What inspired me this week?

Learning of others who express charity. I had a interview about volunteer hours in a local hospital; being the person I am, I signed up for the Infant Cuddler position (Yes, that is a thing. I start in about 2 weeks! I'm thrilled!). When it was time to find the day and hours that would work for me, I was told "Many of our volunteers have been with us for 20+ years, but we can find a place for you." 20 years? Oh to be known for having a good, charitable heart, bless these sweet people who donated so much of their time. One day I hope people will think that about me- I'm certainly not there yet ;)

Name one blessing I've seen this week.

I think I have achieved the closest point of nirvana as I can get with infertility. I have few moments of sadness, but generally I feel so neutral; I realize that I love my life the way it is. This is a major key (hats to DJ Khaled again) for living life with PCOS.

A goal I've achieved this week?

You know when someone makes a crazy question or statement- like to the point that you wish you could have recorded it and played it to other people so they know you aren't lying when you recap it? Yeah that kind. I heard one and didn't even giggle, nor smile, nor have any jaw dropping action. This is a goal, as one time Graham and I laughed until we cried heartily over another bizarre situation, I know it can appear to be cruel, if noted. But honestly, people gotta think before they spout off some lunacy :)

My response to a news article/topic?

Getting online always ends up being a deep, dark rabbit hole that pulls me under. I can't help but read one thing, then I find a similar link, how awesome is that? Then there's one with a differing view, I gotta know both sides- amiright!? And lookee here! The backstory of that same article, I gotta know for context purpose. This time it was the who played in the Harry Potter films. Graham and I are listening to the Audiobooks together, sorry I've said that 100 times lately, so they are on my mind. I've always despised the actual Daniel Radcliffe (he announced that he wasn't the least bit like Harry, except for that he would want an owl- heart.broken.) but after reading so much about him- he's growing on me! That and Alan Rickman. Man, I loved him. When we finish up I'm going to read the actual Severus Snape Wikipedia  page to him. It's fascinating! And why do I love fictional characters so much? Seriously, I need a grip on reality.

A goal/task I'm working on right now?

Throwing the ultimate (kinda-ish surprise) getaway weekend for Graham's birthday. My boo is going to turn 29 on Tuesday, so this weekend we are celebrating him. Btw, love him more than anything else, I'm nervous about how getting everything executed. I'll return with details later.

A conversation recap from G + Me?

*Graham's praying*

*Momentarily opened my eyes*

G: Please bless Lacey to be more reverent during the prayer.

Weekly Poll: Anyone watch the Face2Face Broadcast?

The Church puts out so many different forms of media that it's hard to keep up with them all. Luckily, my calling helps me to stay on track- for the most part. I was oddly struck by the Laurel asking about motherhood though, but then maybe it's never too early to prepare. (Okay, but seriously, why not ask a more pertinent Q?) Anyone else catch anything? Feel free to comment underneath or on the Facebook post.

Thoughtful Thursdays Wk. 1

   New year, new me- right? Okay, not really. But I am adamantly wanting to work on the quality of my blog. I think whenever I sit down and get into the nitty gritty I can punch out good quality material, but moreso I realize I’m often in a hurry so I write down a few lines, toss in a joke if I can and wrap it up. I will definitely keep this up (sometimes it’s all I have time for) but I want to be sure to make larger quantities of the others. So here’s to trying to do that. And to add to this, I’m committing to a weekly post, posted on Thursdays. I want my blog to be a true reflection of myself; I think writing is a large chunk of 'me'. These same questions will be asked and answered next Thursday. Hope to see you then!

What inspires me?

People who live their faith. In this blog I share a lot of details about my own experience with religion and spirituality, but seeing it put in place by others makes my heart swell. I went out with the Sister missionaries this week and knowing they left their families, friends, lives behind is inspiring. (Listi’s home in 3 weeks and 6 days!)

Name one blessing I’ve seen this week?

The healing power of Disney World, the happiest place on Earth. It can simply vanquish all of my sadness.

A goal I’ve achieved this week?

I have been reorganizing and deep cleaning my living room viciously. It looks so much better! Everyone who knows me realized that I tend to hoard things, I'm working on letting things go. I'm determined to write a post about it, and sharing pictures, when I'm finished.

My response to a recent news article/topic?

It’s not the *most* recent, but I’ve recently gotten into Making A Murder (documentary) and Serial (podcast). Both of these delve into murder mysteries, anxiously trying to uncover all of the details. I am saddened and heartbroken by the shady ways our justice department dealt with MAM. Serial just leaves me scratching my head, debating who was the true perpetrator- I’ve haven’t finished this one yet so no spoilers plz!

A goal/task I’m working on right now?

There are 2 different interviews I have in place for next week- one is job related and another is a volunteer experience; I’ll expound further when/if they come to fruition. Awaiting nervously in the meantime.

