Sunday, November 2, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
My world of sleep is over
I just had a realization as I was driving home from visiting teaching this morning: I will probably never really sleep again. It's not like I haven't had this thought before, but it actually is starting to sink in. There have been other sleepless times in my life. For example, my freshman year of college was full of all-nighters. From forgetting about the paper due the next day, to hanging around with Andrew or my girlfriends until the wee hours of the morning. But that was different. I always knew I could just make up the sleep the next day and as embarrassing as it is to admit, I usually did and in the most random of public places. I look back and can't believe how unashamed I was to just fall asleep in a hallway before my next class.
This is different. I know that my friend Kimi will read this and I will have further scared her
away from ever having kids. So lest I put all the blame on motherhood, that really is not the culprit. Luke actually sleeps like a champ...sometimes all night in fact (enjoy it while you can buddy). I will probably never really sleep again by pure choice. (And before I get a plethora of comments about how important sleep is to my health, keep in mind I'm talking about McCann sleep....that's a minimum of 8 hours, preferably 10 or 11). Even if Luke was the reason for my lack of sleep...who wouldn't miss out on sleep to cuddle up with this cutie.
If I wanted to, though it would be completely insane and illogical, I could ask Andrew to wake up with the baby at night. Or I could go to bed early instead of staying up to work or clean the house or blog or do all the other random things that seem to catch my attention at midnight. I could even sleep in (and actually I do most mornings, but I'm realizing that I'm going to have to cut that out). The truth is, I'm choosing not to sleep because there are so many good/fun things to do that I just can't waste time sleeping. Luckily, the women that I visit teach helped me feel excited about this realization. I was feeling tired this morning as I dragged Luke out of bed and ran like crazy around the house to make it to our appointment. But when I met with these friends, I realized that they didn't get any sleep either. But they were happy and excited about the things going on in their lives. I appreciated their attitudes and realized that I'm choosing to wake up because life's too short to waste on excess sleep.
This doesn't mean I'm going to walk around feeling tired all the time. I learned in Japan that God can really help out with this obstacle. Some days I was SO tired. The alarm would go off at 6:30 am and I would think that there was no possible way that I was going to wake up. After I woke up I thought there was no possible way that I was going to make it through my study or be able to ride my bike 20 miles. But I did, and it's all because the Lord is able to lift us up and fill us with energy so we can do what we need to do. There are more than enough scriptures that promise He will. That's my thought for the day.
This is different. I know that my friend Kimi will read this and I will have further scared her
away from ever having kids. So lest I put all the blame on motherhood, that really is not the culprit. Luke actually sleeps like a champ...sometimes all night in fact (enjoy it while you can buddy). I will probably never really sleep again by pure choice. (And before I get a plethora of comments about how important sleep is to my health, keep in mind I'm talking about McCann sleep....that's a minimum of 8 hours, preferably 10 or 11). Even if Luke was the reason for my lack of sleep...who wouldn't miss out on sleep to cuddle up with this cutie.If I wanted to, though it would be completely insane and illogical, I could ask Andrew to wake up with the baby at night. Or I could go to bed early instead of staying up to work or clean the house or blog or do all the other random things that seem to catch my attention at midnight. I could even sleep in (and actually I do most mornings, but I'm realizing that I'm going to have to cut that out). The truth is, I'm choosing not to sleep because there are so many good/fun things to do that I just can't waste time sleeping. Luckily, the women that I visit teach helped me feel excited about this realization. I was feeling tired this morning as I dragged Luke out of bed and ran like crazy around the house to make it to our appointment. But when I met with these friends, I realized that they didn't get any sleep either. But they were happy and excited about the things going on in their lives. I appreciated their attitudes and realized that I'm choosing to wake up because life's too short to waste on excess sleep.
