it is what it is

{going through my computer... pictures, emails, and so forth... came across this blog post that i never published... so here we go!}

i was raised by two very head strong parents.  both taught me the value of standing up for what i believe in, persistence, and boldness.  and partially because of this, i've always said what's on my mind and how i feel.  not necessarily always to a point where i am being rude or disrespectful, but yeah, a lot of what's rolled off of my tongue in the past, never should have in the first place.

"that's just who i am."

i'm not sure if some realize this, but do we really know and understand how selfish, arrogant, and ignorant that sounds?

do you remember the phrase, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

hmm... yeah that was hummed back in the sandbox ages when life revolved around what brand of crayons was the best, and which swing we were going to fight to the death over come recess time.  and nowadays, that phrase is becoming known all too well as a kindergarten hyperbole.  but man, kids nowadays, and we've all seen it on Ellen and all over the news front... the bullying, the fighting, and even death.  and for what? all because of the words that pierce like fiery swords.


three years ago, my husband would refer to my own mouth as a machine gun with no safety.  i didn't care what i said or who i said it to.  "it is what it is," i always told myself before i lashed out and spat such ugly venom.  "they need to hear it from somebody..."  okay... and who's to say i'm that somebody?  who's to say you're that somebody?  or he is that somebody?  or she?  who are we to say, "it is what it is."?

now, take a walk in their shoes.  is it really, "it is what it is", or is there more to the story?  is there perhaps underlying issues or a battle which this person is so desperately fighting, and one which we are blinded to?  and what did we just do?  we knocked them when they were down.  just by our words.  whether they be words of harshness, words of ignorance, or maybe words of doubt, or bossiness.   we knocked them when they were down in order to build up our own insecurities and self doubt. 


sometimes, not everything always needs to said or verbalized.  but instead we should love, support, and encourage.

and in circumstances where the Lord is really pressing it on your heart to "be real" with this person, the gift of discernment is highly favorable.  speak with LOVE, or otherwise, to simply put it... don't speak at all.

What are your thoughts on speaking out to people?



Faith & Love,
Casey

Birds of a {Creative} Feather

I have this urge to be surrounded by creative goodness.  Like, its a must for me.  This is why I go crazy when my walls are bare, why I go looney when I'm not doing something, and why I already have enough tattoos picked out to cover more of my body than I really do have.  Why my closet is overflowing with clothes I have never even worn.  Why I am not even the least little bit, a simple person.  I find this a blessings as well as a curse sometimes. My husband would make no comment on either. =P

I find creativity everywhere, and this I am so very thankful for.  I'm so happy the Lord created me into a creative being.  I can see the world in a different light and can appreciate a little more than what is in the eye of the beholder.  However, as a creative being, I think our minds get clogged, and not necessarily with bad things, but with too many things; too many ideas, all of which are floating around in this brain of ours, and all of which we wish to release the second we conjure them up.   Sometimes, it can become overwhelming, and sometimes, we need an outlet of some sort.  It reaches a point where we're so inspired, we don't know what to do with ourselves.

This is where my friends come in...  I have some pretty talented amigas, and I want to share with you a little of what they do in their "spare" time; you know, apart from being a mommy, all of which are working, a wifey, a daughter, a sister, and a dear loving friend.

Please take the time to visit their pages, "Like" them, and leave them a kind note.  I know they would appreciate it! As do I.  Sometimes, its nice to receive those random, uplifting comments every once in a while. =]




First up! Connie Gomez!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Momma-of-Dos/167499493284586
Blog: http://mommaofdos.blogspot.com/

Connie's blog is also ranked #328 out of over 1,000 blogs on Top Mommy Blogs! Go girl!

Connie, is a mother of 2, wife of 1, and a friend of many!  She's got a silly, crazy, blessed, and faith filled life, and she sho loves to blog about it!  Trust me, its better than your favorite novela! Plus, Connie, just dived into the wonderful world of crafting, and you'd think she had been swimming around for a while, she's THAT good!

Here is one of the first pieces she made; one of which, I also used in a photo shoot not too long ago.  

For more images from that particular session, check out my photo blog:  http://dreamtreephotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/ava-chloe.html

Next up! Karen of EmmaLove Boutique!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmaLoveboutique?sk=wall

Karen is a mommy of 2, a wife of 1, and of course, a friend of many!  Her business grew alongside with her sweet daughter, Emma.  Karen makes all kinds of things for kiddos including aprons, wipey covers, tutu's, and embroidered clothing, and lots lots more!

Here are some examples of Karen's work!  The adorable banner in the background, as well as the monogrammed t-shirts! For more images from this session, check out my photo blog: http://dreamtreephotography.blogspot.com/2011/03/peace-love-and-paint.html

Ready for some more bows?  Awesome!!  These run in the fam bam! 
Next up!  Patricia of Patti's Bowtique!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pattis-Bowtique/125781247494867

Patricia is a mommy of 1, wifey of 1, and duh, a friend of many!  Patti is also related to Karen (see above), who is also related to the gal featured below!  Patti makes the cutest little hair bows!  You know the ones that all the little girls wear to school with their uniform?? Yes! Those!  Plus, she bakes some killer cupcakes!  Patti is also just diving into the wonderful world of photography!

(c) Patricia 2010-2011

And last but not least, and laugh if you will, but the fam bam has extended even further! Kathy Artiga of Mary Kay, is also related to my very own sweet husband! YES!  Small world we live in!

