This goes perfect with the previous post....WHY WE HAVE CHILDREN....

GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN)

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our
own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students...
here is something to make you chuckle.

Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from
the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own
children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing he said was
' DON'T !'
'Don 't what ? '
Adam replied.
'Don't eat the forbidden fruit' God said
'Forbidden fruit ?
We have forbidden fruit ?
Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit ! '
' No Way ! '
'Yes way ! '
'Do NOT eat the fruit ! ' said God.
'Why ? '
'Because I am your Father and I said so ! ' God replied,
wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants
A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and
He was ticked !
'Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit ? ' God asked.
'Uh huh,' Adam replied.
'Then why did you ? ' said the Father.
'I don't know,' said Eve.
'She started it! ' Adam said.
'Did not ! '
'Did too ! '
'DID NOT ! '
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their
own.. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.
If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom
and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself.

If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be
a piece of cake for you ?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT !

1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk
and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down
and shut up.

2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.

3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word
for word what you shouldn't have said

5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind
yourself that there are children more awful than your own

6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

Be nice to your kids.
They will choose your nursing home one day

AND FINALLY:

IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE,
DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE:
'TAKE TWO ASPIRIN'
AND 'KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN'!!!!!

The Joys and Trials of a mom

There is nothing more rewarding than being a mom...but there is not a harder job....When I first started wanting my third...I thought it wouldn't change a thing...boy was I wrong...Colton is a great baby...luckily...but is just takes more time to get them ready...baths...feed...put to bed...and everything else...I can't imagine what it is going to be like when I actually have to have them ready by 8 and at preschool....HOLY COW...but I better get ready...that starts next week...

JOYS -

• having the kids say " I LOVE YOU MOM"


• laughter


• buying clothes ( I know that sounds stupid) but that is SO MUCH FUN


• making them smile


• saying prayers


• playing around with them


• getting involved with school and other activities


• seeing your parents go nuts over their grandkids


• family vacations


• reading and snuggling with the kiddos

TRIALS -

• NO SLEEP - (I am working on 4 hours today) Colton decided he wanted to be held and talk all last night


• potty training


• stress on you and all your relationships


• fighting between kids


• making your kids act correct


• laundry (I guess I should thinking about buying clothes)


• the weight that is gained and the body changes...

Don't get me wrong...there is nothing better than being a mom...but it is a hard job...Thank goodness for a husband that helps, a mother willing to do anything that I need, and friends that listen to me.... Thank you Amy...I really needed TODAY.....

I love kids...especially mine...

THANK YOU to my mom... and to ALL THE MOMS out there.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN A LOVIN' FAMILY....

13 Random Thoughts

I will take the plung and follow everyone....(Toby don't get the big head)

1 - Thank you Colton for the nap....that makes up for no sleep last night.
2 - I need to clean up the table from dinner
3 - I need to go run or something to get rid of those donut(S) that I just ate
4 - What's for dinner
5 - Can't wait until mom and dad get back
6 - I am ready for the weekend - family time
7 - I need to go to the gym and change out lights
8 - what are we going to do next weekend for labor day?
9 - I need to fold laundry
10 - I am really enjoying being a mother of 3
11 - I am ready to go shopping for new clothes....I have to lose all the weight by hopefully THANKSGIVING...
12 - I am dreading getting on the scale for the first time since baby Colton was born
13 - I enjoyed seeing everyone at the schools today....it is nice to see the friendly faces. I am just glad that it is not me...and that I am not having to send Kaitlyn this year. I need another year to prepare for that....

Hope everyone else's list is just as BORING...haha...

I left him......

I left Colton for the first time....HOLY COW....I was nervous the WHOLE HOUR I was gone..haha...I just didn't want him to cry the whole time. I knew he was in good hands but I just didn't like the idea of leaving him yet....

My mom was first supposed to be here so I wouldn't worry...but then mom and dad got a chance to go to Branson so they took it....(by the way....they went and stayed at the Big Cedar Lodge - the Bass Pro RESORT and they love it....) I can see our next family vacation already planned....
back to mom...so I was nervous .... who was going to keep the little one.... everyone is back in school or busy GETTING THEIR HAIR DONE.....haha....but it all worked out... The lady that helps me in the morning at the gym agreed to come to the house and keep all the kids....It worked out great;....THANK YOU ASHLEY....I can't tell you enough....

Postpartum depression is starting to set in...I am trying really hard to keep busy and not thinking about things. I started crying last night when I was looking at Colton and realized that he is growing up and I am not going to get to do this again..(be up at all hours of the night)...YES...I will miss it...it is so quiet and peaceful and it is just you and the baby....(I can always sleep when I am dead) I am really excited about next Thursday but nervous about leaving....I just like to have everyone near me...I know that I am wierd....I know that I am buggin' Toby since I am getting clingy...I am trying not to be....I am making a point to try not to get to emotional or goofy....But like everything else...this stage will soon pass...

