Daeson's invites

My fab sis in law, Kayla, took an entire afternoon to help me make this for Daeson. She is very talented!! Thank you so very much!!! It is so much cuter than a store bought invite!

Gardens

Tonight I weeded my garden. It was 36 degrees. I pulled over 200 weeds. I am cold, muddy, and wet. I love spring!

Rub a dub dub

The boys like to brush their teeth while they are in the bath. Tevan, tonight, got a bath by himself and he loved it! Daeson is starting to shower more...I think he realized it is much faster and there is no chance of Tevan peeing in his shower water :) !

Tiny helpers

I love that the boys like to help. Sometimes they even fight over it!!! Tonight they helped set the table for dinner. We usually eat at the bar, but they boys like to occasionally eat at the table. They are good boys and I love them very much.

monkey cake

I made this cake for a first birthday. It was a white sheet cake with raspberry butter cream. The monkey was hand-piped. I was excited to do this cake. Thanks, Kara, for having the faith in me to do your baby's first cake!!!

Yellowstone Park

This week was free admission week to Yellowstone Park. It was so cool. We have our very special friend, Sandy, staying with us and she had never been. So, we loaded up the kids and headed out. I loved it and the boys thought it was amazing at how close the animals got. We saw a zillion buffalo, one bear, and about seven elk. We also saw all types of birds and several little chipmuck and ground hog things. It was so neat. We ate in West and the Pizza place, and holy cow, it was so great! Old Faithful is still faithful and I had a hard time explaining to Daeson that is was not a volcano, but that it was a geyser. He didn't quite get that, but we'll work on it. It was a great trip and I am so glad we took a day to play while she was here!

The park instead of the zoo

Today was beautiful. The sun was shining, and the zoo is now open. So, we took the kids, plus our cute neighbor, to the zoo...only to find out that it was closed five minutes prior to our arrival. The paper said it was open until 5, and we got there at 4:05. However, the paper was wrong. The kids were so sad. Luckily there is a super fun park by the zoo...so we talked the kids into playing instead. There were many tears at first, but look how fun this park is. What kids could turn that down!?

A day in the park

My friend, Jen, and her two beautiful girls spent the afternoon in the park. It was fun and I got burned. Not so fun! But, the kids had a blast and we had a fun picnic. Thanks, Jen, for a great day in the park!!!

The wedding cake

This is the front view.

This is the front/side view

This is the back view.

So here is the wedding cake. It turned out okay. I briefly saw the bride, and she was smiling, so I hope she liked it. I will have to talk to her to see what she thought. My neighbor, the bride's brother in law, said that he thought it was amazing. It was so funny while I was setting up. The little girls and boys would come in the kitchen and just watch. They were completely mesmerized by what I was doing. I didn't get very many good pictures. I actually forgot to take pictures and ran back inside. I was happy that I was done a half hour before the reception started. It turned out okay and I am glad that this one is done. I have another wedding in June, but I think I will take a break from wedding cakes for a while until I can perfect my technique. I will just have to practice. Tonight I made a carrot cake and my icing was thin. I should have thickened it and practiced on it, but I was in a hurry and did not take the opportunity. Practice makes perfect, and I passed in it. Daeson said it was unacceptable that it was not perfect. But, he sure enjoyed it!!! I have a lot more pictures to post, but I will have to wait on it. We have company coming in tomorrow night and a very, very full week ahead. So, probably until next week...ADIOS!

Home at last

After last night's post, I took a deep breath. I went up stairs to check on the kids. They were both sleeping peacefully and Daeson had gotten up to go potty. Instead of sending him back to bed, I held him. I cried some more and I told him that I love him. He smiled so sweetly at me. I told him I was so sorry for not being a great mom the last few days. I held him longer. We rocked in my rocking chair and I took him to bed where I continued to hold him. I looked in on Tev. He, too, was smiling so sweetly and my heart got a bit lighter. I took a few more glances at the cake and decided to wait until I had a clear head to try it again. I did four batches of laundry and carried myself to bed at 1:45. I was happy that I had apologized to Daeson and I was really happy laundry was done, I just had to put it away. I made a to do list for today and I was feeling surprisingly optimistic.

