FOR THE BIRDS!

First of all, let me say, I have NOTHING against birds. Sure I hate it when they poop on my car, but all in all they are not bad animals. I have no interest to shoot them, except for the woodpecker who lived outside our window in our little house in Linton. That was annoying. However, I just let them do their thing, not bothering a soul. In fact I enjoy birds, I love seeing the first robin of Spring, always a joy! Yesterday we saw a pheasant in our yard, in town. It was cool, trust me we don't see much cool, as far as animals are concerned here in the city! :)

So for a while now, I have read about people playing this game, "Angry Birds". I thought nothing of it, since I don't play video games or computer games. One day however, I decided to put it on my phone....BAD MISTAKE! I am becoming a bird brain, any spare time I have (which isn't always a lot) I am playing Angry Birds. Not only is it an annoying game, its ADDICTING also.

Well I just had to vent about my latest obsession......I better go back on and see if I can beat it this morning.....

Good-bye from a bird brain.

Have a wonderful day!

Cassie :)

5 years ago....(almost!)

Well (almost) 5 years ago my life changed for the better. I had known for about 4 months or so that I was getting a nephew. My sister Annie and soon to be brother-in-law Cody were having a little boy. They announced the pregnancy at Jamie & Miranda's wedding. Although I was the LAST person to find out, I was still excited! :) Trust me, I don't like being last at ANYTHING; contests, challenges, races (although this one is hard, most snails would beat me!).

So my life was a little less than secure (good way to put it) and I was so excited for a baby to be around. Well not really "around" since they lived in Northwood, but at least in our family anyhow! :) I knew Christmas' would get even more fun and that life would take on a whole new perspective! The Christmas before Ashur was born Angela and I spent hours (at least) rubbing Annie's super cute prego belly, little did the two of us know that the next Christmas our lives would be drastically changed also. Angela found out shortly after this Christmas that she was expecting Sawyer in September (actually born in August, more on her later) and I would be having Peanut in November. Yes the next Christmas was definitely different.

Anyhow, I got the call for Mr. Ashur Lee Knetzger's world appearance and I was so excited and up early since I was headed to work at Home Depot. I remember crying (possibly some hormones mixed in!) and being so excited to meet him FINALLY! I did get to go and see him a week later and he was just so tiny I was even afraid to hold him! He had changed my whole world. You see we had not had a baby around since Emy was born about 8 years before this. Babies were a whole new world for our family.

Well here he is 5 years later and just a BALL OF ENERGY! He is obsessed with Thomas the Train and occasionally puts on a Buzz Lightyear costume but mostly enjoys being in his underwear. He doesn't have a favorite food but likes "cupcakes on the side" and he will make your head spin with his vast knowledge of many things!

I remember taking him for a night, it was shortly after the Northwood tornado and we volunteered to have him at our hotel and so Annie and Cody could get some stuff done. Well he would only eat chocolate milk and french fries, so that is what we fed him. Then he hid under the sink in the hotel and started grunting.....well lets just say, Kameron & I had a HUGE mess to clean up! I wasn't sure if Kameron wanted to have kids after seeing that disaster. :)

Ashur is a joy to our family and he loves "Baby Kynelee" soooooo much! :) His actual birthday is tomorrow but we will celebrate with him today! His gift from us is 100% Thomas the Train and not the ones you buy in the stores, he has ALL of those already, I had to special order him some! :) Oh well, he is worth it! :)

I am looking forward to seeing him today and having him melt my heart when he gives me a hug and says, "Thank you Auntie Cassie". Kynlee & I will head west (only 2 hours, we love living closer) and celebrate with him as Kameron is in on overtime today! :)

I had to share something with you, here is a my absolute favorite picture of Ashur Lee! :) What a riot! :) Enjoy your Saturday!

