New day New Year full of wonderful times.

We loaded the bikes up and after and trip
to Jaye's we were off for a long bike ride.
We went way north and then road to the Town Lake.
Just as we made it to an In-n-Out burger shop and decided to finish up this long week off with a burger. Beloved looked down to discover a tire going flat fast.
I stayed with the kids and fed them and played games (rock/paper/scissors) with them while he rode my bike the 3-5 miles back to the truck.
When he returned I went in to get him some supper while he loaded the bikes back onto the truck. As I drove home (so he could have his meal) He told me that he had a bad head wind the entire way back to the truck so bad that he had to peddle hard even on the down hills. That was mercy for me, my knee could not have taken it. God took care of me again. I had a wonderful time with my family. We road two a breast for some part of the trail. It was so fun!

We parked these at the curb with a for free sign on them.
They were very well worn.

I was able to get the breakfast cookies made (and bagged for the freezer) for Beloved while he stripped the big bed and threw the linens into the washer. We are going to turn the mattress and go to bed with clean sheets.

I was then able this evening to finish the coat for Dove.
SHE LOVED IT! :)

I had this patch that my sister embroidered on the machine.
( I need to learn how to use my machine, it will make these)

I sewed it on her coat.
Oh!, she is so happy and offered "I will care of it you can be sure Mom! I will ware it to school and out to dinner and where ever we go Mom!"

I have a garage full of Christmas stuff to pack away properly.

Beloved and I stocked the outside refrigerator for the Men Group (class) here tomorrow night. I will have a full house. I have the refrigerator for fellowship and guests and they can just make them selfs at home. The main house fridge stays closed (it had the perishable foods in it)

Tomorrow!

Story time is in process right now.
The children will have the last day home.
They have had a nice time together. They are best friends.
That is one of my greatest desires for my children.

Tackle It Tuesday* new year inventory and Goals*

Inventory
The New Year has always been "inventory time".
Growing up in a family business we had to tend to affairs or go without necessities.

2008 started for me late with an inventory of the things in the sewing cue.

warm jackets,

I have pajamas,pants for Dash, to make and gifts for others and a few projects for the home. I closed my day with the staging table ready for the coming month.

My Kitchen chores are caught up and the Dishwasher is running as is the clothes washer and dryer too.

However my refrigerator needs attention.
We my have the privileged of hosting a mens get together tomorrow , so I would like to prepare the house for them (cleaning Beloved office) and maybe a nice desert.
I have breakfast cookies to make later this evening.

We may be loading us the bikes to all go to a campus for a family bike ride.

Inventory

I break my life into a pie graph. I then consider the goals, needs and desires in those categories. I do this yearly, quarterly and often Monthly. Weekly for some items like menu under homemaking. This is the great mystery that so many of you have expressed query of. Today as I do the daily tasks I stop as the family is on the last day of rest before our schedule begins again in earnest. I pause and do inventory. Having this done gives me a rest that is afforded me because I can just lay it down to effort ,prayer and daily discipline. The beginnings of my life balance graph looks like this.
Oh this is about balance as well as doing. For I am a human being not just a human doing. I am a triune being...Spirit, Mind and Body...so when I do my balance wheel I consider this. This balance wheel was implemented into a major recovery program for survivors of abuse at a instate recovery hospital.



Spiritual:
I want to consider my spirit by giving myself time often to be still, to study and to fellowship with others who are like minded as well as opportunities to get together with those who offer me strength. Yes I believe in extending myself (my strength to others) . I need those in my life who offer to help fill up my "cup" so to speak. I have to be prepared to feed my children the answers that come up to the questions of life. I am often lifted up by fellow bloggers.

Educational:
I think keeping interested in my own career is essential. Knowledge is power or the lack of weakness without it folks perish just because of ignorance and nothing else. If I can gain understanding, knowledge and implement it into wisdom I gain in all areas. I have roles as; Friend to God, Wife, Mother and friend, fellow on the path to others. If I cause others to be hindered by my own ignorance I am convicted in my own heart. I never want to cause other to stumble, however I know it will happen I just really want to avoid it. Blogging is a part of sharing knowledge that helps keep me balanced too. I also learn a lot from all of you.
Developmental studies for the children, and so one.

