Back where I belong.

We moved back home to Oregon on July 4th, 2016. That was the day my heart became complete.
All that I was missing, I had found. All I was hoping for, had now come true. I can feel it when the cool Northern air hits my cheeks. I can feel it when the crisp leaves crunch under my feet. I can feel it in the warm embrace of my family and friends. And that feeling means nothing less, then I'm back where I belong.
This morning, I woke up early and went on a run around our apartment in the cool morning air. Then, I came back and took our pup, Griffey on a walk. Then I drank a delicious chai tea while driving to go watch my best friend's Volleyball team play at a tournament just 30 minutes away from me. Then I came home, to watch football for the rest of the evening with my HHH, cheering on our Ducks. Why am I giving you a play by play of some of my day? Because a year ago, none of those things could've happened. And I have been waiting 6 years to have days like today.
I know with every fiber in my being, I'm back where I belong.

What I really think about leaving Dubai...

 I am doing this post mostly for myself, but also for those of you, who have made up your own notion as to how I am feeling about leaving Dubai.
(that sounded really mean, but it's not!!)

 I think now is a good time to write this post as Justin and I have finalized our tickets home and July 5th is the magic date. The great thing about being so far ahead in time is even though we leave Dubai on the 5th, and have a 16 hour flight, we still arrive home on the 5th :) Let the party begin.

Over these past couple weeks, and actually months, I can't tell you how many times someone has come up to me and said, "I bet you CAN'T WAIT to get back home!" or "I know you are just itching to get out of this place" or "Aren't you just so excited to leave Dubai and go home!?". I have actually gotten a lot of those comments. Guys, I know, people mean well. They are just asking me a question about the future and how I am feeling. But in fact, it is quite hard to put into words what I am feeling, hence the blog. I do best when writing my feelings out.

 I am sad about leaving Dubai. Period. I will miss our life we have built here. I will miss the priceless friendships we have made. I will miss the simplicity, yet craziness of our schedules. I will miss choosing what part of the world we want to see on our next teaching break. I will miss a lot. We have made so many memories that will really last a lifetime. I am so blessed and excited to share our stories with our future children and future grandchildren about our times in the UAE. How cool is it  going to be to look at pictures of Dubai in 5 years when all the construction that's been going on for forever (maybe) will be done and say, "I lived there!"? I really lived there. 

 I am sad about leaving our friends. My daily routine is built around my friendships with the people I have met here in Dubai. These people have been some of the most genuine, fun, crazy, and wholesome people I have ever met. We all came to Dubai looking for different things, running from different things, or chasing different things. But we all came here, met, and have never looked back. We all came from different walks of life, and meshed so well together, I never would have guessed it could have gone so well. I have been inspired by some and definitely have been challenged by some. But mostly I have been blessed by all. These people have really become like a second family to me whom I know I can count on for anything. This will be such a rough part of leaving Dubai.

 I am also scared. The UAE has been home for me for 4 years, and 5 (plus some change) for Justin. We have grown our marriage here. We have grown ourselves here. We have traveled pretty much wherever we've wanted, whenever we wanted (well maybe not, WHENever). We have only had to really think about ourselves and our future. Life has been (for the most part) easy here. When we move home, life is not whatsoever going to be easy. We will be opening a business.#holymoly. I will be teaching in a school I have never heard of, in a town I have never heard of, to students I know nothing about. We will be trying to start a family. We will be living in a part of Oregon that we really know nothing about besides what people have told us, and what we have researched. A lot of change will be happening. 

 Now. I don't want everyone to start thinking I am not excited about moving home, I am. I am 100% confident in the decision my husband and I have made. I know God will bless us if we continue to seek Him, I know I am going to love being surrounded by trees and nature, I know I am going to love being close to family and friends, and I know I am going to love being in my home state of Oregon. As I am writing this post, I start to think about the reasons I listed above about being scared. And for those same exact reasons, I am pumped. I am pumped to start our new life together. I am pumped for all the hardships, new memories, tearful nights, belly laughs, campfires, hikes, new adventures, and LIFE we are about to embark on. I am embracing the change. 

