Casey & Dawnielle

Utah or Bust!!!!!

2009-11-09T13:09:00.000-08:00

OK all you peeps out there..... we will be starting our week long adventure on Nov. 20Th. We plan on having a get together (with the location To Be Determined) for any and all friends on Tuesday Nov. 24 for a couple of hours that evening. It won't be anything fancy, just a come and hang out kind of a thing. We are trying to work on somewhere we can go that is kind of in the middle of where all our friends live, which is most likely going to be in Salt Lake somewhere (So if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to let them be known!). We don't want it to cost anything, and we have considered just doing something at a church, and maybe playing some basketball or something, but we don't know of any churches that we could use in the Salt Lake area. Other than a church, we have considered bowling alleys, or some kind of restaurant. But we are at this point stumped....... so we will try to keep you updated, but for sure plan on coming and seeing us on the 24Th!!!!!

Only 11 more days until we leave!!!!!!!

Just FYI

2009-09-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

Just some FYI for all those who check my blog..... I am doing a giveaway on my other blog

http://d-sthings.blogspot.com/

2 months?!?!?!?!?!

2009-09-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Dear me! Where has the time gone? I apologize to all those out there that actually read this. I don't know how I let 2 whole months go by without posting anything. I've just been so busy with both jobs and making all my fun crafts that I haven't really paid much attention to my poor blog! I shouldn't feel too bad though, not really much has changed. We are still here in good ol' Texas and still both just working like crazy. I am still working both jobs and Casey is still doing some serious overtime. We had some visitors over the summer, it was nice to be able to see family again. Casey is actually in Utah this weekend attending his grandfather's funeral. He passed away this last week. For the short time that I was able to know him, I was rather fond of him. He is able to be with his sweetheart again now, and I am sure that it was a very happy reunion.

Anyway, that's not very happy news, but it's about all the news that I really have. I sure do miss all my family and friends that we are so far away from. Hopefully we will be able to see you soon. Oh! I guess that would be something I can post..... We are planning on going back to Utah for a week around Thanksgiving....... so we are thinking that maybe we can plan one night that we could get ALL our friends together and have a party somewhere. There are just too many people we want to be able to see and not enough time. So I will try and plan somewhere that we can all get together and a date and hopefully everyone will be able to come and spend a few hours hanging out.

Sleep doesn't want to come tonight.....

2009-07-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

I was laying in bed tonight, and for some reason I couldn't get to sleep. I feel exhausted.... I think that the two jobs might be catching up with me a little bit Ü, but still no sleep. So I started to let my mind wander. I usually try to avoid this around bed time, because my mind can go for HOURS if I let it. I was laying in bed, completely comfortable, listening to the ceiling fan thinking about the next few months. I was wondering if I am going to be able to accomplish all the things that I have planned. I keep telling myself that I might be putting just a tad too much on my plate, but the more I try to resist, the more I can think of to try and do.

So there I am laying their wandering in my own thoughts and starting to feel the stress climb up my shoulders and into my lower neck when I suddenly felt calm and peace. That everything is just going to work out eventually. I know... that is what everyone says, but I felt it. And then I started remembering some of the amazingly loving things that my sweet husband does for me. I know that it is a random train of thought and probably won't make sense to anyone else, but I felt the need to get out of bed and write it down. Not because I need everyone to know about it, but because I want to be able to always remember and treasure them.

Here is where my mind eventually wandered to:

I can honestly say that I am not completely happy with myself. Both physically and spiritually. I have goals and I do try to accomplish them, but I am honest and can admit that those goals are often neglected and not very often accomplished. I feel like I let myself down a lot. Now, I am not saying this because I am sad or depressed. Those emotions have come and gone. I am determined. I am determined to change myself to make myself better even just a little bit every day. I don't know any women who are happy with themselves 100%. I will gladly stand corrected if I do, but I don't think that I do. I think that we all have things that we want to change and make better about ourselves. And sometimes, for me at least, I let that overwhelm and consume me. So much so that I compare myself to EVERYONE. I know that I shouldn't do that. I know that I am a fabulous person just being me, but it doesn't change the fact that I STILL do it.

