Such a great month!

It has been quite the week. Or month for that matter.

On the 17th of January, Tom's little brother Warren had his Court of Honor for recieving his Eagle Scout. This is such an accomplishment, for only 1 in 100 who start scouting finish with getting thier Eagle Scout. I am so proud to call him my little brother!

It got a bit emotional, and of course I cried- as I watched Gpa Taylor and Warren get choked up! And it was great to see all 5 of the Taylor boys together and now ALL of them have their Eagle Scout badge!

Then on the 22nd, I headed out to Denver to see my grandparents, dad and brother- oh and don't forget my most adorable puppies!!!

The following morning, my daddy and I drove up to Casper to see my niece for her 1st birthday! I still can't believe that "Moogie" was born a year ago on the 24th of January. It really seems like yesterday! That little girl has captured my heart! How I love her!!!

I gave her a Tigger so she can always remember me. :) She loves it! She would give it hugs and cuddle with it! I am glad she likes it just as much as I like Tigger!!!

We tried to leave on Sunday, but the snow just decided that it needed to fall. So I spent some much needed time catching up with some old friends and some family that I hadn't seen in soooo long!!!!

This is Derek and Darlene Tucker! It had been close to 9 years since I saw them last. I am so proud of my Aunt Darlene for all that she has accomplished!

So, we tried to leave on Monday, but again, the snow was just a falling- so I spent some time with some old family friends catching up! It was great to see Deb and Galen! I can't believe they moved to Casper 17 years ago! How it made me feel sooooo old!!!

And then we tried to leave on Tuesday- we got to Wheatland, WY and found this----

And the road to Denver was closed! So my dad and I spent the night at a Best Western in Wheatland- enjoying each other's company. We got up on Wednesday (my 25th birthday) at 7 am only to find out that the roads were still closed... so we sat. And we sat some more- going back and forth from the road block to town to get water, eat breakfast, lunch, and use the restroom. FINALLY, at about noon, the roads opened. We had to RUSH to get to the airport in Denver for me to catch my flight back to California. I arrived at 3:30 at the airport to catch my 4:30 flight. What a rush! But the sunset was beautiful!!!

I got home to my grinning husband at about 6:15. He had a perfect night planned. Candles were lit and dinner was in bed and we just cuddled and enjoyed the rest of the night.

Looking back, I couldn't have asked for a better birthday! I spent it with my two most favorite men in the world. It was the best birthday I could have ever asked for.

Then today, I awake to my mother calling me, pleading me to come get her. Disoriented from the lack of sleep, I wander out of bed hair a mess and to her work with Tom. We find out when we get there that her boyfriend Peter was in a car accident and we need to go get him. We rush to Fairfield and beat him to the auto body shop. The car was pretty hurt (hopefully fixable) and Peter was just fine (thank goodness). We left them at the hospital at about noon and I came home, did laundry and am preparing myself for one day of work I have left until the weekend.

It was a hectic week, but well worth the travel, the cold and the rain. I am so very grateful I got to go and be there when my niece turned 1. It was such a blessing.

2009!!!

So its 2009 officially.  Its a time to reflect on the last year and decide what you want to happen for the next year.  And while I agree with the best friend/brother in law- that is shouldn't take a "New Year" to bring about changes in ourselves- I also think- it is a good place to start. 

A time to reflect...

As my wonderful husband put it today- 2008 was pretty great.  But there were a lot of trials that made the great times worth it.

2008 started out in Littleton, CO where Thomas flew in an airplane for the first time and I got to bring the future husband home to meet the Stroud family.  They fell in love with him instantly and he fit right in- minus his picky eating :) !!! It was great to be back!  I got to see a few old friends and spend some quality time with my family whom I missed more than ever! 

 (us at the Denver Temple)

 

We came back to Concord, CA and awaited the birth of my first niece Morgan Annemarie!!! What a beauty she is!!!!  She has been the light of this year.  

born January 24, 2008

 

In February, I interviewed with Delta Airlines, flying all the way to Atlanta where I got the opportunity to spend the night with my cousin Denai.  I decided Delta wasn't for me when they told me I would have to get up and move to NYC and I knew Tom would never fall for it.  They also decided I wasn't for them.  :)  I am glad we agreed.

 

I got the chance, because I have such great grandparents, to go to Salt Lake at the end of February for about a week to then drive to Casper, WY to see Morgan be blessed!  What an amazing opportunity this was.  I was able to spend some much needed and desired time with my grandparents and meet my niece for the first time and spend time with Mya (my step-niece who is adorable and whom we've adopted into our family).  The drive back was not the best- lots of road snow and my hands clentching the steering wheel- but I'd have to say it was worth it!!!  I also got to spend some quality time with my bestie in Salt Lake and her wonderful amazing fiancee and friends!!!  

 

When I returned from my venture, I was moved to Pittsburg with best friend/brother in law Lee.  Thats right- all my stuff had been moved for me.  It was so nice to come back and not have to pack and move- but just unpack.  This is where Thomas and I will have our first home.

For the next few months, Thomas worked, I worked and we planned with my mother and Peter, our wedding.  

In August, my work decided that they were going to close down and merge with Mason McDuffie Mortgage.  On September 3rd, United Mortgage Group shut their doors and moved.  Working with Mason McDuffie has been an amazing experience.  I am so excited to be apart of the group.

 

On September 6, 2008, Thomas and I were married.  It was such a beautiful wedding.  Mom and Uncle Jay and Peter did an amazing job setting it up!  I am so thankful that our day was so perfect!  The weather was perfect, having all of the people there was perfect and marrying Thomas was perfect!!!

From October to December, time pretty much flew by.  Nothing exciting really happened!  Just newly wed stuff!!! :)

What an amazing year it has been.  I have been sick a lot this year.  And we have lost some amazing people- my Uncle Wayne, my Aunt Melba, Tom's Aunt Gail and his Uncle Dale.  We have struggled and Tom was laid off from Circuit City.  Lee joined us back at the apartment after being in Auburn fixing up the Castro's home.  

We are only hoping that this next year could only be better in more adventures, better health and job security.  

My resolutions for this year:

** Get sealed in the Oakland Temple to my husband for time and all eternity!  But first get my endowments in the Salt Lake Temple

1) start a family

2) save 3-6 months worth of income

3) get my real estate license

4) get Tom back in school

5) fit into my skinny jeans

6) spend less time on the computer and more time with Tom

I think all of these are reasonable.  Let's see where we are at the end of the year!  

Happy 2009 everyone!  May God bless you in every way possible!!!

Lots of love!

Tom and Cass