This is our first born.

Brooke Camille.

So sweet.  So full of life.  So not ready for her to grow up yet.

But she did!

She turned 16 yesterday.

How did the time fly so fast?

I wasn’t ready.

I got out the tub of photos.

And laughed and cried.

It’s all going so fast.

But that’s okay…

Because she is an amazing person.  She is kind.  She is compassionate.  She is intelligent.  She is full of love.  And my favorite part… she has a giggle that makes you join in the laughter.

I took her to the DOL to get her license.  We sat.  And waited.  And waited.  And waited.

And she got it!

We happened to make a “deal” with a friend over wine one evening.  Hey, isn’t that when the best business deals are made?  Well, it happened to us.  We have friends who have an extra car.  Nobody drives it.  It sits in their garage.  Unless it is sunny.  You see, it is a convertible.  Totally brings back memories of when I was just out of college and I got my first car (a convertible Mustang).  Anyway, they offered to sell it to us.  Dings, dents and all.  The price?  Perfect.  It was exactly how much she saved and how much extra Greg got on one or two of his last checks.  Amazing how God works.  Thanks friends!

We picked it up yesterday.  She drove home behind me… and her brother was with HER.  Me ALONE, looking through my rear view mirror the whole way.

Remember that commercial where the little girl is in the drivers seat and the dad says to be safe?  I think it is an insurance commercial.  The one where she turns into a college student right before her fathers eyes.  Yep, that’s how I felt.

When we got home Mason announce that Brooke would drive him to baseball practice.  He loaded the bat bag in the back seat and hopped into the passenger seat.

WHAT????

Wait a minute.

What about me????

They told me I could come.  Then asked me if I would mind sitting in the back seat.

Priceless.

Hair blowing.  Music on.  Brooke driving.  Mason singing.  Me freaking out.

Perfect evening!

After baseball we went to dinner with family.

And when the dinner was over, the kids asked if they could drive home without us.

Insert tear.

Tear of joy.  Tear of them not needing me anymore.  Tear of being so proud.

The cool thing was that Greg and I, for the first time in a long time, got to ride together with OUR music.

So, that’s what “growing up right before your eyes” really means.

I now get what my parents went through.

And it’s all going to be okay.

Happy birthday girl!

Happy Wednesday.

-Tracy

Yesterday it was our 20 year anniversary.

Wow!

As I sat at the Little League fields, I reflected on the past 20 years.  Greg had to fill in for our coach.  Brooke and I sat in the stands.  Cheering on the 12 year old man-boys (men according the them… after all they use AXE… forever boys to  us moms).

We’ve had some great moments.

From the days of perms, mullets and gold chains TO kids, overextended calendars and not enough time.

It’s all been worth every moment.  Well, okay… truthfully… almost very moment… haha.

I describe my life as a meal…

I’ve had the appetizer (dating, great jobs, the wedding, the birth of our children, first homes, etc.).  Exciting and fun.

I’m in the middle of the dinner course right now… actually it’s a large filling, overpriced buffet that is leaving me tired and very full (sports, teenagers, commitments, many jobs, many caps).

And now I wait.  Dessert is next!  The part where we have raised our kids.  Done what we knew best.  And will one day sit next to the pool with cocktails in hand, waiting for the kids and grandkids to come home for a visit or two… or three.

For now, the filling dinner, I am completely satisfied.

I have accomplished my #1 dream… 1 great family I am proud of.

Good times.

Hard times.

Fun times.

Sad times.

Our times.

Thanks for sticking with me Greg.

I look forward to our future.
xoxo

-Tracy

FYI… As I type this I want you all to know our kids are fighting in the next room.  I can hear them running up and down the hall.  Greg just got home and is yelling for them to STOP!  Yep… GOOD TIMES!

Yesterday.

Cinco de Mayo.

But to me it meant driving all over town for Baseball and Lacrosse… and doing so in the hot hot weather.

Did I mention Greg was away with his buddies at a motocross event?

I started thinking about complaining.  I had to pass up a few fun offers.

Then I looked at the track. Right in front of me.

The #4.

There are 4 of us in our family.

That made me smile.

