I’m pretty grateful we had a home day today. Not only to rest. Bathe. Unpack. Drink water. But because we had some unknowns that needed to work themselves out this morning. So the first hour or two were pretty messy, but once we got through some of the fuss, the day could move forward.
I felt pretty off today. Its hard. My mind is a little bit elsewhere. But God is bigger than our trials and unknowns. And thank goodness for that because MAN stuff would be so stinking hard without faith! Whew! Thank you, Lord, for your continued goodness and mercy!
Tomorrow, the kids will go back to school. Hopefully life at home will be a little slow. Maybe, maybe not. No big activities for the kids on Tuesdays. We’ll eat something yummy for supper. Something low pressure. I really need to tie up some loose ends with Christmas shopping. But beyond that, things should be low pressure from here on out 💜
I hope very much that you all have a restful night and a joyful kickoff to the morning.
After one of the worst nights we’ve had since the Quarter Pounder joined our family, we had a really beautiful morning at Kinasao before we packed up and said our goodbyes to our dear Dahlsjos 💜 We wont see them again until the new year, but we will all be busy doing all kinds of things that I imagine time will pass quickly. Still. We love you guys 💜 Travel safe!
We drove home in a fairly quiet van full of tired children after a really nice weekend. The vibe was good.
And then something kind of hilarious happened!
As we drove, we started catching a vehicle. A super basic, nondescript white old passenger van. Brady got a little nostalgic, talking about his big beast of a white van that he used in his last stretch as a contractor. He had some good vehicles and some really bad vehicles for work in the past, but that van was the BEST. He felt professional in it. Like he officially fit the bill. Like people would take him seriously in a different way. He LOVED that van. It was sad to get rid of it, but when he was ready to list it, it was snapped up by a man with a large family who was so excited to use it for travelling! So it softened the blow pretty significantly.
And wouldn’t you know. This van was THAT van.
Ok, give me a break. I’m not super creepy, but it was so unbelievable! The same worn strip down the side. Same hubcaps that were spray painted. And once we were in front of it, the same wrinkle int he bumper. It was the SAME VAN! And Brady excitedly pointed out that it was loaded with kids!
And he wasn’t sad 💜
It was like… seeing an old friend. Reminiscing for a second. But not getting too stuck or hung up back there. Honey, correct me if I’m wrong here. But it seemed like such a nice memory that wasn’t riddled with regret or grief, really. Brady had wanted a good, big passenger van for work for years, and he had finally gotten it. It would’ve been nice to have it sooner, definitely, but it was a really amazing thing for him while he had it. A truly perfect setup. And it was so bizarre to see it out there today, still going strong.
Anyway. Maybe this is a strange post, but it felt like a warm thing and I wanted to share it on here so we remember it 💜 An homage to Bradys contractor days, perhaps 😘
Today was a day for music by the fireplace. For crocheting and drinking coffee. For the Morsel making new friends, playing guitar with the worship leader, and dragging Kelly around by the hand. For talking to the people you’ve seen around but never actually shared a conversation with.
Today was a day for decorating cookies. For graham cracker nativity scenes. For tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. For popcorn.
Today was a day for kids to connect with new kids. For playing tag. Mafia. Treasure hunting. Sledding. Doing crafts. Singing campfire songs.
Today was a day for driving the twinkle tour that we missed last weekend. For staying inside where it’s warm. For hot chocolate and cookies.
Today was a day for storytelling, and reminiscing about Gods goodness to us. How we got to where we are today, and where we dream of going in the future. And how we only want to go where God sends us.
Today was a day of beautiful things. Thank you God.
I would write more, but goodness, we have had the MOST fun this evening with this beautiful group of hooligans and I am both spent and filled to the brim with cozy feelings and hot chocolate 🥰
I had a pretty good list of things to get done today. I waited anxiously for the babies to go down for naps and would you believe me if I told you that ALL THREE napped at once?!?! Of course, QP had to nap in the swing, not in bed, but that was ok. There is sooooo much vomit that comes out of that baby, the swing is my saving grace sometimes.
I got to work tidying up some spaces that have just filled with junk. Some stuff that needs attention. Some stuff that just needs to be reorganized. Lots that needs to be carried downstairs. Stuff that the kids have dumped. I was elbow deep in a big bag of yarn that I wanted to re-roll and donate to the local Fibrary when I was reminded that I was participating in a baking exchange this weekend! So considering I had done most of what I could in that moment anyway, I dove into baking. And while I thought I might just finish part of the first batch possibly, but I accidentally finished up a nice double batch of homemade oreos ✅✅
Yes. They are as good as they look! And, as a bonus, somehow I had way too much cream cheese frosting sooooo its saved for the inevitable next batch of these suckers!
