Tribute to Tucker

February 13, 2000 Kris and I went and picked out Tucker Marie Hynson Jantzen to join our family.  What a little guy he was!! We had no idea all the fun (and at times interesting) times we were going to have the day we brought him home.  For those who met Tucker know that he had silly little "Tuckerisms" that were true to him.  For example, he would chase his tail for no apparent reason, lick his paws continuously, jump in the tub after it had been used and lick all the water, join Ryan for her baths, and beg for treats with the best of them!  These last 12 years have definitely been memoriable.
 
Today, January 4th Tucker went home to see Jesus!  Yes, he is in heaven since at the young age of a puppy I prayed the sinners prayer with him. :)  So, I know he now has a healthy little body!  With his rapid declining health, it was time.  Here's a tribute to our little family member that joined our lives before Kris and I married and long before Ryan Elizabeth came along.  He truly will be missed and we celebrate all that he brought into our home.  It's been a good 12 years! 

We love you Tucker!  Thanks for being such a faithful and good companion.   

December 10th, 1999 - January 4th, 2012

This is Feb 13th, 2000.  Tucker's first day in our family.

Tucker chasing a balloon.

Tucker dressed up as Bat-Dog every year for 11 years.

Go Cowboys!  Tucker loved OSU.

Super Dog!

Daddy and Tucker cuddling.

Tucker and I back in 2002.

Tucker and I about 7 years ago.

Ryan's 3 months old and Tucker joined her for her bath.

I love this picture...I feel like they both have crazy hair!

I love this picture of Ryan and Tucker...he just followed her everywhere!
Best companions.

I had Tucker pose for a picture after he got groomed.

What a sweet face!

Tucker's out!  Taking a nap on the couch.

Ryan giving Tucker a kiss yesterday.

Tucker's posing for his last picture.

Treats!!  Ryan was always giving him treats and he knew who to go to!
And for the first time, yesterday I caught Ryan tasting one of his treats.  Yuck!

Group hug!

Tucker and I after 12 years!

Ryan feeding Tucker (or spilling his food everywhere).  She loved helping out!

Sweet face!

And a classic...they copied each other all the time!  :)

*Happy New Year*

What a wonderful year 2011 was; full of so many memories and joyous times of celebration!  It has been a pure delight watching Ryan grow up and having her in our family.  Words can't express the joy she brings to our lives daily as we watch her grow into the sweet little person she is.  What a gift she is from the Lord and an ever present reminder of His faithfulness to His Word and His promises.  We look forward to 2012 and all that God has for our family.  We know this upcoming year will be full of blessings and many wonderful gifts; His Perfect Love; and never ending favor.  Our family longs to see ALL that He has in store for us unfold this upcoming year. 

My pray this year for our family is what Paul said in Ephesians 1:16-18 & 3:16-19 (NLT) "I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give us spiritual wisdom and insight so that we might grow in our knowledge of God. I pray that our hearts will be flooded with light so that we can understand the confident hope he has given to us, those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower us with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in our hearts as we trust in him. Our roots will grow down into God’s love and keep us strong. And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." 

It's His Love that makes us complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God!  This is living a full life!  May 2012 be a year of deeper revelation and experiential knowledge of His love, favor, goodness, faithfulness, and delight in our lives and home.  To Him be the glory!  He has done GREAT things!