And it's over.

As fast as it came this year, Christmas is gone just as quickly.
This year just didn't seem as exciting as in years past but I will say I got to spend many fabulous hours with family and friends I don't get to see nearly enough.
I will have to post pics later as I'm in Nashville to see my Preds play (Christmas present from my Meme!)!
So, I hope you had an amazing Christmas, an awesome New Year, and be sure to cross your fingers and send a prayer up for my Preds! They've had a rough couple of games! :(

I just HAVE to share the newest addition to La Cass de Kacie! Meet Magnus!

I think he likes his sweet puppy sitter!

Why am I sad!? It's Christmas!!

I'm coming to realize that the older I get the more little traditions, especially around the holidays, really matter. Decorating the Christmas tree has always been a huge thing for me, and my family always joked that I was the traveling "decorator". I literally went from house to house decorating the trees of all of my aunts and my grandparents year after year. It is my absolute favorite thing about the holidays.

I thought after moving in to my own home my love of this holiday and all of the little traditions my family has carried on through the years would only grow. I was really surprised when after digging out the Christmas trees (yes, I put up 3 trees, don't judge!) and beautiful ornaments that all I really wanted to do was sit on the floor and cry.

All of these memories of dragging the trees out of my aunts' attic, hanging the stockings, stringing popcorn, listening to Christmas music...they all came rushing back, and honestly made me a little sad. I can't believe I'm doing these things alone this year.

At this point I'm really just convinced I'm some kind of freak. I mean, I moved five miles down the road from my parents and the house I grew up in. It's not like I moved half way across the country, BUT sometimes it feels that way.

This year my Christmas present to myself is to love on my family a little more than usual, even if that means spending time with the crazies (because lets be honest, we all have crazies...some more than others...we have A LOT of crazies).

So, Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine!


(And I had to share these precious pictures of my favorite kiddos! Snow days are great for photo shoots, btw.)

The loves of my life! Could they be any cuter!?!

Vaca Bliss!

There are some days/weeks/months that my job drives me to pure insanity, and then I see the light at the end of the tunnel...VACATION!!!

The last couple of days have been pure bliss. Sleeping in past 6, going to the gym whenever I feel like it, not changing out of my pajamas. Yep, pretty much decided I could do this vacation thing year around!

I have also had the chance to spend time with two amazing friends that I don't get to see nearly enough!

On Tuesday I met up with the fabulous Ashley to do a little exploring in the super cute town she now lives in! Highlight of the day was a quick stop in this little shop owned by the most eccentric, fabulous and downright hilarious lady. The shop was filled with hundreds of paintings she had painted herself, and let me just say, she is mad talented...and did I mention hilarious!? We left this shop learning new things about our local "culture", how to angle men vs women when photographing them, and with the promise that if we ever needed advice on love, well, we know where to find her!

I had a blast exploring, taking pictures, window shopping and just catching up! Can't wait til next time!

Oh Em Gee!!!

First trip back to the gym in like...a year = PAIN!!!

After realizing that I weigh more now than I ever have I made a run for the gym yesterday. I had a great 1 1/2 hr workout and was feeling great...and then I woke up this morning. My arms hurt, my legs hurt, my stomach and back hurt and even my freakin' ears hurt!!! How in the world does that happen!?!

People laugh at me because I have always said after a good workout that it "hurts so good". This pain, however, makes me feel on the verge of death. BUT, after being completely disgusted with myself for letting things get SO out of hand, I really feel like I have a new mindset for the first time. I am going to make myself go to the gym today and I will figure out a way of healthy eating that works for me, as that has always been my downfall!

So, pray for me. This could be interesting, for sure!

My Love Letter

If I ever disappear just please know that I have simply run away to my favorite city on Earth.

I always thought before I bought a house near my family I would have lived in Nashville for at least a little while. Well, after the seemingly perfect job fell into my lap at home I bought the house and never made it to TN. The desire to live there has not left me though.

I don't know what it is about Nashville  but it is honestly such a magical place. I love that even though the City is actually huge it has such a small town feel. People are friendly. Shopping is plentiful. Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans are playing. Basically bright lights, big city, small town feel. Good stuff.

SO...if you ever decide to go to Nashville here are a couple of places you MUST go!

