Home with Tracy

One of my dear, sweet, wonderful friends asked me to do a Bible Study with her a couple months back and I was so excited! Since I home-school my children, I don't get much adult interaction. Also, this friend is very knowledgeable and super sweet. I knew I could learn a lot from her. She picked out the book Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney. I must admit, I really didn't care what book we were studying, I just really wanted some time with this friend. I mention this so you can understand where my mind and heart was when we started. As I started to read the book it refers to the passage Titus 2:3-5. I must confess I have to look the verses up because I still have not memorized it like I should. the older women, likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things - that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be di...

Yesterday, after waiting almost 6 months, my husband closed on our very first home. It was a long, long, process and I never thought it was possible. Back in March, my husband received a new job in a new city. Part of the job requirements was that our family reside in that city. At the time, the first time home buyer credit was still available until April 30, so we decided to try to buy a home. On April 8th, we walked in to the home that we decided we would like to be our home. It was a 1200 sq ft ranch, no garage, but a nice size hard so we could add on in the future. The best part, it was brand new. We wouldn't have to worry about having to pay for any major repairs in the first few years. That was a big plus for me. We signed a contract that day and the process began. In order to receive the first time home buyer credit, we had to close by June 30th. No problem, right? Wrong! In May, the funding for the loan that we qualified for ran out. So, we waited and wai...

Saturday was my oldest child's birthday. I still remember the day he was born like it was yesterday, even though it was 7 years ago. I woke up that morning in the hospital for my 2nd day of induction, thirteen days past my due date. My water broke around 6am that morning and I thought it wouldn't be much longer. I was very wrong! I was in labor all day and into the evening. The doctor came in around 10pm that evening and said that I would need a c-section and there were some papers I needed to sign. My reaction "where do I sign?" My husband's reaction, however, was not the same. He didn't want me to have surgery. I don't quite remember the details, but I am pretty sure I politely told him that he didn't have a say. We did not know if we were having a boy or a girl. I was so anxious to see my precious baby. I remember being taken to the operating room. I had so many emotions. It only took minutes for them to remove my baby from my belly and ...

My parents divorced when I was around 3 years old. When I was 5 years old, my mother remarried. Within the first year of their marriage, my father signed away his parental rights and I was adopted by my step-father. At first, I don't think it bothered me too much, I was young and didn't realize what was going on. But later in life I struggled with it, almost daily. I knew who my father was. I knew his face. I knew his voice. I knew his laugh. I clearly remember it. That is what was hard. I knew he was out there, but I just wasn't allowed to see him. I understand that my parent's divorce was painful on both of them, however, I don't think they understood how painful it was on me. There were several times growing up that I felt like a piece of property, instead of a child. When I would go and see my paternal grandmother, she would make me go hide in the laundry room when my dad would come and pick up my little half-brothers. I remember sobbing in the ...

My husband and I have been trying to buy a house for about 5 months now. I was so excited when we started looking. I have never bought a house before. I had all these wonderful expectations of what our house would look like. Where would it be? How much property we would have? Would there be room for a garden? That excitement was short lived. I never realized how exhausting it is trying to find a house. First, one that my husband and I would both like. Second, one in our price range. Third, one that would fit our needs as a homeschooling family. We were excited. We found a house that was brand new and in our price range. Another perk was that we qualified for the First Time Homebuyer Credit. That credit would be enough to pay our mortgage for a whole year. How great is that? I believe in all the excitement, we neglected to ask God what He wanted for us. We figured that everything was lining up, so it must be what He wants for us. As quickly as everything lined up, everyt...

Today, I opened up the box to my new sewing machine that I was blessed to receive from my wonderful mother-in-law at Christmas. I probably should mention that it was Christmas 2007! I remember being so excited about receiving the sewing machine that the next week I went to the fabric store and bought material and a pattern to make my girls matching outfits. I don't quite remember why I never opened up the sewing machine or why the material and pattern stayed in their original store bag for over 2 1/2 years. But, they did. Recently I have been inspired by great women around me. Inspired to be more and do more with the talents God has given me. Inspired to do more things creative. That inspiration lead to me doing these... all today, by the way! First, I made the girls matching dresses with the material I bought over 2 1/2 years ago. I did not use a pattern, just cut them out and sewed them. I am pretty proud of myself because I think they turned out pretty good.Next, I made...

Lately I have had to ask myself if I am a Martha or a Mary? Am I so busy trying to serve that I am not listening to what Jesus wants me to hear? Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42 I have been known to say that people need to "step-up" and serve. If I see a need that is not being met, I feel that it is my responsibility to step-up and do it. Do I always ask Jesus first if it is what He wan...