Back

Ok so I know...I know... It's been a million years since my last blog. Things have been crazy around here! I have a laundry list full of blogs I have wanted to write and still will but finding the time to write with an on the move little man is just a ridiculous idea. I am however trying to make a small amount of time in my day for it.
Today at Mass was Father Brian's last Sunday Mass and he really got me thinking. He always does such a wonderful homily and today his last was no different.
If you don't set aside time for the important things in life...he said...your just to busy. I believe if you really want to do something you will find time. So not only am I going to try to find the time to blog at least twice a month but I am going to continue to make sure God always has a place in my day.
Father Brian has been such a blessing in our lives and has done so much for us I want to make sure to continue to make him proud. It was very hard to say good bye today but he said its not good bye but just see you later, so that's what I am going to stick with.
He is going to a parish in Kansas City so its not to far away and I know we will be visiting often.
I know many of you I probably lost when I started talking about faith but it is an important thing in my life. Everyone has to have it somewhere in their life's. I had never really been very good at faith until Dane and I started going to RCIA classes. I will tell you it changed my life. I feel so blessed to be so lucky to realize that it was missing. Dane and I are much more happy when we go to Mass. I know it sounds silly to you non believers but it makes my week feel like it has a purpose. People need something to believe in! I think writing this is just my way of saying see you later to Father Brian. I will miss him more than he knows and want to thank him for everything he has done for our family. He has forever changed our lives and we will never forget that.




-until our next adventure
cassandsully

The nest is full

The babies are coming along quite nicely.















I am a bit concerned that I only see 3 in this last picture. Dane says its because the 4th guy was a stud and flew off already. Haha. I hope he is right! They are nearly ready I think. The nest can't hold them much longer.

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Crazy bird people

Well these little eggs started my new neurotic behavior!
Sulliven loves birds so we have been doing a lot of bird watching these days. So when this nest appeared in one of our bushes we were more than delighted. Unfortunately it is the bush by our front door. So obviously I have become really crazy about staying off the porch and no one using our front door.
I have done research on how long it would take for them to hatch how much food they need and how cold they can get. All kinds of things.


They hatched a couple of days ago so now I am extra neurotic about it. We have a window in the Spare bedroom I can look out right at the nest. So I know when the mom is feeding and when she is out looking for food. If she takes to long or is away to long I worry! I also worry that something will happen to the babies.
The mom and dad take turns feeding through out the day. One comes and feeds the other goes to find more and this rotation continues for most of the day.
I don't let my husband even go close to the front door anymore or even step on the front porch.
It's been really cool to watch them grow but also very stressful for me.
Sulliven loves it though. He learned how to say nest and hatch. We also got some new bird feeders and a few new houses to put up. We are really going to turn into crazy bird watcher people. Haha!
Dane was not sure about all the feeders but he loves it to. He will say "any takers today?" And stand in the window and watch.
It's been so interesting to see what birds come and eat. Sulliven smiles and says bird bird bird. He loves it very much.
So I will deal with my new neurotic behavior and try not to let it develop into something more. Haha.


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Beach wave update

Well it's been about a week now and I am still really enjoying my hair.
I have been trying a lot of products for curls and have found that what I like to do is dry my hair with a defuser a little while and then put a little beach spray on. Dry a little more then just add bit of a curl gel and dry a little more.
The only bad part about it is the time it takes to do. I also feel like I do have to take the time and fix it because if I don't it is really straight.
You ladies with naturally curly hair I don't know how you do it. My hair is naturally very straight and I don't have to do anything to it. So this style is taking a little getting used to.
It's been a great experiment however from a work stand point.
I have really done some research on products and care for curly and permed hair. I also have a much better understanding for curly hair. So yeah for perms..... this week...... I may hate it next week!


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Bringing the perm... err beach wave back

So today I got a perm! Hahahaha. It's more like a beach wave. I really needed a bit of a change and this was it!


One of the gals at my salon did it for me. We used 3 sizes of rods maybe even 4 (all the larger sizes).
I am so excited for the next two days to go by so I can wash my hair and style it! I really hate not washing my hair.
I got a few new products to try so I will let you all know how I like them.


