After what was actually quite a lovely day, my nerves are positively fried! I did so little today, but in the same breath, it was less about relaxing and more about the inability to get anything done. Munchie mix growled for the bulk of the day, not really needing anything, but making a cranky sound. Spoons screamed about almost every little thing that happened, good or bad. And LD’s constant “Mom! Mom! MOM!” It was a FULL day of being on, and needed.

The kids coming home wasn’t the lift it sometimes can be. Everyone was feeling the Friday, and it showed.

Brady was home earlier than usual because he had treatment this afternoon and came home directly after. But, as tends to happen, he was completely exhausted and fell asleep sitting up a couple of times before I sent him off for a nap.

I can’t explain why today was so particularly draining but WOW. Maybe its the week as a whole. The freezing weather. The cold and congestion. The renovating. I don’t know, but I’m BEAT! 😅 Grateful for the week we’ve had! And completely and utterly exhausted.

I have BIG plans tomorrow.

I’m going to sit in a chair.
Kleenex shoved up my nose.
I’m going to crochet.
Sip coffee.
Only talk to Brady 🤣
Watch Netflix during nap time.
And hopefully, I’m going to make potato bacon soup.

Sounds great, am I right?

Why yes. I am right.

Goodnight, all ✌️

I’ve had lots of big crochet projects going for a long, long time. I’m actually at a point of pause of things I have to work on. I have one big scary project I really want to work on, but its been one big thing after the next, and I’ve wanted a little breather in between. It also is HARD to do a big project with the babies. They are busier. Hands on. No yarn is off limits. So I can’t have much out at once, and thats hard when you’re making something that uses lots! You get it. I digress.

So before I dive into that big fat intimidating project, I’ve done some sitting, and crocheting little things 🙂 Its been relaxing and fun, and I’m oddly really enjoying the outcome. I started making dishcloths. Better dishcloths. Homemade Costco dishcloths, if you will.

I think you will.

Aren’t they cuuuuute??? 😍

I like that they don’t stretch as weird as the last type I made, and they don’t have big gaping holes all through them. They sell WAY MORE FUN COLORS than they used to, so they can be bright and cheery and silly and festive, and they can match my kitchen! Maybe even your kitchen 😉 I tease. Sort of.

I’d like an excuse to make more of these, but I really only need so many of these things. If you have interest in purchasing a couple, please let me know! Custom crocheting is some of my favorite so please let me know colors, preferences, or any ideas you might have. Now is your chance before I get into the next big thing 😬 Wish me luck on that one!

Ooooo! Aaaaah! 😍 Periwinkle and navy?? Don’t mind if I do!!

Okaythatsenoughselfpromotionnowthanksforlisteningbyeeeee!!! 👋

So, at school today, in Industrial Arts, we were making gum ball machines! Weird ones! Our teacher said we could bring them home today!

Here’s how it works: you put the gum balls in the compartment. (picture 1) How do you do that? The small hole in the top! (picture 2) Then there is a dowel that they fall onto. (picture 1) The dowel has an indent, which means a gum ball can fit in it. Then you turn the dowel so the gum ball rolls through a little hole – I call a mouse hole – to the main area. (picture 1) Then in the bottom, instead of wood, we cut out the bottom, so it is just fabric. (picture 2) The gum ball rolls onto the fabric, and you hit it with your mallet! (picture 2) You’re probably wondering why the string is there. Instead of having plain wood walls, you probably want to see the whole process happen, right?🤨 Well, look no further! I have made string walls!😄 I threaded the string in and out through the holes in the top and bottom. (picture1 & 2) The string is tight, so gum balls won’t fall through! Here’s an end picture, and hope you like it!😏

I feel sicky icky today. Just the beginnings of a cold, I believe, but these body aches are not gentle! Yikes!

I had a crummy encounter with the visiting apartment that we take our kids to see their families. I got a call that I missed a visit today, which I did not. I struggle to find the balance between being rude and being a pushover. Today, I firmly asked them to look back at our text communication. When they did, they seemed frazzled and said something along the lines of “Never mind.” To this, I responded, again, politely but firmly, “Was this my error or yours?” They admitted it was theirs, and I asked that they please let the visiting family member know. I wouldn’t have been so forward, however, this is not the first time this place has rocked horrible communication.

Shortly thereafter, I received another call from them, but this time from the woman who runs the bookings. She started off by apologizing to me. She told me upon looking back, she could see my request to not visit today, but next week. I had even confirmed and specified the date and time. She said clearly that it had been her error, and that she had owned her mistake completely when speaking to the person who had arrived for the visit. She spoke humbly and said “Usually we are on the same page, and Hailey is not one to just miss visits.” I loved that. I appreciated it SO much.

I still feel crappy. But it sure helped to know I had someone stand up for me, even in the midst of owning their own problem. It was SO much easier to let this all roll off because of this persons genuine apology. More people need to know this. A REAL apology diffuses SO many bad feelings, or even potential discomfort.

