Ok everyone. This last year was a total doozy. I would not trade this year in for any other year, but it has indeed been a smackdown. Let’s talk about it! Month by month. Here goes!

January.

Brady finally got his Sales Manager plaque on his door, though he had been given the title months ago. I worked a really successful table at an event. Cher and I went to see Wicked in theatres and opened up that can of worms 🤣 A new obsession was born. And then another! Brady and I got our first tattoos! Those were SUCH fun times!!! A great kickoff to the year!

February.

This one tends to be a tricky month for us. Lots of memories of Bradys first surgery and all the change that came with it. But this year, it didn’t hit as hard! Likely because it was grossly overshadowed by saying goodbye to our beloved Morsel. We celebrated our wedding anniversary the very next day. We spent the month rebuilding our island, replacing our stovetop, etc. It was a MUCH bigger project than anticipated! The Wicked craze continued. Wavy wore Wicked eyebrows to school 🤣 And Rowan turned ten!!

March.

This year, March was our tricky month. We did have one happy highlight! Laela and Solly participated in their first ever piano festival!! That was an awesome experience! But WOW was the rest ever HARD!! Bradys tumours came back in his spinal cord, and we watched his mobility deteriorate. Brady finished the island top, and that was a very strange final project in many ways. Above is the last picture I have of him standing. I digress. We made a new radiation plan – to blast above his tumours in an effort to stop them from growing any closer to his brain. And for the first time, we really worked on making our home accessible. Yikes, man. Yikes.

April.

Radiation was in full swing! There were a lot of growing pains that came with Brady’s total paraplegia, and that included infections! That grow FAST! This month, Brady came down with some mad cellulitis that ended up requiring IV abx. It was a whole thing. It also kicked off our relationship with home care. Laela and Rowan participated in the musical at their school, and our dear Dahlsjos were in attendance! Cher and I managed to go out for a shorty date to remember her brothers birthday. And we started planning and prepping for camp a bit! It was early, but we knew a lot was going to change this summer!

May.

Lots and lots of changes at the lake! We were gifted the use of a lift all summer. Some friends and loved ones helped us install patio stone at our site. And we found a way to get Brady back in the bus finally! It had been months. Meanwhile, radiation wrapped up and chemo/immunotherapy began!! Totally new territory this time around. Solly turned nine this month. Oh and our already very thick infant got thicker 🤣

June.

We got in our first good lake weekends, which was SO lovely! Even got to have one weekend of fires in the midst of a LONG dry stretch of fire bans. Laela and Avery went and got their ears pierced together 💜 Not, like, together… But they went at the same time 🤣 You get it. Brady and I each got a second tattoo!! And school wrapped up with Laela graduating out of elementary school. She is WAY too grown up!

July.

July kicked off suuuuuper weird by our family being asked to leave Value Village 🤣 Remember that??? That was nuts. But Wavy wasn’t with us that day, thank goodness, because she was celebrating her seventh birthday with Auntie!! The kids started making their way through their weeks of overnight camps, and I sent the four to soccer camp as well! Cher and I ate sushi on her birthday, because treats. Because yum.

August.

SO much yummy food. Very little beats a big chunky salad and grilled garlic toast at camp. We also finally found a solution to at least taking the edge off of Bradys mouth pain that came along with his cancer treatments. Dekker had his first experience being staff at Redberry Bible Camp, which he LOVED. Rowan got hit in the face with a bottle rocket 🤣😬 which was kind of a whole thing but he super lived, hahaha! Dekker celebrated his fourteenth birthday towards the end of the month. And right before August wrapped, we went to the elementary school to bring everyone’s supplies and find classrooms. Crazy how fast that came!

September.

School started!!! We now have three in elementary and two in high school!! Crazy!! We said goodbye to Piper before she left for college 💜 and hello to ALL the new things the new school year would hold. Wavy joined in the piano gang, and Laela, who turned 12 this month, took a crack at volleyball! And she was good!!! Hello, first string!

