Last Day of Summer Party!

Today was our last full day of summer vacation.  So in honor of that, we ended summer with a bang.  First we had a neighborhood picnic.  We all brought our own lunches and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Wish all of our friends could have made it.  We missed you Heinolds!

Then we ventured out to our most favorite ice-cream spot.....what a great group of kiddos!

Okay, so maybe they are a little goofy!

These two are my favorite!

We followed up our trip to DQ with a pool-party at Polly's.  Thanks again Polly for having ALL of us over.  It was a perfect ending to an excellent summer vacation.

One Month....

from today is the MS Walk 2011. 

And I need YOUR help!

The coordinators of the event have changed things up a bit and have made things a little more challenging. I'm always up for a good challenge, but I need your help to make things happen. 

My favorite thing about the MS Walk is that *anyone* can participate and I love how they make it a total family event.  There is NO registration fee to walk.  You just register and come.  Having so many friends and family there supporting me is the MOST AMAZING feeling.  Seeing all of you in your orange shirts, puts a huge smile on my face. 

However, if you are able, donations are ALWAYS welcome.  This year, in order to have a TRACI'S TROOPS! tent, I have to at least raise $3000.  It seems like a lot, but I think together we totally can do it.  No amount is too small.  If you have just a little to give, it WILL help!

If you are able, you can click the link here and donate online!  Please consider giving to this cause!  Your support will help so many people.  If you just want to register to walk, you can do that by clicking here , scroll down and find "Traci's Troops! and "Join Team"!

As I type this blog post, my heart is really thinking about the other events going on one month from today.  Our country will be remembering the horrible events that took place almost 10 years ago.  In honor of that, I really want to show our love and support to those families who lost loved ones on that horrific day.  I would love to have several people carry American flags along the walk route. I have purchased American flag stickers and tattoos to show our support.  If you have another idea of how we can show our support, I'm totally open to suggestions. 


Thank you for considering to help out Traci's Troops!

My New Adventure!

This school year is the start of a new adventure for me. 

You see, BOTH my children will be in school all-day-long!  Sniff!  Sniff!

I have mixed feelings about this.  Part of me is excited for this very new phase in life.  I can remember when both of my kids were babies (pretty much at the same time) and thinking to myself on those "hard" days.....boy, what will life be like when they are off to school.  Just having a moment to myself back then was such a rare thing....that, at times, I looked forward to.  

But just like that, in a blink of an eye....here we are!

And I want to go back! 

I have enjoyed being home with my kids....and I'm so grateful that we made the decision to and were financially able to do that.  It's really been a true blessing to have that time with my kiddos!


But....as they go off to a new all-day adventure......I was a little worried about what I was going to do with all my time.  Sure, I'll be volunteering at their school, attending bible study, hitting the gym, & keeping up with the house....but a girl can only "clean" so much, right?!

So I'm going back to work part-time!  Yeah me!

I was approached back in April from a friend at church.  She was super excited to tell me about a business she was thinking about opening.  Her passion for the business just beamed out of her....and totally got me excited for her!  But honestly, even with all her excitement, in the back of my head I thought...."This isn't going to happen overnight.....this is going to take awhile for this to all come together."  That's where I was wrong.

Everything has fallen into place for Janice.  She is opening up her new bridal business in just a few weeks.  Her vision is coming together and Adore Bridal & Specialty is opening the beginning of September!

Janice asked if I would want to be her organizational guru.  The person who handles all the shipping/receiving, bills, appointment, all the stuff she doesn't like to do, but knew I did!  (Can you just see all the labels I could make for this place!)  And the best part is is that she is totally working around me and my number one priority...Maggie & Max.  I will be only working 15 hours a week and only while my kiddos are in school.  That way I can be there with them in the morning and most importantly...I will still be able to pick them up after school.  It's really a win-win for everyone. 

I get to find out who "Traci" is again...instead of just being Maggie & Max's mom.  I get to get out a little and be with adults....most should be happy (brides are happy people, right?!), working in a faith-based business.  Oh, and a little extra cash won't hurt either! 

Let the adventure begin!