Thank you for reading! :)

Cassie :)

SPRING, WHERE ARE YOU! :)

Most of you saw this picture on my fb yesterday, however, I had to put it up on my blog. Not to mention this is the FIRST picture I have ever put on a blog post...lets call it lazy or technologically lame.

Anyhow yesterday morning we woke up to this, now mind you the snow doesn't look like much in the photo, but it was crazy later on in the day! Prior to this storm, our deck was CLEAR and I was planning on bringing out the patio furniture! NOT SO MUCH NOW!

So Kynlee was a little fussy and just wanted to be held...this is happening a lot lately. So I put her down and she was mad, I told her to look for Sadie (our super cute black cocker spaniel in the window) and she was still mad, I thought, I know how you feel hunny. I grabbed my phone and took this shot. She will not be happy with me one day when she sees it. but it was great to show how all of us feel about the storm. If you don't live here just know the week before I was seeing people in flip-flops, capris and tank tops walking around. We had started grilling and we getting excited to take walks again....then BAM winter is back!

Also for those of you who know me and how I love Sadie to be wearing a sweater all winter long. I had taken her sweater off last week, you know when it was 46 degrees and packed them away (yes them, she has a collection!) and this morning I dug them out again. Very sad, I thought we were ready to have warm weather all the time.

Anyhow, Kynlee and I will NOT be leaving the house today, not even if we want to. Kameron shoveled for us to get to the mail box but he said I will not be leaving the cul-de-sac as there is quite the drift at the end of the street.

Yesterday we kept entertained (not really) by folding laundry. Which involves me folding and Kynlee unfolding to put on her head, socks, underwear, jeans, shirts, dog sweaters, you name it! Today I might actually have to tackle our taxes. SHHHHHHHHHHH I know its almost April, NEVER before have I been this late with them. I have no excuse besides lazy, so I shall get that done today....or maybe not. NO I MUST! I have to get them mailed to the accountant. Please pray for me, I don't like organizing receipts! NOT ONE BIT!

Okay I can hear the taxes yelling at me, so I best begin before Kynlee gets up. Unless of course I need to reorganize a cupboard upstairs first and that might take all day! ;)

Whether you are in a warm or cold climate, enjoy your day!

Thank you for reading!
Love-Cassie

AMAZING Grace!

Let me start off on a note about the weather. The calender says Spring....however the weather man says blizzard....Well for some of you on the planet, Spring may have sprung...however here in ND we are experiencing what is to be a week of massive winter storms....So I REFUSE to discuss the weather today....onto a happier subject!

Last night I attended a benefit for AMAZING Grace Bittner in Dickinson. She is about 10 months old and cute as a button! In my days I have attended many a benefit, however this was BY FAR the largest one I had ever seen. I cannot tell you how awesome it was to see the generosity and love pouring out of people from all ends of the earth! There were sooooooooooo many great silent auction items and a wonderful raffle and people donating left and right not only to Grace but to her great parents & brothers too! :)

I saw a lot of familiar faces, it was nice. The place was PACKED PACKED PACKED! I wish I could have stayed all night and chatted, however I wanted to give up my seat so others could eat! I know at one time the line was down the block, OUTSIDE! :) I was moved to tears on more than one occasion last night.....not only the outpouring of generosity from everyone but also by the multitude of people who came in support.

Andrea & Cory you should be very proud as AMAZING Grace has touched many lives! It was just wonderful! I cannot imagine what you guys are going through, but know you are blessed because many many many many many many (and still more) people are there for you and lifting all of you up in prayer everyday! :)

