You Go Girl!

And Now This is Happening Again...

Beautiful daughter number two is ready to graduate from high school. She is the bubbly in soda pop, the sparkle of a diamond, and sunshine on a cloudy day. This girl of mine is ready to step into the world and make it her own. 

 

And though it tugs a bit at my mama heart, there is a lot less anxiety this time around. I know that she might sleep under a different roof, but I will always be her mama. She will always know where home is.  

 

Oh how I love her. It is a blessing to be her mama.  I couldn't be more proud of you, Paige. 

And just like that...

another chickie of mine is spreading her wings.  

 

Paige will graduate from highschool this spring. I can't believe it. Before she leaves our home, we think it is important that she experience a little taste of this world and how she can impact it in a postivie way simply by being willing to serve. On Thursday, she and Kevin departed for Haiti.  They are there loving the people and working with Hope Alive Clinic. This is Kevin's second trip. He went with Hailey three years ago. This is the first time sweet Paige has gone. I know she will come back changed; her eyes will be opened, her heart will be softened, and her very being will be blessed.  I love how God's economy works...you can not bless without be blessed many times over. It's counterintuitive, but my life expereince has proven it's true.

Before they left, I made luggage tags in hopes that all would arrive safely. They left with six suitcases jammed with things to share...toys for orphans, blankets and onesies for wee ones, all the hardware for a swingset, a bunch of soccer balls, and whatever else that girl of mine collected.

I can't wait to welcome them home and hear their stories.

 

PS...The contact information on that business card is outdated and incorrect. Just saying.

PSS...I bet you thought this post was going to say: AND JUST LIKE THAT, JANUARY IS ALMOST OVER AND I HAVEN'T POSTED ONCE. Nope. Tricked you. :-)

Lord Have Mercy...

This is really happening. They all got their official driver's license yesterday. Lord have mercy. That's all I can say. Just Lord have mercy. 

(And, yes, the one in the middle is every bit as silly as she looks...and then some.)

Home...

from ten days in Mexico. So. Much. Fun.

Swimming...

Strolling...

Sipping...

Sailing...

Flying...

Snorkeling...

Goofing...

Loving...

Celebrating...

Life is good.

 

Pebble Pendants

I made each of my girls a little pebble pendant for Christmas. The stones I painted on were about the size of a nickel. I collected these perfect pebbles this past summer when we would boat on Flathead Lake out to Wild Horse Island. As the name suggests, the island has wild horses. Seven of them, to be exact. I've only seen them once. But when I did, I was so excited I nearly peed my pants lost my senses. I am off topic, but it seemed important to tell you about the wild horses. Back to the pebble pendants...

I looked with purpose for the little stones each time we visited the island. I was particular in my choices. I wanted them to be just the right shape and color with a flat surface for paint, not too big but not too small. When I found a most excellent pebble specimen, I tucked it in my pocket for elfing at a later date. It was fun to pull the stones out of their hiding spot and paint on them long after summer days on the lake were just a memory. The necklaces hold extra meaning for my girls since the lake is quite possibly our favorite-ist place in the whole wide world. I grew up in a house on the shores of Flathead. Both sets of the girls' grandparents still reside close to the lake. My children have spent countless hours playing in her waves, sleeping in a tent by her edge with sisters and cousins, jumping into her frigid goodness as soon as they could bear it, and basking in the sun that sparkles like diamonds off her surface. It is a magical spot. Someday I hope to live on her shores again. For now the girls have a piece of the lake to remind them of her goodness and all the good things this life holds. 

Edited to add: Yes. There is one pebble pendant missing. My college daughter took hers with her when she went back to school. She must like it. :-)

It Feels Funny...

to give this as a gift...

when you are doing a lot of this...

and this...

and this...

and this...

and this...

Oh, summer. I LOVE you. I know you are thinking of making  your exit, but NOT. QUITE. YET. Pleeeease...I need a little more time with you. K?

 

Cuckoo for Coco Fluff

Ga-Ga.

Over the Moon.

Head Over Heels. 

Cuckoo for Coco Puffs Fluff. 

Meet Olive. Such a distraction. We are in love.

Need a Ride?

As of Friday, this girl is a fully licensed driver. Not sure who's responsible for her fabbity hair up-do. Probably a sister. I thought she should wear it like this for her photo on her license. She didn't. It was all curly loveliness that day.

Safe travels, little Paige.

Hello. My Name Is...

Hello. My name is Cassie. I am wife to one. Mom to five. Friend to many. This is my You Go Girl blog. I like to write about my family and crafty things. What? You already know all this? Oh. Ok. I thought maybe introductions were in order since I have been so scarce in this space. Every day I think of something I would like to blog about, but it has been busy, busy, too busy around here...

My girl is graduated. Her birthday was celebrated.

Planters have been planted. Sprinklers repaired.

Games have been played.

Yellowstone was toured.

And, my kitchen is almost completely renovated.

Things seem to be returning to normal chaos around here so I've been partaking in some crafty goodness. Be back next week with something to show you. 

XOXO~

Cassie

I Will Wear a Smile...

Tomorrow Miss Hailey will

turn eighteen

AND

graduate from high school.

BUT

I will not cry.

INSTEAD 

I will wear a smile

AND

let my heart  soar

BECAUSE

My girl is equipped and ready

to live her

DREAMS!

(Okay. Maybe I will have just a teeny tiny lump in my throat. I am her mama, after all.)