A conversation recap from G + Me?

“Hey let me see your phone.” -G

*Hands it over, he fiddles with it*

“Okay, here you go. Watch this!” –G

*Shows me a new lock screen on my phone of him puckering his lips up*

*Falls in love all over again*

“OH MY GOSH.” -L

Weekly Poll: Is being self- deprecating funny or awkward?

I like the idea of engaging my readers and gaining constructive criticism. I know I employ a lot of negative ideas towards myself- what’s your thoughts on my approach? Is it silly and relatable? Or does it invite too much off- putting thoughts? Feel free to comment underneath or on the Facebook post.

Great Smoky Mountains Pt. IV

 

    Our impromptu photo shoot- we decided to take a picture, randomly found the blanket and snuggled up for a series of them. I can't wait to get these bad boys printed, they're some of my favorite to date. We loved this bit of the USofA so much that we've already booked a stay in late September with family. I can't wait to experience the fall weather and foilage, it's sure to be one for the books.

    Overall, the Great Smoky Mountain getaway was ideal for relaxation, with spurts of exploring. There were areas more magical than I could explain in words. The drive, from our home, was just far enough that it felt like a completely different area, but close enough that it wasn't miserable. You know what? There isn't much I like more than being crammed into our Sonata with snacks, an audiobook and my man by my side. Until we meet again GSM!

Great Smoky Mountains Pt. III

    As the days rolled forth we dreaded our departure. Our cabin was seemingly perfect, we had zero obligations and it was bliss. We decided to go past the Cherokee Reservation, the Parkway to get to Gatlinburg to ride the Mountain Coaster we had passed days before. We decided to stop by all the best spots for our last bit of pictures during our drive. Waterfalls, rivers, mountain ranges- how are there so many gorgeous things in one place?

    As we were around 10 miles from town, we drove along the winding road as our Harry Potter audiobook kept us entertained. Suddenly we realized that we were just getting into heavy, thick fog. We had viewed it from our cabin in the morning, but hadn't encountered it anywhere else. It made everything around us appear beautiful and strange. At last it struck us why this place was given the name "Smoky."

    The Mountain Coaster was an experience. I've included a link for anyone who wishes to see what it was. Graham and I waited in line for an hour in the frigid weather before getting on the ride (in our defense we completely underestimated the wait time), The first go around was a big disappointment, the lady in front of me kept braking, forcing me to brake and that made me miss thrill of the big turns. An Indian named Running Bear worked the end of the ride, then jokingly blamed ME for slowing Graham down (as he was behind me) and the chain reaction that came with it. We got off the ride and I was so aggravated. It was pretty expensive ($28 for the two of us to go once) and that coupled with the wait left me unsatisfied. Graham went back to Running Bear and explained the situation, he allowed us to ride again, but together. Boy! The weight of the two of us let our little cart fly. We went as fast as it would let us go on every curve. We had tears that slid out the side of our eyes from the speed and cold. Towards the end we were going so fast that workers yelled out, "hey! slooooooow down!" We enjoyed it so much more!

    Afterwards we had more Bar B Que, this area is filled with the best kind; what makes it so delicious? It was nearing sunset and we decided to drive through the Parkway for the last time before the sun set. I'd say that was the best move throughout the trip. We stopped no less than 4 times in awe of the beauty that God had created. Of course, my camera and tripod were used continually because we couldn't get over it (hence alllll the many pictures underneath this). The sky was painted in bright cotton candy colors with the full spread of the mountains at one rest stop, a small Asian man looked at us and said, "So beautiful. right?" We could only nod our heads.

    Graham wasn't completely sold on our hats buuuuuuuut I'm a fan :)

Great Smoky Mountains Pt. II

    This was the view from our cabin- a nice foggy morning :) Technically, every morning but one was so foggy that we couldn't see the mountain range. A great way to start off the day, in our opinion.

     I was so adamant about making this trip as stress free as possible; I wanted to laze in my pajamas with a book in my hand, then sight see for hours, only to come on home for a delectable meal. And, for the most part, we sure did! Our second day in the Cabin we enjoyed the hot tub. It was 50 degrees outside, relatively nice out, and by the time we got into the hot tub it was scalding hot! So we hung out in the cold waiting for it to cool down. I'm serious, I'll be devastated the day I can't enter one. There's hardly anything I like better.

    Afterwards we dressed up for a few photo ops. I can't help but take picture after picture- it's priceless to see them memorialized moments in later days. We left back for Cherokee Reservation to hit up their Museum. It reminded me so much of the Holocaust Memorial, a perfect tribute but depressing all the same. I picked out a shirt that I can't quit wearing, it's a maroon one that read "The Mountains Are Calling, And So I Must Go," We drove on another side of the parkway (away from Gatlinburg) and ran into a beautiful sunset. 