I would also love your feed back! What products do all of you curly girls use? What do you like and what do you dislike?

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Crazy

Lately I have just been feeling very overwhelmed with things. The day to day stuff that just sometimes creeps up on you and then drowns you.
Silly things like making sure all the plants are watered and the dishes are done. The things that are silly but that all add up to make one crazy mama.
We have been very busy with having fun and enjoying the little pleasures of life like going to the park and the aquarium that we got so caught up in the fun stuff we completely forget about reality. I wish most days that our reality included a maid.
I love nothing more than just cuddling with my little guy reading and giggling. So most days that's just what we do.
Life is to short to spend your day worried about how clean the house is. You can miss out on so many things. When you feel just crazy and start to get really overwhelmed just look around and try to see things in a more clear way. The house really is not that dirty it's just lived in and the laundry does not really need to get done because lots more clothes are in the closet waiting to be worn. So take a deep breath and enjoy life. Let the crazy happen and just go cuddle and read.


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Goin to Kansas City Kansas City here I come

Much needed fun time!



Fritz's eating some dinner watching the trains go by.



Sea life









Visiting uncle Seth and getting his teeth checked up.



Taking in the sites.



Playing with Ellie.



Aquarium round two.






Making new friends.



Just a little Trader Joes. Then headed home. That was our weekend in review.

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Make up bag

What's in my make up bag you ask...


These items are daily essentials. I do my make up in the morning (with foundation not pictured) and only bring these things with me in case I need to touch up. I never brush my hair with a brush only a large comb. It's just easier on your hair.
I also have two powders. One is a bit darker and I use it to shade only the areas that would get sun (I use it like a bronzer).
Bobby pins and a hair tie are also something any long haired girl knows you just have to have around just in case.
The lip stick I never put on. I have every intention to use it and I love the idea of lipstick I just hate how it looks on me. Insert the Vaseline lip balm. I can't live without the stuff!
I also just have to have wipes, nail clipers (they can double as scissors), tweezers and perfume. Staples of my make up bag.


Here is my bag. I have found that the Vera Bradley make up bags work so nicely. I just throw it in my purse. That way if make up spills it's in the bag not my purse ( It has a protective liner in it as well). I have gone through several only because I use them so much I break the zippers or I just need a change in pattern!
The last item in my bag is the eye brow brush. You have to keep those puppy's in line. Stragglers not welcome. I hate when eyebrows are all over the place.
Have a great night and don't forget to brush... Those eyebrows.

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

We are the lucky ones

Today my husband and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. We got married on St. Patty's Day of 2008. It was a day very similar to today. Kind of rainy dreary and a bit cold but such a beautiful day!
I am so blessed to be married to my best friend. He is the one I lean on and the father of my child. He is everything.
Today was just a reminder of everything that holds us together. We were so wanting that perfect day. Haha with us never a dull moment.
We started out really well, brunch with little babe and then a nice nap. Moving on to running errands and having a snack at Barnes and Noble. Dane always makes dinner on our anniversary so we also made a trip to the store for "supplies" as he called it. This is where our hopeful perfect day went south.... I lost one of my earrings. When we got home I realized it was gone. I even called the store to see if anyone had turned it in. No luck. Next Dane smoked up the house trying to heat the pan burning the butter in it. Then by mistake I put pumpkin spice season in the mashed potatoes instead of black pepper. Oh there is more. Dane was cooking the steaks in the oven (a food network recipe) and over did them a bit. We could not find our meat thermometer. Worst of all I went to make gravy after he got the pan out of the oven and I grabbed the handle. Ugggh burning my hand and my fingers.
I have to tell you even though it was not the evening we had planed on having it was ok because we were with each other. We just looked at each other and had to laugh. Thank god we ended it on a high note. One of our family friends had given us a bottle of champagne so we had a nice little toast and some fruit and chocolate.
Today as in a marriage days will sometimes be bad and sometimes be good. The most important this is that you get through it together. You fix the bad parts and end with a good one. Help each other and laugh with each other. Above all else love every moment that you get to spend with your loved ones. Sometimes it's work but it is worth the overtime. We are the lucky ones. I only hope that everyone just once can experience the love that I am lucky enough to have. My husband and my son are truly my greatest joys.


