If I'd Never Known Your Name

Ten years ago yesterday I walked down the aisle towards the rest of my life.    While we were getting ready in the morning, I told Brad that looking back, as great as our actual wedding was, if I were to do it over again, I'd change things here and there.  Maybe the centerpieces, probably the guest list, definitely my hair!  ...But that I'd choose him all over again in a heartbeat.  On May 25, 2002, I had no idea of the highs and lows that would meet us as the years would go by.  But I knew that I wanted Brad to be the one that I experienced them with.  And that hasn't changed a bit.

If any of y'all are country fans, I guarantee you know the song, "A Woman Like You" by Lee Brice.  It is the sweetest love song a guy could write.  It's not sappy, not even slow.  Just really, really true and written from his heart.  If you don't know the song, click here to listen to it.  Every time I hear it, I think of how my life would be if I'd of never known Brad's name...

... more reality TV ...maybe a personal trainer... definitely no Camero (or pick-up for that matter) in my garage... surly would've learned to like martinis by now... get regular mani/pedis... buy a lot more Coach purses... wouldn't know the Ranger's starting line-up by heart... be a regular at romantic comedy movies... never have ridden in a tractor... wouldn't be driving a big ole Yukon XL because I wouldn't have my sweet babies to put in it...

As the song says, I wouldn't trade a single to day for a hundred years the other way.  There's not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for blessing me with a man that takes care of me and loves me (and sometimes just tolerates me!).  Happy, happy anniversary, Brad!

Love to y'all,

Tracy

All Things Random

Sorry... I just feel like I need to do a quick update since I've been a TOTAL slacker as far as posting goes lately...

#1 Last Tuesday we found out something really exciting... Tate has a wicked fastball and is very accurate.  The downside?  He used his amazing ability to throw a Monster Truck at Knox, which resulted in a trip to the ER and two staples in his little blonde head.  

#2 Brady is teething like a mutha right now.  Sorry that's probably not the proper term, but it really does sum it up.  Poor girl is not a happy camper.  I can see her bottom left tooth right under her gums.  Come on already and pop through, you blasted tooth!

#3 Tate started his fourth season of baseball last Saturday.  I can't tell you how much I love watching him play.  I would watch him everyday if I could.  It's so fulfilling to watch your child do something that they love to do.  No soccer mom here... my little lefty is all I need.

#4 I've been a complete Pinterest nerd as of late and have some great ideas for me and the kids for summer.  I'm putting in a lot of time in to getting some things ready for our first day of Summer Vacation.  And no, I'm not saying any more than that at this point.  (That way if I totally flake and don't follow through, no one will really know how grand my original plans were.).  But I promise to keep you updated on our progress... if there is any.  

Love to y'all,

Tracy

Lessons for a Mommy

Today is always a day of mixed emotions. I have so much love and gratitude for my own mom and I'm happy to celebrate that today. In addition, I'm the most blessed woman on the planet for having Tate, Knox, and Brady here with me to cover me in kisses and I love yous. But there's always a void, no matter how great the day is. Mother's Day is about being with those closest to you and when one of your babies isn't here, it's hard to accept. 

Nash was here for Mother's Day in 2008.  I'm thankful for that.  I remember going to the Marriott in Addison for brunch, hoping we could make it through without any crying or meltdowns... he was about 4 months old.  I was proud to be toting around my two baby boys, both under two years old.  I felt true, true happiness.  I'm grateful I had that day.  

Each of my kids has taught me so many things.  Some more important than others... Just this past Friday, Tate taught me that he has bad aim when he tries to pee in the kitchen garbage can.  The same night Knox showed me how the words, "Ta da!" and a sweet smile can make a broken lamp not really matter.  And Brady taught me this morning that six month olds love pancakes.  But seriously, my kids have brought so much into my life and when I look into their blue eyes, I am blessed to be reminded of their most important teachings...

Tate, my strength.

Nash, my faith.

Knox, my hope.

Brady, my peace.

God Bless you ALL, my little ones.  Thank you for making me a mommy.

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Advice From A Kinder-To-Be

Yesterday when I got home from work, I told Tate a story about some kindergarten boys at my school that got in big trouble because of their behavior... Yes, I admit it: I was trying to put the fear of God in him before he walks through the school's front doors this August.  Little did I know how much he would have to offer up on the subject of good behavior at school.  His suggestions were just too good not jot down...

1. "You shouldn't say the other word for bootie...  I don't really like that word anyway."

2. "You shouldn't be sloppy."

3. "Not being very good can get you in serious trouble."

4. "Honest is better than telling lies... Jokes are kinda like lies."

5.  "Don't say any words from Dumbest Stuff on Wheels." (A show on the Speed Network that Brad introduced him to where they show people wiping out after doing crazy stunts.)

6.  (My personal favorite.) "You shouldn't toot on someone's head... but if you're crawling in front of them and you toot on accident, you just have to say, 'excuse me'."

I guess he's as ready as he'll ever be!  

Love to y'all,

Tracy

Marching For Nash

Yesterday, we set out with friends and family to walk five miles at the March For Babies.  We had 44 people walking for team, Heart's Content, including family who came in from Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, and Indiana... not to mention my parents and a bunch of close friends as well.  We are blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support. 

Which brings me to my next point: I'm proud to say the we raised over $8700 for the March of Dimes thanks to so many of your help!!!  Amazing!!!  To know that so many people are impacted by Nash is astounding and so very comforting to say the least.  I am beyond proud to be his mama.

Team Heart's Content

Tate and his buddies.

Walking for our little boy.

My three babies with their brother's picture... beautiful.

Miss Brady

Heart's Content Kiddos

The ENTIRE Sievers Family.

Love to y'all,

Tracy

Last Call!!!

Sorry it's been so long since my last post...I had my right shoulder scoped last Thursday and have been trying to get better...but it's been pretty slow going.  The doctors had to remove a calcium deposit, but once they were in my shoulder, they found the deposit was in my rotater cuff - which meant they had to cut the cuff to get it out and then repair the cut they made. 

Despite being extremely slow at typing with only my left hand, I really needed to get on here to remind everyone that our March For Babies is only 9 days away!  I am still quite short of my goal, but I haven't given up yet!  I'm hoping for a big push this week to put me that much closer.  Just think: if everyone donated $10 per healthy child they have been blessed to have, it would help so much!  

Please feel free to mention this to friends or family members of yours that you think would like to help us out.  We need all the help we can get.  Check out the website by clicking HERE or go to the "Donate" button to the right of this post.

And I HAVE to say thank you to all those who have already donated.  I always say how I am blown away by people's willingness to not only help us out, but remember our little boy...

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Day 169

January 15, 2008 - July 1, 2008

As of 9:55pm tonight, Brady will have outlived her older brother.  That's a hard sentence to write.  Just like with Knox, I have dreaded and yet needed this day to come since the day she was born.  It's like a deep sigh of relief along with a gut-wrenching lurch of my stomach at the same time.  

While giving Brady a bath tonight, I just kept staring at all her little parts and thinking about just how little Nash was the day he died... tiny fingers, tiny toes.  Little knees and elbows.  A perfect belly button on a round little tummy.  And those blue, blue eyes.  There is so much of Nash in Brady.  I'm thankful for that on most days.  But tonight, it just made me miss him so much more.  

169 days is way too short.  How is a mommy supposed to give a baby a lifetime's worth of love in that amount of time?  I pray everyday that some way, somehow I was able to do that. 169 days.  

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Nash and I on June 25, 2008