Goodness, I LOVE that good feeling of getting things accomplished, but nothing quite beats it when you can do it with a friend 💜 Cher had a plan to drive to Saskatoon today for an errand, and invited me along. It turned into a whole morning out and about, and I think I can safely say we both thoroughly enjoyed our time together!
We started at Starbucks. To be clear, we weren’t going to start at Starbucks. We were going to start at Indigo, but we jumped the gun, and it wasn’t open yet, haha! So we coffeed first. That vanilla sweet cream cold brew just will never ever get old! While we were there, Cher bought me a cozy grey mug that fits just beautifully in my hands. You know how the mug feels just matters?? It really does, and that mug feels GOOD! Thank you, Cher 😘
We sipped our drinks until Indigo opened, and we went in for our shop. She got what she came for, plus a couple of school supplies, and I ended up getting a bit of Christmas shopping done, as well as I picked up a box of cute Christmas cards. They’re 50% off today! I got a good deal, and paid SO little for it all. Win!
From there, we were going to go home, but ducked into Value Village with a small goal in mind. We moseyed through the whole store, though, and I managed to find Dekker a super cute fair isle zip up sweater for only $2.50, and a longer sweatshirt dress for Laela for $3. I love Value Village!
Aaaaand because we love it, we hit Dollarama on the way home, and both came out of it with stationary. Dollarama has some very cute folders/folios/’notebooks/binders. I spent $6 and have some truly beautiful things!
I arrived home to a quiet house, where my husband was painting the last coat on the cabinet that should aid greatly in our upstairs organization. I cannot wait for you guys to see it! Maybe you remember me talking about. I posted on the blog about finding the cabinet for only $10, but not knowing whether to store it until we could by the paint color I wanted, or to paint it a different color we had on hand, or to spend too much money and get that paint anyway. We ended up going to the Habitat Restore and buying a totally different color for a lot less. Eek! I’m so excited!
And frankly, the sooner that thing is in the house, the sooner I can park in the garage again. Guys. Its frosty out there. Brrrrr! ❄️
Brady took Dekker to his appointment yesterday, and as suspected, it turned out to be his LAST official ophthalmologist at the hospital with the paediatric specialist! Crazy! While I’ll admit that I felt very comfortable with him being there, I understand the need to move along when a specialist is no longer needed. And how fortunate are we that we are in that boat!
It was clear in the beginning of the appointment that Dekker’s prescription had changed, so they decided to administer eyedrops and get a concrete number on him. Of course, waiting rooms are pretty much gone now, so they had to sit in the little exam room for over a half hour. They put a movie on, but Dekker was uninterested. He and Brady took a couple of selfies, and then Brady read him jokes and they laughed their way through their wait.
It turned out to be a solidly uneventful appointment, which is the ideal. His prescription was slightly different, but nothing that urgently needs changing. Just a refreshed Rx for the next time he gets glasses. Otherwise, his eye turn is no longer present, and everything has seemed strong since his surgery when he was 2.5 years old. He’s been advised to find an optometrist and go forward with yearly checkups, like normal. After seven years of going to City Hospital every 4-6 months, that is a HUGE relief!!
I had slipped Dekker some money before he left, so after his appointment, he took Brady out for a birthday drink and donut. He chose the most decadent, poop-looking donut from the window, and they both got orange juice. It was adorable.
Those squinty eyes, though! So light sensitive!
Dekker made it back to school at the very end of lunch time, and surprise! He did NOT break his collarbone in the afternoon like he had last time he went to the ophthalmologist! Heyooo! However, his eyes were so dilated that he couldn’t see anything, and ended up doodling during most of the afternoon, haha! Praise the Lord for understanding teachers to love our children!
And praise the Lord for progress, and healing, and resilient children!
This beautiful man is celebrating his 32nd birthday today!
And by celebrating, I mean he officially ages, and thats about it. Its Wednesday, so there’s the fact that its a weekday. This morning, he’s taking Dekker to an eye appointment. It might actually be his last one at the hospital!! But we’ll see. And then this afternoon, he’ll go in for some more light duty painting. Tonight, we’ll eat yummy food and watch a movie. Thats about it! I’ve picked up some little gifts for him recently, but I’ve buckled and given them to him early, because MAN, that boy has been deserving of a pick me up. Or like a thousand pick me ups.
