...yes, I'm alive!!!

alas, i know, my leave of absence is unforgivable.  i could sit here and beg forgiveness, but instead of dwelling on my lack of posting, let's concentrate on the fact that AM posting...see, much more positive spin on it all, really!

Really, the only way to completely tell you what's been going on is through pictures, well, at least the only enjoyable way, ha!

So, back in June, we had a BLAST at VBS 2010! Here are just a few pics!

With my intern @ VBS family night!

With my nephew after the VBS musical!

My amazing friend, Jamie, got me tix to see Wicked as a graduation present.  Thanks, Jamie! So, Kelly came down to go see it with me.  We headed to Mac and got full "night on the town" make-overs before the show. Here we are at Grand Lux Cafe before heading to the show.

For the 4th of July I headed down to CC to spend some time with my parents, 2 sisters & all 6 nieces and nephews.  It was super fun, and unfortunately I left my camera in the car...boo!!!

The night I got back in town, I had 2 crazy ladies, Jana & Sheri staying with me for the week.  It was super fun and always entertaining!

Just 2 days after they left, I was off to Dallas for the 6th annual AUNT'S WEEKEND! Man, the kids were pumped!!! Our theme was "Wacky Water Weekend."

We hit up the aquarium.

Sang Karaoke at The Magic Time Machine

"We are Family"

and had a BLAST at Hurricane Harbor

and that's just the highlights!

In other news...I GOT A NEW JOB!!!

I have been dying to tell you guys even though you probably already know!

Remember last February when I told you this?  Well, it's been several months, there was a formal search committee that searched far and wide for the person God has to be the next Minister of Preschool Education @ Tallowood.  Yes, I went through a formal interview, as did other candidates.  Through the whole process God was growing me, teaching me, stretching me...and He's not done yet.  Anywho, several weeks ago the committee told me that I was their choice!  They announced it to the church just a few weeks ago, the church voted this past Sunday, and the congregation approved!!! I have accepted the call and am officially the new Minister of Preschool Education, starting August 1!!!

Some of you may know that this is a dream come true.  5 years ago I couldn't believe that God had placed me at Tallowood as the Preschool Ministry Associate.  Now here I am, in awe of my God who has blessed me with a new position at the same wonderful church! So, here's to a new adventure!

Yes, I am moving next door to a new office.  It was painted today, wish I could show you the color, it's amazing!! Here are a few items I have picked out to personalize my new space!

(below, this is a loveseat, not a full couch)

Pictures to follow when it's all said and done!

My mom is coming this weekend to help me put the finishing touches on it!

So, that's what's been going on.  August is sure to be a busy month as well!  I'll try to do better, I promise!!!

...my dad...

I love my dad.  Words can't describe how grateful I am that he is my dad.  I'll do my best to tell you just a few reasons why I love my dad, but trust me, there's more than I can list.

I love my dad because...

...he's goofy and cheesy and sometimes embarrassed me around my friends when I was younger

...he is an amazing man of God and always encouraged me in my walk with Christ

...he sends me random letters in the mail to encourage me and remind me that I will always be his little girl

...I know that he and my mom will always believe in me, even when I don't believe in myself

...he let's one of my nephews call him "Owl" even though his name is "Al" (trust me, it's adorable!)

...he never missed a basketball game or a volleyball game, even if it was hard on his work schedule

...he did whatever it took to help me find a way to afford going to Baylor

...he is selfless and has made countless sacrifices for our family

...he calls just to check in and hear my voice

...he gets the short end of the stick A LOT of the time, but he NEVER complains

...he used to always let me get ice cream when I came to visit him at the store

...he is amazing, encouraging, strong and dependable

...he always thinks of others and has a huge servant's heart

...he is an awesome grandpa and ALL of the grandkids LOVE spending time with their Gramps!

...he's my dad, and he's proud of it!

Dad, thanks for always loving me and always encouraging me and always believing in me.  I am so proud to call you my dad and thank God for blessing me with 2 amazing parents! Love you!

...random thoughts...

...I've enjoyed a bit slower paced weekend, soaking up some chill time before the crazieness of summer hits

...lately I'll be watching the TV in my bedroom and out of nowhere the volume will go all the way up to max, all by itself, like it's possessed or something.  The only thing I can do to fix it is turn the TV off, it won't let me just turn the volume down, weird

...have you heard about the chick-fil-a spicy chicken sandwich?  any feedback about it?

...VBS is just over a week away!!!

...I read a whole novel yesterday! Yup, just grabbed a book and curled up for about 8 hours or so, only stopping for dinner, haven't done that in a long while!

...I need presents for the following: Father's Day, my dad's birthday, my 3 year old nephew's birthday, my sister's 3? birthday, all by the end of VBS

...Rebecca and I were spontaneous and jumped in the car last Sunday and headed to Corpus. We had an amazing time in Rockport with long time family friends, then shopped and hit the beach for a bit on Monday.  Here are 2 amazing pair of shoes that I picked up:

...welp, I think I'm off to try and clean out my closet, gotta get rid of stuff so that I can justify buying more, haha, I kid, I kid (kind of).

Happy June!

...one month later...

