Goals

I don't typically do New Year's Resolutions and I've been wanting to do a goals list but stuff keeps getting in the way.

Things like my trying to type it on the IPod Touch and then Mr. A wanting to use the IPOD when I'm in the mood.

I bought a thoughts & prayer journal a bit before or maybe after TR was born.
Some of the things listed on my 'prayer list' were:

-successful and financially prosperous business
-diligent in all things I begin
-good to Mr A.
-strong work ethic
-House in Bay Area Hills
-House in Bel Air
-House in L.A. in area we like.

Perhaps I have been diligent and exhibited a work ethic because my business is being blessed. Its at the cup runneth over level. I just need to keep up with where it's going.

I was being blessed with a regular stream of clients from various sources. I still don't advertise or promote my business but the clients keep coming. That is a blessing.

At some point I started thinking about expansion and how I would expand. It was just a thought, not even fully formed.

Then I got a client all the way out in the desert. I took this client because I had developed a pretty good working relationship with the attorney for that area. Her office is near home, so I had figured I would not have to travel to the desert to handle things.

That desert client appeared to be what God had for me to begin my expansion. I still have not met this client but one of his advocates called me and asked to meet. Her office is also near my home. Its nice to live in the middle of the city and close to downtown. I met with her- even though I did not want to- and we were chatting about random stuff. This woman has a constant stream of hundreds of families that need my services.

When God gives you a talent there is certainly a need. My talents meet a need.

Since we met this woman has been referring someone to me at least twice a week. Making my expansion not only possible but necessary.

Because I am being blessed I am able to bless others. I'm not trying to make all the money. I want to build something and I need people to build. Mr A and I have also been good stewards with our finances and have built up a nice pile. Perhaps God has seen that we are ready for blessings to overtake us and we won't squander the fruits.

IMO, I have a pretty desirable work set up. People who work for/with me can work from home, overhead is ink and paper and maybe stamps. They can work as much or as little as they want and pretty much command their income. They just have to give me a cut since I am supplying the support and clients.

That sorta sounds like I'm Mary Kay.

My current goals are to get Courtney Elizabeth to build my website, do webinars and start doing free seminars teaching parents how to advocate for their kids. If business continues going well and we remain diligent then the houses will become reality.

As an interesting aside, my mother told me since I had folks to help with my business I could get rid of the nanny. Amazing! This is the same mother who discouraged me from dating until I graduated from law school. She wanted me to remain focused. She discouraged me from dating so I could focus on building my business. She has harassed me at various times during my life about taking 4 or so months off each year to rest.

Its amazing to watch your mother become a grandmother. They turn into different people. The stuff you were not allowed to do as a child becomes acceptable. My mother won't even let TR cry. If what she is crying for doesn't present a danger, my mother gives it to her.

She called me this week and told me to come to the Bay a little earlier. She said she thinks TR wants to see her. I had to laugh.

Mommy Morning

It's 9 a.m. and I have chopped onions, peeled potatoes, given TR a bath, gotten her dressed and made breakfast of potatoes and bacon in the cast iron. We have eaten breakfast and are currently resting up. She has actually thrown everything out of the desk drawer and is now standing in it. This is an antique desk, I hope it survives the toddler years.

I wish I had the energy/will to do this everyday. I have to figure out how to make it happen because TR will be in school in a few years. I need to ask my mother how she made it happen. She must have never slept. We had breakfast at the breakfast table every morning. There was never any rushing. We wouldn't get to school early enough to play on the yard but we were never late or close to being late.

By the time we got to high school, which was a more distant drive we were still never late or rushed. I'm sure living across the street from our elementary and being driven meant we didn't have to get up as early as the kids on the bus but it still requires planning and dedication.

TR goes with the nanny at 10 a.m. and I tend to run late getting her ready for that too. But maybe when the kids are at school I'll be able to nap during the day so that will allow me to get up super early.

Right now, I try not to nap when I am paying a nanny. I try to work. The nanny provides no benefit if I'm napping instead of working. I'll be pleased when the original nanny returns. At the end of her day she would bring TR back asleep and then I could nap without it costing me.

Gymnastics

Mr. A took TR to gymnastics yesterday. He sent a text that said something like, if you doubt evolution you should see TR climb and hang from the bars.

This was her first class with the 2 and 3 year olds. He said she did very well. She could do handstands and she balanced well on the beams. The other babies could not. Its not a comparison just a statement of fact. My kid is a natural. MR A says the instructor kept saying, "Yeah just like TR is doing it!" Mr. A had gymnastics either in h.s. or college so he's been training her but she has raw talent. Just like her mommy. Or if you ask Mr. A he'll say just like her daddy. Or if you ask my mother, she will say just like her granny. Or if you ask my brother, he will say, just like her uncle.

