LEADERSHIP...

This week I had a graduate student request to interview me for a leadership assignment she had to complete for one of her courses. I always love things like this because it offers me the opportunity to share my story. I'm a firm believer that everything that has happened in my life provides a platform that God has given me to stand on. I'm different...and I know that. My path through life has not been conventional. Many people would call me lucky, but always refer to myself as blessed (and highly favored). Now don't get me wrong...I have worked my butt off to get where I am, and to go where I will go, but God has opened MANY doors for reasons I am still trying to figure out. One thing I do know is that I ALWAYS make the best of each situation. I'm not going to sit around and half do anything. If I'm in there...I'm committed. 

So back to this interview. I really didn't know what to expect, but one thing that stuck out to me was a question on what I have taken from the various positions I have been privileged to hold. I had a pretty good answer right away (I am usually pretty quick on my feet), but this week I have found myself reflecting back to this question over and over again. I'm had some awesome bosses and witnessed some awesome leadership styles. But I have always seen some not so great things. I understand the hierarchy and what I won't do is overstep my boundaries...unless necessary. However, from every single position I have been in, I have taken SOMETHING from them...and I hope that I have left them better than I when I came in. 

I ran across this article this week, 10 signs you are a terrible leader, and it really struck me some kind of way. I saved it, so that I can refer back to it often. One thing I say often is that "I'm not trying to be mediocre...or even great. I am trying to be THE BEST." I have no problem being humbled, and the biggest thing is admitting your faults. GREAT leaders do several things. They hire people who are better at them in areas they know they know they struggle. They always have their subordinates' backs. They set a standard by EXAMPLE. They are not afraid of conflict and they realize in the end...it is not about them.

I don't feel like I can pinpoint a specific leadership style or category that I fit in to. But I do know that I'm willing to adapt...I'm not afraid of change...and that although I know I can lead, I can also follow, and that is something that will always help me stand out of from the crowd!
  

Let's try this AGAIN...

Ok, but forreal this time! It's not like I don't have eighty million other things on my plate...why not add blogging AGAIN! 

It's definitely #GRINDseason here. While everyone else is on spring break, I'm sitting in the office trying to get my whole life together. So what's going on in the life of Lacee'...well you can make that Dr. Lacee ;) now?! First and foremost, I finally did it! I got that PhD about a month ago. Ok, not really, more like 9 months ago, but life has been a whirlwind since then. I've moved into full time teaching, part time working with the student-athletes (which might as well be full time because they operate on you being available 24/7), and of course always full time mama'in. My best little dude is now a threenager and he is still the best thing that ever happened to me!

Ace Boogie and I supporting our TOPS!

Ok back to life as a hustler! I get to teach both at the grad and undergrad levels now and boy does it give me a run for my money. Those undergrads are something else and they challenge me DAILY to be better and find ways to keep them engaged while making sure they are grasping the materials. I'm teaching Research methods at the grad level and for someone who once hated all things research, I have found myself waist-deep in research these last few months. God always has a great sense of humor in making the things I once loathed and hated, into what consumes my life on a daily basis. I'm just glad he continues to surround me with some awesome folks who have mentored and guided me along the way. I say it often...I'm not here to be mediocre. I'm here to be great...the best to ever do it, so I have some serious grinding to do to make a difference in this world. 

Even though I moved into teaching full time, there was no way I could leave my student-athletes behind. For the past 3 years (in my blog hiatus), I have been working as an athletic academic coordinator (*cue Last Chance U) doing the behind the behind the scenes work with making sure our student-athletes stay eligible, graduate, and kick butt off the field. Everyday is a new challenge, but the results are so rewarding. It took me two weeks...literally two weeks in the position to know that this was where I was supposed to be in life. And you are probably wondering why I left...we I didn't per se.  I have lofty goals and every move I make in life is a foundational piece to my grand mansion I'm building! Teaching gives me a resource I didn't know I needed. I have access to awesome colleagues who have genuine interests in making a difference. I have access to grant funding that I didn't know existed. And it frankly gives me a breathe of fresh air to work with aspiring professionals to help mentor them to teach and train them to work with the population I am so passionate about. 

