BUGZ -- Amy's 1st Grade Program


The First Grade at Harrisonville Elementary puts on a music program called "BUGZ." It is a really cute little musical that has some really cute songs. Different classes are different kinds of bugs. Amy's class were "Fireflies", but she was also chosen to do a solo as a "LADY BUG." I will get the video up later. It is in my other camera.

She is directly in the center of the picture almost covering her face with her little hand. She was so adorable.










Amy again, with her other Lady Bug Friends.

















Amy singing her solo.

The lyrics go . . . "Be a lady, bu uh ug, be a lady, bu uh ug, That's what I AM."

Elder Lon R. Tracy's Email for 4/27/09

I haven't been very good about keeping up with the blogging. Here is Lonnie's latest email from last Monday. We will hear from him again tomorrow, if all goes correctly and I will start posting them weekly.

He is doing a great job and bringing many souls to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is growing and maturing.

He has been gone on his mission for ten months as of May 2, 2009. His email is ltracy89@myldsmail.net. Send him a quick email, he would really love to hear from you.

I will be posting pictures of a lot of events in our lives. We have been really busy, but my major responsibilities are over for a little while. Laundry, closet cleaning, drawer cleaning, and my favorite thing right now -- walking will be taking the forefront. I have started a weight loss challenge. Lose Ten Pounds in Five Weeks. Tomorrow begins week number two. I have lost 3.5 pounds thus far and I am so going to do this. I keep losing and gaining the same five pounds. If I can lose seven more, my ultimate goal weight will be just ten more pounds away.

I am going to be looking so good . . . finally. Have a great week and enjoy Lonnie's email.


> From: ltracy89@myldsmail.net
> To: anad1987@msn.com
> Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:22:15 -0700
>
> Hey everyone. First off, sorry for not writing a letter last week. Anyways, so this week was crazy again. We found 2 more familes, and then from this one kid we found, another one, and then after leaving an appointment we found another kid, a cholito (mexican gangster), who was kind of teasing us, but I went ahead and asked him if he had ever talked to the guys like us before and he was like no, but you know what? You guys must be brave to be out here in the middle of BP in white shirts and ties.. Anyways, we got a return appointment, taught him, 4 kids, and his brother in law, left a nice stack of book of mormons at his house and then came back the next day and guess what? Well, the kids hadn't read, his brother in law was kind of mehhh, but Angel, the little cholito had read the whole front part, introduction, testimony of the 3, and 8 witnesses, all of the testimony of Joseph Smith, and half of 1st nephi. We went back and did the follow up like normal, so, did you do the homework? Well, no not exactly... (we left him with 3 nephi 11) I got lost in the introduction and all and kind of skipped it. But man, 11 other people actually saw the plates? It has to be true, and man when I was reading I felt so good, I read for like an hour! He didn't end up coming to church, but he's doing really good. We went by 4 times last week and everything we teach he just absorbs it all in and he's so awesome. He's like 19, dropped out of high school, was in jail for a year, he's on probation and wants to change his life, and thinks it could be cool to go on a mission. Well, so we went by another time, yesterday actually and from him, he brought 4 friends over, who listened pretty well, and said they'd do the homework, with Angel, the gang leader kind of like, COME ON GUYS. WHY DON'T YOU JUST UNDERSTAND?! ITS SO EASY. READ --> PRAY --> ANSWER. We met him Tuesday morning, and yesterday, set a baptismal date with him, after he asked us if he could get baptized, for the 17th of the next month. Kinda like the last couple of weeks, I have no idea where we're getting all these people from, but oh well. I guess its better just to not question it. I still feel like we waste a ton of time, but we got another call from the assistants this morning for 3 weeks in a row of highest numbers. 13 at churchs (we were expecting 21...!) 15 baptismal dates, and 25 lessons this week total. I don't know. The numbers don't mean anything, but still. I don't know where its all coming from. I feel frustrated all the time, but somehow everything works out and all of our investigators are solid. Who knows.
>
> I don't remember if I told you guys last week, but we found some kid named Chris who, well actually found us, who's having problems with his brother and family and what not.. Well, we've been going by him the last week and he's pretty crazy. He doesn't believe in christianity for anything. He says he derives his beliefs from the native americans, and doesn't like like organized religion. He grew up catholic.... But so did 99% of all hispanics. Anyways, we've been leaving him 'homework,' chapters in the Book of Mormon to read and we've been gearing it towards trying to give him something to convert him, like we do with everything. Well he's interested in the BoM but doesn't really know why, and then one day we stopped by, and read Alma 18 with him. I was really nervous to do it when we actually got there but that morning I had a feeling we should do it. So we started reading and its really boring. Its Ammon after he cuts off all those guys arms and is talking to King Lamoni about how he got all this power, and then Ammon goes off on a soapbox. Well, he asks him like do you believe in God? I dont know. Believe in the Great Spirit (just like chris believes) Yes. And then Ammon goes, that great spirit actually, is God, and God is like this and goes off. Well, We were going like 2 verses each, me then him, then his brother.. etc. Anyways, I planned it out so he would read that part, and when he got to it, he right in mid sentence was like, Do you believe in the Great Spirit, (not even a pause) "I know what you guys are doing" and then read the last like 15 verses super fast. He was like whoa, its over. I had this goofy grin on my face the whole rest of the time it was so funny. Anyways, he's reading the BoM and hopefully, we'll get him. He's gonna take a long time.. And I just got an email from one of you guys.

