I know I’m not the only one thinking about Spring, considering the seasons officially switched just yesterday. Someone should tell the weather. But, alas, here we are, in Spring 2026.

I’ve been feeling recently like we spend a lot of time fussing around things that don’t work very well for us. So I’ve slowly been trying to make things work a little better. Having fewer things laying around that the babies can’t touch. Making things a bit more accessible. Things like that. Winter is a harsh reminder of Bradys limits, unfortunately. While we have AMAZING people literally surrounding our home who watch out of us, it is still undeniable that winter in particular is extra challenging when the person you love the most in the world is in a wheelchair.

So now that the seasons are shifting, I’m looking ahead to consider what spring will look like, and how to make some things function even better for Brady. In my mind, I really want to get a fire pit area in the backyard set up. Grass isn’t great. Its fine, but the dream would be to have a patio area where the previous owners of the home used to have a big garden. Patio stone costs an arm and a leg, and while we’re really not using Brady’s legs, amputation isn’t high on the list, so we’re going to have to find another way. We were BLESSED with a fantastic deal on second hand patio stones that we were able to use at camp to make our site SO much nicer for Brady, so I ask if anyone knows of someone tearing out an old patio or redoing theirs who may be looking to sell their old stones at a reduced value, please send them our way! We would like to be able to have some gatherings at our place and open our home even more to sibling/family visits for our foster kids, and the backyard is going to be the best option for that.

Second dream would be for our side deck to be usable for Brady. That would mean a couple of different things. Either a barrier free door and a slight ramp to get out there (the threshold for the door is huge and not level with the deck) or perhaps possibly building up the floor of the deck to meet the doorframe. If possible, it would be amazing to have a ramp to get him off the deck into the yard. But that would be a long ramp, and I’m not sure we could afford to rent/build/buy one for a short season.

They’re just dreams. Ideas. Its good to keep thinking ahead and keep our eyes open for opportunities. And now, you know them too 🙂 So if you hear of patio stones or a long ramp at crazy values, please help us get in touch!

I do a ballsy thing from time to time. I buy puzzles from Value Village. This is ballsy because you never know if the puzzles have all the pieces or not. Oftentimes, they don’t, and its disappointing, because who wants to do a puzzle that never is actually totally complete.

However, since having toddlers running around more often these last couple of years, I’ve come to terms with ending up with some puzzles missing a piece or two. While its not my favorite thing, it hurts my feelings a little less when its thrifted because its just life, and I don’t have to be frustrated at anyone or go on any big hunt. With that feeling a bit more relaxing, I’ve had puzzles going on the island at least somewhat consistently for the last few months.

I had a giggle a few days ago when I completed one of our new-to-us puzzles. Not only was it not missing any pieces, but for the first time ever, it came with an extra!!

In the morning when the kids got up for the day, they came to scope the puzzle, and everyone laughed at the extra piece. It was after breakfast that Dekker and Laela kicked off the maniacal laughter. It wasn’t just an extra piece. It was a duplicate!

It’s possible no one will appreciate this as much as I did, but it felt like an odd happening that won’t likely come around again. And I like it. Feels a little special. 🤏 Just a bit.

🌳🌳

I got to have a bath today. It was SO cozy and warm. I scrubbed my body and shaved my legs. I watched some Youtube but eventually paused it as I got lost in a rabbit hole of videos on my phone. And I don’t mean reels on Facebook or trash like that. I found myself watching videos of LD from way, way back to when they were new here. They both filled and broke my heart in one fell swoop. I love that child so darn much.

Yes. Foster parents do get too attached. Thats the whole point of this. To love these children desperately, like they are from your own flesh and blood, so they can KNOW that love!! No matter how good they have it here, or elsewhere, or for how long, there is going to be trauma to unpack, and I will NOT have these kids leave our home feeling like they were “just” foster kids. Nope nope nope. First smiles. First steps. Tickles. Messy meals. Bubble baths. New words. Jokes. All of that stuff is GOLD, whether that kid came out of your body or not. Their need for familial love is worlds apart more important than our desire not to feel grief when they go.

