two years today

that's right folks; it's that time of year in which i post a crazy pic of me celebrating life in Bend Oregon!!! 2 years ago on April 21 2007 i finished packing up life in Lynden WA and moved south to Bend Oregon! i can hardly believe it has been 2 years...
last year i said Woo-Hoo... and this year i echo it with Hooray!

life at home.

A little while back i wrote a post about my new living situation and how much i LOVE living with a little family!!! This weekend our little family grew! Brie Ann Summers joined the household!
here are some pics from this weekend;

This is big sister Sienna...

Sienna loves her mommy and little sister...

i take pictures...

check out my Kekasmai Images blog for more from this shoot....

This is what i was made for...

3:42am. the silence of my dreams was broken by these four precious words "i havea go ponny(potty)". silence again for a couple seconds and then the pitter-patter of 2-year-old feet on wood floor break the silence again. "mommy?".... "cassie, i havea go ponny." i sit up an throw off the blankets, i stumble out of bed and see precious Ella standing at the foot of the bed. I pick her up and take her in to the bathroom and help her go 'ponny'. After jammies are zipped back up and hands are washed i carry Ella back to her bed, kiss her forehead and walk back into bed. As i snuggle back into savor the last 3 hours of sleep, right before silence again fills my head this thought blazes across my mind... "THIS is what i was made for."

This weekend flew by in a flurry of pastel dresses, dark chocolate, beautiful songs, large choirs, messages of Hope and 29 hours of held breath. Yesterday morning between Easter services for Westside Church cell phones in Bend started vibrating with shocking and scary news, a dear friend and brother in the Lord was being rushed to the Hospital in Portland with a Brain Aneurysm. Within a couple hours Suburban loads of friends were making the trek across the mountain to be with loved ones. Being that i wasn't especially close to this friend, but close to his family, my place was to stay and pray... and pick up my favorite 'hat' to wear; the fill-in mommy hat!!! 4 kiddos for the night and then adding Seven in the am... no problem i thought!!!!

The rest of Easter went on without a hitch, underneath the looming feeling that all the adults were holding our breath the kiddos went on with the hunting of Easter Eggs and dividing the goods found in each one. We ate ham, pie, deviled-eggs and too much candy. And after the guest had left i settled into my most favorite role. We played games and colored pictures and then one by one the kiddos were sound asleep and i snuggled in with prayers for Steve on my heart and a big day ahead of me. I the last 3 hours of sleep after the potty break and woke up to the Central Oregon Sun rising in the window. As I showered and got ready for my day I carefully planned out who needed to be where when and how "my" little Seven fit into the day.

11:47am News from Portland was a little more hopeful than the night before, surgery was on the schedule, we held our breath and prayers for skilled hands went up. I was driving from 'here' to 'there' with Ella (2) and Seven (almost 1) buckled in car-seats on the back seat. "Twintle Twintle little staw, how i wonder what you are..." I glanced back through the re-view mirror and again, the thought blazed through my mind "THIS is what i was made for." Seven was blabbering on in "baby" language as Ella sang him Twinkle Twinkle over and over again. The smile on my face wouldn't go away.

4:21pm Surgery went well! Steve was coming out of the coma(drug induced) and responding to voices and commands! Within half an hour the house was full of the noises of 5 sweet kiddos wanting dinner and attention from this fill-in mommy. As i held one, gave advise to another, separated 2 from pulling each others hair out, and ate a little of the other's snack there it was again..."THIS is what i was made for."

6:15pm Seven went home with his mama, Dinner was done, homework for the freshman was hanging in the air and 3 balls of energy and i bundled up for a little game of baseball while the sun went down. I pitched. They hit. Stanley(the dog) ran and caught the ball and brought it back to the pitchers mound. Once our fingers were sufficiently cold and our cheeks were the color of the cherry Popsicles we headed inside for jammies and back rubs before bed. Little Ella was falling asleep standing up, in we went and got tucked in and prayers said. Shelbi (the freshman) was not feeling too hot so i got her Nyquil and said prayers for her before she fell asleep on her History books. Brodie(7th grade) asked my advise on the running shoes he was checking out on Eastbay.com and Parker(7 years old) was just happy if someone answered any of the 1,000 questions he had.

