*wrapping up bedtime prayers*

Me: Lord, be close to Dekker and give him a restful sleep tonight, even if he is a turd burglar. Amen.

Dekker: Um. Mom. What’s a turd burglar?

Me: It’s exactly what it sounds like. Someone who steals poops.

Dekker: And. Why would someone do that?

Me: You tell me, turd burglar.

Dekker: *hysterical laughter as I leave the room*

💩🥷

Goodnight, all you turd burglars out there.

The day began with a coffee with Cher where we made plans for the upcoming couple of weeks. It goes without saying that our life has picked up speed a bit recently, and being that summer is coming up, Cher has plans to increase her hours here as hired domestic help 💜 What a huge help she is! Plans were made, hugs were shared (Cher-ed) and forward we went with our days!

I spent the day with the babies, who alternated their naps, which, while I really love when they nap together and I get baby-free time, is also nice because I can do some things either way. If the littlest Peanut is napping, the others can play together somewhat. If the two older babies are down, Peanut and I can snuggle or chat and nothing else in the house gets ripped to shreds. So, both are wins.

Highlights for the day were as follows.

Eating chicken lemon rice soup out of a large ghost mug.

Brady sending a happy selfie from the lunch he grabbed on his way to radiation.

And no photo proof, but an unexpected gift being delivered to our house this evening. Completely unexpected, and SO appreciated. You know who you are. Thank you.

Tomorrow hooooooolds… ready?…

A community occupational therapist appointment.

A home care nurse appointment.

Radiation.

An oncologist appointment.

A social worker visit.

A handyman consult. (which means a really lovely man from our church coming by to see what help he can offer us in our home 💜)

And a foster visit.

Those are just the scheduled appointments. There is still regular life stuff on top. However, not all days are like this, and for that I am SO grateful!! 😅 I’m not sure days can be much fuller than tomorrow will be! But it will be a day full of needs being met, from every angle, for all of us here 💜

Goodness, Lord, I am just SO grateful for all you’ve given us. Overwhelmed, and grateful. Both. Equally.

I tend to pray for similar things each evening as I tuck the kids into bed. Not on purpose, but the prayers have evolved over the last few years, and many of their details have remained the same.

When Brady went in for his spine surgery, I began to pray actively for God to protect our children. From what, I really couldn’t tell you, but I felt strongly that they needed God’s strong hand over their hearts, brains, and bodies. I prayed against anything that was NOT from God, and that it could not come anywhere near my children or our home. In Jesus’ name, we ONLY want Jesus in our home!

In the last while, I’ve felt compelled to specifically pray that our family draws nearer and nearer still to God, and I’ve prayed for guidance in helping the kids find their faith and build their relationships with the Lord, based on what they believe, not just what I believe. I want them to love the Lord. And I want them to know the Lord themselves. So I’ve been praying for that.

As I’ve been praying that we draw closer to God, I’ve also prayed that we draw close to one another as a family. It is hard times. That goes without saying. And its been a pretty indoorsy time of life, being that its been winter. But the kids are butting heads ALL over the place, and I just ache for them to be close. I literally pray that my kids can be friends with each other.

And today was such a great showing of how great that could be!! The kids played outside, mostly together apart from a few breaks here and there, ALL afternoon. It was AMAZING. Ever Dekker went out there to join them, and that’s really saying something! They had their moments, of course, of coming inside with tears, or chilly fingers, or to sit on the couch for five before it seemed the game beckoned them back outside. It actually came to a point where I had to call them all back in for supper, which honestly never happens. Especially not in the cold, mucky weather. That has never been their jam, but today, it was a win.

Macaroni and chicken fingers for supper, because keep the good times rolling!

It was a REALLY beautiful way to wrap up the weekend. Our smoothest, most restful day in a long, long time. Thank you Lord for ALL you do for us, and all the ways You look after my family 💜 We are SO blessed!

We had this great idea. Dekker isn’t into it, but I sure am. Get ready.

We learned the other day that the high school in Warman offers commercial cooking. Commercial!! Isn’t that awesome?? I would’ve been ALL over that as a kid! As we talked about this, Dekker said he thought maaaybe his high school offers the same thing. He’s not completely sure. He says he’s read it on a calendar, but its not been offered to him yet, so he can’t say for sure. I got super excited and was about ready to bully him into taking it when he’s older, until I realized it would very likely be offered at the same time as Industrial Arts, which is WAY higher on his list. SUCH a bummer.

Brady had a genius idea in the moment, and suggested that Dekker become a fancy pants baker, and that he learn to construct vastly complex cakes, where he can both bake commercially as well as build the structures to support the large cake on top.

Dekker politely declined.

But!! If he did become a grand cake baker – he should name his business…

*drumroll*

Dekker Ate Cakes.

You’re welcome.

🎂

I know how to spell it. You guys know I love a good play on words.

My two smallest big kids tend to butt heads quite a bit from time to time. You guys know how it goes. There are stages of who clicks with who at whatever point, and it shifts from day to day. Everyones loves each other, but some don’t show it quite as well as often 😅 You get it.

