In six days I have to leave my baby for ELEVEN days!!! Chris and I are going on a Mission Trip to Bangladesh with seven other people from our church. This has been planned since before we knew we were getting Tucker and before I had any idea how hard it would be to leave him. To date he has spent two nights away from me and neither of those were for a full 24 hours. I cry just thinking about walking away from him knowing I won't see him for a small eternity. Seriously it makes me a little sick to my stomach every time I think about it for more then a passing moment.
I keep trying to remind myself that one salvation is more important then those few days with my son that he won't remember, and deep down I believe that. But it's stinkin' hard! We will basically be doing a youth camp while we are in Bangladesh and I know it will be good once we get there.
My goal is just to get on the plane. Just get on the plane. That's what I have to keep telling myself. Just get on the plane...
Who knew leaving my baby would be so hard? He will be fine. He's staying with my mom and has stick instructions not to start walking, say Momma, stand alone or do any other new trick while I'm gone. I just feel like my heart is being ripped from my chest. And I don't leave for six more days! To complicate things a little more we are leaving Wednesday from our house and won't come back between leaving for Bangladesh and Christmas so I have to pack for all three of us for three weeks, all our Christmases (seven to be exact) food and presents, and mentally prepare myself at least a little so I don't make a total fool of myself at the airport. I've never dreaded Christmas like I am this week.
Please pray for me and our team as we go. It's going to be a rough week getting ready and ELEVEN rough days for me to be away from my Tuck.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Finals Week
Remember when you biggest concern was cramming every last bit of information on ___________ subject into your head. We went without sleep, showering, really even putting clothes on just to feel confident when we walked into the classroom to regurgitate all we had studied. In honor of those days that now seem so trivial as I look back at them here is a list of some of my favorite finals week memories:
- All the late night breakfasts. I so looked forward to those every semester.
- My first finals week when Tristan and I stayed up all night "studying" for German. We had no idea that would be one of many nights we'd spend.
- Dance Party at the Georgia house with the Dief's, Leslie, Christina and Rachael trying to pass on our NM Tradition to the classes below us. I think we just scarred them for life. I don't think it caught on.
- Pancakes! Lots of pancakes and hours at IHOP.
- Inappropriate conversations with people because you were working on so little sleep and things you normally wouldn't say would just coming streaming out of your mouth.
- Every December finals week, we would watch Christmas Vacation on the steps of Raley Chapel under mounds of blankets.
- Jennie David-Sander's aluminum Christmas tree that became the best decoration for personal showers ever!
- Driving to Chickasha to see the lights.
- Staying up late watching a movie with Megan Guinn instead of studying for our psychology final our freshman year and literally running into class without even brushing our teeth because we over slept!Pretty sure I didn't do so well on that one.
I could go on and on remembering and reliving those fun filled days that seemed so stressful at the time.
God bless OBU and the friends, memories and lessons I gained there.
- All the late night breakfasts. I so looked forward to those every semester.
- My first finals week when Tristan and I stayed up all night "studying" for German. We had no idea that would be one of many nights we'd spend.
- Dance Party at the Georgia house with the Dief's, Leslie, Christina and Rachael trying to pass on our NM Tradition to the classes below us. I think we just scarred them for life. I don't think it caught on.
- Pancakes! Lots of pancakes and hours at IHOP.
- Inappropriate conversations with people because you were working on so little sleep and things you normally wouldn't say would just coming streaming out of your mouth.
- Every December finals week, we would watch Christmas Vacation on the steps of Raley Chapel under mounds of blankets.
- Jennie David-Sander's aluminum Christmas tree that became the best decoration for personal showers ever!
- Driving to Chickasha to see the lights.
- Staying up late watching a movie with Megan Guinn instead of studying for our psychology final our freshman year and literally running into class without even brushing our teeth because we over slept!Pretty sure I didn't do so well on that one.
I could go on and on remembering and reliving those fun filled days that seemed so stressful at the time.
God bless OBU and the friends, memories and lessons I gained there.
Friday, December 10, 2010
2010 Christmas Letter
MERRY CHRISTMAS Dear Family & Friends -
What a wonderful time of year to take time to reflect on the past months & look forward to what lies ahead. 2010 was definitely one for the record books in the Gordon family.
