Ice Ice Baby

Another winter storm blew in on thursday. It brought with it ice and snow. We were all concerned about losing power but we weathered the storm without losing it. Thank you Lord! So now we are left with a glistening layer of ice with a powder covering of snow blanketing everything on top of that. It really is quite beautiful... dangerous but gorgeous at the same time.

This is a picture taken from my backyard looking out onto the golf course. It's so beautiful out there after this last snow/ice storm that it takes my breath away.

Frosty

snow bush

In other news Baby C is getting his first tooth! Good times here at our house. More on this and other things soon!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

I was just watching White Christmas, one of my all time favorite Christmas movies, while actually experiencing a white Christmas Eve. So it's a blizzard here. Literally. We have a blizzard warning. I don't think I've ever experienced that in all my 29 years and if I have I was too young to remember. So this delicious, white wonderland outside is pretty remarkable because we hardly get much snow here. Let a lone on Christmas. Maybe if we're lucky a few flakes swirl in the air sometime during the winter months. But they usually don't stick much or for very long. Ice and sleet and freezing rain happen more frequently and wreak havoc on the city. Not so today. It is really coming down out there.

"Snowin' and blowin and bushels of fun... now the jingle rock has begun."

The family is here now. There is something nice about being warm and cozy with your family for Christmas. I suppose that is only true though if you get along with your family. Luckily we do! So we're hunkering down and staying warm. Watching the snow pile up outside. We have GREAT windows everywhere in our new house to gaze at the scenery. I plan on watching my favorite Christmas movies (like ELF, Christmas Vacation and the Red Rider BB Gun movie- even though I don't really care for it- it depresses me, but the fam likes it so...), the weather (because I like to watch weather-I'm kinda a fanatic) and I'm sure for The Hubbs and his Dad there will be football and basketball on at various points throughout the day.

This is so much fun with Baby! He's already opened like 4 presents. The Grandparents just can't wait! Baby is seeing his first snow and first blizzard as well as his first White Christmas. What a First Christmas to have with him. As I'm typing this he's snuggled up beside me napping. LOVE IT!

My Christmas Baby

Perfect People

So I'll admit it I'm a bit of a perfectionist. What? You're surprised? You act like I haven't mentioned this before. I know, I know you say, "Cassie just chill out, everything doesn't have to be perfect all the time or even some of the time." And I get that. I do. But I must say with Baby's First Christmas just days away I can't help but feel the pressure. The pressure to make it PUR-FECT. For everyone. Not just Baby or the Hubbs; no this is a holiday that spans and includes the whole family. My parents, his parents, sister, aunts, uncles, great grandparents. And you know what friends- I just CAN'T DO IT! I can't make everyone happy all the time even though I apparently think it's my job concerning family gatherings. I put the pressure on myself. Hubbs is all chill and laid back (envious- I am). So glad I have him though because he sooo mellows me out.

I have been forced to let go of my quest for what I'll call "Holiday HAPPINESS Perfection." Because that's where I get hung up. I'm ok with a slightly messy house (though I would feel better if all was in it's place.) I'm ok with some dirty dishes, take out meals and toys underfoot. What I feel the foolish need to control is something that I absolutely know rests with the individual- Their Happiness. I find myself always concerned about others comfort and joy; which is considerate up unto the point that it becomes a serious detriment to mine. Anyhooo friends, my body decided rebel against me and my best intentions. My back went out on Sunday. Like TOTALLY OUT. No fooling around. My back was all:

"You think you are going to try to stand- WRONG. Oh you want to walk like a normal 29 year old- NOPE more like an 89 year old! Sitting... ha FAT CHANCE!"

And in response I'm like:

"Dude, this is such a bad time, don't you know I have 45,000 things to do before Christmas! Wrapping, cleaning, baking, oh ya and that thing called TAKING CARE OF AN 8 MONTH OLD! AHHHHH"

To no avail though. So I've been out of commission since Sunday with The Hubbs and Mo (my Mom if you have forgotten) taking the reigns. Now instead of going to visit family, family is coming here to us. Which will ultimately be a much better plan for us but the getting to the new plan sucked.

