Friday, May 20, 2011

Foto Friday--Your Vote Needed

I forced Tucker to have a photo shoot with me before he left. Forced is the correct term.  The kid is so cute, but he really isn't very photogenic.  Or so he thinks.  Personally, I think they turned out great.  I would like your vote for which photo should be on my sidebar for the next two years (gulp) along with a countdown clock. If you'd like to see them bigger, just click on the image.

These first five shots don't really count--it's just him humoring me.
He thinks he's pretty funny, doesn't he?


These shots are numbers 1, 2, and 3 from top to bottom.


These next four are left to right 4, 5, 6, and 7


Cast your votes in the comments.

And now, a few answers to questions asked about Mormon missions:

Tucker will only call home four times a year:  for an hour each Mother's Day and Christmas.  He won't Skype or send video.  He can email his family, but everyone else he will write snail mail.  A missionary's time on the computer is limited to less than an hour/once a week, on their preparation day.  I don't know when his p-day will be while he is in Provo, Utah, for nine weeks learning how to be a missionary and speak Spanish, but when he finally arrives in New York, that day will most likely be Monday. These rules are in place to help limit distractions from home and keep him focused on his service.

His mission includes Long Island and Staten Island.  He won't be visiting Manhattan.  So, if you're ever in Brooklyn or Queens, look for the tall, dark-haired missionary with a twinkle in his eye and a song in his heart--that'll be him.  Oh, and it will say Elder Denton on his tag.

This is a day that I knew would come the second the doctor handed me the baby and told me it was a boy.  He has been preparing for this time in his life since he can remember his thoughts, and he is as ready as anyone I've ever seen.

But, like my sister said on the phone, the right choice is often the hard choice.  I wouldn't have him anywhere else, and I know these two years will zoom by.

Don't forget to vote, and I'll be back to normal on Monday, reading and commenting in your little corners of the world.
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37 comments:

  1. My vote is 3 or 4!!
    But they all look great!
    Have a happy day

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  2. Dang, I miss that guy. 1,4, or 7 in order from least favorite to most favorite. Cuz on the last one, he's almost got his silly half-grin going on. :)

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  3. #4 for sure! The first ones are super fun though!

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  4. 4 and 7 are my favorites - same shot, right? Isn't 7 the cropped version of 4? LOVE 'em ...

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  5. 4 is my vote. I'm very thankful he has been so well prepared, by you, his friends and teachers, and especially how he has chosen to live his life. It will be exciting to follow his progression.

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  6. 3, 4,or 7. I love that he's leaving for two years and you had to *force* him to take these. Didn't he just expect you'd want to? Silly boy! You got some great shots.

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  7. One and seven have my vote!! Thank you for enlightening me as to how missions work. I have several blogs that I follow that have written about these in the past and I've always wondered about them. It must take an incredible amount of faith to be able to let him go like that. I know that New York is perceived as a tough place by people who aren't from here but I know that your son is going to meet lots of wonderful people while on his mission. And, as the song goes, "If he can make it here, he'll make it anywhere!!" Many blessings to you all. : )

    ~ Wendy (in New York!!)
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  8. It's a toss up, but definitely 6 or 7. You could always change it around and rotate them all. I like his playful funny side looks, but I like the serious, but smiling missionary side the best.
    Good luck.

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  9. #4 and #7
    Thanks for the very clear explanation!

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  10. I choose 3 or 7. And I will say, he is really cute and pictures don't do him so much justice. And you're right, he's very prepared. In fact, I dare say, he's one of the most ready 19 year olds I've ever known. Love that kid.
    And for what it's worth, I like the funny pics, especially him with the bofm all cheesy, or his "saucy" GQ look. hehehe

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  11. I can't decide between 4 and 6. Four is a great missionary picture, but 6 is kinda almost his real smile... I wish I could have been there with you all when he left!

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  12. Oops! The last post is from me, Heidi! I'm signed in as Sam. :)

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  13. That young man doesn't think he's photogenic??!! I'm tellin' ya' he looks like a model in some of those pictures! (Is that weird to say to his mom?) Anyway, I think my favorite is #4.

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  14. #4..... AND YOU JUST MADE THIS MOM OF 5 BOYS SOB OUT LOUD AT YOUR LAST HUG PICTURE. :( :) CAN'T BELIEVE MY DAY WILL COME ... in 5 years, to be exact. Sometimes it seems to soon, sometimes it seems soooo very far away!

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  15. I think I love #3.
    They are all great but this one is my favorite.

    Hope you're all caught up on your laundry.
    And housework.
    And soap operas????

    Yes, the time will fly!

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  16. I like 4 or 6. I'm amazed he thinks he's not photogenic. Silly boys...

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  17. Definitely 3 or 4. Love them all, though.

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  18. 4, 6, 7 are all great and if he isnt photogenic, than he must be really, really good looking!

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  19. Ok, I love them all but I will vote for 4,6, and 7. I am so proud of how strong you are at this tough time. Here I was whinning about my trips to the dentist but my 3 boys are still at home. In a lifetime 2 years are nothing! Think of all the people he will serve and mentor! You have done an amazing job raising him and now he can share it with the world!

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  20. Great pics. I like number 4. And just so you're aware- it seems to go quick for everybody, but only in retrospect. It should be noted I only have experience from my brothers' missions- not a son, so salt lots of salt, cause I was really happy when my older brother went- I got his vehicle.

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  21. I like #3 and #7. They are all very good. Even the one's where he is joking around. A very photogenic son!~Ames

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  22. I'm thinking 3,5 or 7!
    What great shots...good luck choosing!

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  23. I like number 5.
    Congratulations. My son is 16 and is talking about getting ready to go. He wants to go over seas, we will see what the Lord has in store for him.

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  24. Honestly, I love the first 5 shots because they feel more like Tucker to me (though I don't really know him). But if I had to choose, I would go with either 4 or 6 because the others make him look really serious.

    Oh and thanks for the stuff about Mormon missions. I never knew how strict it was until I read your post.

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  25. I like #7 the best. He is a handsome young man.
    Ive seen the differences in my husband at the age of 21 and three of his brothers who have now hit that age {but none of them went on missions} and they really do mature greatly in those two years. It is an experience worth every minute you miss him. Not only for him but for the people he teaches.

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  26. This is really Marni~and I think 4 or 7. But, I really like the one with The Book Of Mormon! :) ha ha. I want to do a counter too, but can't figure out how to do it! I'm all new to this blog thing.

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  27. I'm late to the party...but love number 4. My sister was gone for three years when my babies were little. It seemed like forever. We had similar contact to what you will have with Tucker. Make yourself print those emails and tuck them into a special book along with any letters. They will be a treasure years from now as you look back. The right choice is often the hard one...but I'm so glad he's on the right path!

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  28. 4, 7 and 3! I think I am a little late to this voting party though. What a cutie that Tucker is -- he takes great pictures!

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