God is Good

God is Good. His hand is in everything in our lives, and sometimes we don't even realize that..Or, I guess we just tend to forget that he is in control...Many of you know that Ian has been struggling with school..Reading comprehension to be exact...He just doesn't enjoy reading, and therefore it is difficult for him...Fifth grade has really been a challenge...He isn't failing or anything, just really struggling....We have been fervently praying for him for quite a few months now..I have shared my concerns with many of you...especially my "teacher friends"....Well, this is amazing to me...I voiced my concerns to Cade's pre-k teacher, who is a good friend of mine...she told us about one of the teacher's in the school, who tutors in reading comprehension. We have since talked with her, and she is going to be tutoring Ian 3 days a week after school, for an hour and a half....So, she and I have been emailing back and forth for the past couple of days...She is working on a plan so she can help Ian in the best possible way...This was part of the email that I recieved from her this morning....

"Amy (Cade's Pre-K teacher) explained that Ian has lots of prayers behind him. I will be contributing my prayers as well. If you aren't already doing so, pray for Ian's teachers to be able to figure out how to best help him. During a family health crisis, I was praying fervently for my mother. A dear friend reminded me that I needed to pray just as much for the doctor. I was reminded that, although God can instantly heal, He can heal through others as well. Have a most wonderful weekend! "

How great is our God!! He has placed a godly woman in our lives who is ALREADY praying for my son...I was in tears when I read the email this morning...So, I wasn't going to share about Ian and his learning "issues" in detail, because he doesn't want me to...but I had to share what My God is doing in Ian's life....We truly feel blessed...Will be sure to keep you updated on his progress....

From the Couch to the 5K

No, I am not crazy...this is a running plan...Ian and I have decided that we are going to run in the local "race" for FunFest (a local week long event for our area) this summer....It is in the middle of July...So we have started this running program...From the couch to the 5K...I started this last summer, and did really well for 2 months...and then I went on vacation...I ran 2 days while we were at the beach...and then it was down hill after that...This program is really a great one...I could tell such a difference in my stamina after we got to week 4 and 5 of the program...Is is easy? No...I am definately not a runner, but I am dedicated this time...Ian is a great "running buddy" because he could run forever...We carry our stop watch with us, and take off outside...and just run in our neighborhood....Good quality time for us, plus we are getting in some serious shape....I have been working out 4-5 days a week at the YMCA since December....Working out with weights and lots of cardio on the cross trainer....It is getting a little frustrating because I have only lost a total of 6 pounds(and I want to lose 40, yes, I need to lose that much!)....Ugh.....So, one of my friends that goes to the Y with me, was talking about changing up her workout...so I thought I might as well try it...So, I pulled out the old "running plan"...asked Ian to join in with me...and we have started our "training"...will keep you posted on how we are doing....Hopefully come July...We can post some pictures of us finishing this race...=) Here is our workout that we have been doing for week one....we do the following 3 times a week..

Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Be sure to check out the site, CoolRunning.com, it has the entire workout posted, week by week...Hope everyone has a great Friday....Worked last night...so, good night...

Cade is a Soccer Player

Today was Cade's very first soccer practice...He had so much fun...He is going to take after his brother, Ian when it comes to sports....100%!!!! He ran so hard and played awesome considering that he has never played an organized sport before....The coach asked me if he had ever played, and I told him "No, he knows nothing about the game except what he has seen while Ian and Macey have been playing..." Well, the practice continued and they scrimmaged the team practicing at the other end of the field...and who do you think scored the first goal? You guessed it...Cade Allen...the soccer player!!!! We were so proud of him....He was smiling from one ear to the other when he scored the goal...and the coach ran up and gave him five...He thought he was big stuff!!! and he was!!! The coach came up to James and I after practice and said, "He may have never played the game before, but he must have watched lots of games because he is GOOD!" and one of the other moms said, "He played awesome!" So we left our first practice, with Cade thinking he is going to be a super star soccer player.....and his parents felt the same way...It is hard for me to look at these pictures of my baby...I can't hardly believe that he is playing soccer....Time flies...Here are a few pictures from tonight..I think he is adorable...but I am a little partial...=) Loved this shot....I had my zoom lens on..He was across the field...loved how he is focused on what the coach is saying....He listened really well....
He was ready for the ball....it was coming down the field towards him....too cute....He is actually on the red team, but he wanted to wear Macey's old shirt to practice...so he did...We will get his red shirt this week....Let's head out to work...Have a good night...

