My dearest Dekker turns twelve years old today! As if this kid is a TWEEN!!!

He hates that, though. Don’t call him a tween. He doesn’t want to be a pre-teen, either. Just, twelve, he says.

He has GROWN in so many beautiful ways over this year. His endurance for hard things is much longer. He is more straight forward about how he feels, and while he’s not entirely rational 100% of the time (who is?) he is able to reason and rally and come back to us in good time. He went from dreading grave seven, as it is “the kindergarten of high school” but he has grown to be excited about it, which I’m excited about! Feels like growth! Dekker has remained good close friends with Laela, and they do more rowdy beating on each other without tears, hahaha!

Dekker’s birthday gift this year from us was a hat from Zaks. He got it early, because he just wanted one so bad. He was totally happy with that setup 🙂

Dekker caught his first fish this year!

He has changed so much, but parts of him remain the same. Some GOOD parts. He is still a big snuggler. He loves to be soft and close and comfortable with his safe people.

He loves corny jokes, and he has embraced the fun of robotics and technology.

Dekker is an AMAZING big brother, specifically to our smallest morsel that unfortunately cannot be seen on this blog in any capacity. But goodness. He is incredible. He carries and bounces and comforts and even has learned about the medical side of things in order to aid the family to the fullest capacity.

I am constantly overwhelmed with how sweet and caring and responsible/reliable/trustworthy my sweet Dekker Thomas is.

I love you, dear boy 💜 You made me a mom, and I am delighted to have began our little family with you.

*whispers*

We’re home. After ten days at the lake, our family is home 💜 I LOVE our time at the lake, but I also love our time here. It’s possible I say that at the end of every weekend, but I mean it. Its just incredible to have two beautiful homes.

The Dahlsjos kept our kids this afternoon while we packed up the camper, which was a gift all on its own, not to mention the feast we shared together at their camper before that! We sure miss our together time with them once summer wraps up 💜

We packed the vehicles, and loaded up the kids. Three vehicles brought home three different groups – my mom drove Dekker and Rowan, Brady drove Wavy and Solly, and I drove, Cher, Wavy, and our smallest morsel. We convoyed to PA, where we convoyed to Little Caesars for italian cheese bread, convoyed to McDonalds for milkshakes, and then convoyed further back to the highway and all the way home. To our home. Where we said our goodbyes, handed off kids and luggage, and went our separate ways.

What a precious time. An amazing stretch at the lake. Our one good solid week of holidays is done and gone, but it came at the perfect time. We continue to love the lake, but at the same time, our gaze shifts to the upcoming season. School starts to two weeks! And we are pretty ready for it, to be honest. Have you felt your children itching for some more routine recently? We have. Its time. And its coming.

But first, a liiiiiiittle bit more summer. And a handful more appointments, because why not, right?? Only one meeting, two doctors appointments, and one hopeful handoff of vehicles for this week. So far, anyway 🙃

I miss my bus. *sigh*

*sigh*

*sigh*

*snore*

We took today to celebrate Dekker a few days ahead of time in order to party at the lake with all of our people! He got his wish, and absolutely every food item he asked for.

Birthdays for us are mostly about choosing food. Dekker chose a breakfast of hashbrown casserole, bacon, and fruit salad. Lunch was sandwiches and chips. Supper was his signature steak at the lake, with garlic toast and caesar salad.

It was a successful day of celebrating, eating, and enjoying each others company.

We sure love you, Dekker 😍

The morsel and I are back at camp. Mom and Cher are with us as well. And the kids who were at summer camp this last week are baaaaack!!

Our Dahlsjos even all congregated at our campsite before heading out for a night at home. We will see them again soon 💜

We had a simple supper of hot dogs and burgers, and everyone is now tucked away in their respective camper and bed for the night. As we listen to the sound of rain, I can’t help but feel that I’m right where I belong. I am so unbelievably grateful 💜

Our week at the lake came with a few little disjointed parts that left me driving home in the middle. Not only did we have an unmovable appointment, but we also had an appointment that was taking way too long to come to fruition get bumped UP to this week! Alas, the timing wasn’t perfect, but we decided to take that small hit for the greater good.

I drove home today with just one tiny morsel in my backseat. We ran an errand before the appointment, and then ran another errand before heading home. My mom came by shortly after I got home with a delicious home cooked meal ready to pop in the oven. She helped me with a few jobs I had to do. She snuggled the morsel. It was really nice.

Cher joined us shortly before supper. It was so so lovely to be all together 💜 We ate a crazy delicious scalloped potato casserole with sausage and fresh corn from the cob. And cheese. And sauce. It was SO good.

