Tomorrow is the first day of school for FOUR of the kids! Ack! Its such a bizarre season of life. Foolishly, I didn’t picture having so many kids in school so soon with only one left at home. Brady and I have talked about this season for years. Its an odd time. With school also comes Brady moving to full time work, and Cher heading back to university.
Also, we’re still rocking camp on the weekends! So while I was stuffing backpacks with an unbelievable amount of school supplies this afternoon, I was also making shopping lists for the weekend and packing kids clothes.
My brain is in every direction. But thats ok. We will absolutely come through it on top! Good thing I have a couple of old men to help me!
Tomorrow is school. Friday morning, Cher is coming before school so I can drive Brady to work. Then school, and packing the van, prepping, etc. And then driving to pick Brady up after work. And to the lake.
What. A. Season!
Have a great last day of summer holidays, those of you who got them 💜 I feel very fortunate to have lived the summer I have. Thank you, Lord.
Admit it. You read “computer” first, didn’t you? Well. I did, and I’m the one who wrote “commuter.”
Anyway.
Brady is in search of a vehicle to take him to and from work! He’s been using our bus, which has worked great, but also has left me vehicle-free. Up to this point, that’s been fine, but it won’t be forever. It leaves me unable to get anything done out of the house during regular work hours. It leaves me unable to drive kids to school if weather isn’t favourable. It leaves me in a bind in case of an emergency. Meanwhile, it costs a lot more in gas than your average vehicle, and while Brady’s work is not too terribly far from home, it could cost less to drive.
Brady is in the market for something specific. Ish. There is play in his plan, but here’s what we’ve got so far.
We are looking for a minivan. Our ideal is something along the lines of your standard Dodge caravan. The key features are the dual sliding doors and the stow-and-go seating. This would mean he could open his driver’s side door, have the sliding door open on his side, and he could pull out his fully assembled wheelchair out from right behind his seat. Does that make sense? He wouldn’t have to venture around to the back of the vehicle, nor would he have to collapse his chair every single day.
This would REALLY help in winter, getting in and out of the van, into work, on the ice. While you and I can step gingerly and anticipate ice underneath, he cannot. If Brady could get this type of vehicle, he could literally have his chair in front of him without his feet having touched the ground. It would easily be the safest option for him.
On top of the purchase of this vehicle, we need to have hand controls installed. That alone costs about 2K.
Brady was able to sell his work van in August. We were SO grateful!!! We didn’t get a lot from the sale, but he made a few grand to put towards something new to us 🙂
For those who might wonder, who might have a lead on something for us, we are ideally looking for something in the 5-6K range. I know thats not a lot, but it doesn’t have to be fancy either. It just needs to drive to Warman and back one million times.
So there you go. Our eyes are open for our latest need, and we’re asking around to see if anyone knows anyone who is selling or thinking about selling their van!
Thank you, all, for keeping your eyes peeled for us! 💜
After Telemiracle happened, Brady was contacted by a local production company. They wanted to discuss featuring Brady and our family on an episode of one of their shows. We hemmed and hawed, but not for too terribly long, because we all feel like Brady’s paraplegia is an opportunity to encourage positive change and give hope. We both felt compelled to take this offer, so he said yes!
A couple of weeks ago, the camera people met Brady at his work, and shot some footage of him there, doing his thing, in his element. It was pretty quick and seamless. Today was a bigger undertaking, for sure, but I’m happy and relieved to say that I think it went well!
We had their crew in our home from 9:30 until about 1:30 ish. We played outside for a good while all together, biking in the street. When we came inside, they set up all their cameras and lights, and the kids and I skedaddled downstairs and talked in whispers for the next hour while Brady was interviewed. Then, we switched spots and he came down to oversee everyone while I had a shorty interview, too. It was fun and easy. And the kids were SO GOOD. They were calm and quiet, and with just a little bit of reminding!
We finished up the interviews, and then everyone came downstairs just to gather some footage of the family playing in the basement. Everyone built or puzzled or snuggled. It was a lot of fun, and the basement was trash after, hahaha! But it was worth it.
Brady and I put together bacon grilled cheese buns and cucumber salad for lunch, and everyone sat to eat. The camera crew ducked out and ate for a few minutes, but came in to get a few shots of us all eating.
Once all of that was over, they wanted a few minutes of Brady and I just being us. So he noodled on the guitar while I crocheted beside him. It was really, really nice. We could’ve done that all day.
There were other things. They got a TON of footage and we covered a million and a half topics of conversation. It was a FULL few hours, but it wasn’t hard. The kids were amazingly patient and cooperative. The crew of people were lovely, funny, and easy to have around. I didn’t feel judged or examined. It was very comfortable.
All of that to say, as soon as they left, we tucked into bed and rested for an hour or so. Because goodness, being ON that way is kind of exhausting! Hahaha!
