Spring.....WHERE ARE YOU!!!!

Hello all! Good morning, as I am typing this morning the big bad wolf is outside trying to blow our house down. Okay well I never confirmed that its a wolf out there, but it sure is HOWLING! :)

I am REALLY looking forward to Spring!!! I decided today's post would be about the 11 reasons why spring is my favorite season....'

1. WINDOWS DOWN! I love this feeling, if i had a convertible it would be TOP DOWN! However, i am a practical lady and we drive a mini-van! :)

2. GREEN! I love green things, green grass, green flowers, green money....you get the idea! I love the sign of the new blooms and giving me hope that winter is NOT the only season ND has! :)

3. GRILLING! Now we could grill in the winter, but our grill in still in Linton. Note to Kameron (although he never reads this...) GET THE GRILL!!!! This lady needs some steaks and I am not talking about from the crock pot! :) Now that we actually live together, I am really looking forward to grilling almost every night!

4. WALKS! Oh how I miss my morning walks with Sadie. Last year I took a break from walking all together, I had a baby it was cute to still have the baby weight. NOT SO CUTE ANYMORE! :) I am looking forward to walking in the early am (before Kameron goes to work) with Sadie, our dog, and then during the day pushing Kynlee is the stroller and even walking as a family at night. HELLO FRESH AIR I NEED YOU!!! I know I can walk on the treadmill, however there is just something about being outside!

5. FRUIT! Yes the grocery store has fruit now, but the oranges are a little yellow and the bananas are a little green.....I am ready for some fresh fruit, not to mention the great prices that go along with not having it shipped here from Brazil! :)

6. PUDDLES! I love to splash in puddles, well not really splash as I don't like to get dirty, so I like to drive through them! :) That will work for me!

7. DRIVES! This goes along with puddle splashing! :) We always go for a Sunday drive (we call it our booze cruise, however NO DRINKING ever takes place, its just something we say!) :) And there is just something about going for a drive on a Sunday when its nice out, no heat, no air conditioner, just us and the open road! Oh and Kynlee and Sadie! :)

8. SCHOOLS OUT! Now I love the song...SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER! (Most of you are singing it right now!) But really school gets out in Spring! Its not summer until June so technically the song should be SCHOOLS OUT FOR SPRING, no never mind leave it alone! :) NO MORE PENCILS.... (got you singing again!) I just love the feeling of kids riding bike, running around... good times!

9. NO COATS! I hate coats, actually I detest them. The more layers I have to wear the more I look like the Michelin man (not an attractive sight!) and with all this baby weight (yes shes almost a year) still on me I don't need to add any more cushion! :) Plus getting Kynlee to put on a coat, hat, boots, gloves, scarf....is a chore and by the time I have the last thing on, she has the first thing off! :)

10. NO NORTH DAKOTA ROAD REPORT! I refuse to check the road report when its spring. Yes I know we will probably get a few more "big" blasts of winter just letting us know hes still there (until July most likely) however, I enjoy knowing that if it snows its melting shortly. I don't like saying, "well we might come visit, IF THE WEATHER IS NICE!" In spring, for the most part you don't have to do say that EVER! :)

11. Last but not least (and some of you thought I forgot....) FLIP FLOPS, let me say it again.... FLIP FLOPS!!!!!!!! Live it, love it! :) I will sleep in my flip flops here in a couple weeks (okay thats a bit much, but I do LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE them!)  I know they are super bad for your feet, but you know what...I DONT CARE! My toes have not seen daylight in like 10 months (not quite that long) and I am ready to paint my toenails and get out there! :)

Okay thats my 11 for today! :) Enjoy your Thursday! Feel free to let me know the reasons you love Spring (and it doesn't have to be 11!)

Until the next time, be nice to others! :)

And thanks for reading! :)

Cass :)

Saturday in the Park....

