I Have a Dream

I have a dream . . .

. . . of living on a small homestead with gardens, chickens, and a few cattle (enough for us, and to donate to our benevolence center at church).  A detached garage under an in-law suite that will house a child who aged out of foster care who we are mentoring and helping to learn how to live on their own until we can release them into the world successfully (would love to start a program like this).  A small comfy office with my name Michelle Cain, CPA, and the words Financial Counselor/Planner underneath.  Increasing our income by accepting clients who can pay my fee, while giving free services to those who can't afford me, widows, foster parents, and children who age out of the system.  One, two, maybe three adopted children.

How am I going to get there?  What are the steps (not necessarily in order)?

1. Lead FPU classes at church (if they will allow me)
2. Obtain my Accounting degree, then my CPA
3. Attend Dave Ramsey's Counselor Training Program and start using it at church
4. Cash flow night classes to get a Finance degree
5. Cash flow night classes to get a Counseling degree
6. Buy our homestead; build the garage/in-law suite
7. Start a program for kids who age out of foster care
8. Adopt - between any of these steps

With 43+ working years left, this is totally doable, while still allowing for wealth building to leave an inheritance for my children's children.  I want to live a life that leaves a legacy.  I want God to use me to reach out to the ones who are close to his heart.

Jase's Baby Blanket

I finally finished the baby blanket for my newborn nephew, Jase.  The last of the ends were woven in late at night on December 26th, and my sister gave birth to sweet little Jase December 27th.

Here are some of the photos with the knitted blanket:

Isn't he so precious?

I used the pattern 'Child's Knitted Blanket #690' which can be found either on Ravelry.com, or on the Lion Brand website.  The yarn is a soft wool blend from the Martha Stewart collection, and is the color Green Eucalyptus.  It is my favorite blanket pattern thus far.  Though time consuming, the finished piece is well worth the effort.

As a side note, I have a wool allergy, but this yarn did not bother me.  It can be washed and dried on the hottest settings, and, like some superwash merino wool blends, seems to have most of the protein washed out of it, thus reducing the risk of a reaction for wool-allergen sufferers.

No cable needle is required.  The simple lace pattern gives an illusion of cables.