G is for GOD's Son

I'm writing this a day late, so I find it fitting that G should be God's Son who is risen from the dead!


Thirty years ago, I heard God's voice in a small town in western Wyoming (Kemmerer).  Of course it wasn't an audible voice, but a small subtle whisper in my heart that was very clear to my young twelve year old self.  It was the moment I asked Jesus into my heart, and decided to be a follower of Christ himself.  The Son of God became my savior of my sins, who bore the pain, the shame, and became the sacrificial lamb.  


My life was no longer my own, however, it would be years later that simple prayer would grow and become fruitful.  God's grace and mercy would take a deep root in my life and today I celebrate God's Son Jesus.


I have lived through many valleys, and experienced much pain, but the sacrifice Christ made on the cross for my sins and the life He has blessed me with in spite of the hardships, I am thankful for my Lord, my God.

F is for FAMILY

And a crazy Family at that.  I LOVE my Family that God has so blessed me with.  Family doesn't have to be those just we are related to alone, family can be those who join in by spending time with you, just because they love being with you.

Every year, we take our family and friends to the mountains just to get away from life and BE with one another....no outside interruptions, just us.  We have so much fun and have bonded more closely because of it.  This last summer, my nephew Casey and his wife Nicole joined us along with Alex and Alicia's close friends.  Sami Mallory (in the center front of pic) has gone every year with our family and even though she's graduated high school, she won't miss the trip.

Michael's family started the tradition of going to the mountains, and they make it a point to join us every year as well.
Our family is still growing as our girls grow up, get married, and have children of their own.  But, our immediate family and friends will always have a wonderful connection.

E is for Empty nest

I never dreamed Empty nest was more than a word phrase until I began experiencing it for myself.  There wasn't much dialogue with other's on the impact empty nest would truly be and it seems to be such a taboo topic when discussing it with others.  All I hear is "it gets better, it gets easier, keep busy, volunteer, spend more time with your spouse...etc..etc....bla...bla..bla...bla.


Empty nest is very real, an experience we all face, and yet most are unprepared for the emotions empty nest causes one to feel.


While I watch my girls go through life and experience adult decisions they have to make, I too have to make a conscious decision to "keep my mouth shut" and let them learn from their own decisions.  However, it is a crappy feeling to keep quiet and it leaves me feeling helpless and nearly useless.


There isn't much more I have to say about empty nest other than I wish I understood the experience other mothers have had as they've gone through this themselves.

D is for Dogs

.....and lots of them.  Five Dogs in fact live in our home, and we love every one of them.

 First we have Autumn, she is our almost 11 year old Blue Tick Beagle, and our very first dog we bought right after 9/11 happened in 2001.  You can see her face aging as it is mostly white where there was once a pretty rich brown color encircling her sweet face. Our Dog Autumn is the smartest of all five dogs and she is not your typical beagle barking dog either, which makes her the favored dog when visitors come over.  She is pretty docile and demands very little of our family other than a wee bit of snuggle time.  Who can refuse snuggling with a cute beagle like Autumn.

Oh, my sweet Annie, who is 10 1/2 as well and who's name was given from my maiden name Anderson.  Annie is my precious baby, the dog of all dogs, if there ever was to be one.  (I love all our dogs very much)  When we bought Annie, I had no intention of getting another dog because Autumn was only six months old and we were still getting use to having the one dog.  But, Michael knew my dad had always wanted a squished faced dog, so Annie was it.  He put her in my arms and I just carried her around with my mind made up we were NOT having another dog.  But then, I asked to see her papers, to investigate how long Annie had been at this pet store. TEN whole weeks, my precious Annie had sat in a kennel, I'm sure being picked up, played with, then put back in the cold lonely kennel.  She was 16 weeks old when we brought her home, and she was scared of everything.

Annie nearly died at age 4 of renal failure from a misdiagnosis of a vet.  Therefore, my bond with Annie has only grown stronger because I feel I must protect her from dumb vets who only care about making a buck. (I'll save all that for another blog entry) 

She is still a scaredy cat dog, but she puts on one heck of a front as an "attack dog" (which is just like me), and most people won't mess with her.  

