Got a big job done

After I dropped the kids at school I worked on the yard.
I got this porch done late in the morning.

This looks so much better! I used the blower that my in-laws gave us.
I blew it straight down and stirred the rock then I blew it to the driveway.
I have a full drash bin and then the trash can is full too.

The tree came to life! In answer to my prayers and petitions, a lot of water and loving kindness it came back! The big tree was acting as if it was dying off in heart. It came back!

While the gardeners were across the street.
I trimmed this bush so that the stone was hiding.
"Por favor" for a favor they let me toss the trimming into the heap in their trailer.

I began to be quiet! Even though the gardeners across the street had a lot of noise I still found the center.
I remembered how much joy there is for me in the garden. I loved the live of each plant I trimmed. Oh! it was so peaceful!

This East side took a lot of hard back bending but all the weeds are gone. I have several sunflowers up in different stages.

I lovingly groomed this little (gift from God) tree.
It is a baby of the neighbors. As I was trimming it a hummingbird came to visit me. It stayed with me a few moments and then gathered some White fuzz from the seed pods off the little tree next to me. Them It and it's little white bundle were of.

As I sat and had a lunch rest, I heard myself call the name of the master of the gardeners. So I looked up at the truck that had just pulled up. It was him! So I spoke as I had saw myself do. He came over and looked at the yard. He even tested the sprinkler system. He said we really need to have it working for the sale. He offered to help me with it for very little charge. This fellow used to hire poor immigrants and I often used him just to get my big tree trimmed. Often offering them cool water. They are the invisible people in our neighborhood. They often act amazed to just be offered kindness. Once I gave a poor elderly man a necklace set I had made so he could send it back to Mexico for his wife. He was so moved to tears.
Now here this gardener is serving us, yes for a wage , but a VERY fair one and I know the work will be well done.
I hired the gardeners for next Wednesday to come and till the back lawn and mulch it, fertilize and throw the seed. The man who owns the gardening crew was very helpful and set up the back lawn for watering all week at 5 a.m.
So outside perked up tomorrow it is Doves room with a little help possibly from a friend who might come.
I look forward to gardening, to the quiet:)
Oh! my neighbor accross the street said I can put my dogs in her back yard while I am showing the house! That is such a big relief!

Wordless Wedensday

I know it is a wordless. I just have to say this...Two hours after I shampooed this rug,
our Golden Retriever took it as a "poo" rug! Oh!Yes she did!

Tackle It Tuesday

Well this will be a busy day.
I have a Little Boy's first field trip to attend to this morning at 8:45.
It is to go see a play of the "Velveteen Rabbit".
He is a bit out of sorts.

Once we got to the school I dropped them of and then when to park. I tended to the cafeteria fees, and paper work for volunteering.
I saw another mom that knows me from when I had knee therapy.
We then had a time of listening to the children's reading lessons.

They lined up with great response.

We made funny faces while waiting for the buses to all load.

He is so beautiful!

It was so fun.

Once at the high school we quickly unloaded.

We all entered into the auditorium.
And had a wonderful time.

I stayed for the lunch with Dash.
Then he left and Dove entered into the cafeteria.
I so enjoyed my time with the kids at lunch.

Then it is the Kitchen

Before

After
Time to go get the children.

I took the kids to go get Daddy Mans herb.
This has stopped his migraines.
I get several when I go so I do not have as many visits to the store. It is $7 a bottle and last around a month I think.

I took the kids to get and Icy and then I had them sit on a bench and purposefully we "people watched". Just to see what they could learn. 4 of 30 people smiled. It was a profitable lesson.
Doves room was undone today for I fell asleep on the sofa with the children watching educational TV. I slept until it was time to fix supper.
We all went for a nice walk around the block
I researched the Dave Ramsey web site and called a Realtor in our area..
We have set up to interview him on Thursday.

Packing up Doves room too. I had a wonderful time yesterday, a sweet friend came and we had a nice curried chicken salad together. Then we tackled the floor of Doves room.

It was so very helpful because it is hard for me to do the floor with all the bending and such.

Work, work, work.

I got a few boxes started of give away /yard sale .

The books are separated and boxed too.

I have the porch to wash off too later this (tomorrow)afternoon.
Yard work and Doves room too.

