"Change"

Carrie Underwood-"Change"

“Your just a fool, just a fool To believe you can change the world. Don't listen to them when they say, ‘your just a fool, just a fool To believe you can change the world.’”


The other night I was chatting with Bryan on the phone having the typical, “how are you doing, what have you been up to,” conversation when I threw in the repetitive, “what else can we send you? Friends and family have been asking me what you need and want in care packages and I’m running out of ideas.” His response was just that. He had pretty much everything he needed for the time being. It then occurred to me that there were soldiers over there who hadn’t even received a single letter. Both of us are so blessed to have such caring families (and huge ones as well) that providing care package items has been simple and abundant. Some soldiers on the other hand, do not have families with the funds to provide such wonderful care packages on a weekly basis, and even worse, some do not even have families…


I then decided that I would compile a list of names of the soldiers who may not be receiving an abundance of packages and letters from home and I would figure out a way to make sure that they know we all love and support them back home. I called up a few local news stations and was immediately contacted by a wonderful woman named Lainey. She graciously offered to support Bryan’s unit (and specifically some of our special soldiers) in sending them care packages and letters. Their website is http://www.cosupportourtroops.com/ and I am truly grateful to be a part of this remarkable opportunity.

“The smallest thing can make all the difference…”
It’s incredible how supportive some people are and I again have to thank God for all of the blessings He has given us. He has been an amazing provider and the outpouring of love from people I don’t even know continues to leave me in awe. He is GOOD!

And on that note, let me update you with how the Lord is providing in Afghanistan:

Our soldiers are preparing to build a school in the Baghlan Province. In addition, Bryan also informed me that they are putting in a well in Baghlan. As of right now, the civilians of Baghlan get their water from the Baghlan River. This river is brown and is used as a toilet, bath tub, and main source of drinking water. Bryan said that the locals would scoop out a handful of water, sift the dirt and muck out through their fingers, wait for it to settle, and then drink the top layer. To those of us who are fortunate enough to live in America, that is repulsive. To the locals in Baghlan, that is life. Though some do not believe in the war and do not support our husbands, wives, brothers, sisters and children being over there, God has found a way to show Himself amidst the blood, guts, and gunfire. All combat aside, the children of Baghlan would not be provided with a school to learn in had our troops not been sent over there. Baghlan residents would be drinking unsanitary water for many more years had our soldiers not been there to provide a fresh water well for them. “The smallest thing can make all the difference-Love is alive-Don’t listen to them when they say, “Your just a fool-Just a fool-To believe you can change the world…”

In every situation there is a positive outcome, you just have to be willing to open your eyes and see it. God will provide, not just to the wealthy, not just to Americans, not just to the pure of heart, or the most faithful of followers. He loves each of His children equally and He is a just God. God is using OUR soldiers to better the world! The smallest things can TRULY make ALL of the difference.

To all our soldiers fighting for our freedom and allowing themselves to be used by the Lord, “DON’T listen to them when they, Your just a fool, just a fool To believe you can change the world.” You CAN change the world…

If anyone wants to make donations to our soldiers or even just send them a letter, please contact me. A simple note will surely, “make all the difference!”

Love is all that matters, afterall...

Wow! Ok, so I haven’t updated this since I left New York! Where to start? Maybe with the day he deployed…




Bryan deployed on April Fool’s Day, no joke. My best friend from college, Veronica, flew in the night before, as did Jeff. We were able to spend that last day finishing up last minute things and ended up going to our favorite local wing spot, Spencer’s. That night Bryan and I cried ourselves to sleep and fell asleep and woke up in the same position; in each other’s arms. Thursday was kind of a crazy day and it felt like it went by in slow motion, but at a fast pace. We all went to breakfast and then stayed with Bryan outside of his company’s office until we had to say our final good-byes. Wow! That moment still lingers in my mind. Being in Bryan’s arms, holding on so tight not wanting to let go while knowing that I had to was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. However, I can’t even express how thankful I am that Jeff and Veronica were there. I went from crying in Bryan’s arms, to crying in Jeff’s arms, to crying in V’s arms. I know Bryan is confident that I was left in more than good hands. I always tell Bryan that we were married and united through God, as a relationship not just between him and me, but God as well. Thus, I am encouraged that Bryan is no more than a prayer away. Having a strong faith is the only way to get through something like this. Some days are harder than others, but for the most part, I’m doing really well. I find that giving my worries and sadness up to the Lord brings healing and comfort. Some days I have to lift up my sadness up to God every hour, and others I find happiness throughout the day. Either way, Bryan and I could not do this with out our trust in the Lord.