Physical:
This is a real weak pie piece for me at least for myself so I must exercise in so many ways. I am an example walking and living . I have to tend to my family medical appointments and check ups, nutrition and so on. Of both family and pets. Prescriptions, supplements and educating myself on health needs of family members. Exposing the kids to sports and such.

Homemaking:
This is a corner stone. Covering the foods, clothing and shelter care. Food stuffs and stores. Home maintained that is also delegation of task and tending to them being accomplished. This includes properties like vehicle's as well. These things are kept on the "big board". Tackle it Tuesdays and Meal Plan Monday really helps me.

Parenting:
Educating and keeping a wheel on them watching for their trinity of Spirit, Mind and Body to see that the needs are met.

Relational:
This is important and often overlooked when consumed by business. I have relationships with my God ,my spouse, My Children and friends extended family. Also there are the relationships of all the players involved in our lives like educators, interventionists, doctors, teachers and those who are employed at various services such as those who interact with me over services and anything billed (utilities and such). You may not think it important to consider your mail carrier but they matter too. They need kindness too. Of course there are all of you sweet blogging friends and acquaintances.
Blogging is a large part of this too.

Creative Arts:
Being an artist this is very important to me. I is something that most people ignore. Beloved is working on a Web Page for me to begin to sell my work on line. This may be a way for me to bring in some income to assist my husband. I am very good at conserving income yet I do desire and outlet that will save me the loss of time away (craft shows and such). I desire to express my creativity. I have always made many gifts for friends for birthdays and holidays. I think that as I get caught up more I may be able to keep up with a nice inventory to cover both a small business as well as the inventory here for gifts. I have clothing to create as well as things for my home. Some things JUST FOR ME TOO :) Being a writter I am often refreshed by stopping life and doing a post or a carnival. It helps me to keep writing and enjoying that venue. My life is far to busy to do the novels right now.

Recreational:
I find that this is one of the things that gets most neglected. We are needing to care more now to getting out. We are limited by income in many ways. Now we have my physical limitations addressed (my knee) we have opened more windows of opportunity. We invested in a inexpensive 4 bike carrier for the truck this weekend. Now we will be able to travel with the four bikes! That is just gas money to a destination! I still am a little limited as far as bumpy paths but I will do my best to strengthen my leg and this gives me a goal to keep my sights on when I get discouraged. We find that we have to do this intentionally! Camping trips.
Blogging is a part of this in between the sprints that I do all day long, I come here to rest and catch my breath. I find it a relaxing pleasure. I often blog while I am on a lunch break or just a time out to rest and reflect

Financial:
This is a focus to be improved upon. Budget and intentional investing ,saving and debt reduction in this over the years saved our hides when we lost the lucrative job three years ago. Before we had the kids we paid down our mortgage every month with extra principal payments. The mortgage we have is mostly due to the expensive adoptions. Nothing better to invest in that LIFE! It is well worth the payments, I do so however hope one day to again be able to pay extra principle payments. We have the CRS involvement and the care for Dash keeps our income being at a low a real blessing. We are covered for his extensive Care. So this is kept in focus as keep very little going out :) The Web Page and future sales of my jewelry might help as will the possible raise that might becoming beloved way. Filing and budget sheets need to be implemented better too. The support on the other blogs for information on menu, homemaking, crafting and even parenting tips are a huge savings.

So I keep this a fluid list and a thought filled Pie covered in the wripped cream of prayer ...so to speak. It is not a law for me just a guide. It helps me see to the needs of my life in a balanced way. With it also I do not feel so forgetful.

Goal Sheet

I also like to have a goal sheet. This however has become a bit stressful for our family in resent years do to financial stress. Beloved and I kept this for many years the last few it has just been more of a survival mode and a prayer request sheet. We have to really take time for it but it really stressed him out. It depresses Him too.

Daily/ weekly
This is kept on the big board just off the kitchen.