This doesn't mean I'm going to walk around feeling tired all the time. I learned in Japan that God can really help out with this obstacle. Some days I was SO tired. The alarm would go off at 6:30 am and I would think that there was no possible way that I was going to wake up. After I woke up I thought there was no possible way that I was going to make it through my study or be able to ride my bike 20 miles. But I did, and it's all because the Lord is able to lift us up and fill us with energy so we can do what we need to do. There are more than enough scriptures that promise He will. That's my thought for the day.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Swing-State Blues
One would hope that election season would be a somewhat happy time for Americans. After all, it is a reminder of what makes America great. We have the freedom to elect representation that ultimately has the responsibility to carry out the mind and will of the people.
When I realized that I was going to become an Ohioan, I was excited to live in a state where my vote might have a little more sway. My two previous presidential elections were in Utah and while I voted both times with pride, the results were never shocking. I tried to research whether or not Utah has ever given their electoral votes to a democratic presidential candidate but I have still not found the data.
Ohio has lived up to its promise of a lively election season. For instance, if I had the desire (and no Lukey to take care of) I could be 15 minutes away listening to Michelle Obama at this very moment. I'm always surprised to hear that the presidential candidates are in the area. In Utah, the closest I ever came to a candidate was when their plane was passing overhead. I should feel excited to be in the middle of such angst and excitement. Instead I feel what I can only describe as the swing-state blues.
For instance, I haven't seen a normal commercial in months. Every commercial is one candidate slamming another for reasons a, b and c. The next commercial is his opponent stating the exact opposite. Sometimes, the third commercial in succession is actually the former candidate again with another plethora of accusations to dump. Who can be trusted? When the media gets involved, the scene only gets uglier. Are these the people I'm supposed to trust? Doing so seems to force me to contradict my better judgment and intuition most of the time. When they claim to be on my side...I wonder what that means. I wonder who they think that I am. Of course, I can't claim any special privilege to the blues simply because I live in Ohio. I think that many people feel the same way. Tired of the fighting and wondering who is telling the truth. I should note that the Stacey Sizzle, Inc. (which a friend kindly commented recently, sounds a bit like the name of a trashy tabloid.....point noted) will not throw all support behind either candidate because the editor-in-chief (Lauren) thinks that they're both bad options. I will vote. However, I don't wish to publicly put my name behind a dirty politician (note that I believe that to be both of them to some degree or another) and will only be tossing my two cents at the lesser of two evils.
Lest I appear to be a pessimist, let me clarify that one cannot feel sad about something that they care nothing about. I only feel blue because I think that America is wonderful. Sometimes all the arguing leads us to think negatively about our political system...some have even told me that they no longer are proud to be an American. I think that an American is ungrateful if he or she does not feel a sense of patriotism and love for the gift of liberty that people have sacrificed their lives to give us. It is sad when we demean and demoralize such a gift. It is sad when we come dangerously close to a socialist extreme as if to completely disregard what history has taught us. It is sad when we see many in political service that have no moral backbone and ride the wave of popularity. But I still think that America's future is bright. Like I stated previously, election season should be a reminder of how great it is to be an American. I think that is how I will overcome my swing-state blues. I have to remember that America is great because we can have frustrating political debates and not have our beliefs dictated to us. It is great because election season will come and go and there is always another one just around the corner. I might be tired of the fighting but every once in while I have to step back and think, "Well, at least we have the privilege to fight".
On a somewhat separate note, if America does undergo difficult economic turmoil and recession over the next several years, I think we will discover that though we may have been spoiled rotten for a time, Americans will be able to survive and make it okay because most of the people are good at the core, despite our differing beliefs. Most people will look out for their neighbor and give what they can. Most people will realize that they have lived in excess and will find joy in a simpler life. Most people will become more grateful that while America may not do everything for them and fix every problem, it will give them options and opportunity. Then, with a little hard work and sweat, we'll make it okay and be all the better for it. That's what I'm praying for at least. But we have to work for it. I have to stop feeling blue and start contributing constructively to the discussion.
Now on to more pictures of Luke....
