and I was a little jealous

Okay, so lately I have decided that I want to "experience life." That's a bit corny, I know. I want to do lots of fun things and make fun little memories to go along with it. Life is about having some fun, right?!

Well, on Friday Dane announced that he was invited to ride in some golf guy's private plan to play golf for the day in Utah. Nuh-uh...not without me--was what I was thinking. But instead I told him that I am so glad he gets to do something so cool. Blah-blah. (I was trying to play off that I really wasn't...jealous!)

Now--cut me some slack here--I really wasn't in a frenzy of jealousy here. I didn't mope around the house all day or even seek some pity from the women at the Relief Society activity. I just think that would be something so cool to do. And to be honest--Dane really deserved it. He works so hard on the apartments and at his job--he deserved it. And he loved every minute of it.

(I will admit that I told Dane to keep in touch with this really nice person. I would love a day of golf like this too! I hope that doesn't make me a bad person!)

5 a.m. Thoughts

It's 5:00 a.m., and I have been up for about an hour now. I woke up and felt wide awake, and I can't get this brain of mine to shut off. So, I thought I would watch a bit of "Mr. Holland's Opus" and write down a few things on this little blog. (To be honest, I really just want to listen to the music from the movie--I love the clarinet solo the girl with red hair plays and the beautiful orchestra piece at the end. Maybe I should pick up the soundtrack or something!)

I have been thinking a lot about how life is full of seasons. We all graduate from high school and move into a new phase of life, a new season where we get to spend lots of time learning...about ourselves really. At some point we may get married or start a career or graduate from college, etc, entering, of course, another season. I am definitely enjoying life right now, but I don't quite feel like I am in a defined season at the moment. Now I know that we don't necessarily move from one to another, but I feel like I am stuck between about three or four right now. I am a part-time grad student (and at this rate, I will be in grad school for about 4 years), a full-time professional at a job I love and can only have once, and desiring so much to be a full-time mom! I think I am hoping the "mom" stage will come soon though. Part of me wants to focus on growing professionally, part of me wants to be a full-time student and get involved in classes and professional organizations, but something deep inside is longing for that period of motherhood. I just can't wait to stay at home and spend my time and energy completely on my family! I know that right now I am preparing--we are finishing our education and saving a lot of money on it, putting money in savings to ease the stress for when we do have children, and practicing with our beautiful nieces--exhausting for the short hours we are with them acutally. Although I can't wait to just be a mom, I am happy to be where I am. I know that my desire to be a mother is righteous, and right now we are doing the very best we can to prepare. Everyday I can see the hand of the Lord working with us. As strange as this season is for me right now, I am so thankful for it! I just need to do my best and keep plugging along--then I can truly treasure my time as a mother. And oh, how I will treasure it!

Dane's Dream Night

I think that Dane's dream night would include:

1. golf
2. more golf
3. a bit more golf
(of course I would be following him around the golf course during this time)

Dane is very easy to keep happy!


For our Friday night out, Dane and I hit the links. After surviving a small marital mishap, i.e. Dane giving me a brief golf lesson, we had a great night together. Our friend Ragen came too, and the two boys (who could out-drive me by hundreds of yards) were so great about me tagging along.


You know, I love to see Dane on the golf course. He knows everyone, and everyone knows him. He is quite the popular guy around there and is so great with the other guys on the course. He is hilarious and so fun to see when he is in his "element."

Don't you guys just love to see your husbands do something they are so good at?!

Ode to the Otter Pop

Dearest Otter Pops,

Thank you for being the perfect quick pick-me-up at work during these crazy months in the office. I know that I don't always exercise control, and may eat several of you at a time, but you must understand that I really, really need you around! These days in the office can feel very long, and the sugar gives me just enough energy to get through the day. The best bonus--you are only 25 calories! I cannot feel guilty about that!

PS--If I do have any cavities at the end of summer, I am blaming it all on your presence in the office freezer!

Much love,

Kasi Lee

The Real Deal

For the last year I have waddled up and down the Highland and Riverside Golf Courses alongside Dane donning my old tennis shoes and canvas flats. A few times Dane suggested that I should wear shoes with more "grip" to improve my golf swing, but of course my thrifty side suggested that idea was a farce. Well, after a year of consideration I had a break-down of sorts. I really believed that the purchase of some "schnazzy"new golf shoes would improve my confidence on the course, in turn improving my golf game. It didn't take much convincing on Dane's part before I purchased these beauties from Riverside's Pro Shop.


