My Claim to Fame

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Karl Tucker.

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You may hear him referred to as

"Tuck" "Heber" "Coach" or "Heebs."

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***** Among some of his accolades: BYU Golf Coach 1961-1992. His teams won 19 Western Athletic Conference champions, 16 individual WAC championships, and 170 Tournaments. He's a Utah Golf Hall of Famer, as well as a National Golf Coaches Hall of Famer. He was recognized as WAC Coach of the Year 13 times.

* Addition: I don't know how I forgot the 1st time I published this, his team won the National Championship in 1981! *****

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***** To me, he's grandpa.

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He's not just the kind of grandpa that you see at Christmas, or get a birthday card from in the mail, either. ********

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He's one of my best friends and most influential people in my life.

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And, my claim to fame. *****

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Many images come to mind when I think of my grandpa. Gliding flawlessly down the ski hill, hitting a perfect shot on the golf course, and cheering me on in support (no matter what the event) are some of the pictures that come to mind.

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However, the image that stands out in my mind most is Heber on the back of a horse.

Growing up, many of us in my grandpa's family had the unique experience of riding horses with him. I'm proud to have my own memories of such a time.

One summer, when my cousin Hayley and I were around the age of ten, my grandpa turned me and Hayley from just pre-teen rats into full blown cowgirls. He outfitted us with our own cowboy boots from Reams, accented with some smooth new riding gloves to match the one's he always wore. He took us to a corral and taught us skill and technique in riding, and would watch us gallop around and around for hours on end. Our skill really paid off as he lead us into the mountains above his pasture, where we would ride for what felt like entire days. We'd always wrap up the day with some chicken fingers and a cherry fresh lime at Ripples.

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Sure he taught us good riding posture, and how to handle and care for a horse. But, he taught us so much more... life lessons that I couldn't have learned any better way.

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Summer after summer I had the privilege of continuing this tradition with my grandpa. We would go on a week-long excursion with his riding buddies to a place called Joe's Valley. I get the same homesick feeling now when I think of this place as I did when I had to leave it each year.

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To this day, this annual ride, remains as one of the very greatest highlights in my life. You couldn't have asked for more beautiful scenery, better company, or more genuine fun.

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The best part was that the end of every day, grandpa would gleam and ask his friends if they had ever seen better riders than his grand-daughters in their lives.

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Each day on the Ride, Annie and Hayley and I would wake up before the sun, to catch, brush, and saddle up the horses. Grandpa never asked us to. The sheer pleasure of seeing his proud face every morning, drove us to do it anyway. We would ride all day, talking and laughing so hard it hurt. Grandpa would stock up on an assortment of Starburst, Nibs, and Callard & Bowsers and toss them back to us on the trail. I can just see him firing us up to gallop along a trail or in an open meadow, followed by some yelping, "yee-hawing, " and his gloved hand raised to signal us to slow down. Hayley and I always mimicked this in our efforts to be real cowboys.

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These times on the back of horse, as well as many days spent on the ski hill, helped define who I am today.

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I learned to have a sense-of-humor about myself and situations.

I learned to love life and enjoy it.

I developed a deep love for the outdoors and the beautiful mountains.

I learned to not sweat the small stuff.

I learned to have confidence in myself.

I learned the importance of family and memories.

I learned what genuine happiness was.

I absolutely learned how lucky I was to have Karl Tucker as my grandpa.

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I am always amazed at the confidence exuded by this man. It's the same confidence that allows him to park in prohibited spot, wave to every local celebrity in a parade, and talk to guys like Tom Brokaw on the ski lift. I've come to a 100% conclusion, however.

He's earned every last bit of his confidence. *****

He may have fake knees, a pacemaker, and who knows what else, but this man has got heart. He's got a zest for life and a soul that has affected hundreds of people the way he's affected me.

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Thanks, grandpa.

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***** For giving me a piece of you, when you had so many others who would just die for the attention you've given to me and the rest of our family.

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I know you're not the type to have favorites, but thanks for making me feel like I'm yours. I can think of an endless number of people who feel that you're their #1 fan, and I'd say that's one of your greatest accomplishments.

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Although many would put up a good fight for this title, I'm going to claim it this time.

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I'm your #1 fan.

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Hang in there Heber!

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Everyone is rooting for you the same way you've rooted for all of us.

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I love you and I'm so proud that you're my claim to fame.

08.27.82: One Fine Day

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What would the world do without Brett?

There would be a lot less laughter ....

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A lot less amusement....

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A whole lot of things that needed fixing...

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And a girl named Sarah and a boy named Jack who would absolutely d.i.e.

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Happy Birthday to You, Mr. Jones!

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The world became a better place the day you were born.

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And, we think we totally scored when we got you as the MAN of our family.

We love you!

Oh, and thanks for being born.

Love,

Sarah & Jack

xoxoxoxo

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The early days of the birthday boy:

Even in 1983, Brett rocked a sweet flannel.