Okay its definitely not a Saturday in the park... or the 4th of July, but it is the 12th of February and Abraham Lincoln's birthday for those of you who care! :) Not to mention the big V-day is only two days away, get to the Hallmark store and get your cards and chocolate! :)

We had an awesome "date" day yesterday, celebrating our 4th Anniversary and Valentine's day! :) Well actually since our anniversary was the 10th I was just getting ready to cook up some chicken for supper and Kameron surprised us by coming home early! IT WAS AWESOME! I love surprises! We exchanged cards and headed to the Grandview for some supper, I even had lobster! :) LOVE IT! :) Then Friday am we dropped Kynlee off at daycare super early and headed to the big city (Bismarck!) We had a morning of appointments to take care of then we had a couples massage at In Touch (the best place ever!) and headed to Red Lobster for a late lunch. We had a gift card from my dad and Frannie so we spoiled ourselves and I had lobster again! :) We made it home later than planned and completely exhausted!!! I was supposed to go play bingo last night with the girls but I was just REALLY tired and so we threw in a party pizza, gave Kynlee an early bath and sent her to bed. By this time it was about 7 (yes we are old!) We put in Despicable Me and cuddled on the couch, we LOVED the movie but I was almost sleeping a dozen times during it! I didn't sleep very well the night before, this is normal since we were sick. NO FUN!

This morning I was surfing fb on my phone at 5am, YES 5AM, TOOOOOOOOOOO early! I finally got up, made myself a cappuccino, and came down stairs to catch up on DVR's. Well I had watched all the shows I needed to catch up on already so I just started surfing around. I found Maid in Manhattan and watched that and then about 25 minutes into Sweet Home Alabama Kameron joined me on the couch. Sadie who got a much needed haircut yesterday cuddled up too! :) We decided we needed breakfast so we headed upstairs for Dakota Maid pancakes and turkey bacon!!! :) YUM! We haven't done that for a while and it was delicious! Kynlee LOVES pancakes and got a new plate and silverware from my parents for Valentine's day and was excited to eat it up.

We are working on her using a fork and spoon, but not much luck yet.....sad I know! I really wish she would grasp the concept but I know it will come in time, to her its easier to use your fingers to get the food. (Trust my Kynlee I feel the same!) :)

Then I got in a quick cat nap while Kameron & Kynlee went downstairs to watch qualifying for an upcoming Nascar race and Sadie barked outside (peaceful....NOT SO MUCH!) So I came down to join them and before we knew it, it was 11 and I had to jump on the computer and get Elton John tickets for Billings with Leslie! We had 4 computers and 3 phones going and FINALLY got in using our house phone~ I have no idea what seats we got but they will be mailed Monday.

Now Kynlee is napping (thanks Kam for putting her down!) and I am blogging and thinking I should finish laundry (DOES IT EVER END!!!!!!)

We are celebrating Valentine's Day by exchanging cards and Kam goes to the dentist and he and Kynlee go to the eye doctor, romantic I know! :)

Whatever you do for the special day of love, make it worth it! Even if its just the dentist and a card! :)

Have a super weekend! :)

PS. This post makes more for 2011 than I ever did in 2010! :) I AM PROUD OF ME! :)

11 things in 4 years!

Well for those of you who don't know....TODAY IS MY ANNIVERSARY! OOPS! OUR Anniversary! :) Kameron & I are celebrating 4 years of wedded bliss....TODAY!

It may not seem like a long time to some of you, but considering that half of today's marriages end in the "d" word, every day longer that someone is married is an accomplishment! :)

So I decided to write a list of 11 things that I have learned in 4 years! :) ENJOY!

1. Its so awesome always having your best friend by your side! I am the first to admit I have a lot of best friends and I love each of them dearly! However, Kameron is a best friend too! He is the best friend I never knew I was missing! This is not a slam to my other best friends, but instead a praise to Kameron! :)

2. Pick your battles. Honestly we don't fight alot, really its rare, to be truthful I couldn't remember the last time we had a major disagreement. Anyhow, in any relationship you need to pick your battles. This is true with your kids, boss, dogs....you get the idea! :) So I pick my battles with my husband also, I choose what I am going to nag on him about or what I am going to whine about....no one enjoys constant nagging or whining. We all pick our battles everyday, be wise about the ones you choose! :)

3. Talk about it. This is simple, if something is wrong or bothering you....TALK ABOUT IT! You might have noticed, I am a bit of a chatterbox, my husband is not, but sometimes its good to get it out in the open.  We both agree on this simple principle. And the sooner I realized Kameron is not a mind reader and I needed to talk about things, the better off we were! :)

4. Men are like waffles, women are like spaghetti. The sooner I learned this, the better we were. Honestly, its a book. READ IT! :) Kameron and I both read it and both laughed and loved it. Its fascinating how to understand how eachother's brains work. VERY GOOD READ and really helped me understand that when Kameron is doing something, THAT IS WHAT HE IS DOING. Example, when he is driving, HE IS DRIVING! Hello just like a waffle.... When I am driving, I am singing, talking on my phone, planning the meals, talking to Kynlee, waving, looking at my nails, wondering if I took the clothes out of the dryer, remembering that I need to make an eye appointment....okay you get the idea. I am spaghetti! :) I know you understand.

