Get a Grip Serena!!!


The past couple weeks have been tough for me. Cassie headed across the pond to Kenya. Bruce was in Alabama and this week Carter headed to Purdue. Then Cassie moved into a house with a friend to house sit for the next 12 days. Myself, well I stayed mom and reality hit me how much life will be changing. I was a mess! I'm not going to lie. I cried my eyes out. I didn't sleep well and I turned into a huge grump. I'm not ready for this. I love having my little family together. I love how we eat dinner together pretty much every night. Our table gets really loud with laughing and talking and you can count on not having a dull moment. I like do all the wash. I love cooking and baking for them. I love every second of it.


All this growing up stuff is forcing me to look at ME. For the past 18 years it's been all about my kids. Now my kids are doing their thing all the time. I sometimes feel like I'm not needed as much. UGH! Pretty sad moment. :(

Last night I had reached my limit of feeling BLAH with a captial B.

I had decided to text a couple of my friends to see who would be down for hanging out. I was starting to feel even more blah because it was pretty much looking like noone was going to be able to make it. Finally I got a text from one of my friends Kristi and we had decided to head over to Hacienda for a drink or two.

I'm so thankful that we were able meet up! Kristi also has an 18 year old and could totally relate to the whole "finding me." It's differant when your kids start growing up. It forces you to figure out what you like, which isn't a bad thing, but where do you even start? Kristi suggested I start a book club. I'm thinking that might be a great idea! I'm open to meeting new friends.......notice I say friends and not people because one thing is certain I will make friends quick! :) Not sure what else I will look into. I do know that I really need to get a grip and get a grip quick. No matter how many tears I shed or grumpy I get it still doesn't change the fact that my kids will keep growing up. Who knows! Maybe it's time I start making a bucket list and start crossing things off. This process in life is only going to be as painful as I make it. So here's to finding me and the next stage of life!

Oh the places you will go!

6.8.11

Ohhhh The Places You Will Go!!!

4 years ago Cassie became part of the Northwood Girls soccer team. As a freshman she became a swing player along with a couple of other girlfriends. These girls would start an adventure together playing soccer and kicking butts along the way. Not only would they give it their all on the field but these girls would encourage each other, try to give the best advice to the younger girls, laugh lots, pull pranks on their coach and become amazing friends!

About a year ago the idea was brought up that soccer team should take a mission trip to Kenya to work at the baby centre and teach kids how to play soccer.

Cassie started to pray about it. She knew she wanted to go but wanted God's hand in it. If you know anything about Cassie you would know she LOVES babies! She started to feel lead to join the team and sent out letters for support. At first things were slow going. We as family encouraged her and prayed about it. The week before her trip she was still short money to go to Kenya.

One day while on the phone with a cousin they asked about her trip and how fundraising was going. We told them that she still needed funds. She responded that Cassie should work her tail off the next week getting more funds and whatever she didn't have they would would pay the rest. After I got off the phone with our cousin I went to tell Cassie what what she had said. Cassie responded "mom, I just got a text and all my money came in!" I loved seeing her face when her prayers where answered!


The day finally came when Cassie and the team would leave! Cassie will never ever be able to say she lacks family support or doesn't have her own fan club! Her uncle Doug, Aunt Rene, Aunt Kelly, cousin Kaden, cousin Kenton, Carter, Logan and myself all met up at the church to say our good-byes.

I love this picture! It looks like uncle Doug is praying with Cassie but he's actually pretending to cry about her leaving. ha ha


Aunt Rene and Kenton getting ready to say good-bye!

Logan getting a hug in before she leaves.

Aunt Kelly giving hugs

It was so hard to say good-bye to Cassie but I couldn't be prouder of her! I love how she trust the Lord in his leading and gets so excited about all the great things he is doing in her life. I know this won't be Cassie's last trip. She may or may not return to Kenya but I know she will be on more trips to share God's love!

Here's pics of the team, their leaders and pics of the babies.



Brittany plays on the girls soccer team. Her parents Jolinda and Jamie have been to the baby centre several times before. Brittany has been there several times as well but I'm not sure how times.




Jamie will become "dad" to all the girls for the next 10 days. He has done a great job texting all the parents and keeping us in the loops!

Look at the sweet babies at the centre. I could love on them all day! I have a feeling my daughter will leave her heart in Kenya!

This is Jolinda and will be "mom" to the girls! I'm so thank for her and Jamie for putting this trip together! This will be a trip the girls will NEVER forget!

Phil Ummel also went on the trip with the girls. Phil has been Cassie's high school coach for the past 3 years and also will remain her coach for her senior year. Bruce and I are so thankful for Phil and his strong christian faith. He has not only has passion for the Lord but he has a passion for soccer!

We know Cassie is in very good hands!



This is a group pic of everyone going on the trip!

Cassie and her two favorite "ginger" friends! She has played soccer with Brooklyn (on left) for many years! Danae and Cassie have been friends since kindergarden! I'm so happy that these girls get to go on this adventure together! Oh places they will go! :)

Jolinda was going to try to keep the blog update. If you would like to follow go to

http://nmcandthebabycenter.blogspot.com