We’ve been up camping with Tom and Rae and their people for the weekend, and I can confidently say we have had such a beautiful time. Nothing is difficult here. It’s all very easy going, without expectations or deadlines. The kids have been granted quad and razor rides galore, and Brady and I have even enjoyed a ride or two! My ride in the razor wins above all else, as usual. We bushwhacked for what felt like forever. I loved it! Thank you, John. That is always such a breath of fresh air for me.
We had a nice supper together, with a mix of meatloaf, potatoes, and hot dogs. And even some grilled asparagus! 🤤 Sooooo good. After a blazing campfire, Solly was nodding off in his lawn chair, so we decided to call it a night.
Dekker and Laela are tucked into Tom and Rae’s camper. Wavy and Solly are sharing a bed in the next room to us. Rowan has his own room just next to them. And the furnace is whirring away, working to keep everyone toasty warm.
We are so grateful to be welcomed here and loved by our people. And then by default, their people 💜It is truly special to be part of this group of humans.
Tomorrow is already home day. It feels early. But, as life goes, we need to get everyone washed up and ready for the new week of work and school!
And music and puzzles and Lego and crocheting and toasted tomato sandwiches…..
Yesterday was a bit of a cute day. But also a very long day. A tiring day. I’ll tell you all about it.
Wavy invited me on a walk, so we did that first thing. It was very cute.
She wanted to bring a dandelion to grandma’s, so we left one by her gate, lol! And then went home for lunch!
While she napped, I crocheted a cute coffee sleeve with pumpkins on it. Thanks, Cher, for the WAY nicer picture than the one I snapped in my house!
I thought it turned out cute 🙂
Brady finished his workday a little early and went into Saskatoon to test drive a minivan. It was a total bust :/ PLEASE keep your eyes open for something for him! Minivan. Dual sliding doors. Stow and go seats. Dodge or Chrysler, usually. Please and thank you.
Once that was done, he took on the massive chore of doing a HUGE family grocery shop. The first big one since probably June. ALL on his own. I would love to do these shops with Waverly in the week, but the aspect of only having one vehicle makes it extra tricky. So yesterday, he took that hit, and did a gigantic Costco shop for us 💜
Thankfully, a couple of loving people have filled our fridge with fresh fruit and veggies, so that was one less section to hit, haha!
Brady also hit Walmart and got some of that off-white “parchment” yarn we chatted about in the comments a couple of blogs back. I’m SO excited for that next blanket! Ack!
While Brady shopped like crazy, our day wore on like usual. Kids got fed. Did homework. Played. Fought. Read. Etc. Bedtime came on time, and everyone went down pretty nicely. Until I heard a door crack open from where I was sitting in the living room. I looked up and could see which door it wasn’t, meaning it was Wavy’s door. And it is very unlike her to get up when she’s tucked in.
She stepped out into view, and her chin was quivering. She was trying to keep her composure but finally burst into tears, saying her curtain was falling down. So I went to her and we went to check on her curtain.
Sure enough, one side of the curtain rod had popped off the wall. It was totally fine. I could easily put it back up there. But she was spooked. I turned around to reassure her, and she was surrounded.
The big kids had tucked her back into her bed and had joined her, being close and comfy and trying to reassure her and cheer her up. She wasn’t having it…
But she did stop crying, lol!
Once she was tucked back in and settled, Brady drove up, and the mad unpacking of groceries began. It was a gigantic haul. There is really no reasonable excuse for anyone eating that much food ever in their lifetime. But hey. Now we shouldn’t have to shop for a while again! Hopefully we have a second vehicle by then, lol!
Yesterday was big. Today is big too, but in a more fun way 💜 Thank you Lord for constantly blessing us!
If you live around here, you’ve probably heard all about the huge stabbing spree a little further up north. Honestly, you probably don’t have to live around here to have heard about it. It was an unbelievable time of crime and loss. Yesterday, after a four day manhunt, Myles Sanderson was apprehended, and everyone could finally breathe out again.
The kids had heard about the situation for a few days, as it began not very far from us at the lake, and then became a topic of conversation at school. So when I found out the state of emergency was lifted, the kids were SO stoked. Relieved. As was their mom.
It wasn’t long after that when I heard Sanderson had passed away while in custody. So I knew this. But I hadn’t told the kids.
As the day came to a close, the kids got ready for bed and we all gathered in the living room to pray together. Rowan went first.
“Dear Jesus. Thank you for this day. Thank you that the bad guy was caught. Please let him learn his lesson, and try harder next time. Amen.”
And guys, I don’t know what to tell you, but thats still sitting with me today. While I can’t explain it in specific detail, I feel like that prayer was a window into Rowan’s heart. His understanding. His desires. His clarity. His character. I loved it 💜 So I wanted to share it.
