The Help

I just finished the book The Help this morning. Very touching and thought provoking book, almost brought me to tears a couple times. I had a hard time holding it back during the last 15 pages!

 Anyway, my friend Anna posted the trailer on facebook tonight. (Check it out!) I had no idea a movie was even being made of it! Needless to say I can't wait for August! However, I am little skeptical about their casting choice for the main character, Skeeter. They've chosen Emma Stone (and I guess it's hard for me to picture her outside her previous roles in Superbad and Easy A). She just doesn't seem to fit the role to me - physically or personality-wise. Her attitude is much sassier and sarcastic than I perceived Skeeter to be. For those of you who have read it, what do you think? I am not making any judgments yet, I am interested to watch the film and see if wins me over. Definitely an interesting choice though!

If you haven't read the book, I'd highly recommend it!

The "I'm 1 Year Old!" Pictures

Here are some of the photos from Emmett's 1 year photoshoot. I haven't got the disc yet with the rest of the

images so I may be posting more later! He was so cute and smily that night (which made me so happy). I was scared he was going to be tired or grumpy and we wouldn't get a smile out of him. Nope!

 Enjoy!

A Very Merry UNBirthday

I'm a little late on this post. I kept waiting to get additional pictures from my mom's camera, but I still haven't and I don't want anymore time to go by, so these will do for now! In honor of Emmett's first birthday (and his special circumstances) we threw him a very merry UNbirthday party! We had a great turn out with all of Jared and I's immediate family, and some of my best friends.

We had the party about a month ago, on April 10th. While sitting at church earlier that day, I started to tear up a little bit. I thought back to where we were a year ago, and all of the fear and uncertainty that lie ahead. I realized how far we've all come in the past year, learning so much, becoming emotionally (and in Emmett's case) physically stronger, taking it day by day.. and somehow getting ourselves here. It was such a big day to celebrate. My heart was so completely full of joy the entire day to be celebrating my happy, healthy baby boy with all the people I love most.

Here is our little family in front of Em's birthday spread.

Here are some close ups of the things on the table that I want to remember.

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(From left to right)
1.) Emmett's smash cake
2.) THE Birthday cake. One of my finest accomplishments. I spent weeks brainstorming and reading tutorials and was pretty proud of myself it turned out this well!
3.) What is the month of April without Cadbury mini eggs? In this case, they were the "wonder eggs", you know like the ones Alice would eat to grow bigger and smaller?
4.) Strawberries and Emmett's 6 month picture
5.) "Memories Down the Rabbit Hole" Mementos from the NICU that I framed because I never want to forget.To put it in perspective, he was swimming in that TINY diaper when he was born, and it had to be folded down in order to fit. The outfit in the frame he finally fit in when he was about 2 months old (theyre preemie size).



 

Here are some shots of the family and friends that shared our special day. Thank you everyone who made the effort to be there, it really meant so much to us!

Enjoying the festivities

Even though Emmett didn't know exactly what was going on, he could tell there was an excitement about HIM going on. It was so cute. He knew everyone was giving him attention for some reason and he was loving it. Gifts of note from the grandparents were his toy rocking horse that bounces/rocks and plays music (Whittakers) and the toy vacuum (Ericksons). Thank you guys, he LOVES them!

He knew EXACTLY what to do with his cake. Dug right in and plopped it straight in the mouth. Even went back for a few bites. Eventually he got pretty upset that his hands were so caked with frosting. haha. That stopped the event.

We are so proud of all he's overcome and accomplished. It was the Merriest UnBirthday I think there's ever been. We love you Emmett!

In Honor of Mothers Day

For all you Moms out there that sometimes feel discouraged, inferior, or even ashamed because you're not out there in the working world, gaining status and "success", or being a wonder woman juggling kids and a full-time job (which I often feel, it's hard not to feel that pressure), this is for you:

"For Satan has declared war on motherhood and on the family. He does everything he can to dishonor and devalue both womanhood and motherhood. This fact is more apparent with every passing day. He well knows that those who rock the cradle are perhaps in the best possible position to rock his diabolical earthly empire. He knows that none of us could progess without receiving bodies and experiencing our second estate. He understands that without mothers who are willing to bear children, our Father's plan would be completely frustrated. He knows that without righteous mothers loving and leading the rising generation, the kingdom of god will fail." - Sheri Dew "Are We Not All Mothers?"

Without US the plan of salvation will fail. The most important thing, the reason we are here on this earth, is basically entrusted to us. Our purpose is to come to this earth, receive a physical body, have our faith and integrity tested, and return to our Heavenly parents. None of this would be possible without a strong, faithful woman - willing to endure childbirth to allow a sweet young spirit to come down to this earth, and then to rear them with love, nurturing, and spiritual strength.

This is another quote from her talk that just brings a warmth of confirmation to my heart.

"As Mothers in Israel, we are the Lord's secret weapon.Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the premortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn't stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won't tell you that, but the Spirit will." - Sheri Dew

I hope that the spirit testifies to all you Mothers reading this and lets you know what a great and noble role you play on the earth. Your calling is more important than any worldly occupation could ever be. I am  so grateful for my mother, the opportunity I have to be a mother on this earth, and all other women, whether they have the chance to physically bear a child or not- for we are all doing the Lord's work.

Happy Mother's Day :-)

Dear Fringe (Season 2)

Please go somewhere. And don't end up like LOST with a million unanswered questions. I know how you work J.J Abrams, and your shows are simultaneously enthralling and entirely frustrating at the same time. WHY do you insist on creating a plot, and then making the next FIVE episodes have nothing to do with it? Why do you create these huge, fascinating mysteries and never solve them? I wish I could quit you. But for now I will continue to watch.

Your undecidedly faithful viewer,
Cassie

PS- Right now some Asian people on a boat were given "seasickness medication" which caused disgusting snake like parasites to incubate inside them, kill them, and then come out their mouth. I just threw up in my mouth like 3 times and I cant bring myself to look back at the TV. HORRIBLE episode!! What were you thinking?!