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Lately

Well lately we have been doing a lot of park days! It has been nice out lately. They say that it's going to snow Sunday so we are soaking up as much sun as we can.


The slide is probably a favorite.


Thank god for some warm weather. We were about to go stir crazy with the crazy Kansas weather.


I almost think dad had more fun than little babe.


Then a little refreshment was needed. Straight up apple juice for little babe. His first Starbucks drink in a long line of many I am sure. I love these two!


Soak-in up the sun!


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

What we have been eating

Lately I feel more and more like our days revolve around eating. We get up eat breakfast play eat lunch play nap and eat dinner (some snacking in between as well). It's just crazy.
Yesterday was our lazy Sunday and we started with brunch at Blue Moose.


Then we had a nap and then we had dinner. Pork roast with carrots, potatoes and green beans. Then lemon cake with lemon glaze.
My mom is such a great cook. She and my dad taught me that cooking is very important and fun! As is the whole dinning experience. I have been cooking since I was little.
I remember making dinner for my allowance. I printed out menus and I did a salad main dish and desert. I also did the waitressing. Then they paid me like a restaurant and a tip if I did really well. Haha. It was a great way to learn about cooking and money. It started my passion for food and trying new recipes.
Now as an adult I am very obsessed with good food and trying new things. I love the whole experience of cooking and eating.
So it does not surprise me that our days revolve around food. Today breakfast was toast and bananas. Then pork nachos for lunch. Dinner was soup and salad.


I love fruit in salads. I also really believe in making your own dressing. It is so much healthier.
My recipe is simple it is as follows
-a bit of olive oil
-white wine vinegar
-garlic
-Dijon mustard
-a little honey
-shallots
-a little fresh orange juice (optional) or lemon.
-pepper to taste
The soup was a yummy organic quick idea for dinner by pacific.


Little babe loved the soup. I dipped pieces of bread in it and he gobbled it up! I am so excited to share my love of cooking and eating with Sulliven. He already loves to eat. He is so good already at only 16 months at trying new things. He loves food and dipping sauces just like I do.
Cheers to you and your dinner. Hopefully you will try something new.

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

The big show

Well Willie Nelson you sure do put on a good show! Thanks for the memories and I would not have wanted little babes first concert to be anyone else. (I am however sad we did not get to shake your hand or get your autograph but we understand!)


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Willie on my mind

Tomorrows the day! I feel just like a little kid waiting for Christmas I am so excited. Little man and I even got shirts made for the show(dad did not want to participate in the matching shirt shenanigan).
As the excitement builds so do the nerves. It is little mans first concert... Will he take his nap? Will he like it? Ugh? All the mom worries to be worried. Hopefully the people around us won't mind a 16 month old dancing in the isles because I can guaranty he will not be sitting for two hours. I am crossing my fingers and praying for the best. Who knows what will happen all I do know is that we are going to see Willie Nelson and really that's all that's on my mind.


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Willie Nelson and I

So about 30 some years ago I saw Willie Nelson in concert. I believe it was at Silver Dollar City. I was really little maybe 2. I remember it vaguely. To this day however it was a monumental occasion. Not only was it my first concert but Willie Nelson himself shook my hand. My mom tells me that he and I had a moment. My love for Willie and good classic county music continues to this day. I love music in general, Willie however is the one who started it all.
So this coming week is another date I will forever remember. As will Sulliven I hope! Dane and I are taking him to see Willie Nelson in concert. It will be Sulliven's first concert and I could not be happier. He is about the same age I was when I first saw Willie. It is going to be a very proud moment in my life. I am beyond excited. I truly hope that Sulliven will be as excited to tell people who his first concert was just like how I feel. My only wish for the evening is that somehow I can get Willie to shake Sullivens hand too. That would make this story so much sweeter.
It will be ..... To be continued.....


