Gate Girls Night

Can I just say that we are so blessed with such an amazing ministry. The Gate is the best youth group around. AMEN.  This past weekend we had a much needed girls night for our youth gals. It has been obnoxiously long since we had a girls night. I used to plan them very frequently but have been a little pre-occupied with my babies and Tala. So once school got started, some of our leaders organized this much anticipated event. We went for girly colors: pink and purple! Our food was focused on this theme as well. We did low budget decor. It was an all day event of prep and baking. I was at church for over 12 hours while my other dedicated leaders were there 15 plus hours. HC (hardcore). love you all....

I mod podged scrap paper hearts on lunch bags for the girls to be able to load with candy and popcorn. We had our GGN in our youth room. cozy. intimate. fun. Our leaders crimped the paper to make wheels. Are they just not the cutest? I totally think it would be awesome to have in a nursery or kids room? cheap. fun. high on impact!

Here is a shot of the bags. I heart!

We bought the jars at target and Walmart. They will be used for many Gate events. Love myself a good big jar...the possibilities are endless.

The tissue paper flower balls are from at party supply store. They were hanging over the welcome table. We also blacked out the lobby with Christmas lights to have the entrance be more grand/intimate. I loved it. We lined the lights outside too.

We had a fun night planned for the ladies. We had fun music playing...the essentials...One Direction. some Biebs. Carrie Underwood. etc. The beginning of the night was social. One of our youth guys, Isaih led worship for us followed by Jenna speaking on --Being Desired by God. It was awesome. So often, we seek man's approval and attention when God longs for us to desire him. Especially, teen girls....it is so easy for them to get wrapped up in the drama of life and desiring attention from guys. parents. friends. sibs. etc. It is so easy for us to forgot God's love for us. It was a challenging word and real. Just what we needed. Here are some shots of my lovely ladies.

 Jenna sharing from her heart.

                                     

We had 40 girls come! It was the first girls night out of many to come. Can't wait to continue to do life with these fab. young women. People always talk to Andy and I about our ministry or their curiosity in working with teens. It is funny to us cuz it just comes natural for us. We love TEENS! They are a blast. They are REAL. They are passionate. They are loving. They let loose. It is a pleasure, a blessing and an honor to share life with them.

fun fact:  This is the infamous purple couch. love! Every week at the Gate we draw a name of a student that is VIP or (Big boy on campus) and they get to sit here with a friend of choice...winning at iTunes gift card.

my lil buddy came to say hi to me! I was away from her all day so it was a treat to see my little Zi Pie. love that kid!

After Jenna shared, We broke out into smaller groups to chat about what she shared. To dig deeper. to share. be transparent. It was great to connect and realize we are all in this together. 

                                             

After chatting in our small groups we hit up snacks round 2! We had hung balloons over the snacks. love the impact of lots of balloons. so fun. 

We had Panera goodness all over. yum-o. wafer cookies, cupcakes, pink Oreos! puppy chow. and pink almond bark pretzels with sprinkles. HEAVEN.

Zakiyah was the baby that got passed around from all my lovies. This is gangsta Elizabeth bonding with my babe. She flew out the following morning for NYC. We will and already miss her.

 Our lovely Davina working away in the kitchen. She rocks! One of my favorite people. The Gate wouldn't be the same without her! And aren't those flowers amazing!!! they are Flowers by Jerry. Love.  Our friends hooked us up with the beautiful arrangements. We appreciate you!

We had nail polish set up for some painting action. This is Noelle painting straight up leopard print on Nikki. So cool. Pinterest inspired projects were going on as well. We used old tee shirts for headbands and necklaces. so fun. love myself a creative night.

 Lizzy lovin Kiyah

My beautiful ladies. Hayley-Jenna-Zoe.

Tee Shirtin it.

So yah. What a night. So worth the long hours. Thanks to all who helped. We love you. The Gate couldn't make it without you. 

I thought I would share a couple random pix of what is going on at the Cass Casa. 

Last night, I headed down to Fagan Studios for a ART night with some friends. We started this a few years ago. It is a must for sanity and the creative juices to flow. We try and get together quarterly for the most part. Sometimes it is less or more. I made some pumpkin bread (Pinterest) for us ladies to enjoy.We come to paint. write. read. scrap. make jewelry. you name it, it happens.  I had the plan to paint two canvases for my 1/2 bath on the main floor in my house. So here is a preview! I will post pictures soon of them up in my home. I loved how they turned out. 

Andy and I pulled out the activity mat yesterday for Zakiyah. She is loving it. She is officially grabbing at things now. My baby is 11 weeks old already. Zion wanted to lay with her this morning. Precious. 

Blessed- we are so blessed.

Keepin it real. halloween style.

 So Halloween has came and went. It was a blast. Crazy. Stressful. Some epic fails. Fun. and Chaotic. Seriously, I can't get over how crazy chaotic holidays often end up being. Just being REAL. So after having Zakiyah, I have been waiting for the pumpkin photo shoot that I saw on Pinterest. My inspiration.......

