Saying Goodbye to American Idol 2008

I've been a bit hesitant to admit it, but Andrew and I went to the American Idol Concert about a month ago and I've decided that it's time to report. Originally, I wasn't embarrassed about going. Those who have been long-time readers of our blog know that I didn't really know what American Idol was until this year and it got me through the rough months of pregnancy. However, once we made it to the concert and realized that there was a bimodal distribution of ages with the two peaks being ages 12 and 50....then I felt a little out of place. Still it was a fabulous concert.

The concert didn't change my opinion too much about the top 10. As I have always thought, Ramiele??? Not too impressive. And David Archuleta...still my favorite, although I have yet to find anyone (besides my 14 year old niece Dallyn and my husband) who agrees with me. He pretty much rocked. However, I think I owe the following artists a pat on the back.

The "Oh yeah, how did he get kicked off so early??" Award: Michael Johns. This guy can seriously work a stage. He definitely should have made it to the top 3 or 4.

The "Did she really just hit that note? Award: Carly Smithson. She never really won me over, but I have to admit, this girl can sing.

The "When I'm not nervous I can rock the house" Award: Brooke White. I was always a Brooke fan and voted for her most of the time, but she performs soooo much better when she's relaxed. She was phenomenal.

The "Even though it's hard to go wrong with a rock song...I'm a pretty good performer" Award: David Cook. People think I'm crazy for not jumping on the Cook wagon, but I still think that most of his success was due to his "cool" song choices and not so much that he's any better than every other rock singer in the world. However, I will admit that he's extremely charismatic and puts on a good performance. I was probably a little too hard on him.

Well, that's about it. Here are some pictures (the video's are taking too long to download...maybe later):

Michael Johns

David Archuelta - even better live

The Whole Gang

Pregnancy Top 5

As one would expect, the ninth month of pregnancy is not the most fun. In fact, I think it is especially designed to help the mother overcome any fear or hesitation about becoming a mom, by making a continued pregnancy seem like a far more scary fate. However, I want to focus on the positive, so I thought of the top 5 things that I love about being pregnant (notice there are not 10).

Number 5 - I don't have to feel guilty about dipping my carrot sticks in ranch.

A few months ago, I was discussing my diet with my physician and she casually mentioned that fat is actually really good for the baby (obviously not chips and junk food...but other kinds of fat like cheese, etc...). She suggested, as an example, that instead of eating carrot sticks plain, it would be better to dip them in a little ranch dressing. Well she didn't have to say that again. I picked up some ranch dressing on the way home and have been a happy camper ever since. Even though I have tried to maintain a reasonable and healthy diet during pregnancy, it's nice to know that a little extra fat in my diet is applauded by my health practitioner.

Number 4 - Strangers suddenly feel comfortable talking to me.

Pregnancy seems to be one of those things that can unite even the most diverse groups of people. I'm surprised how many people will walk up to me in the store and excitedly ask when I'm due and if it's a boy or a girl. Sometimes they tell me about their own children. All barriers seem to break down and I suddenly have something in common with most of the population. That makes me happy. It's a little weird when they want to feel my stomach, but that's really rare and it hardly feels attached to me anyway.

Number 3 - Everyone has really low expectations of me.

I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but suddenly I have become a champion for merely completing day to day tasks. Andrew finds me even more amazing for cooking dinner or cleaning the house. A few months ago, I helped a family move (along with 10 other people who carried all the heavy things) and the accolades in my direction were endless. Sometimes this can also be a bit frustrating because I'm actually still a very capable person and don't need to be praised for tying my shoe...but I'll admit, sometimes it's nice to exceed everyone's expectations because the expectations are so mediocre.

Number 2 - Hearing my little boy's heartbeat.

When I first realized I was pregnant, it was January 1st and I was miserably sick. At that point, it was difficult to imagine that there was actually a purpose behind the sick feelings. I didn't look pregnant and I certainly didn't feel a baby kicking around. Then I went to my first appointment a few weeks later. I remember hearing the heartbeat and seeing the little peanut on the ultrasound screen. That was probably my highlight for the whole month of January. After that, I have always looked forward to my doctor visits. All my thoughts of how uncomfortable pregnancy is or how sick I feel have always disappeared as soon as I get to hear the heartbeat (or catch a rare glimpse at an ultrasound).

