I have a running list on a whiteboard in my kitchen. The multitudes of sticky notes on the island were going to be the death of me, so rather we bit the bullet and stuck this thing to the wall. It goes against Brady’s grain to put adhesive on the wall, because contracting and drywall and patching and painting and resale and all that stuff. But. Sometimes you just have to. So we did it, and it was a good decision because I used it every single day.

This is how it looks today.

This will not all get done today. I’m not crazy. There is no way. But some things will. And I can take a bite out of some parts of it.

From the top…

Printing Dekkers picture and a card. Those are not immediate needs at all, but they’ve been on the list for a long time and I really should do it! I even have the good printer for it!

Foster expense forms. We are super behind on expensing out extras to the ministry, ie: gas, prescriptions, etc. We haven’t expensed before and I hear the new forms are a nightmare so I think Brady and I are both pretty intimidated by them.

Finish school supplies. I’m SO close to done!! I just need to gather the last three items from a willing friend who picked them up, label them, and stuff things in backpacks. And I’m DONE and ready for September!

Bedroom tidy. This is an arbitrary task because every week when we get home from the lake, my room is TRASHED. No one is mad about it except me. Our en suite is also a total mess. Now that we have our foster babe, our room holds a lot more stuff, and some of our other stuff needs to take a hike. The clutter has officially been highlighted. I see you, mess. And I don’t like you. I’m almost done with you.

Lightbulbs. This isn’t anything big. We have a few burnt out. Specifically one in the girls room, and all of them in the little hallway by the main bathroom. Just need to replace them.

Book tests. Both middle boys need ultrasounds on their lymph nodes. But the place I was referred to doesn’t offer that kind of test anymore. So I have to call around and see if another place will accept a requisition with a different business listed.

Replace ball catch. One of the ones on our pantry doors busted last week. Thats a Brady thing. Its not urgent, but I don’t want it to sit forever so its on the list.

Mow. The front yard is rough.

Water plants. Another easy one. Just need to water indoor plants.

Water jug needs refilling.

Raspberries need picking.

August calendar needs filling in! I really like having my calendar written up with pretty colors, stickers, etc. It helps me stay sane, and it gives the kids access to knowing whats up in the day, upcoming birthdays, etc. I’ve been using our calendar this way since January and it hasn’t petered out at all. We all really like it! They’ve been such busy months, and its really really helped.

Beyond this list, there is still basic life stuff. Baths today. Dishes. Laundry. Meals. And then playing and chatting and music and fun!

I hope the stormy weather actually comes along. That would be SUCH a nice touch!

I have not loved aging these last few years. I’ve fought my thirties a bit along the way, and I wrote it off as nerves around getting older. But I think I finally put my finger on it, and I’ve decided not to dislike my thirties anymore.

I gave birth to Waverly four weeks before I turned 30. My fifth child just snuck into my 20s. And I loved that!

I spent the next year conceiving constantly, and miscarrying constantly. I had a chemical pregnancy at least every other month.

The next year, I stopped conceiving, except for the couple of exceptions that I lost.

Then came covid.

Then Brady’s surgery, and two months of being apart.

And then an entire year of chemo.

And only then settling into all the change that came with a newly paralyzed husband.

The last few years, my thirties, have been HARD. Like, NUTS.

Yet…

My thirties held my last biological baby years.

They’ve held my friendship with Cher, my dear sister.

They’ve held family together time during covid that we never would’ve had otherwise.

They’ve held Kinasao.

They’ve held the best years of my marriage, and the strongest years of my faith.

They’ve held the beginning of being a foster family.

Bottom line – the years have been loaded, and I wouldn’t trade them. There has of course been loss; plenty I haven’t even mentioned in these quick lists. But the gains are positively beautiful, and now I can see that a bit clearer. These difficult years could’ve started at any time in my life. It’s irrelevant what year it kicked off in.

So. Forward we go! In faith and in glory strength! There is more on the horizon and we are here for it!

Thirty five feels ok. Better than the last few, for sure. I’m very grateful to be where I am, with who I am. For that, I praise the Lord.

I will never tire of beautiful lake days 😎💜 They make me so happy!!

Today we even had the pleasure of being joined by my mom and Cher!

We had a super relaxed breakfast while we waiting for our guests 💜 strudel from coop is a new winner for us.

Once they arrived, the place became a little more festive 🥳

We made lunch and hit the beach!!

Rowan found a bug that was equally as cool as it was off putting.

He LOVED it 😍

At one point, I had to go for a shorty walk to make sure Dekker was alive at his friends house. I came across this cute little sitting spot!

