DMV or Bust

No, I am not kidding....

I was looking in my wallet yesterday, when I purchased my $200.00 worth of groceries at Wal-mart....and glanced down at my driver's licence....

Expiration date: 07/17/2008

I thought to myself..."let's see, the year we are in IS 2008...Oh my...my licence has expired! Are you kidding me?"

I have never let that happen...I thought we received a little letter in the mail, that reminded us of this event....But, no, not this year...not me...So, I have to get off of here, and fix my hair...because I am heading to the DMV this morning....to renew my licence....and experience a little embarrassment, over being forgetful....

Say a prayer, that I don't get pulled over on my way....Or I will have to explain my ignorance to someone else....Someone who probably wouldn't think my forgetfulness is quite so funny....=) Happy Friday!

I

I AM ...a night shift girl...who is very tired, and just trying to keep her eyes open while the youngest 2 children of my family are getting ready for school....only a few more minutes until the bus comes...

I WANT...a roof on my garage....Long story...We added on a garage to our house, took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, didn't want to go in debt for a roof, we are saving money as we speak, but I really want a roof, now....

I HAVE ...a tendency to be sarcastic...I think my true friends love me for it anyway...but my mom is probably just rolling her eyes just about now....

I WISH I COULD ... get a roof...No, I am kidding...Well, not really, but I am not going to turn this post into "Cassie's Roof Issues"...So scratch the first answer....

I WISH I COULD find the perfect job....which to me, would be sitting under a tent, on the beach, doing hair wraps for all of the tourists, while listening to some awesome praise and worship music, and getting myself an awesome tan....Ahhh...I can hear the ocean now....

I HATE ...birds...don't ask....deep, fear...since childhood

I FEAR ... something happening to one of my family members...they are my life...

I HEAR ... the bus pulling away, just got the kids on it, and now I hear my bed calling my name

I SEARCH ... for answers in the Bible. Sometimes, things that we face in life are so unsure, decisions that we have to make....and the Bible is the best place that I can think of to search for answers.....

I DON'T THINK ...before I speak....probably not something I should admit to, but we are being honest here...and there have been quite a few times in my life that I wish I could take back something that I may have said...I have learned from those mishaps..and am trying to do better.

I REGRET ... not valuing relationships that I have had. Sometimes, life gets in the way, and the trivial little things that tear people apart happen. I have many wonderful relationships in my life right now...and I am so thankful for that. I have learned to value them, and not take any of them for granted.

I LOVE ... my husband. He is my best friend, and my partner in raising this beautiful family that we have....even though the road is a little rough sometimes....I love him.

I ACHE FOR ...those who are lost, and do not know my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I ALWAYS CRY ...when I watch the movie, "The Notebook"....it never fails...just make sure there is a box of Kleenex nearby....

I AM NOT ... aware of current events...so don't ask me...I don't read the newspaper or watch the news...It is all so depressing to me, I just simply avoid it...Now, if you want to talk about the latest reality show, American Idol, or a Home Decorating idea you have....Give me a call.

I DANCE ... with my kids...in the kitchen...while dinner is cooking...to my "under-the-counter-radio"...We dance and play around, while we are waiting on our food to finish....Fun times...

I SING ... in church...usually not very loud...I don't feel like I sing very well....but I do like to...especially an awesome praise song....like..."How Great is our God"....Love Chris Tomlin...I guess, I sing in the van too...with the windows down, and the kids singing to the top of their lungs, in the summer, while on our way to a pool somewhere...I miss summer already....

I NEVER ...weed eat...My arms are just too weak...I love to mow, but getting that stupid weed eater started just doesn't happen for this chick....believe me, I have tried....but with no luck.

I RARELY ...sit and play a game...but we have been doing that lately...and I love it...Domino's is our game of choice...whether with our friends, or our kids....I love spending time with the people I love....Believe it or not, during our last round....Cade beat us all...and was the Champion....

