What kind of doctor is this?

When you ask the big kids what they want to be when they grow up you’ll get a few different answers from Kamryn. It ranges from teacher to a mama to a dentist. But Logan always always always says he wants to be a doctor. ALWAYS. Dr Logan Sass does have a nice ring to it. If I do say so myself.

Well, this morning Logan and I were playing doctor. As you could guess, it’s one of his favorite things to play. We did the usual….he “listened to my heart”, he “gave me a shot” and “took my blood pressure”. He then told me “I think you’re sick, Mama.” So I asked him how we were going to fix me and he says “Hmmm….I’ll go grab the hammer. Make sure you stay still!” I just busted out laughing! That kid cracks me up!!

I think with some med school he’ll come up with a better plan of action to fix someone when they are sick besides a hammer. Well, hopefully….

Good Morning

From us…..

Random things about us

I love these random things you may not know posts…..so here’s another one today.
– I’m a sucker for grabbing a magazine in the check out line at the grocery store. Sometimes if Mike is feeling extra nice and he grocery shops without me he’ll bring it home to me. That man knows the way to my heart!
– At one point in my life I had 9 piercings! Yep, 9! 8 of which were in my ears. 3 holes on each ear down the bottom and 2 cartilage holes on left ear. Andddd my belly button, which I got pierced when I was 14. I had to take out my belly button piercing when I was pregnant with Kamryn and therefore that closed up. I haven’t worn any of my earrings besides my first holes in years! Apparently during my teenage years I thought I was a wild child.
– Speaking of wild child as a teen. I got both my tattoos at 18 and 19 years old. Enough said….
– I never got motion sickness until I had kids. I used to be able to go to an amusement park and ride roller coasters all day and I loved it! Now? I can’t even swing on a swing without feeling nauseas.
– Mike has this odd obsession with his sleep. He could sleep 12+ hours one night and the next night be panicked about what time he is going to go to sleep and what time he will be waking up. If he doesn’t feel he will get enough sleep he is convinced he’ll get sick or somehow get some crazy injury. Where as I just go with the flow. I barely sleep as is and I’m just fine. I don’t get it Michael Sass…..
– Mike and I talk about moving South probably at least once every other week. In the winter we talk about it even more. I think Mike said it best the other night: “Why would we want to be cold for the rest of our lives?” One of the many reasons I married that boy is because she’s so smart. But will we ever do it? Who knows! But put me down on the list that wants to…yesterday.
 I think that’s it for today. I’m ready for bed. I’ve been sick for 5 days and I’m over it. The kids have been great (for the most part) and Mike has been super helpful. I’ve only made dinner once. But I just want to feel better. I want to take down the Christmas decorations and I want to clean/organize all our new stuff from Santa. This is usually one of my favorite weeks of the year for that reason alone and here I am having to take it easy because I feel so crappy. I’m NOT happy. Hopefully I’ll be all better tomorrow…

2016

Our Year In Review…

If I’m being honest here 2016 has probably been one our hardest years we’ve ever encountered as a couple. Mike and I have been together for almost 11 years and there had been ups and there have been downs but this year definitely takes the cake.

Between health scares with us or family members, financial problems, everyday stressors, expensive things breaking in or around the house, family rifts, our mothers moving out of state, the loss of one very special Nana and just last week we lost Mikes Uncle as well. We’ve been hit again and again this year with scary situations or bad news.

The best part of this year by far was welcoming Miss Tenley James to our family. When I think back to the day I found out I was pregnant with Tenley. A hot summer day in 2015 I was filled with all sorts of emotions. The biggest one being why? Why now? It felt like another baby was the last thing we needed. But ah, as usual, God knew we needed this sweet gift to get us through the coming year. Tenley has been the most incredible blessing to our family. A blessing we didn’t know we wanted or so desperately needed. It all makes sense today when I look back on this year. Through every hard situation we were dealt I held that baby in my arms and thanked God for her over and over again.

