Two Year Anniversary

          December 11, 2012 was our two year anniversary! It has been an amazing journey the past two years and upon reflecting over our journey, so much has changed in our lives! I believe Daniel and I have become so much closer and stronger as a couple and have learned so much about life. If I could categorize two things that have changed us the past year it would be: moving and weight-loss. Both of those have only made us stronger people and helped us to rely upon each other.
          This year we decided not to go on a summer vacation, mainly because we just moved and wanted to do something "big" this year. We try to do something a little special on or around our anniversary so we decided to wait until then for our vacation! We decided to try something new and exciting and went on a cruise to Key West, Fl and the Bahamas! We drove to Florida and boarded the boat and right when I saw the boat I started screaming! (yes, because of excitement like a little kid) In Key West we rented bicycles and rode the ENTIRE island. We both LOVED this because we saw parts of the island we would not have been able to see, plus it got us away from the busy side of the town and saw beautiful scenery!  The next day, we sailed all day. This was probably the part I was not looking forward to; however, it easily became something I loved! A lounge chair, book, and sounds of the waves without all the sand....paradise!! lol The next day we were in Nassau, Bahamas and we explored the city (Daniel is the adventurous type). We saw Atlantis, the straw market, US Embassy and many other sites, plus had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe! Then, we went to Freeport, Bahamas and enjoyed a day on the beach, plus a boat tour to see millionaire homes, dolphins, and the boat from Pirates of the Caribbean! It was a great trip and my favorite part......no cell phone or internet!!!! lol It was nice to just focus on "us" and not everything else in the world! We love vacationing just the two of us and not having distractions that are in every day life.
          Christmas is right around the corner and the business continues of life! I probably will not blog again till after Christmas so from our family to yours: Merry Christmas!

Until Next Time,
~Camille

Birthday and Thanksgiving

This year is going by so quickly! Fall is an enjoyable time of the year! Last week was a big week for us! Yes, it was Thanksgiving but the day before was Daniel's birthday! We had so much fun together that day! I made a breakfast casserole that morning and then woke him by singing (very loudly and bad) happy birthday to him! lol We ate breakfast together and then opened presents! We had a fun day being together! That night we ran a few errands and went to dinner together! We went to eat dinner at Kanki and then dessert at the Cheesecake Factory! It was so much fun!! 

The next day was Thanksgiving! WE have so mucb to be thankful for! I am thankful for salvation and all Christ has done in my life! Next, I am thankful for my husband. I know people get tired of hearing this, but he is my best friend and I love him so much! It is amazing to think that of all the people in the world, I found the one person that completes me! Life is an adventure everyday and we enjoy every moment together. He helps me out so much with different things, and well...he spoils me too! :) (but I spoil him back)!  

Thankful for my mom! Growing up dad said we fought like sisters (usually over something she wanted me to wear that I did NOT want too lol) However, now she is my closest of close friends! We have the best relationship and I enjoy our phone conversations!! 

Katie is the best of sisters (and my only one) lol Sisters share a special bond that no one else can! Growing up we fought ALL the time!!! However, when other people would pick on me, she was the first to person to the rescue! She would also give me money at school when I didn't have any and buy me different things because she had the job! We now talk on the phone about teaching and different things! Amazing how over time relationships change! 

Dad has always been there to help me when I had a problem! He has always wanted me to succeed and pushed me to do my best at everything I ever did in life. He was one of biggest cheerleaders with sports and went to just about every game! Thankful he pushed me to my fullest potential. I am also thankful for his sense of humor! :) 

Thankful for Christian friends who encourage me! (I cannot begin to list all of them because I am afraid I would leave someone out) 
Thankful for ALL Christ has given me and the blessing of serving Him! 
~Camille
 

Birthday and Fair

This has been an exciting fall! The leaves are beginning to change and the cooler temperatures are rolling in. There is something special about walking outside with the "smell of fall" and a nip of cool temps and the sun shining so bright! We have been hunting several times and Daniel shot a 7 point buck! We just finished chopping all the meat and putting it in the freezer. The one time we went and he was going to let me shoot, we didn't see anything :-(

My birthday was about two weeks ago and Daniel sure made it special! He woke me up by "busting" through the door and singing happy birthday lol He had made breakfast and then we opened presents! We had a shopping spree that day and he went wherever I wanted to go!! We went to dinner together at the Melting Pot....AMAZING!!! It was such a fun day! The next Friday we met my family to go to the fair and celebrate my birthday! We all went to the fair and my bestest friend came too! It was fun! I have been EVERY year of my life except the year I was born (because I was only a couple days old). 

