The Daily Hailey

Our week at camp didn’t take, and unfortunately, we came home on Monday.

I’m tired, and I don’t have a whole lot in me to go over all the details thus far. What I can tell you is that Brady’s mobility took a bit of a turn and we were no longer able to make do at the lake.

It got a bit high stakes, and I actually ended up calling the fire department in Christopher Lake for a lift assist, but the very kind fire chief did some calling and didn’t have anyone nearby to wrangle for such a thing. So I am incredibly proud to say the kids and I managed to get Brady and I out of bed, into his chair, and into the BUS! 😳 That was an undertaking, but everyone took on their role. Wavy buckled up the three little ones into their carseats, and Solly tidied up the campsite and tied up loose ends like that. Laela and Rowan worked to brace the wheelchair, and then be quick to remove it when it became a hassle underfoot. Meanwhile, I pushed Brady from under his butt, and Dekker pulled him by his pits from the inside. And we got him in!!!

We were greeted at home by a loving friend who has followed along with some of the changes we’ve been experiencing. We had help with getting him out of the bus, into his chair, and then into bed. She offered so much peace in our house and our current situation. Laela told me directly “I feel so safe when she’s here.”

The next day, the kids did an absolutely beautiful job of pitching in and helping, giving lots of grace, and earning my praises all day long. So we did the whole day well, then put all three little ones down, and cracked out The Greatest Showman. The kids have never seen it, but they love the music, so it was VERY well received.

It was a really nice. A solid high point.

That feels like enough of that for today. I’m tired. Supper in bed with Brady after kids are down. I’m ready.

Tomorrow is a new day 💜

The title isn’t great, but it makes sense when you keep scrolling.

I am not sure what it is about the Born girls, but they are the only ones who remind me of the Olsen twins. First it was Laela, and then Waverly. Around 8-10 I always saw a little Mary-kate when I saw Laela.

Something in the shape of her head, nose, mouth. Her big blue beautiful eyes. Even her athletic abilities!

Now that Waverly is around that age, and even shares a similar sense of style at times, I just see teeny glimpses here and there that bring back a nostalgic feeling.

Of course both Laela and Waverly have their own very beautiful looks, sense of style, and identities. There is no comparing. 

It has just been such a blast to see jean overalls still in, and a summer-bleach-blonde cutie soak up the sun 

Thank you Lord for this miracle baby! 

Cher

Some folks chase creams in jars of gold, with names too long to say,
While I just borrow humble clay that lounged outside all day.
It doesn’t brag, it doesn’t sparkle, it isn’t dressed to win—
It simply sits there in the dirt… then politely fixes skin.

The mud has seen a thousand storms and never learned to boast.
It wasn’t made in Switzerland or blessed by Gwyneth Paltrow’s ghost.
You goop it on, you look unwell… Your lake friends might agree.
But somehow, quite conveniently, your skin says, “Now I’m free!”

Another lovely day. More beautiful time with Cher and our Dahlsjos. More hot time on the beach. More good food shared by the fire. More mosquito bites. More wood burned in the fire pit. More dirt on our feet and pine cones in little mouths. 

I am so deeply grateful for this beautiful place 🥰 Thank you Lord for consistently giving us more than we need! 

Goodness, all, it was such a lovely day today. We FINALLY got Dekker back to Kinasao and into my arms. Let me tell you, he is taller and older and so crazy handsome I don’t even know where he came from. It’s so so good to see him!! 

He came up to camp courtesy of Cher, who I also love so so much! It is so precious to have her back at Kinasao again. It’s been a long time, and today we sat on the beach while the kids played in the water. We walked the docks. Stoked fires. Just rested and shared air. It was really nice 💜 

We celebrated two birthdays! 🥳🥳 One I can’t talk about, which is totally heartbreaking. And one was Kelly, the man of the Dahlsjo house! Big fan of that guy! He puts up with us year after year, and I secretly think he likes us more this year so that only makes me like him more 🤣 

But I am waaaaay too tired to write more. I have lots of beautiful pictures to share soon but first, snacks and sleep 😴 

Im only just now tucking in for the evening. It has been a crazy full day but I have truly enjoyed it 💜 it began with morning coffee with Brady and Cher. One of the best ways to start a day, if you ask me. Then onto working! Brady was feeling VERY tired so he went for a nap while Cher and I worked. We prepped food and snacks and coffee pouches and salad dressings. We packed clothes and clothes and more clothes. Brady couldn’t muster much energy, so I got his clothes and toiletries packed, and he downloaded some episodes of our shows to watch when everyone goes to bed. 