• This is NOT me saying LD is going. Just reminiscing and feeling that deep ache of love and uncertainty.

Anyway. I really enjoyed soaking in the tub, as well as in the rabbit hole that was LD’s infancy. It was a precious time. As have been all the times spent with LD 💜

It was a happy day. Cher came back to work, which has been a long time coming with her household and ours alternating really yucky sicknesses. Mostly us over here 😅 But neither of us wanting to pass anything funky to the other. We spent the day getting some things done, but also lots of catching up and just playing babies together. It was nice.

Munchie Mix is babbling away. Wanting to eat food. Trying to crawl. Its a busy time for that one! Meanwhile, the toddlers are talking more and more, and communication between them is SO fun to witness. They would invite each other into their games, calling the other by name and saying things like “Hop on!” in reference to a ride-on toy, or “play with guys!” talking about Little People. They would come give hugs if one was sad or let down. They’d problem solve together, LD regularly chasing us down with Spoons’ sippy cup, exclaiming “Wadda, please!” It is VERY cute.

Once everyone came home from school and nap time was over, there was more snuggling than usual. Not in a sickness way, thank goodness, but in a content way. I loved it. Of course, that flipped on its head after supper, but it made for a smooth, swift bedtime, for which I was very thankful! 😅 Some days thats simpler.

Time to get M&M down now. I believe the pooping is done for the evening. 🤞 We shall see!

I have yet to crochet a wearable for myself that I really like. I’ve made one cardigan and it was stiff and crappy and I never wore it. It just didn’t work out. But that ship has finally sailed, and I was able to make something I love for myself!! So, as tends to happen, I decided to make one for a kid, too. Today, I finished one for Laela 💜 

Pretty, hey?? It fits her so nicely, and this particular yarn just falls so nicely, is weighted so well, and the texture can’t be beat. Of course, now that I’ve discovered it is THE yarn for crocheting cardis, it’s being discontinued 😩 just to hurt my feelings. 

Discontinued yarn or not, hopefully this is the beginning of my skills expanding a bit to include some cozy sweaters. I love making blankets, but for those of us who want to wear a blanket out of the house, cardigans feel like the next best option. 

Still SO much to learn and create! 

I took one of the babes for a visit this afternoon. Because of the day of the week it is, we have a few kids going in different directions. With that, I only brought Rowan, Solly, and another one of the babies along. A smaller group that usual, thats for sure.

When I dropped off at the visiting apartment, I didn’t feel content. It didn’t feel good. Like. Everyone was safe, of course. Visits are supervised. No one is alone. Everything is truly ok. But it was a less familiar visit situation than most, and I felt yucky leaving. Two hours to kill.

What was really unexpectedly nice was that both of my boys were SO STOKED to sit and read their library books in the van. They asked specifically if we could just park and read. To which I said YES because I had also planned for this possibility and had brought some crocheting along!! So sat still. Quiet music going. They read. I crocheted. We just. Had. Peace. Even though my heart didn’t feel peace.

The time finally came and I went and picked up from the visit. BIG content hugs. Familiarity. Exclamations upon entering the van. Everyone was happy to be back together. Lots of tickles and giggles getting buckled up for the drive home.

We got home and plunked the little one in a high chair to supplement their supper of popcorn and juice. Meanwhile, the house was wrapping up for the day around the usual time. It wasn’t long after getting home that the first round of bedtime happened and the house got that much quieter.

While the visit today was not my favorite thing, and it didn’t feel good to me, my body was grateful for an afternoon away. Some rest time. Music. Crocheting. No fighting or refereeing or arguing. Just hanging out, and resting my body, doing something I enjoy.

The iced coffee didn’t hurt either.

Laela is home! I have no pictures, but you’ll have to take my word for it. She is well and happy and tired and she really enjoyed her first ever youth retreat 💜 I LOVED youth retreats growing up, and its so fun to see my kids revel in them the ways I did, making friends from other towns, learning new songs, and experiencing that type of community that a person can only find at camp.