Fall in Ohio is pretty gorgeous
Luke helping Dad cook some amazing Italian food.
This might be some sort of gang sign...I'm not sure.
When I realized that I was going to become an Ohioan, I was excited to live in a state where my vote might have a little more sway. My two previous presidential elections were in Utah and while I voted both times with pride, the results were never shocking. I tried to research whether or not Utah has ever given their electoral votes to a democratic presidential candidate but I have still not found the data.
Ohio has lived up to its promise of a lively election season. For instance, if I had the desire (and no Lukey to take care of) I could be 15 minutes away listening to Michelle Obama at this very moment. I'm always surprised to hear that the presidential candidates are in the area. In Utah, the closest I ever came to a candidate was when their plane was passing overhead. I should feel excited to be in the middle of such angst and excitement. Instead I feel what I can only describe as the swing-state blues.
For instance, I haven't seen a normal commercial in months. Every commercial is one candidate slamming another for reasons a, b and c. The next commercial is his opponent stating the exact opposite. Sometimes, the third commercial in succession is actually the former candidate again with another plethora of accusations to dump. Who can be trusted? When the media gets involved, the scene only gets uglier. Are these the people I'm supposed to trust? Doing so seems to force me to contradict my better judgment and intuition most of the time. When they claim to be on my side...I wonder what that means. I wonder who they think that I am. Of course, I can't claim any special privilege to the blues simply because I live in Ohio. I think that many people feel the same way. Tired of the fighting and wondering who is telling the truth. I should note that the Stacey Sizzle, Inc. (which a friend kindly commented recently, sounds a bit like the name of a trashy tabloid.....point noted) will not throw all support behind either candidate because the editor-in-chief (Lauren) thinks that they're both bad options. I will vote. However, I don't wish to publicly put my name behind a dirty politician (note that I believe that to be both of them to some degree or another) and will only be tossing my two cents at the lesser of two evils.
Lest I appear to be a pessimist, let me clarify that one cannot feel sad about something that they care nothing about. I only feel blue because I think that America is wonderful. Sometimes all the arguing leads us to think negatively about our political system...some have even told me that they no longer are proud to be an American. I think that an American is ungrateful if he or she does not feel a sense of patriotism and love for the gift of liberty that people have sacrificed their lives to give us. It is sad when we demean and demoralize such a gift. It is sad when we come dangerously close to a socialist extreme as if to completely disregard what history has taught us. It is sad when we see many in political service that have no moral backbone and ride the wave of popularity. But I still think that America's future is bright. Like I stated previously, election season should be a reminder of how great it is to be an American. I think that is how I will overcome my swing-state blues. I have to remember that America is great because we can have frustrating political debates and not have our beliefs dictated to us. It is great because election season will come and go and there is always another one just around the corner. I might be tired of the fighting but every once in while I have to step back and think, "Well, at least we have the privilege to fight".
On a somewhat separate note, if America does undergo difficult economic turmoil and recession over the next several years, I think we will discover that though we may have been spoiled rotten for a time, Americans will be able to survive and make it okay because most of the people are good at the core, despite our differing beliefs. Most people will look out for their neighbor and give what they can. Most people will realize that they have lived in excess and will find joy in a simpler life. Most people will become more grateful that while America may not do everything for them and fix every problem, it will give them options and opportunity. Then, with a little hard work and sweat, we'll make it okay and be all the better for it. That's what I'm praying for at least. But we have to work for it. I have to stop feeling blue and start contributing constructively to the discussion.
Now on to more pictures of Luke....
Fall in Ohio is pretty gorgeous
Luke helping Dad cook some amazing Italian food.
This might be some sort of gang sign...I'm not sure.
This is cuter when you can see that he's copying me.
This video shows the many faces of Luke Stacey. Enjoy.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thought of the Day
There are two.
First thought:
If you haven't heard Coach Bronco Mendenhall's interview on the Jim Rome show, it's a must hear. Click on this link:
http://www.byucougars.com/Filing.jsp?ID=11130
Way to represent Coach.