So…. in honor of #4, I am going to randomly list some fun “4″ facts about me.

4 of my favorite colors….

Turquoise, Grass Green, Bubble Gum Pink, Baby Blue

4 of my favorite foods….

Hot Tamales, Nacho Cheese Doritos, Bacon Swiss Burgers, Watermelon

4 of my favorite music groups/singers….

Kid Rock, Poison, Van Morison, Sheryl Crow

4 of my favorite character traits in people….

Humor, Honesty, Loyalty, Compassion

4 of my favorite drinks….

Crown and Diet, Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice with Diet Tonic and Citron Vodka, Coors Light, Ice Water

4 of my favorite pieces of clothing….

Flip Flops, Jeans, Tank Tops, Cardigans (that one’s for you mom!)

4 pieces of advice my parents gave me that I will never forget….

Love unconditionally, Be grateful, Pay It Forward, Believe In ME

4 things I cannot live without….

God, My family, My friends, Sunshine

4 random things I love having on me….

Pedicures, 2000 Photos On My Phone (my personal photo album), My Tattoos, My Wedding Ring (by the way, these are in random order Greg)

4 things I like the sound of….

Laughter In Our House, Waves On The Beach, Music On The Radio, The Sound Of A Harley Davidson

4 of my favorite places to visit….

Palm Desert, Laguna Beach, Maui, Vaughn Bay, WA

4 places I hope to visit one day….

Paris, NYC, Napa California (wine country), Greece

4 things I’m afraid of….

Snakes, Mean People, Loss Of Loved Ones, Failure

4 things I’d do if I had the courage….

Build A Celebrity Clientelle With My Art, Go On A Cruise (I get sea sick), Running/Jogging (I’m afraid of people seeing me… and not being able to make it back to where I started), Surf (sharks)

4 things I love to watch on TV….

BRAVO Reality Shows, Guy Fierri Cooking Shows, Joel Osteen (church on TV when I can’t go on Sundays), The Voice (I wish I could sing like that)

4 important things I’ve done with my life….

Got Married (still married…. 20 years next week!), Had 2 kids, Graduated From College, Applied to and worked for companies I loved (and the jobs I didn’t love, I left immediately…. no wasting of our time)

4 recipes I pass on frequently….

Monster Cookies, 1999 New Years Eve Shrimp Dip, Onion Toasties, Ohlson Beach Raspberry Cobbler (all in my cookbook)

4 recipes my kids and husband request most….

Tracy’s Tasty Meat Loaf (recipe came from the family I was a nanny for in Los Angeles in the 80′s), Tovey Taco Dip, Man Dip, Cheerio Cookie Bars

4 pieces of jewelry that I love….

My wedding ring (Greg gave to me on Thanksgiving 1992,  The outside band was my grandmas), My Gold Medallioin That Was My Grandma Dorothy’s (all 13 grandkids names and birthdates are engraved on it), My turquoise cross (Greg bought me on our 10th Anniversary in Las Vegas… I got him a beer bottle opener with a lady in a bikini on it… that said Las Vegas… still own it), My 2 Tiffany rings (little silver bands with my kids birthstones in them) that I got on the birth of each of my children.

4 quotes I love….

“All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage.  Just literally 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery and I promise something great will come of it.” -From movie We Bought A Zoo

“Family is the we of me.” -unknown

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” -Matthew 6:21

“As long as you’re going to think anyway, think big.” -Donald Trump

4 reasons I am still writing this blog….

It’s A Story For Me To Leave Behind One Day, It’s Fun To Reflect On Old Posts, It Connects Me To Others I Might Not Have Otherwise Known, It’s Cheaper Than Therapy.

Happy Monday.

-Tracy

I had to come up with an idea for an auction.

I found this ball at Justice last year.

And made the painting.

I think this is a great message to us girls!

Happy Friday.

-Tracy

She did it.

She grew up.

She was signed to SMG (Seattle Models Guild) right before we went on our vacation.  Her photo is up on their website and she is ready to roll.

She played varsity lacrosse and ended their final game last night with 2 goals.  And they made it to the playoffs.

