I testify that bad days come to an end, that faith always triumphs, and that heavenly promises are always kept

A lot of you know that life around the Peterson household has been pretty difficult lately. A lot of you also don’t know that. Either way, most of you haven’t gotten to pick my brain and know what is going on and how I’m feeling about a lot of it, so I’m here to vent/open up my mind to the rest of you.

On October 10^th I decided to take a pregnancy test because I had been feeling a little off. To my surprise, it came back positive. I was so excited! I’ve been pretty baby hungry for some time now. After telling Tyson, I took two more and both came back positive. We scheduled a doctors appointment and of course, positive. Things starting moving pretty quickly after that. I started getting my blood tested, we started planning out how we were going to announce our wonderful news to everyone we knew, and we started planning for the future. We told close family and that was about it for fear of miscarriage. Can you guess what I’m going to say next? I had a miscarriage. I lost the baby just before I was 7 weeks. It is hands down one the hardest things I have ever had to go through. I knew I was pregnant for two weeks, and I was so in love with who that baby was going to be and I couldn’t wait to meet him/her. Excitement doesn’t even come close to describing how I felt about my angel child.

When I first thought I had miscarried I was at work and there was blood. A lot of it. I immediately called my dr but I knew in my heart that something wasn’t right. I spent the next two days at home because I couldn’t do a lot because I was in a lot of pain. My dr called me first thing Friday morning to confirm that I had, in fact, lost the baby. I have been wanting a child for so long and it seems like everyone around me is having babies. I was (and still am) heartbroken, but I was also really frustrated. I felt like it wasn’t fair that there were people I knew who didn’t even want to have children and they have them.  People who weren’t expecting it but they were able to have a child. There are also a lot of people that are pregnant with their first child and they didn’t miscarry. All of these things hurt! It has been an inner struggle I’ve been dealing with for weeks now.

On that note, I also understand that my child needed a body. There is no doubt in my mind that my baby had a heartbeat. I know that it needed a body to return to our Heavenly Father. I also know that some spirits are too sweet and perfect for earth.  Some spirits just need to obtain that body so they can complete the plan of salvation in their own life. For that I am extremely grateful. It is still just as hard as it was the first day I found out that I had miscarried, but knowing that I was an instrument in the Lords hands has helped me deal with the loss I have felt since my hopes for the future were shattered.

The other reason things have proven to be difficult comes with the loss of my sweet, sweet grandpa. It’s hard to find words for this one. He was absolutely amazing and I love him more than there are words. My grandma was married to my grandpa for 18 years. He is the only grandfather I ever knew and he is the very best one I could have asked for. We all knew it was coming for some time but even with that knowledge, death didn’t come easy. My grandpa became unresponsive about 3 days before he passed away. He was basically made comfortable until he passed into the afterlife. I was worried about not spending enough time with him and I was worried that if I went to the rest home that I would regret seeing him in his current condition. When I heard that he was unresponsive I decided to go see him anyway and I’m forever grateful that I did. I sat with my grandma for about an hour and a half that night and I feel like we just spent time together and my grandpas presence was still there.

On Saturday, I was running late to go see him and was getting a little worried because I had been told his breathing had slowed down. I made it out there at about 3pm and shortly after I arrived so did my mom and sister.  Not ten minutes later my grandpa breathed his last breath. Whether I am wrong or right, I feel like he waited for us to get there before letting go. I am forever grateful that I could be by his side as he passed from this life. I was able to give him one last hug and kiss and say goodbye while I felt like it was still him.

There are a lot of reasons to be sad. I’ve more namely struggled just with my own thought processes. I think about how he will never know my children, and how he will miss so much of our lives, and how whenever I go over to my grandmas house the chair he sat in is empty and he is nowhere to be found. All of these things KILL me. I can’t stand that I don’t get to see him anymore. Then I also remember there are reasons to be happy. I’m foolish for thinking he won’t ever meet my children because he has probably already met and embraced them up in Heaven. The veil is so thin that he can always peek in and see what we’re doing and let us feel his spirit with us. I’m overwhelmed with joy when I think of all of these things. I’m caught in some weird limbo between comfort and sorrow and I just feel like I need to be sad for a while before I can be completely at peace with his passing. It has not been taken lightly.