Number 1 - Pregnancy means I get to be a mom soon.

Duh. If you didn't know what number one would be from the get-go, I'm disappointed in you. I've thought about becoming a mom for a long time now. I remember getting ready to come home from my mission in Japan and being so sad that I would have to leave and start living a normal life. One day, I went to my mission president's house and got to hold his little boy who was a year and a half old. I suddenly realized that I was really excited to be a mom...and the only way to become a mom was to leave Japan and move on with life. I had to be a little patient for the opportunity but it will be here soon and I feel really lucky. Who knows if I'll be any good at it, but I've talked to enough random moms in the grocery store to know that no matter what mothers experience - colicky babies, whiny toddlers, rebellious teenagers, etc - they always have a little sparkle of happiness in their eyes when they think of their children. So if pregnancy is the pathway to motherhood, I'll take it.

Independence Day

Last weekend we decided to take a little road trip to Philadelphia and Washington DC. Andrew's brother, Bill, lives in Philadelphia with his family and was kind enough to take us on a "food tour" of the city. I say "food tour" because in addition to seeing the Liberty Bell and visiting Independence Hall, Bill also showed us the best food that Philadelphia has to offer. We ate philly cheese steaks at 3 different locations (by the way, they're called "cheese steaks" and Geno's was our favorite... whiz with), authentic Italian pizza from Lorenzo's on South Street, gelato from Rita's and chicken carciofi from VinnyT's. We were surprised by the strict "ordering rules" that most of these places have. If you have ever seen the "soup nazi" episode of Seinfeld, you will understand what I'm talking about. You tell them what you want and don't ask any questions. If you make a mistake or hesitate, you might end up at the end of the line...if you're lucky.

Next, we ventured to Washington DC where my two old roommates, Jane and Lindi, now live down the street from each other. I have never been to Washington DC and realize now that I was missing out. There are so many museums and parks to see...and all free! We spent most of our time in the National Gallery of Art which Andrew found comparable to the art museums he visited in Italy. We also saw Andrew's old mission companion, Justin, whose wife Lia is a few months, and many pounds, behind me in pregnancy.



Everyone has been asking us about the fireworks show in our Nation's capital. The first couple fireworks were amazing. The rest of the experience can best be described with the following video:



Imagine a hill covered with thousands of people - some of whom have been waiting for hours in the rain to have a perfect scenic view of the fireworks - and this is what they got. Everyone was laughing hysterically and making jokes (as you can hear in the background, one man apparently liked the "black one"). Needless to say it was probably the most memorable fireworks show we have ever seen.

I have to say that our favorite part of the trip, besides seeing friends and family, was being able to reflect on the great blessing it is to live in America. Andrew and I have both lived in other countries and obviously love and appreciate what they have to offer too. However, we are grateful for the brave people who came before us and paid a heavy price so that we can enjoy the freedoms and prosperity that we have today. As we visited the place where the Constitution was written, it seemed obvious to us that those men were inspired and guided in that undertaking. What they were able to accomplish has not only affected Americans, but has had a strong influence in other countries that have sought democracy and freedom. Occasionally we're tempted to focus on the negative things about our country and democracy. Nothing is more humbling than to walk through Lincoln's memorial, the war memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, etc., and remember that we are spoiled beyond belief and should do more to be deserving of what has been given to us.

The Liberty Bell

Waiting for the fireworks to begin with Ryan, London, Lindi, Brooklyn, Chris, Jane and Hallie.

The WWII memorial. At the bottom right corner of the picture, you'll see one of seven "Kilroys" that are rumored to be engraved throughout the memorial. Search wikipedia for "Kilroy was here" and you'll find out what it has to do with WWII.

The Washington Monument featuring the American flag and the Ohio state flag.

The Lincoln Memorial might have been our favorite.