My day started out rough....insert super full diaper and poop all over the place here. I literally hosed Kynlee off. It was rough, then she was being really needy when I needed to pack and get ready to leave. (Why does that ALWAYS happen!) Anyhow we got on the road on time, which was a miracle! We had lunch at Badlands Brew with one of my favorite people....Annika. 5 minutes with this wonderful woman and your whole life will feel uplifted, she radiates awesome-ness! :) I always leave time spent with her in a better mood! :) Then we ran into a flower shop that a friend of mine runs and surprised her! She was so excited, so were we! So we shopped together and had a blast catching up! I always enjoy laughing with Tara! :) Then we went to Wal-mart to run some errands and kill some time. Well that is about the time (in the check-out line, of course) that the melt down started.....I knew it was coming, she only had about a 30 min nap in the am and nothing yet for the afternoon... I got in the van, made her a bottle and started to drive. This went on for about 45 minutes. I just drove and drove and drove....the only thing missing was Lacey, some cheap hot dogs, and a couple mello-yellows. I drove by all of our old stalking, oops I mean, spying, oops I mean "viewing" places! :)

I was planning to go visit with Tami & kiddos, but I chose (for my own sanity) to let Kynlee sleep a little. We then went to see if baby Rae (I know shes not a baby, I just like calling her that!) was home and she arrived within a few minutes of us. The girls were a little scared of each other but it wasn't long before Kynlee wanted to lick, I mean kiss, her face! :)

Next we headed to the banquet....once again...super awesome outpouring of love! :) Then Lacey had both her kiddos and so we headed to Rae's house for a quick catch up. I decided with this lovely weather we were having that Kynlee and I best be heading home. Not that I minded being stranded at the Espinoza's, but I knew we needed to get home. So Kynlee played for a while and wouldn't share with Jackson and I held and snuggled Carly for a while and it was time to head home. My lovely child threw a fit when she saw the ba-ba and wanted it ASAP! So I got her snuggled in the car seat and headed down the highway. Right before I did that, I reminded Kupper and Haus (AKA Lacey and Sarah) that I am not gonna be the friend who tells them they need to come to Beulah (only an hour away) and visit me, but I WAS GONNA BE THAT FRIEND! :) Love you guys, just come visit! :)

It was wonderful to get home but even better to spend time at a great cause for AMAZING Grace and see many familiar faces! I love laying in bed at night knowing I had a day filled with love.

Thanks to Kameron for getting the crib ready for bed (we had to put new sheets on!), Tara for the giggles, Sarah for the hospitality and fun, Lacey for the laughs (as always!) Tami for understanding Kynlee needed a nap, Annika for always brightening my day!, and everyone else for the smiles on familiar faces! :)

In closing.....GO GRACE GO!

Hug your kids extra tight, they are a blessing, even when they poop all over their crib first thing in the morning. Oh boy, I hear the beckoning of my princess upstairs...lets hope we don't repeat our Monday morning.

Love ya, thanks for taking a minute to read....

Cass :)

Kiss me I am Irish!

Okay so the truth be told....I am not Irish....not at all. Not one ounce, I didn't even marry Irish. However, today, I will still wear a little green and a leprechaun pin or something...I am festive that way (I blame it on the teacher in me!) I didn't do much decorating for this lovely day, normally I have some stuff out, however, I seem to be missing that box of stuff, along with some of my shoes....Have I mentioned before, I HATE MOVING! :)


Next year after I find that box (and a few others!) I will decorate and play that leprechaun game with Kynlee, where while we are sleeping or away he comes in and messes up stuff and we set traps to try to catch him and stuff like that! However this year, there is minimal decorating and the only candy in our house is Cadburys (you KNOW I am addicted!).


I decided since I have been on this list kick! That I would do one today for the holiday. I am naming it, 11 reasons why I am lucky. Before anyone starts lecturing...I know I am blessed and not lucky, all good things come from above! :) However, since today is St. Paddy's day...I am calling it "lucky"!


11 reason why I am so lucky (blessed) this St. Patrick's Day! :)


1. Kynlee. Enough said, I can't even begin to tell you how absolutely awesome she is. We are currently learning, right from wrong...I really don't like scolding her, however sometimes I have to. Today I caught her pinching my leg and IT HURT! So I told her she couldn't do that and she cried. Breaks my heart....however, I know it has to be done. She is a true blessing and a we are "lucky" to have her!