The weekday mornings are sooooo chill over here. I imagine there will be days where I’ll do more work around here. I have some goals for this season of life, but I’m not even thinking of them until October, so we can talk more about those later. For now, we are enjoying our very relaxed hours.
So far, Wavy plays lego, and I crochet.
For the most part, Wavy plays with the lego guys and decides who is who. Today she chose for me to be a pink princess while she opted to be a villain. I secretly loved that, hahaha!
Today also held some gems from Waverly. My favorite was “This yego guy has some smoke coming out of his butt cheeks! Like a hot toot.” 💨
Meanwhile, I try to get the blog up in the morning. I have good music going. And for the most part, I crochet. I’ve been having a LOT of fun with a new method of crochet that produces the most beautiful items. Blankets don’t stretch in a huge way or have big holes for your toes to stick through. But they’re time consuming and tedious. Yet I LOVE them.
A question I have for you:
If you were to purchase a blanket made with Hudsons Bay colors, would you want the white to be stark white or off white?
In my research, it is originally bright white, but does anyone actually want to temp fate and use a WHITE blanket?! I’ve seen some people changed it to ivory, but it almost cheapens the look. Thoughts? I’d welcome your input!
I know we’ve talked about all of this before. Like a number of times. I’ll be brief.
As the season changes, its hard to ignore the fact that our life in winter would be SO much easier in a different house. A garage that was long enough that Brady could park the van in it and still open the back and get his chair out. A mudroom where wheels could drip and clean and change. A concrete driveway that was there from the start.
Regardless of the season, there would also be the added bonuses of everything being within reach. A microwave on the counter. A different island height. Main floor laundry. Bigger bathrooms. An accessible shower. A permanent stair lift to the basement. Barrier free, wide doorways. It would just be SO much easier.
Remember what stood in our way last time? It was income. Lol! Don’t get me wrong, I do understand that. People need money to buy a house. I get that. But now we have that. So we could get a mortgage. Plus, Brady’s job would open the door for us to actually get some of the materials at a discounted rate, which could make building a beautifully accessible house possible!
But the whole point of building a new home would be to make it fit a wheelchair appropriately.
Meaning a wider floor plan.
And NO LOTS in town are wide enough!! ACK!!! It is SO maddening how skinny the new lots have been developed!
We did speak to Northridge about getting two lots for one house, and they were willing to discuss it.
Would there be any discount with buying two at once? NOPE.
So that leaves us being on the hook for about 200K JUST for property.
*sigh*
Forgive my rant. I know we are very fortunate to have the home we have. It has been perfect for us for a long time, and we have been so grateful for it 💜 But man. Winter is so much harder now. And I wish we had a better set up.
It was kind of a strange weekend in some ways. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful. It was flawlessly calm and peaceful, and oddly quiet for the last long weekend of the summer. And it was a HOT one!! Where was everyone??
Don’t worry, I am NOT complaining. It was incredible!
We did unfortunately have our first sting of the season at the beach today. Poor Dekker :/ But he recovered after a little while and totally asked me to harass him, so I did.
But as we sat on the beach today, playing in the sand, swimming, playing frisbee, paddling and kayaking, we witnessed SO MANY of our regulars come down to the water and retrieve their boats, canoes, and other items. They all seemed to come down to the water for what seemed like one last deep breath, and then they said goodbye for the season. It was so strange. So final for so many.
Lucky for us, we have intentions to still go back a time or two, weather permitting.
I’ll also feel a lot more at peace when some of the people are caught who have been causing so much heartache and pain in our surrounding area. Our lake felt a little close to the crime spree than I would have preferred, but we were fortunate enough to stay safe all weekend.
Everyone bawled when we left the beach today. They were tired. No joke.
We continue to be SO grateful for our home away from home. I am absolutely looking forward to some things simplifying once camp is packed up, but I am also sad to think it will end for the season. I’m ready and not ready. You get it.
It has been a while since we’ve shared a good old fashioned smorning with all the kids. Today, we had the pleasure of feeding s’mores to all nine of us! Our kids, and the Dahlsjo’s. Because they’re our family too.
Usually a kid or two offer to roast their own marshmallow in an effort to speed up the process. This morning, I suggested that anyone who wanted to roast could roast a full roaster worth. And they did!!
Why haven’t we done this all summer?? It was SUCH a cushy gig!!
The day warmed up fast, the fire was put out and the bathing suits were on!!
It is one of the last weekends at the lake. Not quite the last. But close.
It is that beautiful time of year where the days are HOT but the nights cool way off. It’s almost perfect.
After a relatively peaceful night, we had bfast around the fire and headed to the beach. It was shady and chilly, but knowing the impending heat warning of the afternoon, we soaked the cool air in.
