Aunts and Doggies!

Here are a few pictures from last weekend! Cassie LOVES my sister's dog, Simon. They both wait at this door, begging to be let 'outside'! Check out the little 'tennis' dress my parents bought her...it's a Polo!

Of course, Cassie's FAVORITE dog is our own Riley! Anytime she gets upset that we have to leave somewhere, I just remind her we need to go home to check on Riley. Then she sniffs her tears away and says, "o-tay".

Check out this picture of my Dad and his sister, Ann. Tim noticed how their eyes look identical! Cassie wasn't feeling too smiley at this point in the day (WAY past her bedtime) but she managed to give us a giggle.

Sleepy Girl

Seriously, Cassie has slept more than I ever thought she could sleep in one day! We've had a really busy weekend so I'm not surprised by her exhaustion.
My dad's sister, Ann, was in town visiting for just two days, so we really pushed Cassie to enjoy Ann to the fullest! Last night we had a family get-together so we didn't get back to our house until after 10pm. Cassie went right into her bed and slumbered peacefully (and silently) until 11am! Yes, 11am! We just kept watching the clock tick this morning, realizing we had missed church and sunday school, but wanting to give Cassie a chance to sleep as long as she needed to. After playing together and eating lunch, Cassie went to the stairs and said, "upstairs--sleepy" so up we went to take a nap. She slept from 2pm to 6:30pm. I know, I'll probably be up with her all night long, but my mommy instincts just told me to let her sleep. She's had a runny nose and the startings of a cough so I figured her little immune system needed the rest. I'm the same way-and so is my Mom-...we can sleep off a sickness. We'll see if it works for Cassie.

Here are a few pictures from Aunt Ann's first day in DC...we picked her up from the airport and went straight to my sister Beka's. Here's Cassie with her sunglasses and then walking to the park with her Mimi. Whenever my sister gets a chance to upload the pictures from her camera, I'll add some of those (hint hint, Boo!).

Wise Women Part 1

I have been REALLY avoiding blogging lately…it’s nothing personal, I just haven’t been sure how much to ‘share’ over the world-wide web so I haven’t shared anything! I’m super good about throwing the baby out with the bath water!
What better way to get back into the bloggy-world than to create a list of my favorite things at this moment in time!?!

Stuff Christians Like: I adore this website! Okay, maybe not adore since that’s an emotion that should be for God alone…but I really am enjoying this guy’s blog. In it he humorously looks at things that we Christians have in common…our tendencies, church trends, bad habits, clichés, hobbies, tv shows, etc. Not only is it funny, but it also has a lot of spiritual truth to it. Seriously, check it out! http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/

Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge: I’ve been dealing with lots of “stuff Christians don’t like”—sin, my own and others’—so, being the smart Kay that I am, I’ve resumed meeting with a very wise woman at church…Joanne. She suggested I read Captivating and--wow--was that just what I needed!?! I've been learning so much I can hardly contain myself! More to come on that since I've been rediscovering my "creative writing" side (Miss Reno would be so proud!) so I'm trying to work up the courage to share a few of my analogies.

Wise Women: Can I just give say that God is SOOOO good to have placed so many wise women in my path!?! Okay, let’s list the wise women who have planted in me over the years (attempting to list in chronological order):

My mom-the obvious, immeasurable and eternal investment

Debbie Cornelius-prayed for me in the womb at Ft. Leavenworth, invested in me through prayer and was my home away from home during college breaks and vacations!

Mrs. Guilford-again, prayed me through childhood (as my Mom’s prayer partner) and showered me with love, prayer and PACKAGES when I was in college!

Brenda Urice-deeply sowed God’s word into my heart as the leader of my very first Precept class-the book of Daniel, for teens. Her passion and love for the Lord was similar to what I saw in my Mom my whole life, but different enough to free me to pursue God without having to be exactly like Mom. I also kicked my high school eating disorder during this study…as God’s word went in, the lies went out and I was able to go to college 100% free of disordered eating (umm...what was it that Jesus said about a house swept clean getting 7 times worse when the dirt comes back? No condemnation-just an observation. Sigh).

Betty Williams-Wesley Foundation director during my college years. Because I was on council and then president at Wesley, we met weekly for 4 years. Wow. I had forgotten how MUCH she sewed into my heart! Truly, she’s one “mighty” woman—even though she’s about as petite as they come! Also, curiously, she’s an Army wife, just like my Mom, Debbie and Mrs. Guilford.

Marie Wheat—my Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill (hee, makes me sound like the elected Rep, instead of the LOWEST lass on the totem pole!)…VERY wise woman who was just barely 10 years older than me. She has been successful in her career because she held tight to her integrity and to the real application of her strong relationship with Christ. I still recall little bits of advice-both practical and philosophical- that she shared with me and Kirstie-we all sat close together and would chat while working hard for the taxpayers of South Carolina (lest you think we were goofing off!).

ICS Teachers--Ahhhh…this is hard to narrow down to ONE so I’m going to have to make a blanket category. I could specifically name the teachers whose words and faces are now flooding my memory, but then I’d camp here forever and you all would stop reading!

Jeanette Faris—it’s ‘her’ fault that I left the Hill to become a teacher! I taught Sunday school under her and then realized that teaching kids was my favorite part of life. I taught her son my first year and was constantly nourished in my soul by her encouragement and loving acceptance (she was also my room mom). Seriously, I learned more about being a TRUE person from her example and also gleaned some big marriage tips from watching her and Mark.

Kathy Young-where would I be without Gary and Kathy? Not married to Tim, that’s for sure! I met my husband at their Tuesday night Bible study and then sat “under their feet” for our marriage counseling. To this day, we are still under their umbrella as they are the teacher/leaders in our Sunday school. I admire this woman very much and aspire to ‘teach’ the way she does—with her life, authentically engaged on the journey toward Christ -likeness.

My Mom-in-law, Jayne—Sigh. Can I even put words into how Tim’s Mom has showered me with love and acceptance? I’ve been so flawed in the ways I’ve returned that love (probably more connected to the flawed ways I love my husband), but the great thing is the forgiveness is always there and we can move forward in our relationship/friendship! What a great example of the way God loves me!

Bookstore Babes-again, my early marriage mentors who got me through the beginning stages of life with Tim. Bonnie, Pam, Sheryl, Jan, Diann—SO much wisdom shared while we sold books! If I ever went back in time to relive a great experience, THAT’s where I’d go!

Well folks, my baby is up and requesting MY time (somewhat whine-ily) and investment in her life! I'd be very foolish indeed if I ignored her requests for my attention in order to continue writing about all the women who have blessed ME with their attention and wisdom. Thanks for reading!