5. Date Night. We found this one to be even MORE important after having Kynlee, it was easy before to "date" each other, however now it is more difficult. But we are trying hard to get it figured out and make sure we take time for eachother. Even if its just putting Kynlee to bed early and watching a movie. Simple, but very meaningful for both of us.

6. Doing something each day that makes their life easier. Even if its just starting Kameron's toast for him while he goes and gets the paper and starts his car. I am up anyhow, it takes no additional effort to start his breakfast for him. I try to think of at least one thing that can help him out each day. He does the same for me a million times a day, so I can repay the favor at least once!

7. Be honest about money. I love to spend, thats no secret. I LOVE TO SPEND! But its important to be honest about what I am spending money on. I haven't always been the best at this, but I am working hard to be more honest. When we finally decided we would go from a two income family to a one income family I had to be REAL honest at where our money was going. I still handle the bill paying, but knowing that we are budgeting things more, I need to be honest. Its a challenge some days! :)

8. Do things we are good at. Okay this probably displays my OCD more than I would like, however, its the truth. Kameron knows that I am not good at shoveling, raking, fixing cars or other things like that, so he does them. I know that Kameron is not rockstar (he will admit this!!!) at cleaning the bathroom, planning, organizing and other things like this, so I do them. Part of that is my OCD, I am the first to admit it, but I LIKE doing those things. Yes probably a little gender stereotypical, which I typically despise, but it works for us. We like to stick to things we are good at, which so far has worked pretty well. Kameron & I know that if I tried to change the oil, the car would never start again, or if he cleaned the toilet, I would go back and do it my way (yes THAT is my OCD!) :) Do what works, its a happier house! :)

9. Bite your tongue. I am sure he and I could back talk each other in the heat of a disagreement, but we choose not to. Part of that is now that we have Kynlee we are choosing to set an example for her. I saw plenty of marital fights in my first 10 years of life and have chosen to not have my child see that. It really stresses a child out (trust me on this one!) We try to live by the "Children live what they learn...." philosophy. My mom had that hanging in our home growing up and it really struck a cord to me...I searched on line and found something similar to what we had hanging up....if you haven't seen it...enjoy, it makes you think...CLICK HERE! :)

10. Know when to be honest. Now I know that everytime I ask Kameron how an outfit looks on me and he says, "great" he probably doesn't think that I look like I am ready for the prom. However I look great in his eyes. Its a rare occasion that he tells me, that maybe i should change. However when it comes to clothes, I am VERY honest with him. For example, no brown shoes with a black outfit. I am just playing on a strength of mine and a "not-so" strength of his! :) Trust me, he will admit it. But the one time I have to thank Kameron hands-down for the most honesty a person has ever given me. Shortly before we got married, we were living in the "ice box" rental house (NOT EVEN KIDDING! IT WAS COLD!!!) And it was about 6 weeks after Peanut had passed and I was having a VERY emotional night. Not that this was a shock, as to be expected I had many emotional nights, mornings, afternoons...DAYS! Anyhow back to the story, Kameron looked at me and grabbed my hand and said....(and I remember this exactly as it happened!) "I love you, and I will listen whenever you want to talk, but I think you might need some professional help" I was a little put off at first. I mean really, what was he saying? I was crazy in the head? Professional help? He is the one who needs help! However, after a minute, I agreed! I did need help, I needed someone to talk to. Someone who would help me sort out what was going on in my head. This January marked 4 years since I started seeing my Crazy Doctor (yes she knows I call her this!) and it has changed my life for the better. I owe Kameron everyday for helping me realize I needed to talk to someone. I see her about once a month to every six weeks and I can tell when its been too long and I can tell how much better I am afterwards. I honestly think she saved my marriage AND my life. Some people might be embarrassed to say they have spoke with a professional and I am not saying that everyone should. However, I was dealt some sour lemons in life and am really happy to have someone to talk to about it and sort it all out. We realized I have a fast brain, that doesn't slow down...EVER and so knowing this I have learned things to do to cope and things to do to help Kameron cope. One day I was running around the house like a crazy lady (honestly, it was a sight!) and Kameron grabbed my shoulders and said, "Hey fast brain, lets take a minute and slow down!" Its wonderful that with his honesty I was able to get the help I needed. :) Thanks hun, you are a gem! :)

