Baby Steps

Cassie is blissfully wed to Stephen....but we still miss her! I have really enjoyed watching Cassie blossom in her new role as wife. We've gone from 5 phone calls a day to one every few days. The cute couple is the perfect distance away from us-far enough to gain independence yet close enough to get help if they need it. A couple of weeks ago I called Cassie and asked her what she was doing. She told me she was SOOOO excited...she was doing "their" first load of laundry. She loves doing anything that makes it for them!  Together. I love watching them grow.


On the other hand, we have had to adjust here at our house. We've had to take baby steps. I love being a mom. I love being a caretaker. Though my workload is slightly lighter with one less person in the house, my heart is heavier with Cassie gone. The thing that makes it bearable is that I know Cassie is with the right man. She and Stephen are a wonderful couple and that makes me happy.

Meghan has had to adjust along with Chad and me. It took her a few weeks to be able to go to bed without Cassie here. She would just wander around the house until midnight or later. She has done better lately. But every time we do something that we have always done together and Cassie is not with us, we have to adjust again. When we gave Cassie's bunk beds away, we were emotional all over again.

Cassie's empty room

Still, we move forward. We've always had a family tradition to go to Salt Lake City and stay at Little America Hotel. We love it there. This last weekend Chad, Meghan and I went on our annual trip~without Cassie. There was a little trepidation at first, but knowing Cassie was doing just fine without us (and doing fabulous with Stephen) helped us to move forward and we actually had a very nice, relaxing, enjoyable time. Yes, we missed Cassie, but we also know that life will go on, and in taking baby steps we will make it together. That is until Meghan gets married and moves on too. But that is for another time FAR, FAR away. Right Meghan?

At the Cheesecake Factory

The TARDIS across the street from the Bountiful Temple!

View of the Salt Lake Temple from the top of the Conference Center

The view from our room at Little America

At the Aquarium

Meghan in the shark jaw (notice the sign to the right!)

Meghan during our Penguin Experience-one of the
most fun things we've ever done!