We bought some pumpkins a couple of weeks ago and just bought a carving kit that has disney characters on it (and yes I am beyond excited about that). We will carve them in the next couple of days...hopefully it will not be totally disastrous! 

Until Next Time,

~Camille

Almost Fall....Almost Fall...Almost Fall....

It is almost fall and I can hardly wait!! Fall, Christmas and July 4th might just be my favorite times of the year. There is just something about a fall Saturday and staying at home, cooking out, and watching football that I (we) love. The fall for us means......football, our birthdays, the fair, Duke football game, Thanksgiving, hunting, and technically our anniversary is in fall and I am soooo excited about that this year! But first will come celebrating our birthdays together and going to the fair and Duke football games. I know this might blow your mind.....but I have been looking forward to that since May and have had it all planned out! lol 

One thing I really want to do this year is make a smore. Daniel promised me we would make one together...somehow! The days are passing by quickly and it is starting to get darker much earlier. Since I am not working, I have to find things to pass the day along. I find that coming up with projects around the house, going to the gym, or helping Daniel really helps pass along the time! I really am thankful for the time I get to spend with him!

Many people have asked me about our lifestyle change. We are still enjoying it but have leveled off.  Sometimes we go strong during the week but take the weekends off or sometimes we eat good except if we go out to dinner. We still go to the gym about five days a week. It is amazing how different you feel eating healthy! 

Until Next Time,
~Camille

Summer is Coming to a Close....

This year, the ending to summer is so abnormal for me. This will be the first time I have never gone back to "school" after summer since I was 3! I went straight from high school to college of course, but then since I majored in education I then began teaching! Therefore, I was still involved in "school." Growing up, we were always at school because dad was the administrator and mom was the office manager so we lived there from about 7:30 till sometimes 6, 7, or 8 at night! lol When dad starting pastoring, that is when I began playing every sport at school so that kept me there late at night then! Since we moved, I am not teaching at GCA anymore, so I do not have a teaching job. It is feel SOOO strange and I miss it SOOO much! I would walk into walmart and target and just want to go search out school supplies! haha
I knew I would miss getting to decorate a classroom this year, so I found the next best thing.....go help Katie! lol Last week I spent up in NC helping Katie getting ready for school and then just going different places with her! It was so much fun being up there, mom even fixed some of my favorite food! It was depressing not being able to be Daniel for a few days, but I think we were only away from each other for 72 hours, but that was long enough for me! :-) It was a lot of fun, but Saturday eventually came and we had to leave.  :-(   I really enjoyed being back in a classroom and will miss it terribly! Another thing I really miss is coaching volleyball. I really do not know what the fall has in store but I think I have a few projects up my sleeve! :-)

Until Next Time
~Camille

Transparent........ Me?????

Well, the title of this blog is probably rather unusual. However for those who know me, it is rather true. I am not a person who shares my opinion openly or even what I really think and feel about situations freely with others. In fact, when Daniel and I first got married, for the first couple of months he had to pry about how I really felt about things before I actually told him. He does NOT have that problem now! lol This is because I am a person who just likes to keep to myself for the most part! My mom told me every time we would switch churches the more I began to be like this, and I did not even realize it! The only people I really share my truest feelings with and what is really on my mind is a list of five people lol
You may be asking yourself....okay where are you going with this??!!  Well, I have had a couple of thoughts on my mind the past several weeks and something in the back of my brain was saying "write about it." After much thought and argument with myself I finally gave-in. A couple of weeks back I was talking with a good friend of mine about contentment. I kept asking myself, "is it possible to being content in today's society?" Well, the answer is yes, but it is SO hard! Every time you watch T.V. or surf the internet or even just a drive down the road it seems like something else is being thrown in your face! It could be a new dress at a store, a nicer house you pass, or some extravagant idea on pinterest. Well, the thoughts kept going on in my mind of why is that we think we have to have the biggest house, the most extravagant decor or even the highest brand name clothes?! I really believe because that is the society in which we live in today. NOTHING is wrong with these wants or desires or even having them. However, I believe when that is all that takes up our thoughts or wishes or makes us ungrateful for what we have then it is wrong!.
I began thinking of all God has given me in my life. The awesome privilege it is to be His child, first and foremost! He has given me so much yet tend to overlook so many times! I am married to the love of my life and best friend. There is not a day that passes that we do not have random conversations and laugh! He has given me the best mom, dad, and sister! I talk to them everyday (several times normally) and they have become my best of friends! My mom and sister are my best friends always there for me when I need to vent or just a person to talk too!  He has been the provider for all of our needs and even many of our wants! So I began asking myself.....why would I want to have another person's life or why should I want more? The answer is I shouldn't! I have everything I need and even more! God has a purpose for everything he has done in my life and why some times I may wonder why.....I need to realize God has a purpose for everything. Why it is not wrong to want things.....the idea God wants us to have on an everyday basis is contentment and with that comes joy in our life!

