The Daily Hailey

Christmas Eve didn’t start out so festive. I got no sleep (literally. No sleep.) the night before and was in a lot of pain first thing. That was how I ended up hanging out at the walk-in clinic around noon with my mom. Thank you for going with me, mom ❤️ We spoke to a doctor, and I admit, it went better than I anticipated. Not in the way that he fixed it or knew what was wrong, even, but he took it seriously. I half expected a doctor to just brush me off as sore and tell me to relax. He did not do that. He wrote me up a requisition for blood and xrays, but unfortunately, this is not the ideal week for it :/ and no one in office could do those things. He prescribed me some pain meds but basically told me to just keep doing what I’m doing until we can look further into whats actually happening. He told me he’d also like to refer me to a rheumatologist, but he’s going to send that to my doctor and she can take it from there. So, the ball is rolling, at least. 

We got home and Brady basically tagged my mom out. He and I headed to the church to do a practice/sound check for music for the Christmas Eve service. It wasn’t a long practice, and it went smoothly! Win! 

The afternoon was spent all together – Brady and I, the kids, and my mom. We’re SO happy to have snagged her for the day ❤️ She played with the kids and helped us get them suppered and organized. I was able to get my hair somewhat done, and found some clothes that fit, and Brady looked pretty fly as well. Everyone was put together, if I do say so myself, but of course, I have no proof. You’ll just have to take my word for it. 

I have to say, guys. This years Christmas Eve service just hit the nail on the head. It was SO light and relaxed. People were kind of quiet, but they seemed peaceful. There were passages read from the Bible, retelling the story of Jesus’ birth, and we played songs in between chapters. Waverly doesn’t like strangers much these days, and it was after her bedtime, so to avoid anyone having to miss the service and carry a crying baby out of the service, we just brought her up on stage with us and gave her a shaker. We could hear her shaking it from time to time, but were told later that she grooved and played and was just SO charming to watch. Unsurprising. I feel so grateful to have a baby who I can trust to just sit still up there. 

As with every Christmas Eve service, Brady and I discussed beforehand that we would leave as soon as everything was finished and our instruments were packed up. And as with every Christmas Eve service, we were among the very last to leave. Lol! Anyone else like that? We’re so bad at leaving. But our kids were doing SO well and were happy, and we were visiting with the other family who was last to leave. It was SO nice.

Getting home was also nice ❤️ The kids were happy, but tired, and went to bed easily. No one got up or made excuses. They just went to bed. 

And then the adults had fun. 

Appies and dominoes were on the list of things to do! Firstly, M&M discontinued their cheeseball, which is SO sad. I toyed with the idea of asking Carrie to make us one. Not because I’m super lazy, but because hers is the BEST. But, I didn’t. And yet, she made me one anyway as a Christmas gift. I didn’t even hint!! It was ALL her! So we had crackers and cheeseball for an appie to our appies. 

But then appie night truly began. We had tempura shrimp, whisky mustard wings, mozza sticks, margherita pizza, and our newest addition to the group – bacon and beef skewers! The dominoes were purchased out of a garage sale a couple of years ago, and they’re CUTE! Bright colours, nice and heavy, etc. They’re great. 

We played through the whole dominoes game (double nines, for those who are interested, lol) and laughed a LOT. I haven’t heard my mom laugh so hard that she snorted in a LONG time. We called it quits shortly before midnight. 

It was SUCH a fun evening. And today has been no different. Its currently nap time over here, so I stole a minute or two to blog. But I’ll tell you more about today probably tomorrow. I have SO many blogs I have to share this season 🙂 About all the homemade gifts I made. About Brady’s beer advent gift. A present report. A look back at 2019. Resolutions and goals. All kinds of writing to do and virtually no time to do it in! But I’m trusting that you’re all busy with your own thing anyway 😉 We’ll do all kinds of catching up soon. 

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone ❤️

Ok guys! YESTERDAY!! Yesterday was HUGE! I’ll tell you all about it 🙂 

Yesterday was our big shop for the season. Recently, we were gifted a stack of gift cards for Superstore and Coop by a loving friend who knew we were struggling financially ❤️ We took those, along with a forgotten Costco rebate cheque, an age-old Walmart gift card, and a cherished M&M gift card along with us. These gifts are what made it possible for us to get ALL the groceries we could need, plus a few yummy treats!! So, you know who you are. Our family REALLY appreciates your gift. 