"Y" and "Z" are for...

"Y" is for "yes, I am almost finished with the ABC challenge" I have enjoyed it, but I am ready to move on to bigger and better things...I thought about quitting, but decided I would finish it up...So "y" es, I am almost done...Yippee!!! Yahoo!! Yeah!!!

and because I am so glad that I am almost done...I am going to do 2 letters in one post....Here we go..."Z" is for.....Hmmm..nothing really sticks out here...so here is a few "z" words that came to mind...
zuchinni bread(my mom used to make this and it was yummy)
zebras
zorro(hero in a mask)
zero ( a really bad grade)
zechariah (books of the Bible)
zephaniah
Zeus( A Greek mythological character)
I think that is enough....of the z's...I am finished with the ABC challenge...finally...

"X" is for....

Here we are...the letter "X"..the reason I questioned starting this ABC challenge to begin with...But how convenient that my son, has started an asthma flare up, the night before my "X" challenge....The drug that we spend lots of money on...that helps him when he is struggling to breathe..... As Cade calls it, "his bweethin' tweetment"..none other than.....(your googled definition is to follow....I love google...can't help myself...I know that I knew nothing about asthma medications until Cade was diagnosed....so here you go...)

Xopenex-Xopenex is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.
Xopenex is used to treat reversible obstructive airway conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

There you have it...I have purchased xopenex in the form of a nebulizer, and boy have we went through the stuff...and now that Cade is older, we are using the inhaler....which he does very well with, btw....So, yes it is boring...but it is a word that begins with the letter "x"...It is probably a little more interesting that the post I was thinking about on Xavier Roberts...The man who signed my Cabbage Patch Kids bottoms......;)...maybe...

"W" is for....

"W" is for WHY MUST THREE CHILDREN ARGUE CONTINUOUSLY?????????? Seriously...I am not kidding here...My kids walked in the door from school, and it has been one never ending argument...

Things The Allen Children Argue about.......

• who gets to use the timer for reading...


• who gets to help Cade with his Backpack work (he is in preschool, and they love to help him...)


• who has to set the table


• who has to clear the table


• starting homework


• eating dinner, my youngest doesn't tolerate sitting through an entire dinner well....he whines


• who has to get water for the dog


• who has to get food for the cat


• who gets a snack after dinner


• who doesn't get a snack after dinner


• who has to take a bath first


• who has to sleep with Cade (he has no room for right now)


• who has to pick up the toys ( I think there is a toy fairy that just spreads toys all over the house and no one seems to know how they get there....)


• finishing homework


• playing ball in the house

I think you get the idea....Believe me, I could go on...but I will spare you....this time...

Ok, I seriously just got up and had to intervene in yet another argument....Can you believe it?

Mom-"Guys...you have to start getting along...Stop the fighting..."

Cade-" Macey did it...I didn't..."

Mom-"I don't care who did what, but if it doesn't stop, all 3 of you will be getting in some serious trouble...Do you understand?"

Macey-" Mommy, you just don't get it...We ARE brothers and sisters...WE FIGHT..."

Thanks Macey...How I would have made it through the evening without her 8 year old insight....I sometimes wonder where her vast knowledge comes from.....and then I look in the mirror...=)

Weekend Recap

This weekend was a busy one for me...James had to work a shut down, and I had to work Friday night...so I was left watching the children with no sleep to amount to anything...We celebrated with James family on Friday, James' mom's 63rd Birthday...

We went out with friends for dinner on Saturday night...and the food was so good...After eating at home all week, eating out has turned into a treat....and that it was...We ate at O'Charley's, and their potato soup is heavenly.....I love it....Yummy...After dinner, we went home and just put on our warm pj's and laid on the couch....When I opened my eyes, it was midnite....Can you believe it??? We were absolutely exhausted....so we carried all the kiddos to bed, and climbed in bed ourselves....

James was up and gone to work before we even woke up on Sunday morning....So I got up quietly and attempted to do a few things on my own before the children awoke....First on my list was coffee....with coconut creamer....We got ready and made it to church on time...which was good for me...considering I was doing it alone this morning....I was happy with that....I had already informed my children that we were eating at home today....and everyone was fine with that...For those of you who don't know, we are doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University...and one of the ways we are saving money...is NOT eating out very often....So the kids begged me to make egg sandwiches...that is funny because just 1 week ago, none of them had ever had an egg sandwich...So that is what we had for lunch, and animal crackers for dessert....and they were yummy....This afternoon, I played around on the Ultimate Blog Party, and then did some work on editing a few photo sessions that I am behind on...I should be finished with those in a couple of days, guys, I promise.....

