Mighty Mud Mania "panic"

There is an annual event in Scottsdale Arizona.
Mighty Mud mania it has been held for almost 30 yrs. It has grown into a force to be reckoned with.

Dove braved the slide but did not like soap on her skin.
Sensory integration makes everything "too much"

She did venture down the hill and that was huge for her.

Parents had to leave the kids here to go through the line. My kids would have none of it! Even with a mom type volunteer they would not do it!
The obstical course was just too much for them.

Dove (hand in Hand) with a volunteer walked nervously around the edge. Her feet got just slightly wet that was enough. They even held back the crowd a few moments as to let her feel safer.
Dash ==="NO WAY!" "HE SAID, NO! MOM<>

We then found a very quiet corner of the massive event and with a little coaching from the volunteer the began to blow bubbles.
Dash had to be helped a lot.
I had to put my hand under the bubble to show how it would feel, then his hand on mine and then he allowed it to touch him.
Wow!
It was a moment epiphany in my utter frustration that it hit me.
"Just find what they like and do not even consider the event only the experience that they were able to take in. "
Sometimes I want my kids to be normal so bad I forget they are not.
They can not endure the sounds, sights and smells like we can.
I was able to help them find a scaled down corner and they had fun.
It was like going to Disneyland to climb stairs.

Dash started to let his shoulders down and have fun. This girl is the daughter of the woman who escorted us around trying to help my kids. The parents were not aloud in the event areas.

Wonder began to fall upon him.
Acceptance of my children and the limits they have fell upon me and I too began to find a relaxed moment.
It was so hard when they were both panicked.
The provision of the woman and her daughter really helped. The woman had a little cross dangling from one earring and a peace sign from the other.

This felt good!
I want one of these.
It was a very hot day today.

Even it though began to overwhelm as many people liked it too.
They do not like crowds at all!

Dove filled a bucket three times with sand to make a castle.
Dash just hung back and then began to enjoy imaginary things and tell me the storys of war heros as they fought in the sand.
Dash was hungry at 10:30 he wanted lunch. He needs to eat so often and a lot of it.
It was not lunch time yet at the Mc D so we went to target and got the book bags for school and lunch totes and a folder for each.
They will start school in three weeks.
I found pants for dove for $1.25 two pair and four tops cute button t's for $1.75 each.

We all went out to a treat of a Mc D.
That boy ate a Big Mac and 1/2 large fry and my bread, and wanted more.
It was a nice lunch togeather.
We all returnsed home. It was a bit stressful for me so I was worn out!

Best friends forever and the Lost tooth.

Good Morning!
A Sweet heart ed reader desires her girl to have a BFF and so I thought of Dove who tends to befriend the less fortunate. Int that she has had 5 BFF move away on her. In almost every relationship the sweet kid was a child who was befriended only by Dove. Year after year amazingly these relationships end whth a move or departure.
So yesterday as I was Praying for our daughters I thought to call the last childs mother.
We spoke and arranged for the child to come for a visit in September.
We also had the child call Dove and wish her happy birthday.
So when the phone rang moments later....
I handed the phone to her and said..."Happy Birthday!
When she heard the childs voice on the other end...
Glee!

Silly, loving, Pure Glee!

Oh the joy of a child!

She was so happy! I love this picture of her, she is so innocent and dear.

It made a day of gratitude. She hugged me often and spoke several times of how much she loved me.

Dash lost his front tooth!
It came out at his hand.
Wiggle , wiggle here we go again!

He is so happy.
I love happy kids.
They are so peaceful and delightful.

Thursday Thirteen

1.
I awoke early and finished tending the dogs,making lunch for Mr U. , making a pot of coffee and eating some sunflower granola. I raced the sun and won!
I was able to get this far...before 7:15.
My hair is soaking wet!

