Cassie is Married (and it took a village!)

It's been too long since I've blogged. I've missed it. I have a good excuse...a wedding. My daughter Cassie's wedding.

Cassie 's life was a little complicated as she grew up. She needed a lot of help and understanding of her sensitive little spirit. It took a village of wonderful, caring inspired people to help us raise her into the beautiful, accomplished, sweet woman she is today. I am forever grateful to the people that I know were Heaven~sent into her life. Our family has benefitted greatly from the forever friendships that have been formed with these people...and all because of Cassie.

On a side note, one of the KEY players in Cassie's life has been her sister, Meghan. Meghan has been the glue that kept us together, the encouragement that made us go on, the LIGHT that kept us shining, the happiness that made it worth it, and the joy that completed our family.  And she misses her sis!

Meghan and Cassie with Stephen and his parents (Diana & Rod)

For months before Cassie's wedding, we debated where to have her reception. Chad is a busy man. I know, we are ALL busy people, but Chad is always busy helping someone else. This is a wonderful trait I see in him, but it also means there is not much time left over for our projects-including my back yard. Chad really wanted to have the reception in our yard and I wanted to have it in a place that was, well....finished. We've had a pit that was "going to be a deck" dug in our yard for 4 years.  Chad reasoned with me and won-we put our home as the venue on the invitations. So we were committed. I don't know that I have ever felt more stress knowing what had to be done. It was an IMPOSSIBLE task. On our list was the deck, a patio, flower beds, trim on our windows and a huge clean up.


The "deck"

12 days before the reception, an army showed up. It was an army of builders, planners, workers, planters, root~diggers, meal~makers, well wishers and do~gooders. The army changed in personnel by the hour, but there was always one here. An army of our friends and neighbors. An army of peope we love. I've cried for 2 weeks~and it's not because Cassie got married. It's because my heart is so full of gratitude for the people that fill my life. The job got done. My yard is beautiful. I wish I had taken many more before and after photos to prove what a miracle has taken place. The event was beautiful on so many levels~one of them being that the people who came and gave and loved were a part of it. My joy is full. Cassie is married to a wonderful man. God sent an army to us. And I am grateful!

The DECK!!