Oh Cody, what a ham of a dog he really is.  A daddy's boy to say the least.  Cody is nearly 9 years old and was purchased from an actual "breeder."   He was the new dog meant to fill a void of buying a new home and the depression that comes from leaving our former home.  Cody is a character and I nearly believe he tries to be a REAL BOY.  He's a cuddler with anyone who wants to hold him and spastic when it comes to our laser pointer which we just call "the Light."  Cody LOVES "the Light" and here is the reason why.  The light is to Cody what crack is to a drug addict.  He goes nuts for it, and if he sees the light, will go ballistic trying to capture the light.  Needless to say, we don't bring out "the light" very often, but even if was say "Cody, I've got the light", he will come running from any adventure he may be on.  He's a good boy and while a bit of a dum dum, we sure love him.

Isabelle, our French Bulldog is our one year old ham of a dog.  She is a product of empty nest, intending on only buying one puppy from the litter of 10. Isabelle came home with us at just 8 weeks and and was the youngest puppy yet for us to bring home, and yet she was the most expensive dog we've purchased.  She is a character with her vocal demands she is less than shy of expressing.  Her photo says it all of just the kind of fun she is to our family.  

Deklan is Isabelle's brother and makes for our fifth dog.  He was the puppy originally chosen by our daughter Alex but was denied as the breeder was going to keep Deklan for future stud breeding purposes.  He would be the perfect dog to breed from as Deklan is the most perfect French Bulldog.  Once the breeder changed her mind of further breeding, she offered Deklan to us first. It was a tough call as this breed of dogs are super expensive due to their breeding process.  All the same, we're thrilled to have our little ham bone added to our herd of dogs.

Here they all are looking like the loving dogs they are.

C is for Crying

I wish today's entry could be one of happiness and joy, but instead it is one I've spent crying.  My heart is to be one that encourages other's to see the rainbow at the end of a storm and know it will be better with each new season.  Therefore, while I cry tears of sorrow, and feel beaten down, I will get back up and I will regain composure.


What comfort I find knowing God counts my tears, and He knows my heart in which I carry this sorrow.  A reality check that I don't get to keep protecting my children from painful life experiences but it hurts to know the world is chiseling away at them.


A humbling reminder that I am not God, but I feel a sense of the agony He must have felt to bear the pain upon Himself to die for us on Calvary.  That is all I can say with today's post as I cry for things I cannot control, for lives I can no longer protect, and trust God's goodness will shine through this pain. 

B is for the Blessing of Baby Nora

Baby Nora's exciting expectancy came in September 2011.  This news was most wonderful to hear after a tough year for all.  Here is Amanda and Jason at their first sonogram at just 6 weeks pregnant.  

What a Blessing to watch our first born expecting her first baby and know she has a healthy pregnancy.  We are all super excited to meet this precious little one and time seems to drag on for her special arrival.

Baby Nora, we are most anxious to see your pretty face in person.  To hear the beautiful sound of the cry that comes from your mouth solidifying your safe arrival.  The countdown has begun as your due date draws closer.  You will bring much joy to our family as God chose you Nora, to be your parents first born, our first grandchild.  

My first born baby is expecting her first born.

We will rejoice with your parents when you arrive in this world.

Baby Nora, you are a blessing!!!

ANDERSON to ALLEN

I've been so busy, this A-Z challenge will be difficult to follow to it's completion.  But, I am going to make my best effort.

A is for Anderson, the last name I was born with and the whole reason I began my blogging to begin with.  What's in a name really?  For me it means everything.  After all, it was the name I was born with, and the name I carried for 21 years, until my dad gave me to the one he trusted to take care of me.

June 30,1990 was my last day as Tracy Anderson and my first day as Tracy Allen.  I love my married name and this year has crossed the point where I have been an Allen longer than I was ever an Anderson.  


I have loved my married name as well, and have embraced my new name with pride, especially as each of our girls were born.

I'm sure most can tell my favorite letter in the Alphabet is in fact A  for the simple fact each of my girls names begin with that letter.  Amanda, Alexandra, and Alicia all given names that specifically begin with the important beginning letter of the alphabet.  While each of their last names will one day change, their first names will be a reminder of the wonderful letter.

We can't forget the infamous A Team that was traditionally started to represent our last name.  Each summer I make our shirts to display the bond we really do have with one another.  We love the letter A and it is sure to carry it's legend long after our girls take on a new name.