Why I am happy turing 33 rather than 23! :)

Well folks, the day is here. Yes it is my birthday! :) I have been 33 for about 2 1/2 hours now. My mom was in labor for 24+ hours and I like to think I was worth it! :)

Anyhow I decided for the big 33 I would make a list why I am happy being 33, rather than 23. Random I know, but just go with it, after all, ITS MY BIRTHDAY! :) Which should be a national holiday however, nothing REALLY cool happened today, it was 99 years yesterday that the titanic sank.....that's cool, but today this is what happened in history: What happened on April 16 I am not 100% impressed by everything listed. Here is who I share my birthday with: Famous April 16 Birthdays. So anyhow, I also found that today is: National Stress Awareness Day and National Egg Benedict Day. Well that's all great, because I can sometimes be stressed (even on my birthday) so I am happy to be aware of it today. But the eggs day.....hmmmm... I don't eat eggs, unless they come in the form of cookies or cakes so I will not be celebrating Egg Benedict Day! :) Anyhow whatever happened or happens today, I will continue to enjoy it! :)

I decided on a list (I know you are shocked!) of 11 reasons why I am happy to be 33 and not 23! :) ENJOY!

1. GRAY HAIR. Now I do not usually celebrate this, NOT at all. However today I was looking at myself and realizing that my gray hair isn't caused from stress (although it could have been!) but it is genetic. I come from a long line of beautiful gray haired people, I am embracing it this year! :)

2. ID. I am happy that I am 33 and am not getting carded. Not that I am buying anything to get carded for, besides cold medicine, but its still nice to know, I look old enough to purchase whatever I want. :)

3. 10 YEARS. Now 10 years ago I was turning 23 (yes, I am good at math!) and I was not up at this hour 10 years ago, unless it was still from the night before. I look at all that has gone on in the past 10 years and anyone who celebrated my 23rd with me knows it was a big day. You see my mom only lived to be 23, so making it to that age was huge for me. Here I am 10 years later and proud of where I have come from.

4. JOB. Well 33 years in the making, I am finally at my dream job. As a little girl I always said I wanted to be a teacher or a mom. Well I have done both and now I am doing what I was meant to do, be a mom. I love staying home with Kynlee, however we don't stay home much, we are busy! :) I have had some wonderful jobs in my day, but this is the best one yet! :)

5. FAMILY. well 10 years ago I wasn't nearly this close to my family. Not at all. I knew I loved them and they loved me, but we are a lot closer now. Unfortunately we had to go through some tough times to get there, but here we are.

6. KNOWLEDGE. You know 10 years ago most of you probably never thought I would ever graduate from college, trust me I was concerned also! :) LOL! But I look at the knowledge gained not from college but from life in 10 years. Kids don't interpret this as a "don't go to college speech" because that is not what it is......however, I have gained great knowledge from life also.

7. HEARTBREAK. 10 years ago I didn't really know what "real" heartbreak was, I am talking about love here, not just heartbreak in life. Over the past 10 years I have had my heart chewed up and spit out a  couple times. I am happy to be out of the dating ring, that place is vicious! :) However as I reflect back on some of them (I got to last weekend with Leslie-thanks hun!) I know I would not be as thankful for what I have today with out that past! :)

8. UNANSWERED PRAYERS. I look back over 10 years and am thinking of some of my "dreams" that I prayed would come true and I realized that I am sooooooooooo thankful for those unanswered prayers. So this morning I am breaking out into song with a little Garth Brooks number, (sing along I know you know the words!) "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers......"

9. DRIVING. One thing is for sure, I have become a better driver in 10 years. I mean I recall times of painting my toe nails, putting in my contacts and my famous putting on my makeup ALL while driving. Yes I was a road hazard. 10 years has changed a lot, I keep mirrors ON cars, I don't do crazy things while driving, and I drive safe. After all its not usually just me, I have Kynlee too! :)

10. HEALTHIER. Its crazy how much healthier I am now than I was at 23. I am not just healthier physically but also mentally. I am better at eating foods that are good for me (pretend I didn't eat some dirt cake for breakfast today---give me a break, its my birthday!) I also know that a little physical activity each day does a body good. :) And as far as mentally I have mentioned before about seeing my crazy doctor, she keeps me grounded. Its one of the BEST decisions I ever made.

11. HAPPIER. This probably has a lot to do with #10, but I know I am a happier person. I look at all that has happened in the last 10 years.....I have lost some WONDERFUL people in my life, however I know each death lead to building character. However I feel I have enough character for a lifetime now! :) I have also made some amazing friends who have stood by me in my darkest moments. I should mention some of those amazing friends where there prior to 10 years ago too! :) Anyhow, if I have learned one things, its life is to short not to be HAPPY! :)

Okay that is my 11 for today, the start of the 33rd year of my life. Now for the next two weeks Kameron will call me a cougar because I am 2 weeks older than him. Its fine, I can handle it.

