Free to be Me

Have you ever noticed how we can base our opinions of ourselves on how we’re performing at the moment? I'm training to run a 5-K in a couple of months and I've had lots of ups and downs. One day I'm able to run a mile and a half. Then, the next time I go to the gym, I can’t even push myself to run one mile!

I've realized that on the days I do well I feel great about myself. I feel fit and like what I see in the mirror. But, on the days I struggle and, in my mind, FAIL, I'm down on myself in almost every conceivable way. It’s all based on my performance in one small area of my life. Have you ever been there? It reminds of the song we're playing right now by Francesca Battistelli, "Free to be Me". The line that says, "perfection is my enemy". Oh, I can SO resonate with that lyric!

Aren’t you glad God loves us no matter what? No matter how well our workout goes…no matter what promotion we get or don’t get…no matter how our children behave or MISbehave...no matter how we feel about ourselves!The Bible says God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And it says His love for us is forever! Maybe that will help us feel differently about ourselves!

Getting Healthy with the Traceys Update

Big News!! On Sunday I finally ran over 1.25 miles without stopping! I know, if you're a runner, this sounds utterly pathetic! But I'm that much closer too being able to run a 5-K in late March/early April! We just have to decide on WHICH 5-K!

Today I was a little bummed because I just couldn't push myself to go that far again. But, I'm taking it in stride and realizing there are going to be ups and downs as a I continue to train. So, I'll be back at it Friday morning! :)

Jeremy's doing a GREAT job with his Swimming Lessons. He starts week two tonight and so far only has one bump on the head as far as mishaps go. He's hoping to be able to swim those two lengths of the pool by the end of March.

Don't forget to tell us your Getting Healthy goal for 2009! You could win two free passes for a free week's membership at The Clubs at River City in Peoria. Plus you'll automatically be registered for the Grand Prize - an iPod Nano and a Running Central Family Footwear Four-Pack! Just go to the Doing Life with the Traceys page at www.wcicfm.org!

The Big I HEART YOU Day

Alyssa was so excited to attend her first Valentine's Day party today. I can't wait to ask her how it went. I'll have to let you know. Jeremy is also so excited...he's looking forward to seeing how much candy Alyssa will bring home from the party. :) On a serious note, we just wanted to remind you that whether you're married, single, divorced, engaged, whatever...there is Someone who loves you more than you will ever know. We hope that this weekend will be a reminder for you of the awesome, eternal love our Father God has for you and expressed through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ!

Happy Valentine's Day from Jeremy, Jill, and Alyssa Tracey <><

What a day!

I can't believe I was able to take Alyssa outside for a quick PBJ picnic lunch today! Who would have thought it could happen in the middle - not even quite the middle - of FEBRUARY! All I can say is we NEEDED that after the llllllooooooonnnngggg period of SUPER COLD days we've experienced in central Illinois this winter. So, what have you and your family been doing to take advantage of the nicer days lately? Post a comment and let us know!

How'd you meet your spouse?

We had so much fun listening to all the cool and unusual stories of how people met their spouses. It made us think about the day we met. It was January 10, 2000 at a radio station in Charlotte, NC. Jill was co-hosting the Morning Show and part of her responsibilities included writing and reading News headlines. Well, she had left the room to rip a feed off of the station's AP wire. When she returned to the studio, the "new guy" was sitting in her seat! He had been asked by the station manager to come in early for a "welcome to the station" interview by the Morning Show team. Jill, however, was unaware of this fact and at the moment she only had about 30 seconds to try to say "Hello" in a nice way and also get into place for her hourly newscast. Suffice it to say that, instead of an instant love connection, Jeremy got the impression that the morning girl was a little too task-oriented! :) Thankfully he got over that first impression and eventually asked Jill to marry him!

The phones were ringing off the hook yesterday with friends telling the fun story behind how they met the love of their lives. If you didn't get a chance to call and still want to share...just post a comment with your story. Maybe we can read it on Doing Life with the Traceys during "Love Week"!

Have a great weekend and God bless you! ~ Jeremy and Jill Tracey <><

Happy Ground Hog Day!

Isn't it funny how a certain date on the calendar brings back old feelings? Today is one of those days for me. Ground Hog Day always brings back the feelings of pregnancy. All the ups and downs, queasiness, cravings, excitement, and inability to sleep comfortably. Our precious girl, Alyssa, was actually due on Ground Hog day back in 2006. So, the entire time we were expecting we often referred to her as our little Ground Hog. We joked that we were wondering if she was going to pop out her head and decide to go back inside for six weeks. And, believe me, the longer I was pregnant the more I feared that something like this could actually happen. :)

But, the idea of our little Ground Hog arriving on February 2nd was bypassed quickly on the morning of January 9th when we found ourselves rushing to the ER with complications and found out we would be "delivered" that day. I remember I had to verify what the Dr. meant by that. "You mean we're going to have the baby...today?!" And, while we didn't actually have her that day, we did the next, and we were SO unprepared. We had only taken one childbirth class and I hadn't even BEGUN the nursing classes. Talk about waiting until the last minute! So, we didn't get a Ground Hog after all! Instead we very nearly found ourselves with a New Years' baby and we couldn't have been happier to have bonus time with our little Princess.

