Me & My Daughters
Me & My Daughters

Full of dreams and driven to succeed I started out as an aspiring student at Texas Womens University. This girl was going to rule the world of art and dance. Then, when I was 20 and single, along comes my game changing son who is now 17 years old. From the first moment I laid eyes on him I knew my calling was to be mom first, and whatever else would come second. I left my dream college, put up my point shoes, moved back home and busted my hind end getting my degree in early child development with my bouncing baby boy on my hip.

Single mom for six years
Single mom for six years

Fast forward six years. In true Traci fashion, every major life event has happened in a unique way in its own time and for the past decade plus, my life could have been pulled straight from a daytime soap opera script. I met my husband while on a date with another man and for three of my rockiest years we remained close friends until one day we shared a life changing kiss. Yeah, yeah, I know it sounds corny but seriously, in a ten second span of time we went from secret sharing, shoulder crying friends to madly deeply in love. Don’t get me wrong it takes a lot of work to keep us there but my extrovert self completes his introvert self and his practical thinking keeps my ADD mind on track.

After the leap of no return we became a force that would endure great challenges as parents and a couple before we even celebrated our first anniversary. In a matter of two years we would welcome our first daughter, say our vows, hear that our daughter has a brain tumor, and complete our family with a second baby girl. Life was challenging enough meeting three kids needs with the added stress of cancer treatment, but my sanityIn a matter of two years we would welcome our first daughter, say our vows, hear that our daughter has a brain tumor, and complete our family with a second baby girl. is questionable at best and I asked for more. I encouraged my husband to go back to school and completely start over. While my husband was attending Texas Tech working on his Petroleum Engineering degree I would continue working a full time job, care for the kids, and manage all the medical issues with our daughter who relapsed three times before daddy graduated.

My husband and I at his graduation in 2011
My husband and I at his graduation in 2011

In 2011 my husband received a job offer in Austin and we packed up and moved from Red Raider country to the land of Longhorns. Don’t fret fellow Raiders, we established a strong foundation. Our family still bleeds scarlet and black. The move presented us with yet another challenge of not knowing a single soul in our new village. Due to the lack of a support system, the desire to make the transition easier on our kids, and our daughter’s immense medical needs, I chose to leave the world of employment, which I had belonged to since I was 15, and join the ranks of the stay at home moms. It was the scariest thing I have ever done. Somewhere in my mind I had defined myself by the successes in my work, but for the last three years and nine months I have gained knowledge of the other side of the story. With total sincerity I can honestly say I have nothing but respect for whatever kind of mom you are. I have now done both and it is clear we all ultimately have the same desires. We just want to make it through the day with all children still alive and the ability to enjoy a glass, or two, of wine in peace.

Through all my crazy chaos I remain positive. Some may say surprisingly positive, I say it’s just insanity. Just like the quote from Sherrilyn Kenyon, “I don’t suffer from my insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.” My real secret? Writing, creating art, and laughter. I consider it a thrifty form of therapy. I take one day at a time working through my problems and celebrating the victories. Besides with a sarcastic husband, three great kids, 4 dogs, and three cats my life is never dull.

Tracisunshine

 

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