As independent as Laela is, I was thrilled when she texted me this morning and assured me she was having a blast, but was ready to come home 💜 Now, she is home. Well fed. Slow moving. Rowan did her usual dish slot, and everyone went to bed without struggle. Which is handy because tomorrow is a busy one.

Please, Lord, grant us good solid rest, and strength for the day that ONLY comes from you 💜 Amen.

We did a little work this morning. We’re short a Laela, but the rest of us agreed to get some jobs done this morning so we could rest in the afternoon during nap time. We dug into our huge toy bin upstairs and organized it enough to make it overflow slightly less. I got some things off of what we call our camp table that lives in the kitchen. We had some more goals, but some things come up, as they tend to do, and a few things got mildly derailed. but it definitely wasn’t too bad. Everyone got their baths and I think at least one kid practiced piano. We’ll call it a successful morning.

We lunched and sat a little, and Brady and I watched an episode or two of our show. But when we could hear the babies start talking and we knew it was time to get the day back in action, we decided to break it up a little bit.

Babies got up and we all hauled out to the city for a low pressure trip. We had only two goals.

Go to Michaels to buy some of the yarn they are discontinuing that I LOVE.

Drop off a donation at Value Village.

And there was the promise for a fast food supper for the kids.

Everyone happily went along with the plan, and in we went! Michaels wasn’t a huge success but I’d say a moderate success. Almost all of the colors I was hoping for were gone, but there were some, so I’ll take it. And then, I tweaked the plan a little bit and asked if Brady would leave me at Value Village while he went to pick up supper. So while they all picked up food, I thrifted a little on my own. It was a really nice break 💜 I left the store with three books, two puzzles, and shoes for the three older boys. Again, a success, for sure!

I haven’t gone out in a long time. It was refreshing, but my body is tired. Wind down time has arrived.

Wish us luck for getting to church tomorrow!!

The kids were off school today, which often calls for a pretty peaceful home day. That day was not today.

It began with a social worker visit. LD’s worker, to be exact. She came and visited. Asked her questions. Took her notes. Then left.

Shortly thereafter, Spoons’ worker came. We discussed some changes afoot in that particular case plan and spitballed ideas for some change. This is a new worker to us, and she doesn’t like to speculate or look too far ahead. Which I get, but I also enjoy the candor we had before with previous workers. I guess we’ll see.

We ate lunch a little early and napped Munchie Mix.

Early afternoon, my piano kids went off to a rehearsal, and the rest of us loaded into the bus for a doctors appointment. We did not forget M&M. Just let baby nap a bit before hitting the road.

We saw our lovely family doctor for the first time in a long while. We caught up just a little, got a skin issue checked, and tweaked a couple of meds for a couple of us. LD and Spoons left with a sticker for each hand, and the other kids got a boston cream donut on the way out.

We got home, put babies down for a late nap, and took a breather.

Around 5pm, I took Laela to the church for a youth retreat.

Except the event on the calendar was an hour off, so we went home, pumped out a fast supper, and I took her back for 6pm. Came home and caught the end of supper.

Got everyone down.

🥱

I am pooped, but it was a good day. Time to wrap the day up a bit. Popcorn and The Good Doctor is the order of the evening!

Last summer was surprisingly smooth for our family. I think in part, it was because we kept a bit busier. Kids were in a few more things, and we made efforts to have less idle time. And it paid off! So as the weather starts to look up a bit, we’re all starting to think in the direction of the seasons to come.

Shorts and tank tops. Fires. Beach days. The camp chef. Toddlers on bikes. Big kids in kayaks and on paddle boards. The golf cart. Later bedtimes. Sunsets. Bike rides in the day. The spray park. Maybe a couple good crashing storms if we’re lucky.

Low. Pressure.

I know spring is not upon us yet. But I’m letting myself go there a bit, and just coast in the whats-to-come. I’m not wishing time away. Not at all. I know better. But I can happily anticipate warm weather without guilt, I believe.