1 month:
Medical co-pays
Clothing Sewing
Christmas put away
Beloved Birthday
shampoo bath/bedroom carpet
Dog training
Freezer Inventory
Pantry Inventory
Clothing weeding out
weight goal


3 month:
I need a $3000 implant tooth
Dash birthday
My birthday
Yard sale? E-bay sales?
Sewing for summer clothing


6 month:
Little dove needs $5000 braces
A vacation trip (the first in 11 years)
Doves birthday
rotate tires

1 year:


3 year:
Our trucks need to possibly be replaced?
House really needs to be painted!

5 year:
College for Dove

10 year:
College for Dash
Retirement for beloved

See what I mean...This is where the finance comes in. I just got to get a better budget and such. We really do not want to let go of the house. It is the ONLY debt we have. Prayer really does make all the difference. So I ask specifically for the things we need. We have asked about all these things and so we will see how it will come about.
These list grow and ebb and flow. But this is what I have done for 25 plus years to manage our estate and lives.

It is as my role of CEO of the Uncommon Family :)
This is my Employment.

Call to Prayer Please

~Pat's Father has passed away~

Pat of The Urban Chic Father passed away. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Just a few months ago her Mother passed away too. How my heart goes out to her and her family.

To you New years Eve Night Owls

Dash Hawk is over and out at 9:15 p.m.
My sweet, sweet Son asleep.

New Year Transistions... 2008, full of Imagination.

My New Year Thoughts for you.
Do you have your imagination Box?
What is an imagination Box you ask...

Beloved and I had a date last night (it was wonderful).
When we retrieved the children they were asking about an imagination box.
They wanted a box that could fit both of them.
Little Dove declared a wish for one, but then Dash Hawk replied that "it is not wishes that you make but prayers that are asked to God that will meet the needs that you have".
So I told them if that box is a desire then they need to prayed and ask God for it.
We were just returning from a Wonderful play date this afternoon, when again they declared Now Mom it is time that we need our imagination box...
"so did you pray for it I confirmed...well lets just see it happen then..."
It is trash day here for the recycled trash and so I asked Daddy Man to keep an eye out. The Daddy needed to get home and was not willing to drive the streets looking.
Just before we were to turn on out street down several houses I saw "it" curb side. I said "there it is"!
Daddy Man pulled forward the few houses the kids and I loaded it. We were home maybe 5 minutes with it and Dove just told me as they were getting into it and looked up just as the trash truck was pulling up to the curb where we had just gotten it from.
They are now playing in it and creating pure imagination.
Adding amenities to it as they go.

This new year ahead I think I will take a cue from the mouths of babes and pursue the "Will to Imagine".
Too ask for God to give me an "imagination box".
To trust in Him for His timing in the answers to my requests.
What happiness that will bring for the coming year.
A New Year full of possibilities.

So Have you asked for your Box?
What is it you desire to be able to imagine?
Have you asked or are you wishing on luck.
May your New Year be full of imagination and request made known.
May you be able to Trust in His perfect timing.

Sew a Sweat Shirt Jacker for a child

Hay guys I'll post a tutorial with this later...This is what I have been up to. Little Dove needs a coat our weather has turned cold. she will not make use of anything over her head. Her tactile stuff is really a challenge. I got an image in my mind of this and just had to follow it.

Photo Hunt *messy*

My sewing staging table at present after all the presents.:)

The Mothers' and Daughters' Blog Carnival

My greatest goal for 2008
Where my Daughter is concerned is to...

LISTEN TO HER HEART

My Little Dove wrote:
If you click on the picture it will enlarge. Look at that printing!

As I quietly entered into the livingroom to sleep for the night I looked in my bother's stocking and it was bar. So I glanced into my stocking and it was abundant with toys. I was so exited I rushed into my mom and DAD's room I was so joyful I jummed on my DAD. It was the most funniest Christmas ever
(pure fiction)
I see in the future no dog catchers in the world beeauze dogs should not be taken to the pound they should be in pet stors and have homes of there own and play with there friend and kids that's wat I think it sood be in the world I picked this one beeause I want it to stop and that is my gift to the world.

