Cher and I have been friends for FOUR years! Today, we are extra thankful for one another and the beautiful relationship we have built. Absolutely ALL glory goes to God! If not for him, neither of us would still be standing, much less together.
In our four years of friendship, we have both suffered an incredible amount of trauma! I hope anyone reading this can know my saying that is not a cry for attention, but a straight up fact. Its said that when tragedy strikes, you find out who your true friends are. While I don’t feel I’ve lost anyone in the process of our trauma, it is GOD who kept Cher and I bonded as closely as we are. I am immensely grateful and honoured to have her in my life, as part of my family, to be part of hers.
We celebrated with baked oatmeal for breakfast, courtesy of Brady…
And cake for lunch! Courtesy of Cher.
Don’t worry. I cut it. That was my part in this.
I know. I did a great job.
Our years of close friendship have not been without struggle, yet we haven’t faltered. And the ONLY reason for this is God remaining at the centre of it all.
Covid cannot ruin us. Surgery cannot ruin us. Suicide cannot ruin us. Physical pain cannot ruin us. Grief cannot ruin us. Cancer cannot ruin us. University cannot ruin us. Unreasonable amounts of hormone-fuelled girl fights cannot ruin us.
Christ is for us, so no one can be against us. The enemy is defeated, and carries NO HOLD on us!
Wavy got a new bed a while back already, but we haven’t had the nerve to set it up yet. She’s been in a crib this whole time, so going from that to a big girl bed gives her a LOT of freedom, and we were hesitant to open that door until recently. As we have about a million projects swirling in our brains these days, the great garage purge/reorganize has begun! And with that, Wavy’s bed was time to make its way into her room.
Brady disassembled her crib and I hauled the pieces out. Then I brought in the board to lay in the new frame, and then Dekker helped me carry it inside.
I am SO thankful for God’s timing. Brady is not able to help me carry heavy things up and down the stairs, but Dekker is old enough and excited to help! While I’ll admit that sometimes doing all the legwork in these scenarios leaves me feeling a little bit lonely, I am overwhelmingly grateful for a kid who wants to help, is able to help, and a husband who has taught him by example.
Waverly was SO happy with her new bed. 😍
Her first comments were about how much she liked her bed, and that she was not going to get out of it during the night or naps.
She went down for naps easily, excited to snuggle in her “big bed yike Yayas.”
Aaaaand she DID fall asleep!!!
I’m calling this a great success! We’ll see how the night goes, but I’m confident that Laela will be eagerly coming upstairs to rat her out if she steps out of line 😆What are big sisters for, right?
Its been a good day. Lots to organize. Lots to accomplish. Lots of rest still needed.
We don’t always do a lot in the day, and I find I either have waaay too much to talk about, or literally nothing to talk about, or a whole heap of stuff I can’t talk about. You might’ve noticed my blog has changed a lot in the recent months to match the ebb and flow of our life. Thank you for bearing with me!
Unrelated. Folks, it is “bear” with me. Not “bare.” “Bare with me” suggests getting naked together. I promise. Look it up. Spell it right.
We finally have a little bit to show for our last couple of days, so behold. Pictures of those things.
Two days ago, Brady and I took Wavy and Solly on a drive to Zaks Home Hardware in Warman in an effort to break up the day a little. We had good music. Brought treats. I crocheted, as always.
Brady is amped about some woodworking projects, and needed a couple of things to get started. Know what we went for?
Yes. Giant chopsticks. Not actually, but almost. Also a couple of other things, but these were the main point of the trip.
Yesterday was a cute, relaxed day, too. Wavy was ULTRA sweet with her little ponytail.
Brady went to outpatient physio and occupational therapy on his own, which was new and exciting 🙂 Meanwhile, Cher came over and helped me rip apart a big crochet project because I wasn’t happy with the outcome. *sigh* It helped to have a friend. We watched a movie. Wavy looked so fly.
Girls got chocolate on her face from muffin breakfast
After physio, Brady hit Walmart for me to grab some yarn for a really exciting order I received!!
Who doesn’t love that red and black buffalo plaid?! 😍
Sixteen balls of yarn made it easy to justify a quick Home Depot run for him, and he got a few other small things he needed to kick off some projects. No pictures of that particular haul, sorry folks! You’ll just have to take my word for it.
The day went on like normal after that, and our family enjoyed a walk before bedtime.
