In a handful of settings, we’re “that family.” I don’t flatter myself into thinking we’re in some type of spotlight, but I do know that, even when we try to stay under the radar, we do stand out just because there are lots of us. And thats ok. We keep a pretty low profile. I like our life.

Buying this new van, though, has added us to the “that family” category once again. We are that family with the bus. Hahaha! Oy. The bus.

I took Dekker to school in our bus this morning. Our minivan is still plated and insured (anyone wanna buuuuuy it??) but while I’m intimidated by the bus, I actually really like it and have enjoyed the small amount of driving I’ve done in it. I did giggle a little bit about taking one kid to school in a twelve passenger vehicle, but thats just our car now! As I was saying, I took him to school in our bus, got him dropped off, and visited with Kim outside our vehicles for a couple of minutes. I noticed a lot of stares as people drove by. It was funny to watch the reactions, but they didn’t make me feel as awkward as I thought they would. So I’m that mom! And I’m ok with that! Our bus will probably seem like a novelty for a while and then it’ll just be old hat.

I did want to say a big thank you to everyone who liked and commented on yesterdays post. These kinds of purchases open up the door to talk about our family and how we’d like it to grow, and while that can be such a taboo subject, I didn’t feel a lick of judgement yesterday! Not one! Thank you, everyone, for being so supportive in our dreams to build a big family and be “that family,” whatever that might mean to anyone at any given time. I feel the love and support you’re all sending our way, and I really really appreciate it. Please continue the good feelings, and forgive us for the inevitable hole in the ozone forming above our house, thanks to our bus. #judgementfreezone More like #judgementfreeozone ???

I posted a picture on Facebook today with the caption “Off to do something unconventional.” I thought about it later on, and wondered if I had the definition right. Its definitely not unheard of for me to misuse words, so I looked it up, and sure enough, “unconventional” is defined as “not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed.” Honestly, the definition was even better than I had hoped.

So, this unconventional thing that we did…

We bought ourselves a new van. A twelve passenger van.

“Why the huge van, Hailey? Are you guys pregnant??”

No, we are not pregnant, but in planning for our family, we would sure like to be pregnant down the road, and have more kids in the future. We have been toying with the idea recently, as our minivan is pretty loaded down with the six of us, Just think about our road trips to Winnipeg. We can make it work, but it is FULL, and needs to be packed incredibly meticulously. It CAN be done, but we know a bigger vehicle would be SO much nicer. We were in absolutely no rush, and just keeping our eyes open. And then out of nowhere, here it was. Well, not out of nowhere. Out of Driving Force…

And now its HERE! Does anyone else think its hilarious how much space it takes up in our garage? Honestly, I’m SO happy it fits at all! But seriously, look how tall it is in comparison to the garage door! We definitely couldn’t cut it any closer! Goodbye, underground parking, certain hotel parking, drive-thrus, etc. We sacrifice you for the comfort of a more spacious vehicle. And we are THRILLED with the outcome!

Dekker commented earlier this evening, “There are so many seats! Thats good for more people. Babies, and then bigger kids, after they’re babies. I think…seven kids.”

Lol! Noted. Thanks for the input.

It was an unexpectedly fun day!

We actually found our way to church this morning! I can’t remember the last time we went, honestly, which is sad. It was really really good to get back, honestly. I wasn’t sure how the kids would do after being gone for so very long, and it was actually a really big crowd, but they did great!! We managed to get Dekker down to childrens church, which used to be a HUGE source of anxiety for him. School has helped so much with his social skills, so even though he wasn’t fond of the idea, it didn’t take too terribly much coaxing for him to stay. Upstairs, in the service, Solly was really quiet and chill. He even drank a bit, which was a life saver when he started to get the teeniest bit chatty. Rowan and Laela did really well too, drawing and “reading” the hymnals, with only one noisy outburst from Rowan that was diffused quickly.

With the morning being full of church, however, the kids were in rough shape through lunch at my parents place, and into the afternoon. We put Solly down pretty much right when we got to my parents place, and Ro went down right after lunch. Dekker and Laela decided they needed to fight enough for all four of them, which got old really really quickly. Brady threw on a show for them, to give their brains a break, and my mom and I headed into the city to get her an upgraded phone, since she was due for one and there was a really good promotion on only today and tomorrow.

Getting her phone took much longer than we anticipated, but it was still nice to be out of the house for a little while. We had a nice chat while everything went down and got organized, and the drive to and from was really nice and relaxed as well. We had a light supper when we got back, and fairly soon after that, we headed home.