So much for Perfect... It's overrated anyway and not just because it's completely unrealistic.

This year I'm hopping for a Great time together, Good food and company, Joy in the midst of what some might consider christmas chaos, Calm following the flurry of excitement! Have a very Merry Christmas!

This is a song I love because it reminds us all that there is no such thing as perfect people but there is a perfect God!

"Perfect People" Artist: Natalie Grant
Never let 'em see you when you're breaking
Never let 'em see you when you fall
That's how we live and that's how we try
Tell the world you've got it all together
Never let them see what's underneath
Cover it up with a crooked smile
But it only lasts for a little while

[CHORUS:]
There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scared
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted
When you hear the words that you are loved
He knows where you are and where you've been
And you never have to go there again

[CHORUS]

Who lived and died to give new life
To heal our imperfections
So look up and see out let grace be enough

[CHORUS]

By a perfect God [5x]

Be changed by a perfect God
Be changed

You Say It's Your Birthday!

Tomorrow's my birthday! Hooray for me! The big 2-8! Twenty-Eight is great! That shall be my positive affirmation.

It was a good weekend. Friday night we went to dinner with some of our friends and in honor of my impending birthday we got a piece of the most AMAZING chocolate cake! It was seriously as big as my head! It was delicious. It was so huge (and delish) that we have been eating it since Friday. In Saturday we hung out, ran some errands and had a triple feature at home. Three movies back to back to back. We usually don't watch movies very often but we had a fun movie marathon. On Sunday we slept in and played some Mario Kart on the Wii. Then we went to dinner with my parents to celebrate. It was lovely!

Only non-lovely thing about this weekend is that at CD45 AF arrived with a vengeance! Boo! And so the new cycle begins...

Ha Ha Ha Ha Stayin' Alive...

Ya I'm alive. Yes I'm a delinquent blogger. True my life is pretty boring right now.

Summer is here and that means that until we take kids to Camp work slows down... like a lot. Praise The Lord because I was feeling pretty burned out. I've kind of been in hiding. And relishing it.

This last weekend was my sweet Hub's birthday! We celebrated all weekend. On Friday his parents came to stay with us overnight to celebrate. We grilled out and I made some delicious creations including Frito Bandito Salad (which is way better than it sounds), Fruit Salad with a delish dip and Strawberry Cupcakes with chocolate frosting! Saturday, his actual birthday, we hung out with his parents. Showed them around his work campus and new office, went to lunch at a yummy seafood restaurant on the lake and then took it easy the rest of the day. That night we watched movies and snuggled! It was bliss! On Sunday we played things low-key and that night my parents came over and brought dinner to celebrate. It was a GREAT weekend.

On the baby front... well... nothing much going on... yet. I'm keeping the faith though. After having been told at the beginning of May that they thought I had ovulated during my period I spent some time and effort talking to Dr. W and getting the facts straightened out. She said that she DID NOT believe that I had ovulated then (like the nurse said). So I ended up getting my blood drawn the last week of May to check my Progesterone levels. That was the week I would have been ovulating (if my cycle was 38 days which it has been since February). She said the tough part was that we could miss the surge by a few days on either side so it wasn't fully conclusive. And I guess we did because I got it came back low. But by my calculator I got my blood taken on Tuesday and my O window was to start on Wednesday and increase through Saturday and then taper off after that. Who even knows. She did up my Metformin by 1 dose bringing my total dosage up to 1000 mg. So technically this could be the two week wait but I'm not expecting anything this month. I'm mostly interested to see if my period stays at 38 days or if it changes either way. Way low expectations. Kind of sad, but just being realistic.

That's my update for what it's worth.

Hope all is well with you my friends!

Much Love To You!

Two Nuns Walk Out of A Ross...

No, that's not the first line of a naughty joke! Two actual nuns walked out of a Ross store this morning as I was walking in. Excuse my fascination with this sighting. I don't know about you, maybe you do see tiny nuns (at least mine today were tiny, and yes I did just call them "my" nuns) all the time but I don't. I was so surprised. They were so cute; random though. It's funny I just don't think of nuns going out for a quick shopping trip. I can picture them at a grocery store, a church or abby of course, maybe the habit shop but not a Ross. It really made me wonder what they bought.