2.
I got some more of the rock out but have a fair amount yet to remove. Thinking of having the young ones come out and pick the stones for me. It is hard to bend down that much.
Yes my back is tired. By the by my joy is strong!
I felt a little discouraged by the Mr about funding the chickens. So I am asking God to make a way, lumber, chicken wire, chickens and feed. You all join in with me please. I really desire to do this for my family. Yes it is hard work but it is Ecclesiastics that tells me to enjoy it. It is the fruit of our labors that is all we really have left to show for this life.

3.
Nothing so beautiful as dogs wet from rolling in the cool lawn on a summer morning.
Simple beauty.

4.
I was able to get the sewing room arraigned better yesterday.
The new 1++ sitting center. I was given this machine back after I let go of it. I am very fortunate to own it. It is time I stop being intimidated by it and make some good use of it.
I have so many things to learn about it.
It is an embroidery machine.

5.
The thread beds are up and organized.

6.
an artist never has enough room
:)
7.
I have a birthday Party in two days.
8.
Make the frosting
The pound of butter is melting. I use it with powdered sugar and soy milk. The colors will be green and pink and bright pink.
9.
Go to the grocery store .
I went to the grocery spent $70. and saved $50.!
Cake mix was on special!
Organic grapes, and meat a $23 package of chops was only $10. with today's date I'm having pork chops. I do not often cook pork, but this will be a treat.!
I got two large boneless roast to grind for burger at $1.88 pound!
God is good!
10.
Bake the cake.
By baking it the day before it will be all ready to frost and decorate later.

11.
Decorate the house The table is set, but the decorations must be wonderful:)
12.
I must decorate the cake.
This year she has asked for a two layer heart shaped cake with hearts and vines.
Post to follow. :)
13.
Quiet time is priceless. My hair is drying from the early morning hard work. My body is tired and the children asleep yet at 7:45 (that is amazing in itself).
My body is cooling from the excessive heat of gardening in the desert.
I am trusting God for all the resources and just doing all that is required of me.
Next week the kids go to volley ball camp that after I prayed and told God I wished I were able to do more than just one summer camp for them. I got an e-mail inviting them for FREE ($80.)!
So He can handle some wood, chicken wire and chickens somehow. I need to ask for seed too...why not He owns the planet. I can drain the budget and get it for my self or I can ask and keep my eyes open for HIS provisions. I chose the later. That is the way I always lived.
Oh yes cake mix too God:)

Thankful Thursday, Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding , but in ALL your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM and HE will direct your path.

Those who are naive trust easily.
It was not so for me after I came through the heavy hardships of recovery form childhood abuse and torture and the witnessing of a murder (see other blog).

I had to have trust earned, and not to be a victem and gullible anymore.
The ONE who was proven out over and over and over again was my Father , Maker Abba God.
He even asked me to risk trusting him.

Risk.
Risk needs to be managed in small steps. That is what I did. I risked trusting God in the very small things. Food for a hungry belly, Water when thirsty and shelter when I was without a home.
These things are basic.
There is a saying about me often spoken by those who know me well
"only you, Donetta..."
You see He said... "ask" and I do.
I ask for the simple things like the items on my shopping list or the health of my child. Things that are needed.
Over the years my trust grew week. We become like those we hang around and even the most optimistic of souls can be worn down by pessimism.
I am once again remembering who I am.
I am asking for the simple things.
I trust God so much more than anything or anyone else.
I trust that what is spoken of in the scriptures is truth.
I believe because like that simple risk to find food...He found me starving and fed me and gave me the food for the soul found in ..."for God so love the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son. So that all who believe upon him shall be saved."
That "risk to believe" has had the greatest of life transforming benefits.
For that I am Most Thankful.

Works for Me Wedensday, Parenting Friends

Friends for life.