Anyway, thanks for sticking around while I dumped my thoughts onto this page. I hope it gives some insight as to why I’ve maybe been a little distant or unresponsive to certain topics of conversation.  Tyson and I just both need adequate time to deal with these hardships. XOXO Lacey. 

Yay for nothing!

Well, not a lot has been going on in Tyson and I's lives. Just the usual work and school. But, I did finally turn 21! The only really exciting thing is I can now book hotels from priceline.com! Wahoo! I finally got my wisdom teeth out. I didn't go under, I was just numb and I was freaking out! As soon as they started the actual removal I was fine. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. Hm, what else?? October was good to us. Tyson's grandma let us use her car and paid for our gas as a birthday gift and we went to Salt Lake to surprise his family and it was SO much fun! They had no idea! Our best friends got married! It was such a special day and we're so happy we were able to be a part of their big day!! Congrats again Josh and Michele! We also had a really awesome Halloween party (at which i couldn't eat any snacks because of the removal of my wisdom teeth the day before). November hasn't brought on much yet except no shave, which isn't going on in our household (luckily!). Tyson's parents and siblings will be down for Thanksgiving and we're all getting antsy!! I'm super excited for Black Friday as well. Even if I can't buy anything for myself haha. December is the month I'm really looking forward to right now. Not the cold aspect, but there are so many exciting things coming our way! Tyson's best friend Wolfe will be home from his mission, so will our friend Aaron! I can't wait! School will be over with and words simply can't explain how happy this makes me! The stress is killing me. Tyson, Tavin, and I are all packing our bags and heading to Salt Lake for Christmas and possibly New Years. It'll be a mini vacation for us. I'm hoping that my brother and his family will be able to come to Salt Lake from Wyoming and spend a day or two with us. It seems like I haven't seen them in years (it hasn't even been one year!). January also brings some excitement. I found out a secret today that I sadly can't tell... I know so many awesome young women leaving for their missions and I am so proud of every single one. And last, Tyson and I's best friend ever is returning from his mission as well!!! Words really can't express how happy I am about this one! I can't believe it has been two years! Well, that's all that I have for now. I won't post about politics or anything of the sort. I hope all of your holiday endeavors bring you joy and happiness! (follow the web addresses below to watch us surprise Tyson's family!)

Surprising Stacy, Kassi, and Trasen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufKRCSE11rA

Surprising Ben and Talen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK0GZMZPdSQ

Halloween!

This is me as Dwight from The Office

 Tyson is Goku and Tavin is a morph man!

My awesome treats!

Losing my wisdom.

Our best friends are married!

The Untold Adventures of Tyson and Lacey

I know, you're probably wondering where we have been?! Thats what i'm here to tell you :).
It has really been a long time, and a lot has happened since January so i'll do my best to make it brief. 
First, Amber Lyn shut down in St. George and is now partnered with Utah Truffles. I stayed so i lost my job. Tysons family all moved up with the company and are now located in Herriman, Utah (right by the Up house!). All except Tavin, who moved in with Tyson and I until December. Tyson got a job at Johansens Pool Service and it has really good pay. I now work at a company called Bed Defense and I am the shipping supervisor! We both started college in August and its really hard to try and work, go to school, AND pay the bills, but we're slowly figuring it out! No babies yet, but we'll see where that goes. We're not really sure if we want one now or if we still want to wait, you know, with the whole college thing and all. 