I CRY WHEN I WATCH ...Hallmark commercials...they are always so stinking sad....about growing up, and all that sad stuff...

I AM NOT ALWAYS ...this random...usually pretty organized, and on top of things...lack of sleep, and just wanting to post something is what got this post started to begin with....

I HATE THAT ...I can't be a photographer only. I love my business, and it has been growing by leaps and bounds lately, but a girl has to pay bills...so for now, I am a nurse/photographer....the key word in that statement is "for now"

I'M CONFUSED ABOUT ...why we can't dig our own oil of the coasts of our own country, and stop depending on other countries to supply us with oil?

I NEED ... do I dare say it? yes, I will....a roof...sorry, couldn't resist...

I SHOULD ...hit the sack...worked last night, my eyes are crossing, and my fingers can't seem to keep up with what my brain is saying....=) I also should tell you guys, I borrowed this off of some blog I was reading last night, and I am looking forward to reading yours...when you borrow it off of mine....Good night...or morning as it may be....for some of you...

Back to Life, Back to Reality....

Tis' true...I am back...after and enjoyable anniversary weekend with my husband...But when reality hits...it hits hard...James had to work today...Yuck...He never works on the weekends, and when he has to...I hate it...He is working what they call a "shut-down"...when they shut down part of the plant he works in for maintenance type things...which simply means to me...James working lots of l-o-n-g hours, for many days in a row...Double yuck...Good thing...good paycheck...that's it..

We had a great weekend...out of town...in Pigeon Forge....We simply spent lots of time together talking, and shopping...I was in need of some new tennis shoes, and James needed blue jeans...He had one pair to his name, and there was a hole in them...So, we were on a mission, and our mission was accomplished....Yippee!....Old Navy had a sale Saturday only...Men's/Women's jeans for $12 a pair, and kids were $7...So, we loaded up on jeans for the whole family...We are set in the jean department...I was happy...There is nothing like a good sale, to make me smile...especially a sale, I knew nothing about until I entered the store...=)

We ate breakfast at James and my favorite restaurant in Pigeon Forge....The Apple Barn...nothing like apple fritters, and biscuits and gravy for breakfast...with my best friend...=) Love you honey...We enjoyed talking to each other, and discussing some things that we have wanted or attempted to talk about over the past few months...but "life" just didn't seem to allow it....This trip was much needed for us...It was sort of a jump start...for the weeks to come...I know that they are going to be difficult...with hectic schedules, and crazy work days...but we know that we need to make time for one another...and God...We talked about priorities...and trying to decide which direction we should take in some very important life decisions....We have been "on each other's nerves" over the past couple of weeks...We just let life get in the way...and it was good just to spend time talking, relearning what matters to one another....remembering the days when we were so much in love...and when nothing else seemed to matter but each other....14 years later...so many things have changed...We are still in love, but it is so much more...Thanks honey...for a memorable weekend....Hope everyone else had a great weekend too....

Thank you.....

James and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary in less than an hour...Yes..I am up late blogging...I am off work tonight...thankfully...and decided to take advantage of the down time...all the little ones are asleep, and James is working on his football plays....The highlight of my day today, was when I got the mail...I had a card that was addressed to me...and so I proceeded to open it...I love email..so you can only imagine how happy I was over "real mail"...Makes me smile...So, I opened it, and it was from my Prayer Sister at my church (in case you don't know what a prayer sister is...it is a group of women at my church that exchange names at Christmas, and you get a sister to pray for over the course of the next year....or get little gifts for, send cards, ect...) It was an anniversary card...that was so sweet...but the best part was it had a gift certificate in it for Chop House...Yippee!!! My favorite restaurant....I was so happy....So, Honey...you know where we are going for dinner.....I am excited...The next part of this post...is for James...Love you Honey...