Resurection Day wrap up...

The Kids woke up ready for the baskets...however we with held them until Daddy Man was a wake to get to enjoy the pleasure of watching them open them.

We got to attend Worship Service! Wow that was so restful! We worked so hard Saturday so that the folks were able to come here in the evening. We painted and packed up in the living room so it would be nice.

It felt nice to put a dress on it was the first time in two months.
We have worked every waking moment trying to follow what we believe is right. It has been a long road but the house is painted and all but cleaning is done(and a few other things:)
By the end of this week we will hire a Realtor.

The Children were so cute all dressed up , but as soon as we got in the door all dress clothes were off before I could get the camera. I was bummed about that

They had so much fun with the window walkers.

These were the hit of the baskets!

Poor Dash his burst the first time he sat on it. I told him I would try to get another one, and to pray about it. Today he was given one in a goody bag from that party I did not attend with him. (they wanted me to just drop him off..For a sleep over! Strangers! I don't think so)

God opened the Iris on Easter Morning "just for me!"

They are huge!
Off to church ...ON TIME!
It was really a treat to go and worship.
It has been so long. I rested all day until the afternoon.

After church we went to attend the invitation to join a wonderfully kind and generous family, who included us in their celebration. There were 12 there I think and the children had a wonderful time (ours and theirs)

They have a trampoline that my children can not get enough of. The therapy they had to do for so long was bouncing. I was taught that it helps them with their central nervous system order. I hope to get one that is recessed into the ground in our next home.

Dash was just "head over heals"

It was hard to keep my son on this earth :)
They were playing something called a WII (we).
We had a great time. I came home gifted with a nice bowl of lemons.

After an half an hour at home and a mad dash to get the last of the task done (the ones I just could not leave). The Grand Parents arrived. They brought a wonderful fruit salad and we had soy yogurt for Dash and I and the others had cottage cheese. They gave the kids Easter baskets, but I had not yet come into the room so I did not get to capture it or even see it. My kids were awful! They acted up so bad that it was frustrating.

We did an embarrassing easter egg hunt in my filthy back yard. I was so appalled ,but I just can not have everything the way I like it. They were fussing and argumentative. TOO much sugar! They were probably pretty tired too. It was so crazy making. They seam to always act up bad with the Grand Parents ( I wish the folks could see them when they are normal). I just don't know what to do. It is like they are strangers and act really angry and such. Sorry folks I wish you could know them for who they really are.

They began to open their plunder on the dirty porch and they were ushered into the table where before I could stop it they were stuffing more of the crystal into their little vain

They were pretty out of control.

I was trying to find a puzzle to do and they were too pricey so we all played a game. I wanted so badly for the children to get to have a little one on one with the folks.

The folks seamed to really enjoy the time with them playing the game. Dove blew on the die for her Grandma and was thrilled to get the perfect count for her. It was very nice and just the right time so that the folks would not have to travel in the dark on the way home.
Off to bed for the little sleepy eyed freshly bathed babies who were asleep before their little heads hit the pillows.

Menu Plan Monday

Hello folks it has been a while...
I have been consumed else where but,...
WE ARE STARVING! for my good cooking :)

Monday
Fish
sated in onion garlic...sweat out tomatoes diced add spinach sweat out and hollow out space for the fish. Then cover fish with mixture and cover skillet for 3-4 minutes serve over rice prepared with vegetable broth.
Tuesday
Speggetti sauced with marinara and home made hamburger and sausage in sauce.
Salad of romaine ,carrot and yellow and orange bell peppers
Wednesday
Oven roasted Bottom Round of beef Roast, Studded with garlic (and a lot of it!) Roasted Carrots, celery and Yukon gold potatoes.

I will finish after I get the children off to school

Pay it Forward

Pay It Forward...
I've joined the "Pay it Forward" challenge over at "Just a Mom's blog. She does beautiful quilts.

The rules are that the first three people to join the challenge on my blog will receive a gift handmade by me. I will have 365 days to make and send your gift - hopefully it won't take me that long.

You must then do a post on your blog inviting 3 more people to join in and receive a handmade gift from you.