By the way, it was Andrew's birthday on July 8th. Happy 26th!!

The Unveiling

Here is my belly.

WEEK 30

I took a picture a few weeks ago, but decided that the belly has grown a lot since then and I should probably take another one. It is growing at a rapid pace now, but I hope it doesn't get too out of control or else my waddle will get a lot worse. In case you're wondering about the backdrop, allow me to introduce you to Camp Stacey 2008:



We only have one air conditioning unit and so we decided to move our bed into the living room in order to sleep comfortably during the humid summer. At first I wasn't too excited about the arrangement, but I have to say that it has really grown on me. I honestly feel like we're camping every night. Or maybe it feels more like we're having a slumber party. In any case, it's just another cool "When we were poor med students..." story to tell to our kids one day.

Unfortunately, we will not have the internet until we move at the end of July, so there probably won't be too many posts in the meantime. I'm sure my next belly shot will be much more impressive.

I also neglected to post anything for Father's Day, so here's a quick belated note:

Andrew: How could any kid not want a Dad like you? Especially when he can catch a fish like that! (Or maybe it was Eric who caught it...but lets just pretend it was you). Our little tyke always starts bee-boppin' in my stomach when you're around. I'm sure he can't wait to get away from Mom and have some Father-Son adventures. The only thing that calms my nerves about becoming a parent is knowing that it's a two-man gig. Thanks for being wonderful.


Dad: Thanks for wearing really old shoes my whole life (with pride I might add) so that I could have new ones :). I appreciate all the sacrifices you've made for our family and that you've always been a constant rock. Sorry for all those late night calls when I woke you up to tell you that I knocked my front teeth out, or my car broke down. Thank you for your patience and sense of humor.


Dennis: I knew when I met Dennis Stacey, that Andrew was a safe bet. We both appreciate your wise advice and rely on it constantly. Thank you for being 100% dedicated to your children, generous with your time and talents, and always teaching us by example how to live a happy life. That first line wasn't a joke, I knew when I met Dennis Stacey, that if Andrew grew up to be like his Dad, we'd always be happy. Thanks for raising a great son and being the best father-in-law a wife could ask for.

Summer in Ohio

Quiz question for the week:

One of us, in our family of two, is going to work at a science center this summer....and one of us is experiencing adult-onset acne. Can you guess who? Read on.

Next week I (Lauren) start my summer job at COSI (the science place...not the sandwich shop for those of you from Columbus). I couldn't be more excited. There is nothing better than a job that you would do for free if you had to (and I definitely would never be a paralegal for free). I'm glad that I get to spend my last few child-less months, easing my way into the world of kids. For those of you unfamiliar with COSI, it is a hands-on "science/history/everything fun" center. I'm helping with the summer camps which includes planning activities, making presentations, etc. I need to get my creative juices flowing, so I'm excited for the challenge. I just hope that the little tyke in my belly is cooperative during these last few months. I think this job will also score big points with Andrew's dad, the science guru. Working at COSI and producing a new grandchild all in one year?! I'm on a roll. In fact, I think all the Stacey men will find me much more hip. Maybe they'll even include me in their halo games.

I also want to congratulate Andrew for being a "quarter-doctor". He just finished his first year of medical school and made it look easy. I'm happy to report that I only felt like a single woman during test weeks and other than that, Andrew has been a master at balancing his many responsibilities. He probably doesn't feel that way, but I admire his juggling skills and I think he is on his way to being an incredible doctor/researcher/father/...the list goes on and on and his future is bright. Despite trials including a broken down car, acne (he thought he escaped the teenage trauma), a sick wife, h. pylori ulcerations in the stomach, scalp infections from Puerto Rico, etc., he didn't sweat it. Congrats miele.

I also wanted to apologize for not posting in a while. The truth is, I know that the time has come to post one of those pregnancy side shots that everyone wants to see, and I just can't seem to get the motivation to take that picture. It's on the way...

Happy Mother's Day!

We just wanted to tell our Moms that they are the best.