 Dubai will always be my second home. I know that Justin and I will come back someday and be in awe of what it has become. We will drive down new streets, see brand new buildings, and most likely still be in awe of the fountain show. But the thing I know about the most is the friendships we have made are really going to last a lifetime. A piece of my heart will be spread all over the world in the different countries and cities where they reside. 

 Dubai, I love you. I will never forget you. But, it is time for the Ahrens to start a new life together. I thank you for all you've given me. Peace!

Update. (I do this so well)

It's that time of year again!!! (insert laughing emoji here)

Sometimes, it's good to reflect. I actually very much enjoy reflecting. I think people need to do it more often than we do. A lot of reflecting happens when we ring in the New Year. A lot of people choose goals they would like to accomplish, a new dream they have, or what we would like to change in our lives. I like reflecting because it really shows us what a great God we serve. It completely and utterly humbles me down to my bones. It shows me all the wonderful blessings I have in my life and opens me up to change.

Speaking of change, as most of you know, Justin and I are moving back to America after my contract is up at the end of June. 

we

could

not

be

more

excited

for

reals.

A time that my heart has been waiting for is finally coming true. Dubai has been amazing (post about that at a later time), but home is truly where Justin and my heart's lie. We have many plans in the future- and yes Mom, Dad, MIL, FIL, it DOES include starting a family! This is something we have always wanted, but were waiting until we truly felt we were ready. And let me tell you, WE ARE! 

Lots of changes will start to happen as we only have a little over 4 months left in the UAE. We would really appreciate your prayers as we make the decision what to pursue for my occupation, and what that would look like. We know God is in complete control of our move and in complete control of our lives, so we have no worries we are doing our best to not worry. ;)

Thank you all and thank you for coming on our journey with us! 

God bless! I hope you have a great day!

What to expect when you marry into The Ahrens {toast}

Justin's brother, Nick got married this last October. We were blessed enough that we were able to fly back home for 9 days to celebrate this beautiful occasion with our family. The trip could have not gone any more perfect. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, family flew in that we haven't seen since our own wedding 4 years ago, and we hugged and laughed all week long. 

I had this idea of saying a toast for awhile before we left for home. I talked to Justin about it and he thought it was a great idea, but I was so nervous. I decided I would write it and ask Nick's beautiful bride to be, Alysha if she thought it would be okay if I said a little something. Of course she said yes, so here it went:

Even though I've only got the pleasure of hanging out with Alysha a few times, I know her sweet self well enough to warn her about a few things. Which why I've compiled a list. And it's called: What to expect when you marry into The Ahrens.

1. The men of the family will never forget to remind you what a true honor it is to have become an Ahrens. I mean, we are truly blessed that they chose us to marry them. (this was seriously so perfect because Justin just got done giving his speech and said these EXACT words)

2. You become a part of the chores rotation. No more free rides of dirty dishes.

3. When the ladies get together, we go shopping, even if we hide our bags in the trunk.

4. Mama Pat tries her best, but her chocolate chips cookies will never meet Justin's expectations.

5. The holiday season is the busiest, but most fun at the Ahrens household and great memories will be made.

6. Papa Scott gives the best hugs. And he's handed down that awesome trait to his sons. He's always there for a warm embrace.

7. The endless wrestling matches between family members. Which normally end with Pat screaming for her life.

8. Without pushing it, the talk of babies gets thrown into almost every conversation.

9. Costumes are a normal thing and you never know when Pat will walk down the hall in a massive pink wig on her way to work.

But most importantly:

10. From the moment you become an Ahrens, you are a part of their family. They love you as their own and cherish you. They pray for you and with you. They laugh with you and at you.They protect you and let you be yourself.

I am so excited to have you become an Ahrens, Alysha. I see the way Nick is with you and they way he looks at you and I see love. I know the foundations instilled in Nick will be those to take care of you, love you, and be your best friend for the rest of your lives together. Congratulations, I love you both so much.

Still can't believe Nick has found the love of his life, and she is the sweetest, most beautiful person. God is so, so good. 

Hello {again} Dubai.

