Happy 11th Birthday Kamryn Alexis!

 

ELEVEN?!?!

I do NOT know how this happened because truly, I feel like I had her just yesterday. I remember the day she was born so well. I was having some abdominal cramping and called my doctor, I had an appointment later that day but she asked us to come right in. I went in got all checked out, she said I was measuring smaller than the week before and they sent me to get an ultrasound. We had a couple hours to kill and we went out to lunch...as we sat in the restaurant I read what measuring smaller could mean and I looked at Mike and said "Oh my god! I could be having this baby today!!" (Silly Kristen....first babies don't come that quick when you're being induced! LOL) So we went to the hospital got the ultrasound, the tech left the room and came back in just a few minutes and told me my doctor was on the phone. They indeed told me to head upstairs, I would be induced. Mike and I went outside to catch our breath..it was FREEZING! It was December 30th at this point and as we made our phone calls to let everyone know this was it...everyone was crying!!! The first grandchild is a BIG DEAL! Everyone was so excited!

Well...fast forward a whole 36 hours later and Kamryn was in our arms! (mama was EXHAUSTED! A definite foreshadowing of what was to come..) I never knew what it felt like to feel a love so deep and so pure instantaneously. Our family may be double the size today but Mike and I still feel the same way about our Kamryn. She made us mom and dad, absolutely the best title we've received yet, and for that we are forever grateful. She holds such a special place in our hearts.

11 years have gone by in a blink. I am so incredibly thankful for each and every moment we have had as Kamryn's parents over the last 11 years. 

Happy ELEVENTH Birthday to our Kamryn Alexis!! I knew one thing my entire life, that I wanted to be a mom, and God gave me that gift when he unexpectedly surprised us with Kamryn. I was so young and had no idea the journey that was ahead of us but man....Gods timing is brilliant!! Kamryn, I thank God for you each and everyday. We are so blessed to have you as our daughter and you are the most incredible big sister to Logan, Kensington, Tenley and Smith. You are beautiful, smart, super sarcastic in all the best ways, funny, personable, kind, loving, loyal and you have so much empathy for others. I appreciate how much you care and worry about your siblings because I know when I’m not there you have their back. Seeing you grow and really live out life knowing family comes first is such a beautiful thing to watch. Recently I’ve changed my tune on getting sad she’s getting older because I’m now seeing our relationship grow and get better and better and it’s so much fun! She really is turning into my little best friend. KK, we love you so so much!! We are so excited to celebrate you today. Happy Birthday Kam!!

2020 & Merry Christmas!

 

What. A. Year?!? Am I right??

This year was unlike any other. I don't know about you but I am definitely ready for a reset. I find it really hard to put it into words what this year has taught me. When we started this year I was excited. I had a lot of things to look forward to in 2020 and then COVID hit. And well.....we all know what happened next. As most of you reading this, we typically live a pretty busy lifestyle. With 5 kids there's a lot of school (and all that goes with that), a lot of doctors appointments/dentist appointments/eye doctors appointments/etc, a lot of before and after school activities, a lot of school events, a lot of sports/activities, a lot of play dates, a lot of outings as a family, a lot of things to be done, we go go go and go. I do not have very many minutes to myself during the day. I won't lie and pretend deep down I'm this go go go person though, I like when things aren't so busy. I'm a homebody through and through. I'm happiest at home with my family. All 7 of us cozied up on the couch with snacks and movie is my happy place. But...this year being home was forced upon us. I went through many emotions with it. I was okay with it one minute and stressed and angry the next. I tried very very hard to see the good in it, I am a person who very much likes to see the positives in all situations. We've been through a lot of crap throughout the years that I've learned how important it is to be grateful no matter how bad times are but honestly, this year sometimes I fell short. The school part has definitely been the hardest for me. I joke about how people tried to talk me out of having a big family over and over again. No, they really did and....no. one. Not ONE SINGLE PERSON mentioned global pandemic and me basically homeschooling my kids. I would've stopped at 2! HA! Kidding....kind of. I struggle a lot with whats being asked of us when it comes to school. It just does NOT come natural to me. Tenley was supposed to do a year of preschool to get her ready for kindergarten next year (because my wildchild definitely needs it) and the preschool never opened. Kamryn, Logan and Kensington are doing hybrid learning, 1 day on the computer with their teachers, 2 days at school and they have a full load of schooling that's all on us 2 days a week. I fear I'm failing in this area of parenting (well in a lot of areas of parenting, lets be real but I digress...). However, I had parent teacher conferences last week and the week before and I'm happy to report Kamryn, Logan and Kensington are all doing FABULOUSLY! So, as stressed as I am...I guess we're doing okay!! I'm so proud of these kids! They are all old enough to really grasp what's happening, especially Kamryn and Logan, and while it hasn't been easy they are doing their best and that's all I can ask for. 