Thank you to those who reached out and asked about Brady’s appointment. I’ll cut to the chase and tell you it was kind of a bust :/ Unproductive is a good word. He saw a physio who specialized in backs and spines and whatnot. He very quickly concluded that Brady didn’t need surgery, which is great, but with that, he said if Brady didn’t need surgery, he doesn’t need a scan. He said things like “Keep doing what you’re doing,” and then simultaneously told Brady that all of the stretches and exercises he’s doing won’t help. He said “Everyone needs to figure out their own way,” except he’s the specialist and Brady is the patient. He gave no advice on what Brady should do different, but that what he is doing is wrong. He is told that a herniated disc will heal itself within six weeks to six months.
So. That was very discouraging. Brady has a call into our doctor already, to see what she says. Both Dr Guselle and Brady’s original physio want him to have imaging. There has to be more to this.
This world of pain is new for Brady. And its big. And overwhelming. Not small potatoes at all. Big potatoes. Paintatoes. I’ll stop.
I could not be more proud of Brady. He has been brave, and courageous, and his endurance is unreal. His worth ethic is one of his strongest qualities, but working at something like this has been a real test, and he has succeeded. He is still in pain, but he does not play the victim. I’ve never met a stronger man who checks all the boxes. Physical strength ✔️Emotional strength ✔️ Spiritual strength ✔️ Strength of character ✔️
Brady, you’re the best husband I’ve ever had. I am SO fortunate to know you and have you in my life, as my husband. I wouldn’t ask for anything more.
Preschool mornings are so crazy. Two hours with Wavy. Four out of my five kids are off to school, and the house is bizarrely quiet. Don’t get me wrong, its SO nice. Waverly is a very easy little friend to have around. She’ll happily do whatever I do, and she goes with the flow so nicely, just chatting away beside me. I am so grateful for her.
This morning was a really special treat! Jerilee came for coffee for the first time in a long time. It was SO nice to see her in the daytime, with just one little one toddling around, and no big deadlines or expectations. It was such a nice way to spend the morning.
Now I wait to hear back from Brady. He’s at an important appointment today, and I’ll admit that my heart is shaky for him. Feeling a touch emotionally fragile. Not very strong. Ready for answers, or direction, or anything even remotely in that arena.
Today, nap time is for naps, for all of us here at home.
Being thankful should happen every day, turkey or not. We’re not going to have a big gathering or a traditional feasty feast until next weekend. But I’m still grateful! We all are!
Dekker is grateful for his friends and family. He likes hanging with the little guys. He shares a room with Solomon, and he believes Waverly can do no wrong. He’s also forming stronger relationships with Laela and Rowan as they walk to school together. Its just getting better and better.
Laela is thankful for food. Now, Laela isn’t a big eater, but when she likes her meal, she is genuinely grateful for it. She’ll gush about it as she eats, and try to encourage the children who are maybe less fond of it to enjoy it. She’ll talk at length about what she likes about it. She also loves to help make food.
Rowan is thankful for his teddy bear. I’m taking that to mean he really likes his comfort. His teddy and his weighted blanket are imperative in his sleeping and relaxing. That being said, I have to be his mom and say that he has been finding new comfort in Jesus, and he maybe just doesn’t realize it yet. The last few nights, I’ve written his prayers down. “Dear Jesus, give me strength and peace. Help me not to be afraid. The devil is not welcome here.” “Fill our home with your goodness.” “Rescue us, Lord.” He is SO spiritually mature, its unbelievable! This morning, he told me he feels good feelings of love, but “different love. Love from God.” So, Rowan is thankful for his teddy, but I think he’s thankful for God’s comfort.
Solomon is thankful for his backpack and preschool! He has stayed on the younger side of his age, maturity-wise, for a long while, and preschool is kind of the first time he’s stepped out of his little kid zone to be a big kid! And he has settled right in! So I’d say he’s thankful for the new experience, and also the independence of going to his own thing by himself.
Waverly is thankful for auntie 😍 No word of a lie. Wavy LOVES Cher, and Cher LOVES Wavy. Those two have such a special bond. Cher has been “auntie” since Wavy could talk, and I don’t see that ever changing. Her comfort level is 1000% with Cher. I am not surprised at all that she said she was thankful for her auntie.
