If you haven't noticed, there aren't too many pictures on here for the past couple of posts, and the reason behind that is that Tracy has the camera in west Texas for a class field trip. So I have depend on the pictures I already have . . . and they don't help me portray my "me time" at all.
Tracy's field trip lasts nine days, leaving me with a ton of alone time. Or does it? NOT!! I like how I won't even have a chance to miss him really. I'm spending that time doing so many awesome things!!
Last Friday and Saturday, I helped out with our stake youth conference and taught one of the workshops on Saturday. (P.S. A big thanks goes out to a certain all-powerful, all-knowing Being, you know who you are, who held off the rain until my outdoor workshop was done.) The theme was from Joshua 1:9--Be Stong! We had so much fun!! I love working with the youth, and I learn and grow from those activities probably as much as they do. Even though I spent a lot of time on youth conference with a hundred other people, I felt so good afterward.
Now, it's back to work and normal life (i.e. catching up on cleaning the house--you know, the pig sty I live in--oh yeah), until Thursday when I leave for a regional writing center conference in Louisiana. I'm presenting on the tutoring environment and how to make it more conducive to learning and collaboration. Hoighty-toighty, right?
Tracy and I will get back to College Station on Saturday to start it over again.
But I'll have basically all summer for "me time." Tracy will be working in Houston and coming home on the weekend. Needless to say, my house will be covered in projects, and I might want to have girls' night sleepovers in the middle of the week. Any takers?
I've found that having "me time" alone is really nice and I am looking forward to it for the summer (only a little though), but doing something for other people is a much better use of my time. I feel that I have accomplished something, and I know I won't get bored or lonely.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
So Nice to Be Where I Belong
Imagine Louis Armstrong: Hello, Lacey! Well, hello, Lacey! It's so nice to have you back where you belong!
That's right. I am in Young Womens!! I will be working with the 12- and 13-year-old girls in my ward. I am so excited! I'm also going to camp with most of my Beehive girls at camp as the second year certification leader for the stake, so we'll be pretty darn tight soon.
Already I can feel that this calling will be a lot of work, from what I have witnessed the years and years my mom has been in Young Womens, but I can tell that I will love it. I know that my leaders' efforts made Young Womens significant for me. I grew so much(physically, mentally, and spiritually), made so many friends, and felt strong and close to God in part because of Young Womens, and now it is my turn to give back and pay it forward to them.
Plus, Young Womens will let me feel and be young again! You know, since I am so old at twenty-two.
For our first activity this week, we sewed pillow cases. I got to bust out my wicked awesome sewing machine (thanks again, Tracy). Those pillow cases were adorable!! We were tempted to have a sleepover with our new pillowcases.
I might belong in another calling later in life, but for now, I am where I belong. And I can't wait to get to work!
That's right. I am in Young Womens!! I will be working with the 12- and 13-year-old girls in my ward. I am so excited! I'm also going to camp with most of my Beehive girls at camp as the second year certification leader for the stake, so we'll be pretty darn tight soon.
Already I can feel that this calling will be a lot of work, from what I have witnessed the years and years my mom has been in Young Womens, but I can tell that I will love it. I know that my leaders' efforts made Young Womens significant for me. I grew so much(physically, mentally, and spiritually), made so many friends, and felt strong and close to God in part because of Young Womens, and now it is my turn to give back and pay it forward to them.
Plus, Young Womens will let me feel and be young again! You know, since I am so old at twenty-two.
For our first activity this week, we sewed pillow cases. I got to bust out my wicked awesome sewing machine (thanks again, Tracy). Those pillow cases were adorable!! We were tempted to have a sleepover with our new pillowcases.
I might belong in another calling later in life, but for now, I am where I belong. And I can't wait to get to work!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Reeve Family VI March Madness
Elbow, elbow. Wrist, wrist . . . I won! I feel like a celebrity!
I won my extended family's March Madness challenge. My bracket was the least destroyed after all those crazy upsets. In addition to a pretty sweet gift card (thanks Uncle Gerry!), I get bragging rights over all (76 total people) my cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, parents, and especially my husband for a whole year! Don't worry. I'll go easy on 'em.
You might be wondering "what is her key to success? how did she know?" Well, after I publish a book about it, you can find out. (Uh, right.) Until then, I guess I could just talk about it here. I have no real strategy. Nope. None.