Because of those gifts, we headed into Saskatoon armed and ready for shopping! We were going to go super early but I was in some pretty big bad sleepless pain, and Brady let me sleep in a little. So we got a later start but we got moving in the mid-morning. We tried to pick a smart order of our big long list of things, and started at Carters. 

Ugh. Carters. I messed up a gift I had bought for the kids and unfortunately, just discovered it now. Carters turned out to be a bust, which was sad. I called the other location and accepted the fact that I’m out of luck. I can work with what I have. At least I bought big rather than small. 

Walmart was next. We only got groceries there that we couldn’t otherwise get at Superstore, like Pilsbury turnovers. Lots of things can be found at both places, but we had big Superstore gift cards so we opted for that. We also picked up curtains and curtain rods at Walmart for the basement! That felt successful! 

We went to 8th St next. There were a lot of places to hit on 8th, it felt. Superstore was first, and it was HUGE. I really really dislike how they reorganized it. The sections are so mixed up and I couldn’t find anything. At one point, someone asked me what I was looking for. She said “I keep hearing you looking for something! Can I help you?” I was super embarrassed, but then she told me she knew where the item was, and another shopper said they were looking for it too! All in all, we had a successful Superstore shop. Aaaaall free, thanks to our gift cards! 

From there, we hit M&M for appies. While I ran there, Brady grabbed some drive-thru with the kids. M&M was sold out of one item I was looking for, and another was discontinued, but I got a few things. And we all got lunch! 

As we ate, we drove to the house of someone Brady had worked for recently and picked up a check, as well as we hit Wholesale Club in search of an item we did not find. However, I’ve gotta go wander that store sometime! It seems right up our alley!

We made our way to the north end of the city to another M&M location to get our much needed tempura shrimp. It was about 2:00. Nap time was already long past. So we decided to be suckers for punishment and *gasp* upgrade our phones!!!

Turns out, no matter how many ducks you have and what order they’re in, that still takes a LONG time!! We felt SO bad. Our kids did ok, at least for the first while. They started breaking down as we agreed on new plans, fees, extra products, trade-ins, etc. That all is a pretty long story, but we left a large group of people wishing us well on our way, haha! The kids had quite a fan base after that hour and a half. Brady and came out each with a new iPhone 11. Brady got a case and I got a screen protector (the caste I really want is on Amazon) We traded in our phones and had a shocking amount of credit we had to use that day, so we also purchased two charging pads, as well as AirPods for Brady and a FitBit for me. SO much good stuff!! We should’ve upgraded our phones long before we Christmas shopped for each other, haha! 

The kids were OVER it by the end of it, but the day was not done! We still had Costco. 

It was clear that they were not up for another store, and Brady was frustrated that his new phone hadn’t had a chance to start up at the mall on the wifi signal. So we decided I’d do the Costco shop and he would go drive to a nearby gas station and use their wifi to get his phone rolling. 

Costco was nuts. I didn’t mind it, except that it was probably a day we should’ve had two carts, and I could only do one! It was SO heavy! Thank goodness we didn’t need diapers this time! I hauled it ALL in in terms of bakery stuff, fresh stuff, meat, and only a few things from the aisles. That always feels like a good successful shop 🙂 I got to the till way sooner than I would’ve thought and unpacked as fast as I could. It was disappointing to learn I couldn’t use our rebate cheque because it has Brady’s name on it, not mine 🙄 I get it, but, ugh. So I could’ve saved almost $200 but I guess we’ll use that next time. 

Thank goodness Brady was back by the time I finished up. My poor shoulders and wrists were screaming and he was gracious enough to pack it all up. He gathered up the new full propane tank, too, and home we went. 

Now everyone was pretty snippy at everyone else, and we decided, for ease, that all the kids would crawl into bed for a half hour or so, to rest a little. In the meantime, Brady offered to unload groceries and I took a bath. 

It was a good, successful plan, but everyone was still pretty over the top once they got up. Supper was short lived and everyone went to bed early. And they were up for it! 