~Camille

Summer Happenings

Well this summer has managed to be rather busy so far! After school ended (which I do miss school already) we had a little over a week to pack all of our stuff. Then, with the move and the unpacking it has kept us busy! About two weeks after we moved, we went back to NC for a Vacation Bible School. Back in January or February my dad asked Daniel to help with their VBS and the teenagers. We originally thought we would be driving back and forth from Greenville everyday, but then the move came and so we went and stayed for a week. (4 hour drive their and then 4 hour drive back was just not realistic lol) Although I did enjoy my time there more than anyone could imagine...it went by FAST! Mom and dad both worked during the day and then with VBS till about 9 at night, I really did not see them all that much! lol However, it was good just to be back in NC! We had a great week with the teenagers and one even accepted Christ!

Then we came back and to unpack and try to get in the "groove" of things again! July 4th was a hard day just because I was away from my family. Every July 4th was so special growing up, normally because of vacation lol We always managed doing something crazy together, so it was hard. If I were any closer to them, I would have been with them though! However, we went to a cookout with some church people and then went and watched fireworks. I did enjoy my time with Daniel!! :-)

Daniel and I have not been able to have an "us" day because of the craziness lately. So he surprised me and took me to Charleston for the day! We went to lunch and then on a boat tour around the harbor of Charleston! Afterwards, we hit up the Marble Slab Creamery (AMAZING!!!) We then just went to a few shops and things and just walked around and enjoyed our time together! It was a great day!

This week I have some special people coming for a few days and cannot wait to spend some time with them! Friday it is off to Memphis, TN for a week....but we would not stop in Atlanta without going to a Braves game! :) Cannot wait for Friday night and to be in Turner Field! :-)

This summer has been full of its traveling! lol

For those of you wondering about the weight loss....we are still on it! Daniel has lost about 90 lbs and myself about 60! We both have less than 5 lbs to go till our target and then its just maintaining!

~Until Next Time

Camille

Boxes, Boxes, Boxes....and a Moving Truck?!?!

Well....as you can see from the title of this blog MAJOR changes are coming to the Cason household. It really is amazing to look back and see how many ways God has worked things out in the past few months. Daniel had a really heavy burden on his heart to go completely in full-time ministry. Long story short, he accepted the pastorate at Black River Church in Andrews, SC. I really am so excited for him, he has had this burden on his heart for a while and God just opened the right doors at the right time. Now this can only mean one thing........we have to move!!!! Daniel has lived in several states, but me ONLY North Carolina! So MAJOR change is about to happen in my life. People have asked several times if I am excited and the answer is....yes and no! I am excited for Daniel to fulfill this high calling in his life and for him to be in full-time ministry. However, I am very sad to not be able to teach at GCA next year. I was thinking Friday night of all the different events that happened while at GCA and how much I enjoyed it. It really amazes me how attached you can get to students only after two years.

Many people also ask, how is my family handling this! I can say they have only been supportive of us! I know down deep inside it is going to be hard for them and trust me, it is going to rip my heart out when I have to say good-bye. However, Daniel is the best supportive husband and only helped me with going through this transition. I know it is going to be tough, but God is always with me! I also know that Daniel and I need to formulate our own life together. I have complete peace that this is the right move in our life, but that still does not stop our human emotions! I know this will not be the easiest thing I have done in my life,but Daniel is my world and I only want to be a help in his ministry. Please be in prayer for us in the days ahead, because I am sure they will be hectic and emotional! I know I am writing like I am moving 30 hours away, but it really is only 3 1/2 hours lol I tell myself that really isn't bad! lol   

God has a plan for all of our lives, and this is another step in the journey of our life! We have complete peace that this is the right step and are excited about the ministry God has blessed us with! We only hope to be a blessing and help to the people and may we continue to grow and learn more about Christ.