Well, it's 1:50 am Dubai time, and I am, of course, a little jet lagged. I figured this would be a great time to make a blog post, since it's been...I don't know...MONTHS! 

We just came off of another awesome summer back at home, and I am already missing the fresh air. It is so crazy boarding the plane being surrounded by trees, and landing seeing nothing but sand. We could not be living in a more opposite place from Oregon. 

I start work next week (23rd) and this year I am teaching 2nd grade. I really loved teaching 3rd grade, and really loved my kiddos and being able to do a lot of stuff with them, but the big boss asked me to move down as we are adding another position and I have taught 2nd grade before. I hope it all flows back smoothly, and I have an amazing year. 

In other news...

I can't believe I am actually saying this with 100% confidence that... this is our last year in the UAE. I can't even tell you how excited we BOTH are that in just a few (saying few makes me happier) months, we will be moving back to our green state! Our dream of opening up our very own Crossfit and running it together is so close I can literally smell the green trees that await us! This has been an on-going prayer of ours for a few years, and now it is finally becoming a reality. We are still unsure of location, but leaving it up to prayer. We both know God's plan is way better than anything we could come up with, so we are leaving it all in His hands.

Even though we are so excited to move home, we still have another year of adventures ahead of us! I really want to be smart with our choices of travel this year, as we won't be in the center of the world anymore with places being so close to us. 

Be on the lookout as I am going to really try to blog more often and fulfill my New Year goals for at least the last half of the year ;)

God bless!

-Cassie 

life.

I remember when I started this blog, and all I wanted to do was get my thoughts down. Whether that be to update family, post pictures, or a rando recipe here and there, that's why I started. Then there were days and weeks where I felt I had nothing to post. Nothing is happening. Nothing new. Well...this is not one of those posts :)

Oh my gosh so much is happening in our lives these days. I've traveled to 4 different countries so far, and about to go to 1 more for Spring Break. I've been much less stressed in and out of the classroom, which has made a much more happy me! Jus and I have gone on many Wednesday night dates (my favorite night of the week!) And many more things!

Once we get a plug that actually works to charge our Mac from 1934, I can upload pictures! Can you believe I haven't uploaded some from SUMMER! Ermahgerd. That's way too long. I can't wait to edit and post them from Cyprus, Budapest, Scotland, and Ireland. 

Our next trip on the map is BALI! I can't wait to lay on the sandy beaches with not a care in the world. With maybe a pina colada. Mmmm. It's only 3 weeks away! My kiddos are sure ready, that's for certain. I am not sure what they have been eating for breakfast, but sometimes they seem like they ate straight up sugar by the spoonful.

The Open is upon us at Crossfit's all around the globe, and it has been so fun to see everyone from all different classes, levels, and backgrounds in the gym. I love this time of year! Ok...I almost take that back. Justin is a CRAZE-O this time of year, but I try to snap him out of it by slapping him a few times. The girls and I have been trading in evening classes for 6 am ones, and I have to tell you, I DO NOT KNOW WHY I DIDN'T DO THIS MY WHOLE LIFE. (oh yea, I played sports) 6 am class is the best. No traffic on the road, smaller classes, shower at the gym, and after work...you get to go home!! Whoop. Teaching makes me pooped and when you have to drag yourself to the gym after, man oh man. But now, we're already done!!! And then sometimes we get really crazy on Monday's and we GO BACK for endurance class. (#6packforbali)

This post is so random. Which is how my brain is right now. That's what happens when you go paleo. 

Ok bye for now. I miss you all. Can't wait for some of that fresh Oregon air. Oh yea, my kids know everything there is to know about Oregon. They think I'm obsessed...yes, Mrs. Bishop WE KNOW about Oregon haha! Go ducks!

God bless.

5. Remember I have a blog. {hello's, goals, and rambles}

Ok, let's skip to the good stuff. 

I know I haven't blogged since the end of September, but here we go!

I am actually going to post blogs in a bit of  random order, which is weird for me because I like to have a plan and like my posts to seem organized. This is one of my goals this year (read on); to post when I feel like it, no matter if they aren't in order or on schedule.