Wavy learned how to skip. It is the BEST. Her knees go SO high, and her arms are WAY up in the air as she skips. I wish I had a picture but it was all captured on video. Tooooo bad.
By the end of the day, everyone was good and wiped out. Most of them were asleep by the time we put Dekker dow.
Wavy and her little piggy tho 😍I believe we’ll be moving her into her big girl bed this weekend. I know its a long time coming, but goodness. I can’t believe we’re going to be crib-less. What a strange time of life we’re in…
I hope you all have a happy long weekend, and whether you have fancy food or microwave dinners, whether you’re in a big group on on your own, whether you’re thriving or suffering, whatever the case may be, I hope you find a moment to reflect, and take note of what you’re thankful for without turning it around to see where your life lacks. Focus on the important things, if just for a moment, sometime this weekend. Or today. Or every day. Whatever you have the mental energy for. There is no judgement here.
I had a super bizarre moment a couple of days ago.
It started with eggs, of which we had a LOT. We eat a lot of eggs over here, and we had fallen behind eating them. Not too far behind, but far enough that I got it into my head that we should make something that uses eggs that I don’t usually make, so that, if its a total flop, I don’t feel as wasteful. Don’t come at me, I know this doesn’t make sense.
Meringues came to mind. Also don’t come at me. They don’t use as many eggs as I thought they did. But I had never made them, so I went forward with it.
Quickly I came to see that most recipes are a liiiiittle nitpicky, which is NOT my kind of recipe. But I did it anyway! Woohoo!
And guys, they worked!!
Loooook! I did it!!
They’re not perfect, but they’re YUMMY! Brady could not get enough, which made me feel sooooo good!
I know meringues are not everyone’s favorite thing, but they were delicious and well liked over here. Didn’t taste eggy at all. I will absolutely be making them again! Especially when I accidentally left them in the oven for 45 minutes longer than I meant to… That is MY kind of baking!
Are you for or against these bizarre crispy delights? Honest answer!
Yesterday was Brady’s last day of his fifth round of chemotherapy. Man. What I wouldn’t give to say he only has one more round, but alas, a full year of chemo is on the docket, so we continue to plod on.
We are SO grateful, though. Brady shows so little signs of wear thus far in relation to the drugs. The closest thing he’s experienced to nausea is a smaller appetite. That being said, for the first time, last night he took his chemo without any anti-nausea medication, and while its definitely doable, he could feel it in the morning still that he probably should have. So, now we know. And forward we go.
During chemo, Brady has been able to continue regular, daily life things! We are VERY careful not to schedule ANYTHING during his chemo windows, just because you never know. But just yesterday, Brady went to Saskatoon alone, to run an errand. I only expected him to do the one thing, but he actually stopped at the local post office to pick up our mail. Folks, I know this sounds like a small task, but take my word for it that it is incredible that he made that stop. For such a small payout, that most of us just pop out for two minutes for, Brady has to work a lot harder. I was SO impressed, honestly.
Nothing holds this man back. He was a hardworking, dedicated man when he went into surgery those eight months ago. He was a driven, motivated man during his rehab and recovery. And he remains to be a motivated, ambitious, self-starting man who LOVES his family and works HARD at everything he does. I say with confidence that he is no less of the man he was before his diagnoses. Perhaps he is only stronger.
Paraplegia and cancer treatment are big, but God is bigger.
I’ve been on my new antidepressant for a week now. And by “on,” I mean that I’m taking a lower dose of my original medication, and a very small dose of the new one in an effort to transition at least somewhat smoothly.
A very quick recap on what my medications are all fighting.
I have medication for anxiety.
I have medication for heartburn and nausea.
I have medication for sleeping.
None of my medications were working anymore. I mean, thats not true. They worked, but not enough. I was feeling better mentally, but my body was feeling worse and worse. My heartburn at one point was managed by four doses of one prescription, two of another, and then one over the counter stomach aid, and I was barely getting by. I was barely sleeping anymore, and unfortunately, my sleeping pill was the kind you can get addicted to. I knew this going into it, and felt safe enough to be using it as a short term solution. But as our struggles aren’t exactly over, the short term is getting longer, and my body wanted more. So it needed to change. It ALL needed to change.
Its only been a week, but I do have changes to report!
First, the bad. We’ll just get it out of the way.
