An Unexpected Treasure

The most wonderful thing happened as my friends and I were celebrating Jess' birthday. We had been planning to go to the beach, but it was freezing outside! So instead, we were browsing the Farmers' Market when we saw an antiques shop that Jess had always wanted to go into. It's unique because there is a vintage/antique bridal boutique in the basement. And as we walked through those doors, our lives changed forevermore.

We were having fun looking at the usual antique store loot.

But as we descended into the basement we found vintage euphoria. And we could try it all on!!!!There were dresses lining the walls, some dating back to the 1800s. It was amazing (and I sang the word 'amazing' just now).

The sales girl was very personable. She knew we were not at all interested in buying, but she insisted that we try everything on that we loved. And we obliged. This is Mandi in a 1960s party dress.

We weren't sure what this was, but we found Jess wearing it.

This hair clip is everything Jess has ever dreamed of. For a mere $150, it could have been hers. I don't know why she didn't buy it.

Hanging on display was this wonderful find from the 60s. But in case you didn't know, it was made for me. The sales girl was very excited that someone finally tried it on. Again, I was happy to do her this favor.

We left.....leaving a little piece of our hearts there.

Well, to top it all off, we had my homemade beach cupcakes for what turned out to be Jess' not-so-beach-themed day. Vintage bridal shopping and cupcakes?! Life will never be the same again.

We're Just Simple Folk.

Last weekend, Gerrit and I celebrated our 2-year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long already! Without telling me beforehand, Gerrit planned a very fancy evening for us. (He told me not long after he made the plans because he can't keep a secret.) We dropped our things off at a swanky hotel downtown before heading out for dinner at Manny's Steakhouse.

The hotel was very modern and had lots of little surprises. This is the headboard before turning the lights on.

This is the headboard after turning the lights on.

After checking out our room, we realized that the jacuzzi tub and the T.V. above it didn't work. Our big-screen plasma T.V. wasn't working too well either. We had to call the front desk a few times, but they quickly put us in a new room.

Here we are heading out for dinner. I'm not in love with how I look here, but you get the idea.

This is our appetizer bacon! It was huge! It was a flavor experience like none I have ever had. The food came in ridiculous sizes. I'm pretty sure they hand out coupons for open-heart surgery when you walk out the door.

Basically, we enjoyed the luxury of the night, but we realized it just didn't suit us. It was good to get it out of our systems. So, the next night we went to a FREE fair with Adam and Maria. Instead of being surrounded by overly helpful waiters and steak,

we were with friends eating cheese curds...

...watching a cover band who had an awesome groupie who looked like a gypsy!

....enjoying the perfect summer evening weather.

...and really wanting to take this cow home.

We had a wonderful anniversary weekend. For next year though, instead of the 4-star fancy activities, I think we'll set up a tent in the living room and call it a night. We're just simple folk.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday and this is my small written gift to her. I know I can't fit all that is in my head, but here's an attempt to get the point across:

I knew God had given me a really good mom when...

...I was 4 and you sent the neighbor girl home for hitting me with a plastic bat. "Because no one hurts my little girl."

...You stopped dressing us in these outfits.


...I was 6 and you told me that I better pray that God take my temper away. That was good advice.

...I was 8 and you tucked me in and listened to all my little worries in the world.

...I call you now and you listen to all my little worries in the world.

...you'd be home after we got home for school ready to hear about our days.

...I was 14 and my friends told me they would rather talk to you about important things than their own parents. I knew I could talk to you about those things.

...you would get more nervous for all our plays and solos than we would.

...you were the pastor's wife who wore leopard print on Sunday morning. You break the mold!

...I realized that you sit and make time to be with God everyday.

...you did a million daily things for Dad, Carey, Courtney and I with too few "thank-yous" but didn't ever complain about it.

...I was in high school and you'd wake me up on a Saturday morning by yelling through my open window, "COME OUT AND PLAY WITH ME!" I woke up laughing!

...I was in college and would open my mailbox to find a letter from you. "Just because I love you."

...you were diagnosed with breast cancer and you were so brave. I know someday I could have cancer too, but I'm not scared because I saw how you trusted God and continue to do so.

...I realized that I don't mind "turning into my mother" because someday I want to be the kind of mom you are. You are a funny, funky, wonderful woman. I'm so blessed to have you, Mom, for many, many reasons. I love you so much.

Mandy's Wedding Extravaganza!

Last weekend, Mandy who is my former roommate, bed bunk neighbor, tears and laughter sharer, road trip partner, and dear friend got MARRIED! Between all the fun we had, I managed to snap a few pictures that ya'll might enjoy.

This is the lovely Bride at her Bacherlorette Party! She's simply radiant! I wanted her to wear this on her wedding day. She didn't. It was disappointing.

Some of the girls in full bowling gear. Socks were generously given by Jess, since we all forgot our own! We were the only ones bowling, so we danced, sang, and got terrible scores!

Pedicures the next morning. Wonderful! However, the owner (or just a very bossy employee) told me I needed my eyebrows waxed. I gave in. Then a different lady who actually did the waxing said I needed my lip waxed. You know, I understand the eyebrow thing. But for the record: I have thin, blond facial hair. But she kept saying, "It's bad...it's bad." How could I deny her the pleasure of ripping out my facial hair by the root? I couldn't. And you couldn't have either! Don't judge me!
Amy and Brittany (Bridesmaid and Personal Attendant) at the Rehearsal Dinner.
Jess recieving her Bridesmaid gift: a gorgeous necklace and set of earrings made by Jess and Rachel's sister, Mandi.
Blurry Gerrit and I at the Rehearsal Dinner. There was some weird lighting in there....oh, and our camera is terrible.
Our hair stylist for the wedding day, Rachel. She was such a trooper and did a great job!
Mandy getting her hair done by Cousin and Maid of Honor, Lynette.
The finished porduct! Obviously, she looked amazing. She was a wonderfully fun and calm bride.

