was amazing...and just like the tears flowed when i saw my daughters for the first time...my heart melted when i saw my nephew...and i cried.
luke cotton tucker
7 lbs 9 oz

he was so tiny and so perfect. and so loved.

it was absolutely a miracle...and i loved every second of that experience. it will definitely be tucked away in my heart forever.

we love you, luke...and can't wait to watch you grow!




yep...babies look good in my arms...maybe i need to "order" another one!!!!! :)

Saturday, March 12, 2011

bring it...

as a parent, there are just those days where the little ones really bring you somewhere. they might bring you joy, bring you to your knees, bring you to the brink of insanity, or bring you to tears...and if i'm being honest...i'm usually brought to all places on all days!!

today, though, i have felt particularly grateful. grateful for being brought to this place in my life...where i am blessed to be called "mommy" by three little girls.

i love them every day. guaranteed.

but today, i just felt my awareness of the awesome responsibility of being their mother heightened a little bit. warm & fuzzy all day.

i got to hold my baby daughter while she slept with her head on my shoulder. a little treasure that doesn't happen all that often. she fell asleep on the way home from picking ella up from school...and i was bringing her in to place her in her crib. i just couldn't put her down. her limp little body was pressed against mine and i was so overwhelmed with love for her. i think there are days that i take for granted how flexible she is...days that i may not take those extra minutes to love on her in her sleep. i prayed for her while i snuggled...and just thanked God for her, her personality, and how well she fits into this family. she continues to melt my heart minute by minute.

i watched ella today, without her knowing, swing and sing with reckless abandon in our backyard. she is growing up. growing up quickly. and she is such a joy. i love our talks and i love her heart. she's got a big one...and that is a huge answer to prayer. i want all of my children to be kind...and to treat those around them, friends and strangers, better than they would want to be treated. so far, she's rising to the challenge. she's pure sweetness. (ok - i'll be honest - we could use some fine tuning in her behavior towards the biggest, little sister!!!)

i strolled behind maddie today while she rode her bike and just watched her little pig tails bouncing in the breeze. she would turn around and smile at me while she was pedaling...and i seriously could have cried. she is such a precious little soul. even when being four, in the "middle", isn't always easy...she takes it like a champ...and comes out victorious. i love her for that. and so. much. more. she has continued to tell me "happy birthday" every day this week...just another little nugget of proof that she places others ahead of herself and wants others to feel good.

i could describe so many other moments...but these are just a few examples...really just reminders on those tough days...that what i'm doing matters. i am indeed blessed beyond what i deserve.

sure those hard days are destined to come...more often than not...but i am so thankful to bring these memories to the forefront of my mind.

to bring it.

my patience. my love. my faith.

my best.

because these three little people bring me so. much. joy.

and they deserve no less.

thirty-four...


that's how many years i've been celebrating birthdays! i have to admit, since i have had children...i'm much more excited to celebrate their special days...but those three little beauties and their daddy made me feel like a queen on tuesday!

i started out being asked what i would like for breakfast! i replied that i would like "an order of bed rest with a side of news!!!!"...and that's exactly what i got! i stayed in the bed and just watched. the. news! it was fabulous! ella asked to stay home today since it was my birthday...and we happily obliged!!!

it was then time for me to get dressed for the day because my children were absolutely BESIDE themselves for me to find the beloved "price family birthday cupcake"!!!

it was adorable to see them so excited about our new tradition...and i was pleased to see them thinking about someone else's happiness! i desire for them to focus more on others and i think these are the ways we put those lessons into practice!

after playing the "hot or cold" game to get me closer to the prize...and of course, madeline basically telling me exactly where i should search!...i found the cupcake behind a pillow on the couch!
inside was the most precious gift eVeR! the girls and jeffrey declared a "meredith day"...where i get to do the following:


1. receive a manicure by ella
2. receive a pedicure by maddie
3. receive a massage by jeffrey
4. 1 trip to any store of my choice with the whole gang to spend my birthday money
5. lots of hugs & kisses

inside the actual cupcake were 34 strips of paper with 34 things that my girls and my husband think make me special...who wouldn't love that!?!?
ella's list..."mommy is special to me because she":
plays with me
decorates the house well
is a good "kukr" (aka cooker)
cares about me
cuddles with me
brings fun things to my class
takes me to fun places
helps me learn
is "nis" (aka nice) to me
is F.U.N.
this picture was taken when i read that last one...because recently...i was told i wasn't fun...but we'll save that story for another day!!!!! (someone claims she didn't mean it!!!!!)

maddie's list..."mommy is special to me because she"...
is so pretty
cuddles me in the mornings
gets me always from school
sometimes takes me to play in the park
reads books to me
loves me
talks to me when she picks me up from school
always sits by me
likes to color with me

ava's list..."mommy is special to me because she"...
hugs me when i am being a stink
birthed me from her womb (my husband is funny...in a "ha ha" way too)
gives me fruit
dresses me cute
puts up with my 'tude
takes me on walks in the red wagon
likes to play with me outside

daddy's list..."mommy is special to me because she"...
plans so far ahead
laughs at my jokes
rubs my head & back every night
is very beautiful
keeps such a perfect house without grumbling (see...funny "ha ha"!!!)
is so creative
has a bod like a hot rod (that funny just keeps coming...and of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!!)
is my very best friend

i loved every minute...even though i know my little family loves me...it was nice to "see it" from their perspective!

i was smothered in hugs and kisses all day...and i couldn't have been told "mommy, i love you" any more times! madeline didn't miss any chances to tell me "happy birthday"!

we celebrated the evening with our community group from church! courtney made the most delicious supper and then served an amazing cinnamon pound cake! i loved spending my birthday with that precious group of friends!

i'm a blessed girl...and i'll spend the next 364 days of this 34th year of life...trying to make sure i don't take that for granted!

on a side note...this is not a great pic...but i just had to post it! i was so excited to discover one of ava's missing shoes while i was searching for the cupcake!!!! i HaTe when things are missing!! happy birthday to me!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

"nude" orleans lady...

somebody likes playing with the mardi gras beads...in her birthday suit!!!






Sunday, March 6, 2011

uh-oh...

those were the words uttered out of my mouth on monday...when i tripped...and my computer was sent crashing to the ground!

this little incident will explain why there hasn't been much activity on the blog!

i have to say that the "forced break" was kinda nice...but i'm back in business...with lots to report!

but not tonight...

sleep beckons.

i will leave you with these pics of my precious ones...being their mom is so amazing.