1) pretty much every book I've read, and every person I've talked to, says soil preparation is the key to success. For me, that means figuring out what to do with the clay/rock soil. I think my best bet is raised beds, as I can then start with good soil.
2) before I start planning the raised beds, there are 2 trees in my desired garden area that cast long shadows and must be removed. We have plenty of others so I don't feel badly about it. We've already gotten 2 quotes - widely different - and a third is to come, based on recommendations of friends and neighbors. The plan is no later than September to have them taken down.
3) I need to back up and put together my grand plan of how this backyard might turn into the garden I so desire
4) back to the trees and beds: the area in question is sloped, and must be terraced and leveled in order to provide the foundation for the beds.
And this list hasn't even touched on the fun part: planning what I want to plant and where everything should go, how/when to start things indoors, etc. To that end, I want to engage my family. If they (especially my kids) have a say in what we plant, the better chance I have, I think, of cultivating their interest in gardening. We have a chalk board wall in our kitchen, so I'm using that to involve my family:
How have you (or do you) involve your family and friends in your pursuits?
P.S. here are some books I'm reading to help me in my planning:
Farmacology: What Innovative Family Farming Can Teach Us About Health and Healing by Daphne Miller (very interesting insights into many non-traditional farming practices, and some effects on the food, the linkages to our health, and the ecological system)
Gardening for Geeks by Christy Wilhelmi (creating a garden, with an eye towards the formulas, etc. involved in some planning. This appeals to my engineering mind!)
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