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Read to me

One of my favorite things to do with little babe is to read with him. It gives me so much joy seeing him look at the pictures and now he even recognizes pictures and points to them. He will say dog and show me the dog. It's crazy how quickly it happens.
When we brought him home from the hospital he had a full library waiting for him. I love books (not a huge adult book reader but I could find hundreds of kids books I love) so every time I saw one that looked good when I was pregnant I had to get it. He also has a lot of family members who know how important reading is. Especially Grannys and Grammys. So needless to say he had his choice.
He and I have really got into a reading routine. He grabs a book he wants to read and he will bring it over to me and then I will grab him give him a big kiss and we start reading. He likes to sit right next to me or on my lap. It just depends. I love this time we have together. He is such a busy guy that when he does want to read (and be still and snuggling) I gladly read! He has his favorites as I am sure most little ones do but I actually really like his favorites too. It may be because they were the ones I read him the most when he was just a little babe. I am not sure.
It doesn't matter to me I just like to spend the time with him. Sometimes like in the picture above you need an extra friend to read to. That is Eiddith she likes to listen. We read to the dogs too!
When I do Sulliven's list of favorite things I will include his reading list.
Have a great night and don't forget to read a bedtime story to your little one or your dog or just to yourself.

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Snow day

Well today we did not do much of anything! We stayed in our pjs and took a nap around lunch time. The snow was coming down today until about then. Not much to do. We played and read books and hung out. It was nice to all be together.
We had chipotle for dinner which is Dane and little babes favorite. Then played some more. We really got nothing accomplished today and I am ok with that.


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

The Ned and Ted relocation project

Today Ned and Ted moved into a new home. It's been about a two day moving process. Lots of nail biting and water testing.
I have had Ned and Ted since before I even knew Dane. That is why this relocation project is so scary for me. I love them and I am hopeful that they will like the new home. The old home had become infested with snails and algae.



It was horrible. I could hardly tell where they were. Not a good fishie home at all. Thus started the relocation.
Lots of testing and water regulation had to be done for a smooth move.


As well as moving slowly into the new water. They had to hang out for 15 minutes in a bag in the new water to make sure not to shock them with temperature changes.


Then adding a little water to the bag every 5 minutes or so. I have been very careful to do everything I can to make it a safe move.
Now comes the hard part... the waiting. It's always very hard to do a fishie transfer. It's very stressful on them (and me) they have to be taken from one place by net to a bag then a net again then into unfamiliar territory. Very nerve wracking. They seem to be happy though. This is them in the new place. They are very close. They never leave each others side. They have been together now for more than 6 1/2 to 7 years. They have seen lots of fish come and go and have made it through so much like a power outage and a move (our new house move). They are a huge part of me. I know crazy right, but they are. I love all my babies!


Anyway ...New rocks, new water and new things to swim around. I just hope that they like it and all goes well tonight. I pray Ned and Ted made a healthy relocation. Please be thinking of us and send some good vibes to Ned and Ted.

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Blizzard, full tummys and happy hearts

This is a scene from today. The blizzard is over and the sun is out. We are staying warm inside together.
It is still so nice to have a snow day as an adult! I have had lots of quality time with my little babe and have been cooking a lot. I decided that today I would share our recipe for dinner.


Tonight I made crock pot chicken. So yummy and tender. I decided to put it on baked potatoes and then topped them with a little shredded cheese.



So simple to make here is the recipe
-two chicken breasts
-1 can of rotel
-1 can of black beans
- a little salsa of your choice

That is it! Put it in the crock pot together for 5 hours on low. When done you can eat it like that or put it on baked potatoes like we did. It would make a great filling for burritos or enchiladas as well.
Even though its cold outside our tummys are full and......the doctor called today and said the ol' ticker is healthy!!! He said I have a small abnormality but that lots of people have it and it is nothing to worry about. Now our tummys and our hearts are full!