A good note.....to close on....Colton slept 5 hours last night (in a row) from 11 pm - 4 am...It was amazing...It was nice to get to sleep...

MY FAV STRAWBERRY CAKE....

Our adoptive grandparents (neighbors across the street) brought us the most wonderful cake I have had. It is so moist and GOOOOOOOD....I begged for the recipe. I can't have it right now...since I am trying to loose my baby weight, but I thought I would share it with you....

Strawberry Cake - Ranae Wyatt

1 white cake mix
1 3oz box strawberry jello
1/2 c oil
1/2 c water
4 eggs
Mix and beat all ingredients together. Add 1/2 c thawed frozen sliced strawberries with juice. Bake at 350 degrees.
ICING -
(ingredients need to be at room temp)
1 stick butter
1 lb powdered sugar
1/2 c strawberries with juice
Mix and pour over cake

(best in a 13 x 9 pan)

You will absolutely love this. It is so moist and good...
thank you for sharing....

Colton's 2 week check up

We had Colton's 2 week check up today.
Luckily school is not in session, so I called our neighbor ALLIE to come over for an hour to watch the older kids. I didn't want them to get in trouble while trying to be good and wait at the clinic. So Colton and I were off....After about 45 minutes we got to see Dr G. Bless their hearts their were so busy....I am just glad that Allie could come and help out with the kids....That would have been bad....
We weighed Colton and let's just say that he is gaining good....He weighed 8 lbs and 5 oz when he was born and 2 weeks later he weight 9 lbs 10 oz. He is a good eater..haha....he is a true Ollinger...
Then we had to do the dreaded PKU test. I begged Toby to come with me...but he couldn't....so I was praying and giving myself and pep talk all day....JUST DON'T CRY...JUST DON'T CRY....and I didn't....Luckily the guy that did it is a gym goer and I told him I didn't know how I was going to do...and he tried to talk to me to keep my mind off my little boy SCREAMING his head off....BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT....

Tomorrow is probably going to be a harder day for me than today.....I am going to have to leave Colton with someone for about an hour so I can do something for the gym. I am going through the stage that I can't let the little leave my sight...but tomorrow I will have to make an exception.

Everything is going good here at the Tucker's. I am going to get to start doing some low impact working out. So I am excited. I just hope that I don't die....I will start SLOW...

First day back at work.....

I had mixed emotions about this day. I truly enjoy my gym (my job) but I do like the idea of being home strictly with my kids. I don't work very many hours a day...so it is hard for me to justify it as a J-O-B....

Colton and I had a long night last night. I truly believed that I was going to fall asleep and not hear him cry...but we made it through it. We all woke up at 8am (LATE) because I needed to be at the gym by atleast 9am with THREE dressed and fed kids. AND MYSELF half way decent. So I took a turn around shower, put on mascara, brushed my teeth, and put on chapstick. Got the kids clothes ironed, clothed, and out the door we went. Did I mention that I didn't have them fed....SO LUCKILY the bakery had donuts...and chocolate milk. I know not a healthy breakfast but I needed something fast. Made it to the gym, got my training session ready, fed Colton and then started my training session. It went great. Luckily Colton slept the entire time....and the kids played. I worked a little long on some paperwork and decided to call it a day. As I was pulling into the garage I remembered I forgot to do something....

HAVE BREAKFAST MYSELF....Figures....

So all in all the day (MORNING) was a success. The first real day of a working mom of THREE. I will get better.

After lunch I had a chat with Colton...and he promised me he would let me take a nap for atleast 30 minutes...and he did....I just forgot to ask the entire world for those 30 minutes. It never fails.....as soon as I get everyone down for the nap, and get relaxed....either my cell phone, home phone RINGS, or someone comes to the door. Today was no different. OH WELL...Atleast the house is kinda quite...

Tomorrow if Colton's 2 week check-up with Dr Green. I hope all is well. I am curious to see what the chunk weighs...also interested to see what mommy weighs...I have been scared to go to the gym and weigh...scared of getting depressed...but tomorrow I am going to take the plunge...and then beg Dr G if I can start working on getting these 50 lbs off.

In the life of STEPHANIE....have a great day....

TO ALL THE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL WORKERS...hope you enjoyed your first day back...BLESS YOUR HEARTS....GOOD LUCK

Colton's Baptism Weekend

The kids were so excited that Granna and Pa were coming in to see us they couldn't settle down to take a nap...COLTON didn't have trouble...
Pa sure loves those babies...
Granna and Kaitlyn reading the book that Granna bought her. She loves it. It is really cool. It is made of felt so that she can change the story.
Mommy was trying really hard to get a sweet picture of all the kids for the birth announcement. Can you say.....that is really hard...
I love these kids....