Second thought:
Andrew's sister, Jessica, sent us this quote (see below). I think it's pretty cool, especially because recently I've been thinking a lot about CHANGE (wonder why since everyone running for political office has made that their motto). There are many ways that we can have a positive impact in our communities or even in the world. But out of all those many ways, the lessons we learn or teach in the home, trump them all.
"When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn't stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born, perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother. And then God puts the idea into the mother's heart, and she puts it into the baby's mind. And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies." - E.T. Sullivan
Almost a smile
Cougar fans could learn one lesson (and only one lesson) from Buckeye fans. See this sea of red? You better believe that everyone in all of Columbus is wearing scarlet and gray on game day. I think our BYU stands could use a little more blue and white.
The Stacey men came into town to watch a Buckeye game. Even though Andrew is an Ohio native, it has taken a lot to get him to wear red.
First thought:
If you haven't heard Coach Bronco Mendenhall's interview on the Jim Rome show, it's a must hear. Click on this link:
http://www.byucougars.com/
Way to represent Coach.
Second thought:
Andrew's sister, Jessica, sent us this quote (see below). I think it's pretty cool, especially because recently I've been thinking a lot about CHANGE (wonder why since everyone running for political office has made that their motto). There are many ways that we can have a positive impact in our communities or even in the world. But out of all those many ways, the lessons we learn or teach in the home, trump them all.
"When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn't stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born, perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother. And then God puts the idea into the mother's heart, and she puts it into the baby's mind. And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies." - E.T. Sullivan
Almost a smile
Cougar fans could learn one lesson (and only one lesson) from Buckeye fans. See this sea of red? You better believe that everyone in all of Columbus is wearing scarlet and gray on game day. I think our BYU stands could use a little more blue and white.
The Stacey men came into town to watch a Buckeye game. Even though Andrew is an Ohio native, it has taken a lot to get him to wear red.Thursday, September 18, 2008
About a Boy
I'm finally getting around to writing about Luke's birth. I think it is pretty much your typical birth story. I tried to anticipate the questions people might have, for example:
Q: How long were you in labor?
A: I'm not sure. It depends on when the labor started and I can't be sure about when that happened. The night before, we made the long 2 hour trek to IKEA in Cincinnati to buy some furniture. Of course, it took us so long to decide what to buy that the store closed and the employees were trying to kick us out. I'm pretty sure that experience might have thrown me into labor. The next morning (Thursday, Aug. 28) I woke up with pains that I could only guess were contractions. By 9:30 pm I had checked into the hospital and Luke was born at 7:00 am the next morning (Friday, Aug. 29).
Q: How did Andrew respond when you told him it was time to go to the hospital?
A: Well, I had to text him because he was at an AA meeting. He had to walk out in the middle and missed the Lord's Prayer. That will be a fun little tidbit to tell future generations. Of course, Andrew isn't a recovering alcoholic, but he had to attend as part of a medical school assignment.
Q: Did you get an epidural?
A: Heavens yes! It was a public service to everyone at the hospital. After they broke my water, I asked my nurse why I was the only one screaming on the floor. Was I the only one in labor at the hospital that night? The answer was no. I guess I just have a low pain tolerance. I also must thank the two pregnant women who were scheduled ahead of me to get an epidural. They patiently waited because my nurse requested that I get the shot first. I will forever be grateful.
Q: What were the first moments with Luke like after he was born?
A: The doctor immediately laid Luke on my stomach while they were preparing to cut the umbilical cord. I couldn't get a good look because I was still laying down. But I did rub his cute little bloody head. Then he went to the bathroom all over me and I started throwing up. So tender. It's okay, we had some great bonding time shortly after that. Incidentally, going to the bathroom on me is still one of his favorite pastimes. It happens daily :)
Q: How's the recovery?