The evening ended with finishing up the gift wrapping and watching some Christmas episodes of The Office with Jerilee. 

Not gonna lie. My body was in crazy pain afterwards, and I actually didn’t sleep at all last night 😕 I’m working on getting all that body stuff in order, but hey. At least everything we need is bought and home!! 

My. Goodness. Guys, I already have so many things to tell you and NO TIME to write it all out! It is clear that, ready or not, the season is upon us! We have been showered with gifts of all kinds already that I really want to talk about! We did a HUGE grocery shop today! I messed up a gift or two that I cannot fix 😔 Merp. That one sucks. We did an exciting upgrade! We’ve had unending company and have loved every minute of t! We have been SO busy!!!

Yet I still feel totally behind. I have food to make in advance. I have about half my gifts wrapped. Again with the gifts that are kind of messed up – not sure what to do about those yet. And the basement needs finishing touches! But seriously, with what minutes?!?!

I know I’m not the only one in the busy boat to Christmas! I just don’t remember it ever being this busy! But here me say, I wouldn’t change it! We’ve been out ALL day today. Its 5:45. We still have two sets of company coming today! We actually forced the kids to rest in bed when we got home from 4:30 until about 5:15. It was worth it though because I got a bath and Brady unloaded groceries. Guys, I will tell you ALL about it tomorrow but today, I’m beat. Lol! In the BEST way!

I will say, though, it was nice to be back out in the chaos all together again.

Its been a while ❤️

A couple of days ago, I finally went to check on Waverly at 11:00am having not heard from her. She was awake, but laying down quietly, not eager to get up. At all. But she needed to get up, so I got her up. Her diaper was wet through anyway, so she needed a change.

She cried through her diaper change, and did not want breakfast. So we snuggled instead.

The snuggle was as GOOD as it looks 👌 She was so smushy and quiet.

But realistically, I had other children who needed lunch and assistance along the way. So I took the girly with me. She had me in a total death grip anyway. Not complaining.

As lunch began to take shape, I could tell she was interested, but she would NOT be put down in her high chair. No way, no how. So we improvised.

I brought Waverly back to my chair and fed her Cheerios one by one. That she would tolerate, but nothing more. Maybe two sips of water at most. She was NOT hungry. Yet, with a little bit of food, she perked up a bit. Even got a little handsy 😅

She had eaten some of her Cheerios, and while she was a bit more awake, she still did NOT want to go down AT ALL. But life had to continue, and her brothers had been super independent while I was with Wavy. I needed to tuck them in. So I started to get up and move Wavy around, and she was not into it.

Until I tucked her into my chair and gave her the end of her Cheerios.

She was super into this 🙂

No joke. She still went to bed pretty quickly after this, because she was just ready for it. That little red nose really takes a little girly out!! But, goodness, she is SUCH a sweetie!

I’m SO thankful for my little band of sickies ❤️ One day, kids, we will be healthy again!

In case you missed it, I organized a gift exchange this year between whoever felt so inclined to join! It was motivated by me lamenting a little that I had previously been a bit insulted when someone had made a crack at how “you can always count on Hailey to give you something homemade or second hand.” I hated that, because yes, its true, I do that, and I also think its an awesome thing. It left a bad taste in my mouth, especially when I was aching to make homemade gifts for most people this year. I blogged about it a bit and I received a handful of supportive comments saying homemade gifts are the BEST gifts. An idea I’d had for a while began to take shape, and people were into it! The homemade gift exchange was born into a group of people, many of whom didn’t know each other.

Altogether, our group was 23 people. There were a few guidelines and stipulations, and people had to agree to them before they could proceed. It sounds all official, but I had to make sure no one would end up giftless, so the biggest one was that people had to agree to a “consequence” if they didn’t end up making a gift. The “buyout” was a $25 visa gift card.

NO ONE bought out!!! I fully expected a couple of people to just get lost in the busyness and opt out last minute, but NO ONE did!!! I am SO happy with that!