Until Next Time,

~Camille

March and April

Spring is finally in the air and I love it! We recently made a trip to Washington D.C. for spring break. We both love traveling and are trying to plan a big trip for the future! It was nice to go and see different things! We were able to see the Declaration of Independence, history museum, white house, and Arlington cemetery. We also managed to go and shop a little (I am not a big shopper). My favorite was walking Arlington cemetery! It was really interesting to see everything and we also incorporated some exercise! We are still enjoying the lifestyle change! Daniel has lost over 60 lbs and I have lost 40lbs! We both have less than 20 to go before we reach our target goal! We have been buying a few new clothes and that is the most exciting part to me :-) 

The profile picture was taken at Easter! I think Daniel has changed even more since it was taken, he literally looks like a completely different person! Next week will begin May.....aka....ALMOST SUMMER!!! Also, I will officially finish my second year of teaching! I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have really developed some close relationships this year! I love when some of the girls come to my room after school just to talk :-) I have also been enjoying pinterest! Love getting recipes, mostly to take to different events and I am about to start my first craft! We will see how that goes.....lol :-)

I am going to end this blog with a recent quote I stumbled across....

"The whole of life is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore to use it, not to misuse it."

Until Next Time,

Camille

Spring Fever

It has been a while since I have updated! Busy does not even begin to describe the past two months. I think there has been something every week and weekend on the calendar, but that does let time pass quickly! We are still enjoying our lifestyle change! I have learned so much about foods to eat and how to cook them. A co-worker asked me what I had changed about eating and when I started naming things, I did not realize I had actually changed that many things! lol We still enjoy working out 4-5 times a week at the gym! Daniel has dropped about 50 lbs, he looks SOOO good! :-) (but I have always thought that) lol I have dropped 26 lbs! We both still have a lot more to lose to get to our "target goal." 

School is BEYOND the words hectic, and busy! Fine arts season is here along with SAT testing and spring sports and parent/teacher conferences! All  of this can make for some crazy days! For the past three days we have been dissecting fetal pigs in biology! My kids were GREAT and I LOVED it!!! Sometimes I think I should have been a doctor because I love medical stuff so much, but then I would not get the opportunity to enjoy my students! They really keep me going and laughing! This second year of teaching has been sooo much fun and I continue to learn!

Spring break is right around the corner!!! I cannot wait for a little break plus a mini-vacation with Daniel! We both love traveling, so we try to do little things every now and then!

 Until Next Time

~ Camille

One Sweet and Amazing Year

Well....Christmas was amazing! Going to grandmas is almost like being able to go back to my childhood. Just being in the outdoors..riding the four wheeler, fishing, the "boat" and hunting...all just a few possibilities being there! And having Daniel with me to do that is amazing!! Then Christmas morning, we started a new tradition! Daniel and I cooked breakfast together and opened our presents together. Then to church and to family. It was a great Christmas! I came home and decorated our living room! We did a total overhaul with furniture, curtains, rug, and other decorations.I love it!

Then, after Christmas Daniel and I took off for a few days together. We spent five days in Myrtle Beach, SC. We absolutely loved it! From shopping, eating, going to shows, swimming, and just being together it was wonderful!! God has truly blessed me beyond measure! Sometimes we have to force ourselves to go to sleep and stop talking at night lol

The new year has been going well! Church has been great and school has been busy with spirit week and other events. I think my students teach me something new everyday and always make me laugh (maybe sometimes too much)! We have also really changed our lifestyle...and we LOVE it! We count calories for everything we eat and work-out 5 days a week at a gym. Daniel has lost 17 lbs and I have lost 8lbs (guys just lose weight sooo much easier) lol We have really enjoyed this lifestyle change and plan on keeping it up for the rest of our lives. We feel so much better and are enjoying it, especially being able to do this together! 

Until Next Time!

~Camille