2. Kameron. He rocks. I honestly thought I would be married with a dozen (not really) rug rats by the time I was 23. So when I wasn't married at 27 when we started dating, I really thought it would never happen. However here we are. Just over 4 years into this and not to sound sappy but it just gets better. I am very "lucky" to be married to my best friend.


3. Parents. I have been very blessed in the parent department. VERY blessed. I mean really who gets to be loved two moms and two dads in their lifetime. My life circumstances were not the best but I have been very "lucky" to have each of them as part of my life. Although my birth mom isn't here on earth anymore, I know she is smiling down from heaven everyday.


4. Grandparents. I cannot tell you how "lucky" I am to have such wonderful grandparents. All of the grandparents that were alive when I was born were all at my high school graduation, all 6 of them AND my great grandma too. It really meant a lot. Shortly after that within a few short years I lost 3 of my grandparents and then just over 4 years ago another grandpa and my great grandparents, George and Blanche. Now I have 2 grandmas and one great grandma alive. They are such amazing women and if I turn out to be a 1/4 as awesome as them, I will be honored!


5. Home. It seems normal to have a home almost like an everyday occurrence. However, I know all over the world people do not have homes. Even in North Dakota people do not have places to live. I am "lucky" enough to have a wonderful home to share with my family with room for people to come stay! We have heat, lights, water and even though I keep the heat real low (I am a warm person and cheap!) we still have a wonderful place to raise our daughter in! :)


6. Friends. I am not shy at saying I have a lot of friends, its true I do. Each one is very special to me in their own way. Men, women, children....even peoples pets, pretty sure I have loved them all. I know that because I have this larger than average group of people in my life, I sometimes get stretched to the limits and fall behind on keeping in touch with everyone, but I am "lucky" to have people around me who understand have a LOT of patience.... Thank you! :) Not only for your patience, but for your love and support on some of my darkest days.


7. North Dakota. I know, I complain about the weather here like everyone else. However, this state rocks. Low unemployment, low crime rate, friendly people, all four seasons (love them or hate them!), and lots to see and do. This state is full of "lucky" things and people.


8. Sadie. Many times I complain about our precious dog, but she really is my pumpkin. She is a snuggler and although she has a few (okay sometimes more....) annoying habits, she is absolutely wonderful. We are "lucky" to have her as part of our family.


9. In-Laws. Not only was I blessed with a wonderful husband, I was blessed with his parents also. I am "lucky" to have Jim & Rusty as part of our lives and family tree. They bend over backwards for us time and time again. Not everyone has been this lucky to get in laws like mine!


10. Food. Once again, when you look at the world's economy, you see that many people are not able to put food on their families tables. Although, now that I am staying home we can't be a "free" about our money, but we are still able to have a hot meal on the table every night. We are "lucky" to be able to feed our family, Sadie included! :)


11. MOPS. This organization has introduced me to a WONDERFUL group of women from all walks of life. I am very "lucky" to be part of them. I always leave each gathering a better person. It is an international group so if you aren't aware of one in your community, create one or find one somewhere close. You will not be disappointed! :)


Well that's my Irish list of "luckies" for today! Its not often you get that from an Icelandic/Norwegian girl! :) Enjoy your day and think of the ways you are "lucky"! :)


Enjoy your blessings today and always,


Cassie


PS Thanks for reading...you rock!

Just another manic Monday (March Top 11)

Good morning, now that I have you all singing the Bangles! :)

Thought I would do a quick post this am before my new boss wakes up and starts demanding breakfast! :) She is still snoozing which is WONDERFUL! :) I really enjoy my time in the am, I get up at 5 with Kam, eat breakfast with him, read the paper and facebook a little! :) Then she wakes and our day gets busy!