Sounds like it will be so much fun, so please leave a comment soon if you want to take part in the "Pay It Forward" challenge..... I would love to have you play the game....so who will it be?

Be Brave.
We are going to be.

But...He has done nothing wrong.

Good Easter Morning to all of you.

I awoke before the dawn within a dream.

I was in a high powered office building. I had been at a conference table at the end. It was hard to hear the lead counsel for he was at the far end and I strained to listen. I found myself in the lobby looking for the rest room. I discovered by accident a seamstress boutique. I entered. It was wonderful. There was soft music playing and the fabrics were so beautiful. I stood and took it in. Then I was approached by the proprietor Who was very suspicious yet eager to please my money out of my pocket.
She lead me over to a group of ladies looking at fine silkens that were intended for bustia's and undergarments. I admired the fabrics rich texture and colors and then offered to share my knowledge of color analysis. The proprietor then refused such information and dismissed it as faulty knowledge she did not subscribe too, and walked away.
I again searched out to find a rest room and entered. In stream I looked up as she opened the door with her suspicious key. She began accusing me of thieving from her. I said that I just needed to relieve myself and that was all I was doing. She then called a man in to guard her and I was exposed innocent and embarrassed. Her accusations continued. I emptied my purse that was a very small, then and she opened the small lip gloss of ointment and polluted it with her touch.
Then she ruffed me up and proceeded to throw me out of her shop but she had taken my sewing machine and it was scattered on the ground as I learched to protected it the man and the other was damaging it. I called it my singer (however in real life I use a Phaff). It was not mine. I just thought it was in the dream.
Then I awoke. I was angry because I had done nothing wrong.

Those who have so much to lose will be threatened by our innocence. Just as they were by Christ Jesus. He had done nothing wrong. Look what they did to him. Only He did not open his mouth to defend himself.

I have been very angry. I had done nothing (?) wrong. Yet I am letting go of this house because we can not or choose not to afford to live here any longer. This is a fine luxurious home. Yet I have always felt deep inside that I did not really belong here and that it was temporary. I have been angry about the upheaval of my life. The loss of time with my children (who I had waited so long to have). Angry with God, who has done nothing wrong. Angry with my husband, who has done nothing wrong. Angry because I am suffering discomfort although temporary I grumble. I thought of those Israelites being let free from bondage and in their discomfort they grumbled! I do want to enter in to our promised land. I do not want to annoy my leader (in this case my husband) into utter frustration with me. I do not want him to miss out on entering in because I exasperate him to sin.
It is our dream, it is for us to reinvent ourselves into a life of what we honestly afford. A home without mortgage. A home that is an absolute privileged to even dream of owning, yet it is hard for the rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven...I am getting a little glimpse of what that might mean. Like the tax collector of Luke who gave away a third of all he owned and shared his wealth so it is that Mr Uncommon and I are doing. It is our way to give and yet for several years we have held our excess out of fear. When we lost our lucrative employment we also lost our open hand. We held back what we feared we may never again afford to own. We have made a choice to let go of this home to reinvent ourselves.
Let me tell you that this is no easy task. My flesh has risen within me full of anger at the inconvenience of it all. Although I have known that this home was only for a season, known this deeply within my spirit, I have resented leaving the luxury of it. I have grumbled and belly ached until my husband has hit "the rock" almost. I do not want him to miss entering in because of me.
It is a very hard thing for us to lower our selfs in status, in comfort. It is far easier to raise our selfs. It is the one who is at the lowest place at the table who has opportunity to be lifted to sit closer to counsel.
It is those who have much, who fear the loss of it. We are threatened by those who come in innocence for the suspicion of theft is everywhere.
Entering into the kingdom just might be the absence of such fear of loss.
In it might be the gain of caring more about the other person than to withhold who we are. It is in all these riches that I have closed down to the open handed life I once live and will surly live again.
People are drowning in the accumulation, that is what we are taught we are to do. Accumulate and archive the sure signs that we have arrived. What a target for my anger. That I was deceived into the trap of it. Now ...and now I am to let it all go. All the "Stuff" that took so much of my effort and energies to acquire. The stuff that gave me status. Boy when you stop to really look at it it is so sick and perverted. All of that stuff began to drown me. I was suffocating. I had cried out to God on more than one occasion to help me be free from so much stuff. Now I cry out in frustration because it is so hard to shed it!
He has done nothing wrong.
We are drowning. It is a journey to freedom to entering in to the freedom. The kingdom that I am being gifted with. It is not about me...It is about the kingdom. Freedom from the fear the consuming trend. For all around me the consuming is eating the people alive. Eating every waking moment with the greed for gain and status. It is a hard thing to let go of it too. My flesh has had fits over it. Fear of the loss of all the privileges is hard too (smaller yard, smaller house, older things, closer buildings and so on and on).
We are so very fortunate to make this choice while we are able.
I have to remind myself and convince myself. Egypt is not better it is just what I have known. The promised land is taken by force it takes a lot of effort!
So this Easter Morning perhaps it is for me to walk around those walls of "Jericho" and just keep walking around those walls until all those ancient foundations are loosened up enough so that on that perfect morning I can just blow those trumpets and watch that wall just fall to the ground. All those obstacles and images of everything that is not welcome in, are abolished in my life. It will be a clean city of hope and a land of freedom.
A promised land of life more abundantly.

