3 Decades and A Smile

I guess I should give myself a post of my own to pin point my celebration of existence for 30 years.

On April 4th, 1983 a little Greek baby girl named Cassandra Marie was born :)
(in case you were wondering...that's me)

On April 4th, 2013, now a wife and a mother, that respectively still young woman is now 30 years old.  I'm sure this makes my parents feel much older than I do (Sorry mom and dad!).  But yes, it's true.  I'm officially 30.

I never had any reserves about aging.  When I first met my husband, he had indirectly taught me how to look at things differently and more positively.  With his help, I've graciously accepted the simple truth that "it's-better-to-grow-older-than-to-die-younger" mindset.  Plus it's Only 30! 

Since we had discovered that we were expecting another baby on April 2, and we had plans to go out to dinner with family on April 6, or so I thought...Justin and I had talked about making an announcement to our close friends and family while we were out to eat.  Well unbeknownst  to me, the actual plan for Saturday April 6, was for me to go out to lunch with my girlfriends and come home to a Surprise Party with my close friends and family there waiting to celebrate with me!

After my girlfriends picked me up at home, we headed out to one of my favorite restaurants, Olive Garden, for lunch!  (No one knew the baby news yet)

Well...since it was my 30th birthday and I usually have at least a glass of wine when we get together and I only ordered water, I figured they would get suspicious.  Finally after everyone ordered and received their drinks, we did a group "Cheers!" to friendship and birthdays and in the midst of all that, I also blurted out "to New Additions!".  Everyone gasped in surprise and cheered as most of them got the insinuation right away.  :)

We headed back to my house (I drove since I have a vehicle that fits all 6 of us) and when I got to my road about 1/4 mile from my house, I saw a lot of people standing outside on the sidewalk on either side of the street.  I thought maybe someone was having a yard sale at first.  Then I saw people were holding signs!  Then I saw the signs all said something about me!!  It was the coolest thing ever to see a bunch of people I know and love holding up a sign that said something about me having a birthday or turning 30!

All of these pretty happy faces were lined up and down the street for me, along with many others!

A huge THANK YOU to my cousin-in-laws, Paige and Sasha, for doing all of these signs that I love so much!

 I was so excited seeing all of these signs as I passed that I probably honked the horn about 50 times within 100 yards!  I pulled in the driveway and just started hugging anyone I could grab! :)  My whole front lawn was filled with people I knew and loved!  It felt as wonderful and special as my wedding day; having so many people in one place because they love me.  Such a great feeling!  Thank You All!

 I walk into my house and it's filled with balloons with ribbon!  Everywhere!  I loved it!

I go into the dining room where I find a yummy looking cake!  (with purple trimmings of course)

Then I'm told there is one more surprise...

And my dad and step mom from New Jersey pop out of our basement door!  Hugs are flying again!

Crazy enough my daughter had slept through all of that commotion (and horn honking), so we woke her up from her nap and put her in her "announcement shirt" and let her walk around to get some reactions out of people.  :)

That day was so much fun, I didn't want it to end!  :)  It was a great way to bring in my 30's and I'm so blessed and lucky to have these people in my life!  A special big "thank you" to my hubby for planning all of this for me, even though we said we wouldn't do something big for my birthday because of funds, but he managed to find a way to make it happen for me anyway because he said I "deserved it".  Thank you, baby!

Love to you all!

Hello...Is It Me You're Looking For?

**This was written almost 2 months ago on 3/25/13...apparently I was asleep when I hit the SAVE button instead of the PUBLISH button...so here's a slight recap before I get to the actual newest post.**

Ever have that feeling that you're so far behind that you shouldn't even bother to try to catch up?  Well that's me with blogging...except, I DO want to catch up!  In the last month...technically two...almost three, I've been TERRIBLY bad at making blogging a priority as I have in the past.  Which also means I've totally NOT kept up with that part of my New Years Resolutions either....well here's why.

Life.

I won't say that I've been busy every day all day for the last month, but my priorities have changed a little.