So when I am in these little pity party modes, I don't usually let Casey in on my secret bash. I just pretend that everything is OK and go about my day as usual. It never fails, however, that at some point in that day, Casey will see me ( and this is 100% the TRUTH, I am always looking at about my worst, in my holy T-shirt and old sweats with my hair a nasty mess or something) and he will smile at me ever so sweetly and say "Hello beautiful". Every time. It always makes me feel very loved and so very grateful to have him. But just tonight, laying in my bed, is when I realized the even deeper significance.

I don't have to perfect. I don't have to be the most beautiful woman in the world. I am not the most beautiful woman in the world. I am not the skinniest or most perfect woman in the world. I am not the richest or the most well liked. But I am his beautiful. And that my friends, is all that matters. Of course I can and will do things to make myself better and happier and healthier. But no matter what comes my way, or how often I fail, I always get to be his beautiful.

So..... I am going to try....

2009-06-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

All right.... so I am going to try and sell some of the things that I make. I have created a website.... feel free to pass it along to any and all. It's still under construction, but I decided I just needed to put myself out there and see what happens..... Heres to Hopin!!!!!

{ A whole Set }

2009-06-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

So.... I have been a busy little tutu maker lately! The tutu I made a few months ago for my niece for her birthday was a huge hit, and I had requests from her two sisters to please make them one for their birthday. It just so happens that their birthday's are about a week apart, so I have been working away! I made one last week for little miss Emma Jo, in all different shades of blue (of course) along with some matching flip-flops and a hair bow..... then I received, yet again, the request from both Abby and Kalli to please make them { A whole set } too! LOL so needless to say, I have been spending my free time make such pretty things for them! Abby just got the flip-flops and hair bow, since she received her tutu back in April, Kalli is getting the whole thing AND a butterfly necklace that I made special since she is turning 8! And last but not least I made myself a swim bag.... too cute, don't ya think?

{ of course they didn't have any PLAIN flip-flops when I bought Kalli's }

Wow.... where does the time go?

2009-06-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not updating for almost TWO months! What the crap! Wow. So I am still alive. I am surviving the two jobs. It's actually not all that bad, plus I am getting a nice tan from being outside all the time. Not much else is new for us. Just plugging along, day to day. It's definitely getting hot here now-a-days. We are enjoying the pools. I had a FABULOUS visit from Heidi a couple of weeks ago. TONS of fun.... LOL although I don't think that I have tried to cram that much into one weekend since I was in college! I hit my one year mark at this job (seriously?! it's already been a year?!) I am contemplating trying to go back to school in the fall and FINALLY finish my degree....... I am also trying to get my ideas together so that I can try to start some sort of business from home (how nice would that be?). My mind likes to come up with all the crazy ideas all the time.... and I am just abuot bored enough to try them all out!

I need to get back to work.... not sure if it's job one or two.... but I definitely need to get to it! Love and miss everyone!

Diaper Bags Galore!

2009-04-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

So this would be number 2. I only have three more on back order now! YAY! LOL and for all you out there that are thinking you might want me to make you one, I am considering making them on the side. If you are interested, leave me a comment. I will get back to you with how much it would cost!

I am still alive.... Ü

2009-04-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!!! So I am still alive... I just don't have much time for other things lately. Working two jobs and then trying to spend some time with Casey and doing all my little projects doesn't leave much time for bloggin... I do miss it! Ü But anyway, I just finished Tassia's diaper bag and Changing mat and Diaper Wallet.... so I thought I would put some pics up... Enjoy!!!

A Birthday Present

2009-03-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

What little girl doesn't love all things sparkly, fluffy and princess-y? So I decided to make my beautiful little niece Abby a one of a kind tutu for her birthday. Hopefully she will like it! It's super cute though, right? I thought so. And it was super easy to make!!!!!

Yet another project.....

