New Homes, Blue Lights and Me Gusta Bailar.

Hey all! Sarah here writing here after officilly moving into my new Harrisonburg house... the Funkhouse. I thought I had prepped myself for like there without the Dollhouse... but the first night there showed me I wasn't quite as prepared as I had thought. The new girls I live with are great, in fact, the best I would want to live with if I can't be with the 5. I drove to the Burg and went straight to my new job training and couldn't wait to get home afterwards, so I proceeded to drive to the Dollhouse and realized, oops. Wrong house. So I drove to the new house and started getting used to this new life!
Rocket (aka Sara Blankenship) got to train me for my job since I'm taking hers and it is the ideal job for a college student. Check it: 10 hours a week, $10 an hour, 3-5 five days a week of the easiest job known to man (running paperwork to the courthouse, which means driving), the company footing the bill for gas and I get to tell people I work in an attorney's office. Sweet. So after two days of job training, I started my first day on my own on Friday. A little nervous. A little anxious. It's one of those things that is so easy, it could potentially make you look like a huge idiot if you mess up. Plus most of the work is handling larer ammounts of money than I will be making at this job all semester, so it could be disasterous should something bad happen. Anyway, first day was going well, I was driving to the courthouse when the skies opened u and it rained like it was the end of the world. Awesome. So I had to get to the courthouse by 4 when it closed, and I was doing well on time since it was 3:40. Suddenly, the dreaded blue lights came on behind me. "But I'm not speeding!" I thought. I pulled over, praying the police would go around me and just be on their way. But no. He pulled up behind me, got out (in the rain!) and asked me for my liscence and registration. Nooooooo! I was pretty frantic at this point, the time being 3:45 and I'm thinking, "why on my first day?!?!." I asked him with rising panic how long he thought it would take, and then started explaining that it was my first day and the courthouse was closing soon, very soon. I'm not sure I actually explained myself very coherently, but I think my voice was getting higher and higher and he noticed I was on the verge of tears and he got that look on his face that men do when a woman is about to start crying: the one where their eyebrows go up and they back up a step and there eyes get big and they start putting their hands up in a "stop" position. Panic. So he explained that my inspection date had expired but he would just give me a warning if I promised to get it checked. Whew. Crisis averted. I even managed to make him laugh, though not intentionally, when I in my panic handed him my USAA info instead of my car registration, to which he replied "uuuuh, close enough." Thanks po-po! Needless to say I didn't tell my new bosses about the incident.
In other news, Thursday night was salsa night at the rtful Dodger. Words cannot capture the sketchy and odd things that go down thursday nights at the Dodger, but let me say that these nights are simultaneously shocking, hilarious and very fun. At one point one of the Latino men cornered me and felt it was his job to teach me Spanish. I learned to say "I like to dance" and thought that would be enough to satisfy him, but he thought we should probably, you know, exchange numbers so we could... um, continue my education in Spanish. I managed to convince him that in our American culture that the woman calls the man, which baffled him and he kept saying "oh, no in mine, not like this." I insisted that yes, he should give me his number instead of me giving him mine, and in the end he acquiesced. Victory. Me gusta bailar!
Dollhouse, I miss you terribly.

It's a Boy!!!!

He has finally arrived! A little bit later than Courtney had hoped, of course, but I'm pretty sure that was all forgotten once she got to see this precious boy! My mom talked to Courtney on the phone this morning, and said Courtney was telling her she was laughing as she pushed him out!! She was just so relieved to have that moment there, but the doctor was a little shocked. 

Anyways...his name is Sawyer Patrick Cassada. He was born at 9:54 am, weighed 8 lbs 1.5 ounces, 20.5 inches long, and is as calm as can be (for now). The whole time we were in the room with him he was awake but so quiet.  He is precious. 

When Pat came out once he was delivered, as he always does, to announce if it's a boy or a girl, the weight and all that, he always has a little trick but in the exciting moment I guess we always forget. As soon as he walked out (which we had been watching the door for SO long it seemed) Joshua ran up to him so Pat picked him up and we were all gathered around him, and he says, "Well Joshua...it's just you and me.....looong pause............................and your brother!" All our minds were like, "aw, it's a girl, ok..." and trying to process that..STILL exciting, but THEN we all just burst into whatever, realizing it was a boy. Haha, it was great. Especially the grandma's reactions. AND the kids. They are all so cute about it. Bailey just keeps saying, "the baby is out!" Rebekah is always writing his name out, asking how to spell it, and this morning she said, "I was thinking about baby Sawyer last night." It's precious. Hearing Joshua and Bailey try to say his name is pretty cute too. And oh yes, in case you haven't gathered, the kids are staying at our house for a couple of days. Which is such fun but the energy level around here is pretty intense! Haha, it's just a constant party...you know how those grandparents just love to spoil the grandkids. It's fun to spend so much time with them. 