But the afternoon has not left us disappointed. It’s 30C and rising. The beach is littered with children, and the water is full of floaties and kayaks.
(Side note about kayaks!! Dekker has been saving cans all summer to be able to buy a full sized kayak! Anyone who wants to donate to her m, please let me know and I’d be happy to orchestrate him coming and picking up your recycling!)
In other news that doesn’t even need to be voiced…
I will REALLY miss this place when the season is over 💜 This is such an oasis for me and my family. We praise God for it absolutely all the time.
Dekker was very happy with his teacher, and the friends he has in his class! He is missing one of his closest friends, which is disappointing to both of them, but he is still a very happy camper in the class he ended up in. His single beef is that he is not allowed to put a lock on his locker. He maintains the grade six kids were allowed to lock their lockers last year, and he’s disappointed that he isn’t allowed. I don’t know one way or another confidently, but I imagine it may happen later in the year, and maybe just not on the first day. We’ll see.
Laela was VERY happy to be back at school. She was excited to have been picked to pass out papers to everyone and be helpful. Her current desk clump is full of people she really likes, and she was excited about the new kids, too. Her class is even taking some time today to enjoy the spray park before it closes for the season. Lots of wins for that girl yesterday.
Rowan was so happy to see his friends again. That was his biggest win, for sure. He is a very social guy, so he was super happy to be back in the group of kids, as well as playing on the saucer swings. He LOVES the saucer swings. He didn’t talk too much about class itself, but he did say he is going to get to use the computer lab this year, which he is really, really excited about!
Solomon loves his teacher, and so do I! I admit, his teacher is the only one I actually really know know. Solly is our third child that she’s taught. ALL the boys. And she is incredible. Solly felt super comfortable and happy at school, but didn’t have much to say about his first day. I’m not too surprised. Those first days are whirlwinds, and I imagine a handful of things went over his head, haha! Still, it was a success, and I have zero worries for Sol in his class.
Everyone came home with mountains of paperwork that I needed to complete, requests for different things they need, and homework (already!) that they needed my help with! Ack! I did everything they brought to me, and when Brady got home, I took a break upstairs. Because that was a LOT. But its done now! Win!
It was a totally successful day 💜 I’m very happy with how the day went and I know the kids are, too. I hope today is just as good for them!
Yes, folks! You have likely picked up on the fact that school is back in session! Today is the first day of having FOUR kids in FULL TIME school!!! ACK! Wavy will join in part-time preschool in a few weeks. Though she could not be left out of this post, of course.
So, in order of who was ready for school first, here are my beautiful students!
Solomon is first! Going into grade one! He tends to feel about school however those around him feel 😂 Today he seemed neutral about getting back into school but he was excited at all the excitement, hahaha!
Rowan is next! Grade two! He is nervous about school. He struggles with change, and while he’s been doing pretty well with his temper and behaviour in the recent past, I think he is nervous to adapt to a new routine. But he was upbeat and positive and ready to go without issue!
Dekkers up third! Grade SIX!!! He’s gotten a bit grumpy over this summer, so he was not looking forward to school starting at all. Yet, he is an incredibly delightful, respectful, obedient boy, and it is NOT a struggle to get him to go to school. I am very fortunate in that way. He is a very good sport.
Wavy made it out the door next! She is not starting school yet, but she is absolutely part of the kids, and needed to be included!
Laela was the last one out the door today, brushing her teeth and getting the bathroom last! She is entering grade four! She is AMPED for school! My little keener who cannot get enough of school! She is a very happy camper this morning, and thats a good thing, because her backpack is bigger than ANYONES!
Ugh. I cannot believe so many of them are in school. I LOVE these kids! I am terribly excited for routine, but a large part of me will really miss having these little ones home more 💜💜💜💜💜
We found everyone’s doors and classrooms, and dropped them all off on time! Each child goes through a different door 😅 But we got them there!
Brady was able to go into work a couple of hours later today so he could join us. Leaving the house, he looked like a schoolboy as well, so we went with it, hahaha!
Aaaaand that leaves me and Waverly at home to our own devices! Today, that means puzzles, the Encanto soundtrack, and crocheting.
I won’t lie. My anxiety is higher than average these days. There is a LOT to mentally sort out with school and the lake and trying to fit in absolutely every little thing. Brady moved to full time the moment it was September, so he is working his first Friday tomorrow. Lots and lots of adapting these days, but I will continue to do my very best to stay afloat! I imagine once it all settles in, I will LOVE the days and fill them with beautiful things where I feel fulfilled and rested and productive. Thats the goal, anyway.
But today is the first day of the new season! And that is an exciting thing! I’m looking forward to learning what God has in store! 💜