About this time last year Chris & I both felt like we were supposed to pursue adoption as a means to add to our family. It was a beautiful & fast process for us. In February, we attended an initial educational seminar & turned in our huge stack of paperwork, background checks, reference letters & profile book. On March 24th we were at the Sayre Golf Course & Coach Gordon was manning his first tournament. I had taken a call from our agency earlier that day setting up an appointment for our home study & while I was at the course they called back. I assumed they needed to reschedule or something, but when I answered (in the middle for 100+ high school golfers) it was a different person. I muddled my way through the sea of boys & heard, “I’ve got someone here who has some exciting news for you.” I immediately starting bawling because I knew we had been matched with a Birth Mother! Our Birth Mom, K, then introduced herself to me, told me she was having a baby boy & wanted Chris & I to parent him! Time stood still as I tried to form words through my sobs of joy. I don’t know that I managed anything but, “thank you.” I fought my way back to Chris & had her tell him. After the tournament, Chris & I called our families & shared our exciting news. Later that night we got to share with our students that Tucker would be here soon. We sprung into action in the following days. We spent every waking moment of the next three weeks getting a nursery ready & trying to process what was about to take place in our lives.
On April 16th, we were on our way to Lawton to go with K to her doctors appointment when we got a call from her saying she thought she was in labor. We rushed to Lawton & spent the next 16 hours waiting for Tucker. Chris & I had the pleasure of being in the delivery room & I got to be K’s birthing coach. It was the most incredible labor of love I’ve ever witnessed! At 2:50 A.M. we met Tucker William Gordon! Tucker weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. & was 20 inches long. We fell in love that night in ways we could not have imagined!
Tucker has been the biggest blessing we have ever received! He is a strong, sweet, smart, laid back guy that continues to amaze us on a daily basis. He is EXACTLY the baby we have been praying for & anxiously awaiting for three years worth of trying to conceive. Tuck loves to bang on things, he eats well, goes with the flow & genuinely loves people. He’ll go to anyone & is crawling everywhere. He draws people in & everywhere we go people want to speak to him or touch his hair. We are working on learning sign language & after only a couple of weeks Tucker can already sign, “dog.” His first spoken word was & is “Dada.” His favorite things include: Thatcher (our dog), a stuffed Monkey, his Momma & playing in the floor. Tucker is eight months old & weighs about 24 pounds & is approximately 27 inches long.
Chris is still serving as Youth Minister at First Baptist, Sayre. We had our two year anniversary here & things continue to go well. We had nine students go on overseas mission trips this year & have been blessed to watch students lead out. He is also looking forward to his second golf season for Sayre High School.
In October, I began a new job as the Sayre Chamber of Commerce Director. My job is well suited for me & I continue to get more & more comfortable with my position. Tucker gets to come with me everyday & that has been a tremendous blessing! I still help Chris with the students & they LOVE Tucker. I mean he doesn’t have a chance not to be rotten when he’s constantly surrounded by teenagers who fuss over him.
Thank you to all of you who have loved us & walked through this year with us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends & family. Thank you for loving our Baby Boy & for accepting him as part of our family. We couldn’t do life without a single one of you in it. We pray your family will have a wonderful Christmas & a happy & safe 2011.
- Love - Chris, McKenzie & Tucker Gordon
What a wonderful time of year to take time to reflect on the past months & look forward to what lies ahead. 2010 was definitely one for the record books in the Gordon family.
About this time last year Chris & I both felt like we were supposed to pursue adoption as a means to add to our family. It was a beautiful & fast process for us. In February, we attended an initial educational seminar & turned in our huge stack of paperwork, background checks, reference letters & profile book. On March 24th we were at the Sayre Golf Course & Coach Gordon was manning his first tournament. I had taken a call from our agency earlier that day setting up an appointment for our home study & while I was at the course they called back. I assumed they needed to reschedule or something, but when I answered (in the middle for 100+ high school golfers) it was a different person. I muddled my way through the sea of boys & heard, “I’ve got someone here who has some exciting news for you.” I immediately starting bawling because I knew we had been matched with a Birth Mother! Our Birth Mom, K, then introduced herself to me, told me she was having a baby boy & wanted Chris & I to parent him! Time stood still as I tried to form words through my sobs of joy. I don’t know that I managed anything but, “thank you.” I fought my way back to Chris & had her tell him. After the tournament, Chris & I called our families & shared our exciting news. Later that night we got to share with our students that Tucker would be here soon. We sprung into action in the following days. We spent every waking moment of the next three weeks getting a nursery ready & trying to process what was about to take place in our lives.