She is half way done raising her money to go on her Panama mission trip this summer.  See photo below.  With every donation of $10 or more, you get this free bracelet.  We made them.  I ruined all of my fingernails doing so.  haha

Thank you to everyone that has supported her so far.  It’s hard for a 15 year (almost 16) old to earn $1,450.00 on her own.  We were only allowed to help pay the first $200.00 deposit.

She is God’s gift to us!

Happy Thursday.

-Tracy

I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!

It’s good to be home… although I miss the sunshine!

Happy Sunday.

-Tracy

I got my old faithful computer back.

Although I have to buy a new one soon.  I will never again be without a computer for 2 weeks.

I just downloaded my emails…. 1,505 emails!

I am not lying.

I thought it said 700 and something.

Then I hit send/receive.

Good thing a lot of those were facebook posts, baseball and lacrosse messages that were from games/practices we’ve already had, advertisements that didn’t get sent to spam, etc.

But there were a whole lot of ART questions.

One slight problem.

I leave for California in 14 hours.

Sooooooo……..

I will have to get back to you when I return.  After the 20th. 

Please know this is a vacation that is well deserved. 

Time for the kids to be with the grandparents.

Time for me to read a book or two, swim some laps, catch some rays, make Crown and Diet slushies, and just relax.

Why?

Because I’ve been busy.

I’ve gone to a wedding, taught an art class, helped my daughter with fund raising for her Panama mission trip, went with Brooke to sign her papers in Seattle (she is officially signed by SMG for modeling), sat through countless late night baseball games (they start at 5pm and 7:30pm and end as late at 9:50pm), watched one baseball tournament (after getting rained and hailed on they canceled the final day), cheered on 2 lacrosse games each week, drove to 5 lacrosse practices each week, did I mention baseball is also 6 days a week (two teams), got the family to the BubbleGum Wall in Seattle (from my bucket list… check!), bought tulips, painted for a real estate agent for housewarming gifts… and last night got to go to a Seattle Mariner’s baseball game (thanks for friends that had Diamond Club seats…. 4th row… on tv!!!!).

And I have some big decisions to make when I get home regarding business.  Do I paint more?  Do I take this part time job that sounds oh so much fun?  What do I do?  How can I still be a mom?  How do people do it all?

With that said…

If you have tried contacting me in the past two weeks, I will get back to you after the 20th.  I promise!

Until then…

Enjoy some random photos of my life in the past few weeks that I have not been able to post.

Happy Sunday.

Blessings to you and your families!

-Tracy

Wondering where I went?

Many have asked.

I’m still here….

But my computer is not.

It’s broken.  At the computer hospital.  Trying to get better.

Please hurry.

Do you know how hard it is to work from an iPhone with a 2″ screen.  Or an ipad that is never charged because I find it in my kids beds.

I am told I will have my old faithful computer back next week.

Yep, the same week I will be out of town. Haha.  Go figure!

So…….

If you are requesting art… Please email me after April 21 and I promise to get back to you.  If you have emailed me in the past few weeks your requests are in my computer and it might be easier to email me again.

If you want a cookbook… Please be patient.  I am sold out and more are order.  They will be ready to ship May 1.

If you have asked about PayPal… I am meeting my computer girl on the 23rd and hope she can have it up and running the following day.

If you are just wondering how I am…  I am doing great!  Just a busy mom and entrepreneur.  Possibly looking into some marketing work for a local company that I love.

I hope you are all enjoying your spring!

Until next time; enjoy a few photos.

….. Wouldn’t you know… I can’t figure out how to download them from my iPad!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Tuesday.

Tracy

3 of my favorite candies

3 (of 4) lash ladies celebrated with me

2013 (3×3 is 9… and I’m 49!)

Does it get any better than this?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for my special birthday lunch!

Hot Tamales (my #1 favorite candy). Homemade Caramels with Sea Salt (she’s giving me the recipe for my next cookbook).  Lemon Drops (I love anything lemon!).

And I didn’t even mention the delicious shrimp salad with homemade dressing, baguette, delicious cookies from Pinterest, gifts, wine and sparkling water.

I love my friends.

Happy Tuesday!