Courtney looked amazing when we saw her right after, I mean...she did not look like she had just given birth. She looked as beautiful as any other day. She's definitely feeling a little worse today (the epidural has of course worn off) but is loving having some relaxing time with her new son.

 

It may take some time to get used to being a family of 6 now!!  When we were in her labor room afterwards she said, "Yea, we got a picture of all 5 of us already.......I mean 6!" She has done a few posts on her blog cause Pat brought his laptop to the hospital, so if you want to read more about it all AND see more precious pictures, just click here for her blog. Ok, love you all and will talk to you soon! 

P.S. Yesterday was a big day for babies. Phill and Christy had their ultrasound yesterday to find out if they are having a boy or girl, and....they're having a boy too! They are ecstatic. Phill is thrilled to get to have a son, and Christy was literally screaming! She's excited to get to have a boy, too:) His name will be Ayden Phillip. Cuuuuute:) 

 

This Road...

 It's been awhile!! Quite awhile. and I thought it was about time to fill my favorite people in on what's going on in my life:) Well, to be quite honest it's been kind of hard recently. I feel ridiculous saying that, because nothing is WRONG...nothing horrible is happening, I'm completely healthy, I'm just at a really hard place right now. I feel totally lost and am so clueless about where God is leading me and what I am supposed to do with my life. (kind of a big thing to wonder about, huh?) I feel like we've wondered that our whole lives, but then once we graduated college we were going to know and everything was just going to start happening. Hmm, guess not. 

 Anyways, just practically talking about jobs, plans, and all that...I've been saying for awhile that I just need to pass my test (did that), then I just needed to take this psycho Advanced Cardiac Life Support class that some units ask for which I thought there was no way I was going to pass (but thanks to another couple weeks of more studying and being put in a great group, I got through it)- which actually got me thinking a little bit about possibly applying to some ER jobs (who knew?). So, those things are done...now it's just back to focusing on trying to get a job. And trying to really figure out where God wants me- as far as I know we're talking about San Diego or Virginia/D.C. here. I was thinking yesterday...all I want to know is 1. Where I CAN be (who is going to give me a job and where I'm going to find an optimal living situation), 2. Where I really WANT to be (what job I am actually going to end up enjoying and where I am going to enjoy living), and 3. Where SHOULD I be?! (where does God want me to be- where I will be able to serve Him best as well as where I will be able to grow and learn more about Him personally). That's ALL I want to know- haha...just a small thing. But, that's why the title of this entry is what it is, Ginny Owens' song, "This Road" definitely hits home for me right now. One day I will look back and see "why this road," but it seems impossible and silly right now! Like I said, I feel crazy complaining about stuff when there is really nothing WRONG- sure there have been some major disappointments so far- it just doesn't seem like there has been anything positive going on. and that's just frustrating. I'm now stuck at home, left simply to focus on trying to get a job now (no other little tasks to complete first), and I love my mom...but let's be honest- it's not helping the frustration. I'm not someone who enjoys sitting around over-analyzing every little part of every little thing (at least not talking about it out loud with someone). Unless it's you guys of course;) And she's not getting that. 

 Of course, if God just smacked me upside the head and told me what I should do, I would have no problem doing that...but I am definitely having a hard time patiently seeking Him and trying to decipher what He wants for me. And bottom line, I just can't live here for much longer. I at least need an end in sight to know I for sure have a plan of where I am going and when. But for that to happen I need a job. And that doesn't seem so simple. Anyways, I think I'm going in circles now. So I'll bring this to an end. 

 I have a list of potential jobs to apply to, and I just applied to my top choices and am going to see what I hear back from them. I'm pretty pessimistic. At least about San Diego jobs. But we'll see. I'm clueless, but I'm trying to be trusting. God is good, and He loves me, and He knows what's best for me. I love you all. and I'm praying for you all. and I miss you all. Seriously, I miss you all!!!! So much. We're going to need to talk some more about this coordinated trip to Norfolk soon! K, adios.