On April 16th, we were on our way to Lawton to go with K to her doctors appointment when we got a call from her saying she thought she was in labor. We rushed to Lawton & spent the next 16 hours waiting for Tucker. Chris & I had the pleasure of being in the delivery room & I got to be K’s birthing coach. It was the most incredible labor of love I’ve ever witnessed! At 2:50 A.M. we met Tucker William Gordon! Tucker weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. & was 20 inches long. We fell in love that night in ways we could not have imagined!
Tucker has been the biggest blessing we have ever received! He is a strong, sweet, smart, laid back guy that continues to amaze us on a daily basis. He is EXACTLY the baby we have been praying for & anxiously awaiting for three years worth of trying to conceive. Tuck loves to bang on things, he eats well, goes with the flow & genuinely loves people. He’ll go to anyone & is crawling everywhere. He draws people in & everywhere we go people want to speak to him or touch his hair. We are working on learning sign language & after only a couple of weeks Tucker can already sign, “dog.” His first spoken word was & is “Dada.” His favorite things include: Thatcher (our dog), a stuffed Monkey, his Momma & playing in the floor. Tucker is eight months old & weighs about 24 pounds & is approximately 27 inches long.
Chris is still serving as Youth Minister at First Baptist, Sayre. We had our two year anniversary here & things continue to go well. We had nine students go on overseas mission trips this year & have been blessed to watch students lead out. He is also looking forward to his second golf season for Sayre High School.
In October, I began a new job as the Sayre Chamber of Commerce Director. My job is well suited for me & I continue to get more & more comfortable with my position. Tucker gets to come with me everyday & that has been a tremendous blessing! I still help Chris with the students & they LOVE Tucker. I mean he doesn’t have a chance not to be rotten when he’s constantly surrounded by teenagers who fuss over him.
Thank you to all of you who have loved us & walked through this year with us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends & family. Thank you for loving our Baby Boy & for accepting him as part of our family. We couldn’t do life without a single one of you in it. We pray your family will have a wonderful Christmas & a happy & safe 2011.
- Love - Chris, McKenzie & Tucker Gordon
2010 Christmas Letter
MERRY CHRISTMAS Dear Family & Friends -
What a wonderful time of year to take time to reflect on the past months & look forward to what lies ahead. 2010 was definitely one for the record books in the Gordon family.
About this time last year Chris & I both felt like we were supposed to pursue adoption as a means to add to our family. It was a beautiful & fast process for us. In February, we attended an initial educational seminar & turned in our huge stack of paperwork, background checks, reference letters & profile book. On March 24th we were at the Sayre Golf Course & Coach Gordon was manning his first tournament. I had taken a call from our agency earlier that day setting up an appointment for our home study & while I was at the course they called back. I assumed they needed to reschedule or something, but when I answered (in the middle for 100+ high school golfers) it was a different person. I muddled my way through the sea of boys & heard, “I’ve got someone here who has some exciting news for you.” I immediately starting bawling because I knew we had been matched with a Birth Mother! Our Birth Mom, K, then introduced herself to me, told me she was having a baby boy & wanted Chris & I to parent him! Time stood still as I tried to form words through my sobs of joy. I don’t know that I managed anything but, “thank you.” I fought my way back to Chris & had her tell him. After the tournament, Chris & I called our families & shared our exciting news. Later that night we got to share with our students that Tucker would be here soon. We sprung into action in the following days. We spent every waking moment of the next three weeks getting a nursery ready & trying to process what was about to take place in our lives.
On April 16th, we were on our way to Lawton to go with K to her doctors appointment when we got a call from her saying she thought she was in labor. We rushed to Lawton & spent the next 16 hours waiting for Tucker. Chris & I had the pleasure of being in the delivery room & I got to be K’s birthing coach. It was the most incredible labor of love I’ve ever witnessed! At 2:50 A.M. we met Tucker William Gordon! Tucker weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. & was 20 inches long. We fell in love that night in ways we could not have imagined!