I just want to thank you James for being my best friend...and sharing the last 14 years of your life with me...They may not have all been perfect...but you have stood by me, no matter what...Sometimes when I look back at all of the things we have been through together, it amazes me that we are still together...We have come so far, I can remember when you told me you loved me...and I was floored...thinking to myself...there is no way I can tell him that I love him...Boy, was I wrong...=) We were friends first...and I think that is the way it should be...We got to know each other, and slowly, over time, begin to fall in love...Thank you for all that you do for our family...For being such a wonderful father to our kids, and for providing for us like you have, and still do...Thank you for coaching my boys when they played sports...and for taking my daughter out on "special date nights" with her daddy...Thank you for playing in the floor with the kids...Thank you for cleaning up puke in the middle of the night, because you know if I touched it, I would be vomiting next.....Thank you for washing the clothes, even if you only lay them out flat on top of the dryer, instead of putting them up...It still helps that they are clean..Thank you for valuing church..and being the leader of our family..and making sure that our family is in church whenever the doors are open...even when sometimes, we want to stay home...Thank you for helping me with the "homework sagas"..there have been many of them...but we got through them somehow...together....Thank you for understanding how much going to the beach means to me...and even though you hate sand...taking me there every year...Thank you for knowing how much I love photography...and for standing beside me as my business grows...Thank you for going to the last 2 weddings I photographed, and helping me..being my assistant...Thank you for carrying our kids to bed at night, because they have fallen asleep on the couch...and kissing each one of them..Thanks for calling to see if I want a coffee when you have had to work over, and are on your way home...Thank you for having a caring heart for others...So many people in our world don't...but you do...Thank you for not being afraid to cry...or show emotion...I could go on and on...and never finish all of the thank yous that I owe you....But Most of all....Thank you for loving me. I can be difficult to love, and I know that...But my family means more to me than anyone would ever know...except for you...and you know, because you feel the same way...We don't spend as much alone time together as we should...It is difficult with 3 small children...but regardless of that...I still love you...I remember the vows we took, and they mean as much to me today, as they did 14 years ago...Thank you for making my life what it is today. With God, in the center of our marriage, we can only grow stronger together........I love you, James...Happy Anniversary...

The Sleepover

Ian wanted to have a sleepover to celebrate his birthday...(homemade cookie cake by mom, which was yummy, by the way....)Ian cheesing for me....He did this last year, and loved it...so this is a repeat-party....Blowing out the candles, and captured this perfectly in a photo...can even see the smoke in the pic...Make a wish....Same friends, same games, lots of things are pretty much the same...Except Ian is a year older....The boys played outside until almost 11...James and I with our big guy...Love you Ian...Tanner, Tyler, Alex, Tyler L., Ben, Noah, Hunter, Ian, and of course, Cade...(Cade actually spent the evening with his new friend from Kindergarten, Tayla-Tyler and Tanner's little sister) He and Tayla have hit it off...Cade talks about her ALL the time....He said that she is one of his best friends....He has been over to her house 3 times already.....and he loves every minute of it...=) Macey isn't in any of the photos, because she wanted to go to Dollywood(a local theme park)...Her friend from school, Kendall, invited her to spend the night, and then go to Dollywood tomorrow...so she chose to do that, rather than hang out with a house full of boys...Can't say that I blame her there....

Only middle school boys would find enjoyment in killing a slug with salt, while shining a flashlight on it....Who would've thought? ;)The whole gang...Posing for me...Thanks guys...This is the shot of the boys from Ian's 10th Birthday...He added a few friends, this year...and boy how those guys have grown...They are such a close group of friends...and such good kids..I just hope they stay close all the way through high school....Then they all came inside and ate all of the leftover pizza, and watched the Olympics....There sure were some "stinky" boys after all of the playing and sweating outside....and they all wanted to wash their feet...because they couldn't stand the smell of each other's feet....Boys are too much...They played kick the can, hide and seek, and a few other games while they were out side....=) The boys are having a great time...I can hear them, as I am blogging, getting settled down for bed....James is planning on cooking them a big breakfast in the morning, of biscuits and gravy, bacon, and eggs....The boys voted, and that is the breakfast they chose...James loves to cook for them...sort of tradition, I guess....So, I am in the bedroom, laying with Cade....and the boys are in the den...settling down for some rest....Hope everyone has a great weekend...I shoot another wedding this weekend...on Sunday...Let's get some sleep....Good night....

