Summer has begun!

It's June 1st & school has been out for 5 days. I have one question...how long til school starts back?!?! My kids are driving me crazy & it's only been 5 days! The constant fighting & bickering. Not to mention the tattle tallying & beating up on each other! Oh man, I hope they make it til August! Something that is really not helping is the fact that we are having rain every day. And we never know when it might "pop" up. Normally I can take them next door to my in-laws & they will swim for hours! It's divine because they never typically don't fight & are such good swimmers that I can lay on a float relaxing while still keeping a close eye on them! But no...summer showers are not helping the Momma out!!! I do see some light at the end of this week though. Knowing the GD will be home Thursday night & then we will be having VBS all next week! Yippee things to do!!!!!!!

The only other exciting thing going on here is Drew will be having surgery on the 15th to have his tonsils & adenoids taken out. We have been battling a severe case of strep for 5 months now. He has been on 5 antibiotics since January & finally I had enough & took him to an ENT. Our pediatrician didn't want to send him until he had 10 cases but after 5, this Momma was D-O-N-E! So I made an appt with the ENT who did Sam's surgery 3 yrs ago, so I completely trust him. He agreed 10 was excessive & he's the one who feels like it's actually been 1 case of strep we can't get rid of rather than 5 separate cases. It makes a Momma feel good to know she is doing the right thing for her kids! So come June 15th we will be headed in & praying this will make all the difference in the world for Drew-Drew! I know it did for Sam, so we are praying for the same! I am sure I will update between now & then but we would definitely love the prayers! Thanks ladies!

~Cass

Whirlwind

That's the only word I can of to describe my last week...WHIRLWIND! Last Saturday Drew & I headed to FL for my Paw-Paw's heart surgery. We got in Saturday afternoon & that night had a big family dinner. It was so nice to get to see my cousins, aunt, etc! Sunday we decided to take Drew swimming since ya know FL in April is still 90 degrees plus...except on this day! There was a really strong wind that cooled the pool down big time. Of course that didn't stop Drew from swimming even with his teeth chattering, he had a blast!

Early Monday morning my Mom, Aunt, & myself headed to Gainesville where my Paw-Paw had his surgery. We met Mee-Mee & Paw-Paw at their hotel, had some prayer time & then headed to the hospital & waited. Then waited some more! Finally they took him back & after getting changed we got to go back & see him quickly before they took him back to surgery. I had managed to hold it together until I saw my Mee-Mee stop the nurses in the hallway to give Paw-Paw a kiss. After that I couldn't hardly stop crying. After a call to my hubby & my best friend I finally was able to compose myself & head back into the waiting room with my family. The nurses told us that the surgery would last between 2 1/2 hrs & 4 hrs. But to expect closer to 4. We passed the time grabbing a bite to eat in the cafeteria & then making small talk in the waiting room. When the doctor walked into the room after 2 1/2 hrs my heart dropped for about 5 seconds, & then the doctor smiled!!!! Telling us that everything went great!!! After he walked out all 4 of us without saying a word were bawling! And in the next breath we were praising the Lord for allowing Paw-Paw to make it through the surgery!!! After thanking the good Lord, we all were on our cell phones calling any & everyone! When we finally got to see him it was FANTASTIC! He looked so good, of course he was in & out of it for awhile but he looked soooooo good! After they got him moved into a room my Mom & I headed back to pick up Drew (who got to hang out with his Aunt Erin & Aunt Jennifer for the day at Sea World!)

Tuesday morning we headed back to Gainesville to spend the day with the family. It was such a good day until my Aunt & I were headed back home & I got a phone call from Aunt Missy (one of my best friends who was keeping him Tuesday) saying Drew was throwing up! LOVELY!!! After driving an hr & half, dropping off my aunt, picking up my Dad & then Drew we were headed to a pediatric walk in clinic. My poor baby had strep! He got a shot for the nausea, which of course he hated) & then we picked up this antibiotic. Finally made it back to my parents house around 10 pm. Drew was sacked out & we both slept until 9 am the next morning! It was great!

