Rhet's birthday

Happy Birthday, Rhet. You are a wonderful, amazing, extraordinary husband and I hope you know how much you mean to us! 30 ain't so bad, is it?

God answers weird prayers

I had a great week with my older sister, Amber and her son, Luke. .We went to the zoo, let the kids play all day, created her a blog, went to the movies and dinner, and had a very exciting finale' to our adventures...
There was quite an accident in Daisy's room that one of the kids desperately tried to clean up themselves, creating a "little" more of a mess. Needless to say, who was there to save the day...


Oh, yes- the Kirby vacuum cleaner sales man. I normally don't like to answer the door to salesmen, for I have the tendency to give in and buy the product. However, this was such a blatant answer to our unasked prayer to be able to get the stains out without being stressed and scrubbing for days. The offer to get in the door was to vacuum a room for free. Well, just let me show you to that room!! The Kirby did pretty good, and Rhet finished up the rest when he got home. And, I just thought it was pretty cool that Heavenly Father cares about the exact same things that I do- even if it is just getting the carpets cleaned.

And, although I didn't have $1, 800 to buy the product- I would recommend it to anyone and would like to say a personal thank you to Matt (or was it Mark). You are truly a hero.

Need help with baby name!

We have been able to see the baby a lot because we have had so many ultrasounds. The doctor is concerned that the baby and I are too big for where we should be. A lot of friends are sure that we are having twins- but I assure you that there is only one baby to be seen. It is pretty bad when the doctor is talking to the sonographer and says on the phone, "This patient is huge!" Especially, when that patient happens to be within earshot. Inconsiderate man. (That is the edited version)





Anyway, besides some extra backache and swelling- Rhet and I are excited. Now, if we could only figure out a name. We have an (A) Alexis, (B) Benjamin, and (D) Daisy- so a (C) name would fit well- but isn't necessary. So feel free to comment any wonderful names that you want to give us.





P.S. Can't be boring, crazy, too common, unpronounceable, nothing that could also be used as a girl's name, nothing that has "-er" on the end (Tucker), nothing that is just a letter (sorry, J Rhet and J Benjamin), nothing that starts with "T", no Carson or Carter (family names)

[4-D The baby's hands are
making weird shapes on
the chin and forehead.]

Blessing

Rhet gave me a pretty awesome blessing of comfort yesterday. I have been feeling pretty huge and my body hasn't been cooperating with this pregnancy. He just helped me to remember the things I need to slow down on and to rest more. I guess I don't always need to entertain the kids with big events. Easier said than done- it is so much easier to keep them happy when they aren't bored! But- good advice to keep my feet up and go to sleep earlier to help with my restless legs. It was nice to think that God is happy with the effort I am giving, even if I see how impatient I can be and how lethargic I am with the kids.

I have been visiting family in Florida, and right after that family came to visit here. Now Rhet is in his Prosthodontic program and life will be grossly different for me for the next three years. I have just loved to have family around and took it for granted in our early marriage. It is so wonderful to have people near that want to take care of you, love your kids as much as you do, and that you can just be yourself (whatever mood that means) in front of them.

I also am trying to come to terms with Rhet having to work more. He is such a great dad- helps with dishes, cooking, diapers, putting kids to bed, getting the kids energy out, being a kid himself, and over-all just knowing what they need and how to make it better. Even more than that, he is such a great husband. He makes me laugh when I am in a bad mood, tries to get me to talk/cry through any emotions I am having, tells me I am sexy and beautiful when I think I am at my worst, always puts my mind at ease, I can tell him anything and he brings out the best in me. I wonder how that is going to work out with him being gone so much. I am proud of him for pursuing his passion and had to twist his arm to let him know that we support him and are cheering him on- but he will surely be missed and it won't be the same around this house. And, I might be doing a lot more blogging with my extra time. Talking to myself seems to be pretty good therapy.

Rhet and Jess Slideshow

Alexis Marie Slideshow

Daisy Elizabeth Slideshow

J Benjamin Slideshow

Our summer activities

aquarium
bowling
camping/fishing
carnival
chuck-e-cheese
cooking
free movies
goofy golf/arcade games
history and art museums/Fort Discovery
library/story hour
monkey joe's/jump city
mother's day out (from Ben)- First Baptist Church of Evans
nature walk/frog, insect investigation date with dad
park with picnic
planetarium
play-do/painting/clay/play kitchen with real food
pony ride
ride bikes in church parking lot
roller skating
six flags
t-ball
trip to Alabama, Florida
vbs- Bible School at Wesley Methodist
water guns/balloons
water park
Wii
Y pool/swimming lessons
zoo

4th of July

(Picture Aubry took at fireworks)

As a new blogger, I would like to be able to share knowledge that I have acquired. Recently, I have some new information that would be extremely useful to any residents of the Augusta area. If you go to see the fireworks for the 4th, don't sit in the amphitheater! We had a grand time eating funnel cakes and sno cones- but the fireworks that we waited over an hour to see was completely blocked by trees. Oh darn.

