Heir-Conditioned

By Lacey L.H. Vess
A Mommy she really wanted to be,
But not yet ready for kids was he…
So when asked if planning on kids were they?
“We’re not preventing or really trying,” he’d say.
Then one day, tired of the question, “when would they be?”
Came the response, “in due time will we!”
For in it’s own due time is the key
That gave this saying the truth it be,
That “What once was almost, now is no longer
And what once was no longer now once again will be!”
For Daniel and Mrs. Vess are we,
Here to announce that WE’RE HAVING A BABY!
Due to arrive in January, Two Thousand and Ten
is Our Sweet Little Baby,
Who'll be joining Our Happy Little Den!!

In Loving Memory of Mrs. Linda Bayles

I first got to know you when I was in your first grade class,
You taught us so much and shared your talents with us too...
Teaching us songs like, "Friends Are Different," and "This Land is Your Land,"
and your sweet smiles and nice warm hugs were the perfect examples of kindness!

I loved having you as my teacher so much,
that all through my second grade year, every time I saw you,
I'd run up, give you a great big hug and say,
"You're gonna be my third grade teacher!"
You'd smile your sweet smile and with a gentle giggle you'd say,
"We'll have to see about that..."

When third grade rolled around and I found out that I was in your class,
I was sooo excited that I couldn't wait to go
because you always had a way of making learning fun!

I got to have your husband, Mr. Lloyd Bayles, as my fourth grade teacher,
and I must say, you guys are a perfect match!
Growing up, the more I got to know you and Mr. Bayles,
the more I grew to love you guys!
I always loved to see you
because you always had such a big friendly smile
and a nice gentle hug...
Every time I saw a Precious Moments' nicnac or picture
I always thought of you and said,
"Mrs. Bayles would love that!!"

Thank you Mrs. Bayles for your love, friendship and kindness
and for all that you've taught me through the years...
You are an amazing woman and the sweetest friend,
I hope that when I grow up I can be as sweet and special as you are...
You'll always be remembered for all the Precious Moments
that you've shared with us all!
We love you dearly and you'll always be in our hearts!

*Our dear friend, Mrs. Linda Bayles returned home to our Heavenly Father on Sunday evening, May 10th, 2009 where she was reunited with her son Brian and other loved ones who went on before her. She lived a beautiful life and is a friend to Many, She was a wonderful teacher and a good example to those around her. Now she can rest in peace, free from pain and the troubles of this world, for she has moved on to the next life where she will be blessed with peace and comfort forever.

I love the 26th & 27th verses in the book of Enos
(In the Book of Mormon) that say,

"And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and Prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.
And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say until me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen."

I know that Linda is Happy where she is and that she is doing The Lords work in Heaven. She is loved and will always have a special place in each of our hearts!

Mother's Day, My Mom's Birthday!! 05-10-09

I have a wonderful Mother,
I wouldn't want any other!
For she is the best
She could use a Rest
from work, chores and being indoors!

My Mother, My Hero, My Friend
One who brought me into this world
Then raising me in the Gospel with truth and righteousness I learned,
Her examples and love within me are burned
Etched in my heart and mind forever
Remembering all she's done for me and our family

Doing the best that she could
Enduring to the end
Always there for us no matter what
Reminding us of who we are and what we stand for
Echoing her love for us in all that she does
Sharing with us her many talents
Teaching us how to love and showing us how to care

I hope and pray that I can be the kind of Mother she's been for me...

Learning and growing with her examples and lessons in mind,
Often I sit back and enjoy the sweet memories we share...
Valuable insight and a good look at the future,
Evidence of a good life!

Young and beautiful, she became my fathers' wife
On June 25th, 1983, Sealed as a Family Forever on August 8th, 1989
Unaware of the Hero she'd grow to be, for that is exactly what she is to me!

...Mother Dearest I Love You!

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday

A Newly Found Home

A Newly Found Home
by Lacey L.H. Vess, 2009

Once upon a time there was a newlywed couple
who moved to Virginia to be with the Navy...

When they got there, a nice apartment they found,
and made their bed with blankets on the ground...
And in their silly, fun sense of rhyme,
when asked who they were,
they answered each time:
"Daniel and Mrs. Vess are we,
living on the corner of Green'n'Effingham we be...
and living here, we've grown to love it more and more each day!"

From Out West to Back East they did roam,
making the East Coast a newly found home...
with new faces and places to see,
they decided the East Coast is where they should be...
So when the time came to pick the next Stationed place,
they agreed on staying with the Portsmouth Naval Base!