Now, the super overtired kids are in bed, save for Solly who is having some milk and will be in bed in the next few minutes or so. And then a soak for this old lady!!

Here’s hoping for a smoother week than last week, and the week before that! Oy!

(PS: Thanks to those of you who messaged me that you had off-weeks as well. Made me feel good to know it wasn’t just me, and now you all know that it wasn’t just you)

I’ve been feeling kind of off this week. I can’t pinpoint exactly why, but its been a weird week. I’ve felt at odds with Brady. I’ve felt like the kids are struggling harder than usual. I’ve felt like there’s lots to do but not much I can do. I’ve felt too busy even though I wasn’t. Brady is really good at giving me a break when I need one, which usually involves me going up to our room, closing myself off from everyone, and laying in bed watching YouTube. However, on the evenings where I was at my wits end, the power was out, and I couldn’t do those things. So I’ve been in high stress mode for a while now.

This morning, we were making a plan for the day and I decided to call my hair stylist and see if she had an opening for me to get my buzzed side redone, and she did! So the kids ate breakfast and I went upstairs to do my makeup. Once I looked put together enough for my liking, I headed into the city. I made it to the mall, but only with a few minutes to spare, so I headed straight there, and got in right away.

I’m really really happy with how it turned out! Its so fun to go and just see what she comes up with! She did say I could bring in ideas and she could work with them, but I kind of love winging it too. I have never left an appointment with her unsatisfied. Not once. So I’ve enjoyed going in blind.

I walked back through the mall to head back to my van, and passed a HICKORY FARMS KIOSK!!! They’re out, people! Woot! As I walked, I ran into a friend who I knew years ago, and haven’t seen in a solid ten years, I’m thinking. Maybe more. It was nice to have a little visit for the first time in a long time. When we parted ways, I found a text from Kim that she was in the mall, so we had a quick chat as well while her kids played in the little play area. I headed out pretty quickly after that, but not before testing out the new spiced sweet cream cold brew at Starbucks. Apparently only members can taste it until November 9th. I have to be honest, though. I prefer the original sweet cream cold brew better. The “spice” wasn’t what I thought it would be, and weirdly, it kept making me think that maybe the cream was spoiled. It wasn’t, but it added a sharp flavor that I didn’t care for. I’ll stick to the old cold brew.

Now, I’m home, and Brady is detailing the van. Its SO dirty, but just surface dirty. It’ll clean up nicely. So if anyone is looking to purchase a family van, feel free to get in touch! I’ll attach an ad once we have pictures on it.

I will spend the rest of the day hanging with the kids in the living room, folding laundry, and braiding the manes of many little ponies. Dang pony hair.

I think I’m feeling more normal again. Not that that’s saying much. I’m not the most normal person… But I’m back to my normal abnormal, I guess. Woot!

While eating breakfast this morning, I noticed just how gross our floor was. I’l the first to admit that I really don’t like doing floors. Do I do them anyway? Yes, but not as often as I should. But thats ok. The biggest mess on the floor is usually Cheerios under the dining room table. Today, as I watched all three kids eating their cereal, dropping Cheerios here and there, I decided it was a good day to clean them up.

“Ok guys, once you’re all done breakfast, I’m going to ask you to go around and pick up the Cheerios from under the table.” Yes, I asked them to do it by hand. Not as any weird punishment, but I knew it would go nice and quick, and frankly, if they could coordinate sweeping, I’d have offered that first.

Both Dekker and Laela said “ok” without missing a beat, so no love was lost, and breakfast continued. I washed bottles.

Dekker finished his breakfast first, said his thank yous and took his dishes to the sink. I continued washing bottles, and for a few minutes, all was quiet. Then Dekker piped up.

Dekker: How does that look, mommy?
Me: How does what look?
The floor. Does it look really clean?
*peeks* Yes! It really does! I didn’t know you were picking up Cheerios!
Ya, I thought it would be nice.
It really was!
Now Laela and Rowan don’t have to do a job!
That was really, really nice of you!
Ya… Wanna see what I’m gonna build?

And it was over, just like that. I am so very smitten with my thoughtful little boy.

Great job, Dekker Thomas! Thanks for loving your family so well!

Nah, I’m just kidding. Not Egypt. We just went to the chiropractor. But its been a long time!

Brady hadn’t been in a month, Solly not in two months, and I hadn’t been for two and a half months! It was definitely time!

Dr. Mike was in a really fun mood. Like more than usual. He’s a super upbeat guy, but today he seemed even happier. He treated Brady while trying to engage Laela in conversation. She had informed me in the van that she was too shy to talk to Dr. Mike, and that was true, until he asked what she dressed up as for Halloween.