Life has been an absolute roller coaster ride lately! I can't believe another year has come and gone. Tyson and I also had the opportunity to be sealed in the St. George Temple in April for time and all eternity. It was the best day of my life. It was so amazing and spiritual. I love him so much! Oh! We also have callings in our ward! Tyson in Assistant Scout Master/YM Secretary, and I am the YW Secretary. I LOVE my YW! They are so amazing and fun and uplifting! I'm so grateful for my calling and our ward!! Life is going great though. Our best friends Josh and Michele are getting married, there are tons of little ones being born from our friends and family, and we're making new friends as the year goes on. 

I'm sure everyone has heard of the Santa Clara flooding by now, and Tyson and I are going tomorrow to volunteer to help with clean-up. I'm super excited. I love helping out and this situation has been especially humbling to me. It really makes me grateful for all of the things I have. 

Also, I cut my hair again. (short, short)

Bye!

Lately..

So to start, I went back to the factory full time and quit at the bakery. I just wasnt getting enough hours there anymore. That has been hard to adjust to again but it'll be nice to have a steady paycheck! Life as been dizzy lately. So many unexpected things have happened. My old best friends little brother died on December 28th. I grew up with this family and have known them forever. Clay was like a little brother to me. I love him so much and can't believe he's gone. Its been such a shock. He had a beautiful funeral though. It was very.. 'Clay' lol. Then on December 31st, my bishops wife Karleen passed away as well. This was very disheartening to me because she was such an inspiration to me. Karleen and Val were such a perfect example of what a husband and wife should be. Everytime we'd talk to him, he would ask Ty if he was treating me like a queen. Every time without fail. I know thats how he treated Karleen as well. I love Karleen and Clay so much and I know they're happier now and we'll see them again someday. But death is never an easy thing.

Other than that we have just been working. I really want to go to school and become a photographer or a wedding planner. I think both would be awesome careers. Tyson starts fire academy on the 24th! Can't wait! He will be going every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 10:00pm. then every other Saturday from 8:30 to 6:00pm. I think he will be graduating in June, then he'll be able to take an EMT class. All for free might I add! We're both super excited. The chief told all of the members of the academy that they pretty much have the position at the station they were assigned after they graduate. But they have to be volunteer for a certain amount of time before they can get on full time. I just hope its sooner rather than later!

Basically life is overall pretty good. :) Also, my sister had her baby on Christmas Eve! A beautiful baby boy, 5 pounds 11 ounces, 19 inches. His name is Donaven :)

Just Another Day In Paradise.

Wow it has been so long since i've posted anything on here. Ok.. where to start... Tyson and I are still working two jobs each. It gets pretty crazy cause i he works til 6 everyday and i work from either 4 or 6 to 10 or 11, three days a week. Those days suck. Um.. Halloween was fun. We dressed up as greaser zombies and went to hang out with our friends Josh and Michele.. yeah, they were greasers! It was awesome. Funny story..

Anyway, Life is pretty good. Not to exciting but not super bad either. I've had a lot of personal struggles lately with watching people i really care about make the wrong choices. Its just tough because I really don't know how to go about voicing my emotions towards the situation. Idk. Whatever. So some good news! Tyson DID get an interview with the fire department!! They just couldn't get a hold of him! His interview is on Wednesday, November 9! We're so excited its retarded. XD I'm so happy for him.

My grandma is fighting breast cancer right now for those of you who didn't know. She got pretty bad for a while and was looking up but she's down again. Not too bad but not good either. She has had two treatments of kimo and needs two more. She is also doing radiation. Prayers are very much appreciated.

On a lighter note, my brother Dent will be home from Iraq in December!!! I'm so stoked!!! :) He'll be home for Christmas and I couldn't be more happy. I've missed him so much! And my sister Stephenie is getting married on the 12th of November :)

I don't really have anything to write about now.. so bye.

Lace.