2009-03-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

So here are the few pictures that I took of my latest project. I decided that I wanted to sew a this really cute diaper bag for my sister-in-law. So I made a pattern, bought some material, got some advice from my mom (who is an AMAZING seamstress) and went for it. Thanks to my mom, who got me a sewing machine for my birthday, and whom I must have gotten a little bit of sewing talent from after all..... this is want turned out for my practice one. Not too bad for the first thing that I've ever attempted to sew in my life, right? I will post some more pictures of the others once I get them done.... LOL I have a waiting list now for some.

The best friends a girl could ask for.....

2009-03-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

So it's been really rainy the past few days out this way, and I always get to reminiscing on days like these. Lately I have been thinking about my very amazing girl friends back in Utah. We definitely had some good time in college and the years since. I miss them all so very much!!!! LOL so they are probably going to kill me, but I decided to post some pics of us all from back in the day. LOVE YOU GIRLS!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY!!!!!

2009-03-05T16:35:00.001-08:00

Happy birthday to my wonderful Casey. Ü Hard to believe that you are 28! It feels so very strange to realize how close we both are to 30. I hope that your day is filled with lots of happiness!!!!! I love you!!!!!

A very BIG thank you.....

2009-02-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to follow up on my previous post. I wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you who have commented. I am so very grateful to have all of you in my life. I apologize if the last post sounded a little bit down. I will fully admit that I was. But I am OK and doing much better. I am SO very thankful for all the blessings in my life. I know that things will work out eventually. I will keep my chin up and stay positive I promise. I sure do love you all!!!!!

It's been a while....

2009-02-15T10:08:00.000-08:00

So I noticed today that it has been over a month since I put a post up. So I decided to share on some of my thoughts recently. As I am sure most of you know by now, we are trying to sell our house. It has been on the market for three months now, and we have shown it about 4 times. I realize that it is slow with the economy right now. But that is still discouraging. I try to keep a positive attitude about things, but the other night I just couldn't handle it and had kind of a melt down. I had just checked my email, and our realtor had sent me a message with the feedback from the last showing we had. The people had very bluntly said, "Not a possibility". I realize that it shouldn't have set me off like it did, but it was the last straw for the last few months worth of issues. I didn't alert Casey to my fragile state of mind, I just simply went into your bedroom and laid down and had a good cry. I cried out all of my frustrations over our house not selling, our financial situation, our inability to have children, and over feeling very stuck in life. When I didn't have any tears left, I sat debating with myself about what I wanted to do to try and fix the situation. The solution that seemed to be the easiest and quickest fix, was to just quit. To just walk away from everything. But as soon as I thought it, I had a flash back to about 13 years ago.

I am not sure if my dad remembers that morning, but he taught me a very important lesson that has stuck with me ever since. Let me preface the story by saying that when I was almost 13 we moved to Vegas. I hadn't ever really played basketball. I actually despised it. But when I was in the eighth grade, I got put on the school team. I was terrible. Then when I got to high school in the ninth grade, I was pretty much forced to play on the Varsity basketball team. I was scared to death. I had only played one year before that, I was HORRIBLE and the majority of the team were seniors. Our practice schedule was really extreme. We had an early morning practice from 4:30 to 6:30, then I got ready and went to school (of course in all the honor courses, thanks mom Ü), after which I followed up with after school seminary and then finally went to another 2 hour practice before going home. It was a very grueling schedule for anyone who loved the game, but especially for me because I HATED it. One morning as my dad was driving me to practice in the wee hours of the morning, I broke down. I didn't want to do it anymore, I wanted to quit. What my dad told me next has had a lasting impact on my life. He told me he wouldn't let me quit. I was not a quitter. I was going to finish the season. Then if I decided that I didn't want to play anymore that was fine, but I was not going to quit now. I of course was not a happy camper about his answer, but when I look back now I am so very grateful for it. If he had let me quit, my entire life would have turned out differently.