Between the group, we had all kinds of gifts! We had a wreath, two paintings, a plant, a stuffie, cards, two different batches of salsa, a couple of signs, a journal, soaps, bath bombs, candles, jewelry, a macrame, mugs, crocheted bags and cloths, knitted mitts, decorations, candle holders, cup cozies, and aaaaall kinds of baking!!! MY GOODNESS!! I am SO happy with how it all went! I know some people felt like it was a bit of a scramble, and others were done way ahead of schedule. I was done very early, yet I’ll admit, I even delivered mine late :/ Booooo Hailey! Its ok, though. She got her gift 😉

I really enjoyed organizing this little thing, and I felt like many people enjoyed it along the way! I had a handful of people say they’d do it again, and I had many people tell me they were interested but didn’t feel equipped to do it this year. And I had some people say they liked it but might not do it again. All totally acceptable answers!

That being said, I hope we do another one next year 🙂

Yesterday was a total whirlwind. A good solid whirlwind of Christmas concert festivities and everything in between but WOW! You better believe I slept like a rock last night! It was a great day, but my body is over the busyness of the season that is prepping for Christmas! Lol! I’ll tell you all about it. 

So yesterday was the day that the preschool and elementary school did their Christmas concerts! As we experienced when Laela was in preschool, its a pretty full day, with one concert in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. This last month, Brady’s work has picked up in a HUGE way that we are SO grateful for, but it didn’t leave him room to take the day off completely like we had planned. So he raced in for 6:00am, worked for 2.5 hours, and was back around 9:00 to get ready and help me get everyone out the door to make the first concert at 10:00. We even had time to pick my mom up 🙂 Whew! 

The preschool Christmas program was completely adorable. They sang songs they had practiced hard, and those kids actually knew the words!! They were well behaved and paid close attention to their teacher. We are SO fortunate to have such an amazing teacher for our little ones to learn from. I feel like we have an extra special bond with her, where she has been such a warm, loving, safe place for Laela and now Rowan, but realistically, I bet every single family and child feels that bond to her that I feel. 

After the kids sang their songs, their teacher passed out gifts for each child, and we all made our way to the gym for treats and visiting for a bit. Rowan was SO excited for his gift. Each child received a mug with their letter on it! The mugs look like those little tin camping mugs, you know the ones I mean, but they were actually strong, ceramic, grown up mugs! Each child also got a hot chocolate packet and some marshmallows, chocolates, etc. SUCH a good gift!!! Our family sat and ate crackers, meat, cheese, fruit, veggies, and treats to our hearts content before hauling out and going home for nap time. 

Nap time turned out to be a bit of a hack, where everyone was tired but also pumping on adrenaline, and the boys didn’t fall asleep. Waverly did, but it was short lived because everyone had to haul up at 1:00 to make it to the 1:30 Christmas concert at the elementary school! 

Jerilee got there before us and saved us spots! It was SO nice that she came out, yet again, to see our children’s Christmas concert ❤️ 

The Christmas concert was really really sweet. It was very Jesus focused this year, which I liked a lot! It wasn’t like, acting out the Christmas story, but lots and lots of songs that were sung centred around the birth of Jesus. YAY!!! 

We were pretty far back, so pictures were hard, but we took some of ourselves between songs 🤷‍♀️ 

These count, right? 

Now, I’ll admit, after this concert, I was BEAT. I’ve mentioned it here and there, but I’ve actually been living in a pretty significant amount of pain for the last few weeks, and I’m wiping out easier than usual. I’m getting better, which is great, but I still tire out. Yesterday, I felt so overwhelmed, and with Brady being home, I was able to go upstairs for a bit in the afternoon and take a rest. It was MUCH needed, and I actually had energy for the last concert that night! Thank you, Brady, for giving me a break when we both know we both needed it. 

My mom went early to the evening show and saved me a spot with her. We were much closer to the front, and she brought her camera! (She brought her camera to the preschool one too, so ALL photo credit goes to her! The good ones, anyway! Quick disclaimer here: There are so many more CUTE pictures, but I’m obviously only posting the ones of my own kids, out of respect for the other parents! But, back to the blog…) The second run of the concert felt smoother than the first, but that might’ve just been due to the absence of my younger ones. Laela was bright and outwardly happy and into it! Dekker was SO sick and looked pretty deadpan the whole time, but he dutifully did the actions and said he had a great time! 