Tenley was with us when I witnessed my Dad having a seizure, Tenley was with us when we cried as we said goodbye to our mothers, Tenley was with us as we stood at Nan’s bedside as she took her least breath, Tenley was with us when we didn’t know how we would make it through this year without cracking. Tenley James. The angel God sent to us to help us through this trying year. I am SO thankful for my Tenley. 

As usual I will do my year in review and highlight the good times we had this year. Because even with how hard its been…there’s been a lot of good!

January

We played hard in the snow and dealt with Winter the only way we know how. KEEP WARM.

February 

Valentines Day 2016

I was uncomfortable and I was ready to have my baby

March

It was go time! Look at that belly! I was large and in charge!

On March 22nd our world became a whole lot sweeter when we welcomed Tenley James into our family.

April

We settled in as a family of 6, just as the weather started to get warmer. Spring was on the way!!

Mike and I officially became an Aunt and Uncle and the kids got their first furry cousin… Welcome Cash!

May

Kensington and Tenley became BFFs

We celebrated Mothers Day the only way I know how….with the four who made me a mom!

June

Fathers Day 2016. We love our Dada!

I turned THIRTY!

July

July 4th

On July 17th Logan turned 4!

Happy 4th Birthday Logan Michael!

August

Uncle Zacky treated us to the Florida Georgia Line concert

Kamryn started 1st grade!

September

Tenley just keeps getting bigger (and more cute)

And we celebrate our favorite guys 31st birthday!

October

Auntie had her homecoming dance

It was our best Halloween yet!

November

Our Kensington Bree turns TWO!

Thanksgiving 2016 – So much to be thankful for!

December

We did all things Christmas and made sure it was a season to remember!

On December 31st our Kamryn Alexis will turn 7!

What a year!! I hate to say I’m happy to see this year go by I truly am. I’m looking forward to better days in 2017. 

We wish you all a happy and healthy new year!

God Bless!!

Christmas 2016

Throw up. A fever. Lots of laughs. Smiles. Magic & Christmas cheer! Just a few words to sum up our Christmas weekend.

I’m laid up not feeling well at all with a fever and a really bad cold that I am hoping is not the flu so I figured right now would be a great time to update the blog.
We did our usual holiday routine. Christmas Eve was spent at Pappi and GranDee’s and Christmas Day we went to Papa’s and then Grammy and Pa’s.

Christmas Eve Logan threw up right as we were about to open presents. WONDERFUL! He was okay after that. Our little man has mastered the puke and rally! We continued on through the night and I was hopeful after a good nights sleep he would feel better. Christmas morning he woke up and wasn’t really into opening presents and then right after that, threw up again. After some rest on the couch he seemed totally back to himself.

Mike and I went back and forth a million times on what we should do. Should we stay home? Have Mike stay home with Logan while I take the kids out? Have Mike take the girls to his dads while I stayed home with Logan and then switch and he stays home with Logan while I take the girls to Grammy and Pa’s? We came to the conclusion that Logan seemed a lot better and with such a big family it’s unfortunate but chances are someone is always going to be sick. If we stayed home everytime someone wasn’t feeling well we’d probably never go out. Thankfully Logan never got sick again and a fun time was had by all!

On the way home Christmas night I started feeling really sick and spiked a fever at 102.5. I put the kiddos to bed and went right to sleep myself and sadly have been out of commission since. Thanks Mikey for playing Mr Mom!

The kids, as usual, were spoiled rotten by their grandparents. They even got a swing set that’s coming this Spring from Pappi and GranDee! Mama is SUPER excited about this!! And of course, the best part was being around those we love most. We all really enjoyed spending time with our family.
Santa was good to the kids and all five of them got what they asked for. Guess they must’ve been good this year!