Farewell Friends...

I said Farewell to two members of our pet family this week...No, they didn't die, or anything serious...but they moved on to be adopted by another family...I, personally, had had enough. of the Lizards....

On Tuesday afternoon, I walked by Ian's room, and looked over at the tank which is where our 2 bearded dragons were housed....when I saw a HORRIBLE thing...They were attacking each other...I mean fighting, beards out, clicking against the side of the tank...when I caught with my eyes-the part of the fight that helped me make the decision to get rid of our reptile family. (For those of you who know us-I have shared the story of our lizards tails breaking off...and how we have made many trips to the vet for antibiotics, ect. The vet informed us, that the lizards were not doing this to each other, and that they should continue to be fine in the same tank) Ok, the vet was wrong...I caught them...The bigger of the two lizards bit a HUGE chunk out of the other's tail...CAUGHT!!! I beat on the side of the tank, and got them to stop...and then I noticed the blood in the tank, and I was done...We are not keeping cannibal lizards for pets...I could get a new tank, separate them, but that would entail, new basking lamps, new log, more space, ......no...I am done...Everyone in the family agreed with me...It was time to get rid of them...James was ready to just put them outside, and say bye bye..but I couldn't do that...There are people out there who are reptile lovers...So, maybe I could find someone who would want these little guys....So, I called a local pet store in our area, and a friendly voice answered the phone....

"How can I help you?"

(I proceeded to tell this poor girl my entire lizard history, and how now I am done with them...3 children, 1 dog, 2 cats, and 2 lizards later....I just don't have the time, means, or desire to help with this sibling rivalry that has been going on in the tank)

"I will take them" she said..."Not for the store, personally, I will take them home, and nurse them back to health. I have 2 beardies at home, plus a snake, (then she proceeded to name a variety of other animals that I can't even remember the names of....)

I asked her when we could bring them, and she said she would be off for the next 3 days, but we could bring them right then...So, yes, I loaded the little guys up, tank and all...heat lamp, crickets, cricket keeper, all of our lizard "stuff" and put it in the van...I said come on guys...We are moving these little guys to a new home...And we were off...

We arrived at the pet store in about 20 minutes after I spoke with this wonderful lady who was making my life much easier, and she doesn't even realize it....Immediately she opened the tank, and picked up the little guys, and started kissing them, and baby talking them...She prepared a peroxide bath for Sparky's tail...and started soaking it...the whole time....still baby talking the little guys....They were better off....God is Good...Even in taking care of our lizards...Ian had reservations about getting rid of them...I mean, they were his, and his best bud, Tyler and given them to him...He didn't want to give them to someone who wasn't going to care for them....You know, he was a little worried...But the smile that came across Ian's face, when he saw this young girl, just start "caring for, and loving on these little guys"....It was God's way of telling Ian...You made the right choice....I know this may sound silly to some of you...But I know that God is involved in all aspects of our lives...He knew that this girl would be the perfect person to take our littlest family members in...and he had her be at the store, answer the phone at the perfect time. God is in control....of everything in our lives.....even the lizards....=) We exchanged emails, and she promised to send pictures to the kids so they could see how the little guys were growing ect. So, our family is smaller today...a little smaller anyway...but our hearts have been touched...once again, by our loving Lord...and his hand in our lives...even in a the smallest of ways...but sometimes those are the most amazing...He cares for us so much...to be there...even in the small things....Have a great weekend....