-Tracy

p.s.  Funny thing is that my lucky numbers are 7 and 8… maybe I’ll add #3 this year!

We have a birthday tradition.

On the morning of your birthday you get a donut.

One year… only ONE… I forgot to get “the donut” for one of my kids and I promise you… they will never forget!

So, on March 12, when I woke up…

Greg had gone to the store and brought me MY birthday donut.

YUM!

Then on to Birthday lunch with my dad.

Always Red Robin.

Same place.  Every year.

This year the waiter asked if I’d like to have them sing to me with my free sundae.

Are you kidding me????

It’s tradition!

YES.

And then the next tradition…

My dad told me all about the day I was born.

He was in the service at Camp Pendleton.  Practicing dentistry.
We lived in Laguna Beach, CA.  The night before they had me, they went out to play BINGO and eat hot fudge sundaes.  They returned home.  No baby.

But morning came and my mom woke my dad.  I guess I was ready!  He didn’t know what to do.  He didn’t call the doctor.  Instead my mom told him to call her sister.  I asked him why he did that.  He said because “she had 4 kids!”.  haha

I came into the world in a room next to a boy being born.  His name was Steve.  Actually he was born the next day.  But our parents became friends.  And they became my God parents.  And they gave me my most prized possession…. my RAGGIE (a clown doll that became a big RAG… that I could not live without).

There were many parts to the story.  But one of my favorites was that my dad and aunt and uncle went to a local bar.  They celebrated my birth with the locals.  Then returned to the hospital to ooh and aah over me.  I was the first born.  I wonder if my mom appreciated the bar part.

I love his stories.

It’s funny, because I tell my own kids the story of their birth every year too.

I came home to tulips from Greg….

And more tulips from friends.  And dark chocolate bars.  And wine.  And funny cards.  And sincere cards.  And many phone messages and facebook and email messages too.

I felt loved.

One small hiccup throughout the day.  One minor problem.  And it occurred to me… really, does that matter?  Look at the LOVE!

What a fantastic day.

Then a friend called and knew I needed a hug.  Such a rediculous reason to be upset.  Why do I care what people say?  Small towns.  Small gossip.  Rediculous.

But the cocktail and muffin topped with canned whipping cream helped.  Oh, and my friend!

Then home.

To take-n-bake pizza.  My family.  A warm home.

And the cake I made myself earlier that morning.

Yes I did.

I wanted cake.

This cake.

So I made one.

And I’ll share the recipe below.  It is one of my favorites.

So, thank you everyone for the well wishes.

I had a great day.

As a matter of fact I nearly forgot…

My computer went out.  I had to borrow a 1990′s huge screen.  But I finally got it all fixed.  New screen.  And I am returning the many, many emails that I owe clients.  I know a few of you were frustrated.  Please bear with me.  I just turned 49!

CHOCOLATE PRALINE CAKE

1/2 c. butter

1/4 c. whipping cream

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

1 pkg. Devil’s Food Cake mix (I use Pillsbury)

1 1/4 c. water

1/3 c. vegetable oil

3 eggs

Frosting:

1 3/4 c. whipping cream

1/4 c. powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. vanilla

Whole pecans

Caramel topping (in a jar from the store)

Cake:  In a saucepan, combine butter, 1/4 c. whipping cream and brown sugar.  Cook over low heat until melted, stirring occasionally.  Pour into two 9″ round cake pans.  Sprinkle evenly with 1 c. chopped pecans.  In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil and eggs.  Beat 2 minutes.  Spoon over pecan mixture in pans.  Bake for 35-45 minutes in a 325 degree oven.  When cake is done, cool before frosting.

Frosting:  IN a bowl, beat 1 3/4 c. whipping cream until peaks form.  Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla.

To assemble the cake:  Place one layer on a serving plate, praline side up.  At this point, spread caramel topping over praline and 1/2 of the whipped cream.  Top with second layer, praline side up.  Spread top layer with caramel topping and then remaining whipped cream.  Garnish with whole pecans.  Refrigerate at least two hours before serving.  Serve cold.  Keeps up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

What’s your favorite cake?

Why don’t you make one tonight.

You deserve it!

Happy Monday.

-Tracy