Brady and I are both thankful for the same thing. We are thankful for the most productive season of our lives! We made huge strides towards the future of our family, in terms of making our yard usable, and more importantly, the camper at the lake. We had been responsible pre-covid, and had saved money to do projects, so we were very careful and intentional, and managed to do what we did without digging ourselves into a gigantic financial hole. Don’t get me wrong, we really miss income, lol! The sooner we can get Brady’s body back up to snuff, the better! We have been SO careful financially through this season, and God has provided. We have not gone without. Its been very slim, yet we’ve acted responsibly, and kept on living. And now, we have a lake spot that we could have for years and years to come! A part of our family’s future! We are SO grateful!
Aaaaand I’m thankful for Brady’s assessment coming up tomorrow! PLEASE, if you’re the praying type, pray for wisdom for the professionals he sees tomorrow. That they can see the problem and that it is fixable more easily than we’re imagining.
You may have caught it on Facebook, but yesterday was the day Cher and I became friends! Three years ago, she took photos of me, and we did a little project together about miscarriage. What was going to be a one time thing grew into a lifelong sisterhood that I never anticipated but am dearly grateful for. Praise the Lord for knowing what we need.
Cher and I had planned to spend the day together. Neither of us were oozing money or energy, but we decided to make the most of a few hours out of the house! Our first day was spent walking together, so we walked! In and around the same area of Kinsmen. We just moseyed and took some selfies. It was cute 🙂
We made our way to the university for some more walking and talking.
My poor Cher is just aching for campus, so it was good to get back there, and sit in the grass, look at the buildings, and breathe in some university air, whatever that means. Starbucks was involved, thanks to an old gift card balance on my account that I forgot about. Heyo!
We took selfies, like the dorks we are. Got a little silly.
Only almost got attacked by a bird once.
Total success! We sat in the sun on one of the last warm days of the season. We really couldn’t have asked for a nicer day to spend together!
Our plan from there was to go have supper where we did the first time! Alexanders! But who had any idea that they were closed for renovation? 😳 We did not. So that was kind of a bust. We went on a hunt for somewhere else that would feed us chicken fingers, and Boston Pizza did it!
They were delicious! Almost as good as our first day hanging out 😉
We had some time to burn, so we went to a nearby park that she had been to many times but I never had, and we sat on a bench and took yet more selfies! As if there weren’t enough. The portrait setting kept stealing our messy buns! It was weird!
I know. We are SO good looking.
We walked and talked and just truly enjoyed our down time together! No regrets at all with how our day turned out!!
I got home in time to help get the kids down for the night, and then Cher and I exchanged gifts. We hadn’t specifically made plans to give gifts, but it worked out! I had seen something online that was just TOO funny not to get for her, and she had made me a little character that is pretty popular around here! I now have my own personal egg butt!!
I love him!
While we gave gifts and laughed like doofuses, Brady made popcorn. Brady makes the best popcorn! And once that was done, the three of us headed downstairs for a movie! The plan was “Bridesmaids,” because it was another kind of first for Cher and I, from our first teenager sleepover. Buuuut another true crime documentary popped up on Netflix that we had to watch first, lol! Then Bridesmaids!
It was altogether SUCH a nice day! Its good to celebrate our people all the time, every day, because we love them! Yesterday was excellent.
I’ve mentioned a handful of times now that Brady’s not doing 100% health wise these days. I wasn’t trying to be cryptic by not going into details, its just been uncertain, and we’ve been working to figure out what’s happening.
To be clear, this is still all what we think. We have good guesses based on good information and intelligent professionals. Things will be confirmed next week, but we’ll talk more about that shortly.
I also want to be clear and upfront about the fact that Brady is pre-reading this and I have his total permission to share all of these things on the internet. There are personal details, but here we are, being open and honest, as we tend to be! Not a lot to hide over here!
Earlier this summer, Brady got a sore back. This was not surprising, considering the amount of work we were putting into our property and then the RV. Brady’s back would be sore at the end of the day, but it always loosened up when he got moving, and it reset overnight. We very easily wrote it off as busyness and Brady’s muscles readjusting after being off work for a while.
As summer wore on, it worsened. Basically, his back hurt if he wasn’t moving. So we kept busy! It was totally survivable if he was moving.
Once we got the camper to the lake, home projects slowed down and his back felt worse. It was reminiscent of the work injury that Brady suffered three years back, where he was in physio for months to repair seized ribs. It was a long road that first time, and he was discouraged even thinking this could be that old injury flaring up again.
When pulling out those old exercises didn’t do any good, it was clear he needed to go back to physio and get a treatment in person. We figured it could need some adjustment, and then the exercises will keep it where it needs to go.
