Progress

Just wanted to keep y'all posted on what's going on with my book.  First of all, I have to note that since I last wrote, I've gotten almost $200 more in donations.  Whooohoooo!!!  Secondly, I've chosen the publisher that I'm going to have make my book.  I'm using CreateSpace which is Amazon's self publishing counterpart.  I've spoken to their Publishing Consultant and we've established a timeline to try to stick to.  Basically, it sounds like once the illustrations are finished, it will only take between 2 1/2 and 3 months to have the book completely finished.  How cool is that???

Speaking of the pictures, my brother is currently working on them.  I've included some of his illlustrations below (from other projects he's done) just so you can see his style and ability.  He works mostly in pen and then watercolors over it.  It's pretty stinkin' amazing if you ask me.  I've asked him to try to have most of the illustrations ready to go by mid to late March so that I can contact CreateSpace and officially get started.

 

 

A beginning sketch of a forest. 

Very early stages of a final draft. 

Sketch with some water color over it... this one is for my book. 

 

I can't believe it's getting so close now.  To think that by summer, I should be holding Home Runs in Heaven in my hands is pretty incredible.

 

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Drum Roll Please...

Oh. My. Gosh. 

It has been thirty days since Nash's sixth birthday.  Thirty days since I asked my friends and family to take a chance and help me publish my book.  Thirty days of the most humbling, heartfelt, and encouraging words of support, love, and prayers.  I AM BLESSED.

So, my friends, it is with great excitement and a huge smile on my face, that I announce the grand total of donations from all sources - which include the Pubslush website, cash, checks, and the donations that some people already donated to March of Dimes in the last month.

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

$14,155!!!

Holy moly. 

I am in awe.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

I have lots to do now to get my book out there.  I've narrowed down a self publisher and have spoken to them this week.  My brother has sent me loads of sketches and is about ready to begin final copies of his illustrations.  So much to do!!!  And I will definitely be keeping you posted on my progress every step of the way.

But... today, I'm just going to bask in the light of knowing that Home Runs in Heaven will be shared with so many people, thanks to YOU.

SO MUCH LOVE to y'all,
Tracy

Stunned

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon volunteering at a March of Dimes event in Dallas.  I had a good time meeting other March For Babies team captains and their families.  It's always such great company.  One of the women I met was a super sweet lady from Dallas that had two girls, one of which was born very premature.  She and I talked a lot throughout the afternoon.  One thing she mentioned really struck me, and I wanted to make sure to pass it along to y'all.

While we were talking about our March For Babies experiences, she asked me how we always were able to raise so much money - was it just through family and friends or did we have big donations from companies each year? What was our strategy?  I explained that, for the most part, we are just blessed to have really compassionate, empathic, and supportive family and friends.  And then she said something that made me so, so sad...

"It gets harder to raise money every year.  It's like people have forgotten what we've been through and don't think to help out anymore."

I was stunned.  For lots of reasons, really.  One, because of the fact that she felt her family and friends had moved past what her family had been through.  Two, because I had never even thought of that happening to anyone.  And three, because I have raised over $12,000 towards my book in less than a month due to you, my friends, having done anything but "forgotten."  I truly am in awe every single day that my book is about to turn into a reality.  All because of you.

My biggest, baddest fear is that, because Nash was only here five months, he'll be forgotten.  He barely got a chance to make his mark.  But every single day I am reminded that, not only does he live on in me and my family, but he lives on in all of you as well.  You have lifted this fear from my soul, and I am grateful for that.  And now, because of your generosity, he will be remembered within the pages of my book... a lasting legacy for all to see. 

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Knoxie

Oh sweet Knoxie...

You just turned four.  How does time go by so quickly?  How is it possible that you've grown into a little boy right before our eyes? 

 

My hope is that someday you kids will read this blog for yourselves, so I figured that maybe I should tell you a little about yourself as a four year old. 

You are my middle child.  THE middle child.  You exemplify middle child.  You know the saying, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" Well you, Knox, make me wonder about this in a different way... Were you just born with your middle child-ness?  Or did you learn it through experience?  Whichever way it happened, you do "middle" quite well.

You see, you are stubborn and hard-headed beyond belief (and I thought your brother was bad!).  You have opinions and you stick to them just because you can.  You need examples, you say?  Where should I start?

When being forced to wear a pair of sweatpants that you don't like, you tell us that, "Actually they aren't pants, they're just long shorts."  Which I guess, to you, means they're okay.  God forbid you have to wear gray sweats.  Or how about the fact that you love only things that are green?  According to you, everyone knows that green cars are better, green crayons are better, green socks are better, and green cups are better.  Duh.  Or maybe we could talk about your fashion sense.  In your eyes, it is ONLY permissible to wear Puma shirts with navy or black track pants that have a stripe down the side.  No tags please.  Oh, and don't forget the green socks. 

You are a little boy with some quirks... You strip down to your skivvies the MOMENT you walk into the house.  Your motto?  "Underwear All the Time."  You could live on fruit snacks - but only if they're the ones from the Cars movie.  And it takes you a good 45 minutes to get through a pack because you suck on them - three at a time.  You fall asleep in weird places ALL THE TIME... on a kitchen stool and the bleachers of a basketball game are your latest achievements.

But you know what, Buddy?  Even with your "slight" idiosyncrasies,  you are the perfect fit for us.  Because along with all that, you are the cuddliest, loviest, gentlest boy.  Often I hear you yelling, "Mommmmmmy!!!!" from another room, and when I answer, you call out, "I love you!"  ...Sigh... You have an infectious giggle that your daddy and I smile at as we hear it coming down the stairs.  You use words that are far too big for your little mouth - like "incredible" or "interesting" or "unbelievable."  You have the cutest pout on the planet that I cannot even take seriously.  And best of all, you look up to your big brother and take care of your little sister - just like a "middle" is supposed to.

Thank you for being my one and only Foxy Knoxie.  I love you.  Happy Birthday!

 

Mommy