Speaking of grant funding...my awesome colleagues and myself received the 2017 NCAA Innovations Research in Practice Grant which allows us to build a 100% online program designed to assist student-athletes in career planning and development! We are so pumped about this project and the potential it has in making a difference not just with our student-athletes but also across the country. 

I am 34 days from the end of my #yearof30, and it has definitely been one for the books. A year ago, had you asked me what I wanted to be "when i grow up," I still had no clue. Now, things are falling into place and are becoming more clear. I have goals to make a difference and change the world as I always had, but now my focus and plans are directing me down a specific path to get there. I'm excited. I'm grateful. I'm blessed. But even more than anything, my ambition and drive are at an all time high...it's #GRINDseason!

And it begins...

Today marks the beginning of track season for most teams...not ours (we actually began in December), however due to Ace's arrival he and I are sideline watching from the comfort of our couch. It's a bittersweet moment for me because in 6 years this is the first meet I have missed! I truly love track season...even among the most tiresome of days, it's simply what both my husband and I live for. He is holding down the fort and keeping me posted play by play and I am results watching for the other meets across the country. It actual works well because if something big happens elsewhere, he will know ASAP as well as vice versa with his meet. Next week I plan to be back in action...weather permitting due to the drive I will have to make. Needless to say...I'm excited for the season...for the great things the team and our post collegiates will do...and to show off our little prince in the process. 

The Ultimate Win

2013 was a riveting year indeed.  In it I experienced a host of ups and downs...good and bads...but through all the trials I'm proud to say both "seasons" of my life ended in the ultimate triumph. Triumphs so amazing, I'm still in awe of how God would chose me for such amazing blessings. 

Soooo...let's recap. 

As we all know, I'm a collegiate track coach. So essentially December to June is a nonstop organized chaotic mess of track season. Some weeks I spend more time sleeping in a hotel than in my own bed...and that awesome thing that people with 9-5 jobs have called "weekends"...are totally nonexistent. Track coaches work 7 days a week...sometimes upwards of 18 hours a day. Now how's that for a selfless, unglorified and did I mention under paid position. Don't get me wrong; I love my career and I love my life. I'm also blessed  enough to do it alongside my partner in crime, my husband. 

We spent the last two years at Marshall University working with the SHEherd's finest. To say it was a roller coaster ride is  the world's biggest understatement BUT amidst every hardship is a glowing rainbow at the end. We started our indoor season with a bang and were poised to do something the program had never seen. My husband recruited the best recruiting class the program had ever had and the overall mentality was making a shift toward the positive. And then we hit a bump. Ok it was more like an earthquake split the road in half and we were beyond puzzled as to how to get to the other side. We went to the conference meet ready to make a statement...or at least we thought we were. And then we bombed...we faltered...we absolutely fell apart. We finished dead A** last in a 12 team meet. Never in my life have I been so disappointed. Simply put...my feelings were hurt. We expected more and we didn't produce. That 8 hour ride back from Birmingham had to have been one of the longest rides of my life. 

Moving on...after the failed indoor season we had the biggest come to Jesus meeting with the group. We had to express our disappointment in them because we prepared them the best we could...and numbers don't lie. We challenged them to find the heart of champions as we were starting anew for the outdoor season. And boy did they flip the script. In almost every outdoor meet we set at least one school record (most times multiple ones). We were riding on cloud nine. We arrived at the outdoor championship prepped and ready to go (you've heard this before, right?). This time was different. This time the air of the team showed confidence. This time...we finished 5th (the highest finish ever in the history or Marshall Track and Field inConference  USA). We were the highest ranking team that would remain in c-USA after the new realignment in the 2013-14 season. We had conference champions in 3 events...a host of all-conference performances...the performer of the meet...the field athlete of the year...and some other accolades I cannot recall off hand. We came and we conquered. And this was only the beginning. 

We sent athletes in 7 different event groups (that we coached) to the first round of nationals and 2 to the final round in Oregon. Those two...Crystal Walker (long jump) and Vanessa Jules (heptathlon) finished 5th and 6th respectively in their events to earn first team All American. There are 3 All Americans in Marshall school history and I just named two of them! In addition, Ness also was named the Mideast region athlete of the year and my husband was named Mideast region coach of the year. We didn't just do it...we did it big. Ness also qualified for USAs and finished 12th overall in the country. To say we had the greatest turn around is an understatement. Those athletes earned every thing they achieved. It wasn't easy but we came together as a team and we did it. The theme for the season was to BELIEVE together. And when they did...well the results speak for themselves. In total we set and reset (on multiple occasions) school records in 17 events between the indoor and outdoor season. I think it's safe to say we re-wrote the record book. AND to top it off...the team had over a 3.0 GPA also garnering the USTFCCCA Academic All American award! I am all about the total STUDENT-athlete. 