The rest of the group had their fun playing in the sand and the water.

They may or may not have gotten into a few other shenanigans…

We put away the end of the beach items before we called it an afternoon and headed back up for supper…

Supper which is still to come!! 😋

We picked up Mr Dekker from camp today, which felt like a long time coming 🥰 Our numbers have been off for an entire week, and it was good to have him back in our good graces.

We spent time watching demonstrations from each group at skills camp – outdoor survival, sports, drama, and robotics. Dekker was part of robotics camp, and while they couldn’t show us fully what they had been up to, there was a good video showing the kids working on their projects and their successes along the way. It was very cute 💜 He loved it and would happily go back!

Once Dekker was appropriately retrieved and we were back at the site, we spent some good time chatting at the fire. Not chatting with Dekker, of course. That would’ve made too much sense. He was off with a new friend until we made him come back for supper, hahaha! We ate big chicken salads before quickly switching gears and getting to the beach for a quick evening swim!

It was worth the work and the extra outing 💜 the weather was beautiful and the kids did well. It was a beautiful wrap up to thei day!

We thank the Lord for the chance to bring our kids here to camp. And for us as a family to have such a precious place to let down so much in this season. We are entirely grateful 💜

Laela did dishes this morning, which is different for her because she usually does supper dishes. However, Dekker is away, and she won’t be here to do her evening dishes, so it worked out! With her not usually doing breakfast dishes, she was slightly out of the loop, and I realized she was waiting for each kid to doddle their way through their food so she could add their dishes to the dishwasher. I would not have asked this of her, because some kids can eat forrrevvvvverrrrr. But I let it happen, because she was chatting and having fun and being friendly.

Wavy had finished an apple sauce cup, and Laela went to grab her spoon when she noticed the cup wasn’t scooped out as well as she deemed appropriate. Like the little mama she is, she scraped it out good and proper with the spoon and went to hold it up for Wavy to eat. In that moment they both realized what was happening, and burst out laughing. So began a game of “airplane” while Laela tried to feed Wavy a spoonful of apple sauce. Both were laughing so hard, it took WAY too long to actually get the last bite into her, but it was worth the time 💜

It was a really cute moment in time where Laela was accidentally maternal but no one was mad or bossy or fighting. It was just wholesome and adorable. I loved it.

Back to camp today! T-5 hours!

Yesterday, I threw a whole big list at you guys of what needs to happen over here in three short days. Here I am with updates regarding what I listed off.

No medical appointments! This is still true, though I need to book a couple for next week, and I should do that today.

Big messes accumulating that need to be tidied. Did NOT get done. Not even a little bit.

Evening meeting was done and done. No follow up there.

Finishing school supplies. I actually got really close to this! All thats really left is gym clothes, which I’m waiting until the end of summer to stuff in their backpacks. The ONLY actual supply items I need are three bloody duotangs. A red one, and two white ones. I can’t justify a trip in JUST for three duotangs, so I’ll hold off until the next time I’m in Saskatoon, which will be early next week. I’ll do that then 🙂

Training. Have not started that yet.

All the kids bathed. Done and done! Last got cleaned this morning!

Laundry = done!

Berry bushes got picked clean!

Meal planning for camp is done-ish. Mostly done. Not 100% done but close. Just have to decide one more meal in there and we’re set!

So far today, the kids who can pack for themselves have packed for camp. I have started to put together a few things to pack as well. Now that my napper is napping, I will try to accomplish a few more things. But kids have to lunch first.

There is simply (wait for it) never a shortage of things to do!

Today begins the three days between camp and camp again! Three daaaaays!! Thats SHORT! Three days for unpacking, laundry, re-packing, and food planning/shopping/prepping.

Currently NO medical appointments are booked for this week!!! 🥳 When was the last time I could say that?! No one knows!

Things also glaring me in the face are as follows.

Some big messes that are accumulating that need to be tidied.

We have a meeting this evening.

I need to finish school supplies, mostly motivated by the counter space its all currently taking up.

And, believe it or not, we have TRAINING to start! Never done learning, it seems!!

Not to mention, all kids needs to be bathed. Still grimy from camp at this point. Thankfully, almost all of that is done independently now!

Laundry is humming.

Berry bush is being picked clean.

At least three kids will wash up this afternoon.

I will start on school supplies this afternoon, no question. Don’t claim I’ll finish, but I’ll take a bite out of it.

Made a supper plan for today.

Today’s meeting will be off the books – wait for it – by the end of the day.

Meal planning can happen pretty easily on my phone, and Brady can do the shopping tomorrow after work.