They did great! They were both in great spirits upon pickup, and chattered like crazy the whole way home. 

The house was dead quiet when they got home, with all three little ones fast asleep. The big ones easily fell asleep, and I admit, I woke every single one of them this morning for breakfast. I didn’t mean to wake them all, but I had to wake the big kids and the others woke up my default. But man. I wasn’t the only one wiped out! 

Dekker has a shred of his voice back, so he’s back to school! He really want to be! Laela is there today, too. Both of them have movie parties today 🙂 They’re going to thoroughly enjoy their last day at school before Christmas break! As will I! 

Our band had the opportunity to play locally last night at our family restaurant. It was pretty thrilling to my heart to see the building FILL as we got ourselves settled. My mom brought Dekker and Laela for supper and music, and Carrie’s husband brought her older kids, too! Besides them, there were MANY others who made reservations and intentionally came to see us. It was such an honour to be so well received. 

We’ve never played at this place before, so we were not prepared for the noise level! Its totally expected when families are eating supper, but WOW! We should’ve brought our little sound setup! We ended up punting a good handful of songs because they were just too quiet, and we all sang together on many songs that were supposed to have solo parts. It was the only way we’d be heard! 

About 45 minutes in, Brady broke a string on his guitar playing “You’re a Mean One, Mr Grinch” a little too aggressively. We limped through the last song or two, and took a break.

After the first hour was up, the crowd started to thin out, a few newbies showed up, and we decided to go again. We had a great table of youth from our church right in front of us who sang along and clapped and made it extra fun. We even made our way through a couple of the quieter ones 🙂 

While we sang, the kids played and ate and coloured. 

I love that they’re old enough to come to stuff like this now ❤️

Carrie’s husband joined my mom at her table after a while and wrestled my kids around. It was really nice to see my somewhat reserved Laela hop onto his knee and tease him. VERY cute. 

We played from 6:00-8:00, save for that one break in the middle. It was SO fun. We spoke to the owner and thanked her for having us, and she seemed really happy with how it had all gone! She said she’d love to have us back anytime we feel so inclined 🙂 That felt good. 

I’d call our first gig at Granny B’s a great success! Maybe we’ll do more local stuff after all!! 

I’m not sure where the lists say different milestones are supposed to fall, but I like to celebrate them as they come my way.

In the last couple of days, Waverly has started to pretend!! It is SO cute!! 

I figured it out when I thought she had a hair in her hand. We’re a hairy bunch over here, and Wavy sometimes find little hairballs (or, lets be real, big hairbsalls) and brings them to me. She used to try to eat them 😳 Seeing her with a big, long beard hair hanging out of her mouth was pretty horrifying. But now, when she finds them, she knows she shouldn’t have them, and brings them to me. Sometimes she even brings me a single hair, of which we have many. In the last couple of days, she’s come to drop something in my hand, but there is no hair. I figured she just lost it it on her way over, but thats not the case! I know now!

She has a particular toy she likes. Its a Paw Patrol hovercraft thing, with a hatch that opens. She has begun reaching into it, pulling out a little piece of air, and either popping it into her mouth, or offering it to me. I LIVE for this milestone!! 

Its grown a lot in the last couple of days already 🙂 I asked her if it was a treat, and now she’ll say “teet” when she offers it out. She’ll share them with others, and sometimes even goes for the psych and will offer it, but quickly pop it into her mouth and laugh like a psychopath. 

She is HILARIOUS and SMART and I’m SO PROUD of her! She’s developing beautifully. A little faster than I’d like, sometimes, but I’m so thrilled that she’s such a sweetie pie. 

I’m out of practice having a garage. For the last month or two, it’s been filled with doors, trim, and shelving that is being painted. I’m SO thankful we have that space to work in, don’t get me wrong. But we didn’t have a garage to park our van in for quite some time. That’s been challenging as winters set in, and we’re used to having the cover from the wind as we get the kids loaded into the vehicle. I know, I know. First world problems. Not complaining. Just saying, I’m out of practice.

Ive gotten used to starting the van early, hauling everyone outside, etc., though I don’t prefer it. Whatever. Work with what you have, right?

