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 :)

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!