I tell you, I carried this kid for 8 months (she likes to be early- just like her daddy) and everyone else takes credit. Last week someone told me how happy she was and their mother says the disposition of the baby relates to the mood of the mother when she carried her.

I was quite joyful. Lets pray for baby two because that kid might come out feeling overwhelmed. Still in a positive mood but not as care free as TR. Plus TR is sorta bossy, like her daddy, so baby two might have to battle.

A clip of one of the rides at gymnastics.

Says the boy..........

to the girl he loves.

"There is no mountain I would not climb,
no valley I would not cross, to get to you.
No river is too strong, no ocean is to deep to
keep me from you.
I will see you tomorrow unless it rains."

So last week I was reading a nice post about marriage and the challenges it can present but also the rewards.

That post got a lot of comments by old bored married women saying madness like "my marriage is battle tested too." blah blah blah.

I look at another post and these same old bored married women are advising a young married confused silly woman to leave her husband because "I wouldn't take that".

It's amazing how a battle tested married person could advise someone that there are no battles and to leave because one popped up. What they should really say is, I'm married and I'll cross rivers and oceans and mountains and valleys for my marriage but it hasn't rained yet. If it rains, I am outta here.

I really hope people read blogs for entertainment and not for reality.

Gifts

At church the minister often says when God gives you a gift he creates a need for that gift.

People don't have gifts that can't be used. Often we just aren't ready to use them, maybe its our character and maybe its our level of boldness.

My grandmother would tell us your gift/talent would make room for you. She told everyone that not just her grandkids.

I am often disturbed when people have a gift/talent and let it sit from fear. A spirit of fear is not from God. I cannnot comprehend how a person has a true desire to do something but will not. It does not seem possible to me. Is a lifestyle more important than living out your purpose? It's okay if it is but acknowledge it.

What are folks waiting on? Is it a lack of confidence?

I speak

Life has to be rough when people do not believe their words have power.

Word works for the good and bad. We limit ourselves or prosper based on our word. Our word shapes our intention.

I try to be careful with what I put out. Even in jest I have found I will say something and then its occurring, both bad and good. If we believe our words have power we feel powerful and believe we get to chart our own course. We also know we can cause harm to our lives. We aren't just sail boats tossed in the ocean. We are ships with powerful engines.

I've been listening to this song and am feeling it.

That mom

I feel so awful. I have been telling people TR was 18 months for the last month. She is 17 months. I am going to stick with one 1 year from now on

I don't consider myself to be 'that mom'. I know TR is fabulous as she is and I don't compare her to other babies or try to best other mothers. I'm super grateful to have such a happy friendly baby. She is the baby I requested right down to her deep dimples and love of singing.

Today was her first day at gymnastics. She did the mixed age class. Mr. A has been playing with her and having her do gymnastics type stuff since she could hold her head. She can already land on front and back flips. She can climb which she taught herself and she can use her arms to walk across the bar ladder. Of course she requires assistance but she has the coordination and isn't afraid to fall. She can kick and catch balls.

The instructors at gymnastics did a bar exercise. She was familiar with pulling up on bars so Mr. A sat her on top with her knees on the bar and had her do a spin. She instinctively knew to grab the bar as she turned and she hit the landing steady. The other instructor had her climb the ladder rope, the instructor flipped it and TR held on, hung and again she hit the landing steady. She was great at walking across the balance beam. I prefer the beam to her walking across the back of the sofa. It was fun to watch.

The instructor said TR should attend the class with the 2 and 3 year olds. I knew my baby was a natural. I am even more pleased because preemies are expected to be delayed but so far she is advanced in the baby areas. Her corrected age is 16 months and she is advanced in the baby milestones for 17 months.

Mr. A and I had planned to start potty training but read babies don't understand the concept until 2 year of age. Since the bathtub disaster I have been putting her on her potty in the tub and letting the water wash over her feet. She does her business prior to the bath. Saturday she went in the bathroom and took the lid off her pot. Mr A took her p.j.'s and diaper down and she sat down and used it.

We cheered like we got 100 million in the mail.

So while I am not 'that mommy', I am the mommy that knows my baby is fabulous. My plan is to help her discover her gifts and talents. As my grandmother told us 'your gifts will make room for you'. We don't begrudge anyone else their talents, we just want to use ours to the best of our ability.

My grandmother also told us to be ourselves. It's okay to admire other people but develop yourself. If you are busy being someone else who will be you? There is a need for who YOU are.

I think that is a big reason I have never felt led to keep up or rush to get/do things. I know I have a purpose and my purpose is not tied to the actions of my peers. It's okay to move at my own pace.

These are lessons I want TR to know.