October.

Cher and I were able to sneak away for a friendaversary date! It was DELICIOUS, and the company was pretty nice, too 😍 Not everything in October was quite so nice, however. I hadn’t called 911 in a while, but an infection left Brady incapacitated, and there was no way I could get him to our vehicle to bring him in for help. That was a rough day, but when the fire chief loves you like his own, the situation moves fast and everyone can feel really safe. Brady celebrated his birthday shortly after that whole ordeal. Volleyball wrapped up for the year. We had our first taste of winter, and had a very cute Halloween.

November.

Take your kid to work day!!! Dekker sure made waves at Zaks. I won’t be surprised if he is hired for seasonal help at the very least in the years to come. We set up for Christmas at home, and then made our way out to Kinasao twice!!! It was a LOT of fun, and also a LOT of busyness!

December.

This is kind of a fun one. In December, Rowan seemed to figure a few things out, and we’ve had some extra smooth sailing. Which is surprising because really full times tend to feel extra stressful, and that is not a vibe in which he thrives. But that kid pitched IN!!! It was AWESOME!!! Christmas performances came, activities wrapped up for the calendar year. I baked unceasingly. And we got real snowfalls. Pretty ones. Shovelly ones.

To wrap up the year of blogging, I’d like to tag on what we put on our Christmas card.

The years are not gentle, but God is!

As per our style, 2025 was another wild one. Bradys cancer came back with a vengeance, completing his spinal cord injury, and paralyzing him fully. Adapting to this in particular has been one of our greatest challenges as a family. Yet, we remain grateful for the life we’ve been given, and have continued to have fun, work hard, and make memories. We spent lots of time at the lake again this summer, and have enjoyed chasing our kids around to their many activities. We also saw a handful of children come and go through our home. Its been an incredibly full year, but God has never left us or forgotten us. Whether we walk, wheel, or ride in a stroller, the Lord is alongside us at all times.

For you, we wish comfort and joy in the year ahead. May God bless you richly.

Merry Christmas.

Love Brady, Hailey, Dekker, Laela, Rowan, Solomon, Waverly, Spoonful, Lemon Drop, and Munchie Mix

I have a couple of posts that need to go out, but they’re just not ready. I’m taking a small breather where I could either sit and crochet and stare a little, or I could work on one of those blogs.

Aaaaand I choose rest.

Pretty sure thats the right move.

There is MUCH to do, but tomorrow is another day. And there are still a handful of days left before school kicks off and life gets rowdy again. So today, I will rest, and later once everyone is in bed, I will eat turkey dinner aaaaall together in a giant bowl. Like an old school chicken bowl from KFC, but turkey, and homemade so WAY better.

Tomorrow, the end of Stranger Things comes out. I am ready.

Today was another beautiful day.
Lower energy.

Brady worked, which was a bummer, but also was the plan and I was prepared.

Babies didn’t nap well but were in good moods when they were awake.
Ran around and ate peppernuts. Dairy-free peppernuts, which taste exactly the same.
And icy squares 🤤

The house smelled great. We had turkey dinner. Gravy is good. On. Everything.

But the post-turkey hangover has everyone sluggish and ready for bed, myself included.

🥱

Which is pretty ok because that time is near!! I am absolutely ready to go lay in bed. Anyone else?? Anyone?

Happy memories being built.
GOOD conversations being had.
That fatigue that comes with happy times.

Goodnight, all.

We had SUCH a fun day today 💜 We visited and ate good food and caught up and rested and the kids played HARD. Each day this Christmas, as well as the weeks leading up, I prayed that our family would make memories this season, and I like to think that we did that today.

I’m sad that Brady works tomorrow. I don’t miss the days of contracting very often, but I do miss the freedom to take off ALL of Christmas without issue. It definitely makes me sad. But I am very grateful that Brady and I have a rich enough love to miss each other and to want to be together more. Darn work. Darn jobs. Ah well. We love his job, and are SO grateful for it. But. I wish he could be home tomorrow.

