"The Kids"

I thought I would post a few pics of our little ones..Chloe and Buddy. They have gotten so big...and maybe a little bit too big. But with those faces, we can hardly resist giving them basically anything they want......esp. treats. And yea...they know what that word means, even what it starts with, and the cupboard they are in. Smart cookies. Its been almost a year since we have adopted them:) And we love them more every day... they are "our kids" :D

Chloe sleeping

Buddy Relaxing.... Life is soo hard

A comfy place

Photos Galore!

I have been MIA...

I was talking to Mandy the other day, and we got to talking, when I finally realized how long its been since I've blogged. I really enjoy blogging, but have gotten too busy, that I haven't taken even 10 minutes out of my day or week to catch up on others happenings, let alone my own.

Where some of the days go...I have absolutely NO idea. The weekends, we just wont even go there. In the past couple of weeks, a lot has happened! First...my cousin Liz, got married to a great guy named Bobby. "Yes, he is a Bob..and he acts like a Bob too :)" She had a wonderful wedding, and everything worked out just fine. I have to say, she had one of theeee most awesome things at her wedding reception! A photo booth! YES! and it was AWESOME! The whole idea was really cool as well. You would go in and take your pictures, then they would print. Well instead of just a strip of 4, 8 photos would print. So you got to keep a copy, and the other copy went in a small photo book. Well..next to your photo you could write a message. Lets just say as the night went on, the pictures not only got more hilarious, but so did the messages. Random things kept popping up in the photo booth, like food, some stolen, but returned signs, random objects, and so on. We had a great time! My brother and I were entertained the whole night! Here are a "select" few from our photo shoots. Beware..they get a little sassy towards the end ;)

Our Family

Strike A Pose

The Bride and I

Hey...at least were a family that can act goofy around each other;)

Neighbors who are family

Bridesmaids & Good Times

Phil & I

I just got off the phone with my bff, Mandy. Where to start???......

Mandy is one of the most amazing, funny, and supportive friends a girl could ever ask for. We have always known each other since middle school, and high school. However, our college years would have never been the same with out each other. We grew tremendously close to one another, and hung out almost...almost every other day. She was my comedy hour when I needed one, my rock for my weak days, and my friend through everything. And now, she is expecting. I still feel like I am in a dream. That's right, she's pregnant! Mandy, my best girl, is going to be a MOM! I talked to her, and I love our open/random conversating are completely normal. I guess thats what makes us such good friends.

All I can say is how wonderful Mandy and Brett are going to be as parents. They are such a normal, loving couple that completely compliment each other. Like anyone of us, who are married, now what it takes to make your relationship work on some days. Life isn't always fair, and love will test your patience. But Mandy and Brett have always been there for each other. They have also been awesome role models for us. (Especially since they have been dating longer ;) ) I know that in my heart and mind, they will be the most loving parents any child hopes to have. As Mandy and I wrapped up our conversation tonight, we talked about all of the things we did through-out college. That made us scared just for a second for our children when they reach our age. As we talked, we thought about how hopepfully by the time our kids are 18-19, that they will be able to have a GPS chip implanted in them. I think it made us feel a little bit better :)

I still see Mandy and I doing the stupid, but hilarious things we did together when we were 19. But the truth is, times have changed, and it makes me think of the future. In the next 7 or so months, Mandy will become a mom.

And when her little one arrives in this world, we will all be waiting.

I can not express enough how much Mandy means to me, and how much I love her. I only hope that someday...............someday when Phil and I become parents as well, that our children will grow up together as Mandy and I have.

Music and Poetry

Well I made it through another year and another March 22. It's been 6 years without Dad, and I have to say that it hasn't gotten easier. Some days feel harder than others, some days are okay. But there is definitely not a day that goes by that he doesn't cross my mind. There have always been certain songs that make me either A. Cry my eyes out or B. Smile when it comes to memories of my Dad. Heres a short top 10 list of what can trigger a pile of an emotional Casey:)
No Particular Order...

1. Raise Me Up- Josh Groban
2. Forever Young-Rod Stewart
3. What I Cannot Change-LeAnn Rimes
4. Very Last Country Song-Sugarland
5. It's Not Suppose to Go Like That-Rascal Flatts
6. Who'd You Be Today-Kenny Chesney
7. Days Like This-Van Morrison
8. Fire and Rain-James Taylor
9.Wonderful World/Over the Rainbow-Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
10. Let It Be- Beatles

Sunshine

I love the fact that I am sitting here on our living room floor with the sliding door and windows open! okay, so it's not 70 degrees out, but there is sunshine outside, and that is all that matters :) Spring is just right around the corner. I just finished grading some papers, and completing report cards (what a task!). So this means that there are only 9 weeks left of school until the kids are out for the summer! 9 weeks folks! It seems like I just got in the classroom, and I feel like I am just getting settled in with knowing the kids. Time has gone by so fast! M y goal for these next 9 weeks is to do my very best, whether its a great day, or a challenging day. God hasn't given me anything yet that I haven't been able to handle.

On a side note...It was Phil's 27th birthday on March 10. We kept it low key, and had a few friends over to eat some dinner, hang out and chit chat, and play some board games/Wii. I had some help with my mom for baking his birthday cake. I was really trying to get everything done, but by the time school let out and I actually finished half of my work, it was 4. So thankfully I called my mom when school got out and told her that I was planning on baking Phil a cake, but was running short on time. Being the good and supportive mom she is, she baked a cake for me. Which helped me out A LOT! So I snuck it home and frosted and decorated it. Over all Phil had a pretty good birthday. He got a ton of cards from friends and family. Me on the other hand, being a bad wife, did not get him a card, and I felt absolutely horrible! I swear, I need to take a time management class! Either that of find a way to add 3 hours to each day.

Phil getting ready to blow out his candles *Friends* Birthday Boy ;)

Anyways, enough babbling....I've got to finish weekly progress reports. I am going to Aunt Mariannes tonight for dinner, and for some helpful advice on how to teach poetry using Lucy Caulkins ;)