Both of my beautiful guests whipped up dishes and headed out the door.

The house is super quiet. The dishwasher is running. Nothing else is. The morsel must wake up for a bath soon. And then I need a bath soon, too. And some crocheting. And some tv. And a sleep in my own bed for a night.

I anticipate good comfy rest, but even more so, I anticipate being back with all of my people tomorrow afternoon! After appointment number two.

Tomorrow will be fun. Cher is joining for the drive back up to the lake! I except the party will be brought 😎

Today, we had pie irons. Pizza ones. And they were great! But I have no proof. The only photographic evidence I have of todays lunch was my blunder during the setting up of the meal. 

The short version goes like this. 

The better was in the fridge and virtually unspreadable. So I put it on the hood of the dealermobile to warm up in the sun. Smart, right? 

It was. It was TOO smart. 

Anyway. That’s it. The end. The long version isn’t much longer than the short version. Just take my word for it. It was an effective method, but, flawed. You’ve been warned. 

🧈 

It was another beautiful day. There was both fire time and beach time. New friends. Good food. Brave geese. Fruit. Steak.

And it ended with rain. It doesn’t get much better than these days. 

I am so incredibly grateful for these deep breaths in after a very busy season in our lives, and heading into another one. But God knows that. It is undeniable to us that this is from Him. 

Ok! Photos plus captions for our week at the lake! Get ready for the speed round of the first couple of days!

The day began with rainbow looms. More bracelets and anklets and chokers than any of us knew what to do with. It was fun and relaxing for all.

Wavy went up to the Dahlsjos camper to “help” Stacy prep some food. And by “prep” I do mean “eat.”

We dropped the kids off at camp in the early afternoon! 💜💜💜💙💙💙

Sunday held an unplanned and much loved visit by our dearest Cherice!!

We enjoyed the sunset, as well as the entertainment. Wavy donned two tubes and Dekker chased her around with a pool noodle, whacking her tubes while she squealed with delight. It was adorable. They are a beautiful pair.

Back at our site, we dragged our feel just a little bit longer before it was time to tuck in the little ones, and then ourselves.

Mondaaaaay!!!

We spent the morning by the fire and moved to the beach for the afternoon! Some of us, at least. Cher, Stacy, and I, plus the few kids left with us. Brady has renovation goals this week.

I know, it just looks like he’s pooping. He isn’t. It’s a bathroom reno.

Wavy played in the water on her own a couple of times, and I was blown away by how bold and brave she was!!! In the heavy wind, with lots of waves, she headed out there in her life jacket AND floaty tube to bob in the water 💜

The skies were bonkers today. Just a gorgeous day to hit the beach. We waited all day for a storm that never came.

Which worked out, since the beach was too fun to leave.

Eventually the time did come to head back up, and wouldn’t you know there was ice cream to be had??

The afternoon was beautiful. No doubt about that, low point being Cher leaving for home 💜It ended too quickly, after only four hours at the beach. But it was time to eat. And that did not disappoint.

We ate like royalty, with ridiculously yummy leftovers from the day before, plus some appies we had in the freezer leftover from my birthday. Then we meandered through the campground a bit, daydreaming of what the future holds. Meanwhile a few of our kids wrestled and played together. They don’t look deranged at ALL!

And it wrapped up with Waverly laughing until she farted, in this exact position 🤣 it was absolutely HYSTERICAL.

Who could possibly ask for anything more?? 💜

Thank you, Lord.

The day has been lovely. Beautiful weather. Invested friends. Excited kids who were so happy to be dropped off at camp for the week. Delicious food. Relaxing fires. The bright sunset closed it off perfectly. 

A little bit more fire and a roasted tomato sandwich, and I’m ready for bed 🥱 

The first full day of our holiday began with bakes oatmeal by the fire. What more could we even ask for?

We had completely forgotten that this weekend was Christopher Lake Days, so after breakfast. We meandered our way to town for the parade!

My favorite float threw toilet paper and candy canes. While others didn’t voice it, I think they liked the same one. 🧻

Then we hit up the petting zoo and the marketplace/trade show area for a little bit, but we opted to head home shortly after lunch time.

To the beach! It wasn’t hot or calm but it was good enough for the geese, so it was good for us!!

It REALLY looked like the storm was coming, but it just didn’t come. The clouds were fun to look at!

Even our swimmiest swimmer deemed it too cold out for swimming. But there is always rainbow loom to carry the torch.

While it was a little blustery, it was positively beautiful. I will never ever complain about a view like this.

Thank you, Lord.