I feel like I don’t have a ton to write about today. It was a big day, but also low key. But also not. Brady saw an oncologist and a couple of hours later, his physiatrist. Well. One of his physiatrists. He talked brains and got botox. Don’t at me about the botox. You’d get it, too, if you were in his position. Meanwhile I drove into the city to bring a baby to a visit, and then went home for a couple of hours. Bonus points to Cher for hanging with the other babies so I could drive home solo. I came home and had lunch and a little bit of sitting time before I woke the babies and went back into the city to pick up the baby from the visit. I got home to kids who were freshly home from school, and I brought in the three babies, none of which had a good solid nap.

It has been a little tough since I got home. But Brady is almost here, and then I think I’m going to take a quick five to just breathe in and out on my own.

The days are good. Don’t get me wrong. They have been loaded with good. Training for track is fun. Babies are popping teeth, taking first steps, learning first words, and showing off new skills. We are all bonding like no other, and its been GREAT. I am incredibly grateful! As Solly prays so often, thank you Lord for letting us have foster babies and for getting us into foster care!

But goodness. Some afternoons, between school and supper, I feel pretty on edge.

Thank you, friends, for so consistently bringing us meals. As we come to the end of our meal train, I find myself just overcome by the level of care we have received 💜 Thank you all for being good neighbours and putting into our family.

Today was not a bad day. Not at all. I promise. But the highlight was, without a doubt, lunch!

I don’t really care for lunch. At least I never used to. For many many years, I only ate supper. I was just never ever hungry. And honestly, I still rarely am. But I recognize that eating is important and I need to do it to sustain my body, even if I don’t feel like it. I’ve gotten better at eating lunch over the years. Sometimes its leftovers. Sometimes its trail mix and dried fruit. Sometimes, its a boost. And sometimes, I skip it altogether, but that happens a LOT less than it used to.

Today’s lunch is brought to you by leftovers and presents.

Here we have watermelon, courtesy of my mom, who cut into what turned out to be a delicious watermelon, and incredibly graciously, share it with us!

Alongside that, we have leftover italian cheese bread from Little Caesars, which my children used to destroy and has apparently moved to the category of “just ok” which meant much of it ended up in my fridge. I warmed some up on the stove and GOODNESS was it SO much better that way!! ACK!

And coffee, of course. Ice cold, from not having a chance to drink it in the morning.

Come on. You’re hungry just looking at this! I know I am! I could go for round two…

Our baby Peanut is our youngest placement at this time, and shares our room. Since Brady isn’t able to walk in any capacity anymore, it is always me who lays baby down for night or naps. Which I’m fine with, because that’s a small thing I can take over. Plus! Peanut does this cute thing and I swear, I will miss it like crazy when it inevitably stops.

As I carry the little one to bed, chest to chest, Peanut ever so lightly licks my shoulder. And I think it is the most endearing little thing. I feel like its my goodnight kiss, and I’ll take it! Its become my little gift whenever I walk Peanut to or from bed. It is the sweetest little thing, and one day when the kid is way too old to lick me, or maybe they’ll bite me, or they’ll move along from our home, I know I will miss my little baby kiss 💜

Camping Sundays are like legs.

Sometimes, they’re smooth.

Other times, they’re not.

They don’t have to be smooth, but its really extra nice when they are.

Realistically, as we’ve learned in the last few years, we could make do without them altogether.

But then you don’t get all the good memories.

So.

This particular camping Sunday was not our smoothest. But! The weekend was filled with beautiful things. Delicious food. Our first beach day of the season. Great company, including my mom! A propane fire pit while wood fires are banned. Our little ones trying out the a trike and the balance bike. The kids discovering truth or dare, and playing the least intelligent version you’ve ever witnessed 🤣 It was a lot of fun. A really, really nice weekend.

Just not today as much 😅🤏

But.

Not a day goes by where Kinasao doesn’t come up in conversation. It is our beloved second home, for which we are beyond grateful.

Solomon Brady turned NINE today!!! The last year with Solly has been full of fun and positive growth as a young man. 

Sol has had some anxiety, and this year with a medicine change and some maturity, he has a newfound confidence. He is willing to try new things that previously would’ve just caused total shutdown. He used to be terrified of dogs and now he is very calm when one is out loose. Plus he LOVES the dogs he’s familiar with. Solly has learned to play piano this year, and he’s gotten crazy brave on the playground. 