Jeff, Veronica, and I had quite the road trip. There was no better way to spend the first few days of my husband being deployed than singing, dancing, laughing, and crying in a car with my best friend. V is such an open hearted person and had no problem laughing with Jeff as well. It really was a blast spending time with both V, and Jeff. Truly a bonding experience and I am so, soo lucky to have such people in my life! I love you both!



I was fortunate enough to have interviews for a job the first week I was back (thanks Cor)! I was offered the job by that Friday and started training on the following Monday! Again, the Lord has truly blessed me in providing an income and an activity right away and to take away those stresses that I could have had.



I moved into my new apartment with my brother’s girlfriend, Melissa and it has been a blast so far! My parent’s (and their puppy Zoey) only live 10 minutes away, so I have been over to their house on a regular basis (you would too if you saw sweet Zoey)! Melissa has been a great roommate so far, and maybe something more in the future ;) *fingers crossed and knocking on wood* It’s also fun because I get to see my brother, and their new puppy, Cubby, all of the time, too! They really are a great couple and it is so awesome to see someone you love so much find someone that makes him so incredibly happy! For that Melissa, I love you forever!



I have been able to see/talk to the majority of my friend’s in the past few weeks that I have been home and it has been amazing!!! I can’t express how much I truly love all of them and their support has been more than I deserve. I am so lucky to have such caring people around me. I love that I am able to talk about deployment when I need to around them, but it doesn’t consume our conversations. I feel that if my life were consumed by thoughts and conversations of deployment, our relationship would then be defined by it, and I don’t feel that way at all. Over the past four years, Bryan and I have created such a unique relationship that the army and this deployment are only a factor in what defines us as a couple. Yes, it is a hard step in our relationship, but not a defining one. I again, feel blessed, so, so, SO blessed that we were able to spend those three months together before he deployed. I know many people go through lots of fighting and heartache before their loved one leaves, and I am grateful that we escaped that. We were just so purely happy to actually get that time together before he left! It has also been a blessing that we have SO much to look forward to when he gets back! With the big wedding, (save the “tentative” date…July 9, 2011) and moving into a new house together, choosing decorations and furniture together, and really beginning the rest of our lives together. Though deployments seem awful to some people, in the grand scheme of things, God has more then blessed our lives together and given us so much more than we could ever deserve. For that alone, I am grateful.



And now for the goods! Again, I am so blessed. I have no idea what I did to deserve the blessings that God has showered me with, but I am thankful everyday for them. Bryan has been able to call and text me several times! I am still in shock at the amount of times we have been able to talk! Each time keeps me smiling for days, literally! I love our conversations and continually hang up feeling that much more confident in our marriage and love for one another. He really is such a great guy (and a sexy one too, hehe)! He makes me smile the way that no guy ever has, even from Afghanistan! Bryan has more than proved himself as a husband and best friend and I’m confident that he will be more than an amazing daddy (someday)! Every girl always dreams of that perfect man to spend the rest of her life with and to care for her children someday. I have always wanted that guy to be a replica of my dad. I am the epitome of a “Daddy’s Girl” so every guy I have ever dated (and yes, there have been A LOT of them) has always had a high standard to measure up too. Bryan however, has shown me just that. He treats me like a true Princess. He has goals and dreams with me and it is such an awesome feeling knowing that I can stand by my best friend and look forward into the future with him. Those dreams are not put on hold since he is “gone.” As a matter of fact, I find that with each conversation we dream of more and more things that we want to do together. It is such a humbling feeling.



