Becoming a grandma is so much more than welcoming a new baby—it's watching your own child become a parent. ❤️

In this episode, Tracy and Cathrine share the joys, laughter, surprises, and even a few concerns that come with this incredible new season of life. From the first time holding a grandbaby to learning when to offer advice (and when to lovingly keep quiet 😄), they explore what it means to support your adult children while falling head over heels for the next generation.

Whether you're already a grandparent, hoping to become one someday, or simply navigating changing family relationships, we hope this conversation encourages you—and gives you a few laughs along the way!

✨ The emotions of becoming a first-time grandma

💙 Your role may have changed, but your influence is still powerful.

💙 Encouragement is one of the greatest gifts you can give your adult children as they navigate parenthood.

💙 Grandchildren are a beautiful reminder that God is faithfully working through every generation.

"One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts."

Take a moment to encourage a parent this week. Whether it's your own son or daughter, a friend, or a young family at church, your kind words may be exactly what they need to hear.

Are you a grandparent?

What's been your biggest surprise, funniest moment, or greatest joy? Share your story with us—we'd love to feature some of your responses in a future episode!

Life happens...grandbabies happen...and we laugh anyway. 💕

Five years ago, we sat down with a couple of microphones, no real clue what we were doing, and a simple desire to encourage women through the ups and downs of life.

Fast forward to today...

🎉 270+ episodes later.

🎉 Tens of thousands of downloads (mind blowing)

🎉 Listeners in every U.S. state and around the world (yes...we're still wondering how Singapore found us! 😂).

🎉 Countless laughs, tears, technical glitches, life lessons, and reminders that God is faithful through it all.

In this special listener inspired episode (thank you Val), we're pulling back the curtain on what it's really been like to podcast together for the last five years.

We'll share:

Whether you've listened since Episode 1 or you're brand new, we're so grateful you're part of the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway family.

Thank you for showing up mostly each week, laughing with us, crying with us, and reminding us that none of us has to do life alone.

You don't have to be famous, have the perfect equipment, or know exactly what you're doing to make a difference.

Sometimes God simply asks us to keep showing up.

How long have you been listening?

Did you find us through a friend...or did you stumble across us by accident?

Send us a message and let us know! We love hearing your stories.

⭐ Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.

⭐ Leave us a review. It helps more women discover the show.

⭐ Share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement and a good laugh.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." — Proverbs 3:5-6

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9

🌐 Website: tracydegraaf.com

🎤 Book Tracy for your next women's event, conference, fundraiser, or outreach.

📚 Check out Tracy's book and comedy special (on Amazon Prime).

🎧 Follow Life Happens Laugh Anyway wherever you listen to podcasts.

Grief isn't just something we experience after losing a loved one. We grieve broken relationships, lost dreams, health challenges, career changes, empty nests, beloved pets, and seasons of life that don't turn out the way we expected.

In this episode, Tracy is joined by special guest and substitute co-host Valerie DeGraaf for an honest conversation about the many faces of grief through two different generations. Together they share personal stories, practical encouragement, and biblical hope for anyone walking through a season of loss.

You'll hear:

Whether you're grieving a recent loss or carrying a hurt that's been with you for years, we hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone and that God meets us right where we are.

Key Scriptures:

Takeaways:

This Week's Challenge:

If this episode encouraged you, would you share it with someone who may need a little hope today? And if you haven't already, we'd love for you to follow the podcast and leave us a review—it helps more people discover the encouragement and laughter we're passionate about sharing.

Because life happens... but with God's help, we can keep moving forward—one faithful step at a time.

Are you the person who plans every minute of vacation... or are you happy to hop in the car and see where the day takes you? 🚗🗺️

In this episode, Cathrine and Tracy dive into the classic "left brain vs. right brain" conversation. While modern science says our brains don't work quite this simply, many of us naturally lean toward being more analytical or more creative. Either way, God has wired each of us with unique strengths.

You'll hear:

Most importantly, we're reminded that God didn't make us all the same. Our differences aren't flaws to fix—they're gifts to celebrate. ❤️

📖 Scripture: Psalm 139:14

💬 Call to Action: This week, think of someone whose brain works completely differently than yours. Instead of being frustrated by your differences, thank God for the unique gifts they bring to your family, workplace, church, or friendships. Be patient with people who are different than you.

🎙️ Because life happens... and sometimes the planner and the dreamer make the very best team. 💙

Have you ever watched a movie and then immediately started Googling because you realized there was a whole chapter of history you never learned in school? 🤯 That's exactly what happened to us after watching Sarah's Oil!

This week, Cathrine, Emily, and Tracy discuss the inspiring true story of Sarah Rector, a young Black girl whose seemingly worthless land turned out to contain a fortune in oil. Along the way, we explore African American history ✊🏾, Native American history 🪶, the Oklahoma oil boom 🛢️, and the surprising connections between them.

✨ Cathrine's summary of the film

❓ What would you do if oil was discovered in your backyard?

🌱 Sometimes the things the world overlooks become the very things God uses for His greatest purposes.

📖 "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." — Psalm 118:22

🎬 Have you seen Sarah's Oil?

Connect with us:

Thanks for listening! 💕

🎙️ Life Happens. Laugh Anyway. 😄❤️

What did you think adulthood would be like? Freedom? Fun? Staying up as late as you want and eating ice cream for dinner? 🍦

Yeah... us too.

In this episode, Tracy, Cathrine, and special guest Valerie (our favorite Millennial mom!) compare notes on the realities of adulthood from two different generations. While some things have changed over the years, we discovered that adulthood has a way of surprising everyone. 😆

From parenting and marriage to budgeting and contentment, we're talking about the things nobody fully prepared us for.

👶 The 24/7 Weight of Parenting

💍 Marriage Communication Isn't as Easy as It Looks

💰 Nobody Escapes Financial Reality

✅ Adulthood is heavier than we expected.

✅ Healthy relationships require intentionality.

✅ Contentment is more valuable than perfection.

📖 Psalm 127:3

📖 James 1:19

📖 Matthew 6:21

📖 Matthew 11:28

✨ What burden are you carrying that God never intended you to carry alone?

Take one small step this week:

What has surprised YOU most about adulthood? 🤔

Connect with us and join the conversation: Email us at [email protected]

And remember...

💕 Life happens.

😂 Adulthood is weird.

☕ Most of us are making it up as we go.

So laugh anyway!

🎙️ Episode 268: “A Nostalgic Look Back in Time”

This week on the Life Happens, Laugh Anyway podcast, Tracy and Cathrine dive headfirst into the weird, wonderful, mildly dangerous world of growing up before smartphones, streaming, GPS and Amazon Prime. 😂

If you ever:

⸻

☎️ Technology Trauma

And if you liked someone?

⸻

🗺️ MapQuest & Getting Lost

Plus:

⸻

📼 TV Was a Commitment

We discuss:

⸻

🚬 Things That Were Weirdly Normal

We talk about:

⸻

✨ 3 Takeaways

1️⃣ Every generation thinks theirs was normal

2️⃣ Convenience changed us

3️⃣ Nostalgia reminds us to laugh

⸻

❤️ Spiritual Encouragement

Every generation has struggles.

Today’s kids may never understand our weird childhood experiences… but they’re navigating challenges we never faced too.

📖 Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)

⸻

📣 We Want to Hear From You!

What’s something young people today will NEVER understand? 😂

Send us:

Email Tracy at:

⸻

🎧 Listen, laugh and subscribe to Life Happens, Laugh Anyway wherever you get your podcasts!