Read Alouds- 2014

Tracy / December 31, 2013

Like my personal reading list, I’m working to finish our read-aloud list from last year before I decide on additional books. Here is the list, thus far: These are the books topping my list of read-aloud ideas for the children this year: The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name  (We’re reading through this now.) Growing Together in Forgiveness:…

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Tracy’s Personal Reading List- 2014

Tracy / December 31, 2013

I’m hesitant to make another reading list for myself….last year, my plans went a little off-course. I decided before I add any other books, I’m going to finish the list from last year. (Though I am adding a book study of Stepping Heavenward with the ladies at church.) Devotions, Advice & Renewal for Motherhood Feels Too Hard: Devotions, Advice &…

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2013- A Year in Review

Tracy / December 30, 2013

It’s hard to quantify this year, exactly. Last December, I sat and pondered 2012, much like I’m doing now with 2013. I wondered what 2013 would bring- NOTHING could have prepared me for my mother’s illness and death. Nothing could have readied me enough for what I would face in the months following her death. (I do realize the Lord…

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More Christmas Photos…

Tracy / December 30, 2013

Are you tired of them yet?? I think I’ve taken more Christmas photos this year than the last several years, combined! –Making breakfast….these two were in a hurry to get to the gifts! Jessa and Matthew making cinnamon rolls while piggies in the blanket were baking Courtney starts my day with the perfect peppermint mocha….. Our Christmas trees hanging in…

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House Remodel- Update

Tracy / December 30, 2013

I’ve apologized and apologized again, to my children this week. After sitting the cats outside over and over again- AND fussing at my children for letting them in– someone came to me and pointed out the following: Our contractor, bless his heart, opened the side of our home (just under the roof), to replace the wood and install the siding…

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Christmas Traditions- The Gingerbread House

Tracy / December 30, 2013

We’ve made a couple of gingerbread houses over the years. I’ll admit, this is not my “thing”. I’m guessing I’ll learn. In any case, Courtney and Jessa built the house. I thought this would be easy. Courtney assembled the walls and then Jessa came back to add the roof. We walked away to let it dry and returned to find…

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Christmas Eve

Tracy / December 29, 2013

As a little girl, my mama had a tradition- every single Christmas Eve, for every year I remember, she allowed me to open one gift. Each and every year, it was a pair of pajamas. Each and every year, she would tease and tell me she could always change her mind…it might be something different, but nope, it was always…

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Celebrating Christmas

Tracy / December 28, 2013

We were hoping Paul’s brother, Scott, would be joining us for Christmas this year. We tried changing our meal time from lunch or dinner, to breakfast. In the end, his work schedule didn’t cooperate. We did end up spending most all day with my sweet father-in-law. We had such a great day. I was tired (pregnancy will do that to…

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Christmas Traditions…Making Ornaments

Tracy / December 28, 2013

Each year, we try to make a couple of new ornaments for our tree. This year, we made tiny Christmas trees and a nativity. Each of my younger children made one….

Thoughtful gifts…

Tracy / December 28, 2013

Our home is filled with gifts from friends and family. We are blessed with kindness all around. I would like to say I had a picture of the beautiful tray of candy Jan, Bailey and her family brought. Unfortunately, it was eaten too quickly for photos…but the tray is beautiful! 😀 Dear friends and neighbors, gave us a sweet scented…

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Favorite Traditions…

Tracy / December 28, 2013

Christmas Village has been lots of fun in recent years. We try and add a new piece each Christmas. This year was the camper. Our collection fills the hutch in our family room. Our younger children adore watching the lights. My mama bought a few of the pieces. She would sit and watch with my littles. These are sweet Christmas…

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Our Kid Pic 2013

Tracy / December 28, 2013

You just have no idea how hard it is to take a photo of a family with so many littles…. Darby is laughing and runs from the camera… The cat wants attention… The geese come up and Jackson just WILL NOT look at the camera… Darby is laughing and runs from the camera… Meredith can’t find her shoes (which is…

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