We finally have the garage mostly free of materials, and the van fits inside again!! 🥳 So today, I was able to load everyone up to take Rowan to preschool inside the garage! It was a bit of a chaotic scene this time. Rowan couldn’t get his seatbelt on. Dekker did ok. Solly argued with me for the five thousandth time that he does not like his jacket or his boots, so I hauled him out there in his shorts and tshirt 🤷‍♀️ Judge if you must, but he was fine. Once they were all settled, I had to go wake Waverly up from the night. I threw her in a jacket and realized her feet were bare. Instead of taking time and tying her boots on, I grabbed. Pair of wool socks that kind of just live on our front steps (Yes, we’re classy like that) and slipped them up over her legs. She LOVED that! I made my way out to the garage and buckled her in. I closed up and peeled out to make it to preschool on time.

And I had a lapse. I forgot my own jacket. I was rushing to get everyone out the door that I completely missed thinking of myself. Because #momlife. I let Rowan out of the van and walked him to his preschool, just shivering. Everyone else there was appropriately bundled, because it’s COLD today!!! My bad, my bad. Just had a total brain fart.

Upon unloading the kids, Solly came to the van door and asked me to help him. He was pretty cold, lol! I mentioned he maybe should’ve worn his jacket and boots, and he agreed. Lesson landed. He ran into the house, and I jogged behind him. It was COLD.

I blame my mom brain and my lack of coffee thus far this morning. I’m anticipating a morning coffee date, so hopefully I’ll be a bit sharper when I go pick Rowan back up. Also, I’ll likely be able to leave the kids at home with her, so I won’t be having to think of everyone else is that moment!

Hailey!!! Wear a jacket!!!

Thanks, Hailey. Will do.

We finally got our act together enough to have our kids going to Sunday School full time this fall! They have loved it, and were really excited to be in the Christmas play this year! 

I’ll admit, the Sunday’s leading up to the program have been a bit of a scheduling nightmare, but a pretty short lived nightmare, so we rolled with it. Just lots of having to shuttle different age groups to church at different times. This Sunday, there was a setup in the basement, with coffee and muffins, so everyone had a place to be while their Sunday School classes weren’t on. 

So we brought Dekker and Laela for 8:50 ish, and then Rowan and Solomon for 9:30. Brady and I were on the hook for one song, so we waited and chatted and fed Waverly muffins in the meantime. It was pretty relaxed, except that Wavy gets kind of overwhelmed at church, so she was SUPER clingy, and my poor body aches so bad. But hey. I’ll never turn down the snugs. No way. 

When it was time for us to practice our song with all the kids, we took Wavy with us and set her on the stage behind where we were playing, gave her an egg shaker, and she was good to go! 

Everything went smoothly and simply, and we just hoped she’d do the same during the service. To clarify, people are ALWAYS willing to hold Waverly when we go up front at church, but if she were to cry, I didn’t want anyone to have to leave and miss out on the program. So, this time, I was hoping we could take her up and she’s just cooperate. 

The program kicked off with the younger kids reciting some lines. Its always a super cute part of the Christmas program, where no one can remember their lines, and no one can understand anything they say, but its very very cute. This was the first year mine were in it! Rowan repeated after his teacher and said his line. Yay Rowan!! Solomon, on the other hand, was sitting rather than standing, and when coaxed, he insisted into the mic that he didn’t know how. His teacher rolled with it seamlessly and said his line for him. And then he repeated it riiiiight after that. She got the mic close enough to catch him saying the end 😉 Yay Solly!!! 

Our worship team – Carrie, Brady, myself, and our honorary member, Waverly – went up at that point and sang a song for offertory. Upon reaching the last chorus, the big Sunday School class danced up the aisles and did actions. I choked up hard. Its SO awesome to see so many children in our church.

The play was next. Every kid had a role and a line! Laela was a shepard and Dekker was an angel. 

The play went off great! Everyone knew what to say, songs were sung, etc. Our band snuck back up towards the end to finish it out with a shortened version of the song we’d sung earlier. Once again, Wavy sat patiently behind us and shook her shaker. 

I wish I could share more pictures, but they’re obviously not all my kids so I cant ❤️ You’re just going to have to trust me that it was adorable and awesome. 

We brought home NINE treat bags 😳 Merry Christmas, kids!