Ok enough of your "knowing" expression. Yes, even after my confession last night I went shopping again today. BUT it was a totally different Ross store (which I realize doesn't really make any difference at all). I was on that side of town picking up some jeans I had hemmed (because I'm a shorty) and it just begged to be perused. I gave in and I actually had much better luck at this store. I found some really cute shirts and yes, if you are wondering if I bought husband anything, I did. So there you have it: honesty is the best policy.

On an unrelated note I ate a cheeseburger last night from Chili's (it was so tasty) and totally paid for it this morning. Like I said, I don't have many side effects from the Metformin but I do get nauseous sometimes. Usually once a day but it doesn't last long. Anyway, I was pretty nauseous this morning- more so than usual. Boo! ☹ But I rebounded and am feeling much better now.

So my Question is: What's the most unusual thing you have seen or experienced this week?

and

Bonus Questions: What makes you feel gross on Metformin? Any remedies worth passing along? Any other tough side effects you are dealing with? I'm hear to listen if you need someone to grumble to!

See You Later Alligator! (My Mom would say that to me all the time when I was little. Guess I'm feeling nostalgic)

I Wanna Rock and Roll ALL NIGHT and Party Everyday

A few confessions... ready?

1) I hate cleaning. Which means that I sometimes wait entirely too long to scrub the toilet or sweep the layer of dust that begins to look like a natural part of the furniture off said furniture. I'm VERY good at keeping things looking like they are clean, though. I know- I'm so sneaky. It's faux cleaning and I think it's kind of brilliant. My sweet mother is the Organizing Queen. Her skills have been passed down to me but where it compels her it just nags at me until I give in. So that's why I keep things tidy... my guilty conscious! Don't think my house is gross or that I'm living like one of those people on the Oprah show (you know the pack rat people who can't see each other for all the crap crushing in around them). That's not me. I just genuinely dislike cleaning. Oh, but the problem (as though the lack of cleaning isn't problem enough) is how Fantastic I feel after I've cleaned. Know what I mean? It's like a rush of relief that the chore is done and I don't have to do it again for a while combined with the natural good feelings of having things tidy... I do need things tidy. Oh I guess I should mention that I did clean the bathrooms this morning- thus the rant. It just got to me today and I was suddenly in a cleaning frenzy. Now if I could just tackle my closet…

2) I caught a bit of Rachel Ray today and I saw Gene Simmons from KISS on there. They were playing that song…you know that song that’s on Guitar Hero. Anyway it was stuck in my head all day, even though I’m blanking on what it was and the title now (which is very unlike me). And even though I don’t like KISS I think it gave me some extra swagger today. Oh I just thought of it. The part that is stuck in my head is the first part ❝You keep on shouting, you keep on shouting...I want to rock and roll all night and party everyday!❞ I thought it was an interesting Tuesday song to have in banging in my brain this morning. ☺

3) I went shopping today. No real reason. Just wanted to. So the confession is…I went for me and bought my completely adorable husband two shirts to justify my shopping and buying two shirts and pair of flip-flops. Like somehow it balanced out the shopping karma/mojo. But it wasn’t totally selfish of me. Husband actually Loves for me to buy him clothes and I was a ROSS (my favorite bargain store) and I found this one type of shirt (the dry-weave Nike golf shirts) that are his favorite for playing golf. So you see it was a win for both of us. He got a couple great shirts, I got a couple of great shirts, they were all a great price and my shopping karma/mojo, if you will, remains…well…great and if not great then at least intact until another shopping day! Gosh my need to justify is just leaping off the screen.