This is Dove's bear and Dash's Micutoo.
I am raising the children to be friends.
I teach them that they will have each other for life, either as friends or enemy's.
I tell them that they get to choose.
One day I stopped interrupting their battles and empowered them with two rules.
No hitting and No name calling.
Other than that they need to work it out.
I teach them boundaries. "When you I feel and I would rather you do ..."
This has given them the social skills to build relationship.
They are to get along with each other or we have no play dates.
If they can not get along than they do not have others come into their chaos.
This instills a purpose and a importance that is in their currency.
Now my kids are around three years apart.
This really does make a difference.
When they hit or name call a loss of privilege or a consequence is placed upon them in order to help them remember the lesson not to punish them.
They have learned the importance of an apology and forgiveness.
When they are not able to get along they are separated to have private time apart.
We take turns with them one on one with each parent to meet their attention needs where they are full focus as often as possible.
IT IS WORKING!

Wordless Wendsday (by 8 a.m.)

wire in the soil.

He said "I like your dream"

He rolled over and patted my bottom and said"I like your dream"!
He likes my dream!
The joy over flowed in me and became strength. I am empowered to follow my heart.
Some day... Has become this day.
The loss of the forest dream has become a present day and place reality.
Just because we can not make the forest dream a reality does not mean we have to let go of the heart of the dream.
It has always been my heart to be more self sustaining. To throw wild flower seed and be surrounded in the beauty of flowers.
Dreams do come true only they are often altered to fit into reality.
If your dream does not fit into your reality alter your dream.
So I am up with dogs fed and Mr U's lunch made a bowl of sunflower seed granola in me and coffee brewed. The garden soil awaits my strength.
I love the old hymns
"I come to the garden with him"
I only earned one blister yesterday on my inside thumb.
Not to bad for half a plot. I have a 28x10 plot approximately and I will work on the second half this morning. It has more rock on the one end to remove. The soil is clean and looks to be only mildly caleche' so I'll get some sand if I need to. I'll do the soil in water test soon.
We settled on a chicken tracker. It will be able to be kept the 40 ft away from other structures as per code. It will also alleviate some of the scat issues. I am so excited as are the kids. I know this is going to be work for the work will exercise the joy that will give me the strength to do it. The egg and produce will be my reward as my family draws the fork to mouth from my own hand. It is a honor and a privilege to be able to do so.
It is a dream come true.
I am praying for the supply and the things necessary to complete the goals.
Watch with me as the provision comes in.
I have remembered WHO I am and Who's I am.
FEAR NOT neither be afraid for "I am the Lord your God" who sent you to this land, to a land of milk and honey (and eggs) :) He said or paraphrased somewhat.
Think of it walking out of a vast desert into a valley of dlight and de' life...
I have lived in this desert land with my husband for over 26 years now. I have longed for another land.
I am now seeing that this is MY land I no longer need to long for any other. .
coffee is hot and the land awaits.
Kids are asleep.
"Tis a gift to bew simple ...Tis a gift to be free ...Tis a gift to climb down where we aught to be...And when we find our selfs in the place just right ...We will be in th place of the valley of delight.
Dance ,Dance where ever you might be...
I am the Lord of the dance said He"

I really like this one it is 6ft by 5ft by 4ft I think. I asked my husband to build it for me. Any one got any extra lumber or chicken wire they don't want? I found a place to go and get the birds and learned about the needs Bantams are my choice of birds, small, quiet and prolific layers. Too cool!

Chicken coop

Isn’t it adorable?

Yes I am studying and researching raising a few chickens for eggs.

A link on coop ideas

Great ideas Urban Chickens

This will be very educational

Tackle It Tuesday

8:30 a.m. Half turned and clods broken up. Added the organic matter.
Dash came out and helped me break up the clods. He said to me..."Mom every morning I wake up to a garden...The earth...The earth is God's garden"....
I love the way that boy thinks.
He brought me some water.
We spoke about love languages. His tends to be of helps.

These are the treasures I dug up :)

The path will go down the center.
I have yet to measure I think it is 16' by 34'.

I moved the bird feeder over by my window where I sit at the computer.

This soil has rested all these years time to put it to work.
I will have a lot of work though to prepare it.
"Rocks be gone" well they did not go.... I guess I'll just have to do it :)
I will get the kids to help me.
Then we can make use of it for flowers.