 

Now to cap off the national championship...we found it fitting to share with the team that they would need to make room for their little brother! That's right...we were expecting our first child...just days before the new year. In a short amount of time...God chose to bless us tremendously...and it was at this point we felt things couldn't get any better. 

Well in mid summer we faced a new decision. To spare all of the details, my husband and I stepped out of faith and moved a couple hours west to Western Kentucky to join the hilltoppers. I say faith because it was a one person job (when we previously had two full time positions) and I was 22 weeks pregnant. Again God's favor prevailed as doors began to open. I was able to get back into teaching (I'm almost done with my PhD) at the university and I was able to still volunteer coach. We were thrilled to be back with men and women. In addition , the family friendly environment has been more than welcoming. 

We made it through the fall semester and the first Indoor meets (with much success!) and I continued to get bigger and bigger. Oh I forgot to mention, we took on a new task of post collegiate coaching! So far so good. I will keep you all updated on that as the season progresses. The major goal right now is a successful indoor season through USAs. 

The last few weeks of the year were just a waiting game for baby boss to make his arrival. No short of the dramatics...he made his grand debut at 7:12pm on Christmas Evening. World...meet Ace Dominik Johnson. 

Needless to say...where there are downs, there is a major upside just waiting to reveal itself. God has been crazy faithful this year. It hasn't always been pretty but it has been more than worth it. I'm beyond in love with my husband, my kid, and our new lives in Kentucky. 2013 ended oh so sweet and I cannot wait to see what 2014 has in store. 

Happy New Year

This is my attempt at reconnecting with the world through my blog. So much has happened in the last 2 years...and I have a feeling that my life is only going to get more exciting in the near future. Because I am a deadline person, I will post AT LEAST once a week to hold myself accountable. When I treat things like a competition, I find I am much better with following through soooooo here's to a new year...and a new goal of 50 posts in 2014! 

Next up...my 2013 recap. 

Happy New Year...from my little family to yours 😉

All love,  

LCJ 😘

Let's get this party started!

Sooooooo it's that time of year again. Our track season officially started back in December, however after a month-long hiatus, the wheels will really start spinning this weekend. I'm super excited for a couple of reasons. 1) We started off well in December and even after not seeing our athletes for a month, I was happy with where they stand, and I am eager to start taking down some personal and school records. 2) Heck, it's just track season...absolutely my favorite time of year. There is nothing like watching fast running, far and high jumping, and crazy throwing. I am truly a fan all around, regardless of what event...I love it all!

If anyone is interested, the Marshall Lady Herd will be competing at the University of Kentucky both Friday and Saturday. We have worked hard, so now it's time to show everyone what we are made of.

Starting over again

Soooooooo...it's been almost 2 years since my last post and I promise I'll do better this time around.

A huge update is necessary. I'm no longer a MISS...and instead I finally got my MRS degree this summer lol. So yay me...4 months in and we are still kicking. I've relocated AGAIN - definitely a product of being a coach AND a coach's wife. I'm now a member of the SHEherd at Marshall University and I'm super excited to be a part of the new change that is about to run amuck within this program. I'm also an Asst Professor in the school of kinesiology. Honestly I couldn't be more happy right now. I'm finally getting to live my dream in being with my love, forming a dynamic duo in the track coaching world with my husband, and being able to be a college professor. Right now life is just grand...well minus the West Virginia weather which I'm still getting used to.



This is my first full Thanksgiving vacation in years and I'm taking this time to re-evaluate some things and get ready for the season...oh and write 4 papers in a week so that I can officially be half way done with my doctorate. Right now I'm happy and I'm grateful for the space that God has placed me in...life really is a blessing and I hope that each day in can bless all that I come in contact with as much as God has been blessing me.

Pleasantly surprised...