As you all know, she is now 1. Someone forgot to tell me that we now have a toddler and no longer a baby. What the heck! She is a busy kid, I know all kids are busy but she has (unfortunately) her mothers busy-body-ness (not a real word!) :) So she pretty much goes NONSTOP all day long!

We had a great party and I need to get some pictures up soon. I promise I will! Anyhow I thought I would stay on the theme of my lists....so here is my Top 11 list of what I am looking forward to in March (yes, I know it is the 7th today, get over it!)

1. SPRING!!!! On March 20 we start Spring, I understand that here in the Tundra (aka ND) we will probably still have snow, but I know there is hope on the horizon! I will probably start wearing capris and flip flops in a couple weeks, even if its still cold. I am strange that way. I have learned however not to pack away my winter coat, that only means MORE snow is coming, I am a curse that way! :)

2. KYNLEE TURING 1! As you know this happened last week! I cannot believe she did turn 1! Where did the time go, she is such a lovey girl and I cannot wait for her to change every day! :)

3. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME! Well I know you Arizonians have no clue what I am talking about, but the rest of the country will turn our clocks ahead this weekend, which means more daylight. Its a strange thing, but it works! Not that I am looking forward to missing an hour of precious sleep, I do enjoy sunshine! :)

4. GRANDMA JANICE'S BIRTHDAY! My grandma will be 86 years beautiful this month! She is honestly one of my bestest friends not to mention one of my favorite people ever! :) She has lived her life to the fullest and doesn't stress about petty things and quit caring what others thought years ago! :) Even though she likes cats, I still love her! :)

5. ST PATRICK'S DAY! I am not Irish, I am Norwegian and Icelandic. However I love this "green" holiday! I have enjoyed some WONDERFUL Irish celebrations! (Insert Butte and Deadwood trips here!) I think its just fun! You know me, any reason to celebrate! :)

6. STAYING AT HOME! I have been looking forward to this month because it meant I could stay home with Kynlee full time. Last week was my first week and I thought I would have the whole house reorganized by Tuesday. That did not happen! I guess baby steps! :) I did reorganize some of the kitchen, so I can put that feather in my hat!

7. EASTER! I know Easter is not this month, it is in April this year. Although some months it is in March (who can keep track anymore!) I love Easter, it means celebrating new life, the Resurrection, and signs of green grass! Tomorrow is fat Tuesday! Then Ash Wednesday on (get this...) WEDNESDAY! :)

8. ASHUR! Oh my! I cannot believe Ashur Lee Knetzger is going to be 5 years old! That is crazy! I remember when Annie told me she & Cody were expecting. We were at Jamie & Miranda's wedding! Then I had just found out I was expecting peanut and a few weeks later, Annie Mae had Ashur. I cried like a baby! Probably some pregnancy (and crazy life) hormones but I LOVED knowing I had a nephew! I remember going to visit and he was just a little buddy! He is now a wild man who is obsessed with Thomas or Buzz! He is a joy and has such a sweet spirit! I love spending time with him! :) Next time I see him I think I will give him a "side of cupcake!" :)

9. CHARLIE SHEEN! I am ready for Charlie Sheen's celebrity NONSENSE needs to be over! Oh my goodness, what is this nonsense. I know he will fade quickly, they all do. Some other nut job will go public with something and he will fade away. Amen to that! :)

10. SPRING CLEANING! I LOVE spring cleaning. I know, I am strange. However, it just makes me feel wonderful. I love the fresh lemon smell that fills the house and how I can breathe the fresh air as I wipe down walls! :) Because you have to have the windows open during this time! :)

11. ROBIN! We always had a challenge when we were growing up for who could spot the first robin of spring! It was so fun, most of the time it was my mom, she has a keen eye for the red breasted robin hopping around looking for food! I know when the robin has arrived, so has spring. I look forward to continuing the tradition and spotting the first one with Kynlee! :)

Enjoy your week! Even if it looks like the middle of winter outside your window! :)

Thank you for reading.....