I chose Duke to win because I really like Coach K. (Don't be too impressed; he's the only coach I know by name, or by initial really.) I said that Georgetown (3rd seed) would lose to Ohio (14th seed) mostly because Georgetown had a player that was rude and too dramatic for my liking. Unreliable? Silly? Impractical? Perhaps, but apparently I did something right!
I love upsets, except with Duke. I like watching Duke win. I like watching teams rise to the challenge and play with everything they have, even though no one gave them even a snowball's chance in Arizona. That's what makes watching sports fun--close battles, with sometimes the underdog coming out on top.
My words of wisdom for March Madness: never underestimate the underdogs.
I won my extended family's March Madness challenge. My bracket was the least destroyed after all those crazy upsets. In addition to a pretty sweet gift card (thanks Uncle Gerry!), I get bragging rights over all (76 total people) my cousins, aunts, uncles, siblings, parents, and especially my husband for a whole year! Don't worry. I'll go easy on 'em.
You might be wondering "what is her key to success? how did she know?" Well, after I publish a book about it, you can find out. (Uh, right.) Until then, I guess I could just talk about it here. I have no real strategy. Nope. None.
I chose Duke to win because I really like Coach K. (Don't be too impressed; he's the only coach I know by name, or by initial really.) I said that Georgetown (3rd seed) would lose to Ohio (14th seed) mostly because Georgetown had a player that was rude and too dramatic for my liking. Unreliable? Silly? Impractical? Perhaps, but apparently I did something right!
I love upsets, except with Duke. I like watching Duke win. I like watching teams rise to the challenge and play with everything they have, even though no one gave them even a snowball's chance in Arizona. That's what makes watching sports fun--close battles, with sometimes the underdog coming out on top.
My words of wisdom for March Madness: never underestimate the underdogs.
Friday, April 2, 2010
We'll Follow the Old Man: Lt. Col. Kelvin Kupfer
Twenty-three years ago, my dad joined the air force with two young kids and one on the way (me!!). Almost half of my life was spent on a rural military base. Up until I was twelve, the air force was all I knew. I didn't know people went grocery shopping anywhere else than the commissary. I thought everyone had miles of land to run around in their backyard. (In New York, we even had our own mini-forest and creek.) I thought everyone knew what the BX was. I thought F18s and other aircraft flew everywhere. (I know that's an old model now. They were new back then.) I thought every film in movie theaters started with the national anthem. (I actually got mad at everyone for not standing up in my first civilian movie experience.) Since we moved to Arizona, my dad has used his vacation time from his civilian job to work for the air force and NASA tracking satellites and doing a lot of other awesome things. (He is so awesome that he has to get special clearance to leave the country to make sure he won't give away confidential secrets!)
On April 2, today, my dad retired from the air force as a lieutenant colonel. I have always been my dad's military baby, and although it has been years since I set foot an air force base, I have to admit that while I am so happy that he will be able to use his vacation time for just that, his retirement is rather bittersweet for me. But my joy for him far exceeds any nostalgia.
My dad is a great example of quiet service, sacrifice, love, and patriotism. I am so grateful to him, and I am thrilled that he gets to have his own moment in the spotlight. I'm proud of you, Daddy!
On April 2, today, my dad retired from the air force as a lieutenant colonel. I have always been my dad's military baby, and although it has been years since I set foot an air force base, I have to admit that while I am so happy that he will be able to use his vacation time for just that, his retirement is rather bittersweet for me. But my joy for him far exceeds any nostalgia.
My dad is a great example of quiet service, sacrifice, love, and patriotism. I am so grateful to him, and I am thrilled that he gets to have his own moment in the spotlight. I'm proud of you, Daddy!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Spring Break 2010
There are a lot of things I liked about BYU while we were there. NOT having a spring break definitely was NOT one of them!
1 whole week+0 school or work+2 Texas-sized cities+2 people=endless adventures! Well, not endless exactly . . . we did have to come back to normal life. But we had a lot of fun!
Homemade fries take a lot of work and time, but they are pretty yummy!
We went to the Blue Bell creamery. This brand of ice cream is the best selling ice cream in Texas. I am an ice cream lover, and it is delicious! We got a free sample at the end of our tour. Sweet!
Inside the Alamo walls in the San Antonio.
Uh, this looks a little sketchy, don't you think? I don't sniff my chips.
I forget. What is this place called? I'm trying to remember. (Cheesy, I know, but obligatory with the famous phrase.)
