tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27657102478344517142024-03-13T14:16:19.431-07:00C+COUR THOUGHTS ON LIFE AS WE GO FOR IT, ONE DAY AT A TIME...Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.comBlogger394125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-8529960866381829732016-02-10T17:44:00.002-08:002016-02-10T17:47:22.232-08:00On the eve of 22 years following Christ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Since I stopped blogging 5-6 years ago, here is something I just found that I wrote 2 years ago. Today marks 3 years that Claire has trusted Jesus, and almost 22 that I have. Such fun to be reflective in February every year.
20 years of following Christ…
I was an immature, hot mess at age 14. At 34 I am still immature sometimes, but a bit less of a hot mess… What have I learned about God, and myself?<br />
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1) God loves me- and won’t leave or forsake me, no matter how many times I screw up. Nothing I can do will make him love me any more or any less. Nothing can separate me from his love.<br />
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2) He gives me grace and mercy. Second chances to right the wrongs I make. No wrath for when I totally blow it.<br />
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3) I am saved by grace by faith, and not from works. This takes a lot of pressure off of my shoulders because it is not about me earning my own way to heaven.<br />
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4) I am a work in progress. Discipleship takes a whole life long, and is measured in the lag time between when God prompts you to act, and you act.<br />
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5) Jesus is the best role model. Every human is fallible save one, and to put anyone else on a pedastool robs Christ of his proper place, (high and lifted up) and puts too much pressure on their shoulders. People will inevitably mess up and let you down, in little ways or huge. Jesus will not.<br />
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6) To become like Christ, I need to know him, to learn about him in Scripture and practice making similar choices with my life, 2000 years later- with my time, money and talents.<br />
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7) The fruit of the spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control feel BETTER than what my own flesh naturally feels.<br />
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8) God’s ways and thoughts are higher than my ways and thoughts. His plan is better than what I conjure up on my own. Trusting him has led me to a vocation, a husband, and all kinds of places to live that I NEVER would have picked on my own.<br />
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9) God’s world and people are so beautiful and worth exploring. Breath-taking , intricate, beauty all over this planet. Some of the highlights for me so far are: Patagonia, SA, safari in Africa, and the Great Barrier Reef. Marvelous creation.<br />
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10) He is before all things- my identity is not found in being a wife, or mom, or whether I have a great job, look gorgeous or not, accomplish a lot or a little… Everything pales in comparison to him. So no matter what my circumstances are- my identity is secure.<br />
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11) He can heal human relationships. Things don’t have to “always be this way” with certain people… there are new mercies every morning. He changed my hard heart towards my dad, has mended friendships, and aided our marriage to get through tough times. He redeems. He restores. He can make things new. He offers us hope.<br />
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12) He meets us where we are. We don’t have to clean up our act before we come to Him, we change as a result of being in relationship with him. The Father scanned the horizon for the prodigal son.<br />
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13) He wants to talk to us. Through the Bible and through prayer and spiritual disciplines, as well as through community, we can discern his voice and how it can impact our lives, offering us mid-course correction.<br />
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14) I need community. Women, couples, mentors to guide me, show me the way, tell us they’ve been there before, offering us companionship/ encouragement as I run my leg of the race.<br />
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15) God is generous. Everything we have is a gift. So we in turn are generous and bless others. Possessions can possess us, but stewardship is a different concept. It is realizing things are not ultimately ours, we are not taking anything with us when we graduate to heaven.</div>
Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-34133836495877999992016-01-13T11:33:00.000-08:002016-01-13T11:33:00.972-08:00Oh hey there...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Oh hey blog, nice to see you after 5 years! Maybe 2016 is the year of returning to introspection and processing through typing? You never know, crazier things have happened. In the past 5 years, interacting through quick one line "status updates" and photos in Instagram have become the norm. While chasing after the kids, I've lost the ability to sit and think deeply. Perhaps this is the year to regain that ability. I'm sure no one will read this after 5 years away, and that's a- okay with me.Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-70775993323580828262011-12-31T17:06:00.000-08:002011-12-31T17:06:20.860-08:00New Year's Resolution 2012To write at least one blog. Done.