This was our first Christmas with Mimi and Gammy now both living in Florida. It was a tough one for me. I’m really hoping that next year my mom will be able to come up and be with us. We really missed her.
I’m lacking in the picture department, as usual. And didn’t even get a token “baby’s first Christmas” shot of Miss Tenley. Total mom fail!
Ahhh well….what can you do. I hope you all had the best Christmas! On to the New Year….
xoxo, Kristen

Merry Christmas

Wishing you blessings and love this holiday!

Prayers

Tomorrow is Kamryn’s first round of procedures for her teeth. She’s getting one tooth pulled and spacer put in its place. I’d lie if I said I wasn’t a nervous wreck. I know she’s scared and I’m trying so hard to put on a good face but I am so nervous. Sometimes parenting is hard. This is one of those times. I’ve got to sit there and reassure her it’ll be fine and that the laughing gas is nothing to be afraid of. Kamryn is a shy kid, especially in new situations. She’s always been extremely cautious when it comes to the unknown. I know how she feels because she gets it from me. I’m just praying it all goes smoothly and she doesn’t flip out. I don’t know if I could be the mom who holds her down and doesn’t lose it myself. I probably sound pathetic to most of you, she’s just getting a tooth pulled but it’s true and I’ve never had any experience with this. I’ll do it because I have to but let’s be real here, I’d rather not do this. Please say a prayer for us that all goes smoothly and she walks away okay with having to do this again and then again. Because I fear the second and third time is going to be worse than the first.
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Mike recently got switched to a new job at work. I can’t say much about it…it is in the same company and it’s still electrical work but it’s in a hospital and the hours are different. This change is amazing for our family! Tonight he finds out if this change will be lasting a few months or if he’ll go back to what he was doing before. We really really hope they keep him on for a few months doing this! It really would be an answered prayer. If everyone could say a prayer we get good news tonight I’d so greatly appreciate it.
I’m not one to usually ask for prayers, especially about stuff like this, but I really need the next 24 hours to run smoothly. I’ve come accustomed to being disappointed but I’m so hoping that doesn’t happen this time!! We NEED this stuff to work out! We really do!
I’ll keep you all updated.
Thank you for your prayers….it is so appreciated!

Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

We officially have a new go to meal in the Sass house! One of my favorite meals is chicken broccoli alfredo. It’s just so yummy and a definite crowd pleaser. Well, a few months ago (yes MONTHS) my oven broke and we have completely put fixing it on the back burner (no pun intended). But, with the oven not working I have become so much more experimental in my cooking. So, the slow cooker and stove top get used A LOT more!
This was my second time making this and Mike and the kids agree we need to add it to our rotation. It’s SO easy and DELICIOUS!!
Ingredients
-1 box of pasta
-1 lb chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins
-2-3 jars of alfredo sauce
-1 bag frozen broccoli (12 oz)
-Salt (1/2 tsp) and pepper (1/2 tsp)
-Parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons)

Directions
-Cut up the chicken into bite size pieces and line the bottom of your slow cooker with the chicken
-Add salt and pepper to the chicken
-Cover the chicken with the alfredo sauce
-Cook on low for 5 hours
-Add the frozen broccoli and cook for 1 more hour on low
-Cook the pasta seperately, drain and add to your slow cooker. Mix it all up good!
-Add some Parmesan cheese on top and serve!
I mean really, does it get more simple than that?!? SO EASY!! A perfect go to meal for a busy mom, or anyone for that matter!
This recipe makes more than enough for my family and we have leftovers the next day. It’s a great alternative to baked chicken broccoli alfredo. Mike says he likes it cooked this way even better.
I hope you enjoy it!!

Kamryn the Dentist?