“Purple,” she replied, without missing a beat. He seemed to get quite a kick out of that, and Laela gave in and answered a few questions. It was cute.

While he did my adjustment, he asked about some of my latest endeavours and showed very real interest in some things that I find really exciting, but didn’t expect him to really care about. Then we talked a bit more about the house and how much we love it.

Solly’s treatment was my favorite, though. If you haven’t met Solly, you should know, he is SO fun and interactive and content and he LOVES to laugh. When Dr. Mike checks Solly’s spine, it tickles, and it is SO fun to watch. Solly lays on his back, facing up, and Dr. Mike touches foreheads with him and teases him, while gently touching along his spine, and Solly just laughs and laughs, totally uninhibited. Then he gets treated a little bit, then back on his back for giggling and checking. Everything is very slow and gentle and Solly loves it! At the end, when Dr. Mike passed him back to me, he sat considerable straighter in my arms. Its amazing how it works so well! I’m so grateful for our chiropractor. We sure seem to have the cream of the crop in every facet of health care!

Now that we’re all well adjust human beings (welllll…..) we’re home. Besides Dekker, I suppose. He’s at school. Brady is on the roof, working on Christmas lights, I’m inside, hanging out with Laela, and Rowan and Solly are sleeping. Its nice and quiet, minus the clomping on the roof, I suppose. But thats going to bring some beauty, thats for sure!

Yes, yes, I know, Christmas lights before Remembrance Day. Its warm out. Now is the time. I can still remember with Christmas lights up. No judging.

Now for some online Christmas shopping. Or just online shopping shopping…..

Like I mentioned, Brady is home today and tomorrow, which is awesome. We have a big long list of things to do over these two days, but we decided to be adults and choose our priorities. Today, our main priority was test driving a vehicle we have our eyes on.

We dropped Dekker and Laela off at my moms after breakfast, and headed into the city with Rowan and Solly. We drove through the dealership parking lot, found the vehicle, and then went to park. We brought the boys along, and were directed to the right office. After a short visit and a photocopy of both of our licenses, Brady and I, Rowan and Solly, and Mike all loaded up and took off!

We got out on the highway, and drove home, where Brady and I switched spots, and I drove back to the dealership. Our salesman kept chatting with Rowan, who chatted back. It was cute. When Brady and Mike ducked out to go look in the hood, Rowan and I took selfies.

We’re grownups.

After a few minutes, Mike left and said we could take all the time we need, so we all climbed back in and visited for a while. When we knew we were on the same page, we picked up the boys and headed in to talk numbers.

And it was such an interesting meeting!! We sat across from our salesman and waited for him to start his sales pitch. We waited for some pressure. We waited, and waited. And he looked back at us, very comfortably, and broke out the very basic numbers that we already knew, giving us a price that was far better than we expected, all things included.

“Thats it!” he said. “I’ll speak to my manager and see what the rest looks like.” And that was IT! No pushing us to buy anything extra, nothing deceptive or evasive. Nothing. We told him that we had a pretty crappy time of it with our last vehicle purchase and he was very reassuring in saying that he would not pull the wool over our eyes. “No smoke or mirrors here,” he kept saying. And we believe him.

We walked out happy, and drove home in our old van, with lots to think about. It was SO interesting not having a ticking clock put on our hypothetical deal. Whether we end up going back and making an exciting purchase in the next little while, or we don’t, or we go somewhere else for something else, this was SUCH a positive experience, and I want to keep it on record. Not all salespeople are deceitful. Some are really down to earth.

We had a lot of fun trick or treating around town yesterday! The weather was incredibly agreeable, the sugar was flowing, and best of all, the kids were on point!!! Dekker is SO much more confident this year, which made for less tears and more anticipation. Rowan was the tough one, as he was pretty unsteady and wildly unaware of what was going on, but he was still terribly cute. We went to pretty much every house together, since Rowan needed backup, and Solly was eye candy that couldn’t be missed, but at one point, Brady and I loaded the little boys into the van and I offered to Dekker and Laela to go to the house that was right next to us. And they did, without hesitation. I watched, of course, and overheard Dekker knock on the door and mutter “uuuhhh…trick or treating…” It was pretty much hysterical! They really all did great.

Roll call!

Dekker was the least interested in Halloween than any other kid his age that I’ve met. He requested that I choose for him. So I borrowed a costume for his school dress up day, but for Halloween evening, we decided to just cover him in glow sticks. And he LOVED it. Pretty sure he’ll want to “be” this again next year!

