Post-Choir Bacon

This year my brother, Hayden, and I are stretching our comfort zones by participating in our church's performance of Handel's Messiah. I'm really enjoying singing as a group, and the music is absolutely beautiful; but more than that, I'm REALLY enjoying the excuse to have some one-on-one time with Hay! The moments we get to spend together by ourselves have become few and far between, so it's soo refreshing to be able to talk to him and have him all to myself.

I happened to catch his grandd smile in action last summer;) I think he's a rather good-lookin' 16-year-old, yeah?;)

 While Hay is 19 months younger than I, these past few years, (as he's grown taller than me) I've started to see him as the "older brother I never had," to sound cliché. So Hay, just sayin', you're the best older brother ever, and I'm so blessed to have you. You know me better than pretty much anybody, and if it weren't for you, I don't know what I'd do:)

So. Back to choir.
Hay and I never have time for dinner beforehand, and tonight particularly I was craving bacon. Yup. (Mostly because there was a half-full pack of un-cooked bacon in the fridge that I had been eye-balling.)

So while Hayden crammed some late-night school reading,
I crammed bacon into the skillet. While we cooked, crammed and devoured, we discussed books (and decided that anyone who says they enjoyed reading Moby Dick has only read the kids version) and the possibility that bacon's addicting characteristics are a result of its natural MSG content (even though neither of us really understand MSG).

I also decided that I despise the thought of being average. Even now, when it is tempting to slack off on my school a bit and just waste the rest of my evening because I can afford to be a little less "on top of things" due to the height of my grades, I'm reminded how much I dislike people who have the "just get by" attitude. It really gets on my nerves when people waste the life God gave them by "just getting by." Why not work at it? Why not try? Why not shoot for success? Why not aim for the experience of victory? Those who fear failure, never taste success. And those who are too lazy to work, never reap the reward of having plenty.

All that said, I'm determined to live this life. To its fullest. Not to seek pleasure, not to perfect myself. But when someone gives you a gift, they love it when you use it to its fullest, when you enjoy it. This life is a gift God has given me, and I will enjoy it. I will not mope and moan about what I can't have, can't do, or can't understand; but I will seek to perfect the gifts and talents God has entrusted me with and to draw others closer to the amazing Man, the incredible Creator, whom I am growing to know.

Enough of that for now. Hay, I love you. Thank you for sharing late-night bacon and sweet, meaningless/full conversations with me. I've had some of the best times ever with you and I love watching you become a man who works hard and takes responsibility. You man up, and that's very admirable.
Goodnight all! ~C

Dinner

My motivation for making dinner came from two different sources. Since Mama's pregnant, she cannot stand the smell, sight or taste of meat (which I consider to be a necessity to my survival;). She doesn't get sick, but gets realll nauseous and tired in the afternoons.... still she's no slacker! She's been really good at still cooking for us, but I figured I'd give her a break.

And I figured I'd better start learnin' how to cook NOW, so my future husband doesn't have to suffer through many experiments, failures, and TV dinners one day;)

So, the experiment? Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken and Vegetables.
The result?

What I consider a successsss;)

This is after my fam attacked it;)

One of my litter brothers, Hudson (a.k.a, Huddy;) wanted some Casey time, so he helped with the salad. I'm pretty sure his love language is quality time, so it was great having some extra help AND knowing I'm filling my lil' bro's love tank at the same time.

He made sure he got his lettuce-slaying weapon in the picture;)

 All we did for the salad was chop lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots, add some sunflower seeds and a raisin mix, and finished her off with some feta and goat cheese! It was superb with Orange & Cranberry Vinagrette.

Wyatt helped too, but he didn't feel like smiling for a picture, haha;)

Was it my favorite meal ever? No. Kinda bland. But I'm super proud of myself for trying;) I told Mama that when I get married one day, I'm gonna have to re-learn cooking; this recipe alone I had to quadruple!! I'm going to be so used to feeding an entire army, that I'm gonna be cookin' a lot of leftovers until I get used to a family of two;)

I've decided I love family dinner times. There were so many smiles sitting around my table today, and it wasn't cuz the food was good. They were just all happy. It was lovely:)

Darby

Darby is the youngest, but won't be for long! So she's enjoying her last months of youngest-child pampering;)

Too loved!;)

She's such a cutiepie...

Do you know?

I came across this journal entry today where God spoke to me last summer. I'm so glad I wrote it down.
Be blessed.

July 7, 2011
Do you Know?
"Do you know how much I love you?
   I love you more than life itself. I gave up life for you. I threw it aside, just so you could be Mine.

  You know what else?
   I would trade heaven for you. In fact, I did. I gave up all of the treasures and pleasures of heaven, just to bring you near.

   You know what else?
   I gave up beauty for you. People hated to look at Me. They turned their faces from Me. I am the most beautiful, yet I became the ugliest man, just to be your Savior.

   You know what else?
   I went through pain for you. My pain was indescribable. The cross was dreadful. But not only that, every new blister on My sore feet was worth being with you for eternity. Every meal I went without eating, every day I walked, sweaty and tired and dirty, I was thinking of you and thinking of an eternity with you. And not just physically. Emotionally, too. I was rejected by every friend I had, and was beat by My own creation. I became like My creation, yet was shown no gratitude.

   That's how I love you, dearest.
   Not with a love that is expressed on a whim,
   nor a love that's based on the outside.
 
     No, I spent a lifetime in misery just to have you sit on My lap one day while I brush your hair. You bring Me so much pleasure.

     Every moment of pain was worth it.
     Every accusation was worth it.
     Every rejection was worth it.
     Because I'm proud of you and of what you've become.

   Your smile is brilliant and your eyes sparkle like none of the stars in My sky ever could. Besides, I'd much rather look into your eyes than stare at the salty abyss. I love your eyes. Painting their color was one of My happiest moments..."

For starters..

My one accomplishment for the day:)

I may have stayed in my pj's all day, but I finally finished my infinity scarf!!

Me

I am Casey. I have been described many ways, but the ways I like being labeled most are as 'one of them Heard kids,' 'the girl who only wears skirts,' and 'Josiah's Girl.';)

My family is large... and crazy.

My friend Bethany never fails to be there for me... in the heart-wrenching moments and in the laugh-so-hard-you-burn-50-calories moments.

Josiah Mark, the grandd guy I've been courting for nearly 4 months, is wonderful. And quite the dashing dapper dan;)

My friends are random and... weird. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

This blog has been created (finally) to encourage me to encourage others, especially my girls who need an older sister to go before them and be the "tail lights" for them to follow. I pray I do well at this, but I'm learning that I also don't have to be perfect. God's grace will be there when I am not, and I'm constantly forgetting this.
As for other things, I'm a senior who is thankful she's not being "pushed out of the nest" and is looking forward to these next years at home, learning to live and be myself and follow my Jesus. Photo-takin', piano-playin' & song-writin' are a few of the things I like most, along with leading worship for my youth group.

This will record my adventures; the smiles, laughter, potholes and all. My prayer is that it will encourage, challenge and build up all that read what I post:)