Tonight at church, we had a business meeting for a proposed building plan...after the meeting, discussion, and vote...We are going to proceed with the Building process...That is so exciting...It was 92% which is phenomenal...I am so excited about what God is getting ready to do at our church....His hand is in this, and He is going to do great things....I know it....

After church, we had a Mexican Fiesta ( a social where everyone brought their fav Mexican dish) which was a big success...We got to try lots of yummy Mexican dishes...and had a great time with our friends....

After church, Daniel and Tina, good friends or ours, invited us over to play Domino's...I hadn't ever played before, but I had a great time...It was a really fun game, and I loved the company...Kevin and Christy were there too, and we laughed and laughed....There were lots of funny things about the game, but the funniest was Kevin trying to match the colors...(FYI-The purpose of the game is to match the NUMBER of dots....not the color...Too funny!! Love you Kevin!!! We really do!!) Before we realized it, it was 10 o'clock, and we had to head out...Kid's have school in the morning...Poohey...We will have to pick this game up another time, when we have more time....You guys may make a game player out of me after all!!!! Thanks Tina for inviting us!! We had a great time...Can't wait to do it again!!! Love you guys! Well, this has been lots of randomness...but I got all of my weekend festivities in one post....=) Yay, me! Well, eyes are crossing again...time to hit the sack...Good night...

"V" is for.....

I can't believe that I am almost through the alphabet...This ABC challenge has been fun...Well, "V" is a letter that I had to put some thought into..and I didn't come up with much...So, here is what came to my mind....James(myhusband) has been working alot of overtime lately...I say lately, but really for the past 2-3 years....I feel like I am by myself, with the kids often..to put it nicely....but this weekend has been extra difficult...James has had to work the weekend too...so I have been feeling sorry for myself, I guess...after working night shifts, no sleep, I think I am just a little emotional...moody...whatever you want to call it...so my letter "V" is ....

Are you ready?

This is creative (not).....

I am "V"ery tired....I am "V"ery ready for James to come home....I am "V"ery ready for "Vacation"!!!!!! Wow, if you had been sitting here next to me and my laptop-you would have observed the expression on my face!! I was, and I do say WAS going to let the letter "V" stand for Very...but as I was typing.....VACATION!!!!!!! starts with "V"...Yeah...I love a good vacation...but it must involve sand, surf, sun and lots of it....We are going to be visiting the coastal area 2 times this summer and I cannot wait!!! Tybee Island is one of the places we will be vacationing to...I love lighthouses, and we have never been to this one before...So should be fun...

But I still am "V"ery tired of all the overtime....I don't want to be a single mom....I miss you honey....

Beach Party

I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 minutes for Mom.....Considering it is freezing cold here in Tennessee....What better type of party to host than a BEACH Party!!!!! I am sitting here in my den, under my snowman blanket, freezing...and snow is falling outside....So, grab yourself a chair, and sit down and visit for a while...You can have the chair, because I think I am going to spread out the ole' beach towel and take in some rays...A girl can dream, can't she?My name is Cassie, and I am a happily married mother of three...We are a very busy family...running to ballgames, theatre practices, school functions, ect. all of the time....I married my high school sweetheart and we have been blessed by this crew that we are sharing our lives with...Thanks for stopping by my blog!! I have been blogging for almost a year now, I started to help my family keep up with the "going's on" of the Allen's...and it has turned into an obsession, therapy, and an ongoing list of many other things.....

I heart photography...my Nikon is my best friend...so be sure to check out my photography site also...Still Moments Photography....I am a Registered Nurse, with a small photography business on the side....Dreaming big...Hoping, one day, to quit the work force and only take pictures...But for now, I am doing both....=(

Thanks for stopping by my blog...Be sure to stay and visit a while...I look forward to meeting you....(for those of you who knew all of this 'stuff' about me, sorry...just ignore this post) Have a great day at the BEACH party!!!!

A Must Read....

I was brought to tears as I read the following blog...Audrey Caroline, Bring the Rain...It is a young mother's journey as she is facing a devastating diagnosis of her unborn child, and the faith that she has while facing this challenge....Her husband is Tim Smith, who sings with the group Selah...a phenomenal Christian group...Please remember this family in your prayers as the face such a difficult time...