4) I’m worried about not being able to get pregnant but sometimes what scares me more is what if I do. I mean, please don’t get me wrong, we have given this decision much thought and prayer and we are both excited about the prospect of starting a family. I think we are ready, or as much as we can be given the fact we have no idea what we’re getting ourselves into until we really get into it. I’m confident that we will be good, loving parents who will adore our little one. But what gets me sometimes is just my fear of the unknown. That’s always been an issue for me. It hasn’t stopped me from living my life or having faith but I always want a peek into what the future or a situation is going to be like. And as you know that just isn’t possible. I think that is one of the reasons I like to read so much. I’m just trying to accumulate and assimilate useful information. So yes, the unknown(s) of parenthood is daunting to me. What will it really be like? How will things change- not necessarily for the worse- I expect most of the changes to be for the better. I anticipate that they will challenge and enhance life. But they are still unknown changes non-the-less and sometimes it freaks me out.

Ok so that’s all the confessions you get for tonight friends! Maybe we’ll chat some more sometime about confession #4.

Hope you are all doing well doing whatever it is you are doing.

Until Later!

Melodic Pictures

I'm always amazed when I hear a song that so captures a moment in my life that when I hear the song later it's as vivid as having just breathed in the initial moment itself. So clear that I can see it; almost physically feel it. Recalling the memory of once was as though, even if ever so briefly, it was once again. Music does that to me...

Melodic pictures of my life. That is what MUSIC is to me. Music takes my mind (and heart) to the place in my brain that stores up all the things I hope to always remember and sometimes those I would rather forget. It pulls them to the surface like a lifeguard rescues one from the depths of the sea. Rising from the dark...out of the water- breaking through the layers of all the all the stored information to reach the surface and breathe out and into me the memory...life.

Music is fluid and alive and all around. Different from the processed snapshot taken for the scrapbook only to be put on the shelf; often long forgotten. It transcends a classic picture that someone takes to remember a time in life that is passing, trying to hold on to it for a bit longer...to remember the color of a sweater or a sunset, the jagged outline of a jaw or a mountainside...the way you felt with your first love or on your first big trip away from home or when you first realized that there is more to this life and...just wanting to hold on. So that we don't forget that we were here and there and that we experienced life...We DID...and we have proof...see it there in the picture...it was a moment and it was captured. You see, Music acknowledges the moment in private kind of way. Much like a secret or an inside joke- you and the music understand the meaning, the undercurrent, even if no one else knows or cares.

But with music you don't need a book of pictures to unlock the memory- just the melody inside your head. Music often has a way of unlocking the door, or the floodgate to more memories. That is one reason why music is so powerful. It can move people when they don't want to be moved. And sometimes, if your lucky, it moves you before you even realize you are being swept away. And though, music may not physically testify that you had a moment or were here or there, with him or her; it can not only recall a memory but be a memory or experience in itself.

Music is fluid. It ebbs and flows and is all around us...as is life and the moments that make it so memorable.

Do your memories have a melody? I wonder...what will my next memory will sound like?

All Night Long (as in the Lionel Richie Song)

Why am I up at well after two in the morning? Hmmm... that, my friends is a good question. It's mostly because I was a slug today. Totally indulgent. I hardly got out of bed. It was glorious and I'm not at all ashamed to share that with you. Another reason is probably that I drank some se-ri-ous-ly strong tea tonight with dinner. Oops! Oh yea, I didn't make it by the way. I really should know better but it just looked so darn appealing. Anyway, I'm up now, so what better to do than share some more information about myself with you. You know we are in that "get to know you" phase of our relationship. We all put our best foot forward and try to seem intriguing while trying to impress each other in hopes that a fantastic friendship will spring forth. So I thought I'd wow you (at very best) and bore you into peaceful slumber (at least) with some (un)important stats on some of my favorite music.

As you may have read, I love music...almost too much! I love it all...ok that was a lie. Truthfully I can tolerate the majority, I enjoy most, appreciate many, adore several and am hopelessly devoted to a few (none of which are Olivia Newton John though the reference is obvious).

Honestly, I can't go to sleep at night with out Jars of Clay playing in the background (the first CD). Don't suggest whale lullaby's, sounds of the rainforest or monk chants (although that CD does have some of that on there..hmmm). No, it's been way too long. I'm set in my ways. I've resigned myself to being co-dependent with a CD.

