summer 2014

i have so much to share from the past 2+ weeks. so much. and it's all beautiful and good stuff. my heart could burst with gratitude for the summer we've had. there have been hard times and circumstances that threaten our HOPE because they seem like they will never change. there is an undercurrent in our hearts for change...to live our lives ALL OUT for Him...to have our lives reflect (especially to our kids) the truth that HE is ALL we want...and that sacrificing for those He loves (not those WE love) on a DAILY basis (an "all the time!" basis) is what our lives speak. but we aren't sure what that looks like quite yet. so we pray. and wait. and keep walking forward each day even though sometimes we can't see where we are going.

even with all that "deep", "real" stuff, it's been one of the best, most fun summers YET for the Cassada crew. and it's nearing its end. it didn't always end up how i thought it would look. but it was what He wanted for us. i have no regrets.

next week our kids start 8th, 5th, 4th, 2nd, 1st and preschool. !! lincoln and levi will be at home with me for 2nd and preschool. i have yet to open the curriculum to teach lincoln or plan one iota for our time together. it's a tricky thing, being a "homeschool" mom and a mom to kids that are going to public school and i don't want to spend my precious summer minutes with them poring over curriculum. so. lincoln and levi might start a week later. that's ok.

rebekah turns 13 this weekend. 

tennis and football schedules are coming in and my calendar and color-coded pens have had to be found and used :( it's going to be a BUSY fall...lots of extra trips and conference-type stuff on top of all the usual "life in a family of 8."

we continue to trust that He will provide all we need in each moment. i'm feeling brave. the word literally bounces around in my head at times. and that's a word that has not been a common thing for me in my life. God is surely up to something...

as i get some minutes, i'll catch this place up with pictures of the last couple weeks. but, as always, the HEART behind it and the God behind it all is what i need to share first.