Mom I love the time you taked me to the moves it was the Best time ever the Best part was wen the girl went on the rope and looked up at the sky and her eyes shined like the sun (Bridge to Terribithia) it was the best movie ever do you know why it was with you and the time wen you wake me up and you say it its loud but funny and DAD remember the time you played with me and my brother you are the best mom and dad in the world
I love you.
Mom the gift I would give you and dad is 2 weeks in the mountains with him and with your paint set. You can paint the mountains with it. I will miss you but this is yor gift and you will rest and have peace and no fighting and no dogs to wake you up or dad. That is my gift to you and dad. I love you both. You are the best mom and dad in the world. You and dad are kind, nice and sweet. I hope some day this happens to you.


The theme for this submission of Mother and Daughters Carnival is

Mother/Daughter Goals for 2008.

I am so longing to HEAR (listen too, pursue) and respond to her heart, her desires and her gift.
Perhaps I can get her involved in some way with a local pet shelter or some type of service work and join her. Because it is important to her.
Perhaps more time alone, even going to a movie.
Set a dream plan to have time alone with my husband with my paints and an easel.

Our Dog needs training, maybe I'll check out the costs to do some classes with Her as a handler. We did this when the dog was small. If we keep Willy he must get some better training.

I have to work on her MET to address her learning disabilities and get the IEP in place. I will fight harder so she does not have to wait until March for the review. When School resumes next week it will be report card time. I must buck up for another run at it.


I have to consider whether or not I will get her into a psychiatrist for the OCD type stuff. I have to get her off so much sugar. It is really causing problems. Her teacher passing it out all day long is a real problem. The Principle is lax because he is retiring after this year. The psychologists is having fits. It is against the law to be passing out all this candy. I do not wish to offend her teacher for concern of resentment. Or worse Dove being singled out.

I must show my daughter by my own example how to respect my body and get it healthy with exercise and weight loss. To also show how to better care for her hair. Even if I am given a fight over it every time I must hang in there and guide her into the self care she so hates to do. (with the sensory stuff she is not one to comb or brush her hair and will fight you on it)

I will show her by example that a marriage takes time, I must show her that it is worth the efforts (a hard thing for us to do) to make time for our mates.

I must be consistent to stand up to her fits and refusals with a firm hand. It is hard not to get angry but I must teach her this too by example.

I must bring in another level of health education for she is entering another phase. Her age is bringing changes and she must be informed and taught lovingly how to embrace the wonderful coming of age.

I would also again like to attempt some sewing lessons with her and maybe to try to catch up better so she can be more involved in food preparations.
It can be very hard to work with a child like my sweet daughter they need to be given extra patience.

It's time for the next edition of The Mothers' and Daughters' Blog Carnival. This time, the carnival will have a theme: Mother/Daughter Goals for 2008. If you've already submitted a post and it doesn't pertain to the theme, don't worry, I'll still post it. And if you haven't submitted yet, why not? The deadline is Saturday, Dec. 30. (Click here to submit) The Carnival will be posted here on Monday, Jan. 1. It would be neat to have some first-time participants on the first edition of the new year!

Hair Cuts

Look at those beautiful eyes!
I trimmed Dove's bangs and cut Hubby's hair too.

Kids on Winter Break

These two are so loving it!
Today it is lets dress alike morning as they are delightfully playing their hearts out.
The joy is a delight to start day. My "Alex and Eric" characters from a story they made up this morning. They just came in for some hot cereal. They are not too interested...to have to stop play too eat! Oh you thought I just grounded them! :)
They just do not want to stop the play for any thing.
I need to get Dove's hair cut now. It will be great to see her eyes.
They have eaten and have declared "FREEDOM"! and ran back off outside to task of all the imaginative glee.

Wow did I get into a deep exhaustive funk. It feels better now to have had a bit of rest.
There is an old saying HALT about not getting too hungry, angry, lonely or tired.
I was just so too tired. Having this ear infection over the holiday was a bit over the top. I am hoping that it is clearing up now.
Beloved is working on my Web page design. I am so over the top with accumulated tasks. I know I will get caught up eventually though. Laundry is calling and so is the Christmas decor to be put away. I am however doing my best to just stop hard working and lay back and take a breather.

Dash got his Hair cut.