*To see more poems by Lacey, (other than the ones found on this blog), you can go to the "Poetry tab" on her Journey Blog. Thank you for reading! Keep Smilin'!! Life's Gr8!!

To All My Family & Friends

Howdy All,
I just wanted to tell EVERYONE "HI," and let you all know how much I love and appreciate you-for your love, friendship, support and encouragement...For the many laughs and tears shared, for your example and especially for you just being YOU! ;-) I truly LOVE and Appreciate you all!!...
I was just lookin' through some Poems online and came across this one that I felt like sharing with everyone...It is very insightful and True!!...it's definately somethin' to "Think your mind on!" ...Enjoy...and,
Keep Smilin'!! Life's Gr8!!


If Tomorrow Never Comes


If I knew it would be the last time that
I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that
I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise.
I would video tape each action and word,
so that I could replay it back day by day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I would spare an extra minute or two
to stop and say "I love you",
instead of assuming, that you know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I would be there to share your day,
but I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can just let this one slip away.

For surely there's a tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything right.

There will always be another day
to say our "I love you's"
and certainly there's another chance
to say our "anything I can do's?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much "I love you"
and hope you never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young and old alike,
and today may be the last chance you get
to hold your loved ones tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day.

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
whisper in their ear,
tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take the time to say "I'm sorry,"
"please forgive me." "Thank you" or "it's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
~Author Unknown

"Writing an Email to You..."

Once upon a time...
I started to write an email to you,
but then after just a line or two,
I ended up writing a poem
rather than an email to you...
So now here I go again,
writing and typing
with my head all in a spin,
because I just wanted to say,"Hi,"
and see how you've been...
Yet talking in rhyme
and laughing all the time
has left my mind somewhere behind
and I've yet to find it while lost in time
for being caught up in this world of mine,
I sometimes feel like a pantomime!!
~Poem by Lacey L.H. Vess

*Story behind this poem:
As the beginning of the poem states, "I started to write an email," and since my wallpaper on my emails say, "Once upon a time..." at the top, I started what was only gonna be a line or two long...of a little "story" fun...but then I couldn't stop, and soon I had a full length poem!...SO, I saved the poem and started a new email...and yet again, I ended up with ANOTHER poem!!...So I finished the poem, added a short messege and sent the email!! LOL!!

Keep Smilin'!! Life's Gr8!! ;-)

Dedicated to The One I Love...

We've been Married for 4 months now and are still Loving Life! ;-)

Daniel never ceases to amaze me...He takes such good care of me and treats me like a Queen...I am SO Blessed to have him in my life!

Since this is Our 4 Month Anniversary, I wanted to express my love and appreciation by writing a poem for My Hubby...Dedicated to The One I Love is Our Story...it's as we like to call it, A Real-Life Fairy Tale:

You first came into my life on October 12th, 2004

when your sister Janett introduced us,

I remember it as if it were just yesterday...

...They asked you to say the closing prayer that night at Institute...

you asked if you could say it in Portuguese

since you'd just gotten home from serving your Mission in Campinas, Brazil

and it was much easier for you than English...

After the prayer, I remember thinkin' that it was a beautiful prayer

and thought that you seemed like a pretty great guy...

...Then one of my best friends introduced me to you,

"Daniel, this is my friend Lacey," Janett said, "Lacey, this is my brother Daniel!"

She was so happy to be around you and proud of you...I could see how much she loved you!

...And when we shook hands, a feeling shot through me...

and I knew that we would someday be together...

But it wasn't until around the year 2007 that

that feeling came back to me...

...At that time, I was trying to figure out what Heavenly Father had in His Plan for me...

...as I continued to pray for help and guidance in choosing Who I should be with,

clouded memories, shadowed feelings and forgotten thoughts started resurfacing...

...Mixed emotions and feelings flooded my heart as memories flew at me from both sides-

filling my mind with explainations and reasons why things went the way they did...

and then, out of the blue, it hit me...

Heavenly Father had answered so many of my prayers in so many ways...

some were unexpected, some were unexplainable,

but they all began to make sense...

Surely, Heavenly Father knows what he is doing!...

I can look back now, and see His hand in it from the beginning...

lessons were learned, feelings turned and emotions burned,

but He was there the whole time...

Watching over us...and in His own time and way,

he brought us to that Beautiful day...