HALF OF THE GROUP




SFA JUMP SQUAD ON TACKY DAY


As we are approaching our 2nd weekend of meets (3rd meet in total), I am sitting in the office reflecting back on how my group has progressed over the past 5 months. The entire dynamic of the jump squad has dramatically changed from just over a year ago. Last year I had a seasoned group of seniors with two freshman; now I have 2 5th year seniors and 6 freshman and sophomores...my my how the times have changed. This year has brought me back to a level of coaching that goes back to the basics. Last year I taught a little but mostly refined what I had inherited. This year it is strictly teaching, mentoring, and even a little babying from time to time. Sometimes I get extremely frustrated as to why they do not understand something but I was once told that every great coach should be able to relay information in THREE different ways...and this had definitely been put to the test this school year.

I have an entirely new set of personalities, and even though they are different I most definitely would not trade them for the world. The fall semester was frustrating at times, but they have progressed so much that it makes me smile on the inside. In our first weekend of meets, I was more than pleased with where we stood. Coming back off of Christmas Break, my athletes together probably jumped a total of MAYBE 10 times...yes, that is all 8 of them combined together. When they returned they most definitely looked like they hadn't seen a pit in decades. However that weekend, they came alive and put on a decent show. I guess it's true that once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget...sometimes you just need a moment to knock off the rust.

Right now we are sitting nicely on the conference list, but as everyone knows, I am never satisfied until we are number 1 in everything! I'm proud of where my group has come from and I look forward to BIG things from each of them. We have endured a host of obstacles, but if it's one thing I know...Coach Lacee' don't raise no punks...and each obstacle is simply a test to learn to rise above it all!

Life of a Coach...

Every time I get down on myself or feel even an inkling of temporary unhappiness, GOD so quickly reminds me that my place in this world is not simply to make sure that I'm happy, content and taken care of. The sun does not rise and set on my behind...nor does the earth spin around me, at a speed convenient for me and only me. Instead I have come to realize that I am not just my own rock but that of my athletes. They lean on me for so much that I often question myself wondering if I am servicing them in a way that GOD would want me to. There is a quote that I like, "the house does not rest on the ground but upon the woman," that speaks volumes for how I am learning my role in life to be defined. GOD made women to be strong creatures...to be able to handle stresses of childbirth...rear the child...AND keep the house in order. While I do not have any biological kids, coaching entails getting a new set of "grown kids" (as I like to call them) every year. My goal is the same for each of them; I want them to be not only great students and athletes but also outstanding people. So I guess if I have to be their rock or their house until they can fully get their two feet under them, then so be it. I have been abundantly blessed and that is more than enough reason for me to want to share that greatness with them.

eat. pray. love.

A few months ago I was watching Oprah and she did a piece on the the new movie Eat Pray Love based on the book by Elizabeth Gilbert. What truly caught my attention was that Julia Roberts was the main character and I have been a big fan of hers since Pretty Woman. I can still watch that movie and enjoy it today as if I haven't seen it over 100 times. Anyhow...I decided that I would read the book before the movie came out so I downloaded it to my kindle and it was added to the collection of books that I would read this summer.

Tonight I spontaneously went to the movies (by myself) to see just how closely movie fell in line with the book. I absolutely loved the book and the movie (as it always cuts out half of what is in the book) did an excellent job of highlighting the important parts of the book. Many people would disagree because it was a bit shallow however, cramming a 400 plus page book into a movie will have that effect. The book/movie follows the journey of a woman on a quest of self-discovery. It is broken into three sections - three countries to which she travels in search of pleasure in eating (Italy), praying (India), and finding balance in her life which ultimately lead to love (Bali, Indonesia).

The last two years of my life have been some trying, yet rewarding times and there are some lessons from the book/movie that I feel I can solely relate with. Therefore I thought I'd share some interesting points from this piece.

1. Every city has a word.
She discussed how different cities in Italy had different words, and I began to wonder just what was my word. I often feel I am a person of many different talents, but a word that fully describes me has yet to present itself. At this point in my life...on my quest of self discovery, I've realized that maybe I am a woman still in search of my word. In a recent conversation with an older married woman, I came to realize that in a sense I am going through an identity crisis - moving from a single toward marriage, but not wanting to lose my singularity within the relationship. I'm independent by nature yet that has become one of my biggest flaws. Trying to find the balance of being married but still being a singular and not losing myself will be a true test of my character.

