15 Years

The years have slipped by!!!  It really does seem like yesterday Clint and I were celebrating our 5^th anniversary and had newborn Walker in our arms.  Then, in a blink, it was year #10.

If I had to describe how I feel about the last 15 years with Clint, it would go something like this…

Clint has seriously been my rock.  He often keeps me centered when I seem to go around like a wayward sheep (sometimes I make a bigger deal out of an issue…more than it is worth.  Imagine that.)  He calls me back to reality and what is logical!  When times got tough and melanoma haunted my health, he came through with flying colors.

I think God knew what He was doing when he matched us up!  As with any relationship-friendship or whatever- you have your ups and downs.  Your battles and your celebrations.  It may not have been easy at times, but we always came back to a warm place.  It seems we grow a little more each time!

Clint is very real.  He is a Believer.  He is a great dad.  There is no “fluff” with Clint.  He is a wonderful partner. We laugh.  I am thankful.  We feel blessed.  Although we are not perfect (who is?), we belong to each other.  He is mine.  I am his.  The Adventure continues.

So Happy 15^th Anniversary to my beloved, Clint.  What a gift!  To many, many blessed more!

With abundant Love, Tracey

Endnote:  I pray for Clint!  My genes seem to lean toward longevity—my grandmother lived to 104 years old!  Lord, give him and extra dose of patience!!!

On My Case.

My son is a curious little man.  Ten years old, he is a dude that walks to the beat of his own drum.  This is a very good thing, mind you.  It just sometimes really really challenges me to hold my tongue.  Tries my patience. He is similar to me in the fact he loves to take in all things all around at times, and is distracted.  This makes for a very hard morning routine when you are trying to get your kids out to school.  Mornings seem to start good and end badly when my voice is finally raised up after asking him 5 times to get on the next thing (like brushing the mop-hair)!
Recently, I received some great advice and we have put that new program into action.  The first night my husband and I sat down and explained how school nights would go and how mornings would go.  We explained what would happen.  It goes something like this:  Shower at night, bag ready, homework done, shoes found.  ALL equals to precious TV time before bed.  Mornings:  one wake up and breakfast request.  One warning from kitchen that breakfast is almost ready.  Nothing else.  No nagging.  No yelling.  No reminding.  You must walk out of our house at 8:27 am on dot.  Otherwise, you will miss that bus.  If bus is missed, you will WAIT for Mom to finish getting dressed (no rushing her) and getting herself ready.  Then you will check in to school up to 15 minutes late.  You may miss 15 minutes of recess or have to do some laps at the beginning.
My son absorbs all of this information.  His mouth drops open.  I explain that this will be good because of 'no more yelling' and telling you over and over to get with it!  He actually says he is not sure he can do it.  I blew it all off and said, "Of course you can!!  You are 10 years old!!!".  My son leaves the room.  Clint looks at me and says, "This will never work."  We laughed.
The next morning....actually WENT WELL.  He was good with it.  He made it.  I had no yelling.  I felt that my blood pressure was stable and normal.  I called my friend Amy and was astonished.  Awe.  Now, that being all said, we have had a few mornings of coming close to missing the bus.  One morning the hair did not get brushed.  He looked like the bedhead fairy really did a number on the noggin!
So after a few days, Clint and I asked him how he thought it was going.  Clint said, "How does it feel?  Mom is not on your case that much!"
Walker replied, "I think I want her back on my case."

Why I love a dog.

I love dogs.  They are always so forgiving.  They are always happy to see you.  When they do wrong, they look sometimes sheepish but always ready to be forgiven.   Now, they are not perfect!  When they do wrong, they are wrong.  Sometimes they forget what they are NOT supposed to do. But, at the end of the day, when you leave the house, they always want more and want you to stay.
Sometimes I think that is why God created these animals.  My dog many times, shows me how I 'should' be.  Forgiving.  Grateful. Happy to see the Master.  Always wanting more.  I should take notes.  Did you know that dogs generally don't do well if you lose your temper and punish angry?  They thrive on YOU being the Master and letting him know HIS place.  Controlled and assertive, but postitive Master.  I do have some problems in that area, I admit.  I am trying....
"May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him.  Romans 15:13"  This was a post from my sweet friend Christye today on a Facebook site for a little girl fighting cancer.  Lucy has a long tough road and her mom, Kate, blogs as an outlet.  What an amazing woman.  She is so strong.  Through it all, Kate still loves her Master.  She must be confused and conflicted at times (how could you not!) but she is still with her Faith in Jesus.  I don't know this sweet family, but I am so touched by their story and faith.  Prayers continue.
Thanks, Christye for a great verse to start my day!  (I love me some friends who love Jesus!)
Have a great one.  Maybe I will do this again tomorrow.  For now, I will enjoy seeing those giant dog ears watching me pull up in my driveway!  I tell him over and over.  I will always come back ;-)

Here I am.

I am here.  I don't know when I will have time to do this but it seems like a fit for me.  I usually have a few things I want to say and Facebook just seems to cut me off!!!  Oh well!  Sometimes I feel like a I am living some strange Seinfeld episode.  Ha!  Life is funny.  Let's see what tomorrow brings...
God be with you!