The happenin'

Its been so long since my last post! First off, i got a new job at Paradise Bakery :) I'll be making sammiches.. I'm only on part time for now. I'm still not certain of my hours but i'll be there Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday :) I'm super excited. The grand opening is on September 27th. For now i'm still at Amber Lyn full time. Hopefully i can stay part time when this other job starts up. Then i'll work Monday, Wednesday, Friday there. Hah. Its going to be busy!
So my grandma went into surgery for her breast cancer and made it out ok. She's doing surprisingly well. Healing very good and in good spirits. Funny thing though, on my way out i saw my high school choir teachers wife. She then waved me into the room.. Sure enough there was good ol' Mr. Lister. Turns out he chopped the tips of two of his fingers off in a lawn mower accident! O.o Poor guy. My heart truly goes out to him :/
All is well with Ty and I. We've been married 4 months now, but we just passed our 1 year mark in mid August! Yay! Life is so wonderful. Two of my most favorite people in the world are coming to stay with us this Labor Day weekend. The first two missionaries that taught me. Sister Page and Sister Mosley. Haha i need to get used to calling them Arica and Amber.. its too weird. But i'm super excited i can't wait to see them! Its been about a year since i've seen either of them but we try to talk often. 
Life is great. I've recently discovered i'm a bigger Harry Potter fan than i thought. Tyson and I have been catching  up on them and we only have one more to go! Its super intense and I love them :) (Also, if you have yet to read The Hunger Games series i highly recommend it. The movie comes out in March! Get on it!!) Well, thats all for now :) bye.
-Lacey.

A lotta bit o' love :)

Well, I went to a wedding tonight and it remind me of when Tyson and I got married. :) We've been married for 3 months today and it has been so fun. We look so scared in some of our wedding pictures and I can't help but laugh because we plan and plan and hope for the day we get married and for so long its just a thought, an unattainable goal.. then, one da:y, its real. It came and went so fast i still think about planning it! But it was so. much. fun.
I can't wait for the day Tyson and I get sealed. Its going to be even better than the actually day of our wedding. By far. Marriage is such a special bond. I don't really understand how couples can get divorced, or how they can say they weren't meant for each other after all. Because when you get married its kind of like a leap of faith. You don't know what to expect, bills, work, school.. its a huge challenge and unless you're jumping in with the right one, why jump in at all? Its so fun to learn and grow WITH one another.
Tyson and I talk all the time about how we want all of our friends to be married. One: so we have friends again! And two: because its so much fun and it is so special. I love, love, LOVE! it!
Anyway, that's my spiel on that.  Basically Ty and I are living pretty happily ever after. There are struggles here and there but who doesn't have those? We're still working the same jobs. The only difference is my hours got cut so i'm now free Tuesdays and Thursdays (hint hint girlfriends!). My brother will be in Iraq soon. I'm not at liberty to say when or where. My grandma was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of  you know she's getting old and is not in very good health as it is. She goes into surgery on Tuesday, August 2. I'm pretty nervous. Basically they're going to take the cancer out of one of her breasts, put an implant in and give her a reduction on the other one. They're also going to take her lymph nodes out under her armpit. Then after she recovers they'll do a second surgery to fill it all in. She'll be doing radiation instead of kimo because its safer at her age. So please keep them in your prayers.
Thanks for taking the time to read this! 
-Simply, Lace :)

Life at its best!

Lately things have been pretty.. well, different i guess you could say. After Tyson and I got married it seemed that our social life has kind of been dragging. None of our old friends call or text us anymore.. we don't get invited to group parties anymore. Yeah, you get the point. Mostly we sit in our apartment and watch scrubs and make a mess :) Also, another lovely trait that comes with married life is being broke. If you plan on getting married anytime soon you may as well get use to it now. Even if we work, work... WORK. All the time. That is literally all we do.
But  honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Tyson and I are so happy together. Yeah we fight. Who doesn't. But its because we love each other and we're just stubborn. Its not about hanging out with friends anymore. And although it would be nice to have more money, we don't. Its a fact of life that we've come to deal with. And there is nobody else in the whole universe i would rather be going through all this stuff with except for Tyson. He is my one true love.
Tyson and I find the most random, fun, dorky things to do. Today we played hide and seek in our apartment for at least 20 minutes.. and it was SO fun! Its about the little things in life that make you happy. I think that when people really start to live for themselves and do what they feel is good for them they will truly find happiness. I've had my fair share of rough patches but i made it through because i followed my heart.. Heavenly Father doesn't make us go through things to hurt us.. He makes us face trials and things that are hard for us to deal with because He KNOWS that we'll take something from it. So be happy!