Born Again

I just recently downloaded Third Day's entire new album to my new Ipod touch(which is my absolute favorite brand new toy) but this album is amazing...This song touched my heart...for sure...I had to share it with you...I remember that feeling of being "Born Again", just like it was yesterday...and how your life seems changed forever....My life was changed forever...Don't get me wrong...But it seems like in the "busy"ness of our everyday lives...we seem to forget that feeling...today..I want to remember it...

Today I found myself,

After searching all these years,

And the man that I saw,

He wasn't at all who I'd thought He'd be,

I was lost when You found me here,

And I was broken beyond repair,

Then You came along and sang Your song over me

(Chorus 1) It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living For the very first time

For the very first time, In my life

(Verse 2) Make a promise to me now,

Reassure my heart somehow,

That the love that I feel,

is so much more real than anything

I've a feeling in my soul,

And I pray that I'm not wrong,

That the life I have now,

It is only the beginning

(Chorus 2) It feels like I'm born again

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

For the very first time

It feels like I'm breathing

It feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

For the very first time

(Bridge) I wasn't looking for something that was more,

Than what I had yesterday,

Then You came to me,

Then You gave to me,

Life and a love that I've never known,

That I've never felt before.

Happy Birthday Ian

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday dear Ian, Happy Birthday to you..... Ian turns 11 today...Where does the time go? Middle School ....and growing up more and more each and every day....I love you, Ian...and I hope you have the best birthday ever...Happy Birthday to you!!!!(Will post pics tonight after we take Ian out to eat...and give him his gifts....He is going to be so surprised!!!!)

***Update****

We took Ian to eat at Texas Roadhouse last night...He wanted to get a Big steak...and he did...and ate every bite..When we got home we let him open gifts....He got an under armor hoodie....A Nike Football T-shirt.....I loved this one.....And then the one thing he asked for....a cell phone....(there are limitations on this phone...no texting, and a blocked call list to family only....but we made a deal with Ian...all A's and B's...and we will change that.....) He was so happy with the phone...he didn't mind our "rules" at all.....Already "making it his"....Cade checking it out...Giving the birthday boys some love..... Cade couldn't miss out either....Ian had a great bday...He is celebrating again on Friday night...with his sleepover party....He is having a few of his best buds spend the night....and play some football, video games, and just hang out....Have a great day....

This Morning was Hard

Yes...Cade has already went to two days of Kindergarten....But this morning was our first attempt at riding the bus....Due to having kids at two different schools...Riding the bus in the morning is part of our attempt at making life easier for a night shift mommy....=) Cade was scared. I have always been able to make him feel safe and secure...I can put my arms around him, and he knows how much I love him. But this morning was different. I still hugged him and told him I loved him...but he still had to face his fear. Regardless of what I said. Without me. He still had to let go of my hand, and take a step forward in his little life...without me by his side. I didn't cry. But I thought about it. Macey took his hand, and "took over my role" so to speak...She took his hand, and guided him up the steps to the bus, with big tears rolling down his face. They turned down the aisle of the bus, out of my sight. The bus door closed. They are on their way. This morning, as I sit in the quiet of an empty house, I want to thank the Lord for blessing me with a wonderful family. I want to ask you Lord to be with my children while they are away from me, guide them in their each and every step they make. Help them to remember to put you first in all that they do. Our God is so good.

