Goodbye 2013

 

Happy New Year everyone! This year has been pretty crazy, I can't believe it's over! But I'm ready for the new year and I hope it brings many wonderful adventures :) Here's a little video that google sent me of my year! :)
OH OH OH! And my boy is safe and sound in Argentina. He is in a really poor place so he had a bunch of trouble calling on Christmas :( hopefully he gets to call soon! He told me some exciting news on Monday though.... he said, "I was going to wait until you got the letter that says it, but I still haven't got your stamps... so I can't send the letter... so!!! here it goes!!!! Lacey Lou Bug, I am coming home 2 weeks earlier :) The 7th of April. Happy New Year Bugga :)" wahhoo!! 2 weeks isn't a lot but it is 2 weeks earlier than I thought it would be so I am thrilled :) only 461 days left :)

Everybody's Got Somebody But Me

I feel like I post about this all the time...But it is so true! Ha and I heard this song yesterday and it fit me perfectly...this is exactly how I feel. Enjoy :)

I Hear Wedding Bells!

Everyone was getting engaged..and I was getting jealous. SO I made my mom and my sister go wedding dress shopping with me :) I had fun trying them on and I fell in LOVE with one! :) the first one I tried on was the one I loved the most..too bad my groom is in Argentina :/ guess I'll have to wait for a year to get it ;) Speaking of that boy....no one has heard from him still. He never called on Christmas and didn't e-mail and say why. :( it is making me nervous...but I guess if something happened someone would have called right? Right. But if you are worried about your missionary, don't go see "The Saratov Approach". Cause that's what I did and it just made me worry.ha it is about 2 missionaries in Russia that get kidnapped. But! It was a very very good movie, it made me cry. If you haven't seen it yet, go see it :)

Merry Christmas and Happy 8 Months!

Well I made it through 1 Christmas without Klay... only 1 left. hallelujah. I'm never letting him be away for Christmas. EVER. again. Christmas was fun, with all the presents and family and food, I really did have fun don't get me wrong. And my parents spoiled me :) But today was lots of hurting for my heart. Like really, there were a few times in the day I felt physically sick cause I missed him so much. Klay was supposed to call his family and he never called... I don't even know why he didn't call, but it made me sad. Even though I wasn't allowed to talk to him...(which made seeing all of the instagram posts about everyone skyping their missionaries that much harder to look at) I know his family was really looking forward to it. Hopefully he'll get to call some other time or something? He did send me THE CUTEST email this morning though. Before we opened presents we were sitting in the living room and it made me so happy to hear from him :) And he opened his presents!!! I'm glad that he liked them :) He reminded me of last year on Christmas and it made me miss him that much more. I wish we could be doing that again. I just have to remind myself to be patient... our time will come. Speaking of that! We made it 8 months! And you know what that means?? Another envelope with 2 more lines :) Look here to see what it said :) yeahh he's pretty sweet. Which is why I miss him so dang much. But hey, only 484 more days that couldn't go by fast enough.

The 7 Stages.

So I found this HILARIOUS blog post. and I was in my room laughing out loud... not because it was necessarily very funny, but because it is so darn true. haha It is called the 7 stages of waiting for a Missionary, and it is the most spot on description of my life. ha Seriously I have been through all 6 of the stages already. (Not the 7th because he isn't coming home yet :) but... I wanted to share it. So here it is for all y'all that totally understand. And for those who don't understand here is the truth about a Missionary Girlfriend's waiting adventure. ENJOY :)

"WILL I WAIT FOR YOU?

BY: CARLY WALKER //

The snow was falling on his red hair when he came around the corner and it was just like any chick flick I had ever seen. Guy finds girl after being separated for too long. Guy and girl run into each other’s arms/Hollister sweatshirts. Happily ever after.

End scene.

The only difference between the movies and my scenario is that in less than 20 minutes we went from Notebook-esk hugging in Ugg boots to silently eating junior bacon cheeseburgers at Wendy’s. Why? Because although we loved each other and had been dating, we hadn’t spoken to each other verbally in TWO YEARS. (also because Junior Bacon Cheeseburgurs are really good. Side note. Not at all relevant.)

There is a part of Mormon culture that very few people outside the religion understand or even think about. You have probably seen plenty of LDS missionaries with their bright white T’s and name tags during their two year expedition to tell people about the church.If you haven’t in real life, then you may have seen look alikes at The Book of Mormon musical or while scanning the rival team’s fans at a BYU basketball game.

What you don’t see as much are the women (or men) that are “Waiting” for them back home.

Yes. That happens.

THE LOVE LANGUAGE

For 1.5 to 2 yrs these missionaries put their lives on hold and are assigned to serve in various locations around the world to help others and preach the gospel. These missions range anywhere from Ghana Africa speaking Twi to Pocatello Idaho speaking agriculture. And for 1.5 to 2 years their significant others wait for them to come back. What makes this scenario different than the standard long distance relationship is that in an effort to focus on their missions, missionaries are unable to contact their boo by phone or computer.