So as I remembered that story, I realized that all this that I am going through will have an lasting impact on my life. I may not know what that will be, but I won't quit. I will carry all these things that seem to burden me down with a smile. I will continue forward with a positive attitude until they are over.

So thank you dad. Thanks for helping me to understand that quitting isn't the answer.

Newest Hobby....

2009-01-11T16:56:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone Ü So this is my newest hobby. Check out the photos that I posted and let me know what you think Ü

http://taekourbreathaway.blogspot.com/

Identity Theft

2009-01-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ok so to all my friends and family out there..... please please please, make sure that you monitor your bank accounts and credit. I am grateful that we caught ours when we did. I am unfortunately the victim of some identity theft. I always felt sorry for others that I heard it happened to, but I always thought that I would be ok because I am SOOOO careful with my info and Casey's. Unfortunately it doesn't matter how careful you are. So please check things often Ü. I am not going to post the whole story yet. That is for another day when I am feeling very long winded, or you can feel free to call me.

New Year......

2009-01-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but I do my best thinking when I am almost asleep. It's when I am in that state where I am almost asleep, but still awake enough to know what I am thinking about.

Anyway, last night was one of those nights when I had sort of an epiphany. I was thinking that I don't tend to make new year resolutions, because if I am honest with myself, I don't ever keep them or follow through with them. Then I started to thinking about my past resolutions, and they all seemed to revolve around me not liking my body. So then my thoughts went towards all the things that I am not so much a fan about. I was mentally listing them, when I suddenly caught myself. I stopped my train of thought and went with the new thought that had just interrupted me. The new thought was this: I need to stop hating myself. Sure there are things that I would like to change. Everyone has those I am sure. I would love to be in better shape, lose some weight and be more active. I would really love it if my body worked right so that I was able to have children. I would love to have more perfect beautifully white teeth. But in all honesty, this is the only body that I get. I need to start being grateful that I have this body at all. I need to be more appreciative that I have to opportunity to live in this body, even with the things that I don't like about it.

And then it hit me. That is my new life time resolution. I am going to be more grateful that I have been given this wonderful miracle of a body and stop hating the little things about it. Of course I am going to try to take better care of it, but my ultimate goal is not the weight loss, or whiter teeth, it is loving myself because I am me. So to all of you out there who agree or disagree, I say this, it does not matter to me. I am who I am. Take it or leave it.

Miracle Worker......

2009-01-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

So I have been REALLY sick lately, which doesn't come as a surprise to most, I know. I have a tendency to get sick really easily and very often. So my most recent ailment had been this cold that started out as a sore sratchy throat and then turned into congestion in my head and chest. Anyone who knows me, also knows that I HATE going to the doctor. So because of my predicament I decided to try out this magic bottle of syrup that seems to always work miracles for me. It's called Black Edlerberry Syrup. I find it here at the health food store. It's kind of pricey for that little bottle (about $11), but well worth is because it saved me from that dreaded doctor's visit. I started taking it Tuesday morning and by Tuesday evening I was feeling A LOT better. I am still taking it until I am sure that I am over this. But anyone who knows me, knows how sick I tend to get and this fabulous bottle is my new favorite. I plan on keeping some in the house always. So for everyone out there, I recommend getting yourself some. It is WONDERFUL! It is safe for kids too. So there you go.

Cloned Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

2008-12-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon Rolls

Dough: (dough is made in a bread machine)

1 Cup warm milk

2 Eggs, room temperature

1/3 cup margarine, melted

4 1/2 cups bread flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup white sugar

2 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast (I just use on package of the active dry yeast)

Filling:

1 cup brown sugar

2 1/2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1/3 cup butter, softened

Frosting:

1 (3oz) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp salt

Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer (I put the ingredients in the pan in the order that they are listed above).Select dough cycle; press start

after dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon and butter (I would recommend melting the butter and then mixing it together, the mixture will spread on the dough easier).

Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with the cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut into 16 rolls using a string or thread. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes (FYI you will probably need to bake them longer). While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

*** These rolls are FABULOUS. They do take quite a bit of time to make, so make sure you aren't going to need to go anywhere while you are making them Ü

7 LaYeR bEaN dIp

2008-12-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

7 Layer Ben Dip

1 Large Can refried beans

1 8oz package cream cheese

1 16oz container sour cream

1 package taco seasoning

guacamole

salsa

shredded cheese

green onions

sliced olives

Heat the refried beans until warm. In a large dish, spread your layer of refried beans. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning, spread on top of the beans. Spread guacamole next, then salsa, then top with shredded cheese. Add sliced green onions and sliced olives. There you have it! 7 layers of YUM!!!!!

*** I use the less fat cream cheese and light sour cream and you can't tell the difference. Also I have used both real guacamole and guacamole dip, They both taste great.

Slack much?!

2008-12-19T16:59:00.000-08:00

Wow... so I have been a slacker lately with the whole blog thing! I am so LAZY. It must have something to do with the holidays...... Ü Not a whole lot happening here in Texas for us lately. We had a nice Thanksgiving with Casey's Brother's family and Casey's sister's family. We went to the Fort Worth Zoo, it was fun. I got some REALLY cute pictures of all the kiddos. But I am L-A-Z-Y and have not put them on the computer yet. So no pics I'm afraid. Also about a week ago was our ward Christmas party. Casey and I are on the activities committee. So we were in charge of the whole thing. It was A LOT of work. But it ended up being really cute and everyone said it was by far the best party we have had in a LONG time, and the food was FANTASTIC! (Casey cooked dutch oven chicken Ü) Not a whole lot more to report I'm afraid. The house is still up for sale. Not many interested people lately, but we didn't expect a whole lot of interest with the way the economy is right now. So we are just praying that it will eventually sell. But I guess what happens happens, right?

We hope that everyone has the best holiday season! I was going to do a Christmas card, but again with my laziness. Do you see a reoccurring theme here? Ü

It's Official

2008-11-18T05:42:00.001-08:00

So it's official, we put our home up for sale. We are going back to Utah. Well, we are going back if our house ever sells Ü So if you know of anyone who would like to buy a VERY cute home in Texas........ Cross your fingers that is sells quick!

A "Day Off" from work to ...... Work?

2008-11-12T05:17:00.000-08:00

So do y'all ever get this kind of a day off? I had yesterday off due to it being Veterans day. I was really excited to be able to sleep in and just lounge around all day. However, I realized Monday night that I wasn't going to be able to be lazy. So instead I spent ALL day cleaning the house. Literally I cleaned it from top to bottom. I don't think that house has ever been that clean. And when I say all day, I mean ALL day. I got up at 8 and started cleaning and I didn't finish until 5:30. There were no breaks, not even for eating. Anyone who knows me, knows that when I start cleaning I am EXTREMELY focused until the task at hand is done. So needless to say, I am not at all rested today as I return to work work. I am actually MORE exhausted then I was before my "Day Off". Lame.

Oh and just one more rant for a minute, those of you who know that we have been having car issues lately (with our NEW car!), we STILL don't have the car. Yeah, they supposedly fixed it and we picked it up a week ago, well then it broke down again a day after we got it back. So they came and picked it up again and told us that they forgot to replace a seal or something, oh and that a couple of parts they told us weren't bad before are now bad. But they insist that they didn't go bad because they didn't put the car back together correctly, so therefore they won't fix them for free. I still firmly believe that they did go bad because they didn't put the car back together correctly. But nonetheless they won't fix that problem and we are STILL waiting for them to fix the seal so that we can go and get it so Casey can fix the other two problems. Yeah, so that is what is happening in our life right now Ü fun for us!

Brandon & Mel's Wedding

2008-11-05T16:39:00.000-08:00

So for those who don't know... my younger brother Brandon got married on Halloween (Yes we all know it was a strange date, but whatever!) Casey and I were able to go back to Utah thanks to my mom and dad and be there for the wedding Ü Here are a few of the over 200 hundred pictures that I took. They sure are CUTE!