Neither of us could be where we are today if it wasn’t for the support and love of our friends and family. Now, more than ever, we both are feeling an outpouring of that love and are so thankful to be surrounded by such great people. In marriage, deployment, and life, the people that surround you are the ones who encourage you to live faithfully and in happiness. Bryan and I both appreciate everyone’s support in our commitment through marriage together and for the prayers of comfort and peace through this deployment. I have quickly learned the true meaning of “counting my blessings” and hanging on to the things that I DO have, not what I don’t. I have an INCREDIBLE husband, an amazing husband, wonderful, caring friends, a roof over my head and enough money to keep me stable, but refrain from greed. Give your loved ones a kiss for me, and be sure to continually tell them how much they mean to you! You all mean the world to me.



If anyone is interested in sending Bryan a special note or a care package, please e-mail me… cassie.cercy@msn.com. Also, if you would like to be added to his e-mail list, I would be more than happy to update that as well. You all are what keeps him going everyday! Thanks for all of the support, from the very bottom of our hearts!

.: Blessed :.

I have often heard that deployment is a time in your life when you really find out who your true friends are. I have to admit, God has more than blessed me and I undoubtedly have a million angels surrounding me. Thank you already, to all of my friends and family, as well as those of you who barely know me, but have already shown me your support. At this point, it is hard for me to imagine loosing friends in a time like this, as I have already gained so much. To all of you...My sincerest THANK YOU! I am truely blessed~

Friends are Quiet Angels

Mom: My rock, my laughter, my talks, my hugs, my butt kicking when I need to get my act together :)

Daddy: The loving arms that hold me and calm my tears, since day one

Corey: My best friend, my strength, my caring big brother

Amanda: The sister I always prayed for. My Top Gun and Snuggie buddy

Maddi: My long talks and daily encouraging words

Chels: The contagious giggles that turn saddness into laughter

V: My shoulder to cry on when I'm sad, her should to cry on when I'm strong

Jo: For being there...since 3rd grade

Erin: For always loving me

Erin Flanagan: Cassie Cercy I freakin love you!!! And Bryan : )Wed at 10:51pm

Steff: For Happy Hour

Steff McNulty: I am serious... I know I am not in NY but let me know if there is anything I can do to help this go smoother.Yesterday at 1:23pm

Nicole: The beautiful mommy to be, my first friend as an "Army Girlfriend" and best friend as an "Army Wife"

April: My role model in finding faith and trusting the Lord. You are a selfless friend and Bryan and I look up to you and Shawn in faith and your marriage. You are my strength

Martha: For margarita nights, and for blessing my with a wonderful husband, and amazing sister. I care for you and will be here for you, as I know you will be here for me too.

Jeffrey: For never pushing Bryan one way or another, and never failing to be proud of any path he chooses. And for your kindness and outpouring of love that has been felt since day one

Bryan: For being brave, so we don't have to be. For being strong so we can be weak. For having loving arms to be wrapped up in. For having gentle words to find courage in. For having playful laughter to get lost in. For having quiet moments to create memories in. "Undeniable, so incredible::Simply wonderful, you're beautiful::Unmistakable, the way you make me feel::Unbelievable."

Unbelievable

Deployment

Deployment. It's getting closer and I feel like PMS on steroids. I'm not a very emotional person when it comes to crying. I tend to keep it in until it just bursts out. That's not the case this time. Time up here has been amazing and I feel so blessed to have been able to spend the past three months with my husband. On the down side, we thought he was going to deploy around the 6th of April. Wednesday night he was told that it would be the 1st instead.  Not that 5 days makes a huge difference, but when it comes to deployment, it can make a world of a difference. It was one more full week and one more weekend together. I think the initial shock hit me hard on Wednesday as the reality of the situation fianlly set in. I cried off and on Wednesday night into Thursday morning and afternoon. After laying in bed until noon I finally got up, looked at myself in the mirror and got it together. I showered, curled my hair and got dressed. Simple things that happen everyday that sometimes are tough to do, but they are the first steps to continuing on with living through deployment. I promised Bryan and myself that even though he would be gone, I would continue living. It wouldn't be fair to anyone if I decided to stop living just because I'm sad that he is gone. So now it's time to enjoy every last second with Bryan and to pray that this week slows down and that the time away while he is deployed speeds up. Say your prayers for my husband and 1-87...as well as for all of the soldiers continually fighting for our freedom. "Home of the free, because of the brave."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p2EW3yBqSk&feature=related

