President Holmes

So, about a week ago Casey called me and told me he got a call and we needed to meet with our Bishop the next day. On Sunday, which in this story is obviously the next day, we had a missionary farewell to go to. Following that, we went back to our church for the meeting. For those of you that have had the pleasure of being in on of these meetings you know what happened next. Might I also add, that one knows that one married a spiritual giant when they ask to speak to you alone first. Anyways, let's keep a little suspense for what's next shall we?

The following Sunday, Casey sat up with the Young Men to pass the sacrament. We don't have tons of little Priesthoods so they usually borrow the Young Men's Presidency.

Side story: Case walked up to sit with them and they didn't even let him sit on the end. The moved him right to the middle of the pack so they could all chat it up. They think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread {Bishop's words not mine, but he's not wrong.}

Anyways, there was much ruckus from those first two rows when they released the Young Men's President AND Casey as the Young Men's 2nd Counselor. Then those first two rows went cray cray pointing at Casey and JUMPING (quite literal jumping) off of the bench. For those of you not quite guessing the ending [or not reading the title, which would be embarrassing as the reader], Casey was then called to be the new Young Men's President.

I absolutely love Casey's interactions with the Young Men. He really is such a good example and I know he is perfect for his calling. It has been a change. We had just decided quite a few other life changes, but it's okay if the Master's programs and Ph. D's come later. We're going to go with the Lord's timing on this one.

Missionary Night

As noted, Casey is in the Young Men's Presidency. Tonight, they had a missionary night. They asked about ten people from the ward to set up a table to display their mission. Then everyone in the ward was invited to bring a friend and learn about the gospel. It was awesome, and I loved tagging along!

Casey served in the Russia Yekaterinburg mission. (Have I yet mentioned how much I love when he speaks in Russian? Swoon.) Some other missions included: Italy,  Detroit, Portugal,  Mexico, and Japan.

 

This is one of the hats he had displayed. Apparently, it's the kind one would wear to a party. (To which I add: a party at the palace with Anastasia!!?!) 

 

This was the tablescape. Case was in Russia when Preach My Gospel came out. Again, notice all the hats. We have MANY pictures of him on his mission wearing the fluffy one on the top right. The one on the top left is for special occassions. It still has the price tag on it. Apparently, our January wedding did not meet specialty requirements.

After, we went to Aloha Grindz to pick up some din. It was pretty good and we ran into a friend of mine from high school. Crazy! 

Such a fun night with my favorite fella. 

 

Lastly, this night gave me some amazing ideas for Casey's Christmas present!! I can't wait!

October Goals

Woot woot! A fresh month of goals! I am only doing fun ones! Those other months with their heartfelt, serious, self improvement goals were a SNORE! Let's have some fun!

1. Think of a kickin Halloween costume! Someone puh-lease have a party.
2. Order a million scrapbooking accessories on eBay, because let's be real "Winning" is fun. PS- They call it winning, yet it still costs money. < PPS- No one tell Casey I already completed this goal today>
3. Enjoy some GC with the main squeeze
4. Eat lots of candy! It's only Halloween once, don't waste it!
5. Plan {another} baby shower! This is my first one for a boy! Stoked!


Only 5, and I think they are all very attainable this month. I'm excited to report some success with this goal business. [ And how about a little positive feedback for having my goals up on the first day of the month!] 

Dear Casey

*He reads the blog, he just won't ever tell you about it.*

Last night, I think you were mildly annoyed and frustrated with me. It didn't matter. You still came home from scouts and made burgers on the grill as I had requested.

in the rain.

You didn't complain. You didn't even get mad when I burnt the French fries. {I forgot about them again when you went back outside. We just didn't tell you that part}

After dinner, you went downstairs to get some extra work done so you would be prepared for meetings this week. The whole time I have known you, you have never once complained about having to work late or do more.

Saying "I love you" doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for letting you pick me. You are by far the most amazing man I have ever met and you are more perfect for me than I ever realized someone could be.