You may see me in the future, spending much more time at the golf course, for you see, I am now the real deal. I have taken my official plunge into the world of golf finally. I have succumbed to the course's call and will someday be that silly old lady who spends the day chasing her husband around the course in their 1970's-style golf cart, playing card games by day and couple's leagues games by night, and trying her best not to grow too old! Come and join me!

WARNING: Lots of Pics with Lots of Captions

Don't you just LOVE summer?! We finally have time--or maybe take time--to do some of the things we love. The last couple weeks have been great as I am spending time doing things I love and being with people I love. I have definitely been reminded about just how grateful I am for all those people around me.


Kayla is already getting her "college" on, so I hurried to Rexburg to check-out her first place. (I really like her beadspread, don't you?!) She seems to be doing well so far, and I am sure she will be a great student! Sadly, Kayla had quite a bit of homework while I was up, so we didn't get too much "chill" time. We did have some fun doing homework--though I lacked a bit of focus--it has been a whole year since I was last in school! Also--my Pops decided to get her a Mac for graduation--a Mac--I don't even have one yet! The three of us get pretty spoiled by that man! The Sucher fam has finally been converted the the Mac OS!


Isn't she just beautiful!? I do have to thank Kayla and Kelli for introducing me to my new favorite song--"You Don't See" by the Duhks. Check that one out! Thank heavens for sisters that keep this girl updated on new music! I always come home with some new faves after visits!

The next morning, Kelli and I made a quick excursion to the local library and stopped by the Teton Flood Museum next door. It was a very interesting experience--I think I experienced nearly every emotion while at the flood. Here we are next to a replica of the Teton Dam before the flood. A new dam may be built in the future. It is amazing that the dam stood for only 8 months! There was a lot of opposition to the dam before it was built too. How ironic (and very sad).Here is a picture of the flood. I think I forget that things like this can happen even in Idaho. I found out later that my great-grandfather's house floated away during the flood. I couldn't help but cry as I watched people lose everything they had. We watched a very sobering video of the flood and really hope others get to see it too! Kelli and I were so impressed with all the LDS church and Red Cross did to help with the flood. Over 1 million volunteer man hours were provided within 8 days of the event! People really came together. My mom told me about how difficult it was to clean up the mess after the flood--a lot of service was definitely given at that time. I am so proud to be a member of the LDS church!

Now this little thing is pretty crazy! The flowers are made parially of HUMAN HAIR. They really must have used EVERYTHING back then! I was grossed out just enough to take a picture. I know that I should be fascinated by this, but my germaphobic personality forbids me to do so!


I took a picture of this ultra-thin cake pan from back-in-the-day because it reminds me that WE EAT TOO MUCH THESE DAYS! Let's be honest, our portion sizes have gotten out of control. Now, I am the first to dive into a gigantic cake--my family and friends know that I have no self-control in this area--but I am motivated to change. I could certainly use this little cake pan these days to cut a few calories in those sweets!

This is my Great-Grandma Grace! We made a quick stop in to visit the most optimistic woman in the WORLD! I only saw her about once each year growing up, and I wish I had spent more time with her. I am sure I can could learn a lot from her!

With our newly-discovered desires to become domestic goddesses, Kelli and I kicked off the beginning of our crafty endeavors by creating a super-easy family tree. Of course, a few things went wrong with my little tree, but I am just a beginner. Just watch out for me in the future--I will be crafting and decorating like a pro! Side note: Kelli has a knack for craftiness, so I am very excited for our monthly projects.

My friend Lisa had her baby shower, and boy is she one of those super-cute pregnant girls. She and Logan are going to have some BEAUTIFUL kids. I am excited for her and can't wait to meet the new little girl someday soon! Congrats, Lisa!

Dane's friend from Wendell (and one of the funniest people I know) brought his fiance up for a baby blessing and stayed at our place. I LOVE to have guests over, especially now that we have a guest room, so this was a treat. I met Rainee for the first time and just love her. I hope to see a lot of her at Beorchia family functions. Dallan is always invited to those--he is pretty much family. (Note to all--you can definitely stay over here if you need somewhere to stay!)