2. Dulce far niente - the sweetness of doing nothing
This is a concept I have found absolute joy within since college. My whole life I have been on the go - always working, partying, socializing, competing, etc. I never slept - always moving as if I would miss something if I wasn't always around. Now, my friends would label me as an old woman. I like to sit at home and watch tv or read. I need not be out on the town, or in the limelight. I am quite content with the peaceful and calm lifestyle - a major change from only two years ago.

3. Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation. Always be prepared for endless roads of transformation.
Sometimes I feel I have lived well past my 24 years of life. So many more times, older people tell me even in my maturity and experiences, I have so much living to do. I concede with both. I have been through the storm, and I know there are many more to come. But with each storm, I am stronger, wiser...changed because of it all. Change often scares me, but with time I have learned that you have to adapt and roll with the punches. Taking it all one day at a time smooths the transition through the transformations within myself.

4. If you want to get to the castle, you have to swim the moat.
Nothing in life worth having will be easy. I'm learning that every single day. As many times as I have wanted to simply avoid something in hopes that it would take care of itself, I have realized that if you don't deal with it now...it will MAKE you deal with it later.

5. Sometimes losing your balance for love, is part of living a balanced life.
Everything does not have to always be in perfect order. I'm the type of person to plan out my life. Love has interrupted every plan I have ever had. But it's a welcome interruption and it is worth more than any career I could every have. A year ago I would have said, if I had to choose love or work I'd choose work. I'm career driven, and I had plans. Now...I choose love. I'm lucky to experience such a thing and I believe that God works everything out as he sees fit and one day, every dream and every goal I have will be fulfilled. Call me an optimist if you will, but the balance in my life will prove to be so beautiful...in time.

Tidbits...

I AM … abundantly and exceedingly blessed.
I WANT… a damier canvas louis vuitton. Who cares if it's from 2 seasons ago.
I HAVE … big dreams...and I will succeed.
I KEEP … a junk food drawer in my nightstand...don't judge me!
I WISH I COULD … indulge in sleep for more than 3 hours at a time. I guess I'll be good and ready when I'm on a baby's schedule lol
I HATE … when people insult my intelligence. Please don't sleep on the pretty face.
I FEAR … rejection...always have :-(
I HEAR … the obnoxious fan from my macbook.
I DON’T THINK … God put me on this earth to settle. He put me here to change the world...and I will...one person at a time.
I REGRET … no regrets. EVER. Everything is always a lesson.
I LOVE … him.period.the end.
I AM NOT … the best at keeping in touch with people. I have good intentions though.
I DANCE … like a stripper. Sorry mom lol.
I SING … loud...in the car...with the windows up of course. But only by myself...and don't care when people stare or laugh.
I NEVER … watch scary movies. As a kid they were my favorite. Now they are just stupid.
I RARELY … eat fast food...well for the last 2.5 years anyway. That is the quickest way for me to turn into tubby sue.
I CRY WHEN I WATCH … movies...any kind. Seems like everything moves me these days.
I AM NOT ALWAYS … punctual. I mean I don't run on CP time, but I def move at my own pace.
I HATE THAT … there is never anything on tv at night.
I NEED … some bad pink peep toes for my wedding.
I SHOULD … get on my recruiting grind...def have been putting it on hold all week.

17 things every woman should do before she gets married

So I thought it was fitting to write on this topic (that I stole from another blog) seeing as how I will be married in less than a year.

1. Live by herself for at least a year.
Been there...done that...in the frozen tundra. But I gained a sense of independence and now I'm ready for the next roommate, the hubby.

2. Live with someone else for at least a year.
All of college...4/5 girls...one house...loved it (well most of the time anyway lol)

3. Recover from a broken heart.
Sigh...more than a time a two. But it has only made me a stronger person, so for that I will forever be grateful.

