things i should never take for granted.

that one person in life who knows you. truly, deeply knows you. right now, that person in my life is sleeping away in our bed while i'm sitting in our living room trying to figure out how God just knew. of course, he knew that mike would be the one for me because he is God, but it still blows my mind. i came across the song, 'almost lover', by a fine frenzy tonight while browsing youtube. while intently listening to the lyrics i thought to myself, "wow, this was my life in 2008!". what a dark, yet hopeful year for me. i think about the relationship i had with an individual that wrecked my life to a level that messed me up in every way possible; however, there was beauty that came with that break-up...i just didn't realize it until about 10 months later. the beauty in that break-up is the sweet person sleeping in our bed right now.
somehow, God knew it was all going to work. during the period of 10 months that just tore me apart, God made me new. all while doing this, He was preparing me for the man in my life that i should never take for granted. oh to be loved for who i am...it is the sweetest of loves. to know that he loves me at my up and downs, that is what warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes because this love that i share with my husband, is the love that the Lord has for me...even TENFOLD and BEYOND!

"Like an apple on a tree
Hiding out behind the leaves
I was difficult to reach
But you picked me
Like a shell upon a beach
Just another pretty piece
I was difficult to see
But you picked me
Yeah you picked me."

i love you, michael dean. thank you for making my life better in ways i cannot explain. <3

goals for the next five years.

disclaimer: ultimately, God is in control and He will have his way.

one night, mike and i were traveling back to ohio from pennsylvania. while driving, we decided to make a list of goals that we would like to achieve within the next five years. some of the goals are focused on a more individual level; whereas most of them are goals that we would love to attain as a couple. 

i was once told to jot down my goals. by doing this, they were visible and it was more organized than carrying these 'dreams' carelessly around in my cranium :) 

the list:

*move out of circleville (see where God leads...)

*Lacey--> complete master's degree (sometime in 2014: fingers crossed) and become a licensed professional counselor

*Mike--> graduate with bachelor's degree in business management

*start having baby cessna's :)

*Mike--> his business can grow in a way that has a positive influence over our family

*Lacey--> have a "legit adult job" as a counselor

*own a newer vehicle (three-four years old or newer)

*continue to stick to a moderately-strict budget as we are currently practicing (it WILL pay off in the long run..)

*go on another missions trip together

*be involved in a church (more than just sunday a.m.)

*Lacey--> begin research on starting a counseling center

*start saving accounts for our lil babies :) 

*grow closer to the Lord

honestly, mike and i loved doing this together! it was such a nice time to discuss the different goals that each of us brought to the table. especially for husbands and wives, i would recommend doing this as a substitute for devotions one night. meet together and be open and honest about what each of you would like to achieve separately and together as a married couple; then take it to God in prayer. ask for his blessing over your marriage, goals, and to guide you in your present and future endeavors. 

 

simply blessed!

this basically describes how i am feeling at the moment! saturday morning, mike had to go to Pittsburgh with stuart so they could meet up with their business partner, caleb, and go over things dealing with mike's business. {which by the way, if you need any scooters, scooter/atv/dirtbike/etc. parts, hit up fhscooterparts.com to browse around!} sorry, but i have to advertise for my main man ;) ANYWAYS, since mike was going to be gone all weekend, my family decided to come down to circleville and keep me company! it was such a LOVELY weekend! my mom, dad, sister, brother, and grandparents all came down and we enjoyed many laughs, lots of food, and tons of love! my mom, sister, and grandma ended up spending the night with me and we had an absolute blast!!! sadly, they all just left to head back home :( 

with all this being said, i am just filled with joy right now! i may not have all the wealth in the world, but i am definitely a rich girl when it comes to the people i have in my life and i COULD NOT be anymore grateful for all of them! 

...now i'm just sitting at home with lil brutus, waiting for my love to come back from PA. 

mm..life is good.