Today, Wavy and Solly struggled this morning. Pestering and kicking and fighting and finally, taking time apart on purpose. Now, we’ve moved into intentional together time, and its working!!!

I bought this cute National Geographic puzzle from VV a while ago that was very Nemo-esque. Today, the two youngest are working on it together!

They both have their own ideas, but they’re managing their differences surprisingly well and smoothing things out as they go! Its cute. They’re both attempting to teach one another how to best do puzzles 😂 Meanwhile, the hum of a bobcat whirs nearby as a loving man from the community clears our yard of snow. Once the ground dries out, he will re-pour our front ramp to make it easier for Brady to use. Longer, with a gentler slope. As a gift to us.

So there is blessing to my left, of my children working to be friends, and to my right, with an incredibly generous friend helping our family in a large, practical way.

It doesn’t need to be said that our life is incredibly challenging right now. Yet in moments like this, it is plain to see we have it SO unbelievably good. Praise You, Lord, for all you give us, teach us, and prepare us for. We love you, no matter the circumstance.

Today, I didn’t pick up a call that was an obvious scam. I laughed the moment I saw it and took a screenshot.

Right?? Like. It doesn’t feel like a familiar number… 🤔 I’m not sure I know them.

So since I screened, it showed up as a missed call. And then this message had me folded over, belly laughing 😂

“You got cry I will go back to talking.”

Someone must’ve been VERY sad I didn’t answer their call!

Anyway. I enjoyed the laugh. We could all use those from time to time. Especially during these kinds of times 😅😓

Brady came home after radiation today so I could let LD and Spoons nap. I packed up the Peanut (Ha! Packing peanut) and hit the road with Rowan to go back to the eye doctor! Of all the kids, he has definitely spent the most time there, with his initial vision score of 20/200 😳 At his most recent appointment a few weeks back, our eye doctor had decided to try a little tweak in his contact, and it had arrived, so today we went to go try it out and see if it made things better or worse. Conveniently, today was a glasses day for him, so we got to see that cute look for a little first before it was contact time.

He’s such a sweetie 😍

As it turns out, his previous contact was better, so this was something, but not the winner, and thats ok. Its always worth a try to have his vision the best it can be! With his contact in, his vision is up to 20/30! This is ENORMOUS progress from where we began 💜 I am SO thrilled. Another appointment in six months. We cross our fingers and toes that it can be the end of patching at that point!

We headed home in good time, but not early enough that I felt like sending him back to school. So as soon as we got home, he took off on his scooter and ran an errand downtown for me. Then he waited for the kids to get home, and once jobs were done, they ran outside to have a snowball fight, which they started doing when their cousins were over, and were SO enjoying. Then, Rowan asked permission to go delivery papers with his friend from school, and he had SO much fun!!

Ro was happy today, and we had a lot of fun together 💜 I love that boy.

Another day of work getting done around here. Some furniture was lovingly hauled up our treacherous stairwell. Babies were fed and dressed and played with. I sat and took breathers. I crocheted in the afternoon. It was a genuinely beautiful day filled with help and love and softness.

My mom brought supper, and we shared supper with the group. The kids played a rousing game of telephone as they ate, and the rest of us sat in the living room and tried to have a conversation over top of the loud bellows of laughter. It was honestly just so awesome.

Today was radiation fraction #5. 5/25. 1/5. 20%. However you want to look at it. It’s a chunk anyway, and I’m glad its behind us. Only one more month to go 💜

I am more than ready to tuck in for the night, though. Its time. It was a really lovely soft day with family, and now I’m ready for some comfort and rest with Brady. We are both so tired, but SO happy to be together with everyone. No regrets whatsoever.

Sleep well, all 💜 Be well and warm.

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Brady. A person doesn’t anticipate doctors appointments being dates, but its really, really nice to spend that time together, however it happens.

Brady came and picked me up from home and we drove together to City Hospital for his first outpatient rehab appointment in three-ish years. It was honestly a strange mix of odd and lovely to be back there. Sad and weird to have to go back to the hospital because you lost all mobility and feeling you had left at your level of injury. But quite sweet to see familiar faces in familiar places, and know that these people want to help you, without a doubt.

Bradys PT, Kari, greeted him with a hug, and back we went to go over all the history of the last few years. There was a lot, and it was clear on her face that she really cared about our situation and that she was happy to be connected with Brady again, but also loaded with empathy.

She did some basic tests – ones we’ve done hundreds of times – and confirmed his level of feeling and strength. None, and none. ✅✅ We talked details about what our immediate needs are, and at most angles, we would say “I know this is what you need, but we need an OT to request/apply.” So the goal is to get Brady reconnected with an occupational therapist, as well as home care. With this, we can have our house assessed and possibly apply for some funding to help us change what NEEDS changing. Possible lifts. Possible bathroom renovation. Mattress assessment. Etc etc etc.

