👋 Hi, I'm Cassie

I’m a Jesus-following wife, adoptive and biological mama of four, travel-lover, and public school teacher living in Northeast Indiana. By day, I work with incredible multilingual students as an ELL teacher. By night (or more likely during naptime or after bedtime), I’m writing, dreaming, and documenting the journey God has me on—right here in the middle of the mess, the magic, and the in-between.

Welcome to my little corner of the Internet

A Little Background

I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Brennan, for 15 years. We have four amazing kids—two through birth, two through adoption—and my days are filled with all the beauty and chaos that comes with raising one daughter and three sons.

I love espresso, warm beaches, deep conversations, a good board game, baking from scratch, and blasting Taylor Swift while I clean the kitchen. Summer days at the pool? Yes, please. And if I ever disappear for a few hours, check the massage table. 😏

Why I Started This Blog

Honestly? My memory isn’t what it used to be—and I don’t want to forget the big adventures or the tiny moments. I started this blog to create a space where I can reflect on my life, my travels, and my faith. It’s a way to hold onto the stories that matter and share them with others who might need to hear, “you’re not alone.”

You’ll find posts here about:

✈️ Traveling with kids
💑 Travel as a couple
👩‍👧‍👦 Adoption and motherhood
🙏 Everyday faith in the thick of it all

Some moments are beautiful. Some are hard. Most are both.

While I write honestly, I also want to honor my kids’ privacy. That means you won’t see their faces here. I want them to decide for themselves if or when they want to have an online presence. So while I may share stories and moments, I’ll always do it with their dignity in mind.

Protecting My Family's Story

About the Name

The name Here in the Ruin was inspired by a song that helped me see how God shows up in broken places—and by a long-awaited trip to Italy where I finally stood in the literal ruins I’d dreamed of for years.

This blog is my testimony. Of grace in the everyday. Of laughter and tears. Of delayed dreams, sticky little hands, jet lag, and God’s unwavering presence through it all.