Toddler.  Geesh, can this girl run!  Annaliese is very active, always on the go!  She is also very exploratory and independent.  It's hard to get everything that needs done in a day, especially with a husband that still gets daily headaches (sleep test is scheduled in May) and sometimes comes home from work and goes straight to bed.  Annaliese keeps me on my toes!  And boy is she headstrong!  If she can't figure something out the first time around, she throws herself down into a fit.  Wonder where she gets that from???  For those of you wondering, she actually gets that from both of her parents.  Poor kid!
Also on that note, Justin and I have decided that we are officially "TTC" again!  So stay tuned for an update on that when we're finally successful!

Money.  Since joining Scentsy in December, I am (to my surprise) doing really well with my Scentsy Business, and I am bringing in extra money (Shout out to my awesome customers and recruits!), but until I become even more established, I have been applying my tush off for other part time jobs.  I've had one interview so far and it seems pretty promising.  I have a few other prospects and Justin possibly has another job opportunity that will mean him traveling 2 hours each way Monday - Friday for at least a year until we would relocate closer to his job.  So we'll see what happens with that!  *Just thought I would put this out there - I am able to do an online party for you if you are interested.  A blogger friend is already making it happen!*  It's just hard to picture myself going back into the working field after being out of it for 2 1/2 wonderful years!  My goal for this year is to make Scentsy my primary income and be able to take my family on a vacation this summer/fall!

Parties.  My sweet maternal grandmother's 80th birthday happened, (February 18th, to be exact)!  My mom had been inviting family and friends from all over the country for months and the total head count as of now is about 120 people!  My grandma is one of eleven kids (HOLY MOLY...could you imagine???) and all of her siblings who don't reside in Heaven came up celebrate!  All of her daughters were there and all of her grand kids, and of course her only great grandchild, Annaliese!  Many of her cousins were there as well as many of her life long friends she has made over 80 years of life.  I cannot tell you how excited and happy I was/am for my grandma to have this day, this celebration of life!  We all had a blast at the party!

Birthdays.  Well more recently, there are more recent birthdays coming up.  My big 30th is April 4th and Justin's (a couple years graduated from 30) is April 18th.  For the last year, Like I mentioned before, I wanted to throw myself a big 30th birthday bash with an 80's theme!  Well unfortunately it looks like that won't be the case.  Trying to keep afloat on our bills (including the expensive cold season we're still in) we have not been able to save and extra money to make this happen.  I won't lie...I'm disappointed, but I've accepted it.  I know that my birthday will still be special in it's own way.  My girl friends have a nice lunch at Olive Garden planned for me on April 6th, and we have a family dinner planned for that evening at Dave and Jane's Crab Shack where I will be indulging in all-you-can-eat crabs!  *Please note: I will be in a complete food coma on this day*

Books.  I have made an attempt to read more like I wanted to this year and I have.  Going from zero reading to some reading is actually a feat, but it's happening at least!  Plus, just recently I have found an awesome website and app called GoodReads!  I'm sure most of you consistent readers out there already know of this site, but I found it to be my missing reader's link!  It's a place where you can make lists of what you have already read, what you want to read and what you are currently reading as well as have "friends" and read their reviews and get suggestions of books!  Go find me so we can be reading buddies! :)

So that has been my last few months in a nut shell.  I'm sorry it's taken me forever to write this post and that I haven't read many of your blog posts that I have missed.  It sometimes doesn't take a high rank on the priority list and I have somehow managed to not even make it appear on the list!  I'll try to keep on top of things!

I have lots of pictures to post and lots of other news to share, so I will be doing that here soon!  As always you can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  *please take note that I have changed my user names to CreatingCassie*

Love to you all...if you're still out there!

Countdown to Dancin' 30!

I must be crazy!

Who the heck counts down to their 30th birthday with joy?

ME!

In regards to any other decade mile marker...talk to me in 10 years.

But yes, 2013 has just begun and I am already counting down the days until April 4!

88 days!

A decade went by in the blink of an eye!  It's so strange to me how that happens.
My 20's have been great to me for the most part.  Early 20's (from what I remember) were fun.  I bought my first brand new car at age 22.  I met Justin when I was 23.  Even though that sounds so crazy and young to say, I knew I had found the man I was going to marry.  Then at age 25, after 2 1/2 years of dating, I got engaged.  After 1 1/2 years of planning, at age 27, I got married.  Five months later I got pregnant and at age 28, I became a mommy.  Here I am, a wife at age 29 with a 1 year old daughter.

