Today

Its a nice day today here. I have been working on the house, I baked a turkey and just finished the gravy. Cooking gravy my way is a long hot process, but oh man... it is so rich and thick!
This is an old post of how it was done.
Kids just shut off the t.v. and the Daddy man will be home soon.
I Love him so much. I have been thinking a lot the last couple of days about what a great friend I have in him. We are such a team in life. The feeling and experience of privilege that comes with being a team with him is so secure and safe. We have worked a lifetime together. Looking forward to our continued partnership is so dear to me. I am touched by the reality that we have this great love between us. Even with all the challenges and trial we have known we are for each other. I am so in love with this man. My friend and partner. We are working hard together to make life work out.
I was reading in the book of James today...He is a good man. How many suffer with men who shame them and disgrace the family. How awful it would be to live like that. I found myself all but crying at the thought of it. So many hurt do deeply.

Two days ago I had a time of loving prayer, and I was reminded of an event that happened many many years ago. It was the day before the death of an amazing woman of God. I was told to visit her and I did. At that visit I was involved in a lengthly discussion with a man who had had a stroke. It was such a joy and I was naive and in my joy I told his wife of our talk where upon she raged in my face. It was a hard lesson learned.
It was what that man said to me that flashed in vision before my face.
He said..."Who will come when you leave?"
I remembered the event and the wonder of Grandma passing that night knowing she was going home to her Lord.
I dozed back off to sleep and dreamed of visiting a nursing home and placing my hand on the cheek of a face with oxygen on her nose. then I awoke.
I told the Lord Here I am...
Today I called a woman in missions at church and told her.
She gave me the number of a daughter of a 102 year old woman who she knew would love a visitor.
I called the daughter telling her of this.
I will attend a visit to dear 102 year old Emilie tomorrow at 1 p.m.
I will see what is before me as I walk into what I am to do.
It is the widow and the orphan who cry alone.
The worse thing I have ever known in my life is that utter aloneness.
It is a prison of isolation that deprives one of the truth of their existence.
This is a prison that we can set free those who have need for a simple reminder that they do exist. That their existence does matter.
Their breath is not a void but a gift.
My heart reaches out to the widow, widower and orphan.

Menu Plan Monday

Hello!
Yes I actually made a menu!

I have thawed a small turkey I purchased when they were on sale.

I'll bake up the bird and use the meat for other dishes.

Monday
Spegetti with sauce that is bottled
I will grind it in the blender add clove and a bit of sugar.
(I have a portion of rice pasta for me in the freezer)
Bread sticks.
Romaine and mixed veggie salad with home made croûtons.

Tuesday
Baked turkey
cranberries sauced
rice pilaf and gravy
broccoli

Wednesday
Turkey soup with alphabet for Dove
Rice Pasta salad for Dash and I
(Dove loves soup Dash hates soup)
(Dash loves pasta salad and ...) :)

Thursday
Curried Lamb
Mint jelly
?
Left over for those who will not eat Lamb

Friday
Turkey Enchiladas
Green sauce and fire roasted red bell peppers.
I will make it with tofu so we all can have it.
Tofu cream cheese, sprinkled with green onion diced
I will reheat it with cheddar on top for those who can eat cheese.
Pinto beans

Saturday
Jumbalia with chicken
bell pepper strips and carrot sticks

Deserts and snacks for the week
Pineapple upside down cake
Cherry Pie
grapes,pretzels
apples carrot sticks
cookies, popcorn

"No Man has ever been shot while doing the dishes"
Ha! :)

Little Mr independence is a short time away...Had a great day with his Dad for I was with our dear Dove all day holding her and sharing her "little house on the prairie" shows.
It was nice to hold her head on my lap and stroke her hair.

by late evening however the bug began to "bite me".
Sweet Little Dove fought to take care of Her Momma.
With everyone hungry and me not doing so good it was good old cheerios to the rescue.
I am going to take it easy today. Nausea and a head/sore throat cold are trying to invade me.
A fever of 100.5 had set in as I held my head in exasperation I looked up to see Daddy Man snap a picture of how sweet a love Dove was showing me.
She got really mad when I got up to feed Dash and The Mr then got up to care for him and for us.
She said" you! pointing to me..Sit down and He can feed us!"

I have the OPEN HOUSE next Saturday...The place is a bit lived in after the weekend. SO kids off to school and I rest and clean.
Dove had a panic attack in the middle of the night. Daddy man had to be called as I made it back to lay down sick to my tummy. I hope the morning goes off well. There is something upsetting Dove I just know it.
I wish she could tell me.

Sunday Smiles

Good Morning!

Daddy Man and son went to church together.
As I fully dressed held little doves hair as she dry heaved into the toilet.

I held her while we watch "Spirit" stallion of the Cameron. She was able to eat some apple sauce and some vanilla soy ice cream.
Father and Son are playing a video game and Dove is lying here near me watching a TV show of safety for kids.