A Change of Pace..

So, this last week has been insane! First, my brother, Dent, who is one of my best friends got deployed to Iraq.On Thursday, June 2nd, they had a big farewell for all of the troops at the burns arena. It was really touching and patriotic. They had a lot of musical numbers and they said a lot of words of praise toward the soldiers letting them know how noble and honorable they are for doing this and we're all very proud of them. Then on Saturday.. we saw them off at the airport here in St. George. There were SO many people there. It was definitely a tough time. I'm so proud of my brother. He is so brave. But I can't wait until he's home again.

Second, basically my whole family moved out of town... so yeah.. that sucks. A lot. My Papa got a new job in Lehi so he moved there on Sunday. My sister Stephenie and my niece Jesenia moved to Provo. Dent left to Indiana obviously. And Britt moved to Oregon with Baby Dent and Devyn. And, lastly, Sheldon is out of town for a bit too. So basically its my brother Aaron and I. So i'm really missing my family right now. Ah! Its tough. 

On a lighter note, I love Tyson. Things are going great. Its almost been two months! I'm so excited! We're working with our bishop to get things set to get sealed in the temple next April. I. Can. NOT. Wait!! :D I love our Heavenly Father.! I love all of the opportunities He gives us here on Earth. Life is simply wonderful. 

Live. Laugh. Love. Life. --Lacey :) 

Forever and Always

So.. i have begun the journey of my happily ever after! With my one true love, Sir Tyson Blu :) I'm so happy with the way things have turned out! We were married April 30, 2011 :) Things are a blast. Being married rocks and i wouldn't change things for anything. Marriage is like a celestial unity between a man and a woman. It is so special and i'm so glad that i get to experience it this early in my life. Tyson and I live in St. George still but clear over on the other side of town by Lins :) I work at Amber Lyn Chocolates full time and he works there part time and at the Dixie State Store the other part of the day :) We are working our way to be sealed in the St. George temple on April 30th next year :D can't wait! We are happier than ever! and thanks for all the wedding gifts everyone, we love them all. The wedding was wonderful. I"m working on getting pictures up on facebook i just don't have them all back yet. Until next time my friends :)

peace. love. happy. music. the gospel.

Simplicity is where life begins.

Why do things always have to be so complicated. Sometimes i wish the world was different.. like if some things could be the way i see them in my head, maybe all this would go away. Things might actually be good for the first time in a while.. not that i'm not happy it just seems like something is always going on, ya know? For example, people getting involved in other peoples business and trying to make their life decisions for them when really its none of their business and they have no right to get involved at all.. Now that is frustrating hah.. I guess what i'm trying to say is that life would be so simple if people didn't put their nose where it doesn't belong. Simple is great. Simple is beauty. Simplicity is where life begins.
-Lacey.

Past.

The past is the past but it will always hurt. Some things are easily forgotten.. some, however, are not. But it is possible. I've had my fair share of ups and downs, but i'm finally at a place in my life where none of these matter. I've learned how to forgive in these recent months and i have seen how truly precious this gift 'forgiveness' really is.
I have had some really, truly terrible things happen to me. Things i never, ever, in a million years thought i'd let slip through my fingers. But the truth is i did. And sometimes, loving or caring for someone just isn't enough. You just have to let them go. This one, oh boy, this one was tricky. Its not easy to say goodbye.. but it can be done. I would know. Anybody who really knows me knows that it can be done. Maybe not on your own terms, but you will eventually let go on your own terms.