Anyway. I’m pooped. My heart is full. My stomach is even fuller. I’m ready for bed.

Here is a cute face to close out the blog.

Our family went on our annual Christmas light drive last night. Each year, we try to map out a bit of a plan before we go. With that and our acquired knowledge from the years past, we make our way around Saskatoon and enjoy the best lights that the city has to offer.

It was a little bit sad. Over the past couple of years, we’ve really noticed a decrease in houses with lights put up. However, it was still a GREAT year for it becauuuuuse

No one argued! Or fought. Or nitpicked. Or struggled! They just enjoyed themselves!!

We have five children who are old enough to manage themselves for the most part.

We have two toddlers who are old enough to actually be aware of the lights around them and get excited to see them.

We have one baby who is so beautifully content and rarely fusses, as long as someone familiar is within their line of vision.

Before we left for the drive, I packed up some cheapy bento boxes with party mix, crusty marshmallows, and a few other good snacks. Once they were gone partway through the trip, we all snagged McFlurries.

And no one complained. Or sugar crashed. Or got impatient or rude. Everyone just enjoyed.

It was possibly our best year yet 💜 Not specifically for the lights. But for the togetherness 💜

Here we go again! What 👏 did 👏 they 👏 get 👏 for Christmas?? Every year I make a post about it, while counting on you guys not coming at me about Christmas not being about presents. Trust me, I know this. Its just for fun 🙂 And for ideas for others if you have kids in or around the same ages! 

Ok! The details! 

We do four category Christmas. Each kid gets four gifts. 

Something they want.

Something they need. (A practical gift)

Something to wear.

Something to read. 

Plus, for funsies!

Jammies (onesies this year)

Underwear or socks, depending on the year. They alternate. This year is underwear. 

Here goes, from oldest to youngest, with ages included. 

Dekker is fourteen. His want is some filament for his new 3D printer that he saved up for! We got him one roll that goes between blue and purple, and one roll that glows in the dark. His need is an apple watch!! This is a huge deal for us, actually. Our kids don’t have phones, but there was a promo to get kids apple watches with only talk and text, which we thought was amazing. His something to wear is a new black Zaks zipper hoodie, and his something to read is an enormous TUB of Hardy Boys books that I got off of Marketplace months ago. Like. Its truly so huge, I don’t even know where it will all go… For his onesie, I got him a brown one with a pug face on it. And he got underwear. I’m going going to give details on the kids gitch because 😂 weird. 

Laela is twelve. Her want is a super cool camping lego set. Its a little young for her, but she is SO concerned with growing up, yet she still loves to play pretend sometimes and its really really cute to watch! I want to keep that side as long as I can! So her lego set has a lego guy playing guitar, roasting s’mores, etc. Her something to need is also a watch! 😁 Eek!! Her something to wear is a long sleeved dress, which she asked for. And her something to read is a stack of Nancy Drew books that were part of the Hardy Boy tub, as well as some acquired through thrifting along the way. Her onesie is leopard print with blue and purple ombre background color. And then underwear. 

Rowan is ten, though eleven in February. His want is actually a really want. He got a remote control car, which he has ached for for a really long time. His need is a drum pad with a headphone jack, which I fudged into a “need” because I think it would be helpful when he’s feeling the need to get some energy out but doesn’t want to exercise or be aggressive. You get it. His something to wear is also a little fudgy. He got a weighted blanket. He asked me specifically for one because his was too small now. His something to read is a big fat Garfield book, as well as a book of Strange Planet comics. His onesie has graffiti and gaming stuff on it. Its grey and cozy like his onesie from a couple of years ago that he loved, but the details on it glow in the dark. And he also got underwear. 

Solomon is nine. His want is a fun Mario Kart lego set that just screamed Solly. His need is a cooling pillow for that super sweaty head of his. His item to wear is a new necklace with a compass pendant on it. You may have seen him wearing costume jewelry here and there, and I want him to wear something that really suits him. He had a super cool chain a while back that he loved but it broke and then he lost the pendant, so its time for a new one. His something to read is a couple of Big Nate books, as well as the newest Dog Man. His onesie is covered in pixelated foods like pizza, fries, hot dogs, etc. He will LOVE it. And then also underwear. 