But as we are human, we saw things as we were-

You were in Georgia and I was in Utah...

friends from the beginning,

we kept in touch through the years,

and when you came to Blanding to visit,

You're family always invited me...

That once or twice a year when you came to visit,

was something I always looked forward too!...

We'd hang out and go on an occational date...

Then in December 2007, when you came,

you put your arm around me...

while we were watching a movie at my parents...

wow! I was excited and amazed!

(Since Mom was on one side of the room, and Dad on the other!)

Soon, we were holding hands...I was shocked and happy!

...when you left, without asking me to be your girlfriend,

I figured it wouldn't be long, so I continued waiting...

Febuary 2008 came so fast-

we got to see eachother for an hour in St. Louis,

enough time for us to take a short drive, pick up something to eat and head back...

again, still just as friends,

So, I waited...

That weekend, when I got back to Blanding from my business trip,

you were there!

You came on the 28th and asked me to be your girlfriend on the 29th!

"Finally," they all said, when we told our families and friends...

...We got to see eachother for 3 more days...

then on the 4th day, I got off work just in time to catch a quick goodbye hug...

and you were off...

You were supossed to report to Basic Training in Great Lakes, IL

on March 10th, so you had to head out to get ready...

When you got there they told you that you'd have to hold off for 3 more weeks...

so in Georgia you stayed and I in Utah...

On the phone most of the day-when I got off work...

we'd talk for hours or text off and on...

On April 1st, You went in to Basic Training,

-no pun intended...!

And those 2 weeks without any comunication...

they were sooo long...

then, I got my first letter from you!!

...I did quite the jig when I got it...my family thought I'd lost!...

So, for the next couple of months, we continued writting...

On the 22nd of May, my parents and I flew into Chicago and headed to Great Lakes...

I was so excited and ancheous to see you again,

I thought I was going to burst!!

On the 23rd we went to your Graduation,

and it was awesome!...

...When the voice on the inner com said that we could now come find our Sailors,

I took off so fast that mom and I lost dad for a minute...

and the longer it took for me to find you, the more ancheous I got!...

It was that evening, May 23rd, that you Proposed to me...

I'll never forget that day!

We were cuddled up watchin' a movie,

when you said somethin' about after we were married...

then as if you were thinkin' out loud,

you said, "I guess I should ask you formally..."

...I decided to play innocent by responding, "ask me what....?"

"Will you marry me?"

You looked so cute....

"Of Course! ...I mean, YES! I Will Marry You!" I answered...

For the last hour of that day together,

before we dropped you off on Base,

we told my parents...as if they didn't already know!!

And then, in the Mustang, we cuddled up and visited...

The next day we picked out my ring...

then while we were at the Mall,

we got it resized while we went to the movie...

passing through the Hall of Mirrors,

we stopped and got Our "Eternal Perspective" Picture!

That evening when we dropped you off on Base,

that last warm embrace, tender kiss and sweet sad look in your eyes,

I knew you loved me...and you missed me already...As those were the same feelings I felt!

...We continued writing and texting too...

since at your Advanced Training School,

you were able to have your phone with you...

It was SOOO nice to have communication again!!

...The Months went by slowly, but before we knew it,

Our Day had come...

We were so excited to see each other again...

it was the first time we saw each other since May 24th,

and would be the last time we saw each other as an "engaged couple"

because it was September 20th!....and we were on Our way to The Temple

in Monticello to be Sealed for Time and Eternity!!

...It was a beautiful day full of wonderful memories!...

From sleepin' in, to rushing to make it on time...

which we did...

but the person who was supossed to meet us,

to help us get our marriage license, never showed up...

Brother Johnson from Blanding came to our rescue though...

and we made it to the Temple...only 50 minutes behind schedule...

We all had a good laugh...

Matt and Raina made a wonderful meal for the Family Luncheon

at which a number of other wonderful people helped out...

The Reception was long, but well worth it!

We didn't get to sit once that evening...

but all the many wonderful smiles,

family and friends came to share their love and support...

We cut the cake and creamed each other...

then we had the Father/Daughter Dance...

afterwhich You and I danced to Our song

"From Here To Eternity" by Michael Peterson...

I threw the boque and you threw the garder...

Then you threw me over your shoulder and out the door we went!!!

I Love You Honey! Thank you for All You Do!!

SFS!