A few months ago Kamryn began to complain about pain in the back of her mouth. I noticed she had some molars coming in so I thought it was just that. Kamryn, unfortunately, was blessed with my families “bad teeth”. We all have them. So, I had a feeling we had a few cavities and was in the process of looking for a new dentist for the family. It’s been a BUSY few years being pregnant back and back and I’m sad to say I held off on all of our dentist appointments for far too long.
A few weeks ago I brought Kamryn to an adult dentist. I walked out of there feeling like the worst mother ever. He explained to me things about her mouth that I truly didn’t understand and spoke down to me like I had caused the problems in her teeth. He wouldn’t listen to me when I told him that I do brush her teeth 2 times a day and when I said “I” I really mean I DO IT. He accused me of letting her drink juice when she goes to bed, not true. Giving her sugary snacks, not true. It was a disaster and I left feeling defeated. He did however refer me to a pediatric dentist not far from our house. I was sceptical because I had such a bad experience with him but I’m a firm believer in giving everyone a chance. When I called them I got a great feeling and decided to try it out. I’m so happy I did!
So, fast forward to yesterday, we went and met with an amazing pediatric dentist here in Plymouth. I honestly was scared I was going to get the same reaction. This time I braced myself. If I was indeed the worst mother ever I was ready to hear it. The dentist looked at Kamryns mouth for all of 2 minutes when she told me this wasn’t something I did and not something we could’ve prevented but an actual condition. We finally got an actual diagnosis finding out that Kamryn has a condition where her teeth do not produce enough enamel and that this started when I was pregnant with her. So, needless to say her mouth is a mess.
Luckily her adult teeth all look healthy and good. (Huge sigh of relief)
Over the next few weeks she needs to get quite a bit of work done. Please pray for my baby. She’s nervous but she’s ready! First up next Tuesday she’ll get one of her baby teeth pulled that’s been affected the most by this and a spacer put in its place. After that we’ll go back a few more times. She’ll have 2 more teeth pulled and 2 more spacers. A pretty decent sized filling on 1 tooth and some sealents to protect the teeth that look okay.
I feel terrible for her but happy we got a diagnosis. The dentist told me this is more than my families “bad teeth” this is something that probably isn’t so much genetic but just happens. A lot of things can cause this and I can’t pin point what might of. I don’t remember if I was sick when I was pregnant with her? That could’ve been a factor. And as a baby Kamryn was pretty healthy but she said it could’ve been something we missed (on my end or Kam’s). Either way…I’m relieved we now have a plan and are now taking the steps to prevent anymore damage.
As of right now Kamryn tells me she wants to be a dentist when she grows up. Fingers crossed she still wants that after all of this is over……
Wish us luck!! 

Hopeful for 2017

One of the interesting things about this blog is that often times, more often than not, when I sit down to write I have no idea what I’m going to write about. Of course, there are the obvious updates that I feel I need to write to keep everyone (and my future self) in the loop on what the Sasses are up to. But, if I’m being honest I don’t enjoy the updates as much as I enjoy the stuff that comes organically. Although, the organic posts tend to cause a bit of a stir. Which is never my intention. While we’re on that subject it needs to be said. Seeing how I don’t go into these posts knowing what I’m going to write I never go into it with the intent of calling anyone out, hurting anyone, reacting to something someone did. This blog is none of that. Most things I write about are generalizations. My perspective on things going on in my life. It is never ever my intention to upset anyone…EVER.

So, like many times before I sit here with no idea what is going to come out next but I know I’m feeling the pull to write.

Life has been less than easy lately. I try really hard to not talk about that stuff on this blog but the truth is this is my life lately. So, you’ve probably read more of the negative than you wanted to. I don’t want anyone to think my life is perfect. My life is so far from perfect it is not even funny. There are four perfect things in my life and their names are Kamryn, Logan, Kensington and Tenley and to the world they are not perfect but to me, they are. Besides that my life is more times than not a disaster.

It’s tough when things come at you one after the other. I know you know how it feels, just like the saying “when it rains it pours”. I know that phrase wasn’t made up solely for the Sass family. We’ve all been the pinball in the arcade of life. We’ve all been there and we’ll all be there again someday though hopefully not any day soon.  So what is that all about?  Why does that happen?  Is it just bad luck or is someone really out to get us?  Is it karma? Do we all just get back what we’ve dished out at some point along the way?  I don’t know and I’ve been trying to figure this out for a long long time.

