cass life- pumpkin patch and life around the house

This mama is so proud of her 3.5 year old! Zion has been obsessed with doing "school" everyday. A couple of weeks ago, she couldn't trace a letter, now...she is tracing the whole alphabet. She is so proud of herself too! I picked up preschool workbooks at Target for the school year. I love how my little Zion is a little sponge right now with everything she is learning!

Zakiyah and her facial expressions.....such a ham.

Morning eyes. My fav.

We hit up our favorite apple orchard on Saturday! It was a quick stop for homemade doughnuts, a hayride, feeding the billy goats, getting apples (eating apples) etc. I love this tradition. I have to say that MN spoils us in the FALL. Bliss. 

   (mom photo bomb)

 I mean, look at those precious little ladies. 

Buddies for life. No ifs, ands, or buts. Built in BFF. 

Andy trying to convince Zion not to be a city girl. "Feed the goat, Zion." It didn't happen. She opted for the observation route. 

Getting crazy.

Morning eyes again. Footie jammies. Cruizin the beat.

shifting gears.

Happy Monday! Check back tomorrow for a fabulous dip recipe that I made yesterday! Heaven on Earth. Blue Cheese/ Chive dip............ num.

H54F

Happy Friday y'all! Every Friday, I link up with Jeanett and Lauren and show you some highlights from my week. This week has been busy as usual, but I had a great time living life fully.

 Being a hairstylist is the best job ever! I love having the opportunities to transform people's appearances and give them that boost of confidence. Hair represents change. new seasons. Fall brings on new colors and cuts! I got to cut 7" off Ashley's hair this week and I color glazed her hair with a cinnamon/nutmeg color. Glazing takes 10 minutes and is such a quick fix to freshening up your hair. Doesn't she look awesome!

  

{blurry- a 5 year old took this}

Back in the day, like in 2001-2004 :), I lived with these beauties! They are my life long BFF- my go to women, my support......... and this week we got to hang out! Liz (left) lives 2 hours away and has 2 girls under 2, Jody (to my right, with her daughter in front of her) and has 3 kids under 5, lives in Rochester, which is the best ever! Jill (on the right)  has two kids under 2, lives in San Diego now! We had coffee, watched movies, painted nails, held babies, laughed, got take-out, reminisced, and took in our 24 window we got to hang out! It is so special and I love my pie girls so much.

Erik-6 months, Sydney- 6 wks, Zakiyah (mine) - 13 months

My 3 yo at ballet. I posted about it here. 

On Sunday, we celebrated my dad's birthday at a local pizza joint. It was so yummy as always. After lunch, we went to Bird + Goose's (my sister) for german chocolate cupcakes and coffee. I love my sister's mug collection! 

Fall brings a new menu to casslife. Spaghetti squash. Pumpkin everything. Chili. Tator Tot hot dish. Butternut squash/wild rice/sausage soup. Americanos. Comfort food. Bliss.

I have been on a organizing kick lately! I got this drawer unit on Amazon for our art supplies for the girls. It has wheels and is perfect to move throughout the rooms in our house. I hate clutter. I love an organized area. Hallelujah. 

What have you been up to? Any fun plans for the weekend?! I am hoping for relaxation and getting some stuff done around our home.

Happy Friday, Friends! xoxoxo

Rambling Reflections

Our three point five year old daughter, Zion, joined ballet for the school year! We are loving going to ballet every Wednesday. I am amazed at what she is learning in the 45 minute classes. I chose a Angelina the Ballerina class for 3-5 year olds. The teacher is amazing and very patient with my daughter. I am loving how ballet teaches my daughter how to be a young lady, using manners, and being graceful and feminine. 

I always wanted to have ballet and other dance classes when I was little and didn't get the opportunity. I am fully aware that I am living a little vicariously through Zion. :) It has been fun for Zion to meet new little friends as well. Yesterday, we got to observe the class for the first time! So I brought the camera to document...... (and by the way, the class has openings if any of my Roch friends are interested)

I mean....can you even stand it? So stinkin presh! 

Zion loves her class. They incorporate Angelina music, a few pages from a Angelina the Ballerina book and what not as well. Zakiyah loved watching her big sister dance! Zion has been walking around the house using ballet words now and practicing. Melt my HEART.

Zakiyah on the loose.

Below the girls are listening to Miss Kathy read the story to them. 

It is amazing as a mama to be able to observe my daughter in this setting.......standing on the sideline. Watching her grow up before me. I am always praying over my daughters, that they will be a leader, as well as allowing others to lead them. I pray that they listen and obey and show kindness, compassion, love, generosity and joy with those around them. I pray that they know where they have come from, and allow the foundation that is laid out before them to mold them and strengthen them. I pray they accept Christ's love and acceptance for them. 

I want this innocence to outlast the "norm" of what society tells us is acceptable. I want my daughters to be proud of what their names mean- and take ownership for their decisions. {Zion-presence of God.... Zakiyah-purity}I want them to be protected, but yet, be able to explore and learn from mistakes. I love how my Zion shows me how to live in the moment. Whether she is exploring in the woods, or coloring on her construction paper, she is in the moment FULLY. I love watching Kiyah develop and grow into a little person. 

I want my love, that I have for my daughters to show in my words, emotions, actions, reactions ;) , body language, discipline, and how I generally respond to everything. A quote that I stitched, hanging by my desk says, "Everything you say to your child is absorbed, catalogued, and remembered." I want to live this out........

I want to be consistent.

I don't want the mom regrets at the end of the day......battling my frustrations and dwelling on how I should have handled the 3 year old meltdown, the lack of sharing with my daughter's friends, my teething baby that is needing her mom....... It is funny how in the dark of the night, when things tend to slow down and be silent, when I am laying in my daughter's ikea toddler bed, how perspective and thankfulness smacks me in the face........ 

Please, Lord, give me grace and mercy for my girls everyday- morning. noon. and night.

I am thankful for friends that I can run to. One thing that I have learned..... is I am not alone. My life is created to share with others. Mamas who get it. Mamas who don't judge. Mamas who have the same struggles. Mamas who have the same obstacles. Having spent the past day with my old roomies from UMD- us 4 having 9 kids under 5 now....... I am overwhelmed with the chaos :) and the wonderful blessing that my God has given to me. 

I struggle with busyness. Running a business, being married to a pastor. Having a lovely family and friends. Loving the teens and our church family. Having two daughters and a wonderful husband. loving ministry. Enjoying so many things.....that keep me busy. It is never ending....my goals...my lists..my longing for balance. My desire to reach more people, connecting with new and old friends...... I am thankful for so much. I am blessed beyond measure, that is for sure..... So today, I am taking a moment and breathe. Even if its writing out this post, it is "me" time, it refuels me. 

I just want to be the best version of "me". 

I want to be a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend that I am created to be.

I want to make time for the things that I love.....reading. coffee, baths, painting my nails, walks, painting. baking and more..... that is all. ha. ha. 

I hope to continue to grow. Allowing others to pour their wisdom into me. 

Well, that was my Thursday randomness.........thanks for reading.