Dash came to me ready to go to get his hair cut.
No fuss no pressure or persuasion.
He just was ready to stop waring it long to cover his hearing aides.
I think He now knows who he is and has greater confidence in him self.
This a passage into his boyhood that is marked with a personality change.
My son is becoming a confident boy.
He is so handsome and loves his new cut.
If you click on the image notice how one pupil is larger than the other. We are watching this closely as per the ushers syndrome thing.

Make it from Scratch Carnaval* Floral Arrangement*

Floral arrangement for a Dinner Table.

When you get your flowers home see that they are kept cool.
Fill a basin with cool water and separate the stems of like plant.
I used an elongated shape (a loaf pan) for my setting.
It is important to consider if your guest will ever looking over or across your display. This is made low just for this very reason.
The pan is filled with water half way and then glass flat end marbles.
The flower fresh or and aspirin can be added to preserve the buds.
Cut the stems of all plants under water.
Due to capillary action the plant will suck up air or water. If air is pulled in it will not allow the plant to absorb water and your plants will wilt and die off prematurely
I used the pine for the linear effect.

Filled in the space with additional baby's breath

Aim for form and symmetry if that is your desire.
Fill in with the accents of eucalyptus.

One by one I then cut the roses and pulled any spent petals.
Remove any rose leaves that might touch the water in your container.
Keeping the stem under water when cut for a second or two, and then getting it into water promptly.
Fill in open spaces with the little accent flower sprays
Spray them daily with water if you are in a dry climate. I have filled the water daily and It is now several days later they look wonderful.
They are opening up now.
I placed the candles directly into the marbles and that is all there is to it.
The flowers were a gift from my husband for Christmas.
Two dozen roses and one bunch baby's breath at Costco. I think it was around $20. to purchase the flowers.
This would be VERY costly to purchase at a florist.

Thankful Thursday

So much to be grateful for this Christmas time.

My sweet Beloved took the children and I shopping and we were able to amply provide for the menu for the Eve and the main event and even a celebration of friendship in the evening.
We are so blessed.
My beloved gave me some "smoked salmon" and these wonderful Christmas red roses.
I took such great pleasure in making an arrangement for the Christmas table. It was so much fun to get to do an arrangement. I love floral arranging very much. The beauty of the life is a real pleasure to my eyes and my soul.
I had a nice salmon snack and we even gave the children some fresh mandarin oranges and the history of them as well.

My joy was full in the time He and I set aside for each other late Christmas eve.
This is something we have done for 25 years now.
When we begin anew.

I saw the joy of generous gifts received upon the faces of my children. Such abundance.
Thank you Auntie and Uncle.

We were so grateful to be able to replace the old bicycles with new bikes.

I was touched at how God had relayed the desires of my heart to another
Thank You SILove

My children appreciated the work of my hands.
This was huge for me.
For I poured my heart into the many things I made for them. They were grateful. This pleases me for them too. To see that character really set sail to my faith and assured me that even in my weakness as a parent I am having a good effect for the lives they have ahead of them.

I was deeply touched to hear my daughter heart toward me in her written work. No greater gift could I have received.
Dash with his "Baby Dog" sang so happily that it was sweet to the very tooth of it. :)

Witnessing a grandfather explain the plane that he flew in WWII.
Seeing an Elder open his heart to this new generation and to open his own heart to the memory of those days hard won. When Men were men and our country stood up against a tyranny that decimated a population. This is one hero of our Country.. So many are now silent.
As that generation is leaving as Grandfathers dear friend went home to be with the Lord this month. So many of the WWII veterans are forgotten.
When History is forgotten it often repeats it self.
We must never forget.

I thank the dear Grand parents who cared so deeply as to ask for the desires of the kids hearts and to gift them with the very toy the each wished for.

But the greatest of all of these was the time afforded the generations to be together and enjoy one another.
My husband Brother and Parents spending a nice day together , leaving all too soon to my started surprise when Dove mentioned we might have friends over later. I do hope they did not feel rushed off..
An unexpected joy of enough energies to set a table for friends to fellowship and our kids to play.

And at the end of the day ...
My beloved told me the story of the Iron.
We took a trip today and re-purchased it.
He will return the other one.
Wow an iron that is well...like a robot sorta.
It makes me laugh.