My new medication is a drowsy one. At least at the beginning, its a very normal side effect. So almost as soon as I started the new one, I cut my sleep aid in half. And while its a very very small dose, my body is suffering through a little bit of withdrawal. Mostly lots of headaches in the mornings. Sometimes all through the day. My hearing is heightened and my head is so sensitive. My temperature is hard to regulate most days. I snuggle with the heating pad a LOT more recently. But I know where its all from, and I’m not afraid.
Also, the new chemicals are changing my brain and nerves, so its a bit of a mental rollercoaster. I dream a lot more. Stressful dreams. Kind of like the hormonal dreamsasters I have when I’m pregnant. My sleep is interrupted because I’m not SO drugged up, so I feel less rested. It all makes sense. Its all working itself out.
Now to the good! Please celebrate with me, even if you can’t relate or think its all a bit silly.
I have an APPETITE!!!!!
One of the “adverse” side effects of my new medication is that it can increase a persons appetite and they can gain weight. I can honestly tell you that I do not remember the last time eating wasn’t difficult for me. The last time I felt hungry. The last time I ate three meals in a day. Truly, I could not tell you. Within probably three or four days of starting this new medication, I was HUNGRY. In the BEST way. At EVERY meal! This sounds so silly to so many of you, I have no doubt. But please hear me heart in this. The moment my appetite came back and I started feeding my body, my energy came back. I was not a zombie anymore. My heartburn is still being treated, but my doses are down to about half of what I was taking. I get the occasional speck of heartburn here and there, but I feel more relaxed about it, and it goes away on its own when I don’t get myself worked up about it.
Feeding my body has fed my brain. I can think clearer. I can cope better. Feeding my body has fed my digestive system, so it can actually eat food with its acid again instead of eating itself. Feeding my body has made things SO much easier. Who knew we needed food to survive?! Turns out I really, really missed food!
I had a good day or two of wanting to eat everything in sight, and now the crazy munchies have calmed down, and I’m good and hungry at the appropriate times. I feel WORLDS APART better! I can even cope with the adverse side effects and withdrawal symptoms easier.
I know its only been a week, but I feel like myself in a way I haven’t in a very long time. Probably, I could say its been years.
I trust the Lord. He comes first, always. I trust Him above medication. But I also believe that sometimes, He gives us medicine. Wisdom. Guidance. This truly feels like its the start of something amazing. Please join me in my victory and excitement! I have ached for health and wellness, and it seems like it is upon me.
I know you know the saying. A watched pot never boils. I’ve used it a lot, along with all kinds of different renditions.
A watched microwave never beeps.
A watched rice cooker never clicks.
A watched pregnancy test never turns positive.
The list really goes on. Today, however, I was reminded that a watched pot does boil! It just takes WAY longer.
He legitimately stared into the pot until he mentioned mildly “Oh… I think its starting…”
That first face in the picture went along with a dry “Are you taking a video or something?” And then he heard the click of my camera, and smiled for the next one. But I couldn’t not post them both! Look at that cute little mug 😍He loves to cook, or clean up, or really whatever job we could offer him. He is a determined, driven guy. Just like his dad. What an amazing quality to pass down to your kids. Brady and Dekker are planning an oil change date this week, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
On an unrelated note, Dekker made four boxes of white cheddar mac and cheese tonight, and it was NOT enough. 😳 I’m going to have to enter adulthood soon and make my own. In a baking dish or something. Like a caveman. Cavelady. You get it.
I really appreciated all the encouragement on yesterday’s blog about my yarn stash display cases! It was SO fun to put together. It is SO fun to be able to see what I have and dream up projects. It is SO helpful to actually know what I already own so I don’t just buy what I am looking for without knowing if I have it or not.
I crochet everywhere now.
By the fire. At the blood clinic.
During MRIs. Picking up chemo.
Lots while we drive…
Especially now that Brady drives! So many opportunities!
I have a VERY nice setup recently when I crochet at home in the evenings. I crochet in my bed, with a heating pad, and I watch Good Girls. The heating pad is helping me while I’m transitioning onto a new medication and its making my temperature go haywire. The show is easy defined as “binge worthy,” and the crocheting keeps my hands busy.
Its such a good setup for me. Definitely therapeutic. I am exceptionally grateful to have learned this skill so very many years ago. I never knew I’d need it, and I’m so glad its within reach!