A: Not bad. They think I might have broken my tail bone, but I feel exponentially better each day. It feels good to have my ankles back and sleep on my stomach again.
My family has been asking for some more pictures of Luke. I will try not to turn our blog into an endless parade of baby pictures (although it's tempting). But today I can't help it and don't have any other interesting things to post about. He's pretty much our life right now (of course we take time outs to watch BYU football). Sorry if I go a little crazy with the pictures. We take about 100 a day.
The Sunday before Luke was born (I'm still not sure how he fit in there)
He's still not totally sure which hole to put the pacifier in.
He really likes to have that hand on his face at all times.
There's that hand again. I promise I fixed his head after I took this picture.
Luke likes his sleep.
Is it child abuse to make your baby wear a robe after his bath? He wasn't too happy with us, but he looked so cute!
Grandpa and Grandma McCann came out to visit for a week. I think Luke has them wrapped around his little finger.
Grandpa and Grandma Stacey also live close by and have been a huge help (sorry, you can't see Grandma Stacey in the picture).
His dirty blonde hair is beginning to look more and more red everyday. Sorry kiddo, you got that from me.
I go a little overboard when we go on our morning walks. I know, it's only September.
I have to admit, he really likes Mom.
He really likes Dad too.
You can't tell in this picture, but he's looking in the mirror. We find him staring at it often.
You can't tell in this picture, but he's looking in the mirror. We find him staring at it often.
Already a deep thinker.
He's growing up so fast!Sunday, September 14, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Rise, all Loyal "Flatly Lucky" Cougars?
On the eve of one of the most significant Cougar football games in a long time, I--the junior editor of this blog--have decided to publicly defend the Blue and White and rebuke the Haters.
Last week, it wasn't enough for Cougar fans to have to suffer through an entire game of the most blatantly biased PAC-10 commentary that FSN could assemble. After the game, we had to put up with an entire nation of sportswriters accusing the Cougars of being "flatly lucky" (Pat Forde, ESPN). Having read myriads of ignorant words previously in the week, Forde's were the last straw. I wrote him a biting email, to which--obviously--I have received no response.
To call the Cougars 'flatly lucky' is to openly admit that you did not watch the game, had no intention of researching the game, and are only interested in writing a flashy headline. I think it is only fair that you, the reader, get an honest, unbiased, analysis of the end of that game. Unfortunately, I don't know where you can find that--but I will offer you my own biased analysis in its place
BYU vs UW
Dennis Pitta caught 10 passes for 148 yards on his way to defending his spot atop the receiving yards list for the entire NCAA. Harvey ran the ball 23 times for 136 yards for an average of 5.9 yards/carry. The BYU offense had 475 total yards to UW's 337, we held the ball longer than they did and could not be stopped all game long. Lucky? Please!
On the last play of UW's final drive, Jake Locker made a great run, weaving around both BYU's contain men and ending with 6 points and paydirt. Then the flag came: a correct call, a terrible rule. I hated the call as much as the next man, however, that is where my similarity to the country's beat writers ends.
The ball moved back 15 yards creating a 35 yard extra point. Problem? Shouldn't be. Pat Forde and countless other writers have credited UW's demise to the longer field goal. They should be embarrased for writing such things in public, this is why.
Exhibit A: Many have said that the trajectory of the kick was changed and lead to the block--writers should know better (well, they probably do). In case you fell victim to this idea, here is why it is a crock, from the mouth of the kicker himself, Perkins from UW
"A lot of people are saying when you back up it will be a lower trajectory, and that's not the case,'' he said. "The kick should be the same no matter what, and after looking at the form on my kick, everything looks the same as it did all day. I was fine. We did a 35-yard field goal against Oregon the week before and essentially it is straight down the middle, so that didn't bother me at all.''
Strike One.
Exhibit B: Did the entire country forget that we blocked the kick? It was blocked, the kicker didn't miss it, it was blocked. Did I mention that the kick was blocked? Forde and his compadrees state that the kick would not have been blocked if it were kicked from the 10 yard line. Really?