My favorite Mom memory was when we would have "Mom dates" once a week when I was about 9 or 10. She was working at a bank during my summer break, but on Wednesdays she would get off early and we would go to Taco Bell and then rent a movie. I always looked forward to Mom dates. She is wonderful at being patient with strong-willed children and always quietly serving others. If you look in our basement, you'll find beautiful oil paintings that she has made and clothes she has sewn. She may not recognize it, but she has many creative abilities that people like me would love to have.

Among all the other things she could have pursued in life, she has sacrificed all to her children and doesn't seem to mind or keep track of the things she has passed up so that we could have more. I think my Mom can be summed up by a little tidbit that my Dad recently told me. "Your Mom prays for you kids by name every night. I just say 'bless the kids,' but she has to say every name". I'm sure I've probably received some pretty incredible blessings because of those prayers.



Delta is a woman of incredible talents. She can throw together an incredible meal with ingredients from around the house and make it look effortless. She is extremely creative and passionate about art, culture and family history and teaches her children to be well-rounded and eager to learn new things. She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and in an area where her religion is a minority, Delta is known and respected for her beliefs. When I look at Andrew, I can see Delta in many of his traits, particularly his ability to be a fiercely loyal friend. I always know that I'm okay because I have Delta in my corner and she won't waiver.

One of Andrew's favorite memories of his Mom is her dedication and support of his involvement in football. She has rarely missed a game (even when you take into account his college career). Andrew remembers at the UNLV game his junior year, he was learning a new position and got "lit up" on a kick return. It was so bad that they knocked him out for a few seconds. As he was lying on the ground, a few of the UNLV players were gathered around, taunting him. The family reported that Delta immediately stood up and shouted something along the lines of, "Get away from my son or I'll come down there myself!" I don't doubt she would have marched on to the field. Her love for each of her children is infinite.

Moms - we love you. Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Dendou

Last weekend marked two years since I came home from my mission in Japan. I can't believe so much has happened in so little time. It was such a defining experience in my life that I get nervous the more time passes that I might forget one of the many important lessons I learned. So I thought that I'd mention a few lessons learned. (Sorry this is a long one...and I haven't even scratched the surface)


Lesson 1: The youth of the church are amazing. In Japan, they wake up early for seminary and make the long trip to the church, fully aware that they probably won't be done with school, club activities, and "after school" cram-school until the late evening. I loved being around them. Not just the youth, all the Japanese people I met were simply amazing and wonderful people. Another lesson learned this particular night: flour takes a long time to clean up.



Lesson 2: Take time to ponder. Long bike rides in the most beautiful country I've ever seen provided opportunities for me to think. I received many answers to prayer on long bike rides.


Lesson 3: Faith brings about miracles. I found that usually before really miraculous events occurred, I always experienced some of the most difficult times I've ever faced. My faith was always challenged. Sister Komai (my companion in the picture) was little in stature, but a giant in faith. From her (and others) I learned never to get discouraged because good things were coming.



Lesson 4: This picture doesn't explain anything...I just like it. In Kasai, I learned that Heavenly Father gives good gifts to His children. Sometimes it seems like He is giving us a rock when we asked for bread. But if we give Him some time, we'll realize that He can turn our rocks into bread....and He will.


Lesson 5: Rely on the Lord. It seems like the obvious thing to do for the average religious person, but throughout my life I have forgotten this and turned to other people/places, looking for strength or advice. On my mission, when I had a problem I couldn't call home or try to distract myself by watching a movie or going for a run. Then there were the language barriers that left me feeling alone at times. I definitely learned to turn to the Lord and we got to be great friends.

Now Andrew is going to start teasing me because I really could go on forever. I'll just add that I obviously learned that the gospel is true and Jesus Christ is our Savior (I knew that before the mission too). And I should also say that my companions are pretty amazing and important people to me. Ai shiteru yo!

Mata Nihon ni iru tomodachi ni kokoro kara kanshya shite imasu. Hitori hitori kara watashi wa shinkou to ai o manande kimashita. I'll be back one day.


Everyone should have at least one Japanese grandma. I have two.