11.  Laughter is the best medicine! I cannot take credit for this one, Kameron is the the comedian in our family, he ALWAYS makes he laugh. No matter what crazy mood I am in, he is always making me slap a smile on my face. He is amazing and I am so lucky to have someone who constantly makes me smile. He is so silly and even when I am wearing my crabbiest pants, he turns my frown upside down! I am very grateful for this ability my husband has been given, he sure lightens up our days! :)


There are my 11! :) I am not saying we have the perfect marriage. We don't, I don't even think there is such a thing that as a "Perfect Marriage!" However, its perfect for us. So do what works for you, do what makes your marriage perfect for you! :)

Thank you for reading my 11 lessons in 4 years, I know there a million more lessons to go! Thank you for everyone who has stood by us as we began this journey 4 sweet years ago in the middle of cold February (who gets married then anyhow!) and those who have been there for us every day since. You rock! Kameron and I have tons of friends and families with awesome marriages who serve as great examples for us to follow. So thank you for that! :)

If you haven't found your better half, don't lose hope....he/she is out there! :)

Until next time, HAVE A HAPPY DAY! :)

Happy February! 11 favorites! :)

Okay so I am a day late on wishing you Happy New Month! I LOVE this month for a few reasons! :) Actually 11 (go figure!)

1. Its the shortest month of the year! Which means spring is coming!

2. My great grandmas birthday is February 5, she will be 97 years young and is a CONSTANT inspiration to me on how to overcome lifes lemons. Also to be a constant prayer warrior when there isn't much help that you can give. She does rock, I love her for so many million reasons! :)

3. GROUNDHOG DAY! NOt only do I love the movie, I also just love this little holiday! I don't do anything special. (however if I was teaching I am sure I would!) But I have always looked forward to today...no reason, just because! :)

4. Our Anniversary! Kameron & I will be married for a whopping 4 years on February 10! At times it seems like such a small number other times it seems like I dont remember being without him. He is my rock, my best friend, my soul mate and I couldn't get through a day without him.

5. Leap day, okay not this year, but I love LEAP DAY! :) I always do something special for one person on that day. It only happens every 4 years, make it important! :)

6. Valentines Day! I havent always loved V-day, as sometimes it is a hallmark holiday (okay it ALWAYS is!) And we know I LOVE hallmark! :) Before I was married, I wore a shirt that said, LOVE SUCKS! on valentines day, every year! But I have taken a good attitude lately. Also my mom always makes it a special day for us year after year!

7. I look where I was last February and it was a VERY special month! Our lives were about to change, we spent our last month as "just the two of us". We won't have that empty nest again until our kiddos go to college.....WOW thats a long and expensive way down the road.

8. This February marks one year since I was baptized. Emy and I were water baptized last Feb 13. I never had been and knew it was the right time. I don't know why I waited so long, but I am SOOOOO happy I was able to share that special moment with Emy.

9. I look back 5 years ago and think of how much February changed my life. It was when I became pregnant with Peanut. Hard to believe 5 years have passed. It doesn't even seem real...THat was a life changing month for me!

10. President's day-I feel the need to honor our founding fathers! :) I always loved getting school off, I think we should get every presidents birthday off! :) LOL!

11. And this February is different, I spent most of yesterday in tears, happy and sad. I told work that I will be staying home with Kynlee full time at the end of the month.  I enjoy my job, but we know its best for me to be home with Kynlee. Beulah has an awesome SAHM community and I look forward to more time with them! :) Thank you everyone who helped us with this tough decision! :)

Well thats it for today. What do you LOVE about February?! :)