4. Take a road-trip with a group of girlfriends.
Got a ticket. 3 girls in one bed. Shopping. <3 my girls ALWAYS!

5. Relish sleeping in a queen-sized bed by herself.
Never known life other than a queen...only moving up from here :-)

6. Get her finances in order.
Working on it...day by day

7. Learn to love her body.
Definitely used to be that shy little girl with big, baggy, boy clothes. NOW...you can't tell me nothing. I know I'm hot...lol

8. Find reliable birth control.
Yeah ummm...not tryna be baby mama before wifey.

9. Pay off as much credit card debt and student loans as possible
Again...working on it. Damn retail therapy lol

10. Spend way too much on something frivolous.
Nothing big yet...but I want a Louie V bag and some Christian Louboutins'...one day a price tag won't even matter

11. Exorcise all past relationship demons.
Left the past in the past. One man has my heart and he has it forever.

12. Travel somewhere exotic.
Paris, Canada, South Africa, Bahamas...and wanting to experience plenty more

13. Establish a strong circle of friends.
I keep my friends close...could care less about enemies. More than just friends...sisters!

14. Forgive her parents for not being perfect.
I will always love them for making me me...but there is so much about me that I feel is jacked up because of them. So I forgive them...I just have to fix me :-/

15. Experience some really bad first dates.
I'm pretty easy to please...all I ask is don't be late and let's not be a jackass. So for the most part even a bad date won't be so bad in my eyes if there is food involved. Heck...at least I got fed!

16. Find hobbies that fulfill her.
Reality tv whore. avid reader. cross country driver. Texter.

Indulged. In love. Fulfilled.

17. Celebrate her 25th birthday
Couldn't have planned it better myself. I will be 25 years, 2 months, 22 days on my wedding day...I guess it's safe to say that babies are next lol


I love my life...Wouldn't change a single thing. It has made me who I am and now it's time to get ready for the next step :-D

2009 down, 2010 on deck, track season and a wedding in the hole

2009 may have just been the hardest year of my life...but it definitely ended with a bang. After surviving the frozen tundra for a semester, I made my biggest life decision yet and switched jobs and grad schools to come back to Texas. The move was nothing short of tumultuous but I managed to make it through the fall semester with the best supportive cast of family, friends, and a wonderful fiance'! YES you read correctly...I am newly engaged and couldn't be happier. The picture is not deceiving you...my ring is really that "blingy" lol and I love it to pieces. He did an awesome job picking it out. We still have a lot to figure out as far as the date and job situations, but I know that God will work it out as he sees fit.

Track season is my next endeavor and it is literally right around the corner. Once it starts...it wont stop until June and I'm hoping to squeeze in some QT with the boo somewhere in between the next 6 months. So many people question how we survive with the distance, but it takes two people to truly want it to work and that's how we've made it through the last 18 months. Theoretically we have about 18 more to go but neither of us knows how the wind will blow us between now and then.

Back to track! I'm excited about the season and I look for my kids to start out with a bang. They have put in the work in the fall AND actually maintained over Christmas break. Their diligence and hard work will pay off and when it does it will be BIG! On another note...I got my first commitment from a recruit and I'm super excited about it. Now all I need is 2 guys and I'll be good to go for next fall.

And this wedding business...I finally bought my first bridal magazine although right now I'm totally okay with letting someone else plan it. I kind of have an idea of what I want and what I want it to look like, so now I just need someone to make it happen AND a whole lot of money to get the process started. Any takers??

ummm...can someone please change the weather

I used to think I had this pact with God and the weather because the entire time I spent at Rice we rarely had rain days. It rains in Houston quite frequently, but Monday through Friday between the hours of 3 and 6pm it NEVER rained...and this made practices for a bunch of black girls who were worried about their hair quite manageable. I can count the number of track meets that I ran in the rain (or sprinkles) on one hand, so the biggest foe I ever had to deal with living in the south was the humidity. Even when I moved up north, I prayed that it wouldn't snow until I left for Christmas break. I left December 12, and the first 12inch snow storm came December 13...now if that ain't the work of God I don't know what is. So needless to say I thought that me and God had this weather thing all figured out...

That is until I got to Nacogdoches. Since I've been here we've had weeks of rain in a row. I will always be dry (hence the rain boots, umbrella, rain pants, rain coat, and extra pair of socks in my office) but I often feel for my athletes because they are always drenched after practice. We finally got some nice weather days...and I'm talking 75 degrees and bright and sunny and practice was AWESOME. Then I wake up this morning and it is freaking 35 degrees outside...now I hate the rain, but when it's 70 and raining I can deal. 35...uh uh! I swear I often wonder how I made through the harsh winter.