Rachel and Mandy saying goodbye at the end of the reception. We were all a bit emotional.

Mandy and me saying goodbye. Okay, this is before the goodbye. But no one wants to see blotchy-faced, crying Cassie.

Congrats to you, Adam and Mandy. We couldn't be happier for you. You are amazing individuals and a wonderful couple. We'll be praying for your new life together!

If I Can Make it There, I'll Make it Anywhere

I had the wonderful privilege of helping my dear friend, Mandy move to New Jersey. She got married last weekend and her fiance (and our friend), Adam, lives and works there. The weekend before that, she needed help hauling all her loot across the country. So, after many long hours of chatting, munching on junk food, and listening to books on tape, we made it! Sadly, Adam had to work the day after we arrived, so he arranged for us to stay at a hotel in TIMES SQUARE! Mandy and I took as many tours as we could in our day and half there. The pictures below document some of the highlights of our tours of New York.

Can you imagine doing your yoga class in Times Square for the world to see?

Can you imagine this guy being your instructor???? Note the tiger print spandex!

Mandy and I on our ferry tour around Ellis Island.

Me and Lady Liberty!

The Lady herself. I took many pictures as we were approaching her until I realized that maybe I should actually look at her. Shortly after this picture, it started to rain, so we had to seek shelter.

The Empire State Building. I wanted to go to the observation deck, but it's about $50 and I didn't want to see it that bad.

Here's Mandy at our stop on our night tour. It was total downpour for most of the tour. We were soaking and in hysterical laughter for most of it.

How could you not laugh looking at this?

Our final stop and home for the weekend: Times Square. It is lit up and moving constantly! Everything you've heard is true!

A highlight of the trip was going to see the Today Show being filmed. We even got on camera for a couple seconds! And look: it's Matt Lauer....in the flesh!

Mandy and I with our Today show signs.

And for all the ladies out there who love to shop: Saks Fifth Avenue. Eat your heart out.

We had so much fun. I'm so glad I was able to spend this time with Mandy before she got married and moved. I'll never forget it. Thanks you Mandy and Adam for the amazing trip.
Coming Soon: Mandy's Wedding Extravaganza Blog

Camping!

With our friends, Adam and Maria, Gerrit and I went camping this weekend. Since we didn't leave until after work, we arrived at our campsite around 8 p.m. and got set up right away. It was our first time camping as a couple and I was curious to see how putting up the tent would go. I think setting up a tent really brings out a person's true colors. But yay! We made a good team (and I like our "colors").

When we finished setting up, we made a fire, which sparked a debate about which formation is best: Tepee or Log Cabin. I say Log Cabin all the way. Even as I write this, Gerrit is reading over my shoulder waiting for me to defame him. But alas, we both made successful fires using both formations.

After our fire, we went to bed. I had discovered earlier that I had forgotten to pack my sweatpants. I spent the night trying to find any warmth from Gerrit's frigid body. Is that a TMI? The next day, we got up from our freezing night of little sleep and made our way to the waterfall. Obviously, it was gorgeous!
Here we are! The happy campers!

Adam and Maria!
The boys found a cave.
There was a lookout on top of the cliff that we wanted to check out. We had to climb about a horrific amount of stairs to get there. We were all gasping for breath when we reached the top when along came a jogger who seemed completely unaffected by the stairs of death. She made several trips up and down and made us all feel very bad about ourselves.
Later that day, we wanted to take a swim. Once we got there we decieded against swimming because the beach looked like this: (those ARE dead fish, in case you were wondering)
Some other highlights from the trip were walking up a ridiculously steep hill to see the grave site of the first settlers in the area. Again, were gasping for breath wondering why we would do this to ourselves when along came the stair jogger! What was she on? Maria and I were also quite amused when we took a trip to the ladies restroom and found a woman with a blow dryer....and a curling iron!!!! Seriously?!
And here are our portraits from our second morning of camping! All looking very attractive, I might add.
Despite what you might think from the portraits, we all had a great time. We hope to do it again sometime. Who wants to come next time?

Lord Help My Little Broken Body

In the past week, I have been hit, punched, kicked in the shin and head, bit in the arm, scratched, had my hair pulled and been called R-rated words. Am I a UFC champion? No. Do I work with talking, exotic animals? No, no. As you may recall, I work at an elementary school with 5-10 year olds. I work in the EBD room (Emotional and Behavior Disorder Room), so violence can sometimes be an issue. But the closer we come to the end of the year, the more bruises I'm getting. I look like a battered woman and have to explain to people that Gerrit doesn't beat me!
I come home with new battle wounds and stories to go with them almost everyday.
Gerrit's reaction is, "Those little jerks. I'm sorry, babe. How can I make you feel better?"
My sister Courtney (in a high-pitched, disgusted voice), "WHAT?! Oh my gosh, Cass!"
My mom (with deep concern), "Well honey, how are you ever going to be pregnant someday with a job like that?"
I don't know, Mom. I just don't know. Surprisingly enough, I do love the kids and my job. But I'm praising the Lord Jesus that school is almost done. Amen.