LOST IN MOTHERHOOD . . .

I have just spent the last 34 minutes surfing other people's blogs instead of working on my taxes. I have had so many things going on lately that I didn't know what was happening next without looking at my planner. We have been running from track practice to play practice, from little girl dance classes to big girl dance team performances, from church, scouts, handchime choir, recorder consort, 3rd Grade honor choir, Cadettes, looking for Prom dresses, purchasing Prom accessories, racing from here to there, I haven't had a chance to update my blog.

Jonathan performed his play -- Suessical with the Harrisonville Middle School. It was wonderful. We had weather forecasts of one foot of snow, the play was cancelled, no snow materialized, so the play was rescheduled for Monday.

Lon attended the Midwest Dental Conference. We hosted an old Dental School classmate at our home during the Conference, because she was a woman, that meant I had to clean the entire house, not just the room and bath she would be using. We loved having her, but extra mental stress because I let the kids rooms slide into messyville more than I should.

Being in the Stake Primary Presidency we have several deadlines and major activities that fell during this period. I am so glad most are finished. I have one more assignment this Saturday -- Stake Leadership Meeting. We should be done for a month or more after this is completed.

My Mom is having surgery tomorrow on her arm and hand. This should lay her up for a few weeks, right before taxes, and I am not finished. I will be working on them at the Surgery Waiting Room tomorrow. I think I will be there for several hours. Hopefully I will use my time more wisely than today.

I went to drop off Bella for dancing this morning. Usually I just shove her in the door and run away with Scarlett for one hour each Wednesday. I love this hour of doing whatever. Well, as I was leaving Bella, they told me it was the day we get to watch our children dance. Okay, I'm a bad Mom, I actually thought about just leaving her and going on about my business, but peer pressure made me stay and I am glad I did. She got to be line leader and was so cute to watch dance. They are preparing for Recital the first week of June. Her first recital.

The Film Class at the High School will be filming the "Mock Accident" at our house for the next couple of Saturdays. I won't even be here. That is stress when you know that a bunch of teenagers, plus my nine children and husband will be inhabiting my home, and people will be filming what it looks like without me being here. Scarey. I think that Betsy will be the "fake dead" person this year. They bring in the paramedics, police and talk about being safe, etc.