-Hannah

p.s. My sister is due THIS week with her baby! Seriously, any minute now she will be having this precious baby! She definitely cannot wait (she's pretty miserable) and we can hardly stand it either! I'll send out a note to let y'all know when she has it and whether it is a boy or a girl!! 

Hey guys!  I have my own blog now for Kenya...not much is on it, but just thought I'd pass it on!  I'm sorry that i have been so MIA recently...the only excuse I have is work early in the mornings, teaching swim lessons, then getting off late at night!  But things will hopefully change as I just got hired today as a Waitress at Rio Grande!  I'm looking forward to not being in the sun so much and hopefully having more energy for other things in life!  Miss you guys a whole heck of a lot!

-The one going to Africa

M.I.A. because of A.I.M.

Hello all ye Beautiful Dollhousers!

I just got back from New York just a few hours ago!  I was up there for my Candidate's week retreat for Africa Inland Mission!  Whoo Hooo!!!!! I'm super pumped about Africa now!  Haaa...there was a little mistake about my acceptance... Although I had thought I had been accepted a month ago, that was actually just an acceptance to Candidate's week!   Oooops, but I was officially offered the position yesterday and before they could finish their sentence, I said "YES!!!"

It was quite the week....very intense!  It began with an hour and a half of me (JUST me) sitting in a room with a psychiatrist (= AWKWARD!)  I'm sure you would have loved it, Catherine!  It was really quite humorous cause I felt like I had to say the right things in order for my time to go by quicker...it didn't.  He would ask me questions like (no joke) "So how did that experience make you feel?  Bad?  What KIND of Bad?"  Haha...I had to keep from laughing a few times cause it felt like I was on Candid Camera because my psychiatrist was so stereotypical.

From that meeting, I had to meet with my Headquarters director where we had to discuss logistics (What I would be doing, where I would be living, how long I will be serving, what kind of ministry, and so on) And here is something I'm surprisingly excited to report:  I'm not leaving till JANUARY '09!  I went into the week thinking that if I don't get accepted to leave by October, then I will be a failure and disappointed.   Turns out, that I would actually be leaving the end of September, and would have to have all my support in by  August...yeah, wasn't gonna happen!  So although January seems like a long time away, I have TONS to do including 2 weeks of stateside language school.

I think the most difficult part of the week was having to swallow the "Risk Assessment" Lecture.  I always knew that there was some sort of risk involved when going to a foreign country, but AIM didn't sugar coat their lecture one bit!  In fact, before the lecture began, one of the missionary wives passed around Kleenexes...lets just say I should have taken one or two....or three or four!  I realize now the naivety I carried with me when thinking about dangers in missions.  I also don't want to come across as sounding that I am proud or prideful for going into a dangerous part of the world... I am not saying that at all, but I am sharing this because Danger and safety are some concerns of mine that I would ask for you to lift up in Prayer!  I also realize that I am at the hands and Mercy of our Lord.  Tonight at dinner I was debriefing my parents on the week, and when they asked me about the risks involved in going to Kenya, I shared with them few and shallow stories of what I had actually heard.  They asked me, half joking, if I wanted to purchase a body guard over there...I realized that us as believers have something even better than a body guard and He goes with us EVERYWHERE and his name is not Jack Bauer.....his name is Jesus Christ!  This name is not one to be taken lightly.  Joshua 1:9 was an incredible verse brought to my attention this week, " Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  And that verse isn't just for me in Kenya, its for you-Catherine in Richmond, you-Hannah in San Diego, you-Sarah in Harrisonburg, you-Leah in Norfolk!  

One of the missionaries told me a story one night that put things into perspective for me... He shared with me that he had been mugged,beaten and robbed, multiple times, bitten by a cobra and pronounced dead, and dragged out of his car at gun point while Rebel Soldiers tied him up and pointed a gun at the back of his head and played Russian Roulette for four straight hours....he went through ALL of that and is still alive to tell me of these experiences all to say, "If you are in the Hand and will of our God, you are invisible until He calls you home."  Kinda gave me chills when I heard it, but its so right!  We have nothing to fear, because truly if its not our time to go...we aren't going anywhere!  And if it is...then all the better, that God wants us to be with Him!