That means no phone calls, no dates, in some cases no emails, absolutely no Facebook, no Skype, and noooooo Snap Chat. There are very few exceptions and loop holes. Love has to last the test of time solely using strategies from the 1800’s namely: letters, the pony express, and wishing on star constellations that someone hasn’t forgotten you exist. This is something that doesn’t come easy to the tech savvy young and in love.

To give you a window into what it is like to wait for a missionary, I have put together the 7 stages of grief waiting for “your missionary” to come home.

THE SEVEN STAGES

1. DENIAL

This is the phase when you convince yourself that you still have a boyfriend. You continue working on your relationship by coloring letters, making packages with scrapbook paper, and annoying your roommates by making them say hi to Elder ***** into a tape recorder. A tape recorder that you may or may not have pillow talk with. Letters are re-read, cologne scented sweatshirts are never washed, and old voicemails are replayed in an effort to keep from hitting the hard realization that it’s only been two weeks.

These are going to be my comments about my experiences :) First of all coloring letters is the best. ha I usually try to draw pictures on the envelopes, or draw a silly picture to put inside :) I made my roommates be in my 6 month photo shoot :) bahaha and I feel very silly talking to him in a voice recording, but he loves them, so he gets them :) I re read his letters whenever I have time, they bring me lots of smiles to know that he still cares even though he is miles away :) His sweatshirts, and pretty much all of his t shirts are now my pajamas, and I have his cologne to remember how he smelled. I tried to wait as longgg as possible to wash it all so that it would still smell like him. I cried when the last thing was washed. I only have 1 voicemail left and I listen to it often. It is the sweetest thing. and I finally figured out how to save it so that I will have it always :)

2. ANGER

Around this time you start taking your frustration out on mailmen.  I think pitbulls are the least of the US postal services worries when it comes to passionate pen pals who need a letter. And they need it delivered on time. Right now.

ugh. letters can be the best things ever, but they can also make you SOOO angry. WHEN THEY DON'T COME. ha Since Klay is in Argentina (where the mail suckks.) the letters take a while to get to him and his to me. It is the most frustrating thing ever. Another thing that i have got angry about recently is his mission president. This is terrible and I know his mission president is only trying to keep him focused. But it is so frustrating when rules are made against you communicating... but what can ya do? Nothin.

3. GUILT

This is the stage when you go on dates, but end the night by saying, “Sorry, I can’t I have a missionary.”

Ahaha this was soooo me. On my first date after Klay left, the boy tried to kiss me and I turned away and said, "goodnight!" as I walked into my apartment :) haha I thought about Klay the WHOLE night.

4. LONELINESS

This is two weeks later when you make out anyway.

.... not very proud of this. But loneliness took it's toll on me.

5. THE UPWARD TURN

This is when you realize that maybe “waiting” didn’t mean stopping your life for two years. You can usually tell when a girl has hit the upward turn if there is an increase in the number of times she showers. Also, by a decrease of the number of wedding photos she pins on Pinterest.

yeahh i still pin a zillion wedding photo pins on pinterest :) haha but when I started college I had this realization that I needed to still live my life and have fun for the next two years, even if Klay wasn't here to share it with me. 

6. RECONSTRUCTION

Like a baby duckling learning to fly, this is when you put down the scented markers and take the first steps to becoming independent. This usually entails changing your major in college, dying your hair a different color, and/or making your own money by getting a job at a call center and donating plasma.

Pretty sure I'm in this stage right now hahaha seriously though. I recently got a job... am making an appointment to donate plasma tomorrow and dyed my hair red on thursday night.

7. HOPE

The final stage when the new “you” gets ready to meet the new “him.” at an airport surrounded by “Welcome Home” posters, balloons, and the hope that you could possibly pick up where you left off.

CAN'T WAIT for this stage to come. ha And i don't doubt that we will be able to be the same Klay and Lou as we were before he left :) Changed for the better... but the same :)

What people don’t realize is that Missionaries are not allowed to have any physical contact with members of the opposite sex for two years. This usually results in reunion hugs looking less like this and more like this.

However, the first few hours are never a good predictor of what may come for both of you. And if you find your love did last the hunger games of relationship tests, it is probably pretty sweet.

Many of us have sent off missionaries. Some of us are now married to them, others have had to throw away stuffed animals, shoe boxes full of letters, and puzzles made out of pictures of their faces. But no matter how our experience ended, we can take away the following facts:

Letters may not the best source of communication.

Love is unpredictable.

And even though not every reunion may have ended up like this, it’s sweet to remember times like these when we were young and tender. In my opinion, it’s a part of ourselves we shouldn’t forget.

For those who did it: Kudos. And for those who are about to quick tip: If you spend two years living your own life and learning about yourself instead of sitting at home “waiting,” you will probably be more emotionally equipped to handle the results, whether they be good, or bad."

All I Want For Christmas is YOU!