Brady’s physio confirmed this – that his ribs were seized together in a tight band around his body, and needed loosening and muscle strengthening. It had previously been a group of four ribs seized together, and now it was five. Worse than the original injury! So, more exercises and work and pain meds. For a couple of weeks. More appointments. More money we don’t have. It was exhausting for Brady, discouraging, expensive, and frustrating.
And then everything got SO much worse. Brady’s legs went numb, and he stopped being able to pee. (Yes, I’m allowed to talk about this.) He could pee when he really needed to pee, but hypothetically, going pee before bed so he wouldn’t have to get up in the night, that was out of the question. Or it would take a solid half hour. If he pushed too hard for it, his ribs would hurt him SO badly. If there was ever relief for his back, his legs would be more numb, and vice versa. We knew there was bigger issues when that started. Alongside ALL the pain and frustration, he was getting back spasms in the night, and wasn’t sleeping. I pushed Brady to talk to his physio about the peeing, and when he did, and it wasn’t getting better, his physio waved the white flag and said he couldn’t treat Brady anymore until he had seen a doctor.
So the boy FINALLY went to see the doctor! And what a day that was for him! 😆😩
He and Dr. Guselle hadn’t seen each other in a while! They caught up a bit, and talked out all of his symptoms. She teased him about trying to wear a mask over his beard…
and made some decisions for tests. She did some sensitivity tests on his legs, feet, and butt, and printed off requisitions for blood and X-rays that she ideally wanted that day. She paid me a HUGE complement and asked Brady what I thought the issue was!! I was pretty honoured she’d ask, but she has proven time and time again that she trusts me. I loved that! Aaaaand after all that, she asked if he’d be ok to have a rectal exam, to check for inflammation and all that fun stuff. He wants answers as much as I do, so he agreed.
I say again, yes, I’m allowed to talk about this on here.
Brady’s description of the exam is probably a bit too off-colour to post on here, but he was a good sport and said it wasn’t so bad. More awkward than anything. But Dr. Guselle, being the BEST doctor in the world, congratulated him on his first ever rectal exam as she left the room. I laughed FAR too hard about that. That being said, the exam was fine, and she found no immediate issue all up in there. So Brady left, and called me with all the info, and told me he was going for blood and X-rays in the north end. Dr. Guselle called him along the way and lamented that she thought he would be able to get an ultrasound on his bladder to see if he was retaining any urine after he peed, but that she was informed it needed to be done via catheter. As if the rectal exam wasn’t enough, he was a good sport and went back in that afternoon for that second procedure.
Yes, I’m allowed to talk about these things on the internet.
He went back to the doctors office, peed, met Dr. Guselle’s nurse, and then set up for his catheter procedure, to see what was left in there.
For reference: Anything over 50 mls of retained urine is considered “significant.” Anything over 150 mls gets you on an emergent MRI list. Anything over 250 mls sends you to the ER immediately.
Brady was retaining 85 mls.
So while he didn’t qualify for anything “urgent,” it was considerably more than he should be retaining.
Brady’s blood and X-rays all came back clear, and negative for all the scary stuff. MS and things like that. So that was a relief! Dr. Guselle made a bunch of calls on Brady’s behalf, to his physio, and to her contact at Spinal Pathways. She was able to book an assessment for a CT scan on October 13th. Thats SOON!!! Two weeks from the beginning of Brady actually seeking help. Two weeks is FAST in the world of big scans and specialists, but its SLOW in the world of not being able to stand confidently or empty ones bladder fully. So praaaaaise the Lord for an appointment! At this point, it is mere days away. It will only be for the assessment, not the scan itself, but hopefully the specialists will agree that he needs to be seen asap.
Everyone involved has the same suspicion. Brady very likely has a slipped disc. We believe it has slipped in a more uncommon way. Its been described to us that it usually slips outwards from the back of the spine, but that it seems Brady’s has slipped in towards his body rather. Which isn’t unheard of, but is less common. Since this initial diagnosis has been put forward, Brady’s physio has consulted other professionals, and they’ve made a new plan in how to manage his pain and try to repair his back. There is small progress, meaning Brady has pain-free moments again. But he is on a consistent pain med regimen, taking stomach protectors and relaxers on top of basic pain killers. All is being monitored by our doctor and his physio, who are working closely together for his sake. Brady diligently does his exercises multiple times a day, takes his meds on time, to a point where he wakes up to an alarm in the night to take another relaxer. He works hard to know when to move and when not to. He is not a guy who likes to just sit still. Its been a crazy challenge in every way.
