Pink TaTa's & Three going on Thirteen

Soccer guy.
Serious blueberry pancake eating!
So sweet!
It's coffee hour with the boy!

Some new running clothes!
The Amazing Stone Sib Duo!
Pink Cakes for the birthday girl.

Yum!
The Old Barn Road crew
"Darby"
Big Night Out!

Good Evening.
I am sitting here on an evening that is not of the norm for a Monday night. Normally, I am the "tucker inner" and Jeb treks down the road with the fella's for a little Monday Night Football time but tonight I am sitting here "watching" it with him. I even forwent Dancing With The Stars. I know it! I AM the perfect wife. :) Hee hee.

We had such a great weekend. On Saturday morning I got up and left my sweet family here and got a chance to participate in a 5K like no other. It was the annual Remembrance Run which donates its proceeds directly to an organization here in Traverse City to women who need assistance while undergoing Chemotherapy. It is such a lovely get together that celebrates the life of not only women and the power that is us, but honors and celebrates the lives of women who have had to endure some pretty ugly stuff. I participated in the race for the 1st time in '06 and I wouldn't miss it for anything. The event is so dear to me as I am able to run and honor my grandma and her sister for the fight that they have fought and won. They are true hero's to me. If all I have to do, to show them how them how honored I am to be a part of their family is run 3 miles, then that is what I shall do. I wore a little pink star on the front of my running jacket that read, "In Honor of the Sister's Griffee". I ran and enjoyed the beautiful woods littered with changing leaves and pink ribbons tied above every tree limb lining the course. I ran and gave thanks for the strength of these 2 ladies that have loved me my whole life. I ran and gave thanks for the fact that I get to love them for the rest of their lives. I am a blessed gal who has had a chance to enjoy nursing 3 babies, enjoyed "the girls" in all of the stages they have gone through and will continue to take care of them because of the outpouring of information that is available to me in this year 2008. I give such great thanks for these Ta Ta's! :)

We celebrated Ali's 3rd birthday this last week. What a big girl. On a daily basis I have to ask her how old she is. She is such the big girl/boss these days. I think that she is learning where she stands in the pecking order too. She is loving her days home when her big brother is gone away at school. She is loving that she can show Brodie who the boss is. And in true Stone men fashion, as with all the other men in her life, he just smiles at her. Anyway, she was more than delighted to have some friends over after school on Wednesday for a cupcake. We ventured out for pizza at our favorite place and then to Culver's for a pumpkin shake. (which I had hours after the child was born). She got to open presents and loved every second of her big day. She is such a sweet girl who is so intense about life. She studies and dissects and shows her emotions when she sees the time is right. She is a lover and a fighter and will undoubtedly end up having the best of all worlds and end up being evenly rounded out with what she sees right. I am learning to give her her time and give her her say. I am learning that she no longer wants to be "baggage" but a true team player. She wants to let everyone know her 2 cents and because of that, I am a more patient mama. I am learning. She came into this world like a shot out of a cannon in the middle of the night. After the dishes were done, the laundry put away, and the bills paid. She is like clock work and the most consistent part of my day. She is a delight and little by little as she lets me love her more, I am overwhelmed with joy at the opportunity to be her mom. I will show her the world and wait for our relationship to blossom into something lovely. Happy birthday baby.

Tomorrow evening I will leave here and head to my new job. I am now a working gal again. I am starting a job at Boones Long Lake Inn. I am going to be hostessing until I can get into the rotation (my foot in the door that is if someone doesn't slam it 1st!) of waiting tables. A little scary, a little exciting. All around the true meaning of the word bittersweet. I will report back to let you know if I made it out alive.

Fall is here. It is everywhere. I am ready for the crazy months that are ahead. My love is always with you and I give such great unbelievable thanks for the people that I get to call family and friends. I share in all of your joys and am truly a better person because I am loved by so many people. This mama is plugging along. Life as I know it is the most lovely that it has ever been. If it gets any more rich I shall have to add another cup to run over. On the floor. 2 Swiffer clothes to clean it up. With help from Cody.

My love, all my love,

Cassy