Although I did not get up as early as I wanted to this morning, I did get everything done on my list. laundry put away, vacuuming, dusting and even the sheets got changed. The bathrooms were nice and shiny. (I must admit that a shiny toilet makes me happy) I was stressing a bit about the cake, but decided that I cried enough last night. My wonderful neighbor and friend, Kara, called to ask how things were going. She happened to have a cake mix that I could make for the top of the cake, and she offered to take my kids for me while I got help on the cake. She was an answer to my prayers...she was the miracle I needed. I got everything done, and headed to the cake store for help. As I pulled in, my heart sank. It wasn't Amy working. Tears, again, filled my eyes. I went in hoping someone there could help me. Another miracle happened when the grrl working happened to be a professional decorator AND she was willing to help me. So for two and a half hours, I got to know her and she helped save the cake. It wasn't perfect still, but it was better. My spirits were a lot better and because things worked out like they did, I was able to wait for Troy's flight before leaving to deliver the cake. Today was a great day. I got to see my family, almost everyone, and I was able to deliver a cake that I was okay with. The bride seemed happy about it. The bug cake was a huge hit and one of my aunts told me it was a fifty to a hundred dollar cake. It was mighty tasty!! But, the best thing about today: Troy made it home. I missed him so much. I decided I do not ever want him to go somewhere without me. He had a BLAST and enjoyed NYC so much. His pictures are incredible. I am happy he is home. The boys are super happy he is home, and the most important thing: He is GLAD to be home.

The miracle I was looking for happened. The help I needed came. My husband and best friend made it back home safely. I know that my Heavenly Father heard my prayers. I KNOW he made all of the small things happen so that I could survive another day. I am grateful for HOPE and I am grateful He answered my prayers. I learned a few things today. I need to be more patient, which I already knew, but the thing I learned was that I am a mother first. I should never let anything get in the way of that. I put my children on the back burner this week and for what? They deserve a wonder woman mamma. They deserve to be my number ones. I learned that my kids will forgive me when I screw up, but I don't want to give them a reason to have to forgive me. I am their mom. I need to be there for them and I need to be the person they need me to be. That is the lesson I gained through all of this. Cakes can wait, but my children are only small for a little while. They cannot wait.

I will post pics tomorrow, or the next day. Whenever I get a chance :)

Defeated once again

So, the four carrot cakes that I have made have all flopped. My mom told me that carrot cake always fallss...or maybe she was trying to make me feel better. The wedding cake was turning out. Was. I think it looks horrible and I am at a point that I have no idea what to do. I have tried everything and I think I am in over my head. The frosting will not go smooth...no matter what I try. The flowers are all crumbling. How on earth can I take this cake to the beautiful bride tomorrow???? As a last resort, I will get a sitter, take my cake to my teacher and BEG for help. Tears will not stop flowing. I am heart broken and I need a miracle. No matter how hard I beg Heavenly Father to help, nothing seems to work. Maybe I have jumped into this too soon. Maybe I am supposed to learn something from this. Patience, humility, endurance???

The kids were horrible tonight. I am at the end of my rope. I feel like for the past three days, my kids have needed me and I wasn't able to give them what they need. Tevan has thrown tantrums. Daeson has been so booby and whiny. Tonight Tevan sang himself to sleep. It was so sweet yet it made me feel so horrible inside. The one request Daeson had was for me to lay by him while he went to sleep and I shut him down so harshly. Today at Preschool, Miss Janet told me that I was an amazing mom. Tonight I feel like a failure. Defeated. Again.

I just pray that Jenny's cake will turn out somehow. I just PRAY that tonight goes well. I wish Troy's flight were already here and that I had someone to rely on and help me. Sometimes you just need someone here to give comfort when times are at their worst. I have now poured my heart out. I have willed myself to buck up and stop crying. I am sorry for the sad, pity party post. I always feel better when I get my feelings out and in the air. We will see how this all turns out. Tomorrow will be a better day. It has to be. It would not take much for that to happen.