Winter is coming, and I promised the kids new toques! Still have three to go!
Our bedroom is the area of our house where everything gets dumped. I’ve worked hard for it to be different, and when I get down to it and get it SUPER tidy, it stays that way for a good long while. As you can imagine, when Brady left, most things fell by the wayside, and our bedroom was one of them. It became a space where I didn’t feel relaxed in at all, and that needed to change. We have way too much furniture in our room and most of it isn’t being utilized well. So its begun – the big bedroom reorganization! Which feels pretty fruitless if we’re thinking of moving anytime soon, which we are, but before we faced that fact, we began the job. And I’m SO glad we did.
I had been waiting until the whole thing was overhauled before sharing it with you here, but rather, I’m going to show you my side of the room. Because its obviously the best part, and I am SO eager to finally post it!
First, we have the “before” picture…
Yes, it could be worse, but that pile of random stuff just grew and grew. I’d clean some of it up, and lo and behold, more would show up there. Meanwhile, the desk was never used as a desk, and the small white drawers were not serving their purpose of holding my craft stuff. The walker there has never been used by us. The tall box is curtain rods that need to be installed and haven’t been. The box under the empty hamper held who knows what. I don’t remember. The tubs held projects I was partway through. Everything. Was. A. Mess.
So. We changed it. In a BIG way.
I built there giant bookshelves, first off. They were heavy and beefy and strong. We bought them from Ikea, and my mom picked them up on a trip she took to Edmonton. They fit in her car with about a half inch of room. Better than just bookshelves, they are actually display cases!
They were a shockingly good price, so we felt justified in buying them, and I have NO regrets. I momentarily thought they were overkill, but indeed they were not. I had more than enough things to fill them.
Forgive the reflection of the light. But this is it. My whole yarn stash. It was spread out in tubs and boxes all over the house, and now its in one place, its WAY easier to see what I have on hand, and its pretty!! At least we think so.
Believe it or not, I give this setup credit for why I am crocheting SO much these days. I find myself working at it way more, making such beautiful things, and it is incredibly rewarding. I also don’t find myself buying colors that I think I need, but actually have stashed somewhere. And I’m gaining more ideas for the colors/types of yarn I have less familiarity with, because its all just sitting there, staring at me. I’m WAY quicker to grab a skein of yarn and a hook on my way out of the house, and crochet a dishcloth, scrubby, pot holder, coffee cozy, etc. while I’m out and about.
For all your fun custom crocheting, I’m your girl! 🧶
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Quickly, on the topic of reorganizing our room, if any muscle men would be willing to come move some furniture around, up and down some flights of stairs, we would welcome the help in the next week or two! Please!
As always, we tried to make Laela’s birthday special. We had a few more limitations this year than others. We had covid restrictions to think about. Brady being in a wheelchair. Myself in the midst of a med change. All things considered, it was actually a really challenging day. The morning, specifically. But by the end of the day, Laela was a very happy camper, and it all came together, thank the Lord!
We did the zoo in the morning. This isn’t the first time we’ve done the zoo for her birthday.
My goodness how she is growing up SO beautifully! 😍
The zoo was super low key.
Honestly, there weren’t too many animals out and about. I did get pretty close to what I would call a yarn opportunity…
Aaaaand quite close to a caribou who seemed disinterested in being in its enclosure 😳
The kids had the most fun just running and playing. It was really cute and very relaxed.
You’ll have to take my word for it that the video that follows this picture up is epic. Any guesses on who bit the dust hard and bawled at the bottom of the hill? Anyone?
All things considered, the morning was a success.
We left when it was coming time to lunch, and indulged in what we call redneck food court, which means everyone gets to choose what food they want and we hit a bunch of fast food places. We rarely do this, but its fun sometimes 🙂 Everyone ended up with McDonalds except Dekker and I. I ducked into the mall for some food court asian food, and Dekker got Subway. Then we went home and tucked in the nappers while my mom took Dekker and Laela out for a bike ride.
The end of the day consisted of pizza hut and presents. Laela ate her body weight in cheese pizza and chocolate cake, and she received some crafts, some girly cosmetics, some clothes, some cash, and a voucher for a shopping date with grandma. She was sooooo thrilled, haha!
She was though. Completely happy, all the way. It was a total success, and she deserves nothing less.