The San Antonio River has a beautiful walkway that runs alongside it.
Does that mean we can park here? Apparently, the driver of that car thought so.
Uh, what?
We also visited Hess, the company that Tracy will be working for this summer! We got to see some of his future co-workers. He is so excited! It's going to be awesome!!
The Houston Texas Temple.
We know many more Texas adventures are still to come, because--let's face it--Texas is a huge state!
1 whole week+0 school or work+2 Texas-sized cities+2 people=endless adventures! Well, not endless exactly . . . we did have to come back to normal life. But we had a lot of fun!
Homemade fries take a lot of work and time, but they are pretty yummy!
We went to the Blue Bell creamery. This brand of ice cream is the best selling ice cream in Texas. I am an ice cream lover, and it is delicious! We got a free sample at the end of our tour. Sweet!
Inside the Alamo walls in the San Antonio.
Uh, this looks a little sketchy, don't you think? I don't sniff my chips.
I forget. What is this place called? I'm trying to remember. (Cheesy, I know, but obligatory with the famous phrase.)
The San Antonio River has a beautiful walkway that runs alongside it.
Does that mean we can park here? Apparently, the driver of that car thought so.
Uh, what?
We also visited Hess, the company that Tracy will be working for this summer! We got to see some of his future co-workers. He is so excited! It's going to be awesome!!
The Houston Texas Temple.
We know many more Texas adventures are still to come, because--let's face it--Texas is a huge state!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Some Favorite Quotes of the Day
If you asked me to tell you my all-time favorite quotes, I would take weeks or months to finish the personally daunting task. Too many people have said too many cool and meaningful things! But some of these are quotes that have stuck out to me lately. New or other quotes will probably appeal to me soon, but for now, these are on my mind.
"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Thought we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely." --Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live." --Henry David Thoreau
"Writing is easy: all you do is sit staring at the blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forearm." --Gene Fowler
"Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disenfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourse of my book-friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness." --Helen Keller
"Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen." --Epictetus
"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Thought we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely." --Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live." --Henry David Thoreau
"Writing is easy: all you do is sit staring at the blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forearm." --Gene Fowler
"Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disenfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourse of my book-friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness." --Helen Keller
"Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen." --Epictetus
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
14 Reasons Why I Love Tracy
Tracy and I don't get much of a Valentine's Day this year--we will be in an airport most of the day. His grandmother died, so we are going up to Washington for the funeral and to spend some much needed time with his family.
But just because we'll be stuck in an airport with long delays, short tempers, and abundant free peanuts, we can still find and feel love (especially if you've seen Love Actually, but I have to admit that I've only seen the edited version). So, I am going to list 14 (get it? Feb. 14) reasons why I love Tracy. I hope I can keep it to only 14 reasons.
But just because we'll be stuck in an airport with long delays, short tempers, and abundant free peanuts, we can still find and feel love (especially if you've seen Love Actually, but I have to admit that I've only seen the edited version). So, I am going to list 14 (get it? Feb. 14) reasons why I love Tracy. I hope I can keep it to only 14 reasons.
1. Tracy works so hard. He often worries about providing for me and our future family, but he is doing a fantastic job!
2. Tracy always gives me an equal share of everything. Our bowls of ice cream look identical. He is happy to share the covers (but apparently I am not). He will save the last brownie for me if I haven't had as many as he has. And he always brings home leftovers for me if he gets free food or free gifts at work or school.
3. Tracy calls me his pretty lady when I am sad. Tracy is not a man of many words when it comes to romance, or consolation, but this one phrase melts me every time. As well as "I love you," of course.
4. Tracy is frugal. I hate spending money. And Tracy hates spending money even more than I do. Although this can be annoying when I go shopping with friends or family (my mom, sisters, and/or sister-in-law, basically not the boys), I really appreciate his concern for our budget. We have saved so much money because we talk about our purchases.
5. Tracy is manly enough to blow kisses at me--occasionally even in public.
6. Tracy has promised to take me to England and wants to take me many other places. That alone makes him so amazing! Of course all this other stuff helps too!
7. Tracy is my best friend. We talk about everything. He respects me. We are equals and partners in all we do together.
8. Tracy is a great driver, unless you cut him off, have your brights on, don't use your blinker, go to fast or too slow, or aren't paying attention. Then he's a very angry, but still safe, driver.
