Gettysburg

^^^Gettysburg, June 2012

Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.

Abraham Lincoln is one of my heroes. I have always admired his courage, strength, and faith in America when the country looked as though it was on the verge of dying. 

The Gettysburg Address, though simple in speech, will aways have a sustaining power to it. 

I have read it many times, and every time I am always moved by the conviction and belief that Lincoln conveys. 

This speech changed the world. I'm so grateful for its powerful message...

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

--Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

one week countdown

She is my little bride-to-be for just one more week!

On Saturday she becomes Carli Claflin!

(kacey.ism 324)

to-do list of the month.

(kacey.ism 323)

Dusting off.

I just found this quote sitting on my desktop. 

I didn't even know it was there, but wow did I need to hear that today.

For reasons beyond my understanding life has just been a little tough lately. 

When things don't work out the way I want them to I always have to take a step back and regain my perspective, take a deep breath, and carry on. 

Dusting yourself off and getting back in the race is part of life. 

These words really struck me tonight. They are a reminder to me that I have a responsibility to be there for others and live up to the potential Heavenly Father put inside me. 

So while I may have taken a couple minutes to look at life with the cup half empty, I'm back to looking at the breathtaking beauty that covers the other 99%. 

My life is a blessing and I'm going to treat it as such. 

(kacey.ism 322)

November

Happy November!
For me November equals...
 Autumn
 Family
 Gratitude
 First snowfall
 Cozying up by the fire
 Thick socks
 Hot Cider
 Thanksgiving
 Crisp mornings
 Taking time to count your blessings

(kacey.ism 321)

October, please stay forever.

I would be just fine if we had 365 days of Autumn. I just adore this time of year.

October is crisp, fresh, colorful, and beautiful. 

It's cooled down just enough to appreciate the sunshine.

It's starting to get dark earlier, so daylight becomes precious. 

I can't stop staring at the mountains...they literally look like a painting. 

Layers, scarves, boots, and socks are back in business. 

I just feel alive and renewed and like anything is possible. 

It really is the year's last loveliest smile, and everyone is lovelier because of it. 

Autumn, October, and bright yellow leaves, please never leave. 

(kacey.ism 320)

A birthday spent with Minnie and Harry Potter

Last weekend my family jetted off to Disney World for a quick fun filled vacation. 

We did not waste one minute of our time there. 

Thursday morning we were up and off to the Magic Kingdom. 

Something to know about the Schneider's...we LOVE Disney. 

In our opinion there really is no place happier. That being said, it's safe to say we were loving every minute. 

Universal Studios came next and with that came Harry Potter World. 

As a Harry Potter fanatic this was a dream come true. Walking across that bridge and seeing Hogwarts looming up ahead of me was truly magical.

My family was so sweet. They were just my little entourage and let me indulge in everything it had to offer.

I drank Butterbeer, I went on all the rides, I bought candy from Honeydukes, I sported a Harry Potter t-shirt, and I just tried to take advantage of every second. It was the best part of the weekend. 

Saturday was my birthday and we spent the first part of the day at MGM. I sported my Minnie Mouse ears and we rode Tower of Terror, Rockin' Rollercoaster, and saw a couple shows. 

That night we went back to the park and ran the Tower of Terror 10 Miler. 

Technically it was the reason for the whole weekend, so we were excited to finally do it. 

It was awesome. I'm going to brag about my family for a second. They are amazing. We ran the whole way (Allie wheeled the whole way), and it was just awesome. I was so proud of them, and I was so proud to be with them. 

It was just a fabulous weekend. I loved every minute of it. I couldn't have spent my birthday in a better place or in a better way. 

(kacey.ism 319)