I don’t know about ya’ll, but sometimes all I need is time to rejuvenate. I need to find my core- the place where everything in the universe begins to collide, then connect and make sense. Last night I was frustrated, completely seeing things in from a one- sided point of view, a good old case of the mean reds. In the end, I decided not to post my lengthy spiel I’d written and, now, I am relieved about that.

    At the end of the day, there are always a few things about myself that I wish to improve. One of my most unappealing flaws, is appearing to be overly pious- and to anyone who feels that I do, I’m sorry. I have yet to figure out preach without being ‘preachy’. I technically know what I should do, but sometimes a sassy girl like me can't remember when to bite her tongue! If it helps, I only do so because I truly care.

    Just know that I’m trying to be better. I can't always grasp the big picture. I find myself tangled up in  hopes and aspirations as big as the sky; sometimes they’re things I never imagined I’d want! I want more and more and more and more. In return I see that I have to seek and serve and give more.

    In closing (seriously must be in Church mode for phrases like these to pop in my head), yesterday at institute we came across this glorious, inspiring scripture which has resonated in my conscious ever since.

“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” (3^rd Nephi 5:13)

There is so much more potential to each of us; may we each be able to find the paths we were meant to be on.

    I’m Lacey. I like having fun, kissing my husband and learning more about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just a Thursday

    Hi! Okay, first of all, I apologize about my rant found in yesterday's post- I've just been feeling a little burnt out recently. Nothing that a few chocolate chip cookies won't help! Moving on.

    I have been thinking a lot about today. For most people it's just a Thursday, which just means one more day until Friday. But to one of my closest friends, Hilary Wooten to be precise, it's the day before her wedding. 

    Can I just say how big of an achievement that is? To be preparing to tie your life to another person's, willing to commit to live&love someone for all of eternity? It's a big thing. My Aunt Sharon told me that deciding on a companion is one of the most important choices that you can make in life. I hope she will not mind me sharing, but she also had a story to go along with that bit of advice, and y'all know I love a good anecdote. One afternoon she was spending time with her mother, my great- grandmother, and she began to say something negative about her husband- immediately she was shocked to hear her mother taking the opposing side. Her mother told her that she, Sharon, had personally made the choice of who she would marry, no one had obligated her into it. To quote President Thomas S. Monson "choose your love, love your choice."

    And that's that. One of the biggest decisions a person can make lies squarely on their own shoulders. I hope that the unmarried will contemplate that. I know that I prayed, fasted and sought extensive counsel before getting married. It's a big commitment and one that needs to be right. I know that despite a few things we have yet to perfect, Graham is the man for me. I sincerely hope that everyone can say that with similar conviction, in due time.

    I am grateful for Hilary and her fiancée (until tomorrow!) for choosing to be married in the temple. I am grateful for all of those who have made a choice to be sealed forever with their true love. There isn't an accurate way to describe marriage- it's just one big swirl of mischief and fun and heartache all shared with the person who becomes your best friend.

   Actually some of my best memories come from times that Hilary and I were together. For instance, when I very first moved into Young Women's at a new ward I came home the first few Sundays and told my Mama how Hilary had extended an arm of friendship. Later, we truly bonded during Sociology when our teacher was discussing the LDS church- I will always remember both of us carrying hardback scriptures in our purses. :) We had way too much at YSA conferences, making so many wonderful memories.  In my time of need, Hilary was there to accompany me on the first date I shared with Graham. She befriended him- after a few fights between the two- and we rode around in her car talking about everything many times. She witnessed my temple marriage and stood by my side as one of my attendants. Have I told you guys how great of a friend she is? I am so grateful for the wonderful person she  is!

    Josef, you are a very lucky man to marry one of my best friends. Hilary, I can't wait to see you leaving those temple doors as a married woman, all dressed in white! I wish you two an eternity of happiness!! 

      Hilary's birthday with Savannah!

    On the way to a Gator game!

     Laura Beth's farewell!

    Listi, Hillary, Hannah and Kirk's graduation!

    Church Halloween party!

    At the beach in Jacksonville!

     At Wild Adventures! I think we wore those glasses all day!

    Hanging out in Hilary's car.

    Skyping a friend!

    Going down to a YSA conference!

    Hanging out at VSU's lobby.

    Slip n sliding!

    Playing Twister at my Grandma's!

    On a double date- the first time I really met Graham!

    Savannah's rehearsal dinner!

    Hanging out with Virginia on the day of Savannah's reception!

    Halloween!

    Jacksonville YSA Conference!

    The day we came back from the YSA Confernece with Blake!

    Right before Hilary left for her mission!

    Just a few of the girls who stood beside me for my own wedding day. I am so proud that each of us were sealed in the temple to the men that we love! It's hard to come by good friends with good values- I am lucky to have several.

    Congratulations Josef and Hilary, you're making the best decision you've ever made.

Maximum Overload?

    Hello friends in Blogland. I guess recently I just haven't had the desire to write too much; I'm still kicking, but sometimes I feel so swamped. 