8:15pm Dishes done, living room cleaned and now it was Parker's turn for a back rub and chat on the couch about Rocketships and going to outer space to look at the Earth. Brodie went up to the xbox to veg. for a little while. There it was again "THIS is what i was made for."

I have these moments often enough to know that God is reminding me of sweet dreams He put in my heart when it started beating. I have these moments in 180 all the time. It happens when i pray with my small group gals. It happens when one of those girls tells me about the awesome things God did that week. It happens when i think about being back in Africa someday. It happens when play with my little roommate Sienna all the time. It happens with Seven more often than not. It happens when i see prayers answered in front of my face. Steve is breathing on his own and talking to his wife and daughter as i write this.

Soon, Daddy and Mama of these sweet ones will be home and i will be on my way to my own bed. I will hang up my fill-in mommy hat and say hello to "normal" life at 6:25am, but i will never live a "normal" life as long as i am living to see what Jesus has made me for and as long as i keep having these moments that blow my mind and make me think "THIS is what i was made for."

God is Good Part 3

i spoke in oneighty.
it was a delight.
i learned a lot from it.
it turned out alright.
i truly love Jesus.
it keeps me in tight.
i should really stop rhyming.
or it could end in a fright.


The Gathering March 25 2009 from The Gathering on Vimeo.

God is Good. part 2

Is there any chance we can learn to embrace the hard times and
see them as the goodness of God in our lives?

Romans 8:28-29
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

James 1:17-18
“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above who created all Heaven’s lights. Unlike them he never changes or cast a shifting shadow.
In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word.”

Because of the never changing character of God,
we need to begin to see the things he gives us as good and perfect.
He is good.
He is perfect.
He doesn’t do things by mistake or say oops!!

picture of the day

Josiah Daniel

April 2, 2000 was a record hot day in Puyallup WA, so much so that the downtown McDonalds was out of Vanilla and Twist ice cream. Chocolate only. We were in the midst of moving 10(+1) people 250 miles. Mom's blood pressure spiked. Diacogiannis Baby #9 would be born earlier than planned. We all waited for the call. It seemed like a million hours, and i was getting ansy. I wanted to see this new little sibling... and mostly know if it was a BLUE or PINK baby!!! We went to the park (and McDonalds) to try and make time move faster. It didn't. After chocolate ice cream, and being that this was little sibling #7 for me, i knew it had been long enough to go to the hospital. I knew my mom and that once she was in labor, with water broke it wouldn't be long before baby was here. I convinced our driver (aka i was 14 and too old for a babysitter, but too young to drive) to take us to Good Sameritan without full knowledge if baby was here or not... We got there and i sprinted to the elevator leaving, Jeremiah and Josh in the dust with Joy "the driver". Once we got to Labor and Delivery i went straight to the nurses station, and out of breath said. "Diacogiannis?" the nurse smiled and said, "Down the hall, second door on the right, baby was born about 15 minutes ago." I heard what she said but it didn't really register, i just headed down the hall... again leaving the other 3 in the dust... i heard my dad's "daddy" voice calming a screaming new born, and that was the clue to what room to enter. I don't even remember seeing/ talking to my mom for about 5 minutes i just remember running in the room and standing on my tip toes to look over my dad's and the nurses shoulder to see the most precious pink baby with a blue hat, and squinting eyes, and a scream that pierced the room. "It's a BOY!!!!!" i ran out of the room and shouted at Jeremiah, Josh and Joy("the driver"). I ran back in and hugged my dad as he finished wrapping up my new brother in the hospital blanket (you know the ones with the pastel colored bunnies on it). I wanted to be the first to hold him, but dad let Joy... whatever! Josiah Daniel Diacogiannis. 7lbs. 14 onces. 21.5 inches long and perfect! I was thrilled to have another brother, and this little dude came out with blond hair (it'd been a few siblings since a blond one). He was so little, so precious, he smelled amazing... baby lotion plus clean. His fingers were long just like all of us D babies when we were born. He was perfect.