Tybee Island, Part Three (Last One, I promise)

Well, this is it....the final post about our vacation....I had a difficult time narrowing down all the pictures...I tried just to post a few...but it was hard to pick them...since I took over 600...Yes..I will admit that I have a problem...
One evening, we went to Fort Pulaski National Monument.....Ian is a large history buff...so this was mainly for the boys...I could have went or not...there was a storm brewing off the coast, when we went here....and there was lightening in the area....Besides Christy's immense fear of heights....This was a fun little excursion.....This is the South wall of the fort that was hit with numerous cannons during the Civil War...If you look closely...you can see them....This picture turned out really well...considering what we went through...Kevin set the timer on his camera 2 or 3 times...and ran to "get in the shot"...and then the camera didn't shoot...So he would go back, do it again...same thing....We finally captured the picture....But this one was taken by a tourist...James just asked this guy if he would take our pic...A lot easier...Hee hee...Christy has a big fear of heights...and if you could look over that brick wall that we are sitting on....It is VERY High....so she was a nervous wreck.....Macey really enjoyed spending time with Emmy...They played together so good...even though there is quite an age difference between them...Macey loves to spend time with her....I love Emily....just like another daughter =)Christy with lots of kegs of "explosable powder"....I couldn't stand this room...very small....Claustrophobic I am.....I took this pic from the doorway....The moat that surrounded the fort....There were alligators in it....Hmmmm...I definitely wouldn't be trying to cross that if I was the enemy....I thought that my dad would like this photo of the American flag...It was half-mast because a National Park Ranger had died while fighting a fire.....Oh my goodness....Cade was injured by this cannon....Walker must have "got him"...The boys were hilarious playing war...Cade got shot...over and over...too funny....

The next day...our historical journey landed us at the Tybee Island Lighthouse....It is beautiful...James and I LOVE lighthouses...and have now been to 8....Here are few pics from the lighthouse....

Beautiful pic...with the sun shining behind it....Me and Cade climbing the many, many stairs to get to the top.....This was as far as Christy could make it...due to her fear of heights....I felt so sorry for her....But I had to get a pic of her and Kevin....So here she is in front of the door....She couldn't go any farther....Love you friend....The view from the top of the lighthouse........James and I at the top of the lighthouse.....Kevin, James and the kids at the top of the lighthouse.....posing for me....while the wind was blowing...a lot...Ian and Hunter...after climbing the lighthouse...Christy and I got up at 630 just about every morning....and went on a long walk...one morning we went by ourselves....the next morning we took Ian and Hunter, and the last one, we took Emily and Macey.....The kids enjoyed their one on one walks with us....or at least I think they did....We got to spend quality time talking with them, and hunting for sea shells, starfish, and lots of other treasures.....We saw lots of beautiful sunrises too.....and walked by the lighthouse every morning....Loved the shot of it from the beach.....I love Tybee Island....Still thinking about moving....Emily took this picture of Christy and me on one of our morning walks......
Beautiful sunrise.....Some beach pics...Walker and Cade playing in the water....They never got out of it...They had a blast......together...I don't think they ever argued the entire week.....
Macey and Emmy playing in the sand....they were making a mermaid...She was snazzy....
Cade playing in the waves....love this picture....Ian and Hunter loved to skinboard...they actually got pretty good by the end of the week.....Loved watching them....We went to Savannah one evening...took a few pictures...but not many...Loved this sunset, behind the river boat...This was River Road....and lots of boats ported here....lots of night life, drinking, ect....Not much of a place for kids...so we didn't hang out here very long....plus the mosquito's were deadly!!!!and last but not least....The morning of our departure...we did our "professional photo shoot"....Here are a few of my favs....The Hite family.....The Allen Family.......Me and My honey....Love you James...Hope you enjoyed my play by play or our vacation....Now it is back to life as we know it....We hit it hard as soon as we got home...Came home on Sat....worked Sunday night....School is in full swing, and our schedules are picking up again.... and I am back to blogging...I have received lots of emails, comments ect...of friends telling me they are glad I am "back"...Thanks to you guys!!!! Missed you all too.....I am officially done blogging about Tybee Island...until next time...or until we take the UHaul truck to our new condo on the island....Depends on which comes first....; ) Our next trip will be to the Big Apple....We are currently making plans to head north in the next couple of months with Miss Mace...to meet with a few agents that we spoke to at AMTC....So say a prayer for us....Good night...Let's go watch a movie with the family...