Category Archives: Lessons

The “Duggar-conversation” + 2 Middle school boys=interesting….

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Just in case you don’t follow the headlines, the Duggar family just announced they are expecting baby #20.  This is a show we enjoy watching as a family.  I think we are truly fascinated and inspired at how this family lives their lives with such a large brood.  Of course, I’m certain plenty of editing takes place, but for the most part they appear to be a well-rounded family, loving, kind, respectful and living out their faith in spite of what society believes to be the “right” number of children in a family.

Driving my middle-school boys to school the other day, we somehow got on the subject of the Duggar family.  Both boys adamantly believe 20 kids to be “crazy”.  Now, with 4 kiddos in our family, we are larger than average, however, we have several friends with 4 or MORE children and so to us, it’s normal.  It was an interesting conversation on imagining OUR lives to be that of such a large family, to which one boy said, “well, I wouldn’t be changing ANY diapers OR babysitting” and to which the other boy said, “Mom, is this your way of telling us you’re pregnant?”.  In which I respond, “not to my knowledge”…and they both heaved a huge sigh of relief.

I did let them know that if we ever DID (which I canNOT fathom), that YES of course, they would change diapers and babysit.  And they would love it.  And then they proceeded to tell me how THEY would raise that brother (because THEY can’t fathom any more sisters…) in the art of burping, wrestling, running, farting and so on……OH, Lord have mercy on me…..

Clean eating….

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Day 2 of my “clean living” venture.  So far so good.  Though it IS Day 2.  I am queen of sticking to something for about a week or two and then it’s back to my wicked ways….THIS time, however, with hubby home I have an accountability partner.  So, that’s always good when one may reach for that Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream in the freezer. perhaps.

Oxygen magazine has a great “Off the Couch” publication with really good articles, very motivating.  Now, I don’t aspire to be a competitive bodybuilder or fitness model, but will be thrilled to be COMFORTABLE in my jeans this winter, to have more energy and to be healthier.  Here are a few things that are different “this time”:

  • Hubby’s home.  Statistically, with spousal moral support people do better at sticking to diet and exercise changes. Right?  Common sense says yes……..let’s go with that!!
  • I have a PLAN this week.  Each day, in fact!  There is a weight watchers saying, “If you fail to plan then plan to fail”.(also attributed to Ben Franklin, Winston Churchill, Carl W. Buechner, and Harvey MacKay–in varying versions)
  • My kids are on board.  H.U.G.E. Now to slowwwwwwly introduce them to more exciting vegetables, etc.
  • I’ve already been pretty consistent on my workout routine for the past month, time to add good nutrition.
Some things to still incorporate:   journaling what and when I eat.  Purging the “junk” from the house so as not to tempt me.  Incorporating the meals I am making to the entire family.  Baby steps.  You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time…
Phillipians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

Mary is MY Homegirl….or Love me some Rosary!!

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October.  And if you are Catholic, like me, you may know it’s the month we celebrate Mary and the Rosary.  If you aren’t Catholic, or you might want to be or even if you just are curious as to what in the world I am talking about, you can Google more info on this or even check this link for more information; and in a week or so, one of my favorite podcasters, Pat Gohn will be featuring Rosary stories on her podcast, Among Women.  

When Pat was asking for contributions of “What the Rosary means to you…”, I was really kind of surprised at what a HUGE impact Mary and the Rosary have in my life.  Don’t get me wrong, I am FULLY aware that my Faith and trust in Christ have gotten me where I am today, however, when I put it into words, it was pretty apparent that Mary has my back, and has for quite sometime.

The Rosary has been one of my favorite prayers for many years now, probably taking hold of my heart since a “Christ Renews His Parish” retreat 11 years ago.  A great way to focus on Christ’s life as it pertains to my own.

  • On 9-11 I sobbed my way through as my husband and I prayed at the end of the day.
  • During EVERY 7 hour trip to and from visiting my husband in prison.
  • For every 45 minute commute to work/school the first year of his incarceration.
  • Sunday evening family Rosary time with the kids–even amidst the squabbling, wrestling, exhaustion and mayhem 4 kids can create during “prayer” time, by the 3rd decade we almost always hit our peaceful stride.
  • During Lenten Adoration time.  A time when I put away MY concerns and focus on others…..though I do my best throughout the year, during Lent I am FAR more consistent…but don’t worry….if you ask me to pray for you, I’m ON it!!
  • When our 2nd oldest struggled with night terrors at age 10 (terrifying for ME, especially when he hopped on the couch on his haunches and stuck his tongue out!), at the suggestion of a friend who had similar experiences with one of her sons, he began to sleep with his Rosary; we put the Rosary on his iPod and 2 years later he and his brother fall asleep with it almost nightly; not to mention the terrors ended almost immediately when introducing the Rosary on “repeat” all night long.
  • With our youngest child and “diva” at bedtime–our most NOT favorite time, but improving with Mary’s help, we’ve had a great run several nights in a row!
  •  And now with my husband home, and our family re-united,  we work toward establishing our new Rosary routine!