You know, it's inevitable. My life right now consists of 100 ever- changing things. I don't know about the rest of you but the older I get the more stressed I get! I always seem to have a few daunting loads of laundry, a stacking pile of homework, a few lessons I need to prepare, a hundred occasions to get things in order for, along with working every week day... I just can't stand the thought of having one more thing to worry about sometimes!

     I try really hard to be positive, but sometimes it gets to be so grueling. How do you guys deal with everything? I really fantasize about being one of those "well put together people" with their home, career and life all in place. Just a thought, I particularly admire you parents- I will never know how you do it all. 

    Ultimately, my main concern is that there are too many things going on that require my full attention right now. I want an easy solution, yet I can't diminish anything from my schedule. I guess sometimes it is more worthwhile to just get over feeling overwhelmed and move on. 

    Quick story: Several years ago I was hauling in another load of laundry from the laundry room complaining incessantly that I had to, once again, fulfill my household chore of folding the laundry. I moaned about how I truly despised doing the laundry, how annoying it was to day-after-day have more clothes to tend to, how irate the job made me, how I wished I could buy more clothes instead of washing old ones. I can not seem to forget my Mama, the protagonist to my antagonist, in this memory. She looked me square in the eye and told me that I mine as well get over the belly aching because that was one thing that would always need to be done.... And so it is with many other things, I suppose.

   Ugh. So anyways, that's what I am thinking during this hour on this day.  I'm not depressed. I'm not homesick. I'm content with my life. But sometimes, sometimes I simply wish I had more time, more energy, more of everything. 

    Somedays are just bad. But, I am glad that at the end of any bad day I can always rely on someone to tell me to take life "little by little." I love you, Graham. I don't know how I lived without you. 

Always Moving

    My little family, which actually is just Graham and I, loves to seek out new fun things. Truly, we have moments where our lives are boring as can be, but we are also have many moments where we get to visit new places, try out new experiences and make some pretty lasting memories. I can truly say, I savor them all; it's been one journey after another and I wouldn't change it!
    But to get down to the heart of it, for Christmas I struggled with Graham's "big gift." The man has everything he could want; plus, I always like to surprise him with extra special gifts. So figuring I should know him better than anyone I thought about what he enjoys- eating out, having new adventures (ones where he won't be embarrassed- he is a stickler about that) and he usually adores when I handmake him gifts. I racked my brain for a great idea and then I remembered how that he confided to me once that he had never went ziplining, alas it was (secretly) decided! If you live in northeast Florida, like us, it's easy to see that there is lots of options. But I really wanted to go on one that was sure to be the most fun. Of course, I turned to the handy, dandy internet! TripAdvisor listed each nearby zip lining course with several reviews from various individuals, which was so utterly convenient. A few were axed off because they were said to be exceptionally slow, some were outrageously priced and a few of the locations I didn't like. Yet one stood out as fun, quick and worth the money: Gatorland's Screamin' Gator Zipline! 

    Christmas night, when just the two of us were at home alone, we had our first Christmas with only the tree glowing with steaming hot chocolate. It was a very special night between just the two of us. All in all, he was excited about the gift and I was thrilled!
    Flashforward. Our trip was scheduled for January 4th at 10:30am. We nearly froze to death the night before so I wasn't playing any games. We each were decked out with two shirts, thick jackets, and long johns under our pants. Gatorland itself was really neat. A park dedicated strictly to Alligators, Crocodiles and snakes it was basically my personal nightmare in real life (only half joking here, people). There were gator wrestling shows, a train ride around the breeding marshes and the actual Zipline! We were rushed into the Zipline area because we had to watch a safety video and grab our gear- we were running behind, as usual. When we reached our first location we met our companions for the trip: a nice family of four with two young kids (7 and 11), a man of about fifty accompanied by his seventy nine year old (YES! 79!!) mother. We had to climb to the top of the first tower and I realize I am very high up with only a thin wire to save my life as I fly over alligators. I dreaded to ask Graham to go first since this was what I planned  so I jumped in life ahead of him.. While buckling in to go across I became slightly hyperventilative while my brain flooded with "what if..."'s. The guide, referred to as "Cranky Spanky," by the end of our  trip was strapping me in and offering directions. I asked if he would mind pushing me off when I was ready so he gives off a huge laugh and shoves me off before I expect it. I scream the whole way across! Bare in mind the children as old lady did it with smiles on their faces. But man, it was fun. Later on we went higher up, ran across a rickety bridge made of thin wire and had two zip lines so graham and I were able to race! Technically, he made it across first, but he left a second before I did so I am calling it a tie ;)  It was a trip that I am glad we took- my baby boy had fun and I loved it.

    Pre-zip lining experience! I love you Graham! 

    Our Zipline party! Cranky Spanky, me, Graham, family of four, the son of the Grandma, the Grandma and our other fun Instructor Josh!

    First zip! I held on so tight I had a little rope burn. 

    Graham's first zip! He was much more adventurous than I was. Also, he looks like a photogenic supermodel in all of our photos- what gives? 

    After our first zip! Check out all of our intense harnesses, ropes and pulley.

By the second zip I had more fun :)

    I even became a little sassy! Y'all know I am always up for a pose! 

    Baby boy Graham going over the alligators! 

Knowing I planned a trip that made him happy makes it worth all the time, effort and money put into it. I love my husband.