Well things don't go as planned. with a 10 week old. with 40 degree weather. with a cold pumpkin. with two small of carved out holes in the pumpkin. with stress from mama and dad. seriously, what a disaster. First of all, yesterday Andy went out to get us pumpkins for carving and some smashing for the Gate. He literally went to over 3 stores and they were all sold out. So we ended up having Jorden get them (assistant YP). Good Ole Cass fam waiting til the last minute.... So I got carving away for baby Kiyah. The whole time Andy and I were bantering because he didn't think we should go outside with the cold weather. I thought it would be fun cuz we could get a shot in like one minute right? ha. NOT. We were outside for about 20 seconds, Kiyah screaming. too small of holes...(no I didn't measure) ice cold pumpkin. Zion wanting to go outside too. augh. So we went inside, re-carved the holes. and put Kiyah in there. This is the awesome pinterest shot:

RIDICULOUS. obnox. I can't handle it. Poor Kiyah girl. So the pumpkin was too cold I guess. :) Fast Forward 5 plus hours...post sitting in front of our fireplace to warm up. I got smart and put a towel down in the pumpkin. This time my sister Chelsea was here to help.  I also had Zakiyah's pumpkin outfit on too. She still was not having it.... 

 Why does Pinterest make it look so easy? Does this happen to anyone else? Or am I the only one?

I finally got this shot. the best one of the series. Feeling satisfied....I kept taking pix.  Chels and I were laying on the floor trying to keep Kiyah entertained....

Then my confidence as a mom was demolished......and the epic fall happened.......

MOM OF THE YEAR. PUKE FEST 2012. WHAT THE HECK? AUGH....... poor baby. We were dying. laughing. screaming. talk about chaos. I can't handle it. God is humbling. Humbling this lady as we speak. sigh. ;)

Then there is Zion in the background. "Mommy, baby sister cyin. She pukin. Mommy, sister no like that." neat. fabulous moment. (May I add that this happened when we were trying to jam pack supper, getting dressed. answer the door bell rings. go trick or treating, and make it to our church carnival by 6pm. ha ha. 

Here are some precious pix of my babies..... Kiyah wore the pumpkin onsie from our friend Becca.  Her booties and hat are homemade by Chelcy. I just love the details in the hat. LOVE it. and Zion was a hair stylist. She is employee of the month at Tala:) I used color rub in her hair for some brightness. I love the smock. It is Melissa & Doug. Easy and fun. She is into princesses...next year. I wanted to wait to get princess gear on sale. 

We eventually met up with our neighbors and went around the cul-de-sac. It was fun! Last year Zion was so scared....This year not so much. She is bold! We taught her to say-Trick or Treat. She rocked it. I don't know what I would have done without my sister's help. Andy was busy at church getting ready for youth group. 

           

Isn't she adorable. Zakiyah was stroller-riding. cozy and warm. 

Post Trick or Treating....we hit up church for the FALL FUN PARTY! It was so fun! I love going there. There are hundreds of people there. It is free. It's warm. They have a whole toddler area for games. Zion had a blast. My mom and dad met us! They had a blast. Last year they came too. Zion was so excited!

Noelle painted a rainbow-Zion's fav. on her cheek. Noelle is Zion's nanny when I am working at Tala. She is in our youth group. We love her and the Cors fam.

proud Z. 

 Zion's fav... the balls to jump around in..... 

dress the pumpkin face with a eye mask on. so cute. 

Zion is in Rainbows class this year at our church. It is a preschool aged program for kiddos. They learn bible verses, do crafts, have play time. etc. She LOVES it. Mrs. Cindy and Mr. Brad are her teachers. They are the best. They were working in one of the rooms so we got to see them:)

 

Zi with her besties....Sophia and Lila. Their mama and I are BFFs as well. They were so cute.

Zakiyah napped for the first half of the carnival...but she is so prec.

 hanging with Grandma Beege.

Zi and Bapa Wayne dominating the nerf gun.

After the carnival, we went and say Daddy at The Gate! We did a "Late Show with Andy Cass" last night. Always fun. Daddy was missed last night....Zion always loves to go to the Gate though.

Zion showing Ozzy her art. Elizabeth was Zion's nanny for the past year. now living in NYC. but home visiting, trip extended due to Sandy right now.

Cass Fam 2012 Halloween....so cute our girls......overflowing with gratitude.  They are growing so fast. Here are some oldies....

Here Andy and I are at our yearly Supper destination for Halloween, Chipolte! I was a baby burrito of course. ha. Pregnant with Zion Leilani. 2009 baby. 

Zion the Lion. I loved this costume. And she is at Chipolte here:) 9 months old. 2010! 

Me and the cutie pie. 

Here is the bumble bee last year. 2011. I loved this costume. She looks sooo little. 

So how was your Halloween? any puking shots? ha.