We have a great system for lake living this summer. Brady works Tuesday through Thursday, so we drive to the lake after work, stay the long weekend, and come home on Monday. So while we are loving the setup, we are running from one to the next pretty exclusively! Hahaha! ZERO complaints! But these three days in between lake weekends are busy.

Yet. We have a bit of a groove going, and its working.

I won’t get into every detail of our groove by any means, but I will show you what everyone is up to this very moment.

The house is not all put together, but honestly, it is somewhat! Dishes are done. Laundry is caught up, though clearly not put away. The kids have done their jobs. And now, we have music pumping, and all the kids are happily occupied while I work on my jobs!

In this case, Rowan and Solly both opted to play Lego. Wavy is cracking out her brand new first set of lego from her birthday, and Laela is helping her assemble it. Dekker was gifted some carving tools just today, so he was playing with some wood scraps from the garage, learning how to use his set.

Absolutely everyone is settled and content.

So I have been able to run around, collecting clothes for the upcoming weekend, packing my own bag, and making some notes here and there. I’m as organized as I think I can be! This afternoon will hold more organization and listing, and tomorrow is the final pack and prep of meals.

These three days are packed, but worth it! Whatever gets us to the lake! 💜

As most of you know, last summer was Bradys FIRST summer as a paralyzed man. Quick recap! Paralysis doesn’t mean he cannot use his legs 🙂 It means there is a change in mobility from his waist down. Just figured I’d throw that in there, because he definitely gets questions when he walks.

Last summer, one time, Brady walked out on the dock. It was pretty nerve wracking, I’m not going to lie. I held onto him for dear life, and he stared at the ground the entire time. We didn’t talk, and we didn’t stay long. But he made it!

(Don’t ask who that kid is. I have no idea.)

This weekend, Brady decided to brave the docks again. I’ve been creeping at coveting observing the boats, and there is one I wanted to show Cher closer up. And Brady decided he was up for the challenge!! So once again, we hit the dock.

I am completely thrilled to report that, while it still wasn’t easy or comfortable for Brady, it was way smoother this year. I will admit that I really wished Brady had a transfer belt on that I could’ve held, but I kept his belt loop in my grips in case he faltered at all, I could at least direct where he’d land.

But I never needed to. He easily made it to the boat, and then just held onto a dock post for a minute to regain his bearings before we headed back. He said he had to concentrate really specifically on the dock, and that the moving water on both sides of it made it really tricky to keep his balance. But he did it! And it was worth it!!

Would’ve been more worth it if that giant glorious pontoon boat was ours 😆 But hey, maybe someday!

Let’s be honest here. We all have some folds. Some that we are cool with and some we are less cool with. Last summer, I had lost a lot of weight and my belly was more deflated than ever. I didn’t feel cute and tiny. I felt saggy and gross. The point of this goes to the day I opted to wear a bikini top at the beach, and burned that saggy belly good and proper. Guys, I STILL have the remnants of the white stripes caused by those folds not getting adequate sun that day. Quite the thing. 

I know. I’m really selling it here. 

Well, this weekend, Brady found himself in a similar situation. 

Now that Brady is paralyzed, his lower ab muscles don’t work anyway. This isn’t uncommon, but it’s provided him with a couple of folds he didn’t previously have. No one is too upset about it, don’t worry. It’s pretty small potatoes. Just a couple belly folds. 

Brady was sitting in a lawn chair for a good handful of hours this weekend, toasting that tummy good and proper. But not as much the skin inside the folds. 

😂🤣 

The pose is really what makes the story. He is such a dork. But a very happy, grateful, easy going dork 💜 I am incredibly thankful for a husband who agrees to me posting stuff like this on the internet. Even if he is a flasher.

I want to tell you all about Wavys birthday and how it went, but I like to spend a bit more time on those posts than I’m willing to put in here. I want to look at the pictures really well and that is just much easier at home, on the laptop, with a little less going on around me. So I’ll show you more later.  But you can believe it was an absolutely beautiful day and that the birthday girl felt totally loved and celebrated. 

Today began with a fire, muffins, coffee, forts, music, and rest. The kids were with us for the breakfast part, but soon they booted off to find their friends, leaving Brady, Cher, and I to the coffee and guitar part. It was peaceful and lovely. 

It wasn’t long before the sun came out and we decided to make our way down to the lake! It was a BEAUTIFUL day to be at the beach! 😎☀️ 

Wavy spent a lot of the day on a paddle board with one of our sweet friends. She also built sandcastles with Solly. 

Solly did some digging and also some drumming 😆 sorry to everyone else on the beach!

Laela lurked on the dock and sprayed innocent unsuspecting people with water guns. 

Rowan was out on the water for hours so I rarely saw him, but he’d come for a snuggle here and there. 

Dekker didn’t want to be photographed, as you can see, so I sat on him to cheer him up. 

I will admit, though, the gang is fading. 

We’re gearing up to make big crunchy salads with chicken nuggets in them for supper. And the promise of snow cones with their friends doesn’t hurt a bit! It’s been a beautiful day 💜 

Thank you Lord for this spot at the lake.  