Happy Birthday Josiah Daniel. I can't believe you are 9 years old!!! It amazes me. You are my little think-tank brother. You had 2 sets of stiches before you were 2 years old. I think you might still have a scare in your ear. My first award winning picture was of you. As you started to grow from baby to little boy your personality started to show. You were so distinctly different from all of us. Your heart has always been in tune with people, and feelings. You have a heart that cares. I remember when you first fell in love with Art. You were so little and loved to color and paint. I remember when you were sitting at the kitchen counter and God told you that you would be an artist when you grew up and you were SO excited about it. I remember when you were a big brother to Elijah and you were so in awe of this little baby, yet you were still so little yourself. I remember when that same little brother was so sick and you sat on his bed and talked to him at the hosptial, you even brought him your favorite beanie baby to keep him company. That's just who you are. You care about people. I love you Josiah, and i'm so excited to see how you change the world. Never stop listening to Jesus. Never stop painting or drawing.

i love you to the moon. i win.

God is Good. part 1

"Yes bad things happen, but not only is the power of God still valid in those moments, but his goodness is revealed in them!"

-Cassie Diacogiannis

Portland.

i went to Portland.
i took pictures.
it was neato.
enjoy.

this is me listening to secrets from the Umbrella Man...

Elisha and the Umbrella Man...Yummy food...

Me and Elisha LOVE Chipotle...

Elisha, me, Becky and Tess; We had a rockin' awesome day!

Oldie, but a goodie

i was web-hopping and came across an oldie-but-a-goodie:



I first saw this video before i had ever been to Bend, or knew who Corey Parnell was...it quickly topped my "Top 25 Most Played" song list on itunes... and it's making a come back this week. Due to my limited perspective on my life right now... i am holding on tight to Jesus' promises(on or off paper).

I know He is good and has good plans for me. I know that walking a lifestyle of faith and trusting Him is SO much better than giving up. I know that i will look back at this "hard time" and see His refining work and be so thankful.

Happy Birthday Papa

My dad's birthday is March 6.... i will not be near a computer...and so therefore i post this now:

all my love Papa. Happy Birthday.....
P.S. i'm so glad you're not anywhere close to that old!!!

Stuff On my Heart

Humility Vs. Pride: The price of humility is our pride. I would rather be humble for an hour than proud and never learn anything. We can all at some point use more humility and situations that force us to look deeper inside.

Perseverance Vs. Waiting: I was going to say Vs. Procrastination, but waiting seemed nicer. Perseverance is pushing forward despite hardship, difficulty and delay. Perseverance grows our muscles; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually we all need to learn the art of perseverance. Whenever i hear the word, i think of a football game. Friday nights in the Fall. Darkness pierced by the field lights. All ages huddled together under umbrellas. Cheering, moaning, screaming, silence. Victory. We all want our team to win, sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't, but i am sure they tried to. I see the sweat, I can almost feel the mud and grass between the fingers, i can see the clenched jaw and the tight muscles. They for sure tried. Perhaps the other guys were bigger, perhaps there was an injury, perhaps... but they tried. I don't know any football player that would admit to not trying. It's about the fight, the perseverance, that no matter what the circumstance and situation they tried. Some people don't try in life. They focus on the mud, grass, rain, injury, or the bigger guy and give up.
James 1:2-4 has always been a favorite:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

NOT LACKING ANYTHING! oh how my heart cries for more people with a heart that heads these verses. MATURE AND COMPLETE.

Love Vs. Selfishness: If you have never read 1 Corinthians 13 you should, and if you have an know what i am talking about... read it again, but in the Love is_________ part instead of LOVE put your name and see if you match up. I get stuck on the first one "(Cassie) is patient". Anyone who knows me knows that me and patience have a battle everyday. (sometimes i win). I am pretty sure if you take the opposite of each attribute of love from that chapter you could boil it down to one word: Selfishness. I have said it many times on this blog, but i will say it again; can we just stinkin' love people? And when we have learned to truly love the people closest to us, let's show it off.... let's (please) love the world and show people Jesus.

Purity Vs. Immorality: Can we please STOP selling purity as abstinence? There is so much more to a life full of purity than saving sex for marriage. (more to come on this one)

Having a Family: I think one of God's greatest ideas was family. I just moved in with one. (yes i moved again) Mike, Ally, Sienna and baby(still in the oven) are wonderful. I love watching families. I love (and miss terribly) my family, but am so thankful that i have one, and not only have one, but having a family with Parents who started a new legacy and line is awesome! My parents understand the value of being humble for an hour. My parents understand that hard times will come and situations may be bleak, but perseverance is worth the pain. If you check out my "About Me" you will see that i consider my parents an incredible example of Selfless Love. I like to call my dad(mom too) the "Purity Nazi"... and am SO glad he is/was!!! They didn't come from "normal" or "wonderful" families, but they knew that it was possible, and for that i am eternally great full.

