Living the Dream

While discussing our mutual lag in blogging the other day, a friend pointed out to me that there were a few major things that have happened in my life this summer that I haven't blogged about. Okay, she didn't 'point it out' to me; the lack of blogging during this summer of change has been on my mind often. So, what are these big changes? What better way than a top ten list? It keeps it simple:

1. Darren quit his job buying lumber because they wanted him to move to Atlanta
2. Darren got a new job in the oil and gas business
3. Instead of Atlanta, WE MOVED TO WYOMING. Despite our undying love for the Wyoming Cowboys, we never thought we'd be back in the state.
4. We lived with Darren's parents for three months. This is another thing I never thought we'd do. Good thing I only 'thought' it and didn't vocalize that I'd never live with my in-laws. Thankfully, they were easy to live with. I'm such a lucky girl to have such easy going in-laws.
5. We sold our house in Greeley. Ten days and we were under contract, which solidified the fact that we were no longer welcome in Northern Colorado. Only kidding.
6. We ended up in Green River instead of Rock Springs. I only mention it because it was kind of a shock. We really tried living in Rock Springs. How cool would it be for the 'Water from Rocks' girl to live in 'Rock Springs'. Guess I'll have to settle for plain old water.
   

7. Big Miss turned 18 and now uses the 'I'm an adult so I can...' excuse for everything. I don't remember feeling that liberated when I turned 18. She also started her senior year.
   
   
8. Little Miss started first grade and has loved that her mother has abandoned the '70 degrees for flip flops' rule. Seriously, you have to take the opportunity to wear flip flops when you can out here. Who cares if it is barely 60 degrees -- the sun is shining!
   
   
9. We decided to build a house instead of buy an existing house. In the meantime we moved into a duplex. Nice to have our own space, but still rifling through our storage unit for the little things that make a house our home.
10. I realized I could be happy here. Change is always hard -- I miss my friends, I miss my house, I miss being close to my parents, and I miss Colorado. But there are friends to be found here, a house is just a house unless the people you love are with you, we are close to different parents and siblings now, and I've remembered how much I love Wyoming.

Now if there were only a close Sam's club and Target, I'd be set. Hope I haven't lost too many of you during my absence. It is good to be back.


Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

It's Friday, I'm in Love

It does feel good to get back, but I can tell my writing chops are a bit rusty. Creak! It is Friday, right? I have my days mixed up a bit. Anywho, today's Friday Five are things that have been occupying us in the last few months: blessings, many many blessings. Here's the list:

1. So yeah, the job. I started at the company four years ago when we first got the portfolio of projects, and I was there when the portfolio was handed off to another consultant. Looking back I can see how the opportunity and experience was exactly what our family needed. Knowing how hard it would be for me to let the job go, Heavenly Father helped make the decision fairly easy. Very interesting how Heavenly Father looks out for each of us. We are blessed.


2. We got a computer for Christmas and let Big Miss get a Facebook account. This may not seem like big news, but I am not on Facebook and I had some serious internal fear of having her out on the net for all to see. Earlier on, this fear manifested itself in some passive aggressive behavior. We don't need to go into that. Interestingly, Facebook has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Yes, she puts everything out there for people to see, but then everyone reports back to me. I don't think she realizes how many parents she has out there. Also, it helped remind me that she is a good kid.


3. We are remodeling our kitchen. It needed to be done, especially since everything is original to our 1984 house: the cupboards, the flooring, the appliances. Our tax refund is making it possible, which is a total blessing. We are doing everything ourselves so that helps the cost. Of course, that means it will take time. I think Darren thought I might need a project since I no longer have a job. Funny boy thinks I will suddenly have all this time. The cupboard clutter has slowly been driving me insane for years and was high on my list of things to do anyway, but is now on Darren's radar. There is a little sadness of remodeling the kitchen. I will miss the Lady Kenmore. Do they still make condiment doors?


4. Speaking of tax refunds, while we were preparing our taxes, we realized I had been contributing to Health Savings Plan at work. I vaguely remember signing up. Hidden money is always a happy thing. With my job ending, and my relatively good health, Darren decided I needed Lasik eye surgery. We researched it a lot and finally found a place that would work. Last Friday I had it done and Holy Cow it is awesome! The pain was not. I had to have the surface treatment, not the flap treatment so I was laying around with a cold wet cloth over my eyes for a few days and wearing sunglasses in the house. Still a blessing now that my vision is clearing and I can see better than I can ever remember seeing. Little Miss has tried all the soothing measures -- the cool washcloth and the sunglasses. She is awesome.