Waverly Violet is officially FOUR years old 💜

 She lived her third year of life with SO much love and energy, brightening up every single day for just about everyone she encountered. 

Wavy is a ray of sunshine, undeniably. To know her is to love her. And she is loved by many! There is no lack in that department. Her closest people include her parents and siblings, her grandma Jeanne, her auntie Cher, her honorary grandparents Tom and Rae, and our lake friends, the Dahlsjo’s, who dote on her, left right and centre. 

Wavy loves puzzles. Hamilton. Running. Singing. Her white hat. George Ezra’s song “Shotgun.” Oranges. Being the centre of attention. 

Wavy doesn’t dislike too much. Hot food. Sometimes she gets nervous around new adults. She is deeply reactive to bug bites so I’m pretty sure she dislikes those. She doesn’t like being told what to do, but who does? Really, she is terribly easy going and doesn’t fight about much. 

I don’t usually struggle with my kids aging, to be honest. I know I’m supposed to, but I LOVE watching them grow and develop, and I just LOVE getting to know them better! I am, however, struggling with my youngest growing up so much faster than I expected. 

At age four, she will be entering preschool next year. She is potty trained. She can zip her own zippers and open her own granola bar. She speaks clearly and understands seemingly everything. She does dishes and takes responsibility for her things. Which is amazing. But wasn’t she just a baby?? 

My heart was not ready to be done with babies. Not even close. But goodness. I could not have asked for a better setup with Wavy being our youngest one during these last few years. She brings such a light to our life. 

You are dearly loved by many, sweet Wavy Vi. I cannot believe how grown up you are already, but I am LOVING every minute I spent with you! You are truly a delight to be around, and everyone who has the pleasure of knowing you would agree. What a gift you are 💜 Consider me your head cheerleader, eagerly anticipating what you’ll end up doing with your life, where you’ll go and with whom. I hope I’m invited 💜 I LOVE having you in my life. Your family is so fortunate to have you, dear girl!

Thank you, Lord, for Waverly. 

I didn’t sleep much last night. Hardly at all, in fact. I got maybe about 2.5 hours. It was rough. Brady got the kids up and outside for breakfast so I could doze a little bit more, which was very loving 💜 After about a half hour, however, I could hear the rain starting. And if you haven’t heard, I’m a sucker for rain. So I dragged myself out of bed and made my way outside. 

I was outside for moments before Dekker showed up and asked if he could walk down to the water. When I confirmed his request in the midst of my foggy head, he corrected me and said he was asking if I wanted to walk down to the water with him. 

Now. Dekker doesn’t like rain very much at all. In fact he is somewhat opposed to rain. But he knows I love it. So I got up from my chair just as fast as I had sat down in it, and we walked. 

It was a REALLY nice walk. It began as just a walk to the water. We examined the dock, and the boat lift that had broken. We speculated what kind of boat our family would ideally get, and what kind of boat Dekker would choose for himself. We saw a loon very close up. It was just an all around nice time together. 

Dekker didn’t want to go right back to our site. He wanted to keep walking despite the rain picking up. I was so game. We walked the loops up the hill, picking up some cans, chatting about the flowers, campers, and our friends who were and weren’t here yet. 

We were out for a good while, and I can safely say we both really enjoyed ourselves.

I hope he asks me again 💜

We’re going to do this weekend a little differently, because we CAN! I imagine we’ll know pretty quickly if its a easy enough setup or if its extra overwhelming without Brady home. So far so good! Most of the work is done already, so once food is organized and the van is packed, we’re ready! Of course we have to wait for Brady to actually finish work, lol! The nerve of that guy to have a job 😏 I tease, of course. But I miss him being home.

As we come into July, there is a lot to do and a lot to look forward to. Long weekends at the lake. Visits from family and friends. Birthdays. Dekker’s week at camp. So far, there are four appointments on the calendar for July, and there is still supposed to be an MRI in there.

So. July is filling. But I’m not mad about it 💜 Its going to be a beautiful summer.

I’m really excited to get to the lake a day earlier and to stay a day longer!

I’m feeling a little shaky today, to be honest. Which really makes no sense. Our morning has been slow paced. I didn’t have to rush anyone to do anything. Everyone ate breakfast. Rowan did dishes. Dekker took our the recycling. Laundry is humming, and I have one of the big dreaded loads of linens folded, with another one in the dryer, and another in the washer. I’ve already packed my bag for the coming lake trip. I’ve made a list of food we need to bring, and another list of things I still have to sort out. Kids laundry is caught up, and there is a plan in place for loading up tomorrow. Lists are listed. We have music going. Upstairs kids are playing lego. Downstairs kids are planing dress-up. Its been productive and fun and free of much struggle 🙂

But yikes. I feel on the verge of tears, haha! I know I’m just letting down from the rush of school and the schedule and the routine. I’m truly happy to be free of it for at least a little while. But my body and brain disagree today, and want me to pout and not accomplish my goals. Don’t worry. I’ll win. My strength is bigger than my body.