.: LuCkY I'm in LoVe with my BeSt friend :.

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way -

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

When Irish eyes are smiling, 'Tis like a morn in spring.

With a lilt of Irish laughter, You can hear the angels sing.

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

I'm Proud of the House We Built

I'm proud of the house we built

It's stronger than sticks, stones, and steel.

It's not a big place sittin' up high on some hill.

A lot of things will come and go but love never will.

Oh, I'm proud.

I'm proud of the house we built.

“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

"Everyday is a journey, and the journey itself is home."

"May your home always be too small to hold all of your friends."

"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories." George Eliot

"Take a whiff on me, that ain't no rose!

 Roll up yer window and hold yer nose

You don't have to look and you don't have to see

'Cause you can feel it in your olfactory

You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road"

“When I found the skull in the woods, the first thing I did was call the police. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had deer horns.”

“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

Snugglie puppy after her bath :)

After much persuasion (Maddi) I have decided to update everyone with our life in a blog. I know that everyone has their fair share of “first year of marriage” stories, and ours only compliments those experiences. After living in Dexter, New York (30 miles south of Canada) for the past few months with my wonderful hubby, we have learned that life most certainly does not always go the way you would like it too, and that the hurdles are never ending. However, we have chosen to embrace this fact and instead of getting really mad about everything that is happening, we have decided to view our life/living situation as more of a joke. I’ll take this time to update you on what has been happening in our lives the past 2 ½ months. So…where do I begin?

Babies, babies, babies!!!

Ok, ok, hold your horses! It’s not what you think, not even remotely! Typically when people hear the word, “baby” they get all giddy and excited. That was not my reaction when I heard that word. Let’s play a little game. What do you get when you mix the smell of sulfur with a skunk? I actually can’t answer that question. My response would lack the justice that this rancid smell deserves. So yep, you guessed it, we have skunks! YAY!!! In the middle of the night last Thursday (March 4th) I woke up to a nasty smell. At first I didn’t know if it was Bryan, or something else. Friday morning we woke up and the smell was still there. We began cleaning the house and I feared finding a dead animal in a cupboard, corner, or behind a couch. After cleaning the house we headed out to the airport to pick up Amanda and Martha, who were visiting this past weekend. Upon getting in the car Amanda stated, “It smells like a skunk!” Apparently the odor stuck to our clothes and soaked into the car seats. When we welcomed the family into our home, they were expecting our sulfur scented house, but the smell that hit them was even worse! The smell would come and go and we weren’t 100% sure what exactly the smell was. It could be a dead animal, it could be a skunk. We found little holes around the outside of the house, but we couldn’t find the source of the stink. They endured the smell for the rest of the weekend, but after they left the smell began to get worse.

Around midnight Tuesday night, I felt Bryan poking me. I woke up and both of us were suffocated by the awful stench. He left for work at 5:30am (the usual) and I received a text message at 6:20am saying, “Everyone at the office thinks I smell like a skunk.” Needless to say, the skunk smell started to overpower the sulfur smell. Bryan was evidently let off work early to “take care of the skunk problem at home.” I think it was because they just wanted him out of the office. About an hour before he got off work, I decided to walk around the house and see if I could find anything. It didn’t take long for me to find a skunk, dying at the bottom of our front porch steps. It was dead by 8 o’clock last night and we left it out there since the pest control guy came this morning. Which leads me to babies. Upon searching around the outside of the house for holes, the pest control guy made the statement to me that it was the end of mating season and a lot of times the male skunks get in fights and let off their wonderful smell in the process. He then said those dreadful words, “I think you have a female skunk under there, she is probably pregnant and the babies should be born in about a week.” Baby skunks? Are you kidding me? More? It gets even better as he proceeded to tell me that the mother won’t leave her hiding spot under our house until after she has the babies, and the babies won’t leave until they are old enough to go out on their own, which will be around June. He also enticed me with the lovely fact that baby skunks don’t know how to control when they release their stink. So basically, we will have stinky, baby skunks wandering around underneath our house until we leave. Our house smells better everyday!