We had a great weekend. And what a weekend it was......

Saturday morning....it started out with Kaitlyn's cheerleading at the scrimmage.

You can hear her.. I wonder where she got that.

SHE DID GREAT.

Then we all traveled to Groom for Colton's Baptism.

Toby's sister Debbie, husband Mack "Skinner" and their daughter Allison

along with Granna and Pa all packed into the cars to head to the church.

The baptism went GREAT...

THANK GOODNESS FOR PACIFIERS...

Toby, Colton, me, and Cassie at the start of the baptism. Cassie, my cousin, was the godmother.

The godparents Cassie and Lance (my brother) along with Toby and I getting Colton's blessing.

Father Raj giving Colton's is baptismal blessing....and DUNK...

Below - Toby, Cassie, Father Raj, Lance, and me after the baptism.

THANKS TO CASSIE AND LANCE for being a big part of this day.

Above - The entire Ollinger clan that made it to the baptism. The rest met us at Gramz and Grandad's house to lots of food and fun. ALSO, sweet little GRANDMA came to be a part of the day.

BELOW - The whole TUCKER gang that made it to baptism.

Pa and Granna along with our entire family. Granna made Colton's baptism garment.

My brothers, mom and dad, Grandma along with my family.

THANKS TO MOM and DAD (Gramz and Grandad) for cooking, planning, and cleaning up for our big party after the baptism. We had about 50 people that came to eat and meet Colton for the first time. We love getting together. There is nothing better than family and good friends.

Lance is Colton's Godfather,

Chris is Kaitlyn's Godfather.

Again aren't those boys too cute...they are looking for a good woman...any takers?

Colton's UPCOMING big day....his baptism

This weekend is a very big for our family. (as Toby would say, I make it bigger than it has to be, but I think it is important). Colton is getting baptized.

Many of you might know, but we are Catholic. I was raised in a very strong Catholic based family and community. I have to say I am very lucky for having the strong base that I have been blessed with. I believe that is why our family is struggling with our "church" situation. We drive to Groom (1 1/2 hours away = 3 hours for total trip) every Sunday. It is not only that we go to church but we also get to see family and friends. We are struggling with the idea of our kids religion classes. I don't really want to have to drive to Groom on Wednesdays so I don't know how we are going to solve that dilemna. Just keep us in your prayers.

Now back to Colton's baptism....Toby and I both come from Catholic families...BLESSING...And some of you might know..that Catholics baptize their infants at a very young age. We believe that it takes away the "ORIGINAL SIN" that we are born with from the actions of Adam and Eve. My brother Lance and my cousin Cassie have been asked to be his Godparents. And along with that comes some improper training and classwork. Being from a small parish that consists of watching a movie and visiting with the priest. But with this whole process it made me look up EXACTLY why Catholics do some of the things we do. I have studied my religion more than most but I still don't know all the answers and always can use a freshening up course. If you are interested you can look at http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/infant_baptism.htm for more details...

This weekend Toby's parents are coming in, along with two of his sisters and their families. Some of my family will meet us in Groom for the festivities. We will get this young one baptized, go to church as a family, (while my parents do all the work), and then go out to my parents for a party. It is also a good chance for everyone to get together AND to see our blessing....COLTON...

PICTURES WILL FOLLOW...

New windows, Tea party, and Cheerleading camp

There is many joys about staying home with your kids. One is getting to see your kids imagination and participate in all the fun. Kaitlyn received a tea set for her birthday and she absolutely loves it. So we have been having pretend tea parties everyday. So to make this one special, we actually served pound cake...and tea (water). Toby actually got to come home for lunch so we suprised him with another tea party......

Kaitlyn was a great hostess. She served princess cake and princess tea... It was great.
Caden dressed up for the occassion. He loved getting to eat the cake. He wasn't to prissy drinking his tea...but he did enjoy the tea.
There is nothing better than the imagination of a child. And two siblings playing together without fighting or crying...I couldn't have asked for more...
Kaitlyn at cheerleading camp. She loved it.
She can't wait to perform at the scrimmage this weekend. She got a new cheerleading outfit.. I just hope it will be in before this weekend. She has no choice but liking cheerleading.
(not that I am putting any pressure on her or anything)

Reminder of what the old windows looked like after the storm.
It was well worth the wait. They actually fit and look great.

You can't hear conversations from across the road..

We had to replace everyone of our windows.

I truly believe that this updated our house by 20 years. I actually am beginning to love my house. I actually don't mind that green now. But we are going to have to replace all the trim and paint it. I love it. Thanks to ACCENT ROOFING...We finally got our carpet...I love it.... Carpet World from Lubbock

Got our new bedroom furniture and bedding. We got our furniture at Bob Mills and love it.

