TWENTY TWO SMACKAROOOS!

This is Cassie on the day of her birthday.

getting some auntie loving!

(i think it was one of those crazy hair days for you emmy

but your smile is beautiful!)

LOOK AT THOSE SMILES!

they are identical..... I can tell you two were cut from the same cloth!

same cheek bones , same chinny chin chin , same lips,  wow.

isn't God amazing.

He makes family members all look alike!

 just in case you ever get lost.

you can find your way back home!

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

22 years old!

did you notice the two 2's in the year 2012

must be a magical birthday year!

22 years old in 2012!

now you  I can always remember how old you are.

 thanks for helping your old and forgetful mom out!

I don't think I ever put that together before.

if I did.... I forgot :(

next year

23 in 2013

yes it is a light bulb moment!

this is the day we are actually CELEBRATING!

FEBRUARY 12

just a week late..... not too bad.

is it ever like that at your house???

EMERSON  helped me with the party decorations.

let me state that again....

I helped Emerson... she was in charge!

I was just the girl with the supplies!

SO....there were

hot pink and silver sparkles on the table

pink streamers down the center

we are not looking for a tablescaping award.....

 just a little PARTY atmosphere

and some extra love!

EVERYTHING is her idea...

i just smile and help.

The boy chairs got blue crepe paper TIES

the girl chairs got pink crepe paper BOWS

(going all out here with left over party supplies)

remember the year you felt like a

PRINCESS!

2006 prom

We  just wanted you to know

how much we all love you!

and not much has changed over the years.....

ONCE A PRINCESS

Always a

PRINCESS!

Four days after the party this is what is left..

an empty house with just  me and the dogs

your smile is still fresh in my mind ,

your laughter is missed  

and

2 pieces of the

 BEST  BIRTHDAY CHOCOLATE CAKE ever

crying out for me to eat them!

(recipe maybe later if you want it)

THREE  DAUGHTERS

and now a few boys later.....

it's a wild and crazy life

but it is a good life!

If I had to do it all over again,

 I guess I'd choose to birth girls again :) 

I've leaned on more than a few of

God's promises through the years.

I have just a few gray hairs.....

not sure if

#1 you gave them to me

or(perhaps and more likely)

#2 your older sisters

 may have had a slight role in that

or

#3 it is just cause I"M  older and wiser :)

I'm sure you are all thinking it has to be #3 

because you are all angels now!

today  it doesn't matter

my hair color update yesterday has got you covered :)

You are beautiful Cassie,

YOU ARE A BLESSING,

You are growing up,

and your mom still loves you!!

today I'm thanking God for the precious gift that you are.

have a wonderful year being 22!

xO

MOM

ps I forgot I had a little something else  for your birthday.

that is what happens when you buy it in DEC!

I'll be in the attic sewing if you need me :)

Happy Valentines Day!

SUCH A SWEET DAY TODAY .

Bryce and I went to a Sweetheart Supper last night put on by the youth at our church.

I'm not sure that there will be any

 "extra" gifts of love going on here today.

sometimes there are flowers and sometimes not,

 sometimes just extra hugs and kisses :)

I like cards but my husband thinks they are a waste of MONEY.

Have you heard of couples that just give each other

 the same card again year after year?

I think my husband would smile at the thought.

Tonight we will both go to bed 

 and tomorrow will be another day.  

It won't be Valentines day

but it will still be a day to love one another.

we can always work on that.

Last week I was sent A BIG REMINDER

to LOVE

  those whom God has gifted to me TODAY. 

sometimes the gifts are easy to recognize

MY HUSBAND

my children,

ARIANN, BILLY, EMERSON

AMY, BRANT, ADDILYN

CASSIE marie

Happy Valentines Day sweet children! 

I love you

sweet daughters and granddaughters :)

sometimes the gifts can't be seen unless

 I intentionally open my eyes to look for them.

Life is always in such a state of hurry .

I think I do ok loving my family

 but what about outside of that?

In my church family and in my community .

 God has been whispering ,

 there is time, make time ,

to reach out and love someone outside of your little family today.

This week try i am going to try and connect with someone.

and then next week do it again,

and again,

and again.

A little boy , 10 years old  from our church just found out last week that he has a brain tumor

If you are a prayer warrior, would you please pray for TJ and his family.

WE LOVE HIM DEARLY. 

He has been very brave.

He loves Jesus and knows he will go to heaven if he is not cured.

He is the oldest and he has 3 very sweet brothers. 

If you would want to pray for this family you can read more here

 http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tjgoemaat  

There has been such an outpouring of love for this family.

I called a friend today.

We made plans to go for lunch this week.

LOVE. 

we all need it!

I love you sweet Emerson!

you are a sweet treasure!

Happy valentines day!

xo 

LOVE of cousins

thank you God for the blessings you pour out daily.

you fill my heart.

I love you Addilyn Grace.  you are such a sugar pie.

Happy Valentines day.

xo

"i love you",

I am going to be working on that.

Janita

PS edit.......my husband sent me an e-mail on valentines day.

"would you, could you, be my valentine?"

how's that for loving :)

my response.... (another e-mail :)  )

YES,YES, YES.

we will be married 30 years this year

 and I think he has asked me the same question for 30 years

 cause he just like to say it.

 it makes me smile.