Getting down to the nitty-gritty

nit·ty-grit·ty  (nt-grt)

n. Informal

The specific or practical details; the heart of a matter.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/nitty-gritty

My house is a mess. Plain and simple .... the plan..... clean, clean, clean.... and organize each room as I go.... I will post pictures as I go! 

I have really been missing, huh?

Most of my followers, friends, and family had probably given up on me writing on my blog again, but I have made a decision that I was happy and content to write on this page and I will do it again. I want to get back to a better connection with myself. Over the last couple of years I somehow lost me in all the chaos that has been my life.... no more! I will take my life back, place it back where it belongs - in the hands of the Father, and seek His purpose for my life. I will choose to be content, and full of joy.

So having said that and since my life is much different in things such as work, schedule and such I will be working on this blog over the next few months.... I plan on still posting about my faith, my day to day life, work, food, and all but I will be posting differently. I want this blog to be a reflection of me and where God is leading me. That being said, I will now give you a bit of the story behind the missing Traci.....

Sometimes in life you find yourself looking in the mirror and thinking "what has happened to the person I thought I was", that is me. I have been asking the mirror me just what happened. And without even thinking about it I answered myself.... I did this. I let things, schedules, and others lead me down the path I now find myself on walking slowly toward destruction. So I have shaken myself and will now start taking back my life, my relationships, and my time. I am tired of who I have let myself become. I will let God transform me daily into the person He wants me to be. I will reach out to others to be a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. I will schedule my time to be more efficient. I will take back me.


“Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer. 1Peter 3:10-12

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 23

Today I am thankful for my boss. I have worked for Rick for nearly 12 total years. He has been a truly great boss and yes, friend. There have been times that he really has gone above and beyond what a typical boss would do. We may not always agree on some things, but  truly  I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to work for him.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 22

Today I am thankful for my husbands parents! Richard & Sue have been such a blessing to me. I am so thankful that they opened their arms to me when Eric and I married. Their love and support is something I will always treasure. And my love and respect for them simply goes beyond measure. Thank you Richard & Sue for not only giving me the best husband, but for making me truly feel a part of such a wonderful family.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day21

Today I am thankful for laughter! It refreshes a person like nothing else can. It envelopes the brain like no other emotion, it releases chemicals in your body that helps you to relax, to reduce stress,  and it promotes better health. What a great gift from above! 

 In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
Khalil Gibran

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 20

I am so thankful for quiet mornings. Let's face it... a family of 6 with 2 pets, a full time job (where my name gets called about 4 thousand times a day for this or that), and well, just life that gets busy, sometimes overbooked and FULL..... can lead to a great need for cherished quiet moments. I find those moments in the early morning hours before the rest of my household get up for the day (with the exception of the cat). I get my Bible reading/study done, have time to check my email, facebook, and of course I have started back here blogging once more! Mornings are my 'me' time. The rest of the house is still in slumber and I find my day goes so much better if my day starts out with some quiet moments. Thank You, Lord, for my quiet mornings.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 19

Mia making presents in Russia

Today I am thankful for my Mia. She is my opinionated, talkative, height-deprived (thought of  new words for it ..lol), hard working, ever loving, sassy, beautiful as the day is long, child. For her beauty is not just skin deep, but flows from her very spirit. I have seen her give all that she has and mourn that she could give no more, watched her gladly minister to others even while she was in need, and I have seen her faith grow leaps and bounds while going through trials. She is a whiz in the kitchen and out on the soccer field, can out work most of the young men her age, and is always ready for the next adventure! I am so thankful for you my precious daughter!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 18

I know this is gonna sound odd, but here goes..... today I am thankful for all the needs/pain/shortcomings in my life.... for with all my needs met, all my pain taken away and all my shortcomings suddenly gone, then I would have no need for the grace of God through Christ. Now, I can experience what God wants from His children, an ever looking towards Him to supply what it is we need whether it is a physical need, an emotional need or a spiritual need. I am thankful today to know that my needs, whatever they are .... can be met by the One who holds the world in His hands.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Days 16 & 17