I do not know what 2021 will bring. I'm hopeful but don't want to be too optimistic. 2020 has really taught me to reflect on what's important to me and what really matters. I feel like I really figured out who I am this year. I could go on and on about this but I'll leave it there. I hope you too took some time to reflect this year. All that to say, I still struggle daily...I don't want it to seem I got it all figured out this year. HA!

 It's safe to say not one of us is going to forget 2020. I remember the day the kids came home from school backpacks full of all their stuff and they didn't go back til mid September. I'll remember looking at Mike and just breaking down crying (many many times) because it was all too much. I'll remember feeling lonely and more isolated than ever before. I'll remember everyone walking around like we are in the middle of a scifi movie with masks and having that feeling of 'is this real life?!?'. I will never forget the first time I put masks on my kids to go somewhere...talk about gut wrenching. I'll remember holidays and birthdays looking different than ever before. I'll remember sending them to school wondering if I was doing the right thing and bawling my eyes out pulling away as I saw a sea of children and teachers in masks. It was creepy! But most of all I'm going to remember this time with my family. I'm going to remember my kids becoming closer than ever. I'm going to remember us all enjoying Smiths first year and the kids really getting to soak this time up. Mike and I are coming up on 10 years of marriage this July and it's safe to say our marriage has never been stronger. So while yes, this year has sucked in so many ways....we've created memories to last a lifetime and my kids have learned that family is the most important thing in the world and for that I am forever thankful. 

2020, I'm happy to see you go! Here's to 2021 being a whole lot better!!

And while we are here.....I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, while it may look different than years past, we certainly hope you have the Merriest Christmas!

I'm going to unplug, from all forms of social media, and enjoy my family over the next few weeks...I'll see you in 2021!

Elf

 

Last night we had a night to remember!

When Lexi heard that we could rent a movie theater and choose what movie we wanted to watch we jumped right on it. Zack's girlfriend, Nicole, her family has an RV that they so graciously allow Nicole and Zack to use. So we thought why not take that so we can all ride together?! And it was so much fun!! 

I think it needs to be said with everything going on here. We were all very very safe. Our "covid bubble" consists of our extended family. Since March besides 2 dinners with friends we have only seen family. So while yes, our extended family does not live under our roof we know they are all taking covid and all necessary precautions seriously and therefore we feel comfortable seeing them. With everything going on my kids worlds have been turned upside down. I don't think we talk enough about how much the world today is affecting our kids. Poor Kamryn is having a really hard time and it just breaks my heart. We all needed this night! It was so nice to do something out of the ordinary, safe and fun for them!

Okay! On to last night....

Nicole decorated the RV like the Polar Express, made tickets for the kids AND dressed up like an elf. It was ADORABLE! I didn't get any pictures of Nicole in her elf outfit but trust me, it was so cute!! The kids were so excited!

We brought pizza on the RV and made the trip up to Braintree and had our own private viewing of Elf!

The kids wore their Christmas jammies, the guys ugly Christmas sweaters and us girls all had festive sweatshirts and socks!

I had my braces put on in the morning and we did this that night. 

Yes, I was sore. Yes, no popcorn for me. But it was such a great distraction!

Here I am in all my braces glory!! 

Smith blew me away! Only 12 months old and sat and watched Elf like he has seen a million movies before. He's the best!!

Such a great way to kick off the Christmas season!

3 Ingredient Bean Dip

 

If you've been to my house for any sort of party then chances are you've had Dee's 7 layer dip, that I have now claimed as my own. LOL! Not really, but I do make it all the time when before it was a thing I asked Dee to bring. It's a staple for any party. 

I decided this Thanksgiving to give it my own personal twist. What would happen if I cut out a few layers and I baked it?? And boy was it good!! This recipe is only THREE ingredients. Anyone can make this! It's super super easy!! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can re-fried beans
• 1 jar of salsa
• Mexican cheese

DIRECTIONS:

• Pre-heat oven to 350
• Spread re-fried beans evenly on bottom of an 8x8 Pyrex dish
• On top of that spread salsa evenly
• Top it off by spreading the Mexican cheese on top (totally up to you how much)
• Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly
• Serve with tortilla chips

And that's it!! This is a great idea for a party at your house or even something to bring to a party as well. Just prep it at home, pop it in the fridge until you're ready to go, bring it to your friends house, into the oven it goes and you're good to go!! When we are allowed to have parties again, of course! Or even an appetizer to snack on while watching the football game at home on a Sunday afternoon. 

ENJOY!