I should put a disclaimer in here that 23 was a wonderful year, but I am happy and PROUD to be here at 33! :) And its funny how life doesn't turn out the way you "planned" it. Which is a good thing, my life is way better than I ever dreamed it could be! :)

Have a wonderful Saturday, thanks for the love.

Cassie :)

11 Things to Look Forward to in April...No foolin'

Well its April today, which according to me is the BEST month ever! :) Anyhow, for some crazy reason I am up in the middle of the night and decided to write my top 11 things to look forward to for April...enjoy! :)

1. MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (this should probably be numbers 1-11, however there are other reasons to celebrate this month besides me!)

2. sPrInG? I say that with a question because I am really asking...is it EVER coming?!?!? I still have not found that box of flip flops, but when I do, its on! :)

3. My mother-in-laws birthday! She is by far the BEST mil that I have ever had. Okay she is the ONLY one, but still she is so awesome! I would be lost without her may times. She is the most patient woman I know and would do anything to make us happy! :) Thank you Rusty for all you do to brighten up our little corner of the world! :)

4. EASTER! I love Easter, always have, except when its right on my birthday, that is NO FUN! Or maybe its because I don't like sharing! :) I just love the time of Easter and the bible stories and all that goes around with it! :)

5. Pastel, okay this probably goes with Easter however, I love pastel colors (yes I have sharpies this color too!) and I love seeing pastel. To be honest, when I was like 16 I wanted a variety of pastel colored bridesmaids dresses in my wedding.....strange I know, and when I got married my sisters wore black, quite a bit farther from what I had one time wanted! :)

6. CADBURY CREME EGGS! I have loved them forever, honestly I have....Now i only indulge on the mini ones, otherwise I get a little woozy. I was just telling Kameron how in HS I used to suck all the insides out and then eat the chocolate (yes I am strange!) this was probably an everyday occurrence for me. (Mary if you are reading this I know you are smiling! Most of this occurred in the powder blue escort wagon!). 

7. PEEPS! Who doesn't love Peeps?!?! Okay I know a lot of people don't! However, I love them, but again its too much sugar so I found little mini chocolate covered peeps, I think they are new this year. Has anyone tried them???? AMAZING AMAZING, just melt in your mouth. Get to the store and get some...NOW!

8. Fundraisers! We are participating in the Legs for Lorisa MS walk this May and everyone and their dog is doing a fundraiser for this cause. Our family has not come up with anything to do yet, YIKES, except have a "donate to me" page, but hopefully something comes to us soon! A lot of our friends and others we don't even know are doing a variety of fundraisers this month and we are really looking forward to participating in each and everyone of them! :)

9.  Walking! I know everyone says, "don't wish your kids to grow up too fast" however its easier said than done and we are sooooooooooooooooooo close to walking I can taste it! My sisters and dad said they saw her take 4 steps on her own (apparently going after a phone, do you think shes my child?!) however she has not done it since. We try with her and we also take her on walks down the hallway (roughly 6 million times a day!) and she great when she holding onto us with one finger, but don't let go, she throws herself on the floor and cries (again...I wonder if this drama means shes my child?!?!). Anyhow we are still waiting to witness with our own 2 eyes her first steps! Pretty sure they will come this month.....

10. Walking x 2! I am looking forward to walking outside...I have mentioned this before, but it HAS GOT TO WARM UP SOON, please! I mean the Cadbury Eggs and Chocolate Covered Peeps and the baby weight from Kynlee (did I mention she is 13 months now!) needs to find another home, soon! :) Last night we thought about it, but knew it was a little to chilly for Kynlee. Kameron & I knew we could bundle up and Sadie (our dog) was wearing a sweater (of course) so she would be fine, but Kynlees cheeks would have been a little too red! :) Soon enough, soon enough! :)

11. MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! I did think this deserved another post! :) We don't have anything fun planned for that day. The night before we are attending a fundraiser and the day after is Palm Sunday, but nothing special for that day. We are headed to Bismarck the day before for a couple massage and I have an appointment with the crazy doctor. We are hoping to turn it into a mini-date day but need somewhere for Kynlee to go, any takers?! Just kidding, we will figure out what to do with her! :) And maybe she will get to tag along since that what married parents have to do sometimes! :)

Anyhow that's all folks, have a wonderful April Fool's Day! :) I will not be pulling any pranks today, although I would love to! I have done some classic ones in the past! :) I am laughing out loud just thinking of them! :)

Thanks for reading.....

Cass :)