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

The old ticker

So about two weeks ago my doc suggested that I needed a stress test. I had had a little scare about two months ago. So he scheduled it and I went. Reluctantly I went. I am not a big work out fan and the idea of running on a treadmill for any amount of time is not my idea of a good time. However I love my boys and I know I needed to do it.
Well I went and two days later my doc called me back...I thought he would tell me I was fine and I just needed to work out a little more. That's not what he said! He told me that it was abnormal and that I needed another test an echocardiogram.
So this Tuesday I went to the heart center and put on a gown got hooked up to a million wires and oh by the way with no sports bra because It would get in the way.
There I was full gown slit down the front and wires everywhere. The guy who was doing the echo came in and I laid down on the table (you have to lay on your side facing them and its kinda like a sono when your pregnant) he did the first part and then I was off to the treadmill.
Not before i made a dumb comment though. I told the guy...take your time ...I ment because I did not want to get on the treadmill... But I am afraid he thought I was getting fresh with him. Ughhhh! I felt like such a ding dong. I even said that I ment because I hated working out. Ugggh! Moving on.
After 11 grueling minutes I did the second echo portion. They rush you off the treadmill and onto the table where its boob out goop on. Yuck. That's the beauty of being a woman. It's just not convenient to an echo. Boobs tend to get in the way a bit.
Then I was done. Sent off to wait god knows how long to get results back. I will keep you posted but I am confident it's nothing a little Sulliven time can't help.


I love this boy!

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Weekend fun

Today as many of our days go (if not working) we can never figure out what were going to do or eat or anything that has to do with making a decision. We are pros at "what do you want?" "I don't know what do you want." "I don't know, you decide!" This goes on for more than a few rounds. Today however little babe and I decided on something fun to do. A new adventure! We decided to tackle the park by our house.
It turned out to be a wonderful decision. We made new friends ...dog and human. A lovely little girl and her papa and her pup max. Max came running up to us and Sulliven seemed more interested in him for awhile than park activities.
We went on the swings and played in the tire pieces (the play area is covered in recycled tire bits that act as mulch under the toys). Such a great way to use old tires. Very squishy and fun to walk on. Equally fun to sift through and play with. I recommend every play area gets this. So cool!



Then we decided to go down the slides. Oh man was that a great idea. Sulliven loved it! I asked him if he wanted to go again and he grabbed on to me and smiled a huge smile. He really liked it. If memory serves me right this was his first official park/slide adventure. First of many. We had tons of fun and when it gets warmer we will for sure be doing a lot of park adventures!


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

V-day

Happy V Day all from our family to yours!


No Dating! That is for a much later adventure.

-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Big boy bed

If any of you know me you know that Sulliven sleeps with us. Thats how we like it.
Lately he has been very restless at night though. So I got to thinking maybe he just needs a little of his own space. I made my husband move his baby bed into our room and convert it to a toddler bed of sorts. We cramed it up against our bed and are praying for the best! I love him sleeping with us it makes me feel good knowing he's close. Maybe this way he will have a little space if he wants it.



We tried nap in it and it went good. So I am hopeful we are on our way to more sleep soon. I will for sure keep you all posted! Wish us luck and sweet dreams to all.


-until our next adventure
cassandsully

Monday Funday

The wind blew us to Kansas City today for an adventure. The weather here has been so crazy. That's definitely Kansas for you though. Yesterday was so windy I did not even want to go outside. Today on the other hand ...beautiful.
Sort of over the river and through the woods we found ourselves going to visit Granny. We had such a nice visit.
We did some shopping and some eating. Oh the eating!



We ate at Kona the best place hands down to get sushi. (I had not had sushi for about 2 years because of pregnancy and what not) the last time we went to Kona I was very pregnant and as a matter of fact gave birth the next night.
(I did not have sushi that trip) it was also one for the books because little babe had sushi for the first time. He loved it! A very proud moment for a sushi loving mom and dad.


Monday funday also had new shoes in store for all of us today. Sulliven got two pairs! Thanks Granny. Little babe also got some great socks or yocks as he calls them and a fun book with Dino tails not actual stories but actual tails. Shiny ones, soft ones and all kinds of tails. He likes books of any kind but especially books with actions.
We had a ton of fun and I finally made it back to an H&M! The first trip to one was the Paris H&M. Love the deals hate the loud music. Haha I guess I am just getting old.
So in the words of Ice Cube (because i feel it only fitting) .....Today was a good day.


-until our next adventure
cassandsully