Tucker has been the biggest blessing we have ever received! He is a strong, sweet, smart, laid back guy that continues to amaze us on a daily basis. He is EXACTLY the baby we have been praying for & anxiously awaiting for three years worth of trying to conceive. Tuck loves to bang on things, he eats well, goes with the flow & genuinely loves people. He’ll go to anyone & is crawling everywhere. He draws people in & everywhere we go people want to speak to him or touch his hair. We are working on learning sign language & after only a couple of weeks Tucker can already sign, “dog.” His first spoken word was & is “Dada.” His favorite things include: Thatcher (our dog), a stuffed Monkey, his Momma & playing in the floor. Tucker is eight months old & weighs about 24 pounds & is approximately 27 inches long.
Chris is still serving as Youth Minister at First Baptist, Sayre. We had our two year anniversary here & things continue to go well. We had nine students go on overseas mission trips this year & have been blessed to watch students lead out. He is also looking forward to his second golf season for Sayre High School.
In October, I began a new job as the Sayre Chamber of Commerce Director. My job is well suited for me & I continue to get more & more comfortable with my position. Tucker gets to come with me everyday & that has been a tremendous blessing! I still help Chris with the students & they LOVE Tucker. I mean he doesn’t have a chance not to be rotten when he’s constantly surrounded by teenagers who fuss over him.
Thank you to all of you who have loved us & walked through this year with us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends & family. Thank you for loving our Baby Boy & for accepting him as part of our family. We couldn’t do life without a single one of you in it. We pray your family will have a wonderful Christmas & a happy & safe 2011.
- Love - Chris, McKenzie & Tucker Gordon
What a wonderful time of year to take time to reflect on the past months & look forward to what lies ahead. 2010 was definitely one for the record books in the Gordon family.
About this time last year Chris & I both felt like we were supposed to pursue adoption as a means to add to our family. It was a beautiful & fast process for us. In February, we attended an initial educational seminar & turned in our huge stack of paperwork, background checks, reference letters & profile book. On March 24th we were at the Sayre Golf Course & Coach Gordon was manning his first tournament. I had taken a call from our agency earlier that day setting up an appointment for our home study & while I was at the course they called back. I assumed they needed to reschedule or something, but when I answered (in the middle for 100+ high school golfers) it was a different person. I muddled my way through the sea of boys & heard, “I’ve got someone here who has some exciting news for you.” I immediately starting bawling because I knew we had been matched with a Birth Mother! Our Birth Mom, K, then introduced herself to me, told me she was having a baby boy & wanted Chris & I to parent him! Time stood still as I tried to form words through my sobs of joy. I don’t know that I managed anything but, “thank you.” I fought my way back to Chris & had her tell him. After the tournament, Chris & I called our families & shared our exciting news. Later that night we got to share with our students that Tucker would be here soon. We sprung into action in the following days. We spent every waking moment of the next three weeks getting a nursery ready & trying to process what was about to take place in our lives.
On April 16th, we were on our way to Lawton to go with K to her doctors appointment when we got a call from her saying she thought she was in labor. We rushed to Lawton & spent the next 16 hours waiting for Tucker. Chris & I had the pleasure of being in the delivery room & I got to be K’s birthing coach. It was the most incredible labor of love I’ve ever witnessed! At 2:50 A.M. we met Tucker William Gordon! Tucker weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. & was 20 inches long. We fell in love that night in ways we could not have imagined!
Tucker has been the biggest blessing we have ever received! He is a strong, sweet, smart, laid back guy that continues to amaze us on a daily basis. He is EXACTLY the baby we have been praying for & anxiously awaiting for three years worth of trying to conceive. Tuck loves to bang on things, he eats well, goes with the flow & genuinely loves people. He’ll go to anyone & is crawling everywhere. He draws people in & everywhere we go people want to speak to him or touch his hair. We are working on learning sign language & after only a couple of weeks Tucker can already sign, “dog.” His first spoken word was & is “Dada.” His favorite things include: Thatcher (our dog), a stuffed Monkey, his Momma & playing in the floor. Tucker is eight months old & weighs about 24 pounds & is approximately 27 inches long.
Chris is still serving as Youth Minister at First Baptist, Sayre. We had our two year anniversary here & things continue to go well. We had nine students go on overseas mission trips this year & have been blessed to watch students lead out. He is also looking forward to his second golf season for Sayre High School.