Every Good and Perfect Gift....

I love giving gifts to my children.
Making up the yearly Easter Baskets is no exception.
I love giving them gifts. The thought of that gave me pause. What parent does not love giving their children good gifts?...
My Abba Father God gives so many good gifts to me every day. I find myself annoyed by the plastic wrap or the security measures:)...but they are no less perfect gifts. Ha!
The easter baskets for the kids this year are full of gifts. The Daddy Man requested the concentration lean away from candy a bit, so this is what they get.

A sweet New Testament Bible (NIV). Pink for Dove and Blue for Dash.
A chick that chirps when you touch the sensors.
Dash got Patric and Dove got a Sponge Bob little window sticky toy.
A 3D sticker image that is a sweet cottage with bunny stickers.
(I love the innocence of it)
Dash got a giraffe (he was recently very pleased with a giraffe he drew), and Dove a fuzzy puppy coloring page with 4 little markers each.
They each got a whoopee cushion (they are both so full of good old silly humor).
A small chocolate bunny,
a roll of gum,
a tube of candy,
and 4 dipping candy that they love.
A few scattered jelly beans too.
On the bag is a wire form bunny toy.
They can use the baskets for the hunting of eggs later in the day.

Each bag was approximately $10. I find it so much better to create the bags for them with just what is good and perfect for our family. I am savvy to the Grand Parents giving them each a stuffed animal.

Eggs, Legs and a full day.

I can see you...

I can see you too...

The kids dyed the eggs while I sliced the strawberries for brunch at our friends tomorrow. This is such an answer to my hearts desire to share Easter morning with other children. Our kids are late in the scheme of things in our family dynamics. Most of our peers are begining to have grand kids so there are no cousins or extended family of children. So when an invitation came to join a family for Easter Morning it rang like a bell at sunrise, refreshing me.
A long time ago the home we had was just near a church and every Sunday morning we heard church bells chime. I loved that.... I wax into a sweet memory.

The fine motor difficulties left the two of them a bit frustrated. It is so hard for them to use their hands. Dove shakes a lot and Dash misses the target. So I have to stay right near to help and calm them. I gave them each a candle and we spoke of the "Light of the world" Dash gets it. We spoke of the dove of the Holy Spirit, and the tomb that was empty. We spoke of the love and the life. I enjoyed being with them.

If you were to look at my feet they never touch the floor in any chair I sit in and this always stresses my knees. Funny what being short legged can do to ya.

Ready for service tomorrow.

I have to shampoo the rug for this space. For some reason even though they have an entire house the dogs will puke on my rugs! ERRR it is both of the rugs too! So I have them to shampoo. I will set them at an angle. I'll need to work a bit more on the staging of this space.

Delight awaits me as I wake and come out of my bedroom to clear open space!
I will have Mr Un ") hang the mirror back up here I think it is good staging for light.

He will take these boxes out to the very full, garage tomorrow.

Laundry room DONE! (a few touch ups)
I get to go to service tomorrow!
The chores are done to the point of serving a supper to the Folks in the afternoon (in loves).
Happy Easter from the descendant of the Esterday's!