Ups And Downs

My niece, Lacey Killinger has had a year of ups and downs. There is really no other way to say it. The hardest of the downside of the year, was losing her mother, Alena Stevens to cancer on April 23, 2025. It doesn’t seem right to bring sadness into a birthday story, but my sister was very close to her children, and I know they all miss her terribly. Kids expect that their parents will be around for many years of their lives, but for Lacey, that was not to be. Her mother left her when Lacey was just 32 years old, and that makes me very sad for Lacey…and for her dad, siblings, and the rest of their family and extended family.

While the Spring was a hard time of this year, there is light at the end of the tunnel for this family. Lacey married the love of her life, Chris Killinger on October 28, 2023, and became a stepmom to his kids, Brooklyn and Jaxon. Now, they are going to grow their little family by adding a new baby in early August 2026. When Lacey told her aunts, my sisters, Cheryl Masterson, Caryl Reed, Allyn Hadlock, and me that she was pregnant, we were all so excited. Lacey said, “Thank you! We are super excited, but starting this journey without my mom has been really hard. Still, I know we have a supportive family.” I know they wish Alena could be here, because she would be so excited, but she is watching from Heaven, and we know she is very happy too. While she is now with us in person, she is in spirit, and this is her family too. We don’t know what this baby will be yet, or even if they will reveal the gender, but that doesn’t matter. This baby will be very loved…is already loved. We’re all very excited.

Lacey has been a wonderful stepmom to Brooklyn and Jaxon, and they love her very much. Lacey is a cosmetologist by profession, and the kids get to enjoy the bounty that brings. They can have just about any hairstyle they choose, or want to experiment with, and they know it will turn out great. It saves a lot of money too, on both sides. Much of Lacey’s work is makeup and hair for weddings, and she is becoming quite well known. The shop she owns is called Lux Lou, and Lacey is usually pretty busy. She and Chris are building a good life, and the future is very bright for them and their little family. Today is Lacey’s birthday. Happy birthday Lacey!! Have a great day!! We love you!!