5. Best blessing of the last few months? My wonderful girls and loving husband. A home, food, and good health. What more can anyone ask for? Knock on wood. We are probably due for a trial right about now. Oh wait, Jacqui already moved to Austin... Doh!

I guess I had more the say than I thought. I hope you have a good weekend! Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

It's Friday, I'm in Love

Happy Friday! Remember me? Blond, 5'8", blue eyes, leggy? Not ringing a bell? Eh, it happens. We went on a wonderful 'Familymoon' to San Diego over Thanksgiving and I have yet to blog about it. Don't worry, I'll probably do a back post about it so you can avoid the 'vacation post'. So much fun, though. One of the highlights was going to the San Diego Zoo. Totally worth the hype, by the way. As I was looking through the pictures today I found myself empathizing with some of the animals, except, you know, about being in cages and having meals brought right to your door. Anyway, today's Friday Five is our life as animals. Here's the list:

1. Lazy as a Lion. Yeah, I've been lazy about posting. And Christmas shopping. And housework. And work work, come to think of it. In an unusual turn of events, Darren also took part in this laziness -- he had knee surgery the week after we got back from our trip and was laid up for the weekend. I can't show you him getting ready to go into surgery because he kept flashing me every time I tried to take a picture.
   
   
2. Grazing like a Gorilla. I totally admit that in the past I have turned a blind eye to any weight I've gained during the holidays. I don't ever feel like I over indulge, so any tightening of my jeans is entirely attributed to clothes shrinkage; however, because we began traveling before Thanksgiving and have been running from one activity to the next up until now, I feel like I've been steadily eating. And we haven't even hit Christmas. The madness must stop.
   
   
3. Proud as a Peacock. Big Miss finished finals with flying colors and we are very proud of her. It almost makes the sympathy stress we felt on her behalf worth it. Well, almost. I stress eat (see Grazing Gorilla above).
   
   
   
4. Cozy as a Koala. The weather has been beautiful in Northern Colorado this month. Unbelievably warm and very un-Christmasy. It is cold in the mornings but has been warming up to almost 70 on some days. Trying to convince Little Miss to wear socks is becoming a daily battle. At a few points during the last few weeks I considered letting her wear flip flops. I've always been a little curious to spend Christmas in Australia because it would be summer. I've now had a glimpse of how it might be...
   
   
   
5. Patient as a Panda. As always, life goes on and we are going along with it. This time of year makes me think of all that happened during the last year and hopeful that next year will be just as good; although, nothing will ever really top adopting the girls and getting sealed as a family. We can already see some changes on the horizon, but for now we'll be patient for our next adventures.
   
   
   

Happy Friday everyone! I just have to mention that all the zoo pictures were taken by Big Miss. One of the happiest perks I found with having a teenager was turning over vacation picture responsibilities. She was in photography class this year and took some beautiful pictures of our trip.

Anyway, Merry Christmas. That can't really be said enough.

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

Super Saturday

Saturday, October 9, 2010, was a wonderful, special day for the Casey family. We got sealed as a forever family in the Denver temple. Hooray!

I have so many thoughts and so many feelings from that day that are unfortunately too sacred for me to share in such a public forum. More something I will write down in my journal, you know.

But I will share some pictures from the day. I didn't take any pictures with my camera of the friends and family that came to the temple. Or the lovely, lovely luncheon at my mom's house my sisters put together for right after the sealing. Or the open house we hosted at our house that afternoon. I didn't want to be viewing the day from behind a lens -- I wanted to be there in the moment. That and we were physically and emotionally exhausted the rest of the day. We hugged so many people and smiled so much our cheeks hurt by the end of the night. We are still energized in the pictures my sister Robin took at the temple, so they turned out great. Since the temple was the whole point of the day anyway, I feel like these are the pictures that matter.

