Hello, I am Tracy Brings Gruwell. I have called Big Lake my home for my entire life. I am a licensed family child care provider. It a true passion of mine. I love spending time outdoors with my husband and girls, boating, fishing, going for walks around Big Lake, crafts, cooking, entertaining and being with my family and friends. If you know me then you know my extreme love for everything Disney!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to Daniel for 15 years. We have 2 girls, Kassidy Olson 25 and Stephanie Gruwell 11. My husband has worked for Modern Auto Body for the last 30 years, Kassidy is an ER tech and EMT and Stephanie is in 5th Grade.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
I have lived in Big Lake for almost 46 years. I have done licensed family child care for 13 years and prior to that I worked for Target.
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
After being laid off from Target, I chose family child care. It was always a passion of mine. It’s one of the most rewarding careers. We do lots of fun cooking projects, holiday projects and community projects. I help get them ready for kindergarten and teach self help skills to be good pupils.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
Yes, Trace or MaMa Trace. My friends always called me Trace in high school and now my daycare friends call me it also.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
I don’t watch many tv shows. I do indulge in the Hallmark Christmas shows around the holidays. I love any Disney movie. Most the books I read are children’s books.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My favorite food is tacos and my beverage of choice is Dr. Pepper.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Some of my favorite summer hobbies are, boating, fishing, gardening, planting flowers, walks around the lake, and just being outside. During the winter I love to go snowmobiling, decorating for the holidays and all the holiday crafts.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
I wish I traveled more. I am always up for a Disney world trip. I would also like to take Stephanie to an episode of Masked Singer – our favorite show.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
Well if I were to win the lottery I would pay off any of our debt, save for Stephanie’s college and take my family on a vacation. Of course I would also make a charitable donation to American Heart Association.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
I would say my biggest challenge was being a young parent and not in the healthiest relationship. I had to work a couple different jobs sometimes while only getting 4 hours of sleep a day. Kassidy and I made due with what we had. Hard work truly pays off.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I could let go of the hurt people cause me and stand up for myself.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
My grandfather, Ivan Lundstrom. He was always there for me and never judged. I miss him so much.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
I am in the process of writing a Daycare Cookbook and going to certain family functions gives me great anxiety.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
My girls are my everything along with my day care littles.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
My 2 favorite restaurants are Willy’s on the Water and the Buff. When I want to hang out with my friends, Tootsies is my go to favorite watering hole.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
I love the small town atmosphere. Everyone is friendly and willing to help their fellow Big Laker out.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Be proud of the community you live in, get out and lend a helping hand to your fellow neighbors.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
There are so many great people in our community. I would have to say Raeanne Danielowski. I see her at all community events whether it be Kindergarten Round-up, Music in the Park, Spud fest, and the list goes on. She has so much passion for Big Lake, she always has a smile on her face, and she is by far the most friendliest person.