Our little performer is getting all geared up for the fun that is to come! Last week, she had the chance to audition for the Christmas play that the grade sixes put on every year. This year 🙌 The Grinch! She’s a funny one, and had a pretty specific idea of what role she wanted. Partway through the day today, I got this email from her 🤣
She was VERY happy to be given the role of the mayor of Whoville 🤣
So when she came home from school, she was buzzing with excitement. It wasn’t long after that when I reminded her she had yet another audition coming up later that evening for the musical her school is putting on in Spring. She got a little in her head at that point and I let her be for a while. As the time got closer, she asked if we were driving or walking. I told her I wasn’t planning on going with her since it was right around suppertime. She crumbled into a bit of a heap and told me she wanted me with her. It was like, little girl nerves in my very grown up little girl 💜
Needless to say, we went together. We bailed the moment Brady rolled into the driveway, and I sat in the hallway while she auditioned. She went in pretty nervous and came out looking so confident and at ease. My girl.
She told me as we headed home that she really wants the bigger role she auditioned for, but that she would still be super happy with a small role if not. She just wants to be in it, and I love that. She will work HARD on it, this I know for sure.
Its a fun season upcoming! It helps balance out some of the weariness that has come with fostering recently. God always provides.
I had to duck out with everyone today for a little bit. The Lemon Drop had an appointment. It was my first time taking everyone together! While we didn’t all go in anywhere, but we went out together, haha! Basically, it was my first time packing a diaper bag for all three babies.
It was an easy one. It was only going to be a short outing. Only bring a little bit of everything.
I made an 8 oz bottle. And a 4 oz bottle. Both overkill, but offered me some security in case it took a little longer than planned. I filled a sippy cup with water, and added a nutrigrain bar to the bag. Wipes. And – the best part – three different sizes of diapers.
Yes. Having three babies is a lot, especially when you’re trying to adjust to the new one and learn all the ins and outs. But some of these novelties never get old 💜
So. We haven’t told you guys yet, but we are back to a party of ten 💜 We made it 3 weeks between placements, and we did have reasons for that. But the time was right and along came – named by Brady – the Quarter Pounder!
Yup. Since I can’t show you anything real, you’re getting AI 🤣
So now our babies range from a toddler down to a baby down to a little baby. It’s a little bit nuts, but man. We would not trade it for a minute 💜
QP only came to us Friday afternoon, and came with us to Kinasao. Though LD stayed home with grandma 💜 But the rest of us spent the first full day with the newbie at camp, which was fitting since that was the ONE family member who hadn’t been there!
I have this really nice picture of Brady sitting across the living room from me, bottle feeding a baby, and in the front of the picture you can see a bottle feeding baby on my lap as well. Its really really lovely 💜 Of course I can’t show you here 🙄 Such a bummer, though understandable. Anyway, I asked AI for help again, and it was a hoot 🤣 You’re welcome.
I gave up, lol!
So the gang is back up to ten. We are back to having two babies in our room. Three cribs in use. The kids are elated to have QP with us, but I will say my favorite response has been that of the Morsel 💜
The Morsel has been with us the longest of any placement, and you would think there would be some rivalry there. Some jealousy. But no. Not for a second. When I first introduced the two, the Morsel lit up with a big bright smile, just pointing eagerly at the baby. And when Brady got home from work, where the Morsel usually chases him down for a ride in the chair, rather, the chase was by a very eager toddler, pointing towards the new family member eagerly, needing to make sure dad saw. It was adorable.
Maybe we weren’t meant to give birth to more children, but I firmly own my belief that I was meant to be a large family mom. It doesn’t mean some days aren’t positively NUTS. I’m not happy every moment of every day. I don’t LOVE all the chaotic situations. But I am so content in my role. I am so grateful for every child that comes through our door, no matter how long they stay. I love the way our life is going.
Thank you, Lord, for answering our prayers and making this whole foster adventure a possibility.
Thank you for Brady. Thank you for Dekker. Thank you for Laela. Thank you for Rowan. Thank you for Solly. Thank you for Wavy. Thank you for the Morsel. Thank you for the Lemon Drop. Thank you for the Quarter Pounder.
I am SO blessed by every last one of these people.
Today was the day! We left good and early, dropped the Lemon Drop off with my mom, and headed north for Kinasao.
With the threat of an impending storm, we expected a small turnout, but I was pleasantly surprised with the numbers! We got in some good face time with our dear Dahlsjos, and connected with a handful of other familiar faces. We even had a hilarious reunion with a super sweet woman we met once when buying furniture off Facebook marketplace 🤣 That was unexpected and just so funny!
As the storm moved in, we decided to skip the light tour :/ which was super sad but also, we’ll be baaaaack next weekend!! So well catch them then 🙂
All in all, it was a great success 💜 I sold some things, ate good food, and enjoyed some time sitting and chatting.
I am so beyond grateful for this camp, this spot, and the community.
Tomorrow is the day! We will head off to Kinasao for the day for the marketplace, the socializing, the meals and togetherness, and we’ll wrap up the day with the Christmas light tour! It is a big day with lots of lead up, but we are all really looking forward to it.
Brady, the kids, and I worked late into this evening to get the van loaded up. We brought all the things for the babies. All the emergency winter gear. All the things we would absolutely NEED if we got stranded out there for the night. Cool that it was all up in the garage storage…..
And all the things I need to put my table together for the craft fair again 🙂
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Bee-🥊
Thank goodness for the big van! Now we just hope and pray that the roads stay safe and clear.