I don't mean to sound crazy or anything, but I heard so much this week and am excited to share it with you all! :)

On a more logistical note... I found out some details about what I'll be doing in Kenya!  I'll be living in Nairobi and will indeed have to learn Swahili (or at least be able to say phrases like, "Please don't point that gun at me" or "Can I please buy your goat" or "I am from Canada" ...haha JUST KIDDING ;) ).  I will be in my own office and will be working on Graphic Design, Journalism, videography, and photography!  I will be working out of this office 3 weeks in a month and one week a month will be spent out on assignment!  Assignments are usually a week long where we will be working on video recording, journalism, and photography.  We will either be traveling via Landrover, small jet, or commercial airline.  We will be staying in Hostels, Missionary houses, tents, mud huts, under the stars, in our small jet, or in the Landrover.  And our showers???  Rain.    It will be quite the stretching experience for me...but Heck, I'm a Dollhouse girl... Adventure is our middle name, right?

Anyways, I'm exhausted and have to get shots in the morning :(  Blahhhh.  

Love you all and miss you lots!

It takes a bit to load, but it's 5 minutes of pure bliss :) (when it loaded, the sound is off now about a second, sorry!)

A Sweet, sweet ending

It's about time that I actually wrote a blog... So here it is.  In order to end out our 4 years on a happy note, the Dollhouse and the Turton Family took a trip down to Edisto Island, SC.  Its a pristine, barrier island about an hour from Charleston.  Absolutely relaxing! A view of the marsh and ocean from the front porch hammock and porch swing was complimented with a great dock in the backyard overlooking the marsh.  The beach is littered with shells of ALL varieties creating such beauty and also providing a challenge to walk barefoot and layout. 

In true Dollhouse fashion, we started the days with some needed exercise to balance out all the sun bathing.  Whether it was running, walking, or doing lunges until my butt muscles fell off, I truly loved every minute of an aspect that is highly valued in our house.  My parents made great breakfasts for us as well.  The famous Turton cheese pancakes were made. Cheese? Yes. Cheddar Cheese. Absolutely Fan-friggen-tastic on pancakes.  We made it to the beaches around lunch time, soaked up the sun for a few hours and came back to crab on the back porch.  

Crabbing deserves its own paragraph.  If you have never had the pleasure to crab, you must do it before you die.  Our technique consisted of 2-3 "spotters" on the top deck who would yell down the location of the crab. Another person held the net and the other had the line with bait.  The first day brought most success with 5 crabs.  And yes, we steamed them, picked their bodies filled with green poop for meat, and made crab dip.  So great.  It was a highlight of the week.  And it dominated our time at the beach.

Another highlight included the epic marsh trek prompted by Hannah's desire to walk in the marsh.  She and Kate, with crocs on foot, walked into the creek by the marsh off the dock.  All was fine at first... But... I couldn't help but dare them to walk up the side creek.  I had a sneaking suspicion of what would happen because Hannah had sunk into the bank a few minutes prior, but who wouldn't want such guaranteed entertainment?  So they accepted the dare... Minutes later Hannah is screaming and sinking up to her knees in MUD.  Crocs are getting sucked into the mud, snails are sucking onto their toes, construction workers next store are staring and laughing, I am bent over laughing, and Tudors is peeing her pants.  Hannah and Kate manage to make it back to the dock, crocs and all.  HILARIOUS.

Each day would end in a great dinner courtesy of my parents.  We'd then hang out, take a walk, watch a movie (never watch Spanglish with your rents...awk.) or play speed scrabble.  The week was completed with a trip to one of my favorite cities, Charleston.  LOVE it.  We walked all over the town.  We first went down to waterfront park and then the famous market to do a little shopping.  It has all you could ever want: jewelry, food, t-shirts, sunglasses, etc.  Afterwards, we walked around town looking at the historical houses... one of which I will live in one day.  We then walked down to the Battery overlooking the river and Ft. Sumter.  We had some dinner at a Tapas restaurant.  Very different in that the entire menu is appetizers, all of which come out at different times.  It was very yummy and a different atmosphere.  But one of the drawbacks to sitting outside came when Tudors received a little present of POO on her head from a local bird.  Yet another HILARIOUS moment, which led to Sarah admitting she also was pooped on  earlier in supper.  Dinner went on without any further poop events, and then we caught dessert at various locales...gelato, pie, etc... Went home barely making it come with our lives as some PSYCHO yelled at us out the car window at a perfectly warranted driving move on my part :)

I think that I speak for us all when I say this was the perfect way to end out our time together as a house.  It brought relaxation after exams and graduation and quality time to share in the final moments.  No this is not the end of the Dollhouse... but we know a lot is about to change.  My prayer is that each of us remains true to the person we grew to be together but also develop more into the woman God wants us to be in the future. Love you all---