So skanky...off the shoulder. I'd be happy if Brett wore his backpack and looked like this everyday. I am a teacher after all. I'm quite sure he's sporting one of his sister's hand-me-down costumes. He pulls it off so manly, though. However, I'm more concerned with the satanic ghost behind Spidey. Terrifying.

Tomorrow...

I'm leaving this

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To be with this

This may be the creepiest child I've ever seen.

He may have been the midget in Twin Peaks.

He has murder in his eyes.

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**But only for 4 hours.

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School starts tomorrow.

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This school year I am lucky enough to be a mom 95% of the time.

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I'm also lucky that for 5 % of my time, I get to teach.

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I will be working Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-1:15.

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I will be a 2nd grade music teacher.

Just like this fly honey that graces Google Images when you search for a music teacher.

Good thing I already have my blue pedal pushers and electric guitar ready.

Do...re..mi... **********

And I'll be a 2nd grade art teacher.

Just like this legend of Lone Peak HS. For all you LP bloggers...you know Myra.

Myra showed up on Brett's doorstep during the summer once to ask him if he wanted to do a 2-man art show with her.

Myra is an Indian loving, deer worshiping genius.

Pretty sure she wrote some Indian word in Brett's yearbook. (see above)

Translated: I want you. Bad. *****

***** I'll also be a Kindergarten PE teacher.

"It's not a toooma!"

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Take the above three pictures, mix them together, and there you have me. *****

Excellent.

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*********This year seems so easy compared to my past teaching. I realize teaching kids to read, write, and count doesn't even compare to the importance of teaching kids to color, bang on a tambourine, and play kickball, but for some odd reason,this year just seems easier. It'll be great to keep my foot in the door, and it allows me to entertain my love of teaching. The luckiest part of the whole thing is that Jack gets to spend time with his two very capable grandmas while I'm gone.

Even better, I get to see this when I get home.

Part Two: Good Thoughts

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Call it mother's intuition. *****

I knew the second the doctor pointed out the spot on Jack's back that this wasn't going away for a while.

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On Thursday afternoon, Jack's pediatrician called me. My first thought: "When the pediatrician himself calls, it can't be good."

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He proceeded to explain some things to me and the only words I hear are: tethered spinal cord, MRI, Primary Children's Hospital, neurosurgeon, and surgery.

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While I love our pediatrician, he caught me off guard. A lot.

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Needless to say, I got off the phone, and completely fell apart. While I thought I was beginning to get a grasp of the feelings you experience as a mom, I quickly learned that I still had and have

a lot more to feel. Ouch.

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After Brett calling our doctor again, talking to Primary Children's Hospital, and having some time to come to grips with all of it, here I have it, the story...

********** From the mark on his back and the ultrasound pictures, Jack seems to have a tethered spinal cord. The ultrasound was a screening test, and it indicated that it may be attached at the base of his spine. The problem with this is that as a child grows, it puts tension on the cord and spine, and can result in paralysis (gulp). The MRI is a better, more accurate test, that will allow the doctors to know exactly what the deal is. From that point on, if their predictions were correct, and the cord is tethered, they will go in for surgery to de-tether it...thus preventing Jack from the risk of losing function of his lower half. Scary? Yes.

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It's a bit overwhelming to say the least.

Feels like physical pain comes with the emotional pain every time I go through it in my mind.

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However, in talking with Primary Children's, I feel comforted and confident that this is something we can handle.

***** While it looks like surgery will most likely be needed, we learned some good information that has helped me to cope. In their words...

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The surgery is not major and not minor.

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The surgery is common enough that they are very comfortable with it.

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He will only be in the hospital for 3-4 days to recover.

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There are no additional risks with this surgery than with any other surgery.

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It will fix the problem before there is any neurological damage.

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He is not feeling pain now.

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2 Looks like the MRI will be at Primary Children's on

September 21st.

If surgery is needed, it will be a couple of weeks after.

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I could go on for days and days about all the scary worries I have had go through my mind, but I've decided to turn over a new leaf.

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I am determined to be positive through this no matter how heart-breaking it is to think of my tiny little sweetheart enduring it all at such a small age.

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I'll be brave.

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I have to be for Jack.

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In the midst of a cloudy week, there are still so many things in all of this that I am so grateful for:

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Thank goodness for a wonderful doctor who found this so incredibly early that damage has not been done.

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Jack is comfortable, happy, and unaware of all of this.

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He will be at one of the best hospitals for children in the nation.

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We have unprecedented support, encouragement, and love from family and friends.

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I still have my sweet boy.

He is growing, laughing, smiling, rolling, and making my life better every day.

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They can fix this.

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We can do this.

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Thank you for all your good thoughts, they help. Really.

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Here are some random gems I found on the camera that helped me to smile this week.

Look closely. Hank, Jack, and Max all buckled in the mom-mobile.

Quite an accomplishment.