Pop/Rock/R&B category contains many- too many to list in entirety but here are a few: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, The Fray, Paramore, One Republic, Mute Mouth, The Killers, Incubus, U2 (seriously how could they not be mentioned), Christina Aguilara (think what you like but there is no denying the girl has got some killer pipes), Michelle Branch and/or the Wreckers, Pink, Switchfoot, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw, Cold Play, Gwen Stefani, Sarah Bareilles, Alicia Keys, Rhianna... and the list could go on...and on...

Christian: David Crowder Band, Nichole Nordeman, Barlow Girl, Casting Crowns, Plumb, Shawn McDonald, Joy Williams, Jill Phillips, Benjamin Gate, Watermark, Shane &; Shane, DC Talk (classic), Kristy Starling, Hillsong, Charlie Hall, just to name a few.

Of course I love some good country: SheDaisy, Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride, Shania Twain and Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, George Strait (ever timeless) and Garth Brooks.

Bands you may have never heard of but should know because they are awesome: Grandpa Griffith, Hollow, Red Monroe, Matt Wertz, Ryan Long.

Old School: Extreme (More Than Words), Tears for Fears (Everybody Wants to Rule The World), Boys II Men (Motown Philly), Journey (anything by Journey).

Ok, I must confess...I have a problem. I have a bit of a weakness (some could say passion) for 80's music. Not so much the Glam Rock or Monster Ballads (ok maybe a few Monster Ballads) but the ever enduring music like Madonna, WHAM/George Michael, Culture Club/Boy George, Debbie Gibson, Whitney Houston, The Go-Go's, The Bangles, Michael Jackson (the Thriller days), Christopher Cross (SAILING), Chicago, Phil Collins, Hall & Oats... I TOLD You- I have a problem. But I know that deep down most of you enjoy these 80's hits as well. I am just being honest about it. So, I will hold my head high!

Ok this list is getting ridiculously long. I haven't even touched on Rap, Musicals, Latin etc... Alas, I will conclude with this... There is no band, nor front man, other than Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty that ever has or ever will have my unwavering devotion. He holds a special place in my musical heart!

And I will not divulge why at this time... I need to retain some mystery, our friendship is still blossoming!

Later Friends!

Feet First!

Hello!

Ok, so I want to just say to anyone who may come across this that I'm new to the whole blogging thing. I know, it sound cliche, in the way that people always say I've never written/said/done anything like this before, but it's the truth. So I'm just going to jump on in with both feet. Which, as you get to know me, you will find is a good thing for me because at least when it comes to literal water I am much more of a stick a toe in first and see if it's not too cold to stick a foot in and then a leg and so on and so forth. So here we go...

One of the things you won't find here (which means you probably will now because I just jinxed myself-never say never, or imply it) is a lot of acronyms. Yes, I'm trying to conceive (ttc) but no I don't have the memory or the desire to carry a reference dictionary of pregnancy initials. So I'm sorry but you are just going to have to read the entire word... with all of it's letters. I know it's incredibly tasking but hang in there with me. It works for some people and more power to them but it doesn't at least for me. Ok, so there will be none of that and if there is it will be kept to a minimum.

Next thing is that I'm writing for you and for me because I want to share the journey. We will go through some ups and some downs. In fact, the road might get quite bumpy along the way but we'll ride it out together... and if your not riding it out with me then feel assured that I will be riding it out none-the-less. With that in mind though I feel compelled to say that what I don't need is for anyone to gripe me out whenever you don't agree with something in here. Different Strokes for Different Folks. I promise not to do anything that will intentionally harm myself or others and you promise to keep your yapper shut if you don't like what I'm saying. That is not to say, though, that I don't want to hear your comments and unique perspective- that I love. So don't hold back, but I ask you kindly "please don't be rude." I'm sure that's totally unnecessary because you would never do anything like that but still it doesn't hurt to ask.

So in this space, my new bloggy home (which was probably pretty un-blogger like of me to write), we'll chat about life, music (of course), our attempt to bring a new life into this world (despite what Dr. W thinks is a mild case of PCOS) and whatever else comes our direction...

Nice to meet you, by the way. You are always welcome... except if you want to be nasty or use acronyms I can't remember (but on that one, if it's important to you I'll try). Catch you later!