I am so thankful that my family can bake loaves and loaves of bread (day 16) and be thankful to share them with those around us!(day 17)  Great last 2 days!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 15

Today I am thankful for our youngest son, Jed. His great sense of adventure, his questing spirit, and his loving heart are so wonderful to see. And when I look closely, its easy enough to spot.... a glimpse of the man we are raising.... but for now I am happy to just have him as my little boy!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 14

Today I am thankful for friends. Those people God puts in our lives to push us when we need pushing, that share in joys, sorrows, accomplishments, failures.... and are always there to laugh with us and at us when we fall down the front steps. Thank you each and every one of my friends for being a part of my life.... whether we see each other day to day or just get to catch up from time to time. I love you all!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 13

I am thankful for my country.




There is no place like the Republic of the United States of America!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 12

I am thankful for days I get to spend home with my family. Now that I am a full time employee, I really do treasure the days I get to stay home, spending time with my family, and getting those things done I find important ...... or just having a lazy day!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 11

Our Veterans. This country was built on voluntary service and sacrifice of so many... and even today that tradition still stands true. I cannot think of a better way to honor our Veterans than for us to teach our children the value of our freedom by teaching them that the freedom we all cherish is not something that is without price.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 10

Today I am thankful for my oldest son, Travis. I am so proud of the man he is becoming. His sense of humor , his hard work, and his compassion make up just part of who this complex young man is. He is such a wonderful big brother to his sisters (even if the girls won't admit it...lol) and his younger brother, ever trying to take care of them and watching out for them. Watching his faith grow has been such a blessing, and I have seen over and over the heart of a servant in him as he takes on the "thankless jobs" that often go unnoticed. He is more comfortable in work boots and overalls than anything else and rather be outside than in - most days, he loves to work with his hands and is fast becoming a popular odd job man. And he is my long haired, scruffy bearded, precious to his momma country boy.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 9

Today I am thankful for my mom.... I find it hard sometimes to express in words what you mean to me, for there is so much that I want to say. So, feeling a bit poetic I will come up with a few lines .....

Mom, your life and your love are ever before me,
guiding me by example of who I should be.

You helped to shape my dreams, and from you I learned about hope-
you even taught me how to tie knots at the end of my rope.

Your strength has taught me when to stand tall, when to
bend in the wind, and in prayer my knees should humbly fall.

Your grace, your kindness and especially your love,
have all mapped the way to Heaven above.

Now that I am a mother, I hear my words echo your voice -
Since your shining example is the one of my choice.

an original .... just for you mom!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 8

Today I am thankful for my daughter, Amaris. She is always so quick to give out hugs and "I Love You's" to make a day brighter. She is my baby girl - so full of emotion... as the tides of the vast ocean. She has grown so beautifully these 14 years, I often have to fight those mommy tears.... of pain, of pride and fears and love. But I am always thankful for you, my precious gift from above.

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving.... Day 7

I am thankful for my dad. To this day he influences me.... even after 10 years without him. His  character, his integrity, his honesty, his hard work and most of all his love... love for life, for us and for mom, and his love for God, have had such an impact on me. I am so very thankful to have been so blessed with such a wonderful dad.



Missing him each and every day......

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 6

Today I am thankful for Bible Class. Whether I am sitting as a student or studying to teach I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn more from God's Word. Each time I open the pages of the Bible I find some truth that is everlasting. Every page, every passage, every verse helps to remind us that God is in control. I don't know about anyone else but that makes me very thankful indeed!

Thirty Days of Thanksgiving... Day 5

I am thankful for all the people in my life.... some are there to encourage me, be a comfort, be a friend, and  some to grind away my rough edges... but all are in my life because God has put them here. Thank You, God, for putting the people I need in my life.