Wednesday we spent most of the day around the house keeping Drew from spreading anything, but you could tell he felt so much better! The rest of the week we spent with family & friends & it was wonderful! We headed back home on Saturday morning & it's good to be home!

A huge thank you to my friends Erin, Jenn, & Missy for keeping Drew for me, which allowed me to be at the hospital with my family! Also to my parents for helping me with Drew & for helping me drive back! And to my in-laws for taking care of my Sam-Man while I was away & Sheila for picking him up from school 2 1 day...hahaha, long story for another day! I couldn't have done any of this without all of your support! Love you dearly! And of course thank you to any of you that prayed for my family last week! The prayers were definitely felt!!!!! What a mighty God we serve!!!!!




****Oh & if anyone is wondering about Gracen's appt check out Lesley's blog here about their Birmingham trip!***

What is so important to keep me MIA?

Life...that's why I have been MIA...LIFE! I am telling you ladies I hardly have time to breath much let blog lately! With the GD gone at least 4 days a week it makes it really hard to get anything done. Between the boys keeping me busy & trying (unsuccessfully I might add) to keep the house clean...yeah let's just say it's a lot on me right now! That being said I thought I would give a quick update from this weekend!

Unfortunately the stomach virus struck our house this past weekend. Sam woke up Friday night/Saturday morning...throwing up! Isn't that lovely! Thankfully...mercifully my hubby was home! He stayed up with him off & on all night, & after only 5 hrs of being sick he was fine. He kept down some Gatorade then some crackers & then finally that night some soup. Saturday morning we got up & cleaned every surface we could! We should own stock in Lysol & Clorox after Saturday! (So far no one else has shown signs of having the bug, but I will wait a few more days before thinking we are in the clear!)

At the time though we figured we had already been exposed to it however we had friends coming up from FL to visit for the weekend! Yes I did warn them & yes they came anyway, taking their life in their own hands! :) Thankfully by Sunday Sam was fine & we took them bowling! This was the first time the boys have been bowling & they had so much fun! I can't wait to take them back when the GD can go with us! I took lots of pictures though to show him how they did. They both did really good actually, Momma on the other hand, not so much! I haven't bowled in at least 10 yrs & apparently it's not like riding a bike...you do forget! I did horrible! Yes I will admit it...I only beat my youngest by 1 point! And that was with bumpers!!!!! How sad is that! Thankfully that wasn't the point the point was just having fun & fun was definitely had by all!

I will try to get some pictures up at some point but to be honest right now I am exhausted! The kids are in bed & mine is calling my name! Besides I gotta go watch The Bachelor & see who he kicks off! (Please say Vienna, oh pleasssseeeee say Vienna!)
Night ladies!

Update from Surgery

Hi ladies a quick update from surgery!! Things went really well, the endometriosis hadn't spread to more organs thank-you-God!! My ovary was completely filled up with endometriosis, so we definitely made the right decision! I just got home from the hospital a few hrs ago & am still in pain & unable to find a comfortable position. But I am in MY bed!!!! I will try to update more when I feel better! Thank you for your prayers sweet bloggy land friends!

Whew! What an update!

Time for another update around our house. If you didn't see this post about S-Man starting back to school be sure to check it out. He is so cute & is loving school! I can't believe he is in 1st grade, it just doesn't seem possible. He loves his teacher & is so happy to go! You know it's a good thing & makes a Momma proud when the teacher tells you how smart your son is! Reading above a 1st grade level! Must be in genes! LOL!

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D-D is slowly adjusting to his "big bubba" being in school, he still walks around the house asking where he is & when we can go get him from school! It's so sweet & breaks my heart all at the same time. It feels good to be back in the swing of things & I know he will be fine once he is used to it. I am enjoying my last year at home with him, knowing we will try to put him in a preschool program next year! The time flies...