Tired

Troy and his mom have been gone since last Sunday...early! This week has been filled with an over flowing to-do list. I have had several church meetings, baby sitting favors, three cakes (including a four tier wedding cake), preschool drop-off and pick-up, sick kids, laundry and a million other things I could list. Although I am happy my cake business is doing well, I have had to feat everything this week by myself. I am so tired as I have gone to bed after one EVERY night since Troy has been gone, and I have been awake EVERY morning with the kids regardless the time. Tevan has developed another ear infection and has not slept for three nights. Laundry is piling up and the only room in the house that has been kept clean and sanitized is the kitchen as I have had so many cakes to do. I am trying HARD not to complain (or cry), but it has been a very LONG and HARD week. I am grateful Troy has had an opportunity to have a week off, Heaven knows he needs some time by himself. So, I will drag myself back up to the kitchen to remake the carrot cake that flopped and hope that this new recipe is good. I will make a nutritious dinner and get the kids ready for bed. I will go to bed AFTER midnight, again. And, I will be up at the crack of dawn to get everything ready for my big wedding debut tomorrow. I will do this. I will not cry, though I am on the verge of tears. I will finish the laundry in the washer and the dryer. I will do these things because I cannot stand defeat. I will do these things by myself because I have no other choice. I will do these things and PRAY for the strength I need. I will do these things, and the minute Troy gets home, I will fall apart. I am counting down the minutes until he gets here. There are very few, thank heavens!!!

Bug birthday cake 8 out of 30

This cake is made with white cake and maraschino cherry flavored buttercream frosting. It is a 9 x 13 double layer. The dirt is smashed chocolate cookies. The bus are not edible, but they are very realistic. This cake cost $22.00 during my portfolio period. I used floral wire to suspend the dragonflies and fly above the cake. I need to write on it still, but I will do so with either brown or white icing.

Rose sheet cake 7 out of 30

I have found that white chocolate cake with raspberry filling is very popular. I made this cake with butter cream frosting and roses. This cake runs about $18.00 during the portfolio period. I would have liked the sides to be a bit more smooth, but I had about 30 minutes to ice the cake after the cake got done baking.

The man of the house

The other day Daeson said the following to my neighbor: "My dad left, so that makes me the man of the house."

Troy is on a bit of a vacation with his mom and Troy told Daeson that he is now the man of the house until he gets back. Daeson has taken this very literal and he thinks this includes punishing Tevan. He is very proud of his new responsibilities. He needs to tell everyone we see that he is the man of the house. Oh boy!

Dad time

Troy watched the boys while I ran some errands. They had a great time and I am just so glad there is no snow on the ground!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! My kids don't quite realize that on Christmas, Santa comes and on Easter, the Easter Bunny comes. We have to explain to them that they should go see what they were brought. They were super excited this morning. Daeson received a scooter (thank you after Christmas clearance), Sponge Bob bath bubbles, and a Bakugan. Tevan received a Diego trike (also after-Christmas clearance), Toy Story bubble bath, a little fishing toy, and a magnifying glass. And of course, they both got candy. We usually get them a new Easter outfit for church, but it is still cold and I am going to do that for birthdays in May and June. Then the shorter sleeves will be useful. I love watching my kids open presents. They are so fun...and very grateful for everything. I love it.

Daeson and his scooter

Tev and his magnifying glass

Out fishing

Checkin' out the eggs

Tev revin' it up with his new wheels

I wish it were nice this morning to go out to play....maybe in a little while.

I am especially excited today for conference. Yesterday's sessions were fabulous and I especially liked two of the talks. One was geared to women. I loved it!!! I felt so uplifted and so happy inside. I am not sure who gave the talks. We have to listen to it on the radio because we do not have TV. But I just felt so happy yesterday! I love listening to the prophet and our church leaders! Today, I am sure, will be just as nice and just as uplifting!

Family Easter Party

Family Easter Party:

Kaden and Tev with Shalese behind the shed
Daeson and Miki
Shawntel in the garden and Shad next to the house
Shade, Mik, Shad, Troy and in the back, Kip.
We had our Easter Party today. We had a great time and I think everyone had plenty to eat. Those who came: Gram Tom, Tucker, Miki, Dee, Kip, Mitzi, Shade, Shawntel, Shalese, Shad, Richard, Peggy, Kaden, Jaden and my little fam. What we ate: ham, funeral potatoes, pistachio salad, cherry salad, veggies and dip, spinach fruit salad, homemade crescent rolls and honey butter, deviled eggs, chips, and strawberry shortcake. We had an Easter egg hunt in the back yard...with coats. Everyone was able to "find" a ton of eggs and I think we will have candy coming out of our ears soon!!!! Thank you to everyone who came! I really appreciate it! I know it is a long way to travel, but I hope you enjoyed it!