    I looooved this place.

Great Smoky Mountains Pt. I

     THE SMOKIES WERE FANTASTIC. Lookit! A rainbow cradled beneath this view. What could have been more glorious? Seriously, why on earth did we wait so long to go? I guess I'm a big skeptic on how beautiful and serene the nearby surroundings can be. It's nice to know it's just a short drive away :)
     During late October we had another "so where are we gonna go next time?" discussion. Graham had several vacation days that he needed to use before he lost them, so we decided for him to schedule a big block to use them before and after the Christmas holidays. We went over our list of places we wanted to see that would fit in accordance with out budget. After lots of digging I found some incredibly low-priced tickets to Peru. I have always wanted to see Machu Picchu  and when's a better time than with an great deal? We purchased them and I began to plan for our trip, with feelings of elation. After a twist of events Graham found out his class was over our trip, we had originally looked and didn't have the correct information. It was very unfortunate, since we decided we would be in the heart of the Andes Mountains during his class time. His professor was not understanding, under the pretense that he had logged in to teach in many countries. G felt serious anxiety, particularly since his end-of-term paper was due then. (And it was like 35 pages long.) It just didn't seem like a good idea. We called our credit card company to cancel within a few days of our buying them. I was very sad.
    Then fate smiled upon us and we found the true tickets I really, really, really wanted. We found an amazing deal to fly into England and France, like, half the cost of our Italian tickets. And without hesitation we bought them! But that was for May 2016- Graham still had to use his 2015 days. So we racked our brains for ideas. Would we go on a cruise? a road trip? go to the West Coast? Finally I decided I would prefer to stay closer to home and save as much money for our biiig upcoming trip. In conjunction with this, Graham really wanted to see snow. We looked to the Smokies as our best bet for the two.
    I had never before visited the Great Smoky Mountains, while Graham hadn't in many years. I searched in vain for an affordable cabin with gorgeous mountain views. Everywhere was so overwhelmingly pricey! Not for the faint of heart. I began expanding the location to include small town, figuring we could the drive the difference. We stumbled upon a wonderful studio apartment at the top of a mountain with a jacuzzi, an indoor fire place and 20 foot window with mountain views. It was also very inexpensive, as the shining cherry on top. We jumped at the offer for a stay at Eagle's Nest. Since it was a little bit on the outskirts we traveled directly through the Parkway each day to get into Gatlinburg. I can't help, even now, to shake my head and marvel. When we would turn and see the look out points with the piercing mountain range behind it... There just isn't the right words to explain the beauty.
    Our first nice we decided to stay in Asheville, so we could quickly get into our cabin the following morning (and let's be honest, he had the time off so why not?) We didn't get in until dark, we watched a movie at the local theatre thanks to Christmas gift cards, and didn't awake until late the next morning to see the mall. We strolled around taking advantage of post- Christmas deals until we left for our home-away-from-home. We were in awe to see the place! On first glace, an eggplant house, had left us in uncertaintly but we were quickly converted. We carried all our luggage upstairs, which seemed to take forever after the 3 trips to bring our stuff in. After immersing ourselves in cable tv, we rested.
    The first official morning we left for Gatlinburg! We leisurely drove through the Parkway, stopping every few miles for pictures and oooh, ahhh's. As we pulled into G-burg, where we spent several days as tourists, it was completely in the hustle and bustle phase, complete with bumper to bumper traffic. We visited Ober, a German tourist trap with a couple rides, which Graham enjoyed as a child, and rode up and down the mountain in their contraptions. We paid a little extra to ride a "scenic chair" for us to see Gatlinburg from the top of Mt. Harrison (it wasn't that high). By the time we got onto the chair, around 6, the sun began to set. I had a tiny long sleeved shirt and Graham had a thin short sleeved shirt- we FROZE up as we slowly rose upwards. I also forgot to put my boots in the car so I had sandals on. My poor piggies. Seriously though, we were hugging and rubbing each other's back for the little bit of warmth. I cursed the trip in it's entirety through chattering teeth. When we reached the top we paid astronomical prices for watered down cider and hot chocolate, but we didn't care. We tried to pace ourselves so we could drink down the mountain for warmth. Then, after letting the heat course through us, we looked at the lights of the city from way up top, you know- what we actually came for. It sure was pretty! I wish my pictures would have turned out so I could show it off, but I guess that'll just stay as a good memory for us. As soon as we reached the car we blasted the heat until we completely thawed out. We didn't leave without a jacket any other day that week ;)
    Here is our photos from our first night in Asheville, followed by our first day in Tennessee.

The ones below are photos that we took on our scenic route to Gatlinburg, right on the Parkway!