For my 30th birthday, I want to have a big party!  Providing it's not in God's plan for us to get pregnant before hand, most likely on Saturday April 6th my closest friends and some family will get together to help welcome me into my 30's!

I would love nothing more to have a 1980's party!  80's music, neon colored wind pants, big bangs with a side pony tail, leg warmers, posters of old TV shows...the whole 9 yards!  I told Justin that if this doesn't happen with others planning it, I will plan it myself :)  Either way...it's gonna happen :)

Anyone who knows me, KNOWS that I LOVE to dance!  It's not a secret!  Where there's an open floor, I'm there!  Doesn't even have to include music!  I'm there!  Snapping my fingers and shuffling my feet ... singing do-i-ditty ditty-dum-ditty-do.  hehe!

I know that 100 times over I was blessed all 10 years of my 20's and I know for a fact that my 30's will be just as good to me.  This year is a new start to a new decade and a newER life full of endurance, determination and accomplishment!  I am ready for 2013!

Bring it on and let the countdown to 30 continue!  :)

1st Birthday Cake Smash Session

I've been saving this post for you to view after I posted Annaliese's 1st birthday post.  So now that I've got that down, here's some fun pictures of her playing in her first cake ever!

These pictures were taken by Double Shutter Photography, who also did our family pictures last month.

Annaliese and Her Pumpkin Party

I know many of you have been wondering where the heck I have been and where the heck are the party pictures from 3 weeks ago.  Oooops!

Well truth be told, the three of us have pretty much just passed around being sick.  Justin came home from work on Friday (Oct 12- before the party), saying that he was going to urgent care because he was pretty sure he had an ear infection.  Well he was right.  They sent him home with an ear drop antibiotic.  He was in bad pain the whole weekend, but was a trooper and still put on a happy face for his little girl's birthday party.  Then it was Annaliese who wasn't feeling well on the day of her own party.  Insert collective "awww" here.  She was teething (when are they NOT teething?!) and very congested.  No fever, just slightly miserable.  She was also a trooper and loved her party (and her cake!).  Then most recently I've not been feeling well.  I thought it was just really had allergies, which isn't uncommon at all for me, but when I started feeling worse, I went to the doctor and confirmed I had a sinus infection.  I've been on antibiotics since Monday and have been living on soup and hot tea.  Only since Thursday have I started to feel better enough to do dishes, laundry and actually put on make up (yeah it's been that bad).  

So that brings me to now.  I have missed blogging!  I have missed reading blogs, commenting on blogs, linking up with bloggers! ...I feel like I've missed SO MUCH lately.

I'm still working on getting some more pictures from the party from our guests, since Justin and I were pretty busy, needless to say.

So without further ado, here's some party pics!

Loved these invitations from Tiny Prints

Uncle Ashley and Aunt Jenn

 These kids did a really great job on painting their pumpkins!!  Justin and I were impressed!

My dad and step mom catered for us!  THANK YOU!

Yummy food!  Happy guests! :)

She was chasing me in the kitchen!  Having so much fun!

Ready to enjoy her pumpkin cake

Mommy helped her get past the icing

Yummy!!!

Being proper and using an eating utensil

Cake aftermath

Birthday girl with mom and dad

Awesome shoes made by Aunt Jenn!

Balloon Basketball

Evan, Emily and Adrian painting their pumpkins

A happy Baya

Baya painting her pumpkin

Sam helping Baya with her pumpkin

Emily and standing proud next to her pumpkin

Fawn helping Connor with his pumpkin

The gift table

1 Year Polka Dot Pumpkin T-Shirt made by Sweet Pea Ala Mode

Reading one of her many new books!

Showing Grandma her new book

Sorry these are a little out of order...I just want to get this post up!  :)

Annaliese had a great time at her party with all of her friends and most of her family! :)  She was able to get in a morning nap prior to the party which helped, but after her long day...she crashed in her MaMaw's arms.

Annaliese cuddling with MaMaw Elaine

Justin and I can't believe we have a one year old!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!