I went an entire year without writing a blog. I'd like to say it was a spiritual discipline, but no, it's probably just because I was interacting on Facebook with everyone instead of here. Many things have changed in our lives in the year 2011, so I will try to recap the highlights. Perhaps noone reads this anymore (tends to happen when you don't write a thing!) so I'll do it for my sake if no one elses... Remembering where you've been, what you learned/experienced, and what you hope for is a big tool for growth. So, where did we leave off? 2011...Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-73259440658389638192010-11-24T11:11:00.000-08:002010-11-24T11:22:55.764-08:00Skydiving in HawaiiI just found this photo and the corresponding video from last year in Oahu.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TO1j7A74hYI/AAAAAAAABf4/SXi3Hrk1VXo/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TO1j7A74hYI/AAAAAAAABf4/SXi3Hrk1VXo/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543196581877548418" /></a><br />Definitely one of the best, and scariest, things I've ever done! But it was a bluebird day, and I distracted myself from thinking about my impending death, by looking out at luscious Kauai, the pristine beaches of North Shore and all of the LOST-esque scenery. Some of the LOST props were stored at my airfield where I jumped, which was a mega bonus to see. <br /><br />I'm going to try to figure out how to post this video, so far, not so good. But I highly recommend skydiving to anyone who is thinking of it and is scared like I was! My instructor had jumped over 7000 times and his wife was in labor; he was planning to go to the hospital later that day with her, so I knew he wasn't afraid we'd die:)Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-8257701249666829292010-11-21T06:35:00.000-08:002010-11-21T07:14:37.214-08:00King Ranch bustYesterday morning we attempted to make my two year long dream come true- going to the <a href="http://www.king-ranch.com/special_events.html">King Ranch Cowboy Breakfast</a>. Alas, I didn't know HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME DREAM AS ME!!!! This remarkable <a href="http://www.king-ranch.com/index.html">ranch</a> is the size of the STATE of Rhode Island, and is only 45 minutes away from our house. Knowing that soon we will live in as opposite a culture to Texas as possible, I love exposing Claire to Western or Southern things and places and food. So we put on our boots and headed on down...<br /><br />We got there at 9:30 (it is a once a year event that runs from 7-11 and Claire has a long mid-day nap); I thought that would be perfect timing. Little did I know that the 4 mile driveway into the ranch would be bumper to bumper, even that late into the event, and in one HOUR in the car, we'd only moved about 1/2 way into the ranch. The natives were getting restless in our car, and knowing that most of the food/activities would be over by the time we parked, I tucked my tail between my legs and turned my cowgirl boots around. We headed for a popular local diner instead, where we choked down everything Bob and Jillian would frown upon. I can't believe we will leave TX without me experiencing this! A lesson in dying to my expectations.<br /><br />We had a great rest of the day and headed out to a beautiful beach house that our friends are renting in Port Aransas (I love hearing ocean waves from the deck!) I guess we'll have to pay to take a tour of King Ranch and go to their amazing <a href="http://www.krsaddleshop.com/">Saddle Shop</a> some day soon, when the rest of Texas isn't trying to go there also! Yeehaw.Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-1748201107626744452010-11-15T19:00:00.000-08:002010-11-16T07:10:09.338-08:00My daughter the model...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOH0o0orfeI/AAAAAAAABfw/jQat1Vt_vzg/s1600/claire5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOH0o0orfeI/AAAAAAAABfw/jQat1Vt_vzg/s320/claire5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539977998803631586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOH0osSoKSI/AAAAAAAABfo/-Sg4MUBNTO0/s1600/claire2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOH0osSoKSI/AAAAAAAABfo/-Sg4MUBNTO0/s320/claire2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539977996563654946" /></a><br />Claire does not really enjoy getting her photos taken and doesn't stay still for a second, but our talented friend Beth captured her well in San Antonio this weekend, for some 18 month photos. If you live in the San Antonio area, I HIGHLY commend her to you! Click <a href="http://bethanysaxtonphotography.blogspot.com/2010/11/c-l-i-r-e-e-v-n-s.html">HERE</a> to see the preview. Claire was in love with Beth's first born, Carter, who was helping, by entertaining Claire. A perfect little photog assistant! Thank you Beth, Claire will model for you any time!!Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-29400534984354940932010-11-15T07:52:00.000-08:002010-11-15T08:11:24.811-08:00San Antonio Rock and Roll weekendWe had a fantastic weekend up in San Antonio. Thank you to the Anderson's, who opened their relaxing home up to us. Claire couldn't get enough of their backyard and play room... It made me long for the time where we can plant roots and have something like that. Some day, kiddo, some day.<br /><br />We tried a couple new great restaurants, both of which had live music! La Focaccia on Saturday night, for Los to carb up. The Italian food was delicious. And Sunday night we went to The Cove, which is my idea of perfection: organic, yummy food, outdoor seating, a great bar, music and a kids playground. Something for everyone! Thank you to the Marqueses and Saxtons for suggesting such awesome places!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOFYJhSleZI/AAAAAAAABfg/10kh2HlHFMQ/s1600/IMG_2865.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOFYJhSleZI/AAAAAAAABfg/10kh2HlHFMQ/s320/IMG_2865.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539805937220811154" /></a><br />Claire had a great time playing with Carter and being a model for her mommy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOFYHxX2idI/AAAAAAAABfY/E4lGBc2kI0E/s1600/IMG_2867.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TOFYHxX2idI/AAAAAAAABfY/E4lGBc2kI0E/s320/IMG_2867.