So I've been doing some thinking today. I am now putting out a public service announcement to God to lets get back on the same page and get the weather back in order. I live in the south for goodness sake...we really should never get below the 50 degree barrier.

Defining moments...

So today in church we entered the 2nd part of a series entitled defining moments. I thought this would be a perfect topic to blog about so I figured I'd share some "defining moments" in my life.

**the moment I knew I wanted to coach
- All my life I wanted to be a doctor (and maybe someday I still will fulfill that dream lol), but once I got through my first year of college I started questioning if that was something I really wanted to do. I love helping people but being a doctor lacks the social interaction that I so highly crave and being a nurse just doesn't cut it, because I just want to be my own boss. So anyhow, I spent a year not knowing exactly how I would spend the rest of my life. The summer after my sophomore year a friend of mine asked me if I would help her coach a summer AAU basketball team back home. I said yes although I had a full time job in Houston and this would mean commuting once or twice a week back home (3hrs round trip) AND giving up my weekends, but my dad was having some medical complications so this was a good reason to visit more that normally. Well little did I know, I would fall in love with this "summer volunteer job." After our first tournament, I just knew that this is what I wanted to do full time. I felt so fulfilled that I could share my passion with others and see them succeed all at the same time. I started coaching basketball, but I have this long standing love affair with track. While basketball has my heart, track is something that I've done since I was 6 and was the one thing that gave me a chance at college athletics and brought many life lessons and successes along the way. So in a way I still get to help people (just not how I always dreamed in a medical setting), and although the paycheck is not even close to the same, the joy is more that I could have ever imagined.

**the moment I turned to my faith for true guidance
- I guess this could also be stated in me turning my life over to God, but I've been a Christian my whole life so I guess saying re-committed my life to Christ may be the correct statement. Last year was by far one of the hardest in my life. I have always had a super supportive family and friends that would kill for me, but somehow I still manage to feel alone from time to time. Well last year I hit an all time low. Some may say that I was just homesick, but I feel as though I am a strong individual and can stand on my own two feet most always. For the longest I just felt extremely depressed and it had a horrible effect on my relationship and my school work, and it seemed the only think that kept me going was coaching (which was only 2-3hrs out of my day). After a conversation with my mom, a light came on that I would not be able to make it through the hard times by myself. I turned to God, and began going back to church and praying more than ever. This summer he put an opportunity in front of me that has since changed my life dramatically. In doing so, while I am much happier, I also am faced with a bigger dilemma in my relationship. However, I am stronger in my faith than I have ever been so I know that he will make a way. I know that it may not be ideal or may not come exactly when I want it to, but his plan for my life is great, and that is something that I will never doubt. I grew up hearing to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. 23 years later I am living proof.

**the moment I knew he was my forever
- I cannot pin point the day. I fell in love early in the relationship but even then, I think I still did not know that he was THE one. Now 1 year, 8 months, and 15 days since we first met I am without a shadow of a doubt, absolutely 100% positive, that HE IS THE ONE. With him I have this constant feeling of amazing-ness...this overwhelming joy...this love that I cannot explain. I smile just thinking about it...and my heart smiles even brighter!

There are many moments that standout in my life, but those are a few that truly define who I am. These are moments that will live forever in my heart.

recruiting weekend!

So I am once again experiencing a first, although this is my SECOND year of coaching. I had my first official visit for an athlete I am personally recruiting come to town this weekend. Having just come off the flu, it was a bit more taxing and tiresome that I could have even imagined. I feel as though I will be recovering for at least a week. In 48hours, I walked, talked, and hopefully schmoozed my way to a possible signee in the near future. She was far more pleasant in person that she comes off on the phone and her parents were definitely ones that I would want to become a part of our program. They are supportive and are true track fans! In addition to her, I had an unofficial recruit come in who was a male athlete and I'm not sure if he spoke 20 words while he was here. I'm not quite sure how to take that, but his dad swears up and down that he really does like me, so I guess I'll just roll with that answer for now.

My most favorite part of the weekend was the food. If one this is true around here, it is we eat plenty...and we eat well. I'm pretty sure I put on a cool 2-3lbs, so I guess I need to get back to business in the workout department. My hiatus from physical activity because of the flu is officially over, so I need to get the breathing back in order and the legs to burning. I just refuse to not be able to do what I put my athletes through everyday...Can't let them have that one up on me just yet.