Reflecting is awesome. I do it a lot, actually. It makes you think about your life, not just what people see on the outside through Instagram and Facebook posts, but what your life really is. Bringing in the New Year is always a time where people reflect, make goals, and want a fresh start. I am actually going to write my goals down this year, because Lord knows...and my husband, my memory is of a 107 year old fish. 

When I make my goals, I want to refrain from using the words not or don't, and use words like; do, be, create, and achieve. I want to remain as positive as possible, and I feel sticking to positive goals is much easier :)

1. Be more silly. 

Some of you are wondering how this could possibly be a goal, because when it comes to silliness, sometimes I take the cake. (and I will probably eat the cake). But here is where I want silliness to prevail: in bad situations, in my classroom, and with my husband.. Sometimes I spend a lot of my days stressed and worried. I am not sure how I became like that, but that's just how it happened. Sometimes the smallest things can stress me out, and I feel if I had more silliness in my life, it would take away some of this stress. I need to add more silliness in my classroom. There is SO MUCH we need to teach our kiddos, so much testing, observations, discipline that sometimes I forget I have 7/8 year old eyeballs staring at me. And they are funny! A child's laughter is just the medicine teachers need to make it through the day. And of course, with the Hubs. What's a marriage without silliness and laughter? Jus, let's be more silly :) 

2. Do more fitness. 

This goes back to the silliness and stress a little bit. Sometimes, I get so bogged down with work, that I skip the gym. I am so exhausted from my long work day and my brain is so fried, that I just want to go home and lay in bed until the next day. And that's ok! But fitness is a huge part of my life. It's always been a huge part, ever since I was running the 50 m dash in my diapers at Hayward Field. I like fitness. I need to remember that. I LIKE IT! haha! I want to find all sorts of fitness to do this year. Running, rock climbing, swimming, dancing, kayaking, I want to do it all. 

3. Reach out to others.

I just want to help people. I want to make a difference in this world. However I find a way to do that, that's how I want to do it. I have a heart for helping others, and it's time I start putting it to good use.

4. Pray every day.

I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. God hears us when we cry out to Him. Even on the busiest of days, I want to pray. Pray for you, pray for me, give thanks, and speak my heart. In everything; just pray.

5. Remember I have a blog.

Plain and simple. Hello, you're here! How about post more than once in 3 months :)

6. Leave work at work.

Teaching is one of those professions that can consume your life if you let it. Sometimes, I am up all night thinking about how I am going to get my 7 Level 1 ELL speakers to understand tomorrow's social studies lesson, while still challenging those kids who are ready for more. It's hard. It's a lot of work. And it's hard to walk out your classroom door and leave it all behind. But to keep my sanity, I need to learn to leave it at school. When it's time go to, go. I really need to work on this one.   

7. Love hard.

This one doesn't need a lengthy explanation. Do you love it? Than go crazy for it. Go crazy-mad-in-love for it.

8. Be present.

It is so very hard to be present in this day and age. Technology rules the world and we need to be caught up with what's happening. I love technology, I do, obviously because I have a blog. But it takes away so much time we could be learning from others, making memories, and exploring life. On weekdays at 8:30 pm my phone is going to sit on the nightstand and not be touched unless I am:

 1. setting my alarm. 2. receiving a text I need to reply to. End. Of. Story. 

9. Drink more water.

Water does wonders, it's healthy, and I need it.

10. Fall back in love with baking.

It's time I get creative, fearless, and hungry in the kitchen again. You're welcome, Justin.

God Bless :)

1 month update. (wow how time flies!)

Time really has flown by since we have arrived. When I think back to my Summer, it seems ages ago! Teaching really makes every day go by so fast, and I really think there are not enough hours in the day. 

We are still waiting for our passports with our visas, so we can get/do things like: internet, car, tv, and TRAVEL. Most people know everything in the UAE takes extremely long, so I am not surprised we haven't received them yet, it just seems time is creeping closer and closer to our first break very quickly. Our first break is the first weekend of October, and we have the 3rd-11th off. We were all really hoping that because it is such a long break, we would be able to travel somewhere, but the ways things are looking, it seems we're staying in good 'ol Dubai. 