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Now on to me & the GD & the CRAZY next few months we have...okay really it's just me but it involves him! This weekend I have a bridal shower for a friend of mine's daughter on Saturday. Plus my Mom & Dad will be here for a couple days after they traveled to West Virginia for my Dad's 50th reunion!

Then September 12th it is finally time for our cruise!!!!! I can't wait, we booked this back in Feb so it was hard to get real excited back then. Now it's just around the corner & we can't wait! The GD & I have only spent 2 nights away together since we were married, including our honeymoon! We got married on a Sat & moved here on that Monday so we had a really quick honeymoon. So needless to say we are over the moon excited to have 4 night & 5 days of just us...oh yeah & my bff Sheila & her husband! Come on it's fun to have a girlfriend to do stuff with too!

We come home from our cruise Thursday the 17th & the following Friday the 25th I will be having a total hysterectomy! (If your new here & if you care...you can check this post out about some of the issues I have!) As much as I hated to wait that long I didn't want to ruin our cruise or not be able to go! Right now I am hoping I will be feeling good that week! My cyst definitely seem to be cycling, right now I don't have a problem as much with them. But I figure by the end of next week I will probably be hurting again if it follows the same pattern it usually does! We are hoping & praying that the surgery will go smoothly. That recovery will be as painless as possible & that this will finally take care of all of my issues! Please Lord Jesus!

October brings more showers for the wedding I am a bridesmaid in come November. Along with the baby shower for my bff Sheila's baby girl, Ansleigh Grace! And then before we know it, it's Christmas & Ansleigh will be here! I am so excited for her to get here!

With all of this going on & more importantly with my surgery we have decided to push back starting the process of adoption until after the new year! The adoption classes were set to start on September 17th (the same day we get back from the cruise) & continue on for 10 wks. As much as we are wanting to get the process started we just don't know what my recovery time will be like! We can't wait to bring our baby girl home that God has chosen for us but we are trusting in God's timing knowing HIS will is perfect! He has our daughter picked our for us & I know she will come in HIS time!

Until then we still covet your prayers for the adoption & for surgery! Of course I will be updating more but this gives you a glimpse into what is happening right now & what is to come! I hope you all are having great weeks & while I may not know all of you, know you are prayed over everyday!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you & not to harm you. Plans to give you hope & a future!" Jer 29:11

Changes

What is it about summer that makes us so busy I don't have time to breathe let alone blog! Oh how I have missed you ladies! Our laptop is on the fritz so we set up the desktop because I was going through some serious withdrawal's not being able to check blogger & facebook! It's an addiction I tell you! So finally at almost midnight I am finding a few minutes to update you on our lives!
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The boys are doing great, S-Man's eye is finally healed up. And of course D-D never had a thing wrong with him, he just took out his big brother! I think I am in for many more ER visits with those 2!
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We are in the countdown for when S-man goes back to school! T-minus 3 weeks! He is so excited! We went & got all his school supplies the other night & he just can't wait! I can't wait to find out who his teacher is, a lot of his friends from last year have already heard, so I am hoping soon to hear! Don't want to be one of those mom's who calls & bugs the school but if I don't hear soon, that just may happen!
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My BFF Sheila found out she is having a little girl! I am so excited for her & can't wait to meet my new niece! Or should I say daughter in law, cause if we had it our way she would be getting hitched to one of my boys years from now! LOL!! I can dream right!
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Now on for some exciting news & changes for our family!!! After a lot of prayer & talking we have decided to start the process to adopt!!!!!! I can't tell you how excited this makes me! If you have been reading my blog for long then you know from these post, or this one that I have really struggled with our family size. Desperately desiring another baby but being unable to carry anymore myself. My dream has always been to adopt specifically from China, however the laws now are crazy ridiculous on who can adopt & all the MANY, MANY hoops you have to jump through. So one afternoon while doing my quiet time it hit me that there are a bunch of children right here in our "own backyard" that need homes too. The GD & I prayed long & hard about it & decided that this is the route we felt lead to go. Thankfully I have a friend of a friend that works for DHR in our area & I was able to talk to her for awhile & feel much more confident! I sent in our paper work this week & am just waiting to here if we are accepted or not. Then comes the 10 weeks of classes, plus a CPR training class, not to mention tons of more paperwork, & a home study. Then the waiting continues! We are hoping for a little girl younger than D-D as to not mess with the birth order we have now. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! One thing I am worried about is the waiting, I am not the most patient person, so I know this will be a learning experience for me!