What was a frustrating situation turned into some reassurance from the visiting suites, as well as some connection between me and the person who came for the visit. We were able to text after and commiserate a little bit. No bad blood.

I am relieved. And also totally relieved that the day is wrapping up! Cheese buns and chicken soup for this sicky pants!

Today was Monday. Very Monday. Not in a “all Mondays suck” kind of way, but definitely, definitely Monday.

I tried to organize my thoughts.
Make some lists.
I sat on the floor a lot.
When I wasn’t on the floor, I had all three babies stacked on top of me. More than usual.
The renovation moved forward. Its looks great!
I took a bunch of screenshots of emails and school notifications that I need to put on the calendar.
I did not put them on the calendar.
The after school hustle and bustle of getting the girls to and from ballet.
Easy supper for the kids, because Monday.
Adults eat after bedtime.
Kids wind down and tuck in.
Evening routine is wrapped.
Supper time for Brady and Hailey.

Cue the lasagna!

🥱

We made it to church today! 💪 Got all the babies bathed this morning, even. Thats saying something, especially since one who was pro bath as changed their stance to anti. But we made it through and got there with time to spare! Two Sundays in a row of NOT being late! Heyooo!

I thought this was cute. Rowan fills in a sheet every Sunday and then gets a treat in our mailbox in the weeks following. He didn’t have a clipboard this week, but Brady handed him the garment guard from his wheelchair. Smart, hey?? Who would’ve thought that thing would double as a table?!

Also a fun thing! Got a really hard puzzle done! ✅

And then we even punched out a new one! Only 500 pieces, but still counts! This picture is more about the dorks, though.

Speaking of dorks…

They come by it honestly.

Well. We’re weirdos but we’re also pretty comfortable with that. Its nice to be able to be strange and not have to really apologize for it 🤣

I’m tired. Does it show? 😅🥱

Eating a meal with ten people is never quiet. It is always at least somewhat rowdy, which I’m sure is unsurprising to most. As the noise level rose and all the action continued, there was a consistent “Mom! Mom! Mom!” in the background that, I’ll admit, did not register for a while. I wasn’t ignoring anyone on purpose. I just hear it so often, I didn’t really hear hear it, you know?

Anyway. I finally heard heard it, and leaned to look over at LD in their high chair. I waved and said hello, and baby excitedly lifted up their feet, pointed, and exclaimed “FEET!”

🤣

I wowed and commented something along the lines up “Yup, those are your feet, great find” as you do. But man. Somehow that just got me in the heart today.

SUCH innocence. Goodness I love that kid 💜

It happened. The merbutler has come to life, Dekker styles.

The shoe tail is my favorite part, closely followed by the cloche over the mystery dish he is serving.

He is very sophisticated.

Just like Dekker.

Dekker: If mermaids are girls, then shouldn’t guys me merbutlers? Because, like, maids and butlers?

A thinker, this one ☝️

I had only been on the road for a couple of minutes when I realized something was wrong with the bus. Even though Cher had lovingly started my vehicle for me ahead of time, the whole thing was completely frosted over. I soaked the windshield with washer fluid to clear it off and hit the road. But only a couple of minutes in, I reached out to feel the air blowing, curious why it wasn’t keeping my windows clear. And the air was ice cold. I checked my gauges and the engine was indeed warmed up, right in the middle where you want it. So shouldn’t I have warm air going??

I had the thought that maybe something was just a little stuck, so I turned my air on full blast cold, and then back to hot, thinking maybe I’d jiggle something loose. But nope. Nothing doing. In my head, I figured I’d take this kid to their visit, and call Brady on the drive back, seeing if he had any ideas.

Aaaaand then everything started dinging.

Alerts.
Overheating engine.
Stop now.

My heat gauge was a lot closer to the top.

So I pulled over as fast as I could, threw on my hazards, and turned the van off. Called Brady. We sat for a couple of minutes on the phone before I turned it all back on and started to drive again. I was good for maybe 30 seconds before the engine heat started climbing. Probably not even that long before I had to stop and turn it all off again.

*sigh*

So while I waited for the engine to cool again, I did all my texting. Told Cher I was coming back home, since she was there with the babies. Texted Brady back, as he had already contacted our mechanic. And texted the visiting apartment that their babe would not be in attendance after all.

And then I drove those five minutes home for about twenty minutes 🤣 stopping and starting like a fool. Once I was closer to town, and the speeds were lower, I coasted a lot more, which seemed to help the engine chill out a little (literally) because it didn’t have to work as hard, I think. Thank goodness I wasn’t holding up any other vehicles. The only one who was trapped behind me was a dear friend of mine who saw me stopped at the side of the road and came to pull in and check on me 💜 Trapped willingly, I suppose.

Thankfully, we weren’t too far away.
Thankfully, we made it home.
Thankfully, our mechanic and his wife are amazing and will help us out, and even come pick up the van.
Thankfully, our little one is too young to realize they missed a visit.
Thankfully, we are all safe.

The hunt for the perfect next vehicle continues 😅