I still really enjoy teaching my kiddos, they are a good, lively group, which keeps me on my toes at all times (literally, sometimes they step on my toes). I am still basically living at the school, there is NEVER enough time during my limited preps to get things prepared, meetings done, papers graded, lesson planned...etc. Life of a teacher. And there's internet.

Our apartments are finally coming together. We received our furniture after waiting for about 2 weeks, and they are a lovely mustard yellow color and about as hard as rocks. Honestly, it doesn't bother me because I am just glad we now have something to sit on, rather than always standing up eating our food off the counter, and it at least looks like a normal place. Our security guys came and fixed our washing machine last night also so we can now have clean clothes! Yipee! Everything is just coming together :)

Justin has been competing in the weekly DFC competitions, and doing amazing! He hasn't won since we've been back, but he just amazes me everyday with his determination to get better and his willingness to put in the work. What a stud. We rarely get to see each other, with his coaching schedule making him work later hours, and my bedtime being around 10, we are cherishing our movie nights before bedtime every chance we get. And of course, days like today when I want to go home and order a pizza, I skip the gym and write a blog :)

We went to the beach this past weekend, and I got completely fried. My nose and forehead are peeling. Wonderful. It's still super hot here, normally between 105-115 each day. Kaylee and I are running a "CrossFit" Kids Club after school on Sundays, and we are sweating our skin off! It still feels a but like we're torturing them as we are putting them through workouts, so I can only imagine what real CrossFit coaches feel like. 

I have now been at school for 11.5 hours, so I think I will make the 10 minute trek home now :) Oregonians, I am so jealous of you right now, you have no idea. I can only imagine the beautiful sunsets into the cool nights and the leaves turning to orange and yellow. Feel free to send me some pictures, I could sure use some nature over here! 

God bless everyone! Here are a few pics of what we've been up to lately!

I'm back in the desert, what??? (Not the AZ kind)

Well. We're back in Dubai. 

School starts in two days and our luggage has still not arrived from the US. Kaylee and I might have to wear workout clothes to work...which would be amazing! It is currently 109 outside, with a whole lot of sand in the air. The normal workweek for the UAE is Sunday-Thursday, but this week we get to start on a Monday! Praise The Lord! I would not be ready if our first day was actually tomorrow. 

I can't believe I'm going on my 4th year teaching! I am so incredibly nervous, but also excited to start a new grade level. I think 3rd will be the perfect fit for me! There is just one other teacher on my grade level, which is really weird for me because I'm used to having 11 and 6! Here's to new beginnings!

No pictures today, just mostly a ramble, but I wanted to get my fingers used to typing again! It's been forever since I've blogged, and now that we're back overseas, and my Gram keeps telling me to, I thought I get back on the train :)

God is good. All the time.

Have a great day everyone, God bless!

Marriage is hard.

I have a wonderful husband. I'd like to think of myself as a wonderful wife. But marriage is hard. There are so many articles and blogs going around that explain the ways to keep your marriage strong,  25 ways to spice up date night, and 15 things you should be doing in your marriage and most of these articles and blogs have some good meaning to them, most of them show the importance of marriage. But marriage is still hard.

When you stood in front of whomever you did, said the vows you created, or didn't, it was a big moment in time. Not just because you might change your name, not just because you now wear shiny bling on your fingers, and not just because you had a wedding. It was a big moment in time because now you have become accountable to someone other than yourself. You have vowed to this person that you will love them, take care of them, and most importantly put their needs in front of your own. And this last one is why marriage is so hard.