Waverly! She is seven, and also got lego, because who doesn’t love lego? Hers is a stargazers set, and there is a tiny puppy with a little wheelchair! Cute hey?? Her need is *eek* getting her ears pierced!!! I know. Not a need. But I wanted her to have them done because so does she. Her something to wear is a watch – not an apple watch, hahaha! And for something to read, I found two cute graphic novel series in her age range and I got the first book of each to see which one she might actually get into. They’re called Cat and Cat, and Cranky Chicken. Her onesie has gummy bears on it. Its VERY her. And then she got underwear like everyone else so far. 

Unfortunately, I can’t go into detail regarding all of the gifts I got for the babies because they’re a little too gender specific, and I work so hard to keep ALL of their details super private on any and all forms of social media! But I’ll do my best here. 

Spoons is two. The onesie is a character one. Their want is a Little People set, and their need is a pillow! We don’t usually give pillows until around age two, so it felt like a good idea for a practical toddler gift. The wear I also can’t talk about because its a little too specific. And the read for this child is actually a Halloween book, because a ghost!!! Its called “Boo!” No underwear for this kid just yet, but instead, they got a little plushy bag of jelly beans. Its great for colors, counting, and the playing skill of putting things in and out of containers, knowing how many pieces are involved, etc. It went over well! 

Our Lemon Drop is a strong one and a half years old, coming up on two. Their onesie was a grinch one. Their want was also a Little People set, and their need was a pack of those fun suction cup toys that stick to fridges, windows, mirrors, etc (Squigz) They have some fun developmental value, so I justified them as a need 🤣 Their wear is too specific to share, but their read is a cute Leslie Patricelli book about going to be the beach called “Splash.” LD got a similar plushy gift rather than underwear, but cheezies instead of jelly beans. All went over very well on this homefront as well. 

Munchie mix is as infant. Baby received a onesie with pictures of different breads all over it, haha! Their want was a car seat fox toy, and their need is basically the same kind of toy, but more so geared towards tummy time. For a wear, Munch got those cozy Padraig boots that have fur on the inside that we get for every baby that spends any cold season with us. And to read, we picked a Sandra Boynton book called Smooches, as this baby LOVES smooches. Believe it or not, this kid also does not wear underwear just yet. For a replacement, we just got them a toy. A walking vTech smoothie cup. The straw is a great chew toy. 

Quick! The kids favourites!! 

Dekker’s top gift was his (drumroll, please) 177 books.

Laela’s top gift is her watch. 

Rowan’s is his remote control car. 

Solly likes his lego best.

Wavy also chose her lego.

Our kids best guesses for the babies: 

Spoons likes the pillow best. Because its a Squishmallow 🤣

LD would probably say the Squigz were the most fun. 

And Munchie Mix was sucking on the tummy time toy pretty hard yesterday, so we’re going with that, lol! 

All in all, the kids were all REALLY happy. I can’t think of the last time everyone loved everything. We are also in a pretty hard stretch of entitlement over here, which left me feeling pretty apprehensive about gift giving. But they absolutely gushed with excitement and huge thank yous all along the way. It felt really nice to have them be so happy and thankful. There has even been some *gasp* SHARING!!! 😳 I am very proud of my children 💜 

I’m keeping today’s post short, because Christmas. It has been a lovely, huge, somewhat low key and totally adrenaline rushy day. I am beat, but it was completely worth it.

Top three highlights!

Homemade pizza!! My mom makes the best pizza, and it was a fabulous Christmas dinner! Turkey will come, but this was perfect for today!

This YouTube video!! We were looking for a reading of the Christmas story this moment and stumbled upon this amazing gem. It is only 3 minutes long and I assure you, it is worth your while. Whether you have children or not. Whether you go to church or not. Just take my word for it.