Got the bedding at Sam's...can you believe it? You won't guess how much I paid for all of it. You will never guess. I took Toby shopping with me...because he thought I was going to spend too much. And finally he realized how much things like that cost. Then after we decided to give up until I was shopping by myself, we found it out Sam's.

FOR ONLY $175 for everything you see. Let's just say that saved Toby LOTS of money. The sad thing is...the old bedding was a wedding gift from my parents...and it was my dream bedding. I still kept most of it...just can't part with it....

Today, we are going to have a house inspector come to the house. Please pray at nothing too bad is wrong with the house. Toby didn't want to spend the money for him to come, but I think it is an investment that we need to make to make sure our house is all OK... I am sure ready for this house to be done.

Colton's first vacation

You can not say that the Tucker's sit still..... I guess you can call it a tradition, but we take the kids on a mini vacation within weeks of their birth. Everyone has done great on these trips and Colton was no exception. We decided at the last minute to take off to Dallas for a couple of days. Toby had training so our original plans to go to Ruidoso or somewhere else were scratched. That is ok.. The kids got to swim and we all go to go shopping. (I am waiting for my shopping spree until I lose all this baby weight....the joys of childbearing)

We took a picture of the cute little yard sign before he went over to the Keys family. How fun is it going to be to have the boys a week apart...
The WHOLE Tucker family in the car on the way to Dallas.
I could not be happier....I have my 3 kids...and a wonderful husband....

We might should have bought the bigger car...

Colton after his bath....can you say precious...?

My grandma is going to kill me for posting this picture. I called her on the way to Groom one day and told her to come over and see Colton. She had been in the yard all day...but I told her I had to take a picture....I love the picture though. She is a great lady and someone that I am really close to. It is nice to have grandparents that you are close to and you know.....some people don't get that chance. And I got the chance to know all my grandparents and most of my great grandparents. Thank you grandma for all your support through the years. Luckily my kids are getting to have much of the same chance to know their grandparents as both Toby and I have gotten to....

Colton's first doctor appointment and car ride

Thank goodness for my mom....
She went with the TUCKER GANG to Amarillo to go to Colton's First DOCTOR appointment with Dr Shu Shum. Some of you might not know....but Shum is the reason that we have our little girl. We had a very scary delivery with Kaitlyn and Dr Shum saved her and gave her the name of "Miracle Baby." We are very attached and we have a special place in our hearts for that man. We will keep him as the kids' doctor....for many reasons but that is the main one....
All the kids did really well... Thank goodness for DVD players in the car....and again for Gramz.

Baby Colton's first bath....He loved it....Loved it....He is going to be a water baby...
Getting ready for the long trip to Amarillo....He did great.....
Caden and Kaitlyn love playing Noggin on the computer...They love Gramz and Grandad's new laptop....Colton's telling Gramz all what he has been doing....

There is nothing better than listening the the goos of a little one. My parents love their grandkids. You never know...it might be the only ones that they will have....ATLEAST for a long time. Does anyone have any sisters or friends out there...? That aren't looking for money!!!

About the doctor appointment.....EVERYTHING IS GREAT. He is gaining weight...and eating good... He is loved....so how could we have asked for more....

Trey Colton is finally here...

Mommy's little boy....There is nothing better than a sweet little baby. I could not be happier with my family...I have 3 healthy kids, a great husband, and a supportive and loving family...Could not ask for more...
They love each other....atleast at this moment...
Kaitlyn and Caden love holding and being with Colton....
I am excited to announce that Kaitlyn and Caden have their little brother...Colton is here.
Thursday morning I took the little pill...and went into the hospital about 8 am. And I was officially in labor. Everything went great... I could not have asked for anything better. Dr Green is the best doctor that I have ever had the honor to work with. I don't think he understands how much we appreciate him... I think the outcome would have been different and alot worse had it been anyone else. But everything went fine and we have a healthy baby boy to show for it....
I knew from the beginning that this little one was going to be a good one. He has always been calmer than the others while in my tummy...He has lived through the stress of a tornado, preterm labor, and two older siblings...as well as a mom that worries too much.....He is great. He loves to cuddle and just been talked to. He already loves sitting and watching his mobile or just sitting and watching his brother and sister.
The kids love their brother and are doing a great job of helping and loving him. They love to sit and hold him..and they both run to him first thing in the morning and every time they walk into the room....
We want to thank everyone that has come by, called, emailed, or said prayers. I feel great. I finally have energy...I don't know how since I am working on about 4 hours of sleep a day....but that will get better soon....
Here are some pictures...


Gramz and Grandad seeing their 2nd grandson. Toby took the kids to go eat Pizza...and they thought that was great...while mom, gramz and granddad visited with Colton.
Grandad with his grandkids...
Toby with his little boy....Nothing better than baby kisses...
Taking a quick nap before we headed home to the busy TUCKER household...
Getting ready to go home and see his brother and sister and start his life with his new family....I would be scared...