I love our busy seasons. I just have to stay on top of it 🙂 And I am! Win!

This is the vibe today, haha!

Oh and this also 😅

*adds “resting” to the list*

We haven’t had many weekdays at the lake, but that is one bonus of Brady working on Saturday. Changes things around just a touch, but it makes things a little different in the campground. It was very, very nice. And a little silly.

We had the pleasure of still spending time with our dear Dahlsjos.

We moved slowly, schedule-free, and made our way from the long morning fire to the lake. It was incredibly relaxed and lovely.

We brought a schwack of leftover fruit from the day and week past, and picked at it while the kids ran in and out of the water.

We lunched on the beach as well, and around 4:30, Brady and I decided it was time to pack up. Stacy lovingly stole all the kids who wanted to be stolen, and entertained them for us while Brady and I got the bulk of the work done. Of course, a couple of helpers could not be left out, and they proceeded to help pack, dry dishes, and haul wood. It was awesome 💜 I am SO appreciative!

Leaving was bumpy this time, but it isn’t always, so thats ok. Still plenty of beautiful memories I’ll carry with me, both in myself and on my blog 🙂

Only three weekdays until we go back!! Having Monday and Friday off of work is reminiscent of being totally spoiled last summer. SO much camping! But those three days were full, and they’re only fuller now! Wish me luck!

It was a very sweet day here at the lake ☀️ lots of lovely events and warm memories. 

It began with fire, as it almost always does. 

Smorning went down, with our family, the Dahlsjos, a couple of their cousins/nieces and nephews, and Cher. The mood was light, and the fire was hot. S’mores cooked up fast and kids took off to play. Around then, my mom arrived! The gang was officially all here! 

To the beach we went, where we began to get aquatinted with the new seadoo that the Dahlsjos recently purchased!!! 

Now. They won’t admit it, but this was bought entirely with Brady in mind, as something he could use actively without needing functioning legs! Plus, it’s an easier investment than a boat right now so it’s a win win! Brady is committed as the giver of seadoo rides! He is LOVING it. 

Dekker and I left the beach around 2:45 and got him up to camp for 3:00 registration! 

He was so excited to get back to camp, and this year we signed him up for robotics camp! He is so stoked, and was completely squirmy to go. I’m excited to pick him up later this week 💜 

We beached it a bit longer but with the weather going from rain to sweat in the blink of an eye, and the hour approaching supper time, we called it around 4:30. 

We all headed back to our campsite for supper with the whole crew 💜

We served up a big salad bar, with chicken nuggets, all kinds of toppings, and garlic toast on the side. And some drinks, because, yum. Meanwhile, Kelly baked up some yummy dessert nearby. 

Cher and my mom left shortly after supper, and the Dahlsjos said goodnight very shortly after that as well. I think everyone is so tired but also really content. It was such a nice day 💜 

Well go home tomorrow. But we’ll be back in the blink of an eye. Blinkier than usual. At least that’s the plan! Who knows what’s actually in store? 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

The world has been blessed with another year of my sweet Cherice 💜 

I am very grateful to be in that world, and to have this dear girl on my daily life. 

You may have noticed, but Cher and I have been friends for five-ish years, and they have been positively HUGE years! Not just any friend would stick it out through truly ALL the ugly bumps. There is a dedication there, to stretch with change. That takes love. Very real love from both of us to one another. The kind that you CHOOSE, and you put legitimate work into! BOTH of you! Both of US. 

Cher, you are my best friend. THE best friend. My sister. 💜 

And Bradys sister, which is also a beautiful friendship to witness. You are an involved auntie who positively POURS love into my children, biological or otherwise. No playing of favourites, either. You are a willing helper, and a dedicated problem solver, occasionally shouldering more of the load than you need 😘 but with the fullest heart of love that is impossible to not see. All your motives are good and right. We have yet to scare you off, and that says a lot about your endurance. Are you ready for all that is still to come?? 

I respect that you don’t care for birthday hoopla but I love that you love aging 💜 I want some of that. Can you Cher some with me? 

Sometimes we both say we’re sad to have only gotten close in our 30s, but we trust Gods plan. It’s so much better than our own, as we’ve seen time and time again. And hey, our 30s aren’t over yet! 

And then there are still our 40s. 

And 50s. 

60s. 

70s. 

80s. 

90s. 

And on and on, across the hall from each other in the care home, old and senile, but still best friends 💜 

Me and you, babe 💚🧡 Peas and carrots. I am SO happy you were born. This world NEEDS you. There’s a plan there, and I’m honoured to close to you while you work on it. A true honour. 

I love you, girly. Happy birthday 😘🎂