Next Saturday, I get to take Susanna to the Missouri State Honor Choir for 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders in Warrensburg all day. It is a great honor to be chosen to be in the Choir, but it is the time is involved. I would usually be so excited to be able to leave the house and have some "alone" time, but those teenagers will be in my house filming their "mock accident" without me. Susanna wants me to take her instead of Lon. When Jonathan and Connor both made this choir, one time I went and the other times, I think Lon was the lucky fella to sit in an auditorium for six hours. Not that I am not proud, just stingy with my time.

What else, I guess I could complain about not having the clothes folded, sock sorted, etc. I do have dinner cooking and I have washed the clothes, I just don't seem to get them folded or put away lately. Sometimes I am the laundry queen, just not lately.

The only thing that I have been TOTALLY consistent in is my exercise. I SO don't want to be OLD and FAT. I have been doing an exercise DVD each morning at 5:30 when I get the big girls up to go to Seminary, which they hate. Then Lon and I get the other six kids up and ready and then leave for a 2.5 mile walk. Some days, when we are waiting to pick up a kid at dance around 8:30 pm, we do a double and walk another 2 miles. That is the only thing that I have been doing with diligence. Rush back in to finish the getting ready and take Susanna to her early morning choir practice, and get Jonathan, Connor and Amy on the bus.

In the middle of this Scarlett is continually crying, Bella whining, etc.

This is what I am lost in the middle of right now. Someday, I will climb out of my hole and be more grateful for my blessed life. I can logically see that I am so blessed, but the selfish me sees the areas in which I am not blessed.

Forgive me, I will be normal after this tax stress is off my back.

By the way, tomorrow my oldest child turns 20 years old. That is a milestone. He has been on his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for over nine months. He is in La Puente, California, east of Los Angeles for the past few months.

I hope he has a terrific birthday serving the Lord.

Maybe someday I will be FOUND in motherhood. I really do love being a mother, wouldn't trade a minute of any of it. Some parts of it is just easier than others.

I will put some pictures up of the lovely children I have given birth to in the next few weeks. In the meantime, look at my facebook and see pictures of the big girls in their Prom finery.

Love to everyone from Harrisonville.


Elder Tracy's First Christmas In California -- 2008


Elder Lon Tracy caroling during December 2008.

Elder Lonnie Tracy and his Zone caroling -- 12/2008.

Elder Lon Tracy, Elder Jung, and I don't know who the boy
and girl are in front of them. Chino California -- 12/2008.


Elder Jung and Elder Tracy, 12-2008.


Just a nice update from one of the Bishopric Members in the ward where Lonnie is serving his mission in. He happens to be related to Lon's mother's family. Great job Lonnie! You make us proud to be your family!

Hi Lon and Dana,

Thought you would like to see these photos of your son on his mission. We had the Elders from the Zone over last night singing Christmas carols and handing out passalong cards. As you can see, your son is... Read More having a great time. We have been blessed to have him in our ward for the past 4 months. He is strong in the spirit, filled with zeal for the work, and has enjoyed great success in bringing some wonderful people into our ward.

I have not met you, but Lon Sr. and I are second cousins. I am a son of Ron Dennis. My Great Grandmother was Zina Christeen Harris Furner Dennis Pratt. Your son met my parents when they were missionaries at Adam-ondi-Ahman. We refer to Elder Tracy as "Elder Cousin". Thanks for sharing your son with us. You can be proud of him and his younger siblings can look up to him as a great example.

Merry Christmas!
Alan Dennis

Christmas Eve 2008 -- Opening Present From Goldie



Amy, Betsy, Connor, Emily, Susanna, Bella, Katie, and
Jonathan's hand opening up their presents from Lon's
dental assistant Goldie. She is so great to them. It is a
Christmas Eve tradition opening up Goldie's presents before
they go to bed.

Jonathan, Bella, Amy, Betsy, Connor, Emily, Katie, and
Scarlett opening their Christmas gift from Goldie Rogers.


