It’s already feeling more normal to have a little baby in the house again. I haven’t talked about their ages on the blog, but if you’ve followed long enough, its not hard to figure out at least somewhat. We are indeed down a toddler, and we have gained an infant.

I spent a good chunk of today diapering three apparently very well hydrated children, and rocking one particularly tired baby in my cozy (albeit ugly) chair. When a new baby joins, it feels like all bets are off, so the moment that baby is settled in its bed, or somewhere outside of my arms, I eat a meal. It doesn’t even matter what time to day it is. No schedule. No real routine. These first days are just about meeting needs, settling in, and acclimating everyone to the change at hand.

Today, baby napped hard for a good long while, and once that nap was over and baby was retrieved, they instantly fell back to sleep all tucked into me. It was SUCH a good cozy snuggle but finally, something had to give. Kids were home, and I needed to start making supper. I roped Dekker into the living room, and had him snuggle the baby in my chair 💜 It was a beautiful little scene, and the two rocked together while I cooked up the sausage, mixed up some sweet and sour sauce, got rice in the cooker, and broccoli and cauliflower prepped for the oven. *whispers* and then I let it simmer a little without telling Dekker so the snuggle would go a little longer. It was way too nice to break it off too fast!

The evening got a little crazy. The other two – the Spoonful and LD – share a room these days, which is working quite well but both are excited to share, so naturally, sleeps are shorter. Bother were WIPED. And LOUD. Meaning the new babe couldn’t find any peaceful rest. Alas, all three are tucked away now, and everyone can take a deep breath again. Last night was such a good night, I hope tonight can be a repeat! 🤞

I ache for the Morsel. It doesn’t wear off. I don’t think it will. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have space to love more children. So, friends, as of yesterday afternoon, our numbers are back up to ten 🙌

Our tenth family member…

Our eighth child…

Our third baby.

Three diaper sizes.

Three different milks.

Three different sizes of clothing.

Three different demeanours.

I love the stage of finding our feet with a new one. Figuring out their details. And just soaking in as many cuddles as possible to make the transition into our home easier.

Wish us luck for night number two ✌️ Last night was quite typical for a young baby, but the evening has been pretty sleep-heavy, so hopefully the night still stands a chance!

Cute internet-friendly nickname still pending…

Cher here. If gas is not funny to you, you may want to skip this one. Farts make an appearance in this story that’s about to unfold.

I got up from the couch where Hailey and I were discussing foster care. There were a series of events unfolding. Our discussion was mostly serious but very factual, but work needed to begin. I walked over to the front closet where I keep my work shoes. Still in discussion, I walk over to the kitchen table and pull out a chair to sit on to put my shoes on.

The second my butt hit the seat I heard this sound. It was like the flooring had cracked or maybe I broke the chair. I looked at Hailey. She looked at me. I was confused. I started to get up from the chair to inspect the damage when she starts laughing. “DID YOU FART? WAS THAT YOU?” I asked. She grinned ear to ear. “Yes…” she replied. 

She had waited until the EXACT moment I sat down to release that slappin shocker. As Brady said “the ultimate whoopie cushion!”

Lunch time came around and Hailey and I settled in to watch our show and eat sushi bowls. The show we have slowly been watching is one we have seen before about 5 or 6 years ago. There are many things I do not remember, but Hailey has a very good memory. Every episode she seems to remember something that I absolutely can not recall. 

I ended up calling her an elephant because of their amazing memories, as to which she replied “Elephants and goldfish can still be friends” I looked at her about to say “ya” when I realized she was calling ME a goldfish because of my memory. “HEY!” I said to her. She smirked and said “Awe you figured it out good job!”

And that’s why I am blogging for Hailey today. She is no longer. 

I kid. 

Anyways, that’s some of the things I deal with in the workplace. HR please call me. 

Sister Act, anyone?

“Work and pray, work and pray, that’s all they DO!”