Lessons from the Zebra

i think they got in a fight...

Secret to relational success: communication is the key... not ignoring each other.

a week in pictures

This week was... a lot of things, but no matter what word i choose to use to describe it, nothing does it justice like a few photos!!! I had a random week off and took the oppertunity to head up to Washington to see my family!!! My dear friend Ali came along for some fun...

we stopped at the Washington State capitol...

Birch Bay...

Joshua loves his M&Ms...

Me and Katherine...

An oddly-long log that Ali and i walked on...

We went to the Zoo...

Tigars are my favorite...

Pike Place is a Seattle must...

One of my all time favorite places in the World...

It was a great week... check back later for a lesson from the Zebras. Seriously though...
check back tomorrow.

7

Sometimes i take pictures of the little man in my life...

I am pretty sure i nanny the cutest kid ever.

in case you wonder...

...what exactly i mean when i say i love High Schoolers and Oneighty.
this is a video from Wednesday night:

The Gathering February 11 2009 from Oneighty on Vimeo.

(sorry for the talking real fast.)
limited time+lots to say+passion= cassie on a roll. =)

i've been tagged

i've been tagged in hide-n-seek.

i've been tagged in freeze tag.
i've been tagged in 2-hand-touch football.
i've been tagged in capture the flag.
i've been tagged on purpose.
i've been tagged on accident.
i've been tagged on myspace.
i've been tagged on facebook.
And now tagging has now moved on to the blog world...

Here are the rules:

1. Go to the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun.

So, here is my 4th photo in my 4th folder:

Now the funny thing about this picture is that it's from the 4th of July 2007!
This is the LOVELY Christie Dunagan blowing bubbles from a float! I was visiting Hood River Oregon for a random 4th of July trip and ended up in a parade and on a float!!!
So many good memories!!!!

And now i tag...

#1. My awesome brother Benjamin
#2. The #1 Shelbi it's her birthday.
#3. Branden, because he rarely posts photos and i want to see one!
#4. Miss Joann Renee she inspires me to pursue my dreams.

One Year

I can hardly believe it's been a year since posting this video!!!! WOW, God has done a mighty work in our family since then, and I am blessed more and more each day by Jacob, Sarah and Rachel!!!!

Beware, if you in fact missed this the first time around you might cry... and even if you have seen it... you might cry!

lovely weekend

i had a lovely weekend...

Friday i spent all day at a wedding... well the wedding was only a few hours of it, but i helped coordinated the reception decorating and such so i was there a lot longer than the average wedding go-er.

wedding with ice cream bars are brilliant:

this is the glorious place the cake went,
however the cake was a little late so i don't have a picture of it:

This is Jesse and Taylor. Such an amazing couple! I am so blessed to know them!!!This is Jesse and Seth(the best man). Seth is brilliant and funny, so therefore the ring was tied to a very long string hidden inside the jacket:Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Hinrichs:Saturday took me to Portland for the day! Stephenie, Michelle and i went to see our AMAZING Joann Renee DIRECT Narnia (the musical)... so technically we didn't see her direct, but the actors and actresses executed her brilliance incredibly!

classic road trip self portrait:We stopped on the way for lunch/coffee/tea at Rosie's in Mill City.

Free Advice;
Guys surprise your date and take her to Rosie's. The drive is beautiful, the food is YUM, the pictures that could be taken would be brilliant.

Stephenie getting into Acts 7:

Michelle getting into Great is Thy Faithfulness in Latin:Left to Right: Michelle, Joann(the Director!), Michelle Parker, Me & Stephenie

Sunday i went to a Superbowl Party. It was a delight, the 3D glasses didn't work. The Steelers are my enemy. Kurt Warner is a stud. Larry Fitzgerald is fast. Harrison(#96) should be embarrassed that he made Superbowl history and wasn't MVP (due to being a JERK on the field). Big Ben seemed to have gained a lot of weight since ripping off the Seahawks a few years back. The Office episode could have been better. The Guac dip was INCREDIBLE (thanks Katie and Lindsay)! But seriously the funniest part was Bruce Springsteen shouting this at the camera.

"Step away from the guacamole dip and put the chicken fingers down!"

...and so you see it was a lovely weekend.