It was a lovely day, all things considered 💜 Both Brady and I are excited to be part of beautiful things, and this is one of those things! What an opportunity to spread hope in the midst of trial! We love it!
The day will wrap up with pizza with our closest people! What a treat! Another thing to be grateful for!
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I’ll let you know when the show airs. It feels silly to even say that. But I will. It streams online, so anyone can watch 🙂
Our last day of lake time in August. I don’t feel ready to see it go. Yet I am definitely ready to stumble into our fall routine, so I’m grateful to take it on and see what comes with it!
Last night was filled with rain, making our morning fire an extra challenge, but it did finally happen!!
Waverly was still mostly asleep when it was time to wake up, but it didn’t take long to get her all on our level!
Our dear Dahlsjos joined us for the s’morening. We have barely seen Piper in the last month or more, so it was a real treat to have her back with us 💜
The rest of those kids are also pretty much awesome. We sure love that family!
We had limited time at our spot this weekend, so we filled it in the best way we possibly could, and hauled everyone down to the water to take in the wind and rain. Tug of wars ensued. Treats were enjoyed. Lots and lots of snuggles for the little, chilly ones.
Finally, it was time to wrap it up. Brady and I went back to the camper to pack and clean up, and all the kids went to the ark park. The older Dahlsjo girls are SO loving to our younger kids, and often, happily look after them, include them in their things, and by default, really help Brady and I out 💜 We are SO grateful.
Today’s method of time spending was gaga ball!
Wavy had never played before, and definitely didn’t follow every rule, and NO ONE got after her. It was really, really lovely. It was extra sad to leave today. It felt like we didn’t have enough time. Ugh.
We drove home, stopping in PA for some staple groceries to get us through a couple of days, and some yarn, because I have a problem. (Luxury Christmas blankets, anyone?) Forgot Walmart didn’t do bags anymore. Improvised.
Came home. Ate supper. Did baths.
It’s gonna be yet another gigantic week, but we eagerly anticipate the next time we get to spend with our friends! 💜 Assuming harvest allows for it!!
Behold 🙌 The absolute COOLEST kids! 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
This summer is a beautiful time to remember 💜 I will miss these weekends.
We are on the road to the lake for the last time before school starts. It’s bittersweet, for sure. But the season isn’t over just yet, and we plan to be back out a couple of times before we wrap up! Fall camping is some of the best!!
This will be a shorter weekend, but that’s ok. We’re grateful for whatever lake time we can get! Luckily, we all also love the drive!
At least in our home, there is much change afoot, most of which is very positive and happy! But adjustments nonetheless.
Enjoy this weekend, friends, before so much changes again 💜
It is four months until Christmas. And trust me, I know its too early to talk about it. But specifically, I want to talk about the homemade gift exchange I’ve organized for the last couple of years.
Firstly, I’ll say I still really want to do it! I love organizing it, being on the inside of who is making what for who, and watching people meet other people. Its FUN! Unfortunately, there are a couple of hangups that have been eating at me, and its clear there needs to be change in a few areas. Please bear with me. I fear, by making new stipulations, I will lose people. But maybe a smaller group of more dedicated people would be ok. I’m not sure, and I’d like to hear from you!
One odd thing I’ve noticed is that some people never ever acknowledge the exchange. They’re “in” it, but they never post a picture of what they receive, or thank the giver. This isn’t a rule, per se, but I’d call it common courtesy. People put an immense amount of work into the gifts they make for the recipient, and I’ve personally had people message me, quite discouraged and worried that their person didn’t like their gift. It’s a tough spot to be in for everyone, and I’d like that to be different. A commitment to share with the group and show gratitude.
I think I’d also ask everyone to put in a small card or something, just so the recipient actually knows where their gift is coming from.
Lastly, the biggest struggle – the main reason I’m considering scrapping the homemade gift exchange altogether.
Last year was the first time someone did not get a gift. I am more than understanding that life happens, and stuff just gets missed sometimes. There were NEVER any hard feelings. EVER. The system of the gift exchange is that you are on the hook for a $25 Visa gift card if you end up not making a gift. Everyone agrees to this upon signing up for the exchange. And last year, when someone was missed, I sent them a warm message, inquiring if they were alright, if the gift was maybe still on its way, etc. Nothing but grace. A friend I considered quite dear to me never replied, and promptly blocked me. I actually lost a friend over this, which was quite devastating.
And the person – my mom – didn’t get a gift. If you know my mom, you know she wasn’t angry or upset, but I was. For sure. So there has to be some insurance that this kind of thing does not happen again.
I am aware that this exchange is just a little thing, but I really enjoy it, and I know there are others who do, too. But I can only control everything. I would really love to know what you guys think.
Do I impose a $5 entry fee, just to cover my butt if someone else bails? Do I require updates? I don’t want to micromanage anyone or anything, but last season shook me up a little.