So. We ask for prayer. Its been a crazy year of physical pain for our family, and its currently Brady’s turn. He has been cleared to do some light duty work, and while we both feel somewhat urgent about having income again (Remember income?? We do not…) we also feel pretty urgent about not messing up his body any further than it already is. So, pray for wisdom and guidance. Pray for healing. Pray against back surgery. Pray for miracles. Pray for God’s will, above all else. Pray for Brady!
If you’re from the same area of the world as me, you probably know about the big ole grass fire that started yesterday afternoon. My neighbour texted me shortly after 2pm saying there was a huge fire across the field from our street. She wasn’t kidding.
Cher and I met her in the street to take pictures.
We watched emergency vehicles race to the scene, drive away, drive back, etc. We watched an obscene amount of vehicles rip down the gravel roads to go check out what was happening. Guys. Don’t do that. Not safe. Not helpful to crews trying to get to the scene.
Through the afternoon, the three of us exchanged pictures, articles, videos, and thoughts on the impending fire. It kept growing, and spreading. The smoke had started suuuper dark, but it lightened up as multiple fire crews fought it. Amazing efforts!
Collectively, though, we were all unsettled as dusk approached and the fire was still going. The darkness was going to take all of our information away! It was disconcerting at the very least.
I’ve got to say, though. The darkness did not take all of our information, and if nothing else it made it that much more nerve wracking. Maybe the smoke wasn’t as evident or billowy, but the flames were a lot more visible. 😳
At 8:30pm
We hoped for obvious improvement before bed, but at 10:00pm, it looked much the same :/
I have this funny thing where I have a really hard time falling asleep when the power is out. I want to be awake until its back on. Anyone else? Its just like I need the reassurance that the problem has ended before I totally settle. Thats very much how I felt last night. I wanted the fire to be out before I completely let down for the night. But it simply wasn’t possible, and that is totally fine, because I know its a total first world problem.
I was fortunate to wake up to no fire, no damage, and no problems directly. Meanwhile, other people suffered greatly, and that doesn’t go unnoticed. I hope everyone is safe.
All that said, if kids are coughing today, think smoke before covid, please and thank you.
Today was the first time ever in history that just Waverly and I hung out. Around 9 am Hailey and Solly left for pre-school. It was Hailey’s turn to help out so she stayed until 11ish. That meant that it was ONLY me and Wavy. I was ecstatic.
We played with balloons in the basement. I showed her three music videos: Under the Sea, Everybody Wants to be a Cat, and Beauty and the Beast. She LOVED them. She called everything puppies and pumpkins. Planets are also pumpkins in case you didn’t know.
Waverly helped me put away dishes and then we had a lengthy coffee break with really good conversations about pancakes, boogers, and blankies.
I taught her how to do cheers with our mugs and to say: “clink” or “boop.” She was very interested in the concept and continued to ‘cheers’ me throughout the whole date. It was very cute.
One thing Waverly has started to do is randomly yell “PANCAKES!!!!” It’s very cute. She gets very excited.
After our coffee break she wanted to colour, and we came upon some tattoos, so I decided that it wouldn’t be a successful day unless her mom came home to see her tattooed up.
I swaddled foxy for her and she spent the rest of the time on the rocking chair with her “baby” waiting for mommy to come home. She got a little nervous for the last half hour or so, but she came back to life when Hailey returned. It was a very cute date.
I love being Waverly’s Auntie! She is such a special little girl.
I won’t make you wait. It went great 🙂 Apparently he had a bit of holdback, just like his older sister had. But he jumped during singing and, upon retrieving him afterwards, he was playing with other kids happily. You know that version of catch where they use scoops kind of? Ya, that. He was totally happy! Not eager to leave, but didn’t fuss about it either. He was completely comfortable and content!
On the drive home, I asked him what his favourite parts of school were. Number one with a bullet was his teacher. ❤️ He liked her a lot! He liked his friends. He liked using scissors, lol! He liked crafts. He really wanted to go downstairs and wasn’t allowed, haha, but that was his only complaint 😉
He was back in time for lunch, and Wavy was really happy to have him back 🙂 Normalcy restored, haha!
My heart is relieved. Not because I thought he wouldn’t do well, but because my heart is so much lighter when my children are content and doing well. And this morning, as far as I can know, everyone has been well. Praise the Lord for beautiful, capable kids, and beautiful, capable teachers to pour into them!! I see you, and I appreciate you.