She is so precious. The Doctors office did not call about it being strep so I am not sure what is going on with her. She said her tummy hurts I see not fever or anything else. I am not too sure if she is stressed over something? She has had a problem in the distant past like that, but this is strange. She is just not doing well. Please pray for her.

I awoke with a head ache.

I shampooed both dogs and brushed out Rena the Golden Retriever.

I think it may have set off my sinuses or I may have the virus the kids had?
The dogs are clean though.

I brushed out Rena and she is so pretty.

Willy turned out so shinny!
I use a special shampoo and cream rence that I get from a groomer's supply catalog.
It is cut 16 to 1.

Five things Meme

First, the rules:
1. Each blogger answers the questions about themselves.
2. Then tag five people. Make sure to let them know!


What I was doing 10 years ago?:
We had just brought Little Dove home from Russia. she was very ill and had only been home a few weeks. She was going to the Children's Hospital trying to get her health. She had been given an injection in Russia that had become encapsulated in her upper arm. It was an inoculation that her body fought off. It I believe was God's way of protecting her. Daddy Man and I were very sick form the infection that Dove had. We had given away the anti biotic we had to our hosts in Russia for they were unable to ever acquire it. We gave it to them and them became very ill on board the flight home. We were just getting up on our feet. We were all three treated for parasites (internal). Boy that still makes me feel sick just to think of it.
I was rocking my daughter to sleep and could not allow any one else to hold her. She had cradle cap so bad that she was bold in the back for not being held. I had three baby showers! We were so well cared for by the church family of Scottsdale Bible they were wonderful! My Baby was very tiny at eight months she was smaller than a 4 month old. She ate and ate and became a butter ball. We had Physical therapy and speech (to teach her how to suck and to eat without choking) and Occupational therapy to help her to move her arm had been stuck at her side for so many months she could not lower it well. We had therapy 3x a week 15 miles one way. Then the Hospital sent a Department of Developmentally Disabled Children to our home twice a week. I had a torn wrist and changed diapers one handed for months ( I caught my thumb in a door handle and almost tore my wrist completely backward). It was casted for some time. I taught her twinkle twinkle and instead of a diamond shape with my hands it was a triangle. :) the cast made me not able to move my thumb.



Five things on my to-do list today:

1. I took the kids to the doctor
2. resting
3. blogging
4. Feeding us dinner
5. Movie night with the family

Five Snacks I enjoy:

1. extremely dark chocolate
2. Navel oranges
3. candy
4. Beef Jerky
5. chips

Five Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Live debt free.
2. Give where it is right to do so, spend some and save some.
3. Give the children and My Husband world travel and cultural/historical awareness.
4. Equip The needy with the ability to help themselves more.
5. Send some funds to world orphanages known to be upright and to aide in the care of the elderly widow and widowers.

Five of my bad habits:
1. Lack of physical activity
2. Too many calories and not the best things for me.
3. Neglecting my physical, emotional and mental needs.
4. Working so hard and not pacing myself
5. Nail biting

Five places I have lived:
1. Tacoma, Washington State
2. Palm Springs, California
3. Ogden, Utah
4. Phoenix, Arizona
5. Scottsdale, Arizona

Five jobs I’ve had:
Gas station attendant
Henny Penny Chicken
Bank Teller
Insurance Agent
Extended Care Coordinator at a Private School

What I’d like to be doing in 25 years:
I will be 72, With grandchildren perhaps. With good health I hope and a sound mind. That is my prayer. I would like to be playing with the grand children watching my children thrive in their marriages and adult lives.
Dash will be 32, Dove will be 36 wow! I hope to be here. If not I will be standing at the right hand of God Praying for them day and night.


Tag your it.

Back from the Pediatrician

Back from the pediatrician with preliminary test results of no strep , but the test will tack 24 hours to confirm it.
I had a couple of small checks for the paint rebate. I thought how nice it would be to give them a happy meal then I remembered those checks. I went through the drive threw and cashed them. The joy of the journey with two kids so happy to get to have a burger and fries was dear. We all ate on the road home. They had so much fun with the toy that came in it. All the way home happy sounds and giggles from the back seat. The toy made music and they were trying to get them to sound off in unison.
Too cute.
We stopped by the drug store for some vapor rub and some throat drops for them to suck on.
Dash is sneezing a lot. It is a virus as far as we can tell.
I have to watch Dash's breathing so far his chest sounded o.k.
The Doctor confirmed that she had studied up on the Ushers and said that it can cause dizziness. I told her that I got the referral for the Barrows Nero Center for that testing Dash needs to get done.
I told her that Dash will still be Dash.
She sweetly smiled and disclosed that she has an Autistic son.
I told her of our blogging community of support.
So Doc if your out there welcome , Join in we are all here for each other.
I hope your all having the joy of life in the twinkle of your eye.
I am doing so so much better. The only side effect of the antidepressant appears to be sleepiness. Then again maybe I need to just rest more:) Ha!
Stress is a real thief. Don't forget to care for your selves friends.