I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted.  That has to be a record for me.  I am sorry my faithful readers!! It's that time of year and life is hectic!  Since my last post I walked in my seminary graduation, surprised my sister on her birthday and kept her boys for her overnight while she & her hubby got away for the night! I also said good bye to some dear friends of mine.  VBS is just over 2 weeks away, so don't anticipate any new posts for a few more weeks...sorry!  Here are some pics to tide you over!

unfortunately, that's all i've got in my for this post...sorry guys! I promise, after VBS, I'll kick up a notch!

...lately...

Sorry for the lack of posts the past few weeks! The last 2 week(ends) have been busy.  Weekend before last was my big VBS training weekend.  We had dinner on Friday night for the VBS Directors and then a training seminar for all teachers on Saturday morning.  I'm super pumped about our western ranch theme! Here are some pics from the dinner and training set up:

Dinner tables

cute cute cute decor!

 decoration ideas for VBS rooms

 A week ago Sunday, I had 2 showers to go to! Whew, exhausting! These pics are from a blessings shower where we encouraged 3 soon to be moms! It was so neat to share scripture with them and tell them how excited we are for them to be moms! They had a time to share specific prayer requests and then we prayed for each of them.  It was a really special time.  Here are the 3 moms, 3 girls I love! Jess, Kaela & Teresa (standing in order of their due dates).

me with the mommies!

with my sweet sweet friend, Abby!

This past weekend 7 girls and I headed out for a girls weekend at a lake house.  It was amazing! We chatted, relaxed, ate, watched movies, played games, enjoyed the beautiful weather. It was awesome! For lunch on Friday Rebecca and I made a favorite of ours and it was hit.  Who couldn't love Cornbread Salad? Mmmmm, delish!

We also made jewelry, here are our goods! It was super fun designing and helping each other come up with these pieces!

Sweet Abby was making us frozen hot chocolate and the food processor spewed all over her, we had to have a good laugh about it!

Oh, I'm sorry, did I forget to mention that it is BEAUtiful there?  This is the view from their back porch! Ahhhh, I could sit out there ALL day!

The Sprinkles

I know this is dark, but this is some of the girls eating lunch by the lake, amazing, I know!

better view of their lovely faces

The view of the back of the house (taken standing by the lake)

 We took girly pics in all sorts of combinations by the lake! LOVE IT! This is my sweet friend, Teresa who is having a baby girl in August!

same pic with lovely Abby

So, now you know what I've been up to! Things have been busy, but in a good way!

I've got a few more exciting events coming up, so stay tuned, I'm sure more pictures posts are to come...I seem to be on a role.  I'm not even sure I would know what to post if I didn't have pictures to guide me!

Have a great week!

...shopping day...

Yesterday I had an amazing opportunity.  All female graduates and the wives of male graduates from SWBTS are provided with a new outfit, head to toe for graduation and any interview/ church visits you might be going on after graduation.  You have to apply for the "Dressed for Service" program.  Twelve women were selected from the Houston campus.  Yesterday was my shopping day.  Yes, you are allowed to laugh and think this is strange.  Laugh all you want, I'm the one that ended up with a nice new dress, cardigan, shoes, purse and jewelry.  Here are my duds:

Anne Klein dress, I know, you can't see it very well, but it's a nice tailored black pleated sheath dress with a cap sleeve.  It also has a criss cross interest across the chest.  It's really basic, but has some nice interest in it. Oh, and yeah, I look way better in the dress than this hottie.

The cardigan below is Shu Shu brand and was impossible to find online, so you get a ghetto picture of it that I just took in my apartment.  It's SUPER cute and has ruched/gathered sleeves! It looks great over the dress, but I will also get a lot of wear out of it with more casual looks! Oh, and the dress looks great with or without the cardigan, making it more versatile as well.

Since my outfit was a nice basic black, you best believe I needed a pop color shoe.  It was soooo funny when I started pulling all yellow or red heels to try on, one of the ladies from the seminary that was shopping with us said, "Kasey, are you just kidding around or are you really going to try those shoes on." Haha, those of you that know me are not surprised that I needed a bright shoe.  I ended up with a nice, stylish, but also simple red patent heel.  They are Gianni Bini's.

We took a break from so much shopping for a delish meal at Cheesecake Factory! It was amazing!  I got the Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes...mmmm

Then our table ordered the red velvet/cheesecake layered cake - y'all, seriously, this cake is A-MAZ-ING!

While we were at lunch, we perused Premier Designs Jewelry catalogs and each got to pick out 3 items.  I got an amazing necklace with a removeable pendant that can also be worn as a pin, my third piece was a set of matching earrings.  This picture is just of the necklace and the earrings.  No, I did not get the bracelet that is pictured.

This is the pendant/pin.  I'm realy excited about these unique pieces!

After lunch we headed to Macy's and each picked out purses.  This is my amazing purse.  The only thing I don't like about it is that it is Jessica Simpson...I'm forcing myself to look past that.

Ok, I'm sorry most of these pics aren't professional quality, but if you knew how long it took me to find these pics on the internet, you would understand why I settled.

Anywho, all in all it was a great day!  I'm really excited about everything I got!

...PRECIOUS...

Just try and tell me that you don't just want to eat this little thing up! I mean, seriously, STOP IT! She's A-DOR-A-BLE! I knew you would agree.  Dang, I love this girl! Yup, this is my niece, Macie McKaren Collier!

This is my parent's & I watching the Lady Bears fight the good fight at the Final Four in San Antonio against UConn.  We might not have won, but it was still fun to be there!