Home with Tracy

I just finished reading The Duggars: 20 and Counting! I was interested in this book because I was hoping it would tell how they run their home.  And it did!  I was also interested to see if Michelle have helpful advice on how to raise several small children at once.  And she did!  The Duggars outlined their daily routine, they outlined what resources they turned to when raising several small children at once, and they outlined how they manage their home.  They also spoke of how they are also learning as they go, which was comforting to me.  They weren't always as organized as they are now.  That grew over time.  They mention how they weren't always as patient with their children as they are now, that also grew over time.  I especially loved how they prioritized family time.  It is one of their highest priorities.  That is rare now a days.  They make sure they have quality time together as a couple, quality time as a family...

There is still time to purchase your ticket for next weeks Replenish Your Soul Online Conference.  I am looking forward to all the knowledge I will gain from being mentored by these Women. November 1-3rd, At the Well - Titus 2 Woman will be hosting their first Online Conference, Replenish Your Soul.  This conference, To Have and To Hold, will be about marriage.  Tickets are only $10.  Here are some FAQs from their blog on what you can expect - What can I expect from the conference? You can expect live speakers coming straight to you from your computer from all over the country. Our speakers are wonderful women who have a heart for the Lord and are passionate about marriage and inspiring others. Therefore, you can also expect to be encouraged in your marriage. The Friday before the conference, October 28th, you will receive an e-mail with all the important information you need as well as the links to the conference rooms. Keep this e-mail ...

Last month our family received unexpected blessings.  I took those blessings and added to our pantry and our freezer.  I bought things I knew I could use for meals so I would always have something on hand and not have the excuse of eating out or having my husband pick something up on his way home from work. Little did I know then that those blessings would be something that would turn into a bigger blessing.  You see, I lost my job yesterday.  I saw the signs that it was coming, so I wasn't in complete shock. I can honestly say that if this would have happened a year ago, I would have been distraught.  I wouldn't have been prepared.  I would be full of fear.  But since I have put my whole life, children, home, needs, everything in Jesus, I know that we will be taken care of. I can take this time to focus more on Him.  I can take this time to focus more on my husband.  I can take this time to focus more on my children.  I can take t...

Over the past couple years I have been trying to find ways to save money.  Being a family of 6, we have a lot of laundry.  I thought I might try to make my own laundry detergent and fabric softener sheets.  I knew that it would be less expensive, but I wanted to make sure it worked well and our clothes still smelled fresh and clean. Here is what I use to make the laundry detergent ... I store my Borax and Washing Soda in containers.  It is easier for me to store it that way.  I use a cheese grater to grate the soap.  And I use Ivory soap because it is less expensive and seems to work quite well. Here is the recipe I use - 4 cups hot water 1 bar of soap (your choice) 1 cup Arm & Hammer Super WASHING Soda 1/2 cup Borax Grate the bar soap and add to saucepan with water.  Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water.  Add melted soap, washing soda and Bo...

We live in a small ranch style home that is approximately 1200 sq ft.  I love it!  When people see our house and then see the amount of children we have, they sometimes are surprised we fit.  My feeling is that there are families in other countries who live in mud huts the size of one of the kids bedrooms with all of their family members, sometimes including extended family members.  We are blessed beyond belief to have the size house that we have.  Our school area is also our living room.  The way our living room is arranged, the "living" area is on one side (with a little bit of overflow from the homeschooling items) and the homeschooling is on the other side, more of a corner.  Here is the school corner ... And here is the overflow behind our couch ... The white bookcase was made by my husband.  Yes, it was!  He did such a great job!  I found the bottom part of the bookcase (the cabinet with 5 doors) on a local sales network w...

A couple years ago I joined the Pssst... website.  If you haven't, I recommend that you do.  Part of becoming a member you will receive coupons for General Mills products.  Who doesn't love coupons! Another part of being a member is you can apply to be a My Get Together host.  For more information, click on the link above. I have been chosen to have a Chex Party Mix-Change.  And yesterday, while sick with the flu, I receive my box of goodies!  Unfortunately, because I had the flu, I had to wait until today to open it.  Look what I found.... This kit is great!  I receive 5 full size boxes of Chex cereal, 10 take-out boxes, 30 - $1.00 off coupons, recipe cards, timer, measuring spoons AND a $25 cash card to purchase ingredients for my party!  How great is this kit!  I am extremely excited to have this party.  Along with this fantastic kit, you have access to their website which is full of great party planning ideas.  I'...

I have been in bed with the flu the past couple days.  My wonderful husband took a couple days off work to take care of me and the kids.  I was so sick, I didn't even fight him on it. The past two days have been a blur.  I have slept the majority of the time.  Yesterday afternoon, our youngest son came down with the flu also, so he came in the bedroom and slept with me.  He only got sick once and then was up and ready to go this morning.  Why did he get better so much quicker than I did?  My husband said it is because he is young and I am old.  I did mention that he was my wonderful husband, didn't I?  Through these past couple days of sickness I have been blessed with just simply watching and listening to my children.  They have mainly been going to their dad for things (which is highly unusual).  I have loved listening to their conversations.  This morning my son and I woke up about the same time.  I asked him how ...

November 1-3rd, At the Well - Titus 2 Woman will be hosting their first Online Conference, Replenish Your Soul.  This conference, To Have and To Hold, will be about marriage.  Tickets are only $10.  Here are some FAQs from their blog on what you can expect - What can I expect from the conference? You can expect live speakers coming straight to you from your computer from all over the country. Our speakers are wonderful women who have a heart for the Lord and are passionate about marriage and inspiring others. Therefore, you can also expect to be encouraged in your marriage. The Friday before the conference, October 28th, you will receive an e-mail with all the important information you need as well as the links to the conference rooms. Keep this e-mail handy, you will need it each day for the conference. Right before the conference starts, at 1 pm ET each day November 1-3rd, you just click the link to go to the room and attend live! While you are i...

The other day I was in the process of getting all the kids settled down for their daily rest time.  Yes, they all still have daily rest time.  The house is a much happier place when daily rest time is achieved. While I was getting them ready to get all snugged in their beds, my oldest son comes up and gives me a big hug.  While hugging me I asked him "Have you seen my patience, I seem to have lost it today?"  He responded "Oh, you lost that a long time ago!" While his comment seemed funny at the time it also made me reflect on how my children see me every day.  Am I being the example that I need to be.  Am I showing them how to be the parent that God will want them to be. Answer: No, not always. Daily I fail to be what God wants me to be.  Daily I fail to be the example they need to see.  Daily I should be asking Him and them for forgiveness. "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and...

Five years ago today we were blessed with our precious twins.  My pregnancy with them was so much more than I ever thought it would be.  My pregnancy with them made me realize just how lost I was. For starters, I was surprised to find out I was pregnant.  It had been a crazy month and that was really the last thing I expected.  The middle of the month prior I had lost my job because the law firm I was working at closed down.  The night of my last day of work I ended up taking our 11 month old daughter to the ER for a high fever.  She ended up being admitted and I lived there with her for three days. Pretty much right away after I found out I was pregnant, I could tell something was different.  I felt different.  I grew really quickly.  When I would talk about how big I was getting so quickly I was told it was most likely because it was my third pregnancy in three years.  I still knew something was different. I went for a regular tw...