Big Miss

Little Miss

So many friends and family came to celebrate this special day with us -- some near, some far. Thanks for all those who traveled to come! Thankfully it was a good traveling weekend in Colorado. There were some great group and family pictures, but because of my policy I can't post them. If anyone who was there wants one, let me know and I'll send it.

Both sets of Grandparents

Jacqui made the girls' dresses

With the Halls (the girls lived with them before us) who drove down from Canada for this special day

Also, thank you to everyone who sent good wishes our way. On the way down to the temple Saturday morning I kept thinking of things that could go wrong, and all the ways Satan could have stopped this from happening. I know that all the prayers on our behalf that day made a difference and helped things go smoothly, people travel safe, and a family be sealed, welded, forever.

Even as I am riding on the spiritual high from last weekend, I realize the real work has begun. I am REALLY responsible for these two beautiful Daughters of Heavenly Father. Doh! Interestingly, in the last few days since we were sealed, I can feel a difference. Hard to explain, but very real. I am hoping it is a bit of that 'Mother's Patience' I so often see with other moms.

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

September 29, 2010

September 29, 2010 was a big day for the Caseys. Red letter. Happy. Scary. Sweat inducing. Emotional. Much anticipated. Nerve racking.


September 29, 2010 was the first day any of us had to testify in court. May all subsequent court appearances be so happy.


September 29, 2010 was the day Big Miss has been texting me for weeks with a count down.


September 29, 2010 was a day we'd been talking and preparing Little Miss for for months, but still found we couldn't entirely prepare her. Court can be a scary unknown for anyone.


September 29, 2010 was a day that family and friends sat behind us listening while we told the judge about this little family we have put together.


September 29, 2010 was a day we got to brag about the two beautiful, special, wonderful girls we've gotten to know.


September 29, 2010 was the day we got to tell the judge that we could support, protect, and teach Big Miss and Little Miss for the rest of their lives.


September 29, 2010 was the day the judge agreed.


September 29, 2010 was the day we got to hug Big Miss and Little Miss and know they are our daughters officially and not just in our hearts.


September 29, 2010 was the day Big Miss and Little Miss were adopted into the Casey Family.


September 29, 2010 was a day Darren and I had prayed for for almost nine years -- five years before we met Big Miss and four years before Little Miss was born.


September 29, 2010 was a day I was reminded how much Heavenly Father loves his children and hears their prayers.


September 29, 2010 was a brilliant day.

Thirty Years of Bean

Happy Birthday, Jacq! I thought since the main purpose of my blog is to make Jacqui laugh, that on this, her 30th birthday, I should dedicate an entire entry to her. Here are 30 things you should know about my little sister:

1. As the baby of the family Jacqui was spoiled. She totally admits it so I can say it without malice.


2. In high school Robin and I took a train to visit my brother at college in Idaho. My parents didn't want Jacqui to feel left out so they flew her with them to Florida. She went to Disney World and we had grody barbecue chicken on a train.


3. When Jacqui was little she crashed her Big Wheel at the bottom of the huge hill by our culdesac. Our neighbors found her and carried her home all bloody. She ended up getting stitches on her forehead.


4. About the same time she consistently nicked the other side of her forehead on the kitchen counters as she came running around the corners. With her two sided scabby forehead she looked like she was growing horns. We continued to point it out years after the scars healed.


5. Jacqui was born in Connecticut but we moved to Colorado when she was nine months. When she started talking she had a New Jersey accent: whautah (water), qwuartah (quarter).


6. In high school Jacqui was a freshman when I was a senior. We took two classes together: weight training and painting.


7. Fifteen years later Jacqui still brings up the fact that she almost failed painting because I made her tardy almost every day.


8. After I left for college, my parents taught Jacqui how to drive 'in case of emergency'. She was 14, maybe 15, but most certainly too young to have a permit.


9. My parents didn't fight Jacqui on clothing issues. She totally wore tank tops and sleeveless dresses throughout high school. I'm not jealous because I've never had the arms to go sleeveless and she totally did in high school.


10. Jacqui broke up with her high school boyfriend because he tried to french kiss her. Who know she'd end up liking it so much?


11. Jacqui likes to read. I know if Jacqui likes a book, I'll like it too. She is my favorite book suggester.


12. Jacqui likes to gossip about fictional characters, which is another reason I like to read the same books she reads.
    


13. Often times when I call and ask what she is doing, she says she is reading and resting.


14. I know I just said she is resting every time I call, but really Jacqui is always busy doing something. Usually she is doing something nice for someone. If she is resting I know it is because she really needs it.