The area under my bedroom window will make a good place to grow tomatoes, garlic and onions perhaps.
Against that wall I may put a pomegranate in.

Cortes, the great Spanish explorer discovered what we know today as Mexico. He sailed in several boats with many men committed to conquering and settling an unknown land. When they arrived, the men looked around at an undiscovered world and were afraid. Cortes, sensing their fear, gathered them all on shore and set fire to their ships. He then announced, “Now there can be no turning back!” That is commitment; a choice never to turn back; a contract without escape clauses; a battle plan with no option for retreat. Love that never gives up can hold on because of commitment. It looks past the circumstance and locks its gaze on the promise.

Now I have a shower to enjoy!
Dishes , laundry needs work.
I have some school enrollment forms to fill out for the kids.
Beading and sewing to consider.
We may have friends over.

I want to read a bit about gardening, some bible and the current events news sites as well. For now
A SHOWER!

Gardening

It looked like this when I started!
Wet from heavy rain this week the weeds came easy for the most part.
Soil is weeded and I'll set to plot.
amend and set row.

A great Phoenix reference for gardening here.

Just a little plot of soil a little piece of land. My own to sow and seed and spend so many hours.
This earth has rested 8 years except for the sunflower house last year. I have no poison in the soil. It is earth given to rest refreshed and time for seeding . I will tend a garden get the seed for my family for to feed.
I am listening to Blue Grass Mountain music. Banjo and Madalyn how fun it that for a cloudy hot summers day. I have been researching my zone (6) for what to get ready to plant.
JULY
Bush beans
cantaloupe
watermelon
winter squash
and get ready for
August
peas
summer squash
tomatoes

AND FLOWERS! Yee ha!
I am a happy woman I know where to make my home!
I long to plant an orange (navel) and a lemon tree.
I am trusting that this temporary home is just that until I go home to God!
I got a long time and a lot to do before that fine day!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Cajun rice with sausage and green onions, asparagus. Watermelon

Tuesday: Cole Slaw of green cabbage, carrots and home made dressing, Salmon broiled

Wednesday: Pinto Chili with fresh bell peppers, Home ground beef and cumin seasoned cornbread

Thursday: Bacon broiled, Pancakes of multi- grain flours with flax,pineapple and mandarin oranges on the side.

Friday: BBQ chicken tenders , Left over slaw, corn and left over corn bread

Saturday: mid day hot dogs or chicken poppers Supper of stir fried shrimp rice.

Party Pop cycles and home made cake.

Sunday: French toast with canned cherries over them. Bacon broiled.

snacks: muffins cookies fruit and carrot sticks, celery sticks, apples

Little Dove had her last tooth fairy visit.

Beloved found her at the kitchen table last night writing this sweet note.
Now my kids have been taught fact/fiction. They know I am the tf, but we agree to fiction and play out the pretend of a very innocent sweet childhood fantasy. She knew this was to me.

The cardboard house for the little pets was her gift. This was a big TF for she has two 1" teeth to show for it!
It came with this cute little sea horse.

She hug it temporarily on her wall. I will go in and hang it more securely. It is a little display house for the critters she so loves.
She is well today and on the mend. I will keep her at a slower pace for the next few days but she is doing great now.
Thank you for all your prayers.


Her 11th birthday is this coming week end. She has colored pictures for each guest and has a F.R.O.G. wrist band "Fully Rely On God" and a little toy frog and a activity book for her guests.
She made invitations and thank you notes by printing them off of the web sight. She colored them I need to send them out. I have called each person, but fell short of getting all the mail out. It has been a crazy few weeks!

I'll bake and freeze cake
Make frosting and set aside
Then decorate the cake at weeks end. It is so east to do your party in stages.

Sunday Smiles

These came out of my Baby's Mouth!
They are adult teeth. The dentist said if you look n her mouth although she is just shy of her 11th birthday she has a 14 yr old's dental age. She has all of her adult teeth way early.

That is a strawberry gas mask.
The surgeon gave us the nitrous oxide for free.
That was $50. gift.
God is so good to us!