A Christmas Story-Daniel & Mrs.Vess style

Christmas at Green ‘n’ Effingham
by Lacey Vess ©2008

Daniel and Mrs. Vess are we,
Living Here at Green ‘n’ Effingham we be!
And Christmas this year, for us, may seem…
quite backwards, compared to what we used to dream…

For you see, the differences of Back home and Here
Are that of the weather and the atmosphere!
For Back home, the altitude of about sixty two hundred or so, we’d be…
But Here, Daniel and I live at a level-Below the sea!

So come one, come all and rejoice with us this Holiday Season,
For, OH! How happy are we! And for many, a good reason…
'though the songs be the same that we Sing,
Come see the differences, Christmas Back home and Here, will bring…

From Angels in the Snow to Angels in the Sand…
OH! How we love this beautiful land!

From Snowballs to wet Sand Balls…
Snow Forts to Sand Castles and Igloos to Umbrellas…
Do you know what this means for us, huh?!? Do ya fella’s???

From Snowsuits and Scarf’s to Shorts and a T-shirt…
Layers of socks and thick Snow boots to flip flops or even our bare feet!!
OH! But for us, this is such a treat!!

From toboggans and sleds to beach towels and boogie boards!
From a cold heavy snow to a light warm rain…
OH! How I’d love to come back Here again and again!!

Though, Daniel on the other hand, may seem hard to convince…
That if his Station Here, should remain, it would be a dream!

*Wishing a MeRrY, mErRy ChRiStMaS to EvErYoNe!!!
Hope ya'll have a wonderful holiday...and a HaPpY NeW yEaR tOo!!!
Keep Smilin'!!! Life's Gr8!!!

Journey of Friendship

One of the many things that I've learned in this Journey of Life is that it is truely and surely a blessing to have good friends...And I definately have good friends!

I have Friends that shared tears with me through the years...

who have lent an ear and shared a smile full of good cheer!

Friends that have exchanged a good laugh or two with me...

into all hours of the morning and into the night...

Friends that have come to my rescue in so many ways...

ways that to the outside world seem invisible and unknown...

ways that are simple yet they've left a huge impact on my life...

ways that words cannot explain and emotions can only know...

Thank you to all my friends and family for all that you've done for me!

In the song, "You find out who your Friends are," by Tracy Lawrence, the chorus says:

...You find out who your friends are

Somebody's gonna drop everything

Run out and crank up their car

Hit the gas get their fast

Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?' or 'it's way to far.'

They just show on up with their big old heart

You find out who your friends are...

I've found out who my friends are...and I'm very grateful for each and every one of them!

A special Thanks to ALL and to ALL a special Thanks!

21 is a Journey! ~dedicated to Sheila

She's a Wife and a Mother...

She's a Sister and a Daughter,

She's a Friend...

HaPpY BiRtHdAy ShEiLa!!!

...Love you to no end!!!

Miss you bunches...and Love ya tons!!! ;-) ...Glad you are a part of our family!!

Keep Smiling and Enjoy the Journey! Life's Gr8!!

Lost in the Journey by Lacey Lu

Each day is the beginning of a new Journey

...And how shall we endure the Journey? ...Well!

...In times of sadness, Comfort

In times of gladness, Rejoice

In times of need, Share

In times of deed, Be Humble

...As the Scripture in Mosiah chapter 2 verse 17 says,

"...When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God..."

In which case, we forget ourselves and get lost in the Journey,

and what better way to get lost, than in a joyful, uplifting Journey?

Journey of the 'Nesses by Lacey Lu

Enter In, but don't take me too serious'Nesses...
after all, this is just a bunch of confusing silly'Nesses,
as I have finished all my busy'Nesses...

Now, sleepy'Nesses slowly seep into my eyes,
as my mind keeps telling me to get some shut eye'Nesses...
after all'Nesses, this day has flown by in a daze'Nesses!

And Oh the sound of slumber'Nesses...
though often filled with quiet'Nesses,
it can sometimes be filled with boisterous'Nesses!

but what fun one can have with all these'Nesses...
making up words and a whole lot of nothing else'Nesses...
but sending people into a bunch of crazy random'Nesses
could surely make quite a mess'Nesses,
so I must be thee goodbye'Nesses
and be on my way'Nesses
So see you Later'Nesses!

Journey of Gratitude and Thanksgiving

I would like to dedicate a poem that I wrote to All my Family and Friends, both old and new, for all you have done and all that you do...THANK YOU...with all my heart!!