In order for one to grow, one must first face trials. Good and bad but more noticeably the bad. I am so grateful for trials. I have become such a better person with the ones i've had to face. I know they were meant just for me. And this ties in to forgiveness. I've let go of the trial. I've let go of the hate, confusion, loss, brokenness i felt inside.. and i forgave. I hope they know that. It truly is past. The time to move on is well past due and i'm already there. :) So i guess i'll take a minute just to say thanks.. Thank you. You know who you are.
--Lace.

Love and Getting Older

Love.. hah. such a cliche topic i know. But i figure it fits quite well with my life right now. :) Tyson Blu Peterson came into my life and he is such a great blessing. I am so glad and lucky to have him. He is literally me in boy form.
So.. If anybody knows the story you'll understand this a lot better and how it ties into my opening. Some people think that 'growing up' requires you to have a lot of money and be able to have your own place with money in the bank and suddenly being able to support someone. Not that these people are wrong, but i beg to differ. I think that those things simply say you are well off in your starting out. For as long as i can remember 'growing up' has been being able to decide for your own; to be able to make smart, right decisions on your own as a responsible adult. It never had anything to do with being able to support someone or how much money you had to your name.
For example: Someone very dear to me is struggling for work.. both husband and wife. They have two kids, and have only been married for a short three years. BUT! through these trying times, they've told me that they're glad they started off their marriage struggling and facing trial after trial because it brought them closer. They now know that they can deal with these sort of problems TOGETHER. And they will love each other no matter what. Then in the future when they are well off, they won't have to go through this later because they've already gone through it now and have gained that knowledge and trust in one another.
Love is a strong, powerful, beautiful, sacred bond. It gives our mind wings and makes our souls take flight. It makes us humble and more understanding. It helps with patience and trust.. and above all, it shows us how to live. So why wait?! For anything! Live, Laugh, LOVE.!

Simplicity

There are so many things that go on in life. Happy, crazy, sad, chaotic moments. Its part of the process of living your life. I am at such a pivotal moment in my life right now. Lately, more often than not, i've been feeling super overwhelmed at the rate things are changing in my life. People are moving, going on missions, getting married, joining the army.. and i know that some of these great, truly amazing people, i'll never see again. But, life continues. Somehow in the midst of the chaos we must become at peace with life. We need to accept the fact that there is simply nothing we can do. We can give it our best but that's it. We can only do so much. So count your blessings! If you look at the negative in life thats what you'll get out of life.. negativity. So be happy! Laugh too much. Smile too wide. Sing at the top of your lungs. And dance even if people ARE watching! Let go. Be free. Live life happy!

I've realized that everytime i'm down on myself and the way my life is, i'm less in tune with the Spirit. But i have also come to find that when i realize the previously stated fact i become at peace with my life. I lift my worries up to Heavenly Father, read my scriptures more, pray like crazy, and become more active and excited about church again. Never stand idle. Probably some of the best advice i have ever received. Always grow. Every situation is a learning one. You just have to find out what you're learning  :) So enjoy life. Find happiness in simplicity. Because well, its all we have right now.

Life Goes On

Recently my family experienced a death with a 'brother'. His name was Jay. I've known Jay for as long as i can remember. He wasn't just my brothers best friend.. he was my brother, their brother, a father, my moms unbiological son, and a husband. When we die, we leave all of these things behind. It has now been a month since we lost Jay, and i keep finding myself thinking... Life goes on. That is probably the hardest thing we deal with after a loss. We can't put everything on pause or rewind. From that moment on things will never be the same. We walk around with a constant void in our lives because he or she is gone and nobody can ever replace them. We can't grieve whenever we want to because if we show our true emotions in public people think we want attention and we have to show that 'we're tough'. So life goes on. Nobody is going to wait for you to get over it or cope with what happened.. and life sipmply continues with that precious loved one gone..
It also came up in a short conversation between myself and a sibling at how this can't be it. There has to be something after this life. God wouldn't let us suffer like that. Its too beautiful to end here on earth. I find extreme comfort in knowing that i am able to be with my family forever.! It is amazing. This sibling also said that they aren't so scared to die because Jay is there waiting for us. Now that someone is there, dying seems less scary. Personally, i'm not afriad to die. But i never thought of it that way. That there are already so many people in heaven waiting for us to return home. This isn't the end. This is just a test of our faith. Heavenly Father will allow us to be with our families forever. All he asks of us is to be diligent in keeping the commandments and follow the guidance of our prophets. He's promised us a lot for so little from our end. We are forever in debt to His precious son, Jesus Christ. I know that families are forever, and i can not wait to see them again and be with them always. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Balance.