This cutie is my favorite girl ever. She is saying "cheese" for the picture and is wearing my shoes. I love visiting her house because she is so excited to see me. I feel like the most popular girl ever when I am there! I have to admit that I get exhausted from playing with her, and love that I get to be the "fun aunt" and head home when I am tired! I hope I will be a fun mom someday too!

Here is the other favorite little girl, who was just blessed! Isn't she sweet?! I have to be careful when I am around her because I really want to have some babies around here! Someday soon!

I just got back from the IACRAO Conference for Idaho college recruiters, admissions officers, and registrars. It was a great few days! One afternoon the ISU peeps visited Shoshone Falls with Brei and Jen, two super-cute recruiters from Boise Bible College. It was BEAUTIFUL there! Side note: I have some of the best co-workers around!

Here we are underneath another waterfall in Twin Falls. This one was GORGEOUS!

I am a pretty shy person, so not too many people get to see the crazy side of me. The "real me" loves to goof off, dance around, and do some pretty silly things. I guess I felt pretty comfortable with this group!

Here is a picture from a Snake River dinner boat tour we took for the conference. We got to eat a wonderful meal on a fun little boat while floating around. The food was great, but the company was better! I sat with a member of the AACRAO professional organization and can't wait to get involved on a national level now. She was quite a talented lady!

Isn't this amazing--this is in the Snake River. I think it is called the "Blue Heart." It is an area where a natural spring meets the river. I thought you could only see water that color in tropical places!

This is a picture of Thousand Springs. I love this place! The boat trip was so much fun. I really want to take Dane on it sometime! It is pretty pricey, so it wouldn't happen often, but it might be really fun for an anniversary or something like that!

That about sums the last couple weeks up! Hope everyone is having a great summer! Right now I summer would be here forever!

LOVE YOU, KAY!

As of yesterday, the Sucher girl presence at Hillcrest High School has officially ended. My youngest sister, Kayla, just graduated from Hillcrest last night! I anticipated lots of emotion for our grand exit, but you know--I think we are all just glad for Kayla to move on to bigger and better things. We know that high school is great, but college--well, college is much better! And boy, is Kayla heading right off. She starts school in like a week and a half! (I also think she is itching for some independence too--who isn't at that age?!) LOVE YOU, KAY!

Dane and I thought we would play a little trick on Sis. Kayla is one of the most genuine people ever, and she is very honest--even in times of gift-giving. She does have a hard time faking, pretending that she loves a gift when she really hates it. So, Dane and I got Kayla some terrible gift items at the dollar store, and Kayla tried to pretend she like the five items, but let's be honest--it was a bad gift. I told her that the calculator pen was the big gift, and she just smiled! Well, after she finished Dane and I told her that the real gift, some cash, was at the bottom of the bag. That is way more appropriate for her graduation. Dane and I had been waiting all day to see Kayla's reaction, and she was true to plan! LOVE YOU, KAY!

Lots of family came to support the graduate, so it was fun to have some bonding time. I was especially to see Dad and Darlene up for the event. We don't get to see them very often, so it is a special treat when we do. They are great supports of this clan! The whole group was sure to make sure Kayla could hear us from the rafters. We were quite the fan club tonight. At high school graduation you just have to be loud to represent. I don't think anyone missed Dad's "Way to go, Kay-Kay!" chant at the end of our roar. It was cute--and I dare say a step up from the "Sugar Bear" chant at my graduation. (Those are the little things you never forget and come to appreciate down the road!) The louder you are, the better. That was my person mantra for the evening! LOVE YOU, KAY!


















Last but not least, here is the Sucher clan, together after the crazy evening. We are all growing up! I can't believe it myself. I thought to end I would give a short "Ode to Kayla" remark! Kayla is one of the most fun-loving, true to heart girls around. I graduated about six years ago and wondered if the two of us would ever really be close--with the age difference and all. That girl is so mature for her age and so much fun to be around. She is one of my very best friends! Kayla is going to accomplish some pretty amazing things, so you should all watch out for her! LOVE YOU, KAY!