Maybe I’m too young to understand how it all works…maybe I’m too naive, who knows?  Maybe my children have not matured to the point at which I could stand by and watch as bad things and bad people hit them one after the other from every different angle and do nothing to stop it from continuing.  Maybe, maybe not…I don’t know. I just know what I know now and that is that I would not sit on the sidelines and allow Kamryn or any of my other kids to get hammered over and over again. I would do whatever it took to stop it and stop it immediately.

Life has not been kind to us this year. That’s a fact. A fact I’m not scared to admit. In the grand scheme of things it could’ve been worse but I don’t think we went a single month without a bad thing happening to us or a family member. It was tiring, stressful and down right hard.

And here I am upset with myself because I know there are some people out there who have it a lot worse than us. Some people have bad years, bad decades, bad lifetimes. But why? Why doesn’t God stop it? Why? I’m trying really hard to look at the positive these days but it just seems right when I do we get smacked back down again. I could leave you a list here on the things that went wrong this past year, and then I could write you another on the things that went wrong this past month, and I could even write you a list of the wrongs this past week and again the wrongs of today. It’s always something.

I’m really good at giving other people advice. If I’m on the outside looking in at someone else’s problems I can give you some serious wisdom that I didn’t even know I had deep down inside. Truth is, I could look at someone in the same exact situation as myself and I’d probably be able to make them feel better. But myself, I can’t seem to do that these days. I’m trying….I’m really trying. I know it’ll get better. Well, I hope. I hope I don’t add myself to the list of those who have a bad decade or a bad lifetime. At this point I’m just hopeful. What more can I be?

A lot of people think New Years Resolutions are silly and for the most part they are. I mean, I don’t know if anyone is going to change every bad habit they have just because of a calendar year. But hey… Maybe you will! But I do always look at the New Year as a new beginning. I take time to reflect. This year with 2017 approaching I’ve found myself searching and searching for good things to hold on to from 2016. I have two HUGE ones! 1. The birth of Miss Tenley James. and 2. I feel more secure and stronger in my relationship with my husband than I ever have in my (almost) 11 years of being with him. We’ve been through a lot and I am hopeful, but not sure, if the hits will stop coming anytime soon. I pray to God everyday to just take it easy on us in 2017.

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Here’s to 2017….may there be better days ahead.

five on friday

Well another week has come and gone. This week I was sick for majority of the week with a migraine/stomach bug that had be completely down and out on Wednesday and I’ve been fighting it every other day this week as well. YUCK! I’m feeling better for the most part but the headache comes and goes. Super annoying.

one.

I can’t believe how quickly Christmas is approaching. I’ve done nothing. NOTHING. So lets just leave it at that. It’ll get done. It always does. But, its stressful.

two.

I’ve been faking it hard lately. I think we all go through this. We’re just going through the motions of life acting engaged and interested. Pretending we’re enjoying it all but deep down we’re just not. There’s a lot going on right now. A lot of serious stuff and I’m trying so hard to not let that consume me so I can be the mother my children deserve but lately, the best I can do is fake it.

three.

Wow! So far this post is rather depressing. Lets kick it up a notch.

Wednesday (yes the day I was so sick I could barely move) we had Kamryn’s parent teacher conference. Her teacher just went on and on and on about how amazing Kamryn is. She did not have a single negative thing to say, nothing to suggest we do any differently, all POSITIVE! We are SO proud of our Kamryn! Words cannot even describe how proud we are of her! Mike and I high-fived each other on our way out of the school. We’re raising a pretty spectacular kid and I think sometimes its okay to take a second and congratulate each other for doing an okay job. We’re so thankful she’s ours.

four.

Kensington is talking more and more and more. Ahhh I love 2 year olds. They are tough, oh man are they tough, but they are so incredibly sweet. She repeats almost anything, when she feels like it. Her little voice, how I wish she could keep that forever!

five.