Putting another's needs before your own has turned out to be a lot tougher than when you said it on your wedding day. It's actually so tough, that people came up with this thing called divorce. It's where the vows and promises you once made, don't matter anymore. Did you know that almost 50% of marriages end in divorce? Are you kidding me? That is just sad. This article has some good stats and percentages if you want to look.
All in all, marriage is hard. It takes work. But when you work at it and put your spouse before yourself, good things happen. When you think about how your actions effect someone else and their feelings, you might act differently. When have you ever done something nice for someone and not felt good inside after? You're happy, your spouse is happy.
God has called us to love one another. "A new command I give you: Love one another. as I have loved you, so you must love another." John 13:34 We are here to love. Our families, friends, enemies, and strangers, we are here to love them. Imagine a world where we loved people. Imagine a marriage that was built on love.
Marriage is hard. Loving is easy. Justin and I learn daily how to love each other in different ways. We are both so different in ways we show love, but that's what makes it special. He shows me love in ways I would've never thought of, and I get to see deep into his heart. We have in no way perfected the "art" of marriage, but he knows in order to have a happy life, he needs a happy wife we know in order to have a happy marriage, we need to love each other as God loved us. Simple.
In the words of my friends from DC Talk, "I don't care what you say, I don't care what you heard. Love. Love. Love is a verb."

God bless!

You 2013, you.

It is actually crazy to think how much happens in one year. As I was thinking of writing this post, I was trying to think about all that we did this year, and got confused because it seemed so long ago. Then some things feel just like yesterday.

We started off 2013 world travelers, with our first Asia experience. China was so cool. And by cool, I mean incredibly cold. And also the other kind of cool. It was so crazy being in such a foreign place where there was absolutely no English spoken. The Great Wall was just freaking awesome. That was such a cool experience walking up those steps and being apart of such great history.

Then back to the sand pit.

Then, in March Kaylee came to visit! We had an absolute blast! So many memories made and so many laughs. I am so glad I got to share this experience with one of my best friends.

Then, just a few days after, my mom came!! I was so happy to see my mom and bring her into our world while we were over seas. A time I will never forget.

In April we had Spring Break and we traveled to Sri Lanka! It was absolutely beautiful! We stayed on Mirissa Beach and had the most gorgeous views and sunsets. This was such a relaxing trip for us where we got to lay on the beach and ride around on our little moped.

In June we got to travel to South Korea as Justin competed in The Crossfit Games. Another very cool place, but we didn't really get to travel around and explore that much because we were at the competition all day. My studly husband took 4th!

As the school year ended, we had to make a life changing decision. We took a risk, and resigned from our jobs in the Middle East, and decided it was time to come home. You can read all about our story here.

Bam, bam, bam I got a teaching job in Arizona, and we moved! Just like that. 

My best friend also gave birth to her perfect little boy Kyson, whom has completely stolen my heart, we went to The Crossfit Games down in LA, crossed off seeing my love, Michael Buble in concert off my bucket list, got my first bar muscle up, used my kitchen aide for the first time because we finally got to open our wedding gifts, and so much more. We are so incredibly blessed.

Looking back, we have had one heck of a year. We relied on our faith to get us through the hard times, and when we had no idea what was in store for us. Thank goodness, God is faithful and always provides. I have a feeling 2014 will just as big a year as the last! You never know what God has in store for The Ahrens :)

Have a very blessed and safe New Years Eve everyone!

God bless!

It's been long enough...

I have been such a bad, bad blogger.

It's been months since I have actually blogged, and even more months since I have posted them consistently. Our lives have changed so much, and this is my way of coping with change. I have to write it out. There are so many things on my heart, and I forget what a great tool blogging is for me.

I don't even know where to begin! We are enjoying Arizona right now, the weather is beautiful! In the lower 60's in the mornings and gets up to the high 60's the rest of the day. I am ready to be bundled in that Oregon chill, but for now, this is nice. It's getting colder by the day so I am can't complain!! 

Teaching has calmed down a bit. Okay, a lot. I feel so much better knowing that I am in full swing of things. I feel much more confident about what I am doing and what my expectations are, so that has made my life have so much less stress. The things I can complain about, I can't change, so you just gotta learn to deal!

We are missing home like crazy. Literally counting down the days until Christmas Break with family and friends. I can't wait to squeeze my favorite little man, which is not so little anymore! He is growing way too quickly! Alisha, tell that boy to slow down, would ya! I can't wait to hug my family and to make many memories with my friends. Christmas time is just the best. And we all gain 10 pounds. Whatevs. That's what resolutions are for!

Just stopping by real quick to give a quick recap. I will be posting soon, so keep your eyes open. 

I'm baaaaaack! :)

God bless!