9. Tracy loves music. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life and eternity with anyone who didn't love music as much as I do. He underestimates his talents, and he is a great musician.
10. Tracy thanks me for dinner. I think he realizes that cooking is not the easiest or most enjoyable thing for me, so he thanks me for the food I make. I'm appreciated!
11. Tracy loves to surprise me. I was a naggy spoil sport when we were engaged, and I forced him to tell me where we were going on our honeymoon. Since then he has tried his best to pay me back and prove to me that he can keep surprises a secret. When we moved from Utah to Washington, he and my mom plotted to have her come up and help us get ready, unbeknownst to me. Then this Christmas, Tracy got me a sewing machine!! Everyone was in on it but me.
12. Tracy is very eloquent. He chooses his words very carefully and often uses words that are not exactly usual in casual conversation. He rarely stutters and is confident with speaking in public. So we both love words!
13. Tracy isn't perfect. Who is? He has his flaws, and I have mine. I really don't like some of his flaws, and I am sure vice versa is true too. What I love is that fact that he is imperfect, but he is trying to do the best he can. So am I!! We can be imperfect together and help each other become the best we can be.
14. Tracy is my prince in our love story. Tracy and I have very different memories of how our love story got started. Tracy says that we met when he was telling people about a ward activity coming up. He says that when I came to the door he stuttered and fumbled over his words (See #12). He says that he knew then that he had to get to know me better. The first time I remember him was when we were playing ultimate frisbee and he tackled me! I like to say he swept me off my feet--literally. Little did I know that that playful guy at the game would be my companion, my best friend, my husband.
Happy Valentine's Day, Tracy!! I love you!!
2. Tracy always gives me an equal share of everything. Our bowls of ice cream look identical. He is happy to share the covers (but apparently I am not). He will save the last brownie for me if I haven't had as many as he has. And he always brings home leftovers for me if he gets free food or free gifts at work or school.
3. Tracy calls me his pretty lady when I am sad. Tracy is not a man of many words when it comes to romance, or consolation, but this one phrase melts me every time. As well as "I love you," of course.
4. Tracy is frugal. I hate spending money. And Tracy hates spending money even more than I do. Although this can be annoying when I go shopping with friends or family (my mom, sisters, and/or sister-in-law, basically not the boys), I really appreciate his concern for our budget. We have saved so much money because we talk about our purchases.
5. Tracy is manly enough to blow kisses at me--occasionally even in public.
6. Tracy has promised to take me to England and wants to take me many other places. That alone makes him so amazing! Of course all this other stuff helps too!
7. Tracy is my best friend. We talk about everything. He respects me. We are equals and partners in all we do together.
8. Tracy is a great driver, unless you cut him off, have your brights on, don't use your blinker, go to fast or too slow, or aren't paying attention. Then he's a very angry, but still safe, driver.
9. Tracy loves music. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life and eternity with anyone who didn't love music as much as I do. He underestimates his talents, and he is a great musician.
10. Tracy thanks me for dinner. I think he realizes that cooking is not the easiest or most enjoyable thing for me, so he thanks me for the food I make. I'm appreciated!
11. Tracy loves to surprise me. I was a naggy spoil sport when we were engaged, and I forced him to tell me where we were going on our honeymoon. Since then he has tried his best to pay me back and prove to me that he can keep surprises a secret. When we moved from Utah to Washington, he and my mom plotted to have her come up and help us get ready, unbeknownst to me. Then this Christmas, Tracy got me a sewing machine!! Everyone was in on it but me.
12. Tracy is very eloquent. He chooses his words very carefully and often uses words that are not exactly usual in casual conversation. He rarely stutters and is confident with speaking in public. So we both love words!
13. Tracy isn't perfect. Who is? He has his flaws, and I have mine. I really don't like some of his flaws, and I am sure vice versa is true too. What I love is that fact that he is imperfect, but he is trying to do the best he can. So am I!! We can be imperfect together and help each other become the best we can be.
14. Tracy is my prince in our love story. Tracy and I have very different memories of how our love story got started. Tracy says that we met when he was telling people about a ward activity coming up. He says that when I came to the door he stuttered and fumbled over his words (See #12). He says that he knew then that he had to get to know me better. The first time I remember him was when we were playing ultimate frisbee and he tackled me! I like to say he swept me off my feet--literally. Little did I know that that playful guy at the game would be my companion, my best friend, my husband.
Happy Valentine's Day, Tracy!! I love you!!
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