Magic #5

Our little angel turned FIVE on February 6th! We celebrated all weekend!

On Saturday we took Cassidy to IT'Z (a fun place with a pizza buffet and games) and had a good time watching a Tinkerbell movie in the Theater room while we ate our food. Then we adventured out and played games. It was so fun to play air hockey together.




Video of Cassidy and Daddy playing air hockey!



Then that evening I helped Cassidy get ready for her date. Her daddy took her to the "Daddy Daughter Dance" at the YMCA. They dressed up and Cassidy's eyes sparkled. I of course stayed home and had the chance to make Cassidy's birthday cake as they danced the night away. When the dance was over Derek called me and said to get ready because he and Cassidy were going to come pick me up for all of us to go out to Dairy Queen for ice cream. I had the chance to hear all about their date. Some of their favorites: the chicken dance, and the hokey pokey,...

We got home and it was time for the birthday girl to go to sleep. After Cassidy fell asleep Derek decorated her bedroom door with a painted sign that read: "Happy Birthday Cassidy!" and hung up balloons and ribbon. She was so surprised to find the door decor that next morning. It sure brought a smile to her face!


We got ready for church and Cassidy was asked to give her 2nd Primary talk at church. Her topic was...Heavenly Father has a plan for me. She made her parents proud. I love hearing her voice over the microphone. It's so sweet! The primary children sang Happy Birthday to her. Isabel (one of our babysitters) gave Cassidy a rice krispie treat and a rainbow necklace for her special day. When we got home we had Beef Stroganoff for dinner (one of Cassidy's favorites). We invited our extended family over for cake and ice cream. We had Uncle Bob, Auntie Marge, Aunt Barb, Aunt Erin, and cousins Lydia and Damien to celebrate with.

I found this Rainbow cake on the internet with 8 colored cake layers. Although I decided 7 cake layers was enough. Cassidy was SUPER EXCITED!! I loved making this cake for my little girl! I'm so glad I was able to pull it off.

Making a birthday wish...later she told us she wished for a baby brother or sister. Melted my heart!

Then she opened her presents...all she asked for was mini oreos and to go to IT'Z. But she ended up with so much more. She was introduced to Zuu Zuu pets. She loves her hamster, Kingston! She was also surprised with birthday phone calls, a package from Grammy, and cards in the mail from family and friends. I know she definitely felt loved. Thank you!!!!

Cousin Lydia

Auntie Marge

Uncle Bob

Auntie Marge, Aunt Barb, Aunt Erin, cousins Lydia & Damien

The next day I took cupcakes to preschool for her friends and she got to be sung to again. See what I mean about celebrating ALL Weekend! :)

WE SURE ADORE THIS FIVE YEAR OLD!!!!!

Handsome Hunk

I want to dedicate this post to my Handsome Hunk!

(Humors me when I ask him to pose for a picture :) )

Just a few reasons why I adore my husband!

1. I love when he takes me to the Temple
2. Says goodbye after our lunch date because he has to get back to work, but then turns around and makes his way back to us so he can spend more time with his girls even though he shouldn't
3. Offers guidance and advice
   
4. Explains in terms so I can understand. I love his Analogies!
5. A hard worker
6. A man true of his word
7. Very committed to me through hard times and very hard times
8. Adores his little girl and wants to make her smile
9. Gets younger every year
10. Sets goals and accomplishes them
    
11. Loves to play around and not worry about making a fool of himself
12. Still asks me to dance whether we're in the kitchen or living room
13. Takes out the trash
14. Interested in my needs and wants
15. Loves to be intimately connected :)
    
16. He brings out his sensitive side and blames it on allergies
17. Tries to find new ways to spend more time together, for example, starting a family business to have daddy home more
    
18. Always learning new things
19. Remembers all the important things with his amazing memory
20. He's my Best Friend
    

And the list goes on and on....

Random Picture

The other night I went into Cassidy's room to go check on her after we said goodnight. This is what I found. Where's Cassidy? She was under her comforter completely but it was so funny to see her doll placed so perfectly on her bed as if she was laying there staring up at me. I had to take a picture and had to show Cassidy the picture in the morning.

St. Jude's Fundraiser

First of all, thank you to all of you who graciously made a donation to St. Jude's. As a family we enjoyed participating in such an event to help raise money for children fighting cancer. We were able to raise $405 in just two days!

Next year, we will be ready to start sooner and reach a higher goal. The event took place in the Chapel Hills Mall. The walk came to 8 laps around the entire mall. Cassidy did pretty well. She walked and ran 4 laps out of the 8. The other laps she was content to be in her daddy's arms or in the stroller. There was a lot of people. It's so great to get involved and to do something so meaningful as a family.

Cassidy taking a break

Picture with the Water Girls. Always so eager to give us a cup of cold, refreshing, water when we needed it most.

We made it to the finish line wearing our new St. Jude's T-shirts

My 1st CTR Ring

On the first Sunday of January after church was over Cassidy came running to me and showed me her new prized possession...her very own CTR ring! CTR stands for "Choose the Right." And now she is no longer my little Sunbeam in the Sunbeam Sunday school class but now a CTR 5! She is growing too fast. She is so excited, especially since she always asks me to wear mine. And now she has her own. She's also excited that she and I now have matching CTR rings. What a cutie!