I’ll be posting this publicly, as always, as well as in the Homemade Gift Exchange group. If you have feedback or interest, get in touch, friends!
We came home from the lake to a dryer that didn’t dry anymore. It could have come at a better time, but also, is there ever really a convenient time for one of your major appliances to cave? The answer is “no.”
In trying to start up the lake laundry to get us into the next work week, we realized that things were absolutely not working well at all. Or just not working at all at all. Brady and I set to the task of figuring out what was going on.
We checked all connections and vents. They were decently dirty, but when the dryer didn’t rally, we figured there was likely a sensor or a fuse that had given out. The task became much larger at that point.
We checked everything we could without removing absolutely every scary unfamiliar thing. But it was clear the issue was further in there. So, with YouTube’s help, Brady got it.
I was a supportive cast member at this point…
As was Cher, but I unfortunately have no photographic proof. Sorry, Cher!!
It ended up being an ok way to spend the evening. We watched some shows and Brady had a super positive attitude about diagnosing our issue.
Aaaaand he found it.
The heating element was completely pooched, broken it at least two spots.
So thankfully, we had our answer! Brady worked SO hard and get everything bad organized into the laundry closet, and then SAT for a few minutes!
Believe it or not, no, he was not electrocuted, lol!
Looks a bit like it, though! Lol! 😘
The next day, Brady was in Saskatoon for a doctors appointment, and picked up a new element for our dryer. At $240, it felt a bit stupid, and like we may as well get a new dryer, but it included all new fuses and sensors, and all the other possibilities of what could have been wrong, so it basically is a new dryer.
All is assembled now, and laundry has been running all day 🙂 I am SO grateful for a husband who is willing and happy to jump into hard work, even when its new and intimidating. With a happy heart!!! 💜 I sure love you, Brady!! Thank you for ALL you do for us!
I haven’t showed you much about Dekker’s actual birth day because loading pictures and working on long blogs at the lake is tough. But I’m home now with good wifi! So here I am with pictures!
It was a VERY cute day. If we’re being honest, Dekker’s priority was food. He wanted a big savoury breakfast, and he got it.
As well as decorations, thanks to grandma!
We hit the beach after we ate, and while Dekker doesn’t care to be in the water too much, it was still a super beautiful time of kayaking, paddleboarding, and spending time together 💜
We lunched on the beach, and then went back to the camper for some quiet time. Dekker and Laela went to play cards at grandmas for a bit, which they really enjoyed! No pictures for proof, but it happened!
Presents was a definite win! Dekker hauled in some candy, an air pump, a date with grandma (to be used in the very near future), slime, a charging moon lamp from auntie, and robotics to build.
He was not disappointed.
The evening brought on Dekker’s supper he has been pining for. If you can hear us all saying it in our deepest voices possible – steak at the laaaaake.
Steak and the lake entailed steak with blue cheese crumbled on top, with garlic toast and caesar salad on the side. And some root beer for the birthday boy!
For the kids who didn’t want steak, they had the sides, as well as some macaroni salad and whatever leftovers looked good out of the fridge.
It was a beautiful evening 💜
Dekker had chosen a tuxedo cake, because he’s fancy, lol! He wanted to light his own candles, so he did that, too. No surprises in this family, lol! We’ve had enough surprises!
While we sang to him, Rowan burst in with a big hug…
And it turned into a group hug!! 💜
And it ended in tears, because what group hug doesn’t? 😆
As much as supper was a huge success, Dekker wanted to go in and see if his moon lamp had charged. Spoiler alert. It had.
Believe it or not, he was into it. Lol!
Post bedtime, Brady and I took Dekker for a golf cart ride, just the three of us.
It was absolute precious time, where I got to have my arm around him, hold him super close, and to really let him know how loved he is.
We went all the way to Bell’s Beach and enjoyed the dark end of the sunset.
The birthday boy was adequately exhausted when it was time to go to bed, save for the moment he poked his little head out the camper door, concerned about the cans he had collected during the golf cart ride. Once they were all tucked in safely, he was, and he was easily asleep.
The day was a huge success 💜 I know firsthand that Dekker felt loved, wanted, and cared for. Who could ask for anything more?
It was an incredibly precious stretch of lake time this last weekend. We had the pleasure to have both my mom and Cher join us! Our lovely Dahlsjo’s weren’t around as much this weekend, which was definitely the missing piece, but we had a few chances to see them still 💜 Beyond the company, it was one of the last hot weekends of the season. The weather was warm and lovely in the day, and then crisped up in the evening. It was perfect in just about every way! Thank you Lord!!!
We’re on our way home now, all appropriately exhausted and content. It’s overcast out, with light moments of rain here and there. Soon, we’ll be home, and the chaos will begin again, with unpacking, laundry, supper, and baths! It is always worth the work, though, to get there and get back into regular life, and back again. I wouldn’t trade these experiences.