Grandma, Grandpa, Aubry, and Ryan are visiting us for a few days. It is so nice to have family here! There are adults to talk to when Rhet is at work. Rhet got help in the remodeling of the bathroom and it now has a working toilet (oooo, ahhh). I have had the first help in changing poopy diapers since we starting using cloth. Thanks, Grandma! (Ok, Rhet did it once. Once. Then literally threw in the towel!) The kids LOVE their Aunt Aubry and Uncle Ryan-although a little space and time to sleep in would probably be welcomed. The dishes are getting done not only every day, but at EVERY meal (unheard of around these parts). We have people to play our beloved games at night- instead of the boring TV. I've been sleeping in every day. I can leave to do errands whenever I want. The kids see that we aren't the only ones that love them and think they are great. Grandma can show me all her secrets to making her recipes the right way. Ben is learning how to smile for the camera from all the pictures that Aubry takes. I don't have to do my hair or put on make-up, even though "company" is here. Apparently, Rhet doesn't have to change his t-shirt. But really, although these things are great bonuses...we just miss the family being close and being able to see them more.

(beach scene that Rhet created using sparklers)

The Tuckers are environmental nuts- new hobby

Treehugger.com; gogreen.com; green.yahoo.com

What we ARE doing:

*Energy Star front loading washing machine
*low-flow toilet [Low volume toilet saves 50-80 gallons of water per day.]
*LCD screen instead of CRT
*CFL bulbs (14 w instead of 60 w) 75% energy savings)
*low flow shower head/faucet [save 45 gallons of water per day (18% of avg. daily usage)]
*re-chargeable batteries
*change a/c; heating filters every three months
*tune-up car
*use water filter-instead of water bottles. [1. plastic waste 2. water in the water bottles is not regulated like the tap water 3. bottles made from PET.]
*fix any water drips. [can be 20 gallons of water a day]
*use recycled paper.
*wash car at car wash instead of home. [most recycle their water and all use less water than a hose would]
*compost for food scraps, lawn waste
*harvest rainwater for garden
*use a manual can opener
*reusable (bring your own) bags at stores.
*5 minute shower [12.5 gallons instead of average 25 gallons per shower]
*short shower instead of bath
*meatless three times a week
*clothesline to dry clothes
*thermostat set at 68degrees in winter and 78degrees in summer. *tires well inflated.
*turn off water when brushing teeth/washing face/shaving- use old school filled sink with water for hand washing throughout day. [saves 8 gallons a day for just brushing teeth. Regular faucets run water at 2 gallons per minute].
*hot water setting to 120’ instead of 140’.
*unplug all plugs when not in use. Use power saving/sleep modes for short term use.
*bills online/pay online-less paper waste
*unsubscribe to junk mail (insurance, credit card offers)
www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing
*recycle tin, aluminum, paper, plastic, cardboard
*recycle electronics (computers, cell phones, ink cartridges), paints, and hazardous material through local phonebook agencies
*cloth diapers, instead of disposable diapers.
*Deva-Cup (re-useable female product).
*no paper products (plates, utensils, cups). Cloth napkins/wash rags instead of napkins/paper towels.
*cloth wipes, instead of toilet paper (except Rhet won’t convert)
*dishwasher only when full-“light” wash, dishes air dry. Scrape food off, but don’t pre-rinse. [Dishwashers conserve water better than hand-washing.]
*cold water in washing machine.
*Fill sink with water to rinse/wash dishes instead of letting water run.
*tweak printer settings for less ink usage. Use both sides of paper.
*Use “freecycle” to get/lose some of your stuff.
*share/switch off clothes, shop at Goodwill stores.
*green cleaning products (vinegar/water blend or baking soda/water blend)
*Have live plants in the house to help aerate.
*Plant your own pesticide/chemical free garden.
*Use boiling water or vinegar for spot weed removal-no pesticides.

What we would LIKE to do:

*Energy Star appliances (dishwasher, fridge, stove)
*Laptop instead of desktop
*toaster oven instead of oven [over 50% energy savings]
*insulate water pipes/heater
*low-E window film
*solar night lights outside to light up your path to your home
*while driving, stay speed limit, with minimal slowing down/speeding up. Use A/C minimally.
*try to go on one less flight a year.
*organic/homegrown foods when possible
*local foods when possible*take off shoes at the door to leave behind pesticides, pet waste, and dirt from the house.
*solar panels
*tankless water heater
*electric lawn mower
*dual flush toilet

What we will NEVER be able to do:

*hybrid car