We talked armrests for his wheelchair. Possible different backrest. Commode chair. Shower chair. We talked about getting Brady into our van again.

We talked about getting reconnected with the physiatrists on staff. That sounds made up, I know. They’re doctors of physio, basically. If we can get connected there, we can get even more weight behind some applications for funding. Also, Brady can get further information and help surrounding bladder and bowel care, as well as pressure sores, compression items, etc.

Goodness we are living in a WHIRLWIND right now!

After rehab, we picked up coffee and headed over to yet another hospital for radiation. We made it to the cancer centre on time, which happened to be towards the end of their day. It was quiet, yet the staff was so bright and friendly. I have to say. The people who work at the cancer centre in Saskatoon are AMAZING people withe BEAUTIFUL bedside manner. It is hard, because the communication in the entire building is among the worst we’ve ever come across :/ Which makes it really easy to HATE the place. But the people working there are so stinking lovely, it almost feels nice to see them. Even though no one wants to go there absolutely ever.

Anyway. Radiation takes longer now that Brady can’t get onto the treatment bed on his own anymore. Three people work together to get him lifted up and onto the table, and to get him straightened out, legs propped, scary mask on. The RT machine that they usually use for Brady was out of order, so he was in a different pod with a different machine, and a different lift. Instead of the ceiling track lift, they had a crappy little hoyer lift, and it suuuuucked 🤣 But it was funny. Brady swayed back and forth in his swing 🤣 He’s such a big boy!!

I tease, but I’m allowed, I promise. Brady is not mad at me. He’s all sheepish and cute, hey? 😆😍

The treatment itself was quick and easy, and home we went. We came home to most of the kids, and the rest followed very shortly. My mom. My sister. My brother in law. Their kids. The place was bustling and energetic and happy! Supper had also arrived! 🍕 Thank you, Danielle and fam 💜 Delicious!!!!

A worky morning had continued after I joined Brady in the city, and the house is looking so much tidier and more organized. What a gift we were given today. While the nieces played hard with the babies, the rest of us worked, and there is promise of more to be done tomorrow. We are SO grateful for their trip out and all of their warm willing efforts to help us.

Its been a beautiful day. Also a gigantic day. But a very purposeful, fulfilling, productive day. And I am POOPED. Anyone else completely ready to hit the sack??

🙋🏼‍♀️🥱

It was a really precious day over here 💜 Brady and I got to sip a coffee together in bed before getting up in the morning. We spent a bit of time tidying the house up a little bit, but not too much, in preparation for my mom, and my my sister and her family to come spend the day!! It was incredibly special to be together again. They came out on their school break, which is different from ours, with the goal to see us here and there, and put some time and work into helping us set up the house and do some of the things we can’t really make happen right now. As you can likely imagine, there is a LOT going on over here in terms of setting up the house and reorganizing things to be more accessible, as well as helping me catch up on some jobs that have just gotten away from me and now feel unbelievably daunting. I am SO grateful. We will part ways regularly for supper and the evenings, but our children will still see each other a few times while they’re out. Its definitely still their break, and they should have FUN! But I’m SO grateful they also want to help us out with our life things as well. What a gift.

Today, while we caught up over coffee in the living room, someone reached out to me and asked if they could drop off a meal. Not someone who has signed up for our meal train (which is almost FULL already, guys! Amazing!!! Thank you!!!) but someone who just decided to put in to show love and support 💜 How incredible!!

And then! As if we hadn’t been showered with love and care enough, yet another person reached out with the offer of a meal! I responded with many thanks, and said we had supper worked out for today but I’d still LOVE to have a batch of what she knows to be my favorite soup, but she insisted she’d like to bring it fresh, so we chose a different day later this week.

You can’t make this stuff up. I cannot explain how beautifully covered we have been by those around us, but people – God is using you!!! THANK YOU for listening and obeying and putting into our lives!! From the fresh meals to the freezer meals to the baked goods to the grocery hauls that have walked through this door, you have saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and hours upon HOURS of time, both of which are incredibly valuable.

It costs an immense amount of money to have a disability, and now the entire game has changed, and we are on our way to purchasing Bradys new necessities. So our saved dollars are going to really important things! THANK YOU for sharing so generously with us! And time is enormous and important and we don’t have a ton of extra of that. This makes it easier to be out at appointments, at kids things, and hauling and caring for babies without having to worry about standing and sweating at my (very beautiful new enormous) stove. Not that I don’t have help in the home, but there are more limitations, and realistically, there is more that rests on me now. I’m happy to do it all, but having meals made is a HUGE saving grace while we adjust to this new normal.

Its been a really nice day. Tomorrow holds more beautiful things. Kids to school. To their activities. Brady to his rehab appointment at City Hospital! And I get to GO WITH HIM!!!! Ack! Radiation fraction #4, and home to another supper brought to our door 💜 How in the world does it get any better??

Praise the Lord for EVERYTHING. He is still good, no matter the circumstance!