Anyway, that felt like the theme today! We ALL went to church today, which was really nice after my inability to attend for the last while. It was so nice to be back 💜 Not only did Brady and I get to sit side by side through church (thanks to one of our kids being in nursery this week) but it was also incredibly meaningful how many people came and touched base about the Morsel leaving. People were SO kind and compassionate, which was incredibly heartwarming to me. Thank you, all, for caring about how we’re doing and for keeping us in your prayers.

After church, my mom came over and we had a lunch of junior bacon cheeseburgers from Wendys, because man those things are yummy. The kids have even gotten over their distain for veggies in burgers, so no one is picking stuff out. Its just GOOD.

Aaaaand then we got into a job. Lol! Poor mom. This last year, I have really let baby clothes accumulate, and its come to a point where there are baby clothes positively evvvverywhere, yet none of the babies have anything that fits in their dresser. So today, we sorted clothes, folded clothes, tubbed clothes, and washed clothes. I think we have it under control now but man 😅 What a gigantic job!

After that was done, we sat, lol! Because it was time for rest. Until it was time to get supper going. My mom brought spaghetti sauce that she had made from scratch, which was SO delicious! So many good things today 💜

The highlight, however, was Laela and Wavy coloring in their eyebrows 😂

Wavy’s were “Wicked” eyebrows…

And Laela actually had eyebrows for the first time, lol! She is NOT a fan.

It was completely hysterical, and I hope they don’t wash off and they’re stuck with them for school 🤣 #meanmom

It was a nice day. A FULL day, but a good one 💜 I’m so grateful for all we got done. A baby leaving always feels like a good time for a reset, even when it hurts.

Ok. Time for snacks and some Netflix before bed. We’re watching through season one of the Recruit again because we forget what happens and we should know before we watch the second season. Anyone else disappointed that the male lead isn’t played by Joe Keery? No? Just me?? Alright.

Brady and I made a secret plan a while ago when we learned that the Morsel had an exit plan. So now that the exit has been made, and everyones hearts are appropriately worn out, we took a day to rest our brains. We SAT. ALL day. We ate yummy easy food out of disposable dishes. I did a puzzle. And we watched American Ninja Warrior.

We are not a tv family. Our kids aren’t tv kids, much to their chagrin. But today, we watched through as much Ninja as we could. It was really fun 💜 I kind of love that show, especially for kids, because a) its always moving and fun to watch, b) it displays amazing sportsmanship, and c) while sometimes it feels corny, everyone has some good inspiring, motivating story. So we did that. We rested our bodies and our brains. We just recouped, and it was nice.

Of course as soon as we needed everyone to get up and get ready for bed, carry things upstairs, etc., they all started griping, which makes total and complete sense, and was pretty much the sole reason we stopped watching tv in the first place, lol! The aftershock zombie effect is something I REALLY struggle to be ok with. So. We don’t.

Today was worth it, though. I don’t regret my choice. It was a really nice day. The kids really got into ninja…

And I finished my puzzle!!

Tomorrow will not be an all day tv marathon at all, but it was a great one time party, and a nice rest.

I’ll be an adult again tomorrow.

Brady and I got married sixteen years ago 💜 I liked us then, but I like us better now.

Mouthpush. Lol!

Even these last few years being incredibly challenging, I would not change a thing. And I believe with confidence that Brady would say the exact same thing.

Yesterday was a total gut punch, and it overshadows most other things, but we both have the ability to rest in each others arms, as well as Gods. So. We rest.

Brady, we’ve been together for half of our lives, and I am SO grateful. I never knew marriage could feel so loving and warm. It is incredibly easy to love you 💜

None of us were ready, but the day came, and the Morsel has left our home to rejoin their family, who has been eagerly awaiting the arrival 💜 This reality contains both victory and tragedy. They are hard emotions to navigate simultaneously, but our family can agree 110% that we have no regrets with our choice to invest time and love and care into each and every child.

