November 2013

How is it already December 10th and I haven't even done blogs for November!?! Oh well...time to get caught up.

For Veteran's Day (November 11th), Ashton and I tagged along to the parade with the Damm's. It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time.

Sweet kids! 

Ryan, Claire and Ashton

Waiting for things to get started.

Claire and Ashton loved the motorcycle cops.

Our seats happened to be right next to the fireworks that were shot off. The kids covered their ears and didn't seem to mind at all.

Ashton enjoyed some of the parade with her feet propped up and a drink in her hand! 

  

Later that same week, Trey's Grandma Lottie visited from Jacksonville. She is 96 years young and such an amazing woman! I love any chance that we get to spend with her and especially the time that Kaylyn and Ashton get. We went to Grandma and Boppa's on Friday night for dinner and to visit.

Trey and Lottie

Crews and Great-Grandma Lottie

Me & Lottie

Lottie with the great-grand kids (Kaylyn, Ashton, Crews and Jay Chase)

Lottie & all of the girls.

Kaylyn, Trey and Crews put on a piano performance.

The next day, we had our family Christmas pictures (coming up on the blog soon) and also went to spend some more time with Lottie. She was so appreciative that we came over again, but I wouldn't have missed that time together. After spending most of the day with her, we had plans to meet our friends Geoff and Kirsten at the barn where Kirsten boards her horse. The girls and I had all changed into our boots and Grandma wanted a picture. 

Ashton of course had no desire to ride the horse, so she just ran around & had fun.

Kaylyn on the other hand is ecstatic anytime that Kirsten offers for her to ride her horse Sunni!

Watching YaYa.

There are a few pictures from the day that make me laugh every time that I see them. This of Geoff is one of them.

That face!

Kaylyn moved to the round ring so that she could trot. 

Kirsten is so good teaching Kaylyn.

Trotting

Cutie!

Love these...

After Kaylyn rode Sunni, it was Geoff's turn.

And before we got to the farm, Trey told Kaylyn that if Geoff rode the horse, that he would. I'm sure Trey didn't think Geoff was going to ride, but he had to keep his end of the deal.

By the time Trey rode Sunni, she was ready to be done. You cannot tell, but she had started going a little fast and it was hilarious! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard.

My rule is that regardless of how silly you pose in a picture, it still goes on the blog. This is another one that makes me laugh every time that I see it.

We all had so much fun at the barn with Kirsten and Geoff and cannot wait to go back.

On Grandma's birthday (November 18th) we got one more visit with Lottie before she left to go back home. We had everyone over for dinner to celebrate the birthday girl.

Grandma blowing out her candles...

That almost wraps things up, but I have one more blog post for November. Up next, Kaylyn's gymnastics meet...

My Blessing Ring

Most of you know the difficulty that I've had since losing our baby. I no longer feel the need to apologize for having bad moments (I'm human and my heart still aches) and luckily I have amazing family members and wonderful friends that don't expect me to. I will say that I have more good days than bad ones lately and for that I am happy! A few weeks back a woman that I look up to who is much wiser and stronger than I am told me to expect bumps in the road with my grieving process and she was absolutely right. It may be a song at church, something someone says, holding a baby or even running into someone that doesn't know what happened and mistakenly congratulates me and I'm crying hysterically...but those are moments in my day and bumps in the road. I will be alright.

One of the reasons that I will be alright is because of the amazing family and wonderful friends that I mentioned earlier. Our family and friends have been so sweet to me, Trey and the girls and I am so thankful for them. We have had food brought to our house, food sent to our house, received the sweetest cards, the best books and messages that still come consistently even when I haven't been quick to respond (thank you friends for not giving up on me). 

Just last Wednesday I got a text from my friend Julie (we met through church) saying that she needed to drop off something for me at the house. We missed each other during the drop off, but when I got home, I was excited to see what was in the pink bag on my doorstep. It's the little things lately that mean the most! 

When I opened the bag and saw what was in it, I was instantly in tears. That little pink bag held one of the most precious gifts that I have ever been given. 

My gift was a Blessing Ring. 

My Blessing Ring was full of pictures of families and individuals from church that love me, support me, are there for me always & are walking this road with me. And not only were there pictures, but beneath each one was a Bible verse that they picked out for me. After looking at and reading each one I didn't have the words to express my feelings, but below is my quick message sent to Julie.

Julie, thank you so much for the sweet gift you left me. I cannot begin to tell you how special it is. I'm in tears over the kindness of each family/individual that is a part of this blessing ring. It truly makes my heart feel good to look at their pictures and read their verses. My family and I are so lucky to have each of you in our lives and we are very thankful to be a part of such a close knit group. Love, Cassie 

Trey and I (and the girls) are so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful church family. None of us are perfect, but we are believers & we are there for each other. And I couldn't ask for anything else.     

Thank you Julie so much for helping put this together for me. It is something that I will treasure forever and will always turn to when I encounter a bump in the road. Your thoughtfulness means more than you will ever know and I am grateful to have you as my friend!

Julie's Family

  Thank you too Rachel for helping put this together. When I met you a few years ago, you were one of the first ladies to talk to me at Bible study. I knew immediately what a great person you were and getting to know you even better has only proven that. Seeing your strength gives me hope and I think you are amazing!

Rachel's Family

Me and my Blessing Ring...

Thank you to everyone that was a part of my special gift! I will cherish it forever.

Love, Cassie