"If you can't be a good example then be a good cautionary tail"
HA!

Yesterday's Cup Cakes for the kids

Yesterday Dove was home sick all day and she watched "Little House on the Prairie" and we both had a little afternoon nap. She rested all day. We went to go bring Dash home and they had computer time. During Computer time the house was so quiet. I took over the TV for a while and then saw a show about turning the TV off and living:) So I did. I decided to bake some cup cakes for the children. Setting up the island with individual bowls of decorations and frosting (store bought this time). After they had cooled I had the children wash up. The pleasure of watching their joy was a delight.
How happy they were to be given the honor of decorating the cakes.
You can see it on Doves face!

It was fun to see them work.
Dash has fine motor challenges and was pretty frustrated at times but this was a great way to stick (get it) to it. Yes sticky fingers what a joy! They even held off tasting them until after the cakes were finished. I teach them about germs and how we have to work clean and use proper cooking technique.

Just look at those adorable little fingers!
Better than any other entertainment!:)

The delicacy is so beautiful to me.

The finished product!
They had so much fun!
It was so quiet last evening. Even the Daddy Man noticed. The children were (as they are now) playing Lego's in Dash's room. They are having fun.

I have a doctors appointment for both of them at 11 a.m. today to check them for strep throat.
I want to make sure that they are alright.
Dove is so tender she set her hand on mine and thanked me for believing me that she was not faking and trying to get out of school. Her eyes were so transparent. Really beautiful.
Dove has been so very healthy all her days (except infancy) that I am watching her carefully. She has had a very low grade fever. Dash awoke with breathing difficulty. He feels warm too.

Top Parenting Blog Award

A thoughtful gift this morning from

Corey over at "Living and Loving every Minute of it"

Thank you Corey
This warmed my heart.

Thankful Thursday

My sweet Little Dove is sick with a sore throat and tummy.
She has the sneezes too. Sweet girl is an easy patient, very good natured.

I am so very thankful that we are able to have me home with the children. That is a huge blessing to me. When I think of many who have to leave to go to employment how very hard it must be for them.
How healthy Dove has always been even as a baby. She was so ill in Russia but once she recovered she has been such a healthy child. It is a gift and a wonder how merciful God has been in her health.
Mercy = unmerited favor
Mercy has followed me all the days of my life. I have watched the shadow of its wing above me. Sheltering me, abundantly blessing me. I have lived under this covering. known the peace and prosperity of it. Unmerited? Nothing I did or am deserves it. It simply is.
Yet I read and understand that there is a measure of obedience that brings in a harvest. The 10 commandments the ultimate commandment in the New Covenant... to Love the Lord God with all my heart, soul and mind and to love my neighbor as myself.
The heading of the call... If My People who are called by My Name will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways and repent...I shall hear from Heaven and heal their lands.
Oh how many many fields need to be healed so that healthy crops can be harvested into this mighty nation. Is my own field in need? A question I suppose all of us could use to ask.
Create in me clean hands and a pure heart. Let me be like Him in all my ways.

Calm at the summit.

Hello Friends, So long have I been away from blogging. It is a season of great change for me. The calm is here as we sit on the summit awaiting the cresting of this grand adventure.
Yesterday at the 11th hour I finished the taxes. It was the first time I even had opportunity to accomplish it and I was able to complete and mail them just 5 minutes before I was due to a luncheon for volunteers at the kids school.
I got to have a nice chicken and salad lunch and visit with the teachers of both of my children. That was yesterday.

My Sweet Little Dove was home sick today. I enjoyed her presence. She has stopped biting her nails! I am so very proud of her. It has long pierced my heart that I gave my child such a poor example. She now owns her own hands with pride. I acknowledged her success with a nice manicure and pedicure. She still struggles with the sensitivity issues but she did real well in allowing us this shared time of pleasure.
She is so growing up! look how big girl her hands and feet have become.
She will soon be 11!

I made croûtons, and breakfast cookies today. Then I placed a nice roast in the oven studded with garlic and slathered in BBQ sauce. It baked for many hours and was melt in your mouth tender. I served it with roasted root veggies that were sprinkled with olive oil and sea salt. YUM.

It was a pleasure to cook again.

It is time to find something to craft! I went out in the boxes and was able to find this project. I began to cut it out and just felt like I was home again.
See my "sewing room" in a tin.

We had our first showing yesterday (Tax day) the first day that the house was not perfectly set. I had an hour to rush around and stage it mopping floors and turning all the lights on. We (the kids, dogs and I went over to the neighbors to sit on her porch. My agent called today saying that it was not shown to a client by the other Realtor it was he and his wife them self who are interested in the house for them selves. She was told that they will be discussing it tonight and maybe making an offer!
The house has been on the market 8 days now.

Well I just though I would check in. I hope you are all doing well. I have very little quiet time with the TV here near my computer. The noise of it chases me out of the room.