All in all it was a great weekend. I know this is the first of many, and the beginning of much success in the recruiting area of my career!

boy i swear...

I am really getting bad at keeping up with this blog business...but one of my classmates mentioned this evening that she liked the things I had written thus far so I felt slightly inspired to make a post tonight. It's kind of nice to know that some people actually care what goes on in my life or my little ole' head.

Anywho...today was definitely an interesting day in practice. I had a free flow of words (and not so nice words I might add) on a couple of my guy athletes today. We've had some pretty good practices these past few weeks. One guy I'm pretty much developing from scratch and the other is a walk-on who I've come to love since he joined the team. To say that today they weren't "on" would be the understatement of the year. It was as if everything we've learned in the past 3 weeks just went out the window. I tried to hold my tongue, but my patience grew thin and out came not-so-nice-Coach Lacee'. I promise it was almost an instant change that they remembered all that we had worked on. I felt a bit out of character, because I refuse to believe my athletes are those headache kids who need to be cursed out on a daily basis. My athletes come with attitude don't get me wrong, but they do what I ask them to do and give 150% along the way. They want to succeed just as much as I want them to, and it makes practices so exciting. To see them accomplish something they spent all last season battling, or seeing that light bulb come on when the figure something out is what makes practices worthwhile. Today's afternoon session made up for my disappointing morning session 10-fold. And tomorrow I have my first official visit for a recruit. This should be an interesting weekend to say the least, but exciting for the most part. Being a coach...what can I say...I love it!

long time coming...

I'm finally settled in an absolutely loving my new environment. Who would have ever thought that I'd find the [almost] perfect job for myself an entire year earlier than expected. The summer was filled with a lot of question marks. Just when I thought my life was going smoothly , everything changed in an instant. I was presented with a job offer that in my eyes was ideal for exactly what I wanted in a first job...and after much deliberation, I finally decided that it was right for me...even if it wasn't at the most ideal time. In a perfect world, I would have finished my degree where I was in MA, and found my first job somewhere close to my future hubby. But my world is not perfect...far from it...and it never ceases to amaze me. So here I am...in good ole' Nacogdoches, Texas starting this chapter as the 'Jacks newest assistant coach. In just two months here I have absolutely fallen in love. The staff is great...the kids are a pleasure even in all of their special-ness...and I'm never felt more at home to not be quite at home per say. I'm embracing my new east Texas accent and indulging in having sweet tea with almost every meal. But with all my happiness, it takes everything out of me not to focus all my attention on missing my boyfriend. There are only so many distractions in a day, but day by day we are maintaining. God has a special plan for us, and sometimes I wish it would just be evident to me like ummm...yesterday. But it's not. So I manage. We manage. And one day I know things will be perfect just like I imagined. So until then I'll keep living my dream...being an inspiration and providing hope...one athlete at a time.

welcome to the motherland...

So currently as I type I am in the Cape Town International Airport. We have about 5 more hours before we head back to the states and I have to say that I have mixed feelings about leaving. I love being an American, and this trip has taught me a bit about valuing the little things around me, but at the same time this is the most beautiful place I've ever visited and I am a huge sucker for gorgeous scenery. I'll put up pics of my entire summer vacation (down the eastern seaboard, across the gulf coast and over the big pond) when I get some time and get settled. It's been a summer of mixed emotions...but I survived. And now I have a whole new chapter in my life to look forward to AFTER I move my life back from Massachusetts.

But for now I'm off to check in for my flight across the big pond...

new addition...

It's official...I'm the newest member of the Stephen F. Austin State University Track and Field Staff!!!!!!

Starting September 1, I will begin my first season as an Assistant Coach at SFA, coaching horizontal jumps and assisting in hurdles and relays. I'm super excited with this new position and I pray that God will guide me in the right direction as I make this next step in my life.

While I can't say I will miss Massachusetts or the snow, I will miss the team that I am leaving, because they are the ones that kept me going through the hard times. What sucks even more is that I wont be able to give a proper good bye due to the summer time decision.

However, I am ready and eager to start my new life, and I ask for support and prayers along the way. This seems to be a promising opportunity for me, and I look to learn, grow, and excel to the best of my ability.