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539805907178129874" /></a><br />And Los did really well in the San Antonio half marathon. He got a 1:40 time, which is a good, consistent pace he needs for his upcoming Houston Marathon. He is going to break 4:00 this time (4th time's the charm!) And Claire and I liked all the live music. She was dancing a lot, and I tried to capture it a bit on my phone. Here they are after Los finished his race.<br /><br /><object width="300" height="400" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150311855990245" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150311855990245" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="400"></embed></object><br /><br />I got to go to the best outlets in the country, the San Marcos outlets, during nap time too; so I was a happy camper. I love the Williams-Sonoma and Crate and Barrel stores. Trying to get everything we want to have for our house before we make our big move! I know it's dorky, but I will really miss those outlets when we move:)Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-32567581658837892622010-11-11T07:13:00.000-08:002010-11-12T12:26:49.011-08:00On Veteran's Day: Being a military wife<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TNwKI70n85I/AAAAAAAABfQ/XoBmU1MsDJI/s1600/27981_10150186741285245_765765244_12951004_1181202_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TNwKI70n85I/AAAAAAAABfQ/XoBmU1MsDJI/s320/27981_10150186741285245_765765244_12951004_1181202_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538312790372512658" /></a><br /><br />I didn't grow up knowing anything about the military. My mom is a pacifist and the military just seemed so far away and foreign. I remember being on a bus in 5th or 6th grade, after school, when I heard the announcement that the Gulf War had started. I think I felt scared at the time, but quickly resumed my daily norms and forgot all about it. On September 11, 2001 it hit a lot closer to home. Shortly thereafter, we were in NYC for the marathon and I remember the smell of death in the air, smoky and putrid. It made me want to vomit. Seeing the aftermath of violence on our turf brought me to attention quickly. As much as I want to live in my oblivious, comfortable world where "everything is great!" I now had seen first hand the global reality of discord and unrest.<br /><br />A few months later I met a guy who captivated me. But he was joining the military. I don't "do" or "speak" military. I moved to CA and he moved to FL, as far away as we could be from one another in this country... Yet my heart couldn't shake him off, so on Veteran's Day weekend 2002, he flew to Oakland from Pensacola to come see me. And after that my staunch, stubborn heart was ruined for good- whether I liked it or not, I loved a man in the military. <br /><br />Over 18 months we only saw each other 3 times. But letters and emails and phone calls flowed like wine, entwining our hearts together. On Christmas Eve 2003, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I cried. He lived in Corpus Christi, TX for flight school, I lived in WA, having started grad school. Nothing about our proximity to one another would have suggested our relationship would last- but God knit us together from afar. On New Years Eve 2004, he asked my parents for my hand in marriage. My step-mom said, "it's about time!" <br /><br />So I took Matt Damon (aka Will Hunting's) advice, and packed up my stuff into my little Acura, moving 3,000+ miles across the country to "go see about a boy." I didn't know a soul in Jacksonville or the state of Florida, other than my boyfriend, but God provided me a wonderful job and community. And I learned, as it turns out, when you live in the same city, relationships are harder! The other person finds out you're not perfect and vice versa. I used to always straighten my hair at the salon the day I'd be seeing Los. He was dismayed to find out I have curly hair:) But God continued to grow us closer to one another, and one day, in the middle of a labyrinth in a gorgeous cathedral in France- for the first time, I heard Carlos say, "I love you." Which was immediately followed by, "will you marry me?" I sobbed. Amazed. Grateful. I forgot to say yes until he asked again.<br /><br />So I married a military man. I had no idea what I was signing up for. I had no idea how many times I would fear for his safety and life, praying to God fervently. I had no idea 5 years ago how my heart would despair when he would leave me on deployments. We spent our first two Christmases and anniversaries apart. I wept like a baby when he left me and tried to bury myself in grad school books to ignore my broken heart. I lived for hearing his voice from Japan or the middle East, carrying my phone everywhere with me. One time I answered in the middle of a dental exam, shedding tears in the chair- that was awkward. Getting a dog was the best decision we made early on in our marriage. We call Burly the "glue that holds our marriage together." After finishing our 'sea' tour and starting our 'shore' tour, life changed once again. After having a rhythm of together-apart for 3 years of marriage, being together all the time was hugely unfamiliar. And not exactly graceful. But it has become so wonderful and now I can't imagine life apart. I have no idea how I will explain to our little girl next summer, in Japan, that we are not going to be seeing daddy for months at a time. Daddy loves us, but daddy is serving our country. <br /><br />Being a military wife is hard, certainly not for the faint of heart. I am fiercely proud and completely in love with a man who has given his life to something bigger than himself and our immediate comfort. I am grateful that God is our rock and nothing, not life nor death, heights nor depths, can separate us from His love. He who knit us together watches between us when we are apart. I never imagined that this would be my life. I never imagined how proud I would be to call a military veteran my husband. I still largely see myself as a pacifist, and long for the day when war will cease. I don't know what will happen in the rest of my lifetime, but I am grateful to be married to a man of fortitude, strength of character, who serves us daily and serves our nation. I can not adequately or succinctly express my admiration for my Veteran on this day. Suffice to say, being in the military is hard and comes with great sacrifice. Your family, comfort, community, mental health and even life can be be taken. We live in a country full of luxuries and people (myself included) are spoiled and self-centered, forgetful of the fact that others are sacrificing on their behalf. So please thank a veteran for their selflessness today.