Personal Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501954866

See Kathy for all of your Mary Kay needs and wants!  She'll hook you up with the best products and promotions!!  Contact her, today for some flawless skin and some beautiful color pop!

So, there you have it!!  There's never a dull moment in our circle of friendship!  And there's never an creative idea that doesn't get discussed!  These are my faith filled mommy friends!  So, what are you waiting for?  Stop by and say hello on their page! Tell them, I sent ya!




ps. speaking of creative goodness, follow me on Pinterest!
http://pinterest.com/hoorayitscasey/

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. 

-- Proverbs 27:17

Faith and love,
Casey

The Best Job in the World!

I got knocked up at 20, and gave birth at 20. Yep, you could say that was quite a big year for such a youngling.  And it was.  It wasn't easy by any means, and it seemed that as time went by, the harder it got.  Sometimes, yes, I would question if they gave me the wrong baby in the delivery room, or perhaps she was my younger sister reincarnated. But as I look at her today... okay, okay, I still ponder those same questions.

But I also see the most beautiful blessing in the world.  I see a past, present, and a future.  One that wouldn't have been as bright, or wouldn't be as wonderful without her.  My precious 4 year old.  My sweet sweet Aislynn Love. 

So when I was pregnant, I would ask God to pleaseeeeeeeeeee give me a baby girl. One, because I dunno how to take care of boys or their umm part, and two because I wanted to play with hair, share Barbie's, dress up, and go shopping with.  I wanted Miss Prim and Proper.  When Aislynn was born, she was a quiet baby; rarely fussed over anything (except when she was hungry, of course).  She was perfect. Simply perfect. 

A few years went by, and this "simply perfect" idea of mine, turned into jumping in mud puddles, hating hair combing time, throwing her hair accessories, to kicking and screaming over the slightest little bit of dramatic, one who's favorite word was "no", and who's dress wearing days were over after a mere 3 mo's old.

I wasn't sure what happened, or perhaps where I went wrong... I mean... this little girl. My sweet baby girl was practically a tomboy. What happened???

As time went by again, I learned what she loved, what she didn't love, and what she straight up loathed. I learned to lock those "pushable" buttons, and walk away with a smile. And of course, she discovered new buttons, and she too walked away with a smile.

Aislynn is a handful, and I'm not saying this because she's my kid, but everyone says this. And she's not ill mannered, but instead, she's a ball of fire with never ending energy.  Honestly speaking, she wears me out, and sometimes, I wish I could just catch a little break... a little mommy time every now and then.  However, when that time finally comes, I'm upset because I miss her so much.  I remember, not long ago, I was beyond pooped, and she went over to her grandmother's house for the night.  I literally cried myself to sleep missing her so much.  I just wanted to hold and cuddle with my fave gal pal. That's all I wanted.  My days aren't complete without her in them. Something feels like its missing, and I know its her absence.

These days, we're the best of friends (at least until daddy comes home and vice versa).  I love my baby girl, and all that she is.  She may hate having her hair combed, but she enjoys "playing hair" with mommy, she enjoys pink just as much as mommy, and she treasures mommy's old Barbie's.  She doesn't write on the walls, or color in her books.  She loves to read (unlike me when I was young), dance, appreciates a nice red delicious apple, and is super smart; so smart that she scored above average on all of her tests. (again, questioning the delivery room switch) I will admit though, even as the mommy and the adult, her intelligence is a little intimidating to say the least.  We're still learning her tricks of the trade, knowing we'll never master them, as we are parents, and are still learning. Every.single.day.

Aside from that, she loves fashion, anything artistic related, taking pictures with mommy's camera, the water, KSBJ, and she's THE best helper!

Although, she wasn't what I had originally planned, she's even better. God knew she was an exact perfect fit for me! 

Its funny, because when I first found out I was expecting, I couldn't imagine life with her. Even the signs of a growing belly felt weird to me, and just thinking about caring for another life... well I couldn't fathom it.  But now, I couldn't imagine life any other way.  I couldn't imagine not waking up to "mommy I'm hungry... what about cereal? okay, no, I want eggs, okay no, I want cookies!!" I couldn't imagine her not climbing into bed with us after a scary dream, or chasing her down the pavement in her Barbie car.  I couldn't imagine or even begin to fathom what life today, would be like without her.

I have the best job in the entire world; being a mother.  Nothing can compare to the feeling.  Its beyond amazing, beyond rewarding, and beyond pure awesome-ness.

I love my baby girl!  

My Aislynn Love! 

The night my world changed.  October 31, 2006.

 New Years Eve 2008/2009

 Family Pics (2010)

 Eating a yummy dinner at 51 Fifteen. (2010)

 Before heading out to take pics with Santa. (2010)

 Testing out a new lens.  (2010)

 San Antonio (2010)

 About to head out and spend daddy's money. hehe (2010)

 I had just got home from school. (2009)

My 24th.

 Halloween (2010)

 Galveston (2007)

 Valentine's Day (2007)

 Before heading out to see Tangled (2010)
haha Love her expression! That's a "mommy you crazy!"

 

November (2008)

 Before bedtime (2007)

 2009

Playing with mommy's MAC (2011)

 Christmas 2010

 

October 2010  

("Beauty and Brains" - Crystal M.)

Happy Mother's Day to all mother's out there past, present, and future! Whether you take care of your child, mother, sibling, dog, or cat! It takes a special woman to be a mother, and I know its not easy, but as you know, its well worth it!  Blessing to you all!

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he

will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6)

Faith and Love,
Casey