As human beings, we must not seek happiness.. but balance. Balance in life is so important. Even in nature, there is life but there is also death. We must thrive on the good and the bad. The second part of that statement probably doesn't seem very appealing. But! It is necessary. There will always be good and, more noticeably, bad. There will always be ups and downs, highs and lows, good days and terrible weeks, hard times in life and times where we have our heads in the clouds. This is all just an act of human nature. If we didn't have emotion we wouldn't feel any of these things. Or if we lived in a world where only good things happened.. no balance. So, in result, there would never be true peace or happiness. We'd always be searching for something more. It is simply an act of human nature.
Personally, i thrive on trials. Simply because i know from personal experience that there is always something to be learned and gained from even the toughest of situations. Had we not had the experiences we did we wouldn't quite be the person we are today. Maybe you're not happy or pleased with yourself that you did something, or maybe you wish you had said something different. But guess what, you didn't. End of story. There's no changing it. You can't reverse the hands of time. So you have two options. One: sit and waste your energy regretting it. Or, two: Accept it and move on. Because in that exact moment in time, whatever you did or said was EXACTLY what you wanted right then. Perhaps now you would react differently, but then you didn't learn anything from the situation. We are constantly changing. That is the beauty in life. So if you can accept change, truly live your life with no regrets, and glorify in your hard times as well as your happy times, you will have found personal balance in your life a lot easier and sooner than others, and you will reach complete, utter happiness. :)
~Lace:)

Remember..

Remember is such a strong word. My great friend Arica Page taught me that. Life is crazy at times and can get us down so easily. The negative is more often noticed than the happiness and the positive outcomes of our crazy day to day lives. We get so caught up in a small problem that when another little matter happens.. we notice that one even more. Eventually, this happens over and over and builds up inside until we're so stressed out or depressed in our human nature, we forget the happiness somewhere along the way. I've experienced this many times and usually it takes just a taste of my happiness to help me realize that i am happy. Among all the trials and tribulations that i face, i couldn't ask for more and i would go through them all again if it meant i was going to get where i am today.
Being a convert is so amazing to me. I have to work extra hard on keeping my testimony alive. I will never forget the happiness the gospel brought (and still brings me) during the time of my conversion. I have never experienced a truer happiness in my life. The light of Christ had completely consumed me. There was simply no doubt about it. Keeping that light is so important. Even i lose it. But i have come to learn that staying true to the gospel, yourself, and your testimony will bring you complete joy. I forget that sometimes. Its not easy and nobody ever said it would be.. but its life. Its simply beautiful. I see the hand of the Lord every day in my life.. if i take the time to look. There are countless blessings right in front of me that i take for granted more often than not.
Life is:
Crazy. Fun. Amazing. Emotion. LIVING. Taking that leap of faith, even if you don't know what the outcome may be. Living on the edge. Spicing it up! Having a testimony. Dancing. Singing. Life is art. Poetry! Music. Photography. Tickling. Smiling. Tears and pain. Loving another person so much you feel like your heart might explode! Making mistakes. Repenting!! Praying. Staying true to yourself. Having secrets. Being blunt! :) Holding a hand. Running. Leaping. Soaring. Falling. Dreaming. Working. Beautiful. Splendid. Joyous.. and above all of these things.. Life is hard.
But remember these are all the things that build you. These things are you. No matter who you are. Regardless of your background our your upbringing. These things represent us all. And in that similarity, we are not alone. Remember that.

~Simply Lace