Minimoooon!

Since we had our “mini wedding” we decided to take a “mini honeymoon.” Because of certain restrictions, like the fact that we couldn’t leave the country because of Bryan’s upcoming deployment, and the fact that it takes all day to travel from upstate New York to anywhere, we settled on Orlando, Florida. We only had four days to celebrate our marriage so we chose an early flight on Friday morning. And so it begins… Bryan and I went to bed early Thursday night, he even commented to me at about 9:45 that we were actually in bed before 10pm! Yeah, well, so much for that. You see, when you are a Platoon Leader and one of your soldiers gets a DUI, you have to go in and do a bunch of paperwork and work out legal issues. So at 11pm when Bryan heard the wonderful news, he had to get out of bed and rush into work. He made it home be 3am, laid down for about 45 minutes while I showered, and we left the house by 4am. We made it to Orlando around 10am and we were thrilled to hear that Nana and Grandpa (Bryan’s grandparents) were also in Orlando. They graciously picked us up from the airport and we had lunch at an amazing seafood place. It was SO wonderful seeing them, and we decided we should just randomly meet up in other states “for lunch” more often! Once they dropped us off at the Omni Hotel at Champions Gate (amazing golf hotel), Bryan and I went up to our room and crashed. We woke up around dinner time, asked the concierge where we should eat, enjoyed a $90 “cab ride” in an Excursion and instead of settling for an upscale restaurant, we walked down the street to the Ale House. Nothing beats a long day like a pitcher of beer and some burgers.

Saturday we decided to go to SeaWorld. Even though it was freezing, it was still a blast. We went to the “Shamu Show” were we drank hot chocolate and watched Tilikum and Dawn dance in the water together about one week before her tragic death. We saw sharks and dolphins, parrots and penguins and even went on a rollercoaster ride. This time, Bryan made me sit in the front seat! I was terrified at first, especially on our first drop. Once I opened my eyes however, I realized all of the exciting things that I could see. It whoops and whirls over the water and from the top of the steep hills I could see all of SeaWorld to my right and Orlando to my left. This thrilling, awesome ride made me realize that even when life is speeding by at a million mile per hour, it should never go by fast enough for me not to open up my eyes and take in everything around me. I thanked Bryan after we were safely stopped. I was scared and he made me take a chance. The beauty of it all surpassed the terror.

On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, Bryan and I woke up with a couple’s massage (I highly recommend doing this) with chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, a sauna, and other spa services that we soaked up the afternoon with. We then went back to our room, showered and changed and went to dinner. We didn’t make a reservation in advance, and as it ended out, most places were completely booked (silly us, it was Valentine’s Day). We ended up at Olive Garden (no complaints there) and had a romantic meal next to their fireplace. We then went and saw the movie, “Valentine’s Day,” and ended up at a dueling piano bar, “Howl at the Moon,” to top the night off. This was by far was the coolest bar I have ever been to. We had an amazing time there and ventured back to our hotel in the early morning hours.

Monday was our last day, and we had a late flight home. Luckily, the weather finally cleared up on Sunday and we were able to lay out by the pool all day long. We even went around the lazy river and caught some rays…Bryan had a bit of a burn to prove it! We were sad to go home; even though the weather wasn’t the greatest the whole time and we paid ridiculous amounts for cab rides. Though the highlights of our trip were not the ones we were expecting to have prior to going, we embraced new adventures and created memories that will last a lifetime!