Lon taking the picture of the kids and I opening our Goldie
present.

Christmas Eve Caroling Party 2008


Teenagers at the dining room table Christmas Eve 2008.
Everyone came over around 4:00 pm. We started eating
while we waited for all the family and friends to arrive.
In this photo Colin, Betsy, Emily, Katie, Joseph and Maddie
are having fun talking.


Shawn, Lon, Adam, Karen, and Elder McMurray's back
talking in the front room.

A candid shot during caroling. The blue coat with funny hat
in the middle is Jonathan, Susanna is in front of him with
Uncle Shawn's bells. We had about 50 go caroling with us
this year. We were awesome. We caroled about 13 families
and then headed back to our house for donuts and chocolate
milk, and the rest of the croissant sandwiches, relish tray,
cookies, chips, dip, etc. It all tasted good.

We left to carol around 6:00 pm. We returned and there
was a Fed Ex package waiting on our front porch. It was
a gift from Lonnie, our missionary son, in California. Could
you ask for a better timing, we return to his gift waiting for
us. The kids were so excited, but I made them wait until
Christmas day to open it.

He sent us Family Home Evening in a box. Three discussions,
two bags of candy and the board game "Apples to Apples".
It was very cute and thoughtful. We love and miss Lonnie.

It is our first Christmas without him. He definitely was missed!
But we received photos of him caroling with his zone a few days
previous that I will post. I just can't figure out how to get them
up on here.

We had a Christmas Eve to remember. Most everyone left by
ten o'clock. Then we opened our gifts from Lon's dental assistant
Goldie Rogers. She is so good to our family. Each year she
remembers each of the children's birthdays and always gets them
a Christmas Gift.

More Snow Days 2008


Lon, Susanna, Emily and some of the other kids coming up
the hill. Notice our vintage sleds. Lon got three for us at
two different auctions. We are looking for a few more. They
are the best!!

Amy, Scarlett, Dana, Emily, Bella and Katie Tracy making
it up the hill. We had two snow days, but the roads weren't
too bad. We made the most of it with our sledding fun. It
was really COLD though.

Snow Day December 2008


Jonathan, Emily and Amy coming up the hill.

Dana pulling Bella and Amy.

Katie pulling Bella.

Connor, Bella, Katie, Dana sledding down the hill around
the corner from our house, we call it "Big Circle."

Emily with some of the family behind her.

Jonathan's Seventh Grade Christmas Band Concert


When we arrived at the Concert 1/2 hour early, there were
no seats where our family could sit together. I put kids two
by two here and there. Lon, Katie, Scarlett, Susanna and I
sat on the floor near the back of the auditorium. A few of
her friends came down to sit with us. We were having so
much fun with Scarlett dancing during the songs. Jonathan's
band did a great job.

Jonathan Tracy with his trumpet, during the 7th Grade
Christmas Concert. He is FIRST CHAIR. He does a
great job.


Katie got an action shot of Jonathan warming up.

Susanna's Third Grade Program



Susanna's class was from Germany and she recited and
sang a solo during the program. I also must add that
she won "CUTEST HAIR". She did a great job.


Susanna during her speaking part!

More of Betsy's 18th Birthday -- 12/02/08



Betsy's 18th Family Birthday Party

Photo starting at left front working counterclockwise:
Scarlett, Mom, Amy, Katie, Connor, Emily, Betsy,
Codi (her best friend), Joseph (can't really see him)
Susanna, Jonathan, Bella and Dad taking the picture.

This year I actually wrapped her presents, not just
putting them in a bath towel. She was so impressed!

Betsy Turns 18 Years Old!


Who would guess that Betsy could be 18 years old already?

She is just a wild and crazy kid. We love her!!!

We had a birthday party for her with her friend Codi Schmidt
and our family present. Joseph was staying with us during
Shawn and Darlene's cruise. Luckies!