Tucker is 4

Happy 4th Birthday Tucker!

Dear Tucker,

Four years ago today we welcomed our first baby boy into our bunch.  Four years ago today I held in my arms a little boy who came out looking like he was mad at the world.  And since that day, four years ago, you have challenged me and tested my patience like no other.  The winter months have proven to be a battle for us because you require constant activity, mostly physical activity.  This past winter we stayed in so much because of Rigley being so little that we had many days that we struggled.  But we survived and our relationship continues to get stronger and stronger.

Tucker, you show your sisters so much affection.  Some of the affection is not quite "loving affection" but none the less it is still affection.  Often times we can find you hitting them, punching them, pulling their hair  or doing some other obnoxious thing but you are showing them your love in true "Tucker fashion." You love to have wrestling sessions or intense sword fights with daddy.  On a a daily basis you are very consistent  with testing the rules of our house and are constantly wanting to know the consequences "if" you do something that you know you shouldn't.  On the flip side, you still have a very tender heart.  If you accidentally hurt one of your sisters sometimes you cry as much as they do.  

You LOVE chocolate milk warmed up in the microwave.  Every morning before breakfast you get a glass and guzzle it down in a matter of minutes.  We have found that the best motivating punishment for you is when you are grounded from chocolate milk. It sounds crazy but we have to do what works and this works.

You LOVE all things Captain America, chocolate milk, oatmeal, swords, guns, soccer, baseball, basketball, running, fighting, bike riding, Sunday School, light sabers, mud, rain puddles, pretend shaving with daddy and Charlotte.  In the last year your competitive spirit has sprung to life. Where would you have gotten this from?  You love to have all kinds of races...who can eat the fastest, drink the fastest and yes, who can even pee the fastest (to which, I believe you have an unfair advantage).  Most of the time no one even knows they are competing until you say "I'm done, I win." 

We love so many things about you but one of our favorites is how you love to pray.  You always volunteer to pray before any and every meal and before bed.  One of my favorite stories about you happened while we were in the hospital having Rigley.  On the Friday that Rigley was born all of the older kids came up in the evening to see us.  The nurse let the kids play with her stethoscope so that they could hear their heart beat.  When it was Tucker's turn the nurse asked him what he heard and his reply was, "I hear Jesus knocking in my heart, he lives in my heart."  What a proud moment that was for both Josh and I.  Often times throughout the week he will come to us and say something about Jesus living in his heart or how he loves Jesus.

 

One last story about Tucker....a few weeks ago we met up with the ladies who are in our bible study on Monday nights.  We let the kids play while we celebrated a birthday.  One of Tucker's friends, Charlotte, came out crying and was hurt.  We were not sure what happened but she seemed to be ok then went back to playing.  About ten minutes later a mom who was sitting in the playland area said that there was a boy (Tucker) who was seeking out another boy and pushing him out of the way.  I brought Tucker out and asked him what was going on.  Tuck told me that this boy was beating up on Charlotte.  This boy had Charlotte down and was pulling her hair, basically bullying her.  I guess you could say that Tucker was defending her honor.  (The part that made me most mad was that this other little boy's mom was in playland and didn't stop him beating up on Charlotte.)  I was so proud of you.  I'm sure that this will not be the last time we have something like this happen.  Being the brother of two sisters I think we may have this issue arise again.

 

Tucker, we love you so much.  It is such a privilege to be your parents.  You may test our patience but this makes us better parents.  You are such a blessing to us.  We Love You Bunches!