And my top highlight was when all the kids ended up gathering in the living room, after all the hubbub had died down, and then chatted and played and read and just coexisted. No fighting. No struggle. No animosity. They just were all together like friends. Those moments are hard to come by these days, it seems, and this was SUCH a rich time.

Bonus highlight was from yesterday, when Cher brought them all their gifts. After the evening service at church, we put babies down and the five bigs opened their gifts. Snuggies!!! They were a HUGE hit! Everyone stacked up on the little couch for a picture, and it did not disappoint. In fact, it thrilled my heart.

Lord, continue to unite us with You, and with one another.

And thank you for today. We needed your Son, even though You knew He was coming to die. That is Love.

Amen.

Merry Christmas, all.

Twas the morning before Christmas and all through the house
No one was home because one of the foster kids had a visit.

Just rolls off the tongue, am I right? 🤣

I am wrong. Anyway.

This morning, we got up as a family, had a quick breakfast, and loaded up into the van! One of our little ones had a family visit today, so we dropped off mid-morning and headed out to run a few errands. Christmas errands, lol! In jammies, as has become our new theme.

Coffee ✅

Bringing our friend, Scott, a birthday gift and a Christmas card ✅

Picking up Tupperware ✅

Shopping for dressy winter footwear ✅

Back to the visit for pickup! I have a really nice relationship with this particular mom, so I lingered a little bit and waited for one of the other kids to be picked up, as their worker was running a little late. We always have a nice little send off and walk to the van together. It was nice. And oddly somewhat heartbreaking, knowing that this was their Christmas. But I’m glad they got it at all 💜

Then it went home – lunch – naps!

Final loose ends are tying up.

Others are wrapping their gifts.
The driveway is scraped very clean.
Another round of party mix is made.
Labelled the end of the Christmas cards.

I think I’m about tapped for what I have to do today. I think.

Tonight, the gifts come out!

Oh. Yes. That. I also have to do that today.

😅

Ok. Here’s where I’m at.

Things that got done today:

Pick up medical supplies at UROmed
Bring coffee and Christmas treats to Brady at work
Put family pictures in frames
Pack 5 boxes of treats to gift out tomorrow
Go to Mission Thrift (didn’t have what I wanted)
Go to Value Village (got a couple of kid gifts)
Arranged another pickup for tomorrow
Said no to another placement for Christmas 💔
Wrapped all gifts I had access to
LD closed themselves into the pantry
Rowan delivered papers

Things that didn’t get done today:

Delivering a handful more Christmas cards
Empty fridges of old leftovers
Wrap final gifts
Fold laundry
Get kids to wrap their gifts
Bathe the baby that needs a bath before their visit tomorrow

😅

Goodness. Not enough minutes, guys. What I can say is that the kids were super patient with me while I ran errands today, and no one complained for things they wanted. We even all went into Bradys work, just for funsies.

Tomorrow, Brady is off work!! We have to go into the city for a visit for one of the kids, and we’ll run a few errands while that is going on, but otherwise, hopefully we can let down a little! Its almost time…

Today was all around a pretty lovely day, but the end of it got a bit more challenging and its currently a little hard to remember the highlights. So I’m going to list them here.

LD discovered pants pockets. Happiest little thing I’ve ever seen.

Rowan playing hard with the babies, posing for pictures, smiling wide.

Laela sitting under the piano and the toddlers sitting with her, looking at books, while I meet with a social worker.

Delivering a Christmas gift to our doctor, only to read her genuinely thankful text shortly thereafter.

Dropping in on one of our pharmacies that we frequent and having the owners run to hug me.

Failing to pull out anything real for supper, and having no one complain about all the veggies I added to the non-meat meal.

Doing a thrifted puzzle that had all of its pieces.

Putting Munchie Mix down for night with NO tears.

Speaking of party mix, snacks are also a high point. I should start eating some of the fruits of my labour soon…