For novices, those four (4) white jerseys should NOT be where they are. Oh, and if you look close, the ball was blocked with Jorgensen's (84, in air) mid section. Even with altered trajectory (which we know is not the case) this ball is still blocked...by a lot. UW lost because BYU made the play to win the game. They blocked the kick.
Strike two.
"Flatly lucky"?
Please!
Exhibit C: Anyone who actually watched that game felt robbed because we knew that OT would have been a fun, hotly contested match. To call the Cougars 'flatly lucky' is to admit either you made no attempt to even read a box score or maybe you are admitting that you don't know how overtime works or maybe--the most probable option in my opinion--your company pays you to back those schools who you have television contracts with. That's low.
Strike three.
Go Cougars! Beat Norm and the Boys!
Last week, it wasn't enough for Cougar fans to have to suffer through an entire game of the most blatantly biased PAC-10 commentary that FSN could assemble. After the game, we had to put up with an entire nation of sportswriters accusing the Cougars of being "flatly lucky" (Pat Forde, ESPN). Having read myriads of ignorant words previously in the week, Forde's were the last straw. I wrote him a biting email, to which--obviously--I have received no response.
To call the Cougars 'flatly lucky' is to openly admit that you did not watch the game, had no intention of researching the game, and are only interested in writing a flashy headline. I think it is only fair that you, the reader, get an honest, unbiased, analysis of the end of that game. Unfortunately, I don't know where you can find that--but I will offer you my own biased analysis in its place
BYU vs UW
Dennis Pitta caught 10 passes for 148 yards on his way to defending his spot atop the receiving yards list for the entire NCAA. Harvey ran the ball 23 times for 136 yards for an average of 5.9 yards/carry. The BYU offense had 475 total yards to UW's 337, we held the ball longer than they did and could not be stopped all game long. Lucky? Please!
On the last play of UW's final drive, Jake Locker made a great run, weaving around both BYU's contain men and ending with 6 points and paydirt. Then the flag came: a correct call, a terrible rule. I hated the call as much as the next man, however, that is where my similarity to the country's beat writers ends.
The ball moved back 15 yards creating a 35 yard extra point. Problem? Shouldn't be. Pat Forde and countless other writers have credited UW's demise to the longer field goal. They should be embarrased for writing such things in public, this is why.
Exhibit A: Many have said that the trajectory of the kick was changed and lead to the block--writers should know better (well, they probably do). In case you fell victim to this idea, here is why it is a crock, from the mouth of the kicker himself, Perkins from UW
"A lot of people are saying when you back up it will be a lower trajectory, and that's not the case,'' he said. "The kick should be the same no matter what, and after looking at the form on my kick, everything looks the same as it did all day. I was fine. We did a 35-yard field goal against Oregon the week before and essentially it is straight down the middle, so that didn't bother me at all.''
Strike One.
Exhibit B: Did the entire country forget that we blocked the kick? It was blocked, the kicker didn't miss it, it was blocked. Did I mention that the kick was blocked? Forde and his compadrees state that the kick would not have been blocked if it were kicked from the 10 yard line. Really?
For novices, those four (4) white jerseys should NOT be where they are. Oh, and if you look close, the ball was blocked with Jorgensen's (84, in air) mid section. Even with altered trajectory (which we know is not the case) this ball is still blocked...by a lot. UW lost because BYU made the play to win the game. They blocked the kick.
Strike two.
"Flatly lucky"?
Please!
Exhibit C: Anyone who actually watched that game felt robbed because we knew that OT would have been a fun, hotly contested match. To call the Cougars 'flatly lucky' is to admit either you made no attempt to even read a box score or maybe you are admitting that you don't know how overtime works or maybe--the most probable option in my opinion--your company pays you to back those schools who you have television contracts with. That's low.
Strike three.
Go Cougars! Beat Norm and the Boys!
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