In October, I began a new job as the Sayre Chamber of Commerce Director. My job is well suited for me & I continue to get more & more comfortable with my position. Tucker gets to come with me everyday & that has been a tremendous blessing! I still help Chris with the students & they LOVE Tucker. I mean he doesn’t have a chance not to be rotten when he’s constantly surrounded by teenagers who fuss over him.
Thank you to all of you who have loved us & walked through this year with us. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends & family. Thank you for loving our Baby Boy & for accepting him as part of our family. We couldn’t do life without a single one of you in it. We pray your family will have a wonderful Christmas & a happy & safe 2011.
- Love - Chris, McKenzie & Tucker Gordon
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Eight Months
Tucker Gordon,
This month you seem to have become super independent and opinionated. You know what you want and you go after it or let us know if you can't figure out how to get it. You are a busy boy these days! You crawl all over the place, pull up and walk holding our hands, the later is your favorite mode of transportation. You are so strong and still super observant. You like to inspect things and people before you make up your mind about them. You make the funniest expressions while you size things up. You definitely know new people, places and things. It took you a while to warm up to the Christmas tree, but now we can't keep you away from it for long.
You still go through about six bottles a day. And most days you still refuse baby food so we've just started giving you bites of what we are eating. You haven't not eaten anything so far. You do still eat baby food every once and a while but you have to be in the mood for it. We gave you a sippy cup with watered down juice for the first time this month and you love it. I don't know how much you actually drink but you do a good job of getting it in your mouth and holding it by yourself.
You have moved into size five diapers this week! You are so big!!! I think you weigh around 24 pounds. Sometimes you feel heavier. You are so strong and continue to surprise us with how soon you learn new tricks. You have been about two weeks early on everything your whole life. You still wear 6-12 months clothes but some of those are getting snug and short. It won't be long till we have to move you up another size. Everyone thinks you're older then you are because your so big and you have so much hair. You got haircut #3 this month and this time you got your trim in Aunt Cassie's new shower. Pretty funny day, but you did ok considering.
I love this picture because thiS Is a Tucker-face for sure! You always make this face when you are investigating something new. LOVE IT!
One of your favorite things to do is rock/jump depending on the position you're in. On the floor you get up on all fours and rock, if you're in our laps you jump in much the same motion. It's one of my favorite things to watch you do. You always have the cutest expression on your face. You just seem so proud of yourself.
You say "Dada" all the time and everything is "Dada" but we started learning sign language and you can already say "dog." We are working on more, all done, thank you, Momma and bottle. I'm excited for you to pick up on this so we can communicate even better.
You are a jewel most days and everyone that comes into our office fusses over you. You smile sweetly and flirt a little. I love getting to still spend my days with you, even though sometimes the combo of you and work is stressful. Your Daddy is a great help and has been so supportive through this latest transition.
You enjoyed your first Thanksgiving (and I hardly took any pictures) We had lunch with Gammy, Uncle Delton, Aunt Dayva and Uncle Brad. When you got ready for your afternoon nap we headed south to Poppers. You loved on Granny Meyer and the rest of the family that was still around that evening. Friday we spent the day at Granna's with Nana Lue and Papa Bill and the whole rest of the bunch. You still love Emrie a lot! You light up even at her picture.
Another holiday at our house is Bedlam. Momma and Daddy went to the game while you stayed with Granna, unfortunately our Cowboys lost! But you sure looked cute in your orange and black and you watched on TV. We can't wait till you're old enough to enjoy going to games with us. It's one of our favorite things to do as a family.
You also attended your first concert. Shane & Shane were in Elk City and we all three attended. You really seemed to enjoy it (especially the part you slept through) and afterwards you got to meet them and have your picture taken with them. It was a really fun night.
We are getting so excited about Christmas with you. We bought your first toy to unwrap yesterday! You also went on your first Christmas shopping trip with Granna and Momma. You were a TROOPER! We had a long day of shopping and you never complained once. We are so lucky to have such a sweet boy to shop with!
You have just made our lives so complete and full. You are a pleasure to watch grow and learn. Tucker you are truly the most perfect blessing I've ever been given. Merry Christmas Baby boy. I love you!
Momma
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