Today I’m excited to introduce you to someone who knows my husband much better than she knows me.  Notwithstanding her limited knowledge about me, she has been one of my biggest “fans,” and that’s a really cool gift.  I’ll let her tell you more about that.  Blog friends, meet a new friend:  Lacy.

Hi! First of all, I have to say that Stephanie’s blog is wonderful and “Diapers and Divinity” is part of the reason I decided to start my own blog. My husband and I went to high school with Stephanie’s husband, Matt, and I’ve actually had the privilege of meeting her a couple times. Let me tell you, she is just as fabulous in person as she is on her blog! Quite frankly, for the simple fact that she married Matt, she is way up there in my book. Matt was a good friend to us, especially my husband.

Anyway, my name is Lacy. I’m 36 years old and I live in Logan, Utah.

I’ve been married to my high-school sweetheart for 15 years. My husband JUST FINISHED a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering in December 2010! It’s been a loooong road, but we did it!

Right now, I am a “Stay at Home Mom” to 4 VERY busy and beautiful children; 2 sons: Gabe (13) and Beck (3), and 2 daughters: Zoe (10) and Kaia (almost 7). My sons have blue eyes and blond hair like me and my daughters have brown hair and brown eyes like my husband. I think it’s really cool! We also have 3 crazy cats who make our home crazy and furry and fun. Oh, and an aquarium full of fish… I’ve had an aquarium basically since I was 10 (even during college).

I was born and raised in Salina, Utah. I am the youngest of 4 children and STILL get teased about being the baby of the family. In Salina, I met my future husband, Zeke; I was 10, and he was 12. The feeling was mutual – we HATED each others guts!

Once we got to high school though, things changed… and the rest is history… a very long history (including a mission, a “Dear John” and a refused marriage proposal), but a good one! Zeke graduated in 1991 and I graduated in 1993 from North Sevier High School in a class of 68 seniors.

I earned an Associates Degree from Snow College in 1995, where I enjoyed taking several Entomology classes (Yes, I like BUGS!). I feel like Snow College was my mission, and I was the only convert. This changed my life forever. I am so thankful to have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is everything to me.

In March of 1996, I was sealed in the Manti temple to my high school sweetheart, Zeke. He is my very best friend and seriously the coolest guy ever!

I also have a degree in Interior Decorating via correspondence courses. I did this during my last two months of my pregnancy with Gabe and it was a really fun way to pass the time. I’m not sure how talented I am with decorating, but I enjoy it.

I worked in the Fisheries and Wildlife Department at USU for few years as a “Bug Sorter”. I would sit at a microscope for 8 hours a day sorting through river samples to find and classify insects in order to help determine water quality. It was absolutely fascinating, although a bit tedious at times. I quit working there when my son, Gabe, was a few months old. I’ve yet to finish my Biology degree and I hope to go back someday soon and get a teaching certificate as well. It’s my dream to be a middle school science teacher, like Ms. Frizzle on the “Magic School Bus.”

1.     What’s your favorite part of motherhood? When my kids tell me “I love you.” without me saying it first…. oh, it’s the best. I love laughing with them and making crafts and stuff in the kitchen. We also like to read and listen to books together.

2.     What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could? #1 Potty training for sure! I’ve only got one more child to go and it’s been a struggle to say the least. #2 Getting up in the middle of the night for anything my children need. I love my sleep and once I wake up I usually can’t fall asleep again. It’s really hard for me to function without sleep.

Serve a mission with my hubby…. it is my dream. I wanted to serve a mission myself, but I just happened to get engaged about 5 months before I turned 21.

Visit the Sacred Grove…and New York and… actually well, I’d like to travel and see lots of places… I haven’t visited many yet.

Be a temple worker, I can’t think of any more fabulous way to spend my free time when I get older.

5.     What are you loving lately? #1 My husband. He really is the greatest thing about me. #2 One-on-one time with my kids – I think this is SO important. #3 My husband is graduated and we’re making enough money to finally breathe a little. The last 3 years have been rough (and that’s an understatement).

6.     Do you have a favorite scripture or quote? Alma 26:12 “Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.” Why? I found this scripture when I was reading the Book of Mormon for the first time back in 1994. It has really stuck with me and helped me have more faith in God when I’m struggling. I love Ammon and his faith and testimony.

7.     What do you gravitate toward during your unscheduled time? If Zeke is home we love to watch movies and play board/card games. If it’s just me, I love reading, cooking, watching movies, sewing, letter-boxing, painting, and blogging (of course). One of my favorite family activities is feeding the ducks at Willow Park. It is so relaxing to me.

If you have rules and there is a consequence if those rules are broken, you MUST follow through with the consequences, even when it’s hard. It really does pay off.

Also, we need to build our children up as much as we can. The world can be a hard place to live in. They need to know that they are great and capable and loved. Keep their “emotional bank account” full – you should always give out more positives than negatives.

Let them make choices. It builds their self-esteem and teaches them responsibility. It’s important to give them choices that you are okay with no matter what they choose. This way you both win.

For example, as quirky and colorful as they may appear, I always let my children choose what clothes they want to wear (as long as they are weather appropriate). This has been a great source of creativity and increased self-esteem for them. It also makes life much easier for me. I don’t care if you think my kids look silly – I think it’s fun and so do they.

9.     What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend? I’m a self-proclaimed prude and I really do want you to know about it. I believe Stephanie has said this before as well (that’s another reason why I like her so much). I really try to watch, read, and listen to wholesome media. I really want to have the influence of the Holy Ghost with me 24/7. Don’t you? I have walked out of several movies and written some harsh reviews on Good Reads. If something isn’t “virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy” I try to stay away. I need all the help I can get.

10. If you were in charge of a girls’ night out, what kind of activity would you love to plan? Well, I just joined a book club and it’s so much fun. We don’t really talk about the books much, but we sure talk about everything else! I think just a night together with yummy treats and fun games would be great.

11. Friends are great for venting.  What’s been frustrating you lately? My 3 year old…. oh man, that consistency thing is wearing on me. I think he actually might be more stubborn than I am.

I love the scripture in Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Sometimes things don’t make any sense. Life doesn’t seem fair, but Heavenly Father knows all things and He has a plan for us. He really will help us.

Also tithing…. the windows of heaven opening up and pouring out a blessing upon you is a VERY real thing. It doesn’t take money to pay tithing, it only takes faith.

My blog is called Uphill and Smiling. I’m new to blogging. I’ve been reading blogs for while, but just started writing one last May after I was released from my calling in the Young Women’s. This was really hard for me and I wanted a place to share my thoughts and feelings and find new friends. I also hope to share my testimony of the Gospel through my blog. I’m amazed at how many wonderful people I have “met” through blogging. It’s been more fun than I ever thought it would be.

My life is an uphill climb and I’m going to smile everyday.

You go, Lacy!  Thanks for letting us get to know you.