There comes a day when you stop to look back on the memories of the people you are grateful for-
Heros in your eyes for one reason or another...
And you remember all of the sweet little acts of kindness that they've shared with you...
Never imagining what an impact they've made on your life, or how much they really mean to you,
Knowing neither how much gratitude swells in your heart for them or even able to see what they've done for you...
Something that words cannot express and thoughts cannot say, something so great that it leaves you breathless...
Grasping for the best way to show or tell them just how much they mean to you!
Invisible to their own sight are the blessings that their friendship alone has done for you...
Virtually inexplainable -the feeling that continues building inside of you as all of the different emotions circle about until
Inspiration has nowhere left to turn...and then without the slightest blink of an eye,
Not even a whisper of thought, a word pops into your mind...
GRATITUDE!
~WiShInG YoU A VeRy HaPpY TuRkEy DaY, BeCaUsE We'Re AlL TuRkEy'S aT OnE pOiNt Or AnOtHeR!
Keep Smiling!!! Life's Gr8!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to All

We would like to dedicate a poem that I (Lacey) wrote, to All Our Family and Friends, both old and new, for all you have done and all that you do...THANK YOU...with all Our hearts!!

There comes a day when you stop to look back on the memories of the people you are grateful for-
Heros in your eyes for one reason or another...
And you remember all of the sweet little acts of kindness that they've shared with you...
Never imagining what an impact they've made on your life, or how much they really mean to you,
Knowing neither how much gratitude swells in your heart for them or even able to see what they've done for you...
Something that words cannot express and thoughts cannot say, something so great that it leaves you breathless...
Grasping for the best way to show or tell them just how much they mean to you!
Invisible to their own sight are the blessings that their friendship alone has done for you...
Virtually inexplainable -the feeling that continues building inside of you as all of the different emotions circle about until
Inspiration has nowhere left to turn...and then without the slightest blink of an eye,
Not even a whisper of thought, a word pops into your mind...
GRATITUDE!

~WiShInG YoU A VeRy HaPpY TuRkEy DaY, BeCaUsE We'Re AlL TuRkEy'S aT OnE pOiNt Or AnOtHeR!

My Jouney through Thoughts and Imagination...

A Poem by Lacey L Hawkins '07 (Written in the form of a Captains Log/Journal)

*Searching-4-Happiness*
Today as I journey into the depths of Heart’n’Soul, I search through the Thoughts and Feelings left undiscovered by any who has come or gone before. By entering the depths of Heart’n’Soul, one would discover a confusing yet mystical journey full of Emotions of every kind being sired- blended into a blur, so thick you can hardly understand them… and Thoughts, so many, speeding in every possible direction, creating an obstacle of keeping up with and understanding the interesting mixture of Thoughts and Feelings that have nothing in common other than speeding and twirling about! While on this journey I’ve found that it’s much easier to see ahead if I follow my guide- Inspiration. Inspiration gives me hints and ideas on how to get around and through obstacles that come my way and I’ve learned that it brings comfort in recognizing the blessings received by following through with Inspirations guidance.

Type-2-Write
As I begin my journey through Blog, I take a Computer-mouse in my hand and decide where I want to begin. Then allowing my fingers to guide me over the different buttons and keys, I find myself following a flashing black bar as I move across the long monitor of Blog. While on my journey I find myself running into vast Spaces and tiny letters as I am lost in a world full of words that are flooding sentences into lines and creating pools of paragraphs. While continuing on down the Monitor, stumbling into Blank Minds and backspacing to recreate paths from one word to the next, I keep losing myself amid this mumble jumble, and I must say that this journey is not as familiar to me as some of my other journeys have been… but we’ll save those stories for another day.

Smart-4-Growth
Wondering into the depths of LeBook is an intriguing and delightful adventure! With the Eyes gliding along the pathway created by a variety of Letters strewn together and spaced just right, to make Words that ,together, form Sentences which can be used to build Paragraphs. After which, the Paragraphs, are then put in the right order so as to design each Page in this beautiful masterpiece called LeBook. As LeBook unfolds, we find that Ones friend, Experience, has given us a powerful yet delightful map full of Treasures that only those who are truly seeking to edify and improve their mind and their thinking process, can find!

Writing-4-Fun
My journey into the depths of Notebook…also a journey of The Lost Pages. …To be found another day…

Waiting-8-Patience
As I began my decent into the depths of Prolonging-perseverance, I noticed that an interesting thing had been following me, ... …To Be Continued…