In the front of our house is a retaining wall. It frames our house with hedges on top. I love how it looks! It gives the house a very hidden appearance. It feels so... not innercity.

But every so often, more often in the warmer weather, people place their litter on it. Pop cans, empty packaging, coffee cups. Anything they dont want to transport to an actual garbage either sits on the wall itself or under the hedge, slightly out of view.

Jul takes this as a personal insult. It infuriates him when he finds something on the wall or on our lawn. He doesnt understand why they use our yard.

The other day Jul screamed, beckoning me to him Broken bones still fresh in my mind I tear out to the front. Jul yells; 'They littered again!!!'

This is what i found.

This week i was able to go to the CNE. FOR FREE!!! The army offered free admission, and free transportation. I was incredibly apprehensive to go alone with the three kids, and since Thomas wasnt able to go i thought i would ask our babysitter to help out. This girl, this young woman is just amazing! She played with them, kept them close to her. My extra set of eyes who can be the coolest person to my kids. They love her, and it is obvious. Clover will give her hugs freely, which is remarkable!!! And how she interacts with my children!!! I do not pay her enough. And i said that, bragging to all the others there. It back-fired though, when another mother asked for her number to sit for her. But that is why i pay this girl $10 an hour. Even though she told me that she normally only charges $5. Five?! I'm sure that most people only pay that to their sitters, but I was getting paid that when i was 12. I told her that there has to be at least some inflation over the years.... and that getting paid that much (i hope) help pay for some extra loyalty.

I am hoping to employ her often.

DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE SQUIMISH.

Today, through a series of events that can only be God's hand directing them, Jul is now being seen by the surgeon that we wanted him to be seen by. Tonight, Thomas said he was so glad that now Jul is being taken care of by this new doctor and Jul shrugged and said:

"God was always taking care of me."

So true, my love, so true.

Oh, how i wish i could.

The other day Oakley comes to me and asks; 'Mommy can you hold me?'

I reach down and pick him up and say of course.... but his response, as he wraps his little arms around me, lays his head on my shoulder and with as much conviction as a 2 year old has:

'Mommy, can you hold me forever?'