A Day in the Life...

Tim: So Cassie, did you call your brother and tell him thanks for being so supportive and kind? Cassie: No... Tim: Well you should.  You should better your relationship with him. Cassie: This is coming from you???  You know what this means?  You've become a peacekeeper... Tim: I KNOW!  I can't believe it, I don't want to be like this... Cassie: Oh gosh, you're more like Jesus, haha (except that's good)... you care about others!!!  When all these years you've said you didn't care... I had to write this down or nobody would ever believe it.  But trust me, Tim's becoming a people lover, a giver, a compassionate feeler.  That's right: a compassionate feeler.  He wants to save money to give to people in Antigua and poor countries and mend family tensions.  In all seriousness, both he and I are WAY more Christ-like now than we were ten years ago.  There's more peace, more hope, more holiness.  [I mean, there's still tears... like T...

Every single night when we get ready for scripture study I find Micah like this.  She's a little more engaged now that she's starting to read on her own, but mostly I find this tiger and girl sprawled out all over my bed.  Taryn wrote this really nice note to Copper for Valentine's Day; I thought it was so nice, kind, and sisterly.  It kinda makes up for the times that four girls swim in drama and emotions... Dakota LOVES to read scriptures.  I obviously have to help with big words, but sometimes she surprises me with things like, "house of Israel" that she does on her own.  House of Israel, seriously.  She wouldn't let me record her but she did let me take her picture!  Oma does lots of crafts and projects with the girls, which they love.  Right now they're all working on coloring their own fabric to make pillows.  Kota's was the first one done and she's so proud and happy. Thanks Oma!  I'm into a bread makin...

Unfortunately the herniated disc in Tim's neck is worsening. Unfortunately physical therapy, steroid shots, and all sorts of other things are not working long term. Unfortunately he and I have missed a lot of work for doctor appointments. Unfortunately he has spent many nights and immense pain, not being able to move his neck or see straight. And unfortunately we spent most of last night in the ER again.  Yuck. Fortunately there are caring doctors and nurses who are available anytime of the day in an emergency. Fortunately his boss is working around his needs and praying for recovery. Fortunately he is willing to adjust schedules and job responsibilities to ease any pain. Fortunately my boss is very supportive of any time off that I need and willing to let me do whatever works for my family. Fortunately we have neighbors, friends, and family close by to help with the things we need, including blessings, childcare, a listening ear, advice, and overall support. Fortunately the re...

Tim's birthday week was a little clouded by my sickness.  Luckily we celebrated at his folk's the weekend before.  He shared the day with little Stevie who turned two.  Both immensely enjoyed the death by chocolate cake.  Well, everyone did because it's pretty dang good. Happy Birthday to the guy who makes me smile, works hard, loves much, and brings everlasting joy.

Copper "borrowed" some of my scarves and dresses like she's going on seventeen.  Love this cute girl. The twins read every day and they're coming along great!  I hoped to grow girls who loved to read, and we're sure on our way!  Copper had her first piano recital a few weeks ago.  We happily drove 40 minutes one way for her 45 second piece.  The other day Tim took the girls to Home Depot's kid workshop where they made Valentine photo boxes.  We learned Kota is a real natural with woodworking, Micah shouldn't be alone with tools, and Copper just smiles whenever she works. Micah announced a few weekends ago she wanted her ears pierced, so off to the mall we went.  She was pretty matter of fact about it, didn't talk, didn't show emotion, but was pretty pleased.

We got dumped on in January, snow-wise.  One Saturday morning we got 12" and the girls had a ball helping me shovel, making snowballs, throwing themselves in piles, and creating a pile and runway for a slide. Early morning barefoot walking... Tim showing off his booty while helping them make a pile and slide... Taryn sliding down a slick driveway in her cowboy boots

I wrote this email to some of my closest friends as part of a little endeavor I'm making: Hi all, I'm writing this email to ask for your support!  You are all who I regularly see each week and whom I consider good friends!   I'm sort of on this endeavor for improved health.  Since we all believe that mind and body are one (you all believe that, right?), I'm working on overcoming some negative thoughts I have about myself that is impacting the way I treat my body and negatively affecting my self-image.   So I'm asking for help in two ways, please! 1) Please respond to just me and let me know something you admire about me or one of my strengths.  Please don't lie to make me feel good, haha.  Not a novel either- just a quick sentence or two. 2) Support me by being direct and frank about poor choices I make or things I say about myself that aren't positive.  For example... "Cassie, I don't care about your hard day at work.  Suck it ...