This week...

So yesterday, I decided Tom and I needed a little bit of time away from the house and we hadn't had an "us day" in quite sometime... so I convinced him that we were going somewhere at about 11 yesterday morning.  We got ourselves ready- uploaded our new Fastrak (thanks Mom) got in the car and headed out.  I had a plan.  We stopped at the mall and picked up a few essentails to our life that we had been waiting for and then proceeded to go to our date.   

We got to San Fransisco (our destenation) and got lost.  We even had a GPS and everything!!!!  I am chatting with Thomas- trying to figure out where our next turn is... I see a bus to my right, turn right without stopping so I thought it was ok to go... um... no... not so much!  I was running a red light and slamming into someone.  :(  I ripped off my license plate and caused some damage to my front bumper- while the other guy just a scrape to his left end axel.  Everyone was ok... minus Little Red.  

My baby

The other guy's car

I was so upset- I was more worried about the guy and how he was going to react... but he was very cool- saying it added a little adventure into his boring life- and that it allowed him to spend less time at work.  

Thomas and I proceeded onto our date which included a family owned Italian Resturant and visiting Ocean Beach... It was well worth the drive- but I have now vowed to stay out of the city when I drive... haha!

The last few weeks have been great... with some trails and tribulations- but it is only making Thomas and I stronger.  I am so very thankful for my husband.  I can't believe we will be married for 6 months in March! Seems like just yesterday we were planning our wedding.  

Thomas is still looking for work- and my work is FINALLY picking up.  Lee is doing well- he had a great interview with Elderidge Fire Department last week.  It has been busy!  But I would rather be busy than be bored!!!!!  

My new sweet baby - William Joel!

What do you think about my little new baby William Joel?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

My new sweet baby - Josephine Francis!

What do you think about my little new baby Josephine Francis?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

25 things you didn't know

I'll post Thomas' if he ever fills one out... 

If you get this, you're supposed to pass it on, only with new tidbits about yourself. Thanks for reading!

1. I am really not sure I can write 25 things about myself. And that makes me kinda sad, but also happy--- does that make sense??

2. I am probably the most simply complexed girl you will ever meet. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and most of the time you can read them pretty easily, but sometimes I don't even understand myself or my thoughts- so how can anyone else???

3. I love what I do as a job, but because I know it is not what I am going to be doing for the rest of my life, I really don't push myself to do it. I think this makes me sad too!!!

4. I love love love love love my husband. He is amazing. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am such a better person because of him.

5. My family is the most important thing to me and they have done so much for me to get me to where I am today. I love them... all of them.

6. My definition of family is this... it doesn't have to be by blood- you are my family if you can love me unconditionally.

7. The music I listen to is a reflection of the mood I am in. 

8. I love cuddling with my husband more than anything else in the world. It manages to make all my bad moments during a day go aways!

9. I cannot wait to be a teacher. Even if I just affect one person's like by educating, I believe my life will have been fulfilled. 

10. I cannot wait to be a mother. I cannot wait to know the love my mom has been talking about for years!!! 

11. I have had my fair share of heartaches. And I am ok with it. I have learned, been scarred and become the person I am because of those heartaches. I am proud to wear the scars. And it never stops hurting.

12. I used to think I had the best friends, but I have learned that it takes someone special to be called a best friend. 

13. I have so much faith in our Lord and Savior. My life would be completely hopeless without them!

14. I will never be able to repay those who brought the Gospel into my life! I am so thankful and don't say it nearly enough.

15. My husband makes me laugh more than once a day and I love it! I love it that even when we are mad- we can look at each other and burst out laughing! Only with him!

16. I am conquering my fear of spiders- one spider at a time. I don't think I will ever get rid of the big ones though- they just give me the willys!!!

17. I love that my parents still call me Moe and Catfish. It always makes me happy to hear them call me that!

18. I can never seem to let things go. Once I think I have, it slowly creeps back into my mind and sits there and festers until it explodes!!! I need to learn how to let things go!

19. I love Tigger. At 25, I still have multiple stuffed Tiggers and a ringtone just for Tigger... what can I say- I'm a kid at heart!

20. I love speaking French, hearing French and listening to French music. It takes me to a very peaceful place in my mind and I grin a very big grin! 

21. I could eat cheese everyday- all day- almost any kind... except Bleu. I draw the line there!

22. I have a problem letting people down. I believe I get this from my father- but it is tough for me to tell people I can't do something, so I figure out a way to do it or avoid the situation completely... horrible I know.

23. I don't like watermelon. I think it is too sweet or something but the taste, smell or sight of it- literally makes me sick.

24. I hate- with a passion- mornings. I could stay up all night- every night if I didn't have to get up in the morning. I need a night job.

25. I love to pop pimples. (I figured this was 25 so I needed to make it a "juicy" one) I believe I got this from my mom- but I just do. Plain and Simple.

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

One year!!!

Again- I love this time of the year. I find myself being reminded so much more of the sacrifice God gave us when He sent His only Son to die for us.

I was baptized almost a year ago. On December 11th, 2007, my life changed forever. I was blessed with a gospel unlike any other. I found my home. And while this year hasn't been the easiest- I can honestly say, this year has been a lot easier because of the church.

I am so blessed I found the Truth

I am so thankful that Joseph Smith helped restore the Gospel

I can't wait to be endowed in the Temple

I can't wait to be sealed for time and all eternity to the love of my life.

I know my life is better because of the Gospel. I have changed for the better. My whole world just make so much more sense. I can't wait to see what this next year brings!!

I was able to go to the Oakland Temple last night to watch a Christmas performance called "Behold the Light." Tom and I both got goosebumps and I found myself welling up with tears. You could just feel the Spirit. I always feel the Spirit at the Temple grounds, but last night- more so. It was amazing. I love being there with Thomas. Being there with his parents just made it that much more special. I love them so much! They are such great examples to me. The grounds were all lit up and the view from there was so beautiful! I loved the feeling of being so close to God. I can't wait until I am able to enter into the Temple. I can hardly stand it.

I am watching someone I love so dearly struggle with the Church and with the fact that they feel tied down by the Church. I find this so hard to believe because I felt so liberated when I found the gospel for the second time in my life. My heart breaks as I watch this person cry and tell me how they don't know about the truthfulness of the Gospel. After last night, after this last year, I am not sure how anyone could not be sure. I feel so much stronger- so much more thankful for life because of the Church. I just pray that this person will find thier way. I can't imagine life without the Church. I was so lost. I was so scared and alone. And when Thomas entered my life, when his family entered my life, they brought the Gospel back into my life. They helped me find my way back to a life that made me so happy. I am forever grateful to them. To my husband. He is the most amazing husband a girl could ask for!!!

I love Sundays too. I love testimony meeting and I love the feeling I get after I have been to church. I always leave feeling so refreshed and ready to take on the day, the week, the month. I can't wait until the next Sunday to experience it all over again. I need to figure out a way to renew that feeling everyday!