*Parthenon...it is an absolutely beautiful place to visit, take a picnic, go for a walk, have a photo shoot by the super cute pond, do whatever, just go!

Friends and I visiting the Parthenon last fall!

 *Love Circle...simply for the view, there is no view more amazing than Nashville at night!

Not my photo, borrowed from Google, but absolutely beautiful!

*Downtown...no reason needed, just go!

Again, not my photo, but I LOVE it!

*Bridgestone Arena...go to a game! I understand everyone is not a hockey fan. I won't lie, I hadn't thought twice about hockey until a friend wanted to go to a game and bought me a ticket so she wouldn't have to go alone. One game and it was all over. I might have a slight obsession...maybe.

Who wouldn't want to be a part of this!!! (Again, not my photo. Thanks Google!)

*Maggiano's...you have to eat here...and if you go at the right time the view is fabulous ;)

*Opry Mills and Green Hills Malls...both are fabulous and have everything from Forever 21 to Tiffany's!

*Grand Ole Opry...one of those truly magical places in Nashville. So much history! (And yes I am a huge Country Music fan!!!

Carrie Underwood at the Opry during my first visit!

So, go to Nashville. For a day, a week or just run away with me. Just go!

Curl Genius-aholic

So in my crazy Black Friday shopping delirium I actually made it out of a store with at least one really good deal! And it was by accident!

After spending all night shopping in the town closest to me (my town has two dollar stores, two gas stations and a handful of restaurants...definitely no shopping here) we decided to go to next "big" town over. After looking for everything on my grandma's list and looking for a few cute things in Old Navy I decided to visit Sally's (basically because it was the only store within 100 miles that didn't have hundreds of people at the checkout line).

I had yet to buy myself anything so when I laid eyes on this Curl Genius I just knew I had to have it! This curler was regularly $150 but was on sale for $99. Great deal, right!? Well when I got to the register to check out they started piling other things in my bag. Slightly confused I asked the lady what she was doing, I didn't want those things. Well apparently I missed the huge sign on the door that said if you spend $45 you get a free flat iron. Awesome! Well there was another sign right below the curler that said if you bought the curler you got a free hair dryer! Double Awesome!

Long story short, I made it out of  Sally's spending $105 and got some super fun things! And if you haven't used a Curl Genius, your life is not complete. Really. Try one! It curled all of my hair in less than 10 minutes and the curls lasted forever!!!

Ignore the lack of makeup, but for real, curls in less than 10 min.!

Thankful Today

I had the most fabulous Thanksgiving "vacation" filled with tons of family, friends, food, shopping and a quick trip to Nashville for a Predators hockey game!

I did miss posting my week of "thankful's" because of all of our crazy activities SO I will play catch up now (before I start with full blown Christmas craziness!)

This year I am so extremely thankful for...
*my family...we don't always agree on things (not even half of the time) but we love each other and always have each other's backs!
*my friends...the ones I see/talk/text every week and the ones I see MAYBE once a year...I love you all and I have no idea where I'd be without each of you (not that you'll ever see this bc I won't tell you the address! :) )
*my church family...they have seen my family and I through so many good and bad times and have loved me through them all! (And they've even witnessed my ugly cry!)
*my home...I know I am constantly complaining because I haven't had the time or money to completely redo everything I would like to but I am enjoying my little house with its 70's flair while it is a work in progress!
*my fur babies...while I still do not consider myself a cat person, my little strays that have taken over my house are growing on me. And of course, I am completely obsessed with my sweet old man chocolate lab!
*vacations...whether it be cruising to Mexico, the Bahamas, Jamaica or the Cayman Islands, or taking a quick weekend trip to Branson or Nashville, I so enjoy this time. I know that I will not always be in a place that I can just up and go so I want to have as many wonderful vaca experiences as possible!!
*fall/winter...sweaters, flannel, leggings, boots, Christmas movies and decorations...this list could go on and on...this is totes my favorite time of the year!
*the simple things in life...Pinterest nights with the besties, dinner with old friends, a walk through the woods with my baby brother, Sunday lunch with the family, night drives to nowhere...

There are so many things that I am forever thankful for but I am most thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and having the opportunity to be raised around so many wonderful Christian examples.