This morning I was remembering the days of waiting for Alyssa to come while I was watching her take part in her weekly gymnastics class. Wow, did three years fly by! There she was doing a forward roll all by herself and I was reminiscing of the days when she fluttered and kicked and struggled with hiccups in my tummy. What fun memories. And, what better way to get over the fact that the old Ground Hog just predicted another six weeks of winter for us?!

NOT AGAIN!

Isn't if funny how we feel so differently about snow when it comes at the end of January or in February than when it happens at the end of November? One time of the year brings out the "oohs" and the "aaahs" and the other brings out the moans and the groans. Be sure to let us know how you react to yet another snow fall on our weekly poll to the left of the page.

I think what makes it so hard for the Traceys is that there's all this awesome white stuff on the ground and it's TOO COLD to go outside and enjoy it. So, we just try to keep Alyssa otherwise occupied. Someone gave us the idea of bringing the snow in; using a bucket or plastic storage bin to transport it inside so you and your kids can play in it without having to brave the freezing cold. I'll have to try that. And, if you have an idea for making winter time fun even when it's just too cold to go outside...let me know!

Happy Friday! Jill <><

I DID IT!

I know it's still a long way from a 5-K, but I finally did it! Something I haven't done in years if ever...I RAN A WHOLE MILE AT ONCE...without stopping! I know, it's not that big a feat (no pun intended)...but for me this is HUGE! It means that maybe running 3.11 miles is actually achievable. It means I'm not so pathetic after all. Well, unless you look at HOW LONG it took me to run that mile (14:51). But, that's not the point. The point is that I've conquered A WHOLE MILE! YEAH!!!!!!

I now know for sure - ALL things are possible with Jesus!

What victories are you celebrating today? Leave a comment and let us know. Maybe we'll get to read it on the air during Doing Life with the Traceys!

Have a fantastic weekend,

Jill for the Traceys <><

Time really DOES fly

I realized it's been almost two weeks already since Alyssa's birthday and I haven't written anything about her big day. Yes, I've been busy. But, I also think the whole thing is a little emotional for me, you know? I mean, wow, it's amazing how FAST time really DOES FLY! Of course when you're pregnant or taking care of an infant everyone tells you the time will fly. And you know in your head that the years will pass quickly. But in the middle of feedings, diapers, baths, diapers, playing, diapers, sleeplessness, and...diapers - it kind of feels like you will have a baby forever! But then the baby learns to sit up, to crawl, to walk. And, before you know it you're having complete conversations with the tiny toddler in the back seat as you're running errands around town. And then she turns three and you feel like you haven't even had time to blink. A few weeks ago I actually asked Alyssa if she would PLEASE stop growing and she said YES! So, I'm going to try to hold her to that! :)

The party was a lot of fun. Alyssa's family and a couple of friends gathered to wish her a Happy Birthday. She had a cake with Rocket from the Little Einsteins on it...something she was REALLY looking forward to. Grandma bought her and her doll, Millie, matching birthday dress outfits. And, of course, Alyssa received lots of wonderful gifts. It was a precious sight to see this little girl SO EXCITED about having a birthday. I couldn't help but think of the words in the Bible about Mary, the mother of Jesus. They didn't have digital cameras or scrapbooks or videos on DVD back then. But, I love how the Bible takes time to focus on how the Mommy was feeling during all of the incredible events that took place after Jesus' birth. Luke 2:19 says, "Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often." Now there's a true Mommy Moment, huh? I'm so fortunate to have pictures and recordings of the special events in my child's life. And, some day I'll get around to getting them scrapbooked for posterity - some day! But, I will always quietly treasure these things in my heart and think about them often!

Thank You Notes!

Why is it that a simple act of gratitude seems like such a HUGE task to take on? Here we are almost three weeks after Christmas and I haven't even begun to construct my list for Thank You notes. And, it's not like I have hundreds of people to write to. So, why does it seem like an impossible mountain instead of a fun mole hill? I really am so thankful for all of the wonderful gifts our family received this year. And, I really, REALLY want the precious friends and family members who gave them to us to KNOW how thankful I am. And, yet, it still seems like a chore. Like something I HAVE to do rather than a joyful expression of my thankfulness. What is wrong with me?! Am I alone in this? I probably should have used the time I just spent blogging on busting out a few thank you notes, right? I'm thinking time management is my biggest issue here.

I guess part of what makes it seem like a chore is that we just got our Christmas cards out of the way and that was definitely a sprint. And, Alyssa's birthday was on Saturday. So, now I need to add those gifts to the list. OR is it bad form to send a combined thank you for the Christmas Gift AND the Birthday Gift note? Probably so, huh? I guess there's no better way to get it done than to just jump in and get started!

What's your system for getting fun and meaningful thank you notes in the mail in a timely manner? Oh, and while you're here...THANK YOU for reading our blog and THANK YOU for Doing Life with the Traceys!