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TNwJmT3qqiI/AAAAAAAABfI/UfGtlXqsGzs/s1600/IMG_5162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TNwJmT3qqiI/AAAAAAAABfI/UfGtlXqsGzs/s320/IMG_5162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538312195532302882" /></a>Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-84182854077658984052010-11-09T10:34:00.000-08:002010-11-09T10:40:25.337-08:00Happy Holidays! (a little early)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TNmUfZd1_xI/AAAAAAAABfA/QRxY5T5daYw/s1600/2010110822181782945bdce2759d62827cddff3e62e520.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TNmUfZd1_xI/AAAAAAAABfA/QRxY5T5daYw/s320/2010110822181782945bdce2759d62827cddff3e62e520.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537620483961650962" /></a><br />I know it's just the first half of November, but we used <a href="http://www.minted.com">http://www.minted.com </a>for our Christmas cards this year, and just got our proof in an email. I really liked Minted and am in love with this little girl on the photo... Being her mom is so much fun and our lives are full of blessings. I don't know why November is the only month of the year we focus on thanksgiving, but I am giving thanks for this sweet season of life. 17 months old today and Claire couldn't be more fun. What are you thankful for?Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-1942856055301354002010-10-29T22:09:00.000-07:002010-10-29T22:30:17.941-07:00Cooler weather= happier Casey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TMusSeI05tI/AAAAAAAABeo/S_zhJtvSixY/s1600/72759_10150294506255245_765765244_15686491_5658281_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TMusSeI05tI/AAAAAAAABeo/S_zhJtvSixY/s320/72759_10150294506255245_765765244_15686491_5658281_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533706000482494162" /></a><br />Life is getting really sweet here these days. Maybe it's Claire's age? Maybe it takes knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel? Knowing that our timeline in Texas is winding down makes me appreciate life here more. And who are we kidding, the weather is finally cooling down some (okay, so the forecast for Tuesday is back up to 90, but I'm going to concentrate on the fact that TODAY it only got up to 72!) Unfortunately my mood directly correlates with the weather- and we just came through a gross, long season of humidity and mosquitoes. Feeling captive in your own home is no bueno. BUT, hope is on the horizon, we actually got to wear hoodies just a bit today! I love Texas in the winter, it is super pleasant to be outside- and we are outside kind of people. We are starting to go to the beach a lot more (without sweating!) and Burly has so much more energy (amazing what being able to breathe does for the guy- the summer just zaps his energy). It is fun to see Burly and Claire playing so much together these days. She's even holding his leash on his morning walks now, so sweet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TMusSFP57UI/AAAAAAAABeg/fOapXjgoFPQ/s1600/68816_10150289776420245_765765244_15618634_6560489_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TMusSFP57UI/AAAAAAAABeg/fOapXjgoFPQ/s320/68816_10150289776420245_765765244_15618634_6560489_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533705993801297218" /></a><br /><br /><br />For Halloween, she is a UW Husky Basketball player:) Los and I are going as Tami and Eric Taylor of Friday Night Lights, Los' fave show. Which gave me the excuse to finally buy a pair of cowgirl boots! We've lived in Tejas 2 years now, wish I would've done this way before now. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TMusSktMLdI/AAAAAAAABew/Jxs5-ams23g/s1600/73596_10150294244285245_765765244_15682512_3452471_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TMusSktMLdI/AAAAAAAABew/Jxs5-ams23g/s320/73596_10150294244285245_765765244_15682512_3452471_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533706002245627346" /></a><br /><br /><br />Knowing that next year we will transition from a 'shore' tour to a 'sea' tour, and Los will have to leave us for months, we are SAVORING all the nights and days he has at home right now. Lots of great meals and conversations and intentional time together. I love my little family of four. I know it will grow and change over the years, but the slow and rich pace of life in Texas is definitely something I appreciate and will miss!Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-20557821318128032912010-10-21T10:49:00.000-07:002010-10-21T10:50:52.825-07:00Lite Brite made me cryHere is the video that Claire and I are currently watching a lot. We like it for different reasons:) DCB is amazing, check it out!<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P8cAU475dQo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P8cAU475dQo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-40522196073067782812010-10-16T21:11:00.000-07:002010-10-16T21:19:57.748-07:00the G DubThis is where Los will be working in the Western Pacific:) One of the most dangerous work environments in the world... I like to say he'll be "flinging" the jets off of the runway. He is up for it though, excited actually. It was his number one job pick for our next tour.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.read-news.info/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/ea155_DOD+USS+George+Washington+26Jul10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 480px; height: 258px;" src="http://www.read-news.info/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/ea155_DOD+USS+George+Washington+26Jul10.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://barbadosfreepress.files.wordpress.com/2006/04/USS_George_Washington.jpg?w=500"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 257px;" src="http://barbadosfreepress.files.wordpress.com/2006/04/USS_George_Washington.jpg?w=500" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Some of our best friends live in Japan, and we are stoked to explore Tokyo, the mountains (over 600 ski resorts= heaven to me!) and other parts of Asia and Oceania. <br /><br />Clearly we'll miss the comforts and community we have in the US, but it feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity, so we are going for it!Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-17073620920536160332010-10-16T20:45:00.000-07:002010-10-16T20:51:54.018-07:00JAPANSo apparently I am the world's worst blogger. But for the few of you who still read this, if you don't know our crazy news: we are moving to Japan! Summer of 2011- we will go tell the Land of the Rising Sun about the glory of the risen Son! Wild.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AcBUSVxs82w/TIeFnyJuAPI/AAAAAAAAhRc/N4HNtrc-8v8/s1600/Japan_Flag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AcBUSVxs82w/TIeFnyJuAPI/AAAAAAAAhRc/N4HNtrc-8v8/s1600/Japan_Flag.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-73110763824817004572010-09-11T12:01:00.001-07:002010-09-11T12:01:43.164-07:00Claire Evans World Tour no. 1<object width="425" height="425" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshowphotobook/slideshow_pb.swf"/><param name="flashvars" value="xmlURL=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fpsdata%3FprojectGUID%3D0AZtnLlozZtmPO4A%26uid%3D001063349963%26size%3D0%26ts%3D1284231627000%26height%3D425%26width%3D425&size=0&ob=0&fc=0&ss=0&sb=0&ft=0"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="quality" value="best"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><embed width="425" height="425" align="middle" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" name="wrapper" quality="best" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="xmlURL=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fpsdata%3FprojectGUID%3D0AZtnLlozZtmPO4A%26uid%3D001063349963%26size%3D0%26ts%3D1284231627000%26height%3D425%26width%3D425&size=0&ob=0&fc=0&ss=0&sb=0&ft=0" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshowphotobook/slideshow_pb.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZtnLlozZtmL6g&eid=115">Click here to view this photo book larger</a><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=photobook&c2=blogger" /></p>Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-41066808915416607472010-08-25T07:26:00.000-07:002010-08-25T07:31:27.471-07:00Claire Evans World Tour #1- great success<div id="ta_travelmap" style="width:430px;"><br /><img src="http://www.tripadvisor.com/CommunityMapImage?id=17571058&type=TRIPADVISOR&size=LARGE"><br /><ol id="ta_favoritelist"><br /></ol><br /><ul id="ta_links"><br /><li><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/caseymoe">View my profile</a></li><br /><li>Create your own <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/MemberProfile-cpt" style="font-size:10px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#3860B0; text-decoration:none;">travel map</a> or <a href="http://www.travelpod.com/" style="font-size:10px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:#3860B0; text-decoration:none;">travel blog</a></li><br /><li>Search for <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentals" style="font-size:10px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color:#3860B0; text-decoration:none;">vacation rentals</a> at TripAdvisor</li><br /></ul><br /></div><br /><script src="http://www.tripadvisor.com/MapEmbed?mid=17571058&frm=pt&Version=VACATION_RENT_005"></script><br /><br />I will post a link to our photo album as I finish it, but the month of travel is now over and we are grateful to be home. I've now been to 26 countries, currently beating my husband by one, but that shouldn't last long:) And Claire has 5 countries of passport stamps to her name. I could not wish for a better baby, she was a champ, confidently walking on cobblestone and not afraid of new places or things. And she slept in 17 different beds!! What an easygoing kid. I am blessed. I think I might try to write an article for a magazine on traveling with kids. We shall see.Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-74028662124904644672010-07-14T10:26:00.000-07:002010-07-14T10:27:15.857-07:00TOP 14 Things NOT to say to a military Spouse!!This is a forward, but I have heard most of these:<br /><br />1. "Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?" <br />(This one ranks in at number one on the "duh" list. Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds ---but thanks brilliant, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.) <br /><br />2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it." <br />(This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.) <br /><br />3. "At least he's not in Iraq." <br />(This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Afghanistan. What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? An international game of golf? Guys are fighting and dying over there.) <br /><br />4. "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?" <br />(Don't you watch the news? No! They don't get to come home for any of these things. Please don't ask again.) <br /><br />5. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?" <br />(Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there's a military wife out there who gets bored when her husband leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored, and drinking massive amounts of wine always helps keep me busy.) <br /><br />6. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?" <br />(This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.) <br /><br />7. "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it." <br />(Sure, we do learn coping skills and its true the more deployments you've gone through, the easier dealing with it becomes. And we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets "easy" and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away.) <br /><br />8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through." <br />(This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a shitty ford taurus with mercedes convertible.) <br /><br />9. "Wow you must miss him?" <br />(This one also gets antoher big "duh". Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they're now divorced.) <br /><br />10. "Where is he exactly? Where is that?" <br />(I don't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq and that Sadr City is his home area. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for seven years and at war in Iraq for five years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day ---and on maps everywhere.) <br /><br />11. "Well, he signed up for it, so it's his own fault whatever happens over there. <br />(Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn't sign up and ask to be hit by anything, he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.) <br /><br />12. "Don't you miss sex! I couldn't do it!" <br />(hmmm, no i don't miss sex. i'm a robot. seriously...military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. And the hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn't withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.) <br /><br />13. "Well in my opinion....." <br />(Stop right there. Yo, I didn't ask for you your personal political opinions. Hey, I love a heated political debate, but not in the grocery store, not in Jamba Juice, not at Nordstrom, not in a bar when I'm out with my girls trying to forget the war, and CERTAINLY NOT AT WORK. We tell co-workers about deployments so when we have to spend lunch hours running our asses off doing errands and taking care of the house, dog, and kids, they have an understanding. We do not tell co-workers and colleagues because we are giving an invitation to ramble about politics or because we so eagerly want to hear how much they hate the President, esp. while we're trying to heat up our lean cuisines in the crappy office microwaves.) <br /><br />last but not least.... <br /><br />14. "OH, that's horrible...I'm so sorry!" <br />(He's doing his job and he's a badass. Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.)Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-23791795954664637732010-07-07T22:08:00.000-07:002010-07-07T22:49:39.991-07:00Claire Evans World Tour: our one year old has traveled to 12 states, now she'll travel to 12 countries too. Woah.Eastern Europe Trip Planning!!<br /><div id="mapviewer"><iframe id="map" scrolling="no" width="500" height="400" frameborder="0" src="http://www.bing.com/maps/embed/?v=2&cp=46.91974724829196~15.166189648211002&lvl=6&sty=r&rtp=pos.48.35829_11.78426_F.%20J.%20Strau%C3%9F%20Flughafen%20M%C3%BCnchen%2C%20Germany___e_~pos.47.267998829483986_11.391305476427078_Innsbruck%2C%20Austria___e_~pos.47.800673469901085_13.04337590932846_Salzburg%2C%20Austria___e_~pos.46.36871047317982_14.113079085946083_Bled%2C%20Slovenia___e_~pos.46.05124689638615_14.503062218427658_Ljubljana%2C%20Slovenia___e_~pos.45.65065026283264_13.76709021627903_Trieste%2C%20Fr.V.G.%2C%20Italy___e_~pos.45.32666489481926_14.447079822421074_Rijeka%2C%20Croatia___e_~pos.45.80637998878956_15.96699982881546_Zagreb%2C%20Croatia___e_~pos.46.79068498313427_17.184815257787704_H%C3%A9v%C3%ADz%2C%20Hungary___e_~pos.47.506225258111954_19.064819812774658_Budapest%2C%20Hungary___e_~pos.50.06006978452206_19.932594895362854_Cracow%2C%20Poland___e_~pos.50.036265179514885_19.253499805927277_O%C5%9Bwi%C4%99cim%2C%20Poland___e_~adr.Brno%2C%20Czech%20Republic~pos.48.810543939471245_14.319925680756569_%C4%8Cesk%C3%BD%20Krumlov%2C%20Czech%20Republic___e_~pos.47.34542213380337_11.70719861984253_Schwaz%2C%20Austria___e_&mode=D&rtop=0~0~0~&emid=cc9bcd85-22b0-64e7-5d20-cdef793d25cd"></iframe><div id="LME_maplinks" style="line-height:20px;"><a id="LME_largerMap" href="http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=46.91974724829196~15.166189648211002&lvl=6&sty=r&rtp=pos.48.35829_11.78426_F.%20J.%20Strau%C3%9F%20Flughafen%20M%C3%BCnchen%2C%20Germany___e_~pos.47.267998829483986_11.391305476427078_Innsbruck%2C%20Austria___e_~pos.47.800673469901085_13.04337590932846_Salzburg%2C%20Austria___e_~pos.46.36871047317982_14.113079085946083_Bled%2C%20Slovenia___e_~pos.46.05124689638615_14.503062218427658_Ljubljana%2C%20Slovenia___e_~pos.45.65065026283264_13.76709021627903_Trieste%2C%20Fr.V.G.%2C%20Italy___e_~pos.45.32666489481926_14.447079822421074_Rijeka%2C%20Croatia___e_~pos.45.80637998878956_15.96699982881546_Zagreb%2C%20Croatia___e_~pos.46.79068498313427_17.184815257787704_H%C3%A9v%C3%ADz%2C%20Hungary___e_~pos.47.506225258111954_19.064819812774658_Budapest%2C%20Hungary___e_~pos.50.06006978452206_19.932594895362854_Cracow%2C%20Poland___e_~pos.50.036265179514885_19.253499805927277_O%C5%9Bwi%C4%99cim%2C%20Poland___e_~adr.Brno%2C%20Czech%20Republic~pos.48.810543939471245_14.319925680756569_%C4%8Cesk%C3%BD%20Krumlov%2C%20Czech%20Republic___e_~pos.47.34542213380337_11.70719861984253_Schwaz%2C%20Austria___e_&mode=D&rtop=0~0~0~" target="_blank" style="margin:0 7px">View Larger Map</a><a id="LME_directions" href="http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=46.91974724829196~15.166189648211002&lvl=6&sty=r&rtp=pos.48.35829_11.78426_F.%20J.%20Strau%C3%9F%20Flughafen%20M%C3%BCnchen%2C%20Germany___e_~pos.47.267998829483986_11.391305476427078_Innsbruck%2C%20Austria___e_~pos.47.800673469901085_13.04337590932846_Salzburg%2C%20Austria___e_~pos.46.36871047317982_14.113079085946083_Bled%2C%20Slovenia___e_~pos.46.05124689638615_14.503062218427658_Ljubljana%2C%20Slovenia___e_~pos.45.65065026283264_13.76709021627903_Trieste%2C%20Fr.V.G.%2C%20Italy___e_~pos.45.32666489481926_14.447079822421074_Rijeka%2C%20Croatia___e_~pos.45.80637998878956_15.96699982881546_Zagreb%2C%20Croatia___e_~pos.46.79068498313427_17.184815257787704_H%C3%A9v%C3%ADz%2C%20Hungary___e_~pos.47.506225258111954_19.064819812774658_Budapest%2C%20Hungary___e_~pos.50.06006978452206_19.932594895362854_Cracow%2C%20Poland___e_~pos.50.036265179514885_19.253499805927277_O%C5%9Bwi%C4%99cim%2C%20Poland___e_~adr.Brno%2C%20Czech%20Republic~pos.48.810543939471245_14.319925680756569_%C4%8Cesk%C3%BD%20Krumlov%2C%20Czech%20Republic___e_~pos.47.34542213380337_11.70719861984253_Schwaz%2C%20Austria___e_&mode=D&rtop=0~0~0~&rtp=%7Epos.46.91974724829196_15.166189648211002_" target="_blank" style="margin:0 7px">Driving Directions</a></div></div><br /><br />Still trying to figure out how to have a perfect map with 'pins' online to show our itinerary... But as the trip nears (only 3 weeks away now) I am trying to book our last few places, to get a handle on this massive trip... I think our itinerary is as follows:<br /><br />1. Munich, Germany- renting a car to put some serious mileage on it!<br />2. Innsbruck, Austria- one of my favorite places on earth, seeing my brother for 3 days!<br />3. Salzburg, Austria<br />4. Bled, Slovenia- looks so beautiful!<br />5. Ljubljana, Slovenia<br />6. Trieste, Italy (and Slovenian coast)<br />7. Rijeka, Croatia<br />8. Zagreb, Croatia<br />9. Heviz, Hungary (or somewhere on Lake Balaton!)<br />10. Budapest, Hungary then through Slovakia en route to<br />11. Krakow, Poland<br />12. Auschwitz, Poland<br />13. Brno, Czech Republic<br />14. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic<br />15. Schwaz, Austria- watching my brother play baseball again, then he can complete our figure 8 trip with us our last 5 days<br />16. Vaduz, Liechtenstein<br />17. NE Switzerland<br />18. Stuttgart, Germany<br />19. Frankfurt, Germany<br />20. A couple Reformation sites en route to <br />21. Berlin, Germany<br />22.lastly driving back down to Munich to fly back to San Francisco... via<br />23. LONDON, UK!<br /><br />Whew, I need a nap just thinking about this itinerary!!! But it is going to be a grand adventure. Three generations together and visiting my brother. Can't wait!!!Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-44724339331936512642010-06-20T15:56:00.001-07:002010-06-20T16:09:22.772-07:00Claire's First Birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://karachappell.smugmug.com/Friends/Claires-1st-Birthday/IMG4204/906445438_L3W3u-M.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 450px;" src="http://karachappell.smugmug.com/Friends/Claires-1st-Birthday/IMG4204/906445438_L3W3u-M.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Our talented new friend Kara took photos of Claire's special day, from waking up, partying her heart out, to nap time. Enjoy them! <br /><br />You can copy and paste this to see them:)<br />http://karachappell.smugmug.com/Friends/Claires-1st-Birthday/12615368_pnEyk#906445438_L3W3u<br />Or press <a href="http://karachappell.smugmug.com/Friends/Claires-1st-Birthday/12615368_pnEyk#906445438_L3W3u">HERE</a>Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-50097528848034277052010-06-09T07:34:00.000-07:002010-06-09T07:38:29.986-07:00ONE YEAR<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TA-nMQzqpwI/AAAAAAAABeM/4IDT4vJkOeY/s1600/15A_00011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TA-nMQzqpwI/AAAAAAAABeM/4IDT4vJkOeY/s320/15A_00011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480783100645123842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TA-nLg0AXOI/AAAAAAAABeE/ArSMDABdctY/s1600/038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/TA-nLg0AXOI/AAAAAAAABeE/ArSMDABdctY/s320/038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480783087761644770" /></a><br />Happy First Birthday to our happy baby!<br /><br />One year ago right now, I was getting a blessed epidural, after being in labor for 26 hours. I was so exhausted from writhing in pain all night, and I just wanted to rest and regain some strength. After the drugs set in, I could finally relax for a couple of hours, to the point of snoring (I never snore, well, maybe I should say RARELY). When it finally came time to push, Claire only made me wait 45 minutes to meet her. Thank God. 30 hours of labor is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. One year later, remembering that pain, I am reveling in the fact that last night I listened to jazz and read a philosophy book at a coffee shop, and this morning I cuddled with my dog in bed. WHAT A DIFFERENCE a year makes. It has been fun to reflect.<br /><br />When I came home last night, Los had already put Claire to bed. Half an hour later, I snuck into her room to gaze at her, there is nothing so perfect in the world to me as a sweet sleeping baby. Her leg was propped up on her bumper and her thumb was in her mouth, so I got closer; but as my eyes adjusted to the dark, I realized her eyes were still open. As she focused on me, she quietly stood up in her crib and I scooped her into my arms for some cuddle time on the glider chair. So warm and soft in my arms, she snuggled in as I pet her golden curls and marveled at her. One year. <br /><br />So much happened in one year. When I met her, I didn't have the immediate reaction of undying love and affection. I was so tired, I didn't even have energy to hold or nurse her. I had been put through so much pain, and I was unsure about her. I am not a 'baby' person, and I don't like the crying and fragility of newborns. I also felt more allegiance to my dog than to this new person who was so dependent on me. Was I an awful person? In those early weeks, the post-partum hormones majorly messed with my head, I was miserable and felt crazy.<br /><br />But somehow, by the grace of God, we made it through that season. At 7 weeks, Claire started sleeping through the night, which made us all feel like new people. More than anything else, I am grateful that my baby learned to sleep 16 hours a day! Claire transformed (literally gaining a pound a week, she doubled her weight at 2 months and tripled it by 6 months- I was not prepared for that). And my heart transformed as a mom. I grew in compassion and softness toward her. I grew in wonder of her, this perfect little person. Watching her personality emerge and watching her strength and talents develop. At 3 months, when we started traveling with her, I felt like myself again; and that she was a welcome member of our family and home. I shared in celebrating her milestones as victories. I laughed as she learned to eat foods and experience the whole new world of taste. I smile watching her thumb through board books, babbling away as though she's reading them aloud. And when she began to walk at 9 months, I have never been more proud.<br /><br />It has been one year, living with this little lady, and I look forward greatly to the next 17 until she leaves for college. She is kind and curious, she is independent and happy to play on her own. She brings joy to all who meet her, at the pool, grocery store or wherever. She loves to be outside, and will stay in the stroller happily for hours, to hear the birds and feel the wind on her face. She is strong, yet sensitive and gentle when around her doggy. She is a perfect mix between reserved and outgoing with others. I can't wait to watch her grow up and to celebrate more life with her. I love exposing her to new things and places, and watching the world through her eyes. I couldn't have imagined life getting better than it was before, being married to my best friend and owning the world's best dog. But it has. Claire has enhanced our lives and taught us so much. I feel lucky to be her mom and to know her. Life just gets better all the time. Grateful.Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-38454567015524792982010-05-17T18:48:00.000-07:002010-05-17T18:52:40.224-07:00Texas State Aquarium<object width="300" height="400" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150177159540245" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150177159540245" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="400"></embed></object><br />We had a lot of fun at the aquarium for the first time. We looked at alligators, birds, sea otters and many other animals. Claire tried to jump into the dolphin tank a time or two, but other than that she was safe. The fish and rescued sea turtles were a little more interesting to mommy though, baby was just as content to play with and eat mommy's flip flops. Maybe next time she'll be a little more into it. I think we'll buy a year pass, such a great deal!<br />(Facebook users View Original Post)Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-14575224101040290522010-05-09T10:21:00.000-07:002010-05-09T10:27:46.639-07:00On Becoming a Mom and Life BCE (Before Claire Evans)In honor of my first Mother's Day, I am sitting down to make myself be reflective. I used to be very introspective before becoming a mom, but now my abilities have waned, my memory and attention span are embarrassingly small. Claire turns 11 months today and the time has flown by, so it’s a challenge to pause and consider what this day means. <br /><br />I almost can’t remember life before she was here. I know it was wonderful and spontaneous and more clean… but I wouldn’t trade her for anything. Though the past 11 months have been exhausting at times, largely, they have been a dream. I feel so blessed that she is our kid. She is smart and confident and fun to be around. She sleeps a ton, eats everything we give her and has never been sick! She has completed 28 flights and has traveled with us to 5 time zones and 12 states. Crawling at 7 months and walking at 9 months. Good job, baby. Watching her try new things (swimming, pony rides, testing out her strength and voice, playing with toys and Burly and alongside other kids) has been such a joy. I love watching the world through her eyes, so much wonder and discovery. No wonder Jesus said we were to be childlike.<br /><br />Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I am to be her mom, I am in awe of her. And while I’m so proud of every new developmental milestone, a little piece of me is nostalgic. Everything is happening so fast. Only 7lbs, 5oz. and 20 inches at birth, she’s since been off the growth charts over 100% She’s been wearing 18 month clothes and some 2 year old clothes already. Where did my little baby go? And when she moved down the hall from us (at 10 weeks) I missed her. I felt like the next thing I know, we’ll be moving her into her sorority or dorm. Time is flying. So I am trying to soak it all in and be grateful.<br />Some days when we mess up nap time due to being out, or if we’re home all day long, I can get fatigued or go a little crazy, and wish for circumstances to be different. Some times I wish I was working at least part-time to exercise my gifts and talents more fully, and I feel sorry for myself that I’m staying at home. But truthfully, I know this season is short, and so sweet; and we’re blessed to be able to afford for me to stay home. So I don’t want to take it for granted.<br /><br />Before I was a mom, I wasn’t a big fan of babies in general. I didn’t really ever wish to have one. I loved life just the way it was, and wanted to continue being selfish with my time. I thought a baby would just cramp my style. But now I can’t get enough of this curly blonde little lady who flashes her six-toothed smile at me all day long and melts my heart. I love who she is and I love who she has made me become, more graceful, more present, way less swayed by others’ opinions. Just as I watch sweet Claire learn and grow, I know I will continue to do the same throughout this journey we are on together. Grateful to be her mom this Mothers Day.Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-8867281756199105802010-05-06T13:57:00.000-07:002010-05-06T14:04:27.698-07:00Want to Buy an Awesome House in Washington? Know Someone who Does?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/S-Mtx2YGBpI/AAAAAAAABd8/hBjrM22RNwY/s1600/ImageStore.dll.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hWyn9bHd2Yo/S-Mtx2YGBpI/AAAAAAAABd8/hBjrM22RNwY/s320/ImageStore.dll.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468264706991326866" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?FUSEACTION=Listing%2Ephotos&CUSTOMTOURID=288294">CLICK HERE</a><br />to see my in-law's 6 bed/4 bath, 6,000sf home.Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-34938768700461172102010-05-04T07:13:00.000-07:002010-05-04T07:23:03.591-07:00First Pony Ride!<object width="300" height="400" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150167685335245" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150167685335245" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="400"></embed></object><br />I realize I am months behind on actual stories about our lives... but when you have a 10 month old, some times a quick photo or video is the easiest way to put up a post! Claire has continued to grow leaps and bounds. She's been walking for a month and is doing it by herself without prompting, which is so cute/wobbly. She still has 6 teeth and is giving me more bruises these days from "love bites."<br />Her newest 'milestone' was her first pony ride. Our church had a Western Night (chili tasting, s'mores making, etc.) this Sunday. At first I just wanted to get a photo of her on the horse, since she has been around them (at my mom's old stables in NY) and been pulled by one (in MN). But she was petting it's mane and really happy, even started giggling; so we decided to let her go for her first ride. Growing up around horses myself, I couldn't have been more thrilled:) Enjoy!Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-87797878022096474392010-05-03T10:27:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:28:31.365-07:00iPhone worship video- pretty impressive!<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gaJ4A7mXJH8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gaJ4A7mXJH8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2765710247834451714.post-17740259195568083702010-04-23T11:56:00.000-07:002010-04-23T11:57:48.091-07:00Pug Recycling for Earth Day<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKoLBSK8SSE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKoLBSK8SSE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />The greenest thing Burly does is eat Greenies... He could learn from this guy. So could we:)Case and Loshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03661175672251634675noreply@blogger.com0