We have Rosaries in the car, my purse, the kid’s rooms and several in a desk (see picture above).  So anytime you want to pray the Rosary, come on over…we’ve got plenty!!  Now if  you’ll excuse me, my procrastinating self has a lot to do in the next 45 minutes to get ready to get out-of-town on a girl’s weekend!

Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.


Haywire: out of order, out of control

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Psalm 32:8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Last night was one of THOSE nights.  Stemming from getting out of work late with an end-of-the-day “catastrophe”, a domino effect of EPIC proportions took place.  Long ago my hubby taught me the H.A.L.T. acronym:  Hungry.  Angry.  Lonely.  Tired.  A recipe for destruction.  When these emotions ride together….HALT!!  Now, in a household of 6, I don’t think anyone was lonely, however, the other three were PRESENT and ACCOUNTED FOR and my goodness;  It wasn’t pretty.

The good news is that once dinner was under way and blood sugars stabilized there was a good recovery all around.  Who knew pot roast was such a blanket of comfort?    The unfortunate news is, when these events occur, it takes a toll on hubby and I as we “relive” the events mentally and backtrack trying to pinpoint WHERE we went wrong, WHAT could have been done differently,  and HOW we can regroup.  Essentially, we question our parenting (sometimes wondering WHY God thought we were EVER capable of this job!!!) and that can really take a toll on the heart.

After the dust settles though, the best we can do is……just do our best.  God, in His infinite wisdom, DID gift us with these children.  And even though I often wonder what He was thinking, because surely I can’t be up for THIS job, I know He has prepared me (and my hubby) for this job.  We aren’t perfect.  God KNOWS that.  We misstep daily.  But we ARE doing our best.  We are looking to Him for guidance.  We do our best to fix what’s broken and take a different path when one road fails.  Each day is a learning experience and the learning curve changes with it.  And at the end of the day, if we love our children and each other, He will take care of the rest.  Guiding.  Guarding.  Protecting.  Two steps forward, one step back.  One day at a time.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.


Read-o-rama!

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I’ve been on a reading frenzy over the past couple of weeks.  What that translates into is: I have begun and finished two books in a row WITHOUT picking up anything else in the meantime.  It’s a bad habit I have. (hello, my name is Tracy and I have a little book addiction…..)  I often have 3 or 4 books going at one time and it takes FORever to finish them!  Go figure…

The two I’ve just finished are both by Og Mandino and prior to this I’ve never read anything by him before.  I must say, I love him.  He captured me hook, line and sinker from the get go.  Hubby gets a “thumbs-up” for his book recommendations!

The Christ Commission, by Og Mandino.  I found it captivating and hard to put down.  A story of an author known for writing mysteries and he receives a wish to travel back in time to six years after Christ’s death and resurrection, taking one week to investigate if The Resurrection was a hoax.  Fascinating history, bringing the Apostles to life with other biblical characters along with some fictional leeway on the author’s part, but nonetheless, I was up late several nights reading this one with no regrets on any lost sleep!

The first book I actually  read was a quick read by Mandino, The Greatest Salesman in the World.  The setting was just prior to and after the birth of Christ.  It was a book chock full o’ great habits in living successfully and purposefully;  becoming the women (or men) God intended for us to be.   They are simple steps.  They are repeated daily.  They are good habits.  Mandino does a PHENOMENAL job in expounding upon each point, inspiring the reader to take hold of these lessons and incorporate them as their own.   In a nutshell here they are:

  • The first lesson was in becoming a SLAVE to good habits.
  •  Greet each day with love in my heart.
  • Persist until successful. I am here for a purpose (we all need to OWN this one!).
  • Live each day as it is my last.
  • I will be master of my emotions.
  • Laugh at the world, for this too WILL pass.
  • Don’t settle for less, think BIG.
  • Act now.
  • Above all, the best and most important is always saved for last:  Pray for guidance.
Happy Reading!!