Christmas is coming fast, but I can't help but wish my best friend was here to celebrate Christ's birth with me. I have never noticed how many Christmas love songs there are until this year! haha I guess when you are lonely you notice them more. So here's some sappy Christmas love songs for all you girls who wish your boys could be here :)

 And my most favorite Christmas song..... :)

As the months pass by :)

Every month that Klay is gone I get an envelope from his sister that has a little slip of paper with 2 lines written on it :) Each 2 lines are lines to a poem that he wrote for me!!!! I get so excited to get them every month. The past couple months I didn't have time to go get them from her so I had to wait, but I finally got them!! :) And they were wonderful as always. This is what they read so far...

Month 1...............Broken lines are pointless, but I know that you'll do great, don't worry Lou! Two lines you'll get for every month you wait.

Month 2...............I can't wait to be home with you, but I'm not ready yet, I want to be the best I can, a man you can't forget.

Month 3...............Remember all the times we had, all the smiles we spent sharing, Staggering over to ask you out, I've never been so daring.

Month 4...............As I stood there without a word, looking like a goon, I should have closed my gaping jaw, but I began to swoon!

Month 5................How beautiful you are to me, I love you I suppose, Because I love you like the Savior, even Christ who knows.

Month 6................Hold your Simba tight for me, you're a'rdy six months through! I swear that there's no other man that's more content with you.

Month 7................You're the girl that makes me grin, happy as can be! My smile spreads from ear to ear when we hammock in the trees!

Month 8..............And I'll get you that diamond ring, that one you most desire, Even if you go through another couple hundred tires ;)

                                         (p.s. I get a lot of flat tires haha)

Month 9...............Can't wait to share a home with you, no matter big or small.. Without that perfect unity, I'd have no home at all.

Month 10.............Right now I'd hold your hand either way, cute or fingers locked. Because I miss you baby girl, I miss the time we talked.

Month 11.............. I miss our precious bonding time while playing mario kart,  The kind of miss with a big ol' smile, cuz Lou you've got my heart.

Month 12.............Prove the doubters wrong my girl, you're a'rdy halfway through! Be that stubborn punk I love! My precious babe-a-lou!

Month 13............Piper, Isabel, Finn, Kalaya, Brecklynn, Tucker, Oakley. Lacey the second, that could do, Hadley and Jakoby

Month 14............I'm in daddy training camp where nothings about me, I'm learning to look past myself, and look to family.

Month 15...........God loves you and loves me too, He wants to make us full. The Shepherd left His ninety and eight to save us from this World.

Month 16.............. And for that cause I leave my one, to seek his ninety eight. I trust He protects that sacred one, the one I pray to wait.

Month 17..............My Heart's so full of love for you, I'm saving up each day! When I get home I'll pick you up and squeeze your breath away!

Month 18..............I trust you more than anything, please Lacey hear my cries. If you're still gonna marry me, then here, here's your surprise.

Month 19..............I hope you're ready for these things that God called me to do, cuz I can't do them on my own, I'm very blessed with you.                                                   

Aww isn't he the cutest? :) I will keep posting the rest of the poem as the months pass by but that is all for now :) Have a happy day!

Finals week=DEATH.

Bleh. Finals. I feel like I have no time for anything! But I am taking a break to talk to my blog readers :) I'm just procrastinating but it's whatever. I have been having the hardest time concentrating on studying! I keep getting on pinterest :/ haha but I did find this wonderful article for all y'all waiting for that special missionary! you can click here to read it :) One thing that this girl did that I am also doing is to keep a journal to give to your missionary when they get home! Cause I can tell Klay very limited amounts of info while he is on his mission... i can't tell him all of my problems, I can't be mushy gushy lovey dovey, I can't tell him how much I TERRIBLY MISS HIM! (I do tell him I miss him though... I think it's good for him to know I still do :) so I write it all in this journal, every day I write in it for him and I am going to give it to him when he gets home :) He knows I am writing it for him so in his letters he always says, "keep writing in my book!" haha :) I'm excited for him to get to read it. Other things I do... I write him a letter once a week and an email every sunday night. I have only sent one package, but I hope to send at least 3 more! If they weren't so expensive I would send more but oh well. Klay sends me his SD cards with pictures on them, so I save all of his pictures on my computer, then I delete the pictures from the SD cards and take a few pictures and send the SD card back to him :) I took a video on the last one I sent to him... I hope it's not against mission rules... If it is then whooops! I didn't know :) I put a sticker on my countdown every night and change the # of days on my white board countdown :) BTW! Tomorrow marks 500 days left!!!!! That means he has been gone 230 days! ahh! :) We have a long ways to go but I know we can do it. Well that is all y'all, pray for me taking my finals... i need it!

one day we were texting and klay sent me a picture of him holding a paper that said "marry me?" and I sent him a picture of me holding this paper :) this is the journal I'm writing for him

230 days!

 

 almost in the 400s!