8 months old

Can you believe Tenley is 8 months old?! She’s almost crawling and wants to be independent all. the. time. Girlfriend is happiest rolling and spinning around on the floor to get to what she needs. We are in for it! Life is going to be even busier REALLY SOON. She babbles all the time and has the funniest little laugh. It’s almost a growl and I’m obsessed. She’s the best!

Have a great weekend!!

xoxo, Kristen

Just a little Tenley

to brighten up your Monday.

five on friday.

one.

my babies, christmas pjs and a christmas tree. need i say more?

happy december!!

two.

confession. i lost our elf. yep, no idea where he is. the kids keep asking when hes going to arrive. they look for him every morning and i have absolutely no idea where i put him! and i’m with my kids 24/7 so i haven’t found a chance to buy a new one. GREAT! i have a love/hate relationship with our elf “Bernard” (pronounced ber-nerd, as if we are brittish). i’m sure more parents agree with me. ahhhh…elf on the shelf, brilliant but tedious.

three.

my goal for this weekend is to finish this tree. the top is still bare. i am not one to act like i don’t need my husbands muscle to lug a ladder up the stairs. i won’t attempt it. i’d die. just being honest. we’ve been so busy but i don’t think we have anything going on sunday so HOPEFULLY sunday is the day!! fingers crossed….

speaking of the tree, my mother in law sent us this ornament she had made for us and i absolutely love it! look at all those little slippers on the bottom. SO SO cute!!

four.

what do all your kids want for christmas? this year my kids haven’t told me much at all. Logan has asked for legos and Kamryn a new ipad. (ipad story: logans broke, kamryn gave up hers to logan) thats it!! thats all they’ve told me! i’m at a loss as to what else to get them and what to get Kensington and Tenley. Kensington loves all things cute so i’m thinking baby dolls, baby doll accessories, things like that. Tenley, no. idea. i know she doesn’t need much…shes a baby. but the big kids look for presents for the babies so we need to do something. i am SO thankful none of them know what a hatchimal is though! PHEW!!

while we are on the subject of gifts. i totally think adult Christmas lists should be a thing. for 2 reasons… #1. i am terrible at knowing what to buy the adults in my life. i want the gift to be something they really want/need and i stress over it, ask their spouses, think think and think until i overthink it and just grab them something like a candle/pjs/lotions/scratch tickets…you know the usual. and in the end it looks like i didn’t even think about it but the truth is, i did. oh, i did. #2. as an adult myself i always feel like an ass when someone asks me what i want. i don’t want to seem too greedy if i say “I want these booties at Nordstrom” (which happen to be $100). i don’t want whoever i told to now feel obligated to get me those. i never know what’s the right price point when someone asks you that. even my parents. and i don’t want to put someone on the spot either like, hey..how much do you want to spend? it’s a lot and makes me anxious. so if adult Christmas lists were a thing it would get rid of all of that. Think baby or wedding registry. things off all different prices but things you know the person wants/needs. let’s get these things going people! i think its GENIUS! (someone is going to steal this idea, so just remember you heard it here first!)

five.

college.

this year Lexi is a junior and i feel like all we talk about is GPA’s and colleges. this is a lot. i didn’t go to college and mike only applied to one school and got in. i have no idea when we should start tours, what types of schools she should be looking at, etc etc. but, it sure is an exciting time! she knows she wants to be a teacher and its just been deciding if she wants to be a history teacher or elementary. i have to be honest, i think she should go the history route. Lexi LOVES history. she gets giddy about it, whereas i want to fall asleep when a conversation comes up about our forefathers. i truly don’t think theres a better thing for her to do than get other kids/teenagers giddy about history. but, her decision not mine.

also, how are we here? i remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. now my baby sister is almost a senior! time is a flyin!!!

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well, thats it for today. its december. Christmas season is officially in full swing and no one can give me crap anymore about having my tree up. it is time. i’m looking forward to all of the traditions we have with the kids. everyone in the Sass house is EXCITED!!

i hope you have a great weekend!! xo, Kristen