Is it just me, or are people way too free with personal thoughts and information on blogs, Facebook, Instagram, etc.?  Many things enter my simple mind, but I rarely consider broadcasting them for the entire population of Earth to read.  Sometimes I literally cringe when I read some of the things folks dare to share with all of humanity.  And do we all need to see pictures of "what's for dinner" at your house...on a regular basis?  And how about all of the over-achieving kids out there?  I mean, I have great kids, but compared to what I see posted, perhaps we are merely mediocre over here in the Casper house.  Honestly, aren't people going to wake up one day and regret sharing every intimate detail of their lives with the entire world?  Who cares how many days in a row you make it to the gym, or how you feel every stinking day, or what fabulous trip you are on now?  It's just too much for my simple brain to process.  I know too much about people and I feel like I am on a merry-go-round and I can't get off...Perhaps I should exit all social media.  That would certainly solve my problem of being over-stimulated by worthless information...but then again, maybe secretly, in some sick, twisted way, I enjoy knowing what so-and-so is having for dinner, every stinking night:)

"You're better than all the moms I can think of."  Christine had no idea what this text meant to me.  I read it standing in Target...not a good idea, because I then started to cry...not the ugly cry, just tears...I am so blessed to be the mother of 4 amazing kids. I am trying so hard not to mess them up.  For this one moment in time, I felt like maybe I was doing something right.  I will treasure these words written by the sweetest of daughters.  Thank you Sweetheart.

 Dad and Garrett are London-bound for Garrett's spring break and his senior trip...Lucky, Lucky boy!  DFW-LHR

 Their general means of transportation was "the Tube"

A quick, uneventful, yet necessary trip to Abbey Road...not really that big of a deal:(

 A London staple...their cool telephone booths.

 Evidence that Dad was actually there also:)

 Another staple of London...guards...this one, however, looks like a fake.

 Church at the Hyde Park Building

 One of the many shows they saw...it was a ton of fun, especially because they sat in the 4th row, aka "the splash zone"...say what?  Thought that only applied to SeaWorld.

 Windsor Castle

This is where archers would shoot their arrows from...not sure of the name...and archer's window maybe?

 This was once the mote that protected the castle.  It is now well-manicured lawn.

Garrett at Windsor Castle

After 11 years, 4 children, 1 husband and thousands of dollars, the Caspers are officially finished with the orthodontist! The running joke at our ortho's office is that one of the wings of their office building is named for our family:) So glad to have this chapter of our lives closed!

March is a special birthday month in our family.  Bill's is on the 14th and Grant's is today, the 16th.  This year Bill spent his day in England with Garrett...you know, just hanging out at Stonehenge and Bath and cool places like that:)  We sent emails and texts and hope he felt our love an ocean away:)  Today Grant is 15! Where has the time gone?  Our little baby has certainly grown into a tall, smart, kind, young man.  He is full of wonderful traits...he is sensitive, bright, compassionate and funny.  We are so blessed to have him in our  family...a true gift from Heavenly Father.  His future looks bright and we anticipate wonderful things to come.  Happy Birthday sweet son.

We just got home from Stake Conference...it was the kind that was broadcast to over 70 stakes in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. We heard some great talks from our leaders in Salt Lake.  One thing that Elder Scott said impacted me...He spoke about the importance of nurturing and caring for women.  He mentioned that husbands should be considerate of their wives always...in word and deed.  Husbands should never stand in front of their wives...and always speak as (we) not (I)...I've said it before and I will say it again...I have the best husband!  He always puts me first.  He never enters a room before I do.  He always considers my feelings...he is THE BEST.   I love the following story.  It could easily be a story about us.  I try hard not to fault find...and I am improving...not perfect yet, but trying....especially when he is driving:)

The Grapefruit Syndrome

by Lola B. Walters  (Link)

My husband and I had been married about two years—just long enough for me to realize that he was a normal man rather than a knight on a white charger—when I read a magazine article recommending that married couples schedule regular talks to discuss, truthfully and candidly, the habits or mannerisms they find annoying in each other. The theory was that if the partners knew of such annoyances, they could correct them before resentful feelings developed.

It made sense to me. I talked with my husband about the idea. After some hesitation, he agreed to give it a try.

As I recall, we were to name five things we found annoying, and I started off. After more than fifty years, I remember only my first complaint: grapefruit. I told him that I didn’t like the way he ate grapefruit. He peeled it and ate it like an orange! Nobody else I knew ate grapefruit like that. Could a girl be expected to spend a lifetime, and even eternity, watching her husband eat grapefruit like an orange? Although I have forgotten them, I’m sure the rest of my complaints were similar.

After I finished, it was his turn to tell the things he disliked about me. Though it has been more than half a century, I still carry a mental image of my husband’s handsome young face as he gathered his brows together in a thoughtful, puzzled frown and then looked at me with his large blue-gray eyes and said, “Well, to tell the truth, I can’t think of anything I don’t like about you, Honey.”

Gasp.

I quickly turned my back, because I didn’t know how to explain the tears that had filled my eyes and were running down my face. I had found fault with him over such trivial things as the way he ate grapefruit, while he hadn’t even noticed any of my peculiar and no doubt annoying ways.

I wish I could say that this experience completely cured me of fault finding. It didn’t. But it did make me aware early in my marriage that husbands and wives need to keep in perspective, and usually ignore, the small differences in their habits and personalities. Whenever I hear of married couples being incompatible, I always wonder if they are suffering from what I now call the Grapefruit Syndrome.

It has been a busy week around our town and especially with Garrett. He was cast as one of the leads in the high school's musical.  Although we knew he would play the lion, he kept his part completely on the "down low"...It turns out, He. Was. Amazing! And although his costume was HOT ( he said it was like wearing carpet:), it was so well done.  And check out the face make up and hair/beard...He looked great, kept the audience laughing and sang like a trained professional...pretty amazing considering he is not even remotely trained...just a natural.

Dorothy was played by Rachel Wright...a friend from Church.  It is pretty amazing that in a high school the size of Allen (5,500 or so kids) 2 of the 4 leads were played by LDS kids! And they both were perfect for their roles.

Toto was even a real, live dog:)  He was a little unsure of things at first, but seemed more comfortable with every performance.

The cast was huge! And the new Performing Arts Center at the high school is state of the art.

Christine even flew in from college to see her brother...she said it was well worth the trip!

Grandpa drove up from Austin...:)

All of the Cottrells came to support Garrett.

We are now going through Wizard of Oz with drawls...it was a great time.  Thanks for all of your hard work Garrett and for sharing your talents with everyone who came...Well done Son.