white again...

last night after supper CO and I went for a walk, or a 'bear hunt' as CO calls them ever since we read the book 'going on a bear hunt' it was lovely out. It was a little cool but not too bad. There was more brown and green than white when walking. We weren't able to follow our usual path as there was flooding and mud but overall it was a lovely walk.

{photo credit}
We saw a blue heron flying overhead which was exciting for me as well as a teaching moment to show CO how to identify it as a blue heron and to talk about where a blue heron likes to hang out and what it likes to eat.
Since reading Charlotte Mason Companion I am inspired to give CO an education that includes lots of exposure and study of nature. Fortunately we don't have to travel far to find it living in the country and all...

this morning we woke to a white world again...not very much....just enough to hide the green & brown

amazing what time away can do...

we went to Ottawa for March Break. 'we' being CO, myself and my 12 year old niece. We stayed with my aunt and uncle for part of the time and then my in-laws for the rest. I totally needed the time away. We did the sugar bush, museum, play group (the one CO used to attend), had play-dates with cousins, and just visited. CO got his much needed time with his grandparents. His bond with them is strong and he feels a need to spend time with them every few months. He also got to spend some good time with his aunt. The last two visits she has been busy with school (she is studying to be a nurse) but this time she finished up her exams while we were there and then she 'loved' on him like crazy. Which CO totally loved!
This time we drove down. I rented a car since I drive a crazy gas guzzler. CO is a great traveller. I admit I was nervous about being stuck with him in a car with him that long (I know frequent stops helps but when I am driving somewhere I just want to hurry up and get there). My niece helped on the drive down and I did it solo on the way home. (my brother took custody back of her on the weekend so she would not miss any school). On the way down we stopped twice (once to buy a cord so I could use my ipod...seems that new cars don't get made with tape decks so I couldn't use the tape/ipod cord that I have for my truck) and the second was for lunch.
He napped both directions so that was nice. He is really good at just watching things out the window (and talking non-stop about what he sees) and playing with his cars. His fav these days is a milk tanker. I bought it for the trip down (I've been buying one new small toy when we do trips like this in hopes that they keep him occupied for a chunk of time. Last trip it was a snowplow dinky car.)
Upon returning I am inspired to tackle my house! And I am happy that we've used the kitchen table all week for eating (it is usually the collect all of 'stuff') and the diningroom table has been used for doing 'school' and crafts.
Monday after swimming lessons, I returned to my father taking one of the bathroom cupboards out of the bathroom and put it in my bedroom. I am NOT looking forward to having bathroom 'stuff' in other rooms of the house while the bathroom gets rennovated but I AM looking forward to my new bathroom. The demolition is waiting for the snow to be gone and the weather to be a little warmer (since the house will be exposed to the elements once the demo begins). 

well I need to roll some pizza dough and get the pizza into the oven...

today is the day....

today is the day the back of the truck is being loaded up and 'stuff' is being donated!! I'm making room!
My house is CRAZY cluttered these days which probably isn't helping with my peace meter these days. 

I'm even getting rid of books (shocking I know). I went through kids books and if I don't love them or if CO doesn't love them...then GOODBYE! I even went through my books and collected a couple of boxes of books. Books that I haven't read in over 10 years and books I don't think I'll read again.

Spring Cleaning here I come!!!

(CO is excited and a part of the process...he hasn't caugt on that the pile of toys I'm collecting are going for good! or if he has...no reaction which is great. I am not getting rid of anything he loves...just stuff)

drawing closer

Monday I get to go on my holiday...I know as the day approaches that I am just feeling ready for a holiday. I am tired and stretched. I know that getting away and a rest will be a big help. I will come back feeling better. I usually do.

My plans keep getting changed all over. It seems multiple people are wanting us to stay with them. So they get to decide and just let me know where to go :)

I just finished watching Aurore. It is a movie based on Aurore Gagnon whom lived in the early 1900s and died due to abuse. Very interesting...and sad.

day of tears...

I was driving to a meeting this morning. My parents had CO (they took him on an errands when they knew I had the one hour meeting...which was a surprise after the conversation I had with my mother this past Sunday) and I started thinking about everything. And I just started feeling so overwhelmed. I never thought about this aspect of becoming a single parent. I knew it wouldn't be easy. But I never thought about the loneliness. I love my son and I hate being away from him every moment that we are apart. How is the future going to work? How am I going to raise him to be a knight for God when he doesn't have a dad? I feel so overwhelmed because I thought that I would have more support from the people in my life. So the tears just started flowing...(I was already feeling melancholy as I was at the part of Matthew dying in the book I was reading)
Tonight when my brother called to say that my vacation plans weren't going to work, I lost it again. I really had my hopes set on going. I am really needing to get away. As it is my plans are changing because we aren't able to stay with CO's grandparents until the last half of the trip because his aunt is busy writing her finals and needs the least amount of distractions possible as she has been struggling the last few weeks and has done poorly on a few tests lately and she can't afford to not do well. So we will be staying with my aunt and uncle. Which isn't going to be as relaxing of an environment. For one thing I'll probably end up having to share a bed with CO and their house is FAR from being child friendly. I am really wanting to spend the time with Morgain and I really hope she is able to join us.

please pray...

I just finished reading 'Anne of Green Gables'. I have decided to read this series again this year. I cried my eyes out when Matthew died this morning :) Reading the book makes me long for days gone by...of having 'bosom' friends and life being simplier overall.

looking for ideas...

I am looking for ideas. It seems I will probably be needing some weekend childcare.

Currently my mother is feeling she needs a weekend a month off...probably more in the future. I don't have any problem with this, I am just looking for some solutions. Since my friend list is extremely on the short side, I need to find some reliable options.  Any ideas? Anybody know a college student looking for a weekend position?
I've felt this whole journey to becoming a mom of CO was totally the hand of God. He moved mountains to make it happen. All I had to do was be obedient and follow his plan...
Having the job I have seems to be ideal because I get to be a stay at home mom for the majority of the week. Long term I am not sure how it is going to all work out...

I feel God called me to have a heart for orphans, etc. Ideally I'd like to be able to open my life to another child I am just not sure how it is going to work out. My parents don't want to be my childcare providers while I am at work. Atleast not full-time.

oh and please pray for the whole situation...

let it snow let it snow let it snow

So after a day of nothing but nonstop rain, it is now snowing. If it lasts until morning CO will be excited for another opportunity to shovel off the decks.

I just finished watching Unthinkable Impensible. Very interesting movie. I totally selected it at random from the library but I found it to be very captivating. I usually bring in a few movies from the library to watch with one of the guys while at work Saturday night. I tend to only watch one of the movies but he enjoys having a few new movies to see each weekend.