The only picture I've taken in the past week :) Echo was not feeling this picture-taking business, but she loves the remote.

What inspired me this week?

Okay. This seems dumb but I'll share it anyway. Graham and I are trying to do 30 minutes of intense exercises, by our standards, each night. After 2 ab workouts (thanks YouTube for the freebies!) we put on a back workout. We didn't know until we clicked on it what it would be. It ended up being yoga! I have done it before and, like always, I enjoyed it. There was serene music playing, it felt like a workout without being too over-the-top, hint hint Jillian Michaels. I was showing off way too many of my wannabe moves to Graham. Simple things like this make me feel inspired to find better ways that can help motivate me to be better.

Name one blessing I've seen this week.

I wrote about my sad woes with feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes it's just inevitable, right? Well I went on and read my scriptures and suddenly~ I felt empowered. I had energy. I had small flames visible in my eye sockets. I filed my taxes, I washed up all my clothes, I paid our bills, I finished up projects, I ran errand after errand. I punched through most of my tasks and it was sweet relief. For me, it just takes hunkering down and remembering "one thing at a time, what needs to be done today."

A goal/task I've achieved this week?

I offered up an idea, that a friend suggested, for a Young Women Camp Fundraiser at Church. Basically we are selling items the girls have assembled to our fellow ward members. It's allowing them to utilize their own skills and doing something different from their typical method (a huuuge bake sale). Since I volunteered it, I've worked very hard to head it up. It has been a very fine mixture of a struggle and a pleasure. This was our first month of a 4 month process, aka lots of trial and error. I'm having lots of anxiety and fun! Wednesday we finally assembled them and everyone worked so hard. My heart was swelling with pride- thanks Hendricks Ave YW, I love you! Get with me if you want to buy some cute stuff, friends;) 

My response to a new article/topic?

JK Rowling retweeted that she is releasing the new play, that I couldn't get London tickets for, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in book format. YES. I won't lie, when I told Graham I was actually brought to tears. It's not 100% written by Rowling so I am a little skeptical as to how authentic it will be, but mostly I'm thrilled. C'mon! I've been wanting this for years so I can't complain much. July 31st it drops- and I'm gonna pre-order or die trying.

A goal/task I'm working on now?

I want to work harder on being more in tune with the Holy Ghost. Being super involved in my Church we hear a lot about the 'still small voice.' There are times when I know I have been inspired to do/say certain things, things that I recap later on with joy. To receive personal revelation to problems and concerns is something we are promised, it's a privilege. And I need to be better about employing it!

Conversation recap from G + Me?

*Doing Ab Workouts*

Gym Coach:"ARE YOU FEELING THE BURN?"

*5 seconds in* 

"Oh my gosh! Yes." *Pants*

"Ugggghhhh. Oh- can't breathe."

"Noooo, there's a cramp in my quad!"

"Let's pause the video."

 "WHAT are you doing?"

"You aren't doing it right!"

"Neither are you!"

*Critiques each other's form for every workout*

(I should record us because we look so pathetic it's hilarious!)

Weekly Poll: How many days til Listi's home?

Trick question- 6! Yep, next time I check in on Thoughtful Thursdays I'll (hopefully) have many great things to say about the supreme, wise being she has evolved into. I imagine it being the equivalent from Charmander to Charizard. Still shaking my head about how quickly it elapsed. She is so pumped and broken- hearted; she has loved the Tucsonian people. But she loves her Douglasonians (and 2 Jacksonvillans!) more.

Thoughtful Thursdays Wk. 2

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.