Content, happy, sleeping baby? Yes, please.

Brett had a sinus infection this week.

Brett had a love affair with the Neti Pot.

Because Brett was sick, he got to spend a day home from work with us.

Since he was not contagious, he got to spend some quality napping time with Jack.

Ride'm Cowboy This is the look he makes when I'm about to eat him for my breakfast. "Oh, great, mom."

Good Thoughts

This is my boyfriend.

**** His name is Jack.

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At Jack's 2 month appointment last week, the doctor found a small mark on his lower back.

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He wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure that there wasn't anything abnormal going on with his spinal cord.

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Jack's movement and behavior was exactly where it should be, so it's just the mark that made the doc scratch his head.

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We did the ultrasound yesterday, and because the image was hard to see (which they warned us of), they decided to schedule an MRI instead so they could actually tell what they were looking at.

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In the doctors words, it "may or may not" turn out as something of concern. We're still waiting for the call for when to go back.

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The information we have gotten seems to imply that there's a good chance there will be no problem or a fairly minor one at that. At this point, there's a whole lot of unknowns.

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Considering an MRI is one of the worst things I've ever done, the thought of sticking my little bubba in that makes me want to cry giant tears.

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I'm a mom, and human.

I'm worried.

Keep good thoughts in mind for my little Jack man.

It's hard not to have good thoughts when I look at this face all day.

And just a little FYI...

He continues to be the best. baby. ever.

So happy, so easy, so delicious!

The 411 on Jack

Jack had his 2 month appointment today. Here's the rundown:

Weight: 10.2 lbs (23rd percentile) Length: 22 inches (23rd percentile) Head: 39 1/4 cm (50th percentile)

Sleeps 9 hours straight at night.

Takes naps 3 hours at a time.

Gets himself to sleep pretty much every time I lay him down.

Smiles with his mouth wide open and laughs at my jokes.

Has been to 3 movies without making a peep. Sucks his thumb passionately. Loves, loves, loves the tub.

Hates, hates, hates the car. And by my standards, is absolutely perfect. I'm such a lucky mama.

This is Jack before his 1,000 shots:

This is Jack after his 1,000 shots:

Maybe one day he'll forgive me.

Mind Explosion

Went running this morning for the first time post-labor. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning, the sun hadn't quite come up, and it reminded me instantly of last summer running and WHAM! That homesick-like feeling in my gut hit and it reminded me of that topic that warps my mind every time I think about it... TIME.

Last year at this time, Jack was a mere thought. I spent a lot of my runs thinking of how I wanted to be a mama soon and wondering what might be in my future. I am glad it's not back then...but... why then do I get that feeling? Insert MIND EXPLOSION here.

At the point this morning where I decided to take my lazy walk into my first strides of a run, I felt light, considering the last time I ran I had a 6 month baby in my belly. However, the reality of a rickety back, un-stretched muscles, and my ever approaching need for adult diapers set in fast. It made me think how I've changed this year and then another

MIND EXPLOSION.

All I wanted during my pregnancy was for time to move FAST. Every day was a countdown. Now, all I want is for time to chill and let me enjoy this stage a bit longer.

I kind of feel bad for time.

It would appear that he can't please me.

At this point in the run, I found myself looking down the road for a landmark where I could stop and walk....you didn't really think on my first time out that I'd run the whole time did you? This was a moment where time moving fast may have been welcome!

While I walked the second third of my run, ironic enough, I saw a piece of newspaper on the ground. I glanced as I walked by and it was the Alpine School District Back-to-School paper.

Gasp!

Time came creeping back into my brain as the yearly August realization that summer is almost over hit me. It's the dread of every teacher. Time's-a-tickin'.

My mind exploded yet another time as I thought about how for the past several years, teaching has occupied nearly 90% of my thoughts & time.

For the first time in a long time, I don't care about it.

Now, that's a huge MIND EXPLOSION I'll thank Jack for that. Thank goodness I'll only be going back to teach for a mere 8-10 hours a week, because I might really have beef with time if I knew I'd be going back for real in a short 2 weeks.

As I began running again for the last bit, I felt some momentum.. It was then, as my limbs stopped hurting, and I was actually running at a pace where bystanders wouldn't laugh at me (who cares if it was downhill) that I remembered baby cakes waiting for me at home. Thinking of the fact that he's a few days shy of 2 months, I started getting angry at TIME again. Why can't it just move a bit slower? I love now way too much.

Who wouldn't want to freeze this face?

Every time I look at him I have a major

MIND EXPLOSION.

I can't believe he's mine.

So perfect.

So a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.

One day I'll cope with time and my issues with it.

Maybe it'll happen around the same time I'm back in shape again.

That could be a while.

For now, my mind hurts.

Next time I go running, no thinking allowed!

Completely unrelated to this post, but so relevant to my life right now...

Memo to 'So You Think You Can Dance': If Evan wins, I will boycott your show. Who's voting for him anyway?