I could not be prouder to be this boys mama. I love you dearly, sweet Solly. Your birth made me feel like a rockstar, and I felt like I knew you right away. I hope you really enjoy your last year of single digies! 

Confusing title, I know 😅but this is not our first rodeo 

Chemo began today! From speaking to Brady, I can confirm that we both felt that the whole thing was surprisingly peaceful. Which was SO unexpected and welcomed. 

We had a nurse who was incredibly kind and easy to talk to, and she explained everything really clearly along the way.  We learned some great information about the chemo that brought a lot of reassurance. The treatment itself was short and unassuming. 

I’m not going to drone on and on. We made it to camp. We were SO packed in it was laughable 🤣 but it’s late and I’m sleepy and it’s time to wrap up. 

Goodnight, one and all 💜 Thank you for following our family and carrying us in prayer. 

I haven’t had a whole lot of extra time or energy for baking recently. Which is ok. We’ve found alternatives and no one goes without food. Its definitely ok.

However.

There is a birthday on the weekend. And is it really a birthday if the kid doesn’t get the cookie breakfast they requested??

Lemon oreos. Chocolate oreos. And gingersnap oreos, because why not? Isn’t everything better smothered in cream cheese icing anyway?!

This took me the bulk of the afternoon and a good chunk of the evening to finish. Conveniently, we had a pre-made supper that we could just warm up in the oven, so it wasn’t hands on at all and I could still ice cookies until it was time to eat. I am SO glad I got it all done, but my feet are throbbing.

Its time to wrap it up. I’m with Rowan. We share the vibe.

Woooooah! I’m halfway there.

I think all the chemo details are in order, so we can finally share the plans!

Keeping in mind, of course, that plans change with the wind 😅 But this is what we have so far.

Brady will be on six week cycles. In those six weeks, he will have three treatments.

The first treatment will start with one BIG fat pill that is meant to increase the absorption of the chemo, and then an hour long IV infusion. On this same day, Brady will also start a four week regimen of antibiotics, to proactively battle any infection. This therapy can really take down your white blood cell count for an extended period of time, so this should hopefully protect him.

Second treatment is two weeks later, and is only the IV infusion.

Third treatment is a repeat of the second.

Once those six weeks are up, he goes into cycle two with the big fat pill, and then IV treatments.

There will be three of these six week cycles, and then an MRI to check on the inside and see whats all going on in there.

We are under the impression that Brady’s chemo is quite well tolerated, and considering how well he tolerated the previous chemotherapies, his oncologist is very optimistic he will fair well through this next bout as well.

Thankfully, we trust GOD above anyone and anything else. He knows more than the oncologists. The doctors. The nurses. The therapists. Pathologists. Scan technicians. Booking department. All of those rolls are important but God is the GREAT Physician and He gets all the trust and ALL the glory!!!

So. We start Friday.

Please continue to pray!

Do you remember how much I LOVE grade one spelling?? Its easily my favorite thing about her age and stage. Its really just not the point of writing at this point. Its more about getting your ideas across and practicing your letters and sounds. It seems to build a lot of confidence, while giving me a stomach ache from holding in my laughter. It is SUCH a good part of kids growing up.

Today, Wavy was writing on her boogie board and I was elbow deep in a poopy diaper change when she informed me that she was going to write a story and I was going to read it. Which seemed like something I wasn’t going to be able to do in the moment. She said maybe just a sentence. “A few words, ok, mom?” Ok Wave.

And I was given this.

I stared for a goooood minute before I said I was sorry, and that I couldn’t quite read it. Luckily, she was super proud of that fact this time around, and read it to me! It was french!!!

Les bottes de pluie.

Rain boots!!!

And I thought that was pretty stinking cute.

Brady and I don’t go out on dates much. But thats ok. We spend intentional time together at home, and it makes total sense considering the season of life we’re in. When we get the chance to be out together, we jump!!! And today, I got to go to an important oncology appointment! Which was oddly really enjoyable, not because its fun to plan chemotherapy, but it’s really, really nice to be together.

I’m happy to tell you that we had a nice appointment, with clear answers, decent communication, and a schedule set in place! And the weather was nice, as well 💜

My favorite person right here, ladies and gentlemen 😍

Hopefully I’ll have a bit more downtime tomorrow, and if so, I’ll post about his treatment plan and what we’re looking at. Gotta tell the people first. But the ultimate goal is to go to chemo together if at all possible 💜 Like a date. Some hour long hospital dates never hurt anyone!

Praise the Lord for answering prayers for clarity!