Camera Dump

 my new favorite pic!

 coolest helmet ever.

 they were sooooo proud!

 visiting daddy at work. and no. it wasn't Halloween.

 silly Easter hat for preschool.

 sweet Hannah.

 Ms. Michelle's Silly Easter Hat.

 Egg Hunt at school.

 comparing loot.

 Easter Hat Parade.

 Sharing a bed at Grammie's. She was so excited.

 Hoppy Easter!

 I find the strangest things lying around the house.

 My kids play the weirdest games.

Chillin' in the carseat reading to Sadie. 

Quote from Lillian

"You're a pretty lady. Daddy always thinks that"-Lillian

:)

Lesson #7: Mush Warning

Ryan loves me. Crystal. Crystal Casey.

I'm hard on myself. I make mistakes and carry them with me. I even nicknamed myself "the messerupper". I felt I could do nothing right. The anxiety, fear, of failing was too much. How could Ryan love that? He's not a messerupper. He seems to get more things "right" than I do. It was overwhelming for me.

That's when God stepped in with Lesson #7.

I'm not a messerupper. I'm human. I make mistakes. I trip. I can't keep my car clean to save my life. I forget things. Lose things. Stuff mail in weird places. Burn bread.

I'm Crystal Casey. Wife. Mom. Daughter. Friend. And most importantly, a child of God who was created just as God saw fit.

He planned for me to marry Ryan Casey and become the mother of Hannah and Lillian Casey as a part of His plan.

I can't be perfect. It's hard for me not to give up or to just not try if I can't be perfect at something, but I'm not Jesus. I can't be perfect. No one can. My husband know that and I think I might know that too:)

Ryan loves me. Crystal. Crystal Casey.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

I just received word over the last 24 hours of the death of a friend's mother and the death of a friend's child. My heart is heavy.

But full...

added April 19: Lillian just walked in and saw this. She asked "why am I on your Facebook???"

How does she know Facebook???? LOL!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Lesson #6

I'm nice.

I was talking to this old man at Costco today and I thought, "Gee, I'm so nice". I've thought that in the past when I was "nice" and the thought always crossed my mind, "am I really? or am I fake nice?"

Being at home, I'm not always the "nicest" to Ryan or the girls, especially when my anxiety is rearing it's ugly head. I had no idea who I was. It was hard to see good in myself during these times.

Over the past few months of "self-discovery", I've realized something.

I AM a nice person.

:)

I have good qualities. One's the Lord gave me for a reason. I now strive to embrace and use those good qualities to show others His love.

I'm nice. Reeeaaaal nice Clark.

Thought I would share...

"Let me think about the people who I care about the most. And how when they fail, or disappoint me, I still love them, and I still give them chances, and I still see the best in them. Let me extend that generosity to myself." - zefrank

Lesson #5

Have a good day...ON PURPOSE!

It's hard for me to shake things off. It really is. I'm getting better at it, all thanks to Ryan. He used to tell me to "have a good day on purpose" and I would feel really offended. Like, do you think I'm going to have a BAD day on purpose???? I thought that in my head, but just smiled and waved him off to work.

The problem was, I think I was having bad days on purpose. Punishing myself maybe? Being the sad, frustrated stay at home mom? Who knows.

But now, I want to share with you this: Have a good day ON PURPOSE. Make it great. ON PURPOSE.

Lesson #4

I have a purpose. Purposes, perhaps.

I do. So do you:) Remembering that purpose isn't always easy. It's become easier recently.

I've lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Exciting. Why am I trying to loose weight? So I can feel and be my best for my kids, husband, friends....the world. I have a job. A mission of sorts. To grow closer to my Savior by being obedient and seeking Him and striving to lead others in the same direction. I can't do that if I'm feeling blah all the time and sick.

There are several steps I have been led to take lately on this journey. One is homeschooling. I will be homeschooling Hannah next year. Not for any religious of political statement. Just simply because God has really laid somethings on my heart regarding my children and Ryan. Family first. Homeschooling will set up a positive environment for my relationship with Hannah. I'm a teacher by trade, but I forgot somewhere along the way that I don't have to put teaching on hold. I agonized over "what a waste" my degree was since I knew I didn't want to go back into public schools. I've tried to think of ways to use my degree once both girls are in school.

I was thinking that it would be so great if Hannah had a teacher who could work with her and access her in ways that were positive for Hannah. Geared specifically towards her learning style.

Crickets.

Ummm....that's kinda, sorta, exactly what I went to school for. She isn't special needs, but who wouldn't thrive in a setting specifically set up for YOU?!?!?!?

SO, Hannah's teacher for next year is Mrs. Casey.

That's me.

A teacher.

My child's teacher.

The most important student I will ever have. (plus Lillian if I can find a way to get a "yellow bus" to bring her here for school).

Plus, that gives us some flexibility as a family. For example, we could "business travel" with Ryan!

I'm excited:)