15. Jacqui is a registered dietitian. If I get a disease that requires a special diet, she is the first one I'm calling.


16. Jacqui's kryptonite is potato chips. As an RD you'd think she'd know better, but kryptonite is kryptonite.


17. In college Jacqui took a sewing class and discovered she LOVED it. I think this surprised everyone because growing up the only time we heard our mom swear was while our mom was sewing. I guess we all figured it wasn't in our genes. She's really good.
    


18. Jacqui makes her family Halloween costumes every year. Last year she and Kraig were eggs and bacon. Jacqui was pregnant at the time and her belly was the yolk.


19. Jacqui almost got engaged before her mission. The guy was a real tool -- he totally mocked me about the foreign films I liked. Who does that? I'm glad she married Kraig.


20. Jacqui served in Ogden, Utah while she waited for her visa to come through for Venezuela.


21. Every night she was in Venezuela she would wash her feet before getting in bed. I've heard she still does this. I've tried it and it is really refreshing.


22. Kraig is a professional chef, but Jacqui is a really good cook, too. Just last week I called to chat and she mentioned whipping up a yummy Mango Skillet Chicken with rice for dinner. Yeah, that's right, just 'whipped it up'.
    
    
23. Jacqui can always make me laugh.


24. This one time when we were camping she wrote, 'Uncle Fuzzy smells' on our young nephew's magnadoodle and left it beside him in his stroller. I still giggle when I think about Jacqui going about her business trying not to laugh as we waited for Scotty to find the note.


25. Jacqui and Kraig are perfect for each other. I'd say the secret was both their sweet temperments, but I know how Jacqui can be in the morning. They balance each other well.


26. Jacqui is a fun mom to her three beautiful blond boys. She makes up her own words to songs and sings them to her boys. Her kids have begun making their own words up to songs, too. I witnessed this loudly the other day on the phone.


27. Jacqui found some dress up clothes at a garage sale recently and got them for Little Miss. Little Miss was over the moon.
    


28. Jacqui gave Big Miss's phone number to her home teacher (he's 16). They texted for 6 hours the first day and Big Miss has talked of very little else since. I'm fine with Jacqui setting Big Miss up with young men an hour and a half away.


29. Jacqui is a pretty forgiving person. There have been many times I've needed to have righteous indignation on her behalf because she's already moved past some one's slight or offense.


30. Jacqui is a strong, intelligent, wonderful woman and I'm so glad she is my sister.

Happy Birthday Bean! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

It's Friday, I'm in Love

I feel like this should be the Friday Ten instead of the Friday Five. I have so many thoughts swimming around in my head from our trips. I'll try to condense and make it interesting. Here's the list:

1. The girls and I drove to Utah two weekends ago to play with my sister Cory and her kiddos. We got in on the really good parties (both Connor and Paris had had important birthdays), we swam, we ate yummy food, played games, shopped, and generally had a great time. Thanks for everything, Cory.
   
   
2. Some things I learned while in Utah: how to successfully throw an 8-year-old birthday party, Darren has completely tainted Big Miss's view of BYU, The Creamery isn't as good as I remember (sorry all), I lived in the cutest house in Provo, Clue is still one of my favorite games, the new generation needs lessons on how to play Clue since Cory and I SCHOOLED THEM, and Big Miss and Little Miss are fun traveling companions.
   
   
   
3. While in Utah I went to IKEA with my BFF Christi. She was the perfect person to go with on my maiden voyage to this idealized shopping mecca. Unfortunately, our combined shopping/miser powers were not enough to stop me from buying two duvets, a cheese grater, and homemade Popsicle shells. That weekend I also totally crashed Christi's little brother's wedding reception. So fun to see Christi's parents and see the man her little imp of a brother grew up to be.

1. Last weekend we went to Green River to hang out with Darren's family. We were spoiled, and we loved every minute of it. We drove to the Vernal Temple to do baptisms, took walks by the river, helped make cookies (Autumn and Cathy got into a flour fight, but Cathy didn't want me to post her cute flour picture), and played at the spray park.
   