Can I ask for you all to be praying for us? Pray for everything to go smooth if this is truly what God wants for us. Pray for the child that is meant to be ours. Pray for our family to adjust. Pray for peace! I am so excited to see God's plan in all of this!!!! For now that's where we are, but I will be updating more as time goes on! Thank you friends!!!!!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you & not to harm you. Plans to give you hope & a future!!!!" Jer 29:11

Update

I know I know I disappeared again! I am sorry, kinda... I have missed you guys but I have really enjoyed the time I have been spending with my family! We have been so busy & just loving on each other! The GD is at youth camp this week so I have been doing the single parent thing, which let me tell you ain't fun! I am very ready for him to be home tomorrow, as are the boys! Then we have a long weekend at home since the GD is off on Monday! I can't wait!

Last week one of my bff from FL (where I grew up) came up for a visit! It was so good to see her & spend time with her! Let me tell you she loves my boys so much like they are her own! (Which is really good considering she is second in line to get them should something happen to us!) We had a great time catching up & having some girl time! I wish she lived closer then we could really get into some trouble!! LOL!

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Talk about getting into some trouble, tomorrow is my bff Sheila's birthday as well as my Mom's birthday! Talk about good timing! I won't talk about how old my Mom will be but Sheila is hitting a big one this year the big 30!!! I am so not giving her a hard time because I will be there before too long!

Sheila is such an amazing friend, mother, wife, sister, daughter! I could talk about her for hours & what she means to me but I will just point you to this post I wrote a little about her! Happy Birthday She-She! We Love You!!!!!!!!!

And to my Momma, I wish we could be there for your birthday! Sorry we are apart but I hope you have a fabulous day & enjoy every second of it! Again I could go on & on about her & what she means to me but just read this post I wrote at Mothers Day for her! I love you so much! Happy Birthday Mom!

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Don't forget while celebrating this weekend that there is more to this day than fireworks & cookouts! Remember the freedoms we have thanks to the men & women who fight for us! No matter your political views remember the soldiers & their families! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do!!!!!

Busy, Busy, Busyx2

What a busy few weeks we have had & it's only the beginning! We had a great vacation to visit family & friends in FL as I am sure you all saw some of the pics in this post. We got back late Sunday night & the next day the boys headed off to VBS at the GD's parents church. They loved it & it gave the Momma a time-out! Oh how wonderful that was! This week has been pretty low key thankfully because next week will be spent at our churches VBS! The boys are very excited about, the Momma not so much!

I enjoy it almost every year, but it's a lot of work & do you want to know the age I always work with? I am so glad you asked, ready? 7th & 8th graders!!!! Can you believe it! Yes I am a glutton for punishment! Every year I have had a great group of girls (which by the way the very first group of girls I had are seniors this year! SENIORS!!!!) until last year... Last year I some how ended up with a group of 6 or 7 boys, & I don't mean sweet boys I mean there-because-their-parents-made-them-hated-every-minute-made-my-life-not-fun boys!!! Yep those boys! I did have one boy, Jacob, that was so sweet & constantly helped me & tried to keep the other boys from acting they way they did! He is a sweetheart & over the last year he has stopped me multiple times at church to talk to me! In fact I saw him at church last night & he asked if I was helping again this year. When I told him of course, he said "Great, I am gonna be in your group!" To which I was so touched & thought was SO sweet! But can I tell you part of me was worried about who he would bring with him! Oh well, I know I will figure it out one way or another! I hope...I think...

Do you think I can put them in time-out?