Ace of Cakes ... not me!

When I was a little girl, my mom had a fabulous book of cut-up cakes. My sister and I always knew our birthday was getting near when mom would take the cake book out and have us flip through and choose our birthday cake for that year. When Brother was born, I was so determined to continue in the homemade birthday cake tradition. So, I went to Michael's and took all of the Wilton cake decorating classes. I really enjoyed cake decorating - and even managed to make some cakes for money. Then, little boy got to be big enough to mess in my icing and I got a bit too perfectionistic. I would stress that I spend 3-6 hours on a cake, only for it to be cut and eaten. So, I put away my cake tools - only to be brought out for family occasions (Birthday cake for Jesus, Brother, and Sister).

This year, my niece called and told me that the thing she really wanted for her 8th birthday was a cake by Aunt Steph. My sister even offered to pay me for it. So, not because we need the money, but because I really love my niece and enjoy cake decorating, I agreed. My niece didn't have a birthday theme in mind. She only wanted something grown up because, "8 is no longer a baby." So, I took the opportunity to create something new. I've always liked the present cakes, but I do not like the taste of fondant. I iced the cake in buttercream and created (for the first time ever) a fondant bow. I'm very happy with the result! I know dear niece will be happy, too.

Happy Mother's Day Weekend

Since it is the weekend that we celebrate moms. I wanted to share with you my son's favorite MOM SONG. My mom is coming into town this afternoon, so it will be a good weekend for us here! I hope you all have a special time of celebration. I know that you are appreciated for all the wonderful things you do as a mom!

Dating AGAIN?!?

September 22, 1996 - a day I remember with sheer joy.
The day I got engaged.
Oh! it was a happy time. Not only was this man that I was crazy about committing to spend the rest of my life with me, but he was also rescuing me from a dark, evil world - the world of dating.

You ladies know what world I'm talking about.
Constant questions ... Crash dieting ... Desperate prayers ... Lonely evenings ... Self-doubt ... Waiting for the one
Need I go on???

Well, I have re-entered that world. I thought I could avoid it until sweet Sister was ALOT older, but it has come into my life in a new form - job hunting! I don't know about job hunting in the business world, but job hunting in the ministry world is not just interview and reject/hire. No! It is a courtship, engagement, and a marriage. It is a journey full of those same feelings - the same ups and downs - the same desperate prayers. (even a diet - although in a more sensible form.)

So, a few months ago, hubby was talking with a church about 100 miles from where we current live. He began talking with them right after we learned that he would be losing his job. He went to the interview alone. I stayed home, walked the floor, and prayed that God would give us discernment. We don't just want to take a job because it is out there and we need income. We want a job that is a good fit for Hubby, and for our family. Remember - it is a