   
   
2. Another highlight of last weekend? Visiting Steve at the fire station. Seriously, I have some pretty cool brother-in-laws: fire fighter, deputy sheriff, pharmacist, accountant, mechanic, chef, army captain, and jack-of-all trades. Since we can all garden and are pretty handy, I think we could start a sustainable community. I didn't even mention what the girls in the family bring to the table. I know I'd be willing to drill water wells and help teach science. All we are missing is a doctor. I wonder what we'd call our community...
   

Have a great weekend. Enjoy the sun.

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

Practically Perfect in Every Way

For Christmas our family gave my brother Scott tickets to the production of Mary Poppins in Denver. We of course got ourselves some seats next to him so we could all go together. On Saturday we met Scott and my mom downtown at Maggiano's for dinner. After dinner we all walked to the theater. Walking to the theater helped get us moving after all the rich, yummy, carb filled food we ate -- and have been eating for the last three days because we had so many leftovers...

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the night.

Scott and Mom

I was pleasantly surprised by the play. They used many of the Disney songs, but there were a ton of new songs, too, and almost all of the Disney songs had been reworked. They did some amazing things with the stage.

I imagine this story was closer to the one in the book than the movie. At the end I realized it's really George Bank's story more than his kids's story. I think the movie touches on that a little, but compared to the play, the movie story is kind of watered down. Especially the mom's role. Maybe I need to go watch it again.

Darren and Little Miss

The girls

Me and Little Miss.

On our way to the theater we passed right by the big blue bear outside of the Colorado Convention center.

Little Miss needed to go touch it.

Before we went, Little Miss kept asking me if the people were real. I kept telling her yes, but realized the next day during a similar conversation (one in which she accused me of lying) she wanted to know if they were really Mary Poppins and Bert and Jane and Michael. We had a discussion about acting and playing a part. Then we discussed the stage, because that was a little confusing for her, too.

Overall though, they really kept the story moving so Little Miss never got bored. The dancing during 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' and 'Step in Time' (the chimney sweep's song) was amazing.

And I totally heard my mom singing during 'Let's go Fly a Kite'. Not that I blame her, that is one of my favorites, too.

It was a fun night, even if Scott's face doesn't say it.

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.

It's Friday, I'm in Love

HOLY MIDDLE OF OCTOBER BATMAN! Seriously, how did this happen? Just a bit ago we were hovering on the verge of October, Fall, and the holiday season. Now we are still facing the holidays, but October AND Fall are almost over. Yikes! I better get cracking. Of all the Friday Five's flitting around my brain, an update seemed the best way to get started again. Today's Friday Five is what's been shaking in October. Here's the list:

1. POW! The honeymoon is officially over. Oh boy is it over. This face says it all. Although 'honeymoon' sounds nice, now that I'm once again in 'reality' I ask myself who would want to live in the fuzzy honeymoon phase forever? I've found my way, my self, better in reality. Does that make sense?
   
   
2. ZAP! SPLAT! Trip to Texas where we were traveling for 23 hours and visiting for 18 hours. Despite how that sounds, it was a good trip. We saw family, gathered a few formal dresses, gave baptism talks, took family pictures, and saw a lot of the countryside. The girls travel so well -- I can't say enough about how good they are in the car. I didn't get many pictures, but we did get to see the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque. Little Miss has been telling everyone that the people in the cow balloon were in the 'gutters'. It makes me laugh every time.
   
   
3. ZOWIE! Big Miss had a choir concert. You know those people who are moving to the beat while they sing? That was Big Miss at her concert. It was so much fun to watch her enjoy and feel the music she made.
   
   
4. BAM! We raked leaves in an attempt to beat the snow this year. We didn't rake last year. Some chores are better with kids. And yes, Little Miss insisted on wearing her pirate eye patch throughout.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. CLANG! CRUNCH! Last but not least, getting ready for cold weather. We've had a great time buying gloves, hats and boots. We can't seem to get the glove size quite right for Little Miss, but I'm sure that will come.

This is definitely not a full list. I didn't get any pictures of the visit with Cory and the kids -- bowling, the football game, the etiquette dinner, or the haunted house. Let's just say, Big Miss is really glad to finally have kids her age to hang out with. Have a good weekend!

Keep smiling and remember to be happy.