Laela rocked a concept costume as well. She asked to be purple this year. And purple she is!!! This isn’t the clearest picture, but she has purple lips, eyeshadow, and blush on too. And purple glow sticks, of course.

Rowan was our football player. I think his costume looked the most legit, personally. His football pants were teeny tiny girls fleece pants, hahaha! Didn’t matter, he was warm!

Solly was a lion, and a FUN one! While some parents actually plan ahead and have face paints, I created his look with a couple of shades of liquid lipstick, and he rocked it.

We went out and hit up a good handful of houses, but it didn’t take long for at least one of the group to bow out.

We didn’t stay out too long, since the kids don’t need THAT much candy, haha! But we had a really really nice time. Everyone went to bed happy.

Even Brady and I. Its possible we played with the glow sticks for juuust a little while before bed.

No. We’re not weirdos at all. Ok, its possible that we are actually really really strange, but at least we haven’t lost or sense of fun!

I am SO excited for this week! Brady has a couple of days off for the first time in what feels like FOREVER!!! For a long while, we ran this lovely life of him working four-ish days a week, and it was so nice to count on having him around more than just evenings. We were very spoiled. Now, we’ve been spoiled in a different way, with Brady having TONS of work over the last few months. Its fallen at the best and worst time possible, since he’s basically been running like a chicken with its head cut off since a month before Solly was born. Six SOLID months of work that have kept us comfortable through our big move, higher bills, and having a fourth baby. But its also been so incredibly busy, trying to settle into life here, without him around like he used to be. Really, I can’t complain about either angle. We are so happy about how the last few months have gone. We just miss each other. Longer days and longer weeks make for an exhausted Hailey and Brady.

But this week, he has two days off, smack dab in the middle!!! We are both so excited for some days together to get a few things done. But as we think about all of the things that we should get done in those days, I’m getting discouraged. There are SO MANY THINGS! We could likely fit it all in, but there will be no rest, and very little togetherness. I don’t want Bradys much-anticipated days off to be scheduled out down to the half hour like his work days are :/

Thankfully, he has a shorter work day today! So before everyone gets all ready to go out tonight, we’ll hopefully sit down and make a bit of plan. We’ll pick and choose what needs to be done, and what can wait. I think I need to add “rest” to the physical list, so we don’t forget to include some downtime.

Tomorrow will come, and we’ll get our ducks in a line, but tonight, we trick or treat!! Who wants to see these adorable little ones?!?! They’ll be quite a weird, mismatched group, but now that Dekker isn’t so afraid of people anymore (thank you, kindergarten!) I think it should be even more fun than usual! Plus, we have Solly this year, so we’re up to four cuties!

PS Don’t be alarmed if at least two of the costumes don’t make sense. They don’t make sense to us either. Just go with it!

It was a good day today 🙂 My stress level was nice and low, and I slept amazingly well! I felt really good in the morning, and ready to take on the day!

Unfortunately the kids didn’t feel the same way. Dekker and Laela both seemed to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed, and were extra grumpy right from the get go. We were able to curb the grouchies with the promise of lunch at grandma and grandpas house, and they were very happy to head on over there.

Bad attitudes managed to make their way into lunch, and we did our best to combat them. Thankfully, our parents are gracious people, and understand that we all have crappy days, so we limped our way through the afternoon.

Once Rowan woke up from his nap, and Solly was needing another, we decided to head over to our house for the rest of the day, all together 🙂 Brady and I took the kids a few minutes ahead, and put Solly down for a nap. Then, we put all three grumpy kids into their beds for a 5-10 minute rest, just to regroup and be still for a few minutes. I’m always so pleased at how that turns out. Just a few quiet minutes to breath seemed to help the kids get it together.

For at least a few minutes. We carved a pumpkin and listened to music and all hung out in the kitchen for maybe a half hour. (I kept the seeds that are currently drying in a pan overnight. Any tips on how/what to do with them would be greatly appreciated!)

Once pumpkin time was over, we made a very fancy dinner of macaroni, fish, and corn. Classy, right? Doesn’t EVERYONE want to come eat at our house now?

The kids played a bit more but it got pretty grouchy, like more than a usual evening, so we called it quits a bit early, and the kids tidied up really well and went to bed. My parents hung around for another hour or so, and we had coffee and treats. You know all of those delicious bagged treats at Costco? We have four of five bags of different but decadent treats, and we all indulged and enjoyed some good chocolate together.

Now, they’ve gone home, and I’m heading for a soak! Sleep deep, all!