For today......

Outside My Window... there is no more dead deer....our poor little sweet visitor who came here to live out his last few days and then curled up in the sunshine where Charlie used to sleep, and died :(  Wildlife and fisheries finally agreed to come out and get rid of it for me today :)  They were actually really great about it.  Yesterday I tried to move it myself, but it was heavy and the smell was too strong.  This guy that came today just pulled it along with its leg and swung it up onto his truck - but omg the SMELL :(    It was NOT good.  I went out with bleach and water afterwards and washed down the area where it had been lying.  Now there is no smell and no trace of it.  Poor thing.  The guy said that many deer didn't make it through this long winter - they starved - and he said he could tell that ours - which was a young fawn, had starved too.....the winter was just too much for them :(    So sad.

I am thinking... that Laurence should hurry up and get his learners.  I am letting all the children drive as much as possible.  Chris always does the driving now whenever we go out together.  He does really well - only the rare mistake or need to point something out - otherwise he does really GREAT!!!  Laurence now drives the truck up and down the driveway all the time if recycling needs to go down etc...he will often get the truck out for me or park it back in the garage for me....and I will often swap places with Susannah when we get back to the driveway and let her drive up the driveway and into the garage.  On her next birthday she will be allowed to drive on the roads so I want her to get as much practice and confidence as possible!!!  Laurence is a good driver - he just needs the confidence to pass his learners.  Once he gets his learners I think i'll get him to drive us out to Miquelon one evening for a walk...fairly quiet roads....good speeds to get up to....nothing too much to worry about....a good first drive.  Before he heads into town with me.  He already knows how to fill up the truck with gas, water, check the oil, fill up the washer fluid etc etc and jump start a car....  :)

I am thankful for...the people I have met through Soul Restoration....having plans and dreams and people who encourage me.....still having a child little enough for cuddling up with to enjoy stories.  We read 'The Three Little Pigs' tonight.  :)  And a story about a Rooster who had overslept, named Rick.  lol!!  I am thankful that I have trust and faith in my children - even more than they have in themselves - because I can see how amazing they are and how talented they are.  I don't worry that they don't do well in a social test or don't like to write by hand.....because I KNOW that my children have amazing imaginations, amazing ambition when it comes to the things interests them....and I KNOW they will find their own paths :)  Abby whipped up a batch of cupcakes this afternoon with NO HELP at ALL....she set the oven, got the ingredients out, mixed them all up following a recipe from a book....baked them - checked they were ready, took them out, decorated them.....and even made sure we ONLY had two each until Laurence got hoe, so he had some too!!  :)  There aren't many 9 year olds who are as independent as Abigail...who can converse with adults the way she can...who know about art quite like she does - and I don't mean art history -although she has done that in classes and on art gallery trips....but hands on art with adult art supplies, canvases, alcohol inks, collages, following adult online classes with me that teach proper techniques with individuality...art journaling.....how to be free on the page....I'm rambling...I'm also thankful for Spring - for the added energy it gives me, for not having to layer up to go outside, for puddle splashing and the joy on Sams face - even the extra laundry as he changed his sock and pants ten times a day when his boots flood :)  and the sound of snow melting so fast it sounds as though it is raining everywhere :)

From the kitchen...baked potatoes.  EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Susannah is a little obsessed with them at the moment and it is all she wants to eat.  Thankfully we all love them and they are SUPER easy :)  and salad and cheese etc go so well with them....tuna, chilli....baked beans....so I'm not complaining :)  
Cupcakes....oh and Safeway has such amazing deals on at the moment - buy one get one free is soooo great that I went a bit crazy on cereals and a few other things.....and stocked up - but you can't say no to FREE!!!

I am wearing...blue jeans, grey loose fitting top that is tight at the waist.  I love it :)  From Urban Behaviour.  Socks and Undies.  And my DC tanning lotion which I can still smell from when I tanned earlier and I can't shower off until morning...

I am creating...wonderful memories with my children :)  A beautiful home.  A future for us...different than the one I had planned on, but one that I am excited about and happy about.  Canvases, mini albums,  new friendships with some amazingly strong and wonderful women :)

I am going...to be busy for the next week!!  Every single day we have field trips, dates with friends, workshops...something going on!!!!  Such a fun week ahead of us :)  I feel extremely lucky and I am so glad the children are well enough to finally get back out there with their friends again!!
I am reading...Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.  A couple of homeschool magazines/ articles...and all my Soul Restoration coursework again!!

I am hoping...for good weather this weekend to enjoy hiking and rollerblading.  I am hoping to cross a few more things off of my list tomorrow.  To go and see Sandy one day next week and get THAT sorted out ;)  To sleep well tonight and have energy to get through my LONG day tomorrow :)

I am hearing... silence....no sounds at all apart from me tapping on the keys of my laptop.  Everyone else is asleep and the house is absolutely silent.  There is no wind outside tonight.  Rosie isn't snoring...the occasional big sigh from her but otherwise silence.....not even a coyote in the distance!!

Around the house...Things are looking more ready for Summer - I worked hard to clean up the deck last week and now there is no sign of winter on it :)  It's clean and ready for sunbathing - and eating at the table....which we did again today!!  Sam, Abby and I had snacks and juice out there today :)  I have packed away anything 'wintery' inside and now all of my Spring and Summer decor is out...I don't decorate for Easter, but I do have more Summer like colours of dishes and vases, plants etc etc....

One of my favorite things...lying on my sunbed on the deck in the sunshine cuddling Sam.  He won't be little for much longer, and he is still so very cuddly :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...a field trip to look around the library and see behind the scenes.  A workshop at Michaels to make Easter crafts.  Meeting friends for a playdate.  Meeting a friend I haven't seen in AGES for supper tomorrow night....or maybe coffee/ dessert which is what we normally do.  Meeting a friend for breakfast at IHOP or Ikea.....heading to the mountains with Rosie to hike for the weekend :)  So grateful to my friends who are coming up to stay and look after my house for the weekend - they get a free hotel and I get free housesitting :)  Perfect!!!