The Daily Hailey

Today marks two years of being an approved foster family!

I remember the day incredibly well. We were approved on a Friday. They decided to wait the weekend and bring us our first placement on Monday. Little did I know, the babe they had in mind would spend the weekend at the home of a friend of mine before making their way over to us that Monday, as promised.

And that child changed our lives.

Not only because that kid was totally awesome.

Not only because we spent a good chunk of hospital time together, one where we actually almost lost that precious life.

Not only because there was an unshakable bond formed.

But because, like mothers often say about their oldest child, this baby made us a foster family.

So on a day like today, I am so incredibly grateful we took the leap to start fostering children, and I am SO grateful for our Morsel.

💔 Goodness I miss that kid.

Foster care has proven to be incredibly challenging while somehow managing to be so fulfilling and precious. Nothing about it is easy or simple, but its terribly important and a huge need. Its messy and broken, of course, but to even have a small part to play in possibly bringing something smooth or beautiful to someone’s life is all worth it. The system may be broken, but these kids don’t have to be.

Two years in. I hear that tends to be the cutoff where many foster families burn out. And I see why. So we pray for endurance and the strength from Christ to cover us!

Onward we go!!

I like rocks. I always have. I still collect rocks as an adult. Don’t come for me. Or my rocks.

Since we started going back to Kinasao a couple of weeks ago, I’ve found a small handful of rocks shaped like hearts. And I’ve seen some cute artsy fartsy things to do with heart rocks, so I’ve started gathering some up in my own little camper stash.

This weekend, I found a particularly cool one. It looked like it had been worn down in a spot and some layers of the rock had come through. I thought it was super unique.

And then Brady ruins it and goes “Huh. That looks like a pressure sore.”

😒

On that note, the pressure sore Brady’s been working to heal for more than two months now is finally on the way out. Goodness those things are thankless!!

Happy rock hunting, all! 💜

🪨

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. 

Keep the rains coming!!

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! 

Thank you for all You’ve given us! 

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 💜

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!