Cassie

Letter to Kynlee

Dear Kynlee,

First of all and most importantly, HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!!! :) I thought for your special day I would write you a letter. Don't get me wrong we bought you plenty of gifts, but I thought this would be something you would treasure for years to come. Not that you won't treasure your new carseat for the next few years, but you get the idea! :)

I can't even think of what to tell you, I guess I should start from the beginning. Before you were growing inside of me, we prayed for you. Not just us, your parents, but lots of people! I think that is a pretty good start to life! :) All 37 weeks that you grew inside me, we prayed that you would come out healthy and screaming! :) And that is exactly what happened on March 3, 2010... We were able to have 2 of my favorite doctors in the room getting you out of me, Dr. Bradley and Dr. Rhonda wanted to be the first to meet you! I was so happy they were there! Then your daddy stood by my head and as I cried through the whole thing, he told me it would be okay! :) And grandma Karin was there too! She had MANY cameras on her neck, she looked like a tourist! :) When you came out, I said, "She needs to cry!" And that second you did!!! I was so excited that the happy tears came flowing!!! Everyone was crying! :) You were the prettiest girl I had ever seen, and right away grandma Karin said, "Are you gonna tell us the name now?" And I looked at your daddy and he said yes! So I told everyone in the room that your name was Kynlee Jacalyn!

You should know where your name came from. You see you were Karsyn for a long time before, then two weeks before you were born mommy created this name for you. Daddy loved it and we decided it would be perfect! :) We wanted you to have a name that started with "K", and the Lee comes from your daddys middle name, your grandpa Tim's middle name, your grandpa Jim's middle name, and your godmother Emy's middle name! :) Then your middle name, Jacalyn is from your mommy's mom who passed away when I was a little girl. I am sad every day that you are not going to be able to know her here on earth, but I see her spirit in you already! :) (this could mean trouble!)

Anyhow, enough of the beginning! Its been a year and oh my how you have changed our lives!!! :) Always for the better! You have traveled to 7 states already! We are busy people and you do a great job of keeping up with us! :) You have taught your daddy that sometimes we have to plan a little bit and can't always leave last minute. Remind me someday to tell you about the Labor Day trip to Fargo without a change of clothes, you had pooped all over yourself by Jamestown so we had to take a naked baby into Target to get a new outfit! :)

I know that we, as parents, haven't always made the right decisions and trust me this will continue! But we are learning right along with you, everyday is a lesson. Just know that everything we do, is out of love. We will make mistakes as parents, everyone does, but at this point we don't know all the "right" answers, we just do what feels right!

As you grow, I will always try to tell you how beautiful you are inside and out. I know this is important for you because I was a little girl once too. Junior high is not a friendly time. I tell you everyday how pretty you are and I always hope you feel that too. Even when people don't tell you that, please remember that beauty comes from within. I know people who are "pretty" on the outside but the inside are rotten to the core, this makes them very ugly!

Always know you are bigger than the problems that come in your path. Always keep in touch with your grandparents and great grandparents because they hold the key to your past and will always be a wealth of knowledge for you! :)

I know one day will come when I am not your best friend anymore, however you will come around and have me back again! :) Trust me it took me a while to realize how very smart your grandma Karin was! Not only is she an amazing grandma, she is a wonderful mom and an even better best friend to me! :) During the time when I am not your favorite person, I will still love you more than you know and always want the absolute best for you! :) Sometimes mommy really does know best! You can always talk to your dad and I about anything, we may not like what we hear, but we will listen.

Its hard to believe that a year has passed....you have changed us for the better! Thank you for all the hugs and kisses, that makes our day! We pray for you everyday and thank God that you have blessed our lives. You are so very special to us! :)

I better close this letter and get your breakfast ready, we will make today a special day for you! As you make everyday special for us.

We love you with all our hearts and then some, have a wonderful birthday,

Mommy (daddy too, he just didn't do the typing!) :)