Feeling the need to diet in the New Year? You're not alone! A friend sent me this poem today and I thought it might at least help us feel like we're all in this thing together! Hopefully it won't depress you...too much. :)

Happy New Year, Jill <><

A POST-CHRISTMAS POEM

'Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste.
All the holiday parties had gone straight to my waist.
When I got on the scale there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber)
I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The soda and the chocolate balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt,
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---
I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"
So-- away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
'Til all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie-- not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits or corn bread or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
- Author Unknown

Christmas is a whole new world in the Tracey house this year. It is so much FUN to see the Season through the eyes of a little girl who is not quite three. Alyssa is incredibly excited every time she sees even the smallest Christmas light display and gets really thrilled when a yard is all decked out with Santas, Snow men, and angels. It's funny how I always kind of thought those yards went a little overboard and now I search for them with almost as much intensity as the beautiful toddler riding in the seat behind me. When she's excited I'm excited. And then there's what she wants for Christmas, a microphone to sing with. And, she will tell any version of Santa she comes across with complete confidence and certainty that this is what she would like to see under the tree on December 25th. (I have a feeling that he has heard her and will satisfy that request.) She loves the parties, the decorating, the trees, the songs. This girl simply adores Christmas and the celebration of the Season. And this makes for two pretty excited parents as well. But, even more exciting than the gifts and the secrets and the planning...is the opportunity to teach our precious girl the real Christmas story. She loves lighting the candles at dinner time and reading the Bible verses and learning more about the birth of Jesus Christ. My prayer is that as the excitement of the "kid" part of Christmas starts to wane over the next couple of decades the excitement over what Christmas really means will remain and grow into values and beliefs that will last a lifetime. For me, I think that's the most exciting part of celebrating Christmas in the Tracey house this year! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones and let us hear from you! In Christ, Jill <><

Will my child ever be potty trained?
I've heard so many things from so many people...do it when she's ready...the training doesn't start until the diapers come off...use candy as a reward...don't use candy as a reward! I think my favorite bit of advice came from a friend of ours in North Carolina - just don't potty train her at all. That way you don't have to worry about dates bringing her home late when she's a teenager. :) I guess the frustrating part is that Alyssa was doing so well and now doesn't seem to want to go on the potty at all no matter how many treats and prizes and big girl panties we promise and even show her. So, I think for now I'm going to relax and enjoy the Christmas Season. Potty Training will wait until after the Holidays, right? If you have any ideas I'd love to read 'em! Thanks!

In Christ,

Jill <><

Hey, big news! We found out that we didn't originally post Jeremy's OFFICIAL time in the Jingle Bell 5-K run. He actually ran it a little faster than we'd thought. His official time is 36:53! Yeah, Jeremy!!!

He did it!

Just a couple of hours ago we returned home from Jeremy's first attempt at a 5-K run. He had been working SO hard for several months and was still very nervous about participating today. But, we are very proud to say that he made it across the finish line and at a time that was two minutes faster than any of his practice runs! His final time was 37 minutes and 10 seconds. Yeah Jeremy! Jeremy would be the first to say that he couldn't have done it without the help of his new friend and running guru, Steve Freundt. Thanks for all the help and advice,
Steve.
And, Jill was grateful to have Steve's wife, Melissa, to show her the ropes of being a waiting wife as Steve has run in many races before. Alyssa was excited to cheer Daddy on and to get to know the Freundts' two daughters, Kayley (3) and Kate (9 months). They kept each other company while waiting on the guys to bring it on home! :) Alyssa also had the chance to meet a very special guy in a big red suit. Hello, Santa!


After the race we headed to Texas Roadhouse in East Peoria for a victory lunch. Jill's dad, Joe (Papa) Kauzlarich joined us. And, our friends, Jeff and Sue Lichtenberger, celebrated with us as well.

Jeremy says thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement as he was gearing up to reach this huge goal. Running in this year's Jingle Bell Run was rewarding on so many levels. He was able to support a good cause and see a dream realized. He also met up with several other runners who said that they'd been training with him as he talked about getting ready for the run on Doing Life with the Traceys. Thank you! So, what's next for Jeremy and running? He says he wants to kick back and relax and see if he can gain 60 pounds in 30 days. ;) Jill doesn't think that's gonna happen!

Hey there and Merry Christmas! Welcome to the new blog for Doing Life with the Traceys. We are so excited to do life with you on the internet now as well as during our afternoon show on Family Friendly 91.5 WCIC. Please feel free to talk back, too. We want to hear from YOU! Thanks and much love from Jill and Jeremy! <><