Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful rain you gave us today!! We need it!! It is not always comfortable to be camping when it’s cold and rainy, but we are something of diehards over here. So we made the best of it, playing on the deck, having warm up breaks in the camper with the heater absolutely blasting. In the afternoon, the Dahlsjos took our five to their camper for a movie and some quiet, and brady, the babies, and I all napped for at least two hours. It. Was. Awesome.
Rain or shine, this place is a huge gift that we continue to be so incredibly grateful for.
It was track day today. It’s one of my favorite days of the year. It competes with garage sale day. They are great days for moseying around and getting a sunburn, among other things, of course. I like that Brady takes the day off work and joins the group. We get to go to camp earlier that day thanks to that. Big bonus points to Cher who lovingly kept the babies home so we could go for the day, baby free!!! What a lovely change of pace!
Anyway. We’re at Kinasao. It’s really been a lovely day both at school, home, in the van, and here at camp. Praise the Lord!
After a yummy supper and a decent sleep last night, I feel ready to take on the day. Kids are off to school, and babies are starting to chat. It’s time to get things going!
I believe a morning errand run is in order. I need to hit two pharmacies and the medical supply place. I ordered groceries. I want to prep and pack the bulk of the camp stuff today. Planning meals. It all sounds super basic, but even the simple things are trickier over here sometimes.
But I am bound and determined for today to be smoother than yesterday 💪
Ok! Its 9:01, so the places I need to call are officially open! The day (that has already begun) begins!!
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 💜
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.