Thank you for choosing me.

Love,
Wife

Primary Program Debut

At church, we had our primary program today. All the kids age 3-12 have been practicing songs for months (and the older kids years) to sing today in front of the whole ward. I am in charge of the 4 year olds. Since I am a convert to the church, I've never been in the program before so all week I've been inviting everyone to come to my debut. {Thanks Casey for being the only one to witness my debut} The program was the last hour and twenty minutes of church. So the first hour and forty minutes were spent practicing.  Some laughs and sweet thoughts are listed below.

- The sunbeams are all boys. During practice, they made guns with their hands and pretend shot things.
-soo many reminders "this is the chapel"
- 4 bathroom breaks!! Including one in the middle of the performance.  Awesome.
- one little boy had a CTR ring.. yeah, he got it stuck on his thumb.
-Each kid had a speaking part. My favorites were "I can take care of my body by eating healthy foods like broccoli." And "I can take care of my body by keeping it clean and getting my hair cut." Rock on boys.
-I, and 95% of the kids, do not know 'I am a child of God' in spanish.
- 4 year old boys cannot be left unattended in the bathroom.
-nore can they redress and tuck in their shirts. Whatevs. I let em look hard core with shirts untucked for the program.
-"teacher, does the bread come now?"
- I don't think my class sang most of the songs. Thats a lot to remember when you're 4.
- Afrer our speaking parts one little girl came back and exclaimed, "I get to go to preschool tomorrow." Yeah, I think the front 3 rows heard.

Anyways, they rocked it and are super cute kids. They just really need to stretch their bladders.

Wedding Day- Temple Pictures 01.17.13

 How cute is this guy? I sure love my dad.

 Sigh, cute red coat Mom.

 The Sisters!

 I sure love this tall fella

These are just a few of our favorites. I can't seem to get enough. I swear our whole house is decorated in wedding pictures!

Judge Away

As a wife, sister, daughter, director, student, CNA, decorator, cleaner I OFTEN feel inadequate. I think it's a woman thing. And might I just say how thankful I am for Casey. He tells me it's ridiculous. He reminds me to stop comparing myself to others. He reminds me it doesn't matter. And I'm so grateful that I'm finally catching on!

So, I'm going to be real-

○ I love visitors. It terrifies me when people don't call first. I definitely don't wear a bra after work and I think our house is a pig sty.
○love our dogs. Hate their hair. It's impossible to keep clean. Or at least for me. I judge myself when people come over.
○I sucked in college. I'll be real. Going back makes me sick to my stomach, because I am afraid of failure.
○Casey is crazy smart and we are talking about Masters programs. Intimidating.
○Casey makes more money then I do. By a lot. I once got called a gold digger. While I'm not, it still affects me at least weekly.
○I never finish my craft projects. The last one sat inside the front door for two weeks.
○I need to loose some weight. I just love food and coke so much. I feel like a blob when I see pictures of me.
○I am addicted to coke. (The liquid beverage, obvi)
○I had a few really bad years. I am so thankful I am no longer miserable. But man I wish I could get those years back.
○I only snowboard the bunny hills. I'm a slow learner.
○I wish I was better at my job.
○I miss being a CNA and want to keep my certificate current, but again I worry I don't have enough time to be good at it.
○I didn't do my visiting teaching from May to August.
○Teaching Primary is hard. Really hard.
○I don't go to the temple enough.
○I've made cookies for the neighbors once. It's about the same number of times I've made them in my life.

Okay, I've had enough. I feel so free. I only write this because it needed to come out. No one is perfect! I can't look at others lives and compare their accomplishments to where I feel mine are lacking. I work full time. My house probably isn't as clean as someone elses. My job is hard, we probably do eat out more than most families.  I'm freakin tired when I get home. But I'll get there. I'll get good at this wife stuff.

Then we'll have a baby. And life as we know it will change again.

Happy Wednesday.