We LOVE every child who comes through, but some just hit different. The Morsel was our family mascot, and now, we are without that face.

The kids stayed home from school. Brady stayed home from work. We had waffles and fruit. Gave some early birthday presents. And then drove into the city to bring the baby to the parents.

The send-off was more peaceful and soft than I expected. Baby was content and settled in my arms, and then in their mothers arms. I shared a hug with the two of them. There were tears. And then everyone parted ways and it was over.

Everyone cried on the way home. Our hearts are completely exhausted, and likely will continue to be.

The face continued to malfunction, but face fluids continue to be absorbed around every corner. God dries every tear 💜 I don’t know how we’d survive without faith.

Today, Brady and I had our yearly eye appointments, and we brought the babies along. One had an appointment as well, and the others were just there as eye candy. It was a really special appointment in lots of ways. We hadn’t seen our eye doctor in a while, as she had been on maternity leave. I had run into her completely spontaneously very freshly after delivery, and it was a pretty sweet moment for us. She mentioned it to me and was very soft as she reminisced. It just felt like a soft appointment.

Then, after, as I chose my frames, and we selected glasses for our newly bespectacled baby, there were more soft conversations surrounding fostering and illness. Tears were shed and they were not all mine. It was special.

Now, as the day finally winds down, I am beyond exhausted. But. The day was productive and carried with it much kindness. Thank you, Lord.

Really, I have no excuse to be “unexpectedly busy.” I should really have learned to expect it by now, hey? I chose my life and I truly do love it! And with it comes a pretty messy schedule sometimes!

Today, Cher came to clean at our place, and first thing in the morning, I got a text from a social worker than LD was very much wanted in the city in the next two hours or so. I hemmed and hawed but not for long, because that is what I signed up for 💜 No regrets. Cher stayed and babysat the others so I could run LD in without having to accommodate the others. Thank you, Cher! 💜 That made all the difference!!

I came home, ate lunch, and finished up a project I had going. Kids came home. Green bag homework was done. Piano was practiced. And before long, I was hauling the whole gang out the door to head to a visit for another one of the babies.

In the city, we dropped babe off and then drove to Value Village. I actually went into it with a list of some actual needs, and sadly, it was something of a bust. Merp. Not completely, but mostly. Brady took the kids out for supper and then home. I finished up my shop and headed to pick baby up again.

We drove home and I sang along with Wicked and cried some tears, as I do when I drive these days. Got home and dropped baby in the garage with Laela and Dekker. I sniped the laptop and headed out to a meeting regarding the spring musical.

And now I’m home, and I am so unbelievably ready for bed, its not even funny 😅

First snack time. Then sleeping.

I know I’ve been cryptic for a while. It won’t last much longer. You’ll all be vastly more in the know soon enough about why I’m so all over the place. Sorry :/ I don’t take any pleasure in the “clickbait” aspect of things. I only wish I could share more. But. Here we are.

So as we prepare for change, I spent today preparing for other things as well. Beyond ducking out into the bitter cold for an important doctors appointment, I spent the day in the kitchen, prepping things for lunches. My kids don’t all have rocking appetites, some because of medications and some because they’re mine, and I don’t have much of an appetite myself. So I work pretty intentionally to make eating lunch easy and something they don’t dread. Today, I bagged up many boxes of crackers and bags of pretzels into little serving sized bags for lunches. I did the same with some fruits and veggies as well. Yesterday I re-ordered some cheeses and mandarin oranges. We still have a healthy amount of fig bars and fruit to gos floating around. Plus all the fruit cups, apple sauces, and whatever other grab and go things I can’t think of off the top of my head. But, there are lots of options, complete with some new ones as well. Hopefully that keeps the kids eating well for another stretch of lunches.

I shed a weird amount of tears today. In the kitchen. In my vehicle. Really, at the drop of a hat, lol! But that is just the times over here, I suppose.

Survival. We’re in it. Praise the Lord.