Ok. Blogging has been a nice break 🙂 And also something I can cross off my list of things to do now! Onto the next! 😅

That’s a wrap, folks!! The 2021/2022 school year has gone, and summer has come! The kids are visibly relieved, except for Laela, who can never get enough school! Even she is looking forward to some downtime, though 💜 It was a really nice pickup!

We missed Brady, but this worked 💜

For a quick rundown of ages…

Dekker will be entering grade six this coming year. His last year of elementary.
Laela is moving to grade four.
Rowan to grade two.
Solly to grade one.
And Wavy to preschool.

Almost everyone got the teacher they were hoping for, too! If your kids are my kids’ age, let me know which classes they’re in!!

After a very warm pickup of the kids, with lots of hugs and some laughs with some teachers, and lots of sweat and only a few tears, we are HOME! Now begins the chaos of backpacks and school supplies and aaaaall of that cleanup! So if you come into my house and my island is stacked to the ceiling with paper and markers, look away. Don’t pretend yours isn’t just as full 😘

Happy summer, friends!! ☀️ Sleep in where you can.

I would NEVER have thought I’d reach this milestone. When I began blogging, NEVER would I have said I’d still be blogging ten years later. I remember celebrating when I reached ten days!! That felt big! Somehow, today feels like slightly more of an accomplishment. Well, actually, maybe not more, I suppose, but definitely different.

I started the blog when Dekker was a baby. I enjoyed writing, and with a new baby, I had stopped journalling as often. I was also learning that I was not good at maintaining a baby book for him, but I still wanted record of our life, and all the cute little things. So the blog began as an outlet for me, where I could record things, keep in touch with people, and to start conversation, make friends and feel less lonely.

My single regret is that I didn’t begin the blog one year earlier. I missed Dekker’s first ten-ish months of life. It would be pretty cool if all the kids had a pregnancy series leading up to their birth, but it had to start somewhere!

Over ten years on the blog, we’ve had four of our five children, and four recorded losses.

We’ve celebrated 54 birthdays just within our family.

Ten anniversaries.

Brady and I moved from our twenties into our thirties.

We moved from Radisson to Furdale to Dalmeny to Saskatoon to Dalmeny.

We had our dream home built for us.

Hoping to do that again someday.

Brady consistently resided in the home building/contracting industry until just this last year. That was a very consistent thing in the last ten years on the blog.

We went from our little Mazda to a minivan to our passenger van.

Four of our kids entered the school system.

We played a LOT of music in church, and a LOT of music in coffee shops.

This blog saw a pandemic. It saw the schools close indefinitely. Stores shut down. Food and product shortage. Everyone wearing masks in public places. Limited people in households. Scary strange tides of change. Historical change.

We have gone through countless bouts of illness and appointments. Yeast rashes. Chronic pain. Hand foot mouth disease. Fevers and flues. Jaundice. Hair loss. Births. D&C. Covid. Twice. Strabismus. Eye surgery. Glasses and patches. Anxiety. PTSD. Counselling. Breath holding spells. Silent reflux. A broken collar bone. A concussion. Teeth pulled. Uterine surgery. Spinal surgery. Paraplegia. Pressure sores. Clonus. Cancer. Chemo. Radiation. Migraines. Pulmonary embolism. Nails pulled out of hands. Nerve damage. And more ultrasounds/xrays/CTs/MRIs/scans than one family knows what to do with.

Our ten years on record have been loaded with information, history, and memories. You have watched us grow and change from a floundering couple of kids with a baby, to a thriving settled family, back to floundering, and back to thriving.

I know there are those we have lost along the way. Sometimes a daily blog is a lot to keep up with. I totally understand that. But there is also the reality that not everybody likes us or who we’ve become. Thats always a hard pill to swallow – when you truly feel at your best. In SO many ways, our life is better than its ever been. Our family is at its strongest, because we have lost ALL of our own strength and have only relied on the Lord. And if those around us don’t like that, that is very sad, but we must move forward. We have suffered some loss, but our corner has never been more full of love, care, and support. We absolutely could not still be thriving the way we are without God’s constant care, and by His guidance, bringing our community of people together 💜

I won’t lie. I considered concluding the blog at this point. Especially with the recent malware issues, it felt like maybe things had run their course. But then what? We just stop recording our life? What about all the fun thats still to come? There were a lot of things privately in the works before Brady’s surgery, and none of them are off the books, but merely on pause. What if we want to share those things with you?? What about our future road trips? Our kids accomplishments? Our family goals? Our gatherings? Our businesses? There is SO much that I’m still excited about, and maybe I’m a little self absorbed (?), but I imagine at least some of you are also excited! So, for now, we keep on going 🙂 I can’t promise for how long. I can’t promise the blog will stay the same, and I also can’t promise it’ll change. But I am completely THRILLED to have hit TEN YEARS! Of all crazy milestones!!

We have come a LONG way.

Thank you, all, for witnessing our lives over the past ten years! I am incredibly grateful to have the outpouring of support and love from so many of you. The blog is vulnerable by design, yet I have no regrets. And that says a lot about YOU.

From my household to yours, thank you for coming along for the ride. The train is still chugging, and we look forward to seeing how many of you will hop in for another round 💜