Thanksgiving

We stayed home in Colorado for Thanksgiving. We did have a visitor though...Spinx, our friend's Great Dane. We had a chance to watch her for a week. Her and Oakley (our dog) are great pals. And Cassidy really enjoys having Spinx over too.

On Thanksgiving morning Derek and I took Cassidy on a date to the movies to see the Disney movie: Tangled! We LOVED it! And for one reason or another I've already seen it 2 more times in the theaters. It makes me laugh and cry. I love the music, and Maximus (the horse) is pretty hilarious. You have to see it!

Then our friends the Dunbabin's invited us over for Turkey dinner. It was so YUMMY! We always have a great time. It was nice not to have to worry about a Turkey that day, although I ended up baking 2 Turkey's later on. One for our family, since Derek loves leftovers and one for our Ward Christmas party. I really don't mind it, it's actually pretty easy.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There are so many things to be grateful for!

Spinx our friends Great Dane

Movie Time

We know how to party with Sparkling Cider

Thanksgiving Feast

Cassidy's Sayings

Me: Can you stay 4 years old forever!
Cassidy: "Probably not, but I will ALWAYS be your little girl!"

I was feeling sad one day, and Cassidy kept telling me, "Mom, keep your chin up and be happy!" It really helped me to change my mood.

Daddy Finding a parking space Thanksgiving weekend at the mall and getting worried. Cassidy says, "Stay calm Daddy, it will all work out. "

Walking out of Indigo Sports Bar & Grill Restaurant and Cassidy says "Dad, if we lived at Indigo, you would be a HAPPY Man!" (Because we go there A Lot as a family and watch football together.)

Cassidy: "Mommy, Daddy's a HOT guy!"
Me: Giggled and just smiled
Cassidy: "He likes SPICY food!"
I Love her innocence, but I really think her Daddy's "HOT"!

Cassidy speaking to her daddy, "Do you want to play with me, Big Guy?"

As we were walking to the car to go to the gym:
Cassidy: "Mom, did you forget anything?"
Me: "No, I didn't forget anything. Thanks for asking."
Cassidy: "For real life?" (I obviously forget things quite often for my little girl to ask me)

Cassidy and I share a little game to show our love. Such as "I love you bigger than...(fill in the blank)____________!"
Some of our responses:
Me: "Bigger than all the stars in the sky!"
Cassidy: "Bigger than all the clouds in the sky!"
Me: "Bigger than all the grains of sand in a desert"
Cassidy: "Bigger than all the water on Earth!"
Me: "Bigger than all the pieces of grass in the parks!"
Cassidy: "Bigger than all the ceilings in all the houses in all the neighborhoods!"
She's getting very creative!

I love my Precious 4 year old!!! She is so much fun to talk to!

True Meaning of Christmas

Loved this video!!!

Adoption Fireside

Little Miracles

The Adoption Fireside was AMAZING! I wish everyone I know could have been there. Maybe next year. :) We had about 60-70 people.

I was so touched by the spirit that was there and felt so much love. Our speakers were INCREDIBLE. Each of their personal stories in regards to placing for adoption, being adopted, and adopting to have children, was so inspirational. The musical number that was shared made me cry many times (since I was there during practice too). The song is titled "I Gave You More".

It was great talking with people afterwards as the children enjoyed playing together on the stage. I'm so grateful to all of those who helped me make this possible. To carry out this task in only 2 1/2 weeks. It was meant to be.

I was touched by my friends who came for support as well. Adoption is such a HUGE part of my life I wanted to share it with everyone that I know. Maybe next year we'll have it in September before the holidays creep up on us so many more people can come, or at least earlier in the month of November. Maybe even my extended family members can be here too.

It was a special evening of understanding different perspectives of lives that have been touched through adoption. A birthmother's selfless love to want what's best for her baby, an adopted child that has been blessed by being a part of a family with a mother and father who can provide, and adoptive parents who's prayers have been answered to have children in their home.

Adoption is a huge part of God's plan. I love how the gospel of Jesus Christ plays a role in the miracles of adoption.

Some pictures I took after the fireside:

Display table of pictures, books, art, etc about adoption

Hot Chocolate/Apple Cider & Cookies, my friend Holly serving

November...National Adoption Month

This is an invitation to all of you! This Sunday come feel the spirit of love through adoption at this "Families Supporting Adoption" Fireside at the church. We have opened this evening to the community and to our family and friends. We will be listening to a panel of: A Birthmother, Adopted parents, and an Adoptee.

We will be able to listen to their experiences and their special story. We will also be fortunate to listen to a special musical number. After the program we can visit and enjoy some yummy refreshments. If you have any questions please let me know. I'm so excited this will be an amazing evening where we can all come together and enjoy the miracles of adoption. All you need to come is a heart. Which I know all of you do have. Hope to see you Sunday night.