We tied up many loose ends, and once the kids got home, I got Brady into the van and then started loading up the van Tetris styles. It was FULL! But we did hit the road, and only ten ish minutes after when I had hoped to! So I’m calling it a success! We filled up the bus, grabbed iced coffee, and hit the road. 

It has been full and busy and lovely today. I’m absolutely beat, and even more so grateful for these days we’ve been given. Praise the Lord for these gifts You’ve poured out on our family! I could not pinpoint why we are quite so blessed to have these people in our lives, absolutely everything we need, and this beautiful campground to boot. But we thank Him. For those things, we praise the Lord! 

It has been a big day of preparing for the lake! Bigger than usual, as our holiday week is coming up!

Yes. We are suckers for punishment like that.

My goal for today was to get myself packed, the three littlest ones packed, and get the food planned. At least planned enough that I could order groceries.

And I did it!!!!

I am packed! Even grabbed a bathing suit 💪

All three babies are packed! Everyone has swim wear, 5-6 pairs of jammies, and SO many more diapers than I wish I brought 🤣

Food is pretty well planned. Stacy took most of the suppers for the days they’re out there, which is so lovely! Meanwhile I planned and ordered groceries for my other slots, and then all the meals when its only us. Plus trying to work in some gluten free details so a friend of ours who is coming to camp August long can join in on the food and fun! Grocery orders are both in for first thing in the morning, except for the few bigger items that I simply KNOW we won’t have room for in our freezer at the lake. Can always make a run to PA!

I will admit, however, that I am WIPED. It was honestly a very nice day, full of lots of good! But I feel like I have earned some rest, and I’m going to take it now.

*leaves room*

*eats mini eggs in bed and watches Netflix*

Someone very precious to me turns 36 years old today. Can you guess who?

My sweet Cherice. My BEST friend. 💜💚🧡

While this year has not been the smoothest for her, she perseveres like no other. Very few things have been simple or easy but she is constantly seeking God’s direction and strength, because she KNOWS His strength is promised to her. Seriously, Cher, how many times have we said “flesh fails” to one another?

This is my mental picture of you. Facing curveball after curveball. Only curveballs, really. And you are READY. Your bat has spikes in it. You have your Sword in the other hand, protecting yourself. Not in fear, but in Jesus’ name! And looking cute to boot all the way.

Just got too excited about this pic and poured root beer on my face, so, thank you for that.

Seriously, though, I hope you can see how beautiful you are. How beautiful your faith is. How beautiful your goals are. How beautiful your strength and determination are. How beautiful your heart is. Aaaaand let’s just call it like it is – how beautiful you are to look at 😍

Jim Carrey would say “Well, thats because you got….” wait no. Thats not the one.

There thats better! Whew! Almost got awkward for a second there…

But.

I love you and I love you and I love you some more. I am truly so thankful that you were born. Our life experiences are pretty different, but I think thats what makes us such an excellent pair.

I love you like Anne loves Diana 💜

Like Fletcher loves the elevator woman’s boobs 💜

Like Hailey loves Cherice 💜

Happy birthday, dear girl. I hope it is truly a beautiful day. You deserve it.

Habbirdy 😘

Whew! Today has also been a pretty huge whirlwind like yesterday. It started a bit hard with the kids. Some rushing and fighting on their way out the door. Quite exhausting. Then Brady had a hard time with some of his morning routine so that adds a layer of pressure to some things. Not his fault, obviously, but I’m trying to say it was not a smooth first couple of hours. Doesn’t help that a kid woke me up at 4am to let me know they had a mosquito bite. I’m SO tired, guys, I can barely put it into words.

Once the kids left, Cher came to join us for coffee and she brought me a birthday gift from her mama!!! Isn’t this SWEET?!

A little ghosty lamp! ACK! I love it SO much. A definite bright spot in the day, both literal and figurative!

We went to the doctors this afternoon to have our family doctor talk to us about the infection Brady is brewing. The on-staff nurse came as well and we all talked infection, packing, wounds, etc. We have a great home care situation right now, but our doctor was really happy to see it person and make sure all was looking good and that he was on the mend. We did, however, bring all three little ones to that appointment, which wasn’t a bad thing, but definitely made the whole thing a bit more hands on and rowdy. There were only really tears at the end and they were quickly mopped up with the promise and subsequent delivery of stickers.

Before going home, we went to pick up medical supplies for Brady. Another high point was discussing something we have been using that isn’t quite working well, and finding an alternative! Hopefully, anyway! 🤞 Felt encouraging. I tried to leave but we forgot something and went back.

And then we finally went home. Kids were home from soccer. I got the babies down for a late nap. Unpacked a very small grocery order. Texted a social worker. RSVPed for an event. Started writing this blog. Made a few plans and listened to a lot of stories. Re-ordered some groceries that were substituted and were not appropriate substitutions. Put rice on. Flipped the ham in the crock pot. Shed a few tears.

Aaaaand finished this blog.

😅😂😭

Goodness guys, these days are long. Come on, sleep!!! Show UP for me!

I am positively wiped. Today was gigantic. We could not have managed it so smoothly without Rae and Cher, so thank you both for stepping in and investing in us the way you have 💜

Brady and I left the house around 7:15 and made it to City Hospital for *drumroll* Bradys 27th MRI! 🥳😂

Impressive, right? It was important, though. It was the one that is meant to show exactly where they will come at him with them radiation lasers. So its a very important, very delicate process. And because Brady held SO still, the scan was done WAY earlier than they anticipated. Lol! He’s SO experienced 🤣 It paid off, though. We left the hospital around 10am ish, grabbed coffee, and headed home.

Cher was there with 2/3 babes. It was a very chill scene. Brady had some things to do, so he disappeared fairly quickly. Babies lunched. Brady napped. Then Cher went home for lunch and I hung back and met up with the family who we are transitioning one of our kiddos to 💜 It is always a treat to see them, and see our efforts pay off. This part of fostering is SO hard, but I really do think we’re doing well by this kid whom we love so deeply. So we had a little visit before we went our respective ways.

Once nap time began, Brady and I ducked out for yet another appointment. This time, it was to fit Brady for one of those scary masks that immobilizes his head and shoulders so no one ends up zapping the wrong spot in there. This took place at the Cancer Centre at RUH. At least he’s on the parking list for the cancer centre so we only paid for hospital parking once today! 😅 Heyooo!!

We even grabbed some burgers on the way in as a late lunch. Fielded a social worker call at Wendys. No big deal.

We came home after the cancer centre. Relieved Cher from baby duty. Texted Rae to send the soccer camp kids home.

We had an appliance guy come by and do a little fixing on our washer. Discovered we need another part but he’s very willing and said he’ll make sure the price really doesn’t change much at all, which we REALLY appreciate.

Then Laela eagerly made a big fat pot of KD for the family and I pan fried up some leftover chicken nuggets.

Post supper, we gratefully had a friend come help us with some home care stuff, and now, the day seems like it might finally wind down! What a humungous day!!! 😅

Tomorrow is a two appointment day. Only one in person, though, I hope! I need to get kids off to soccer camp in the morning but then we might even get to sit still for a few minutes before the next responsibility comes around! 😂 Maaaaaybe I’ll get some crocheting in even! The end of one particular project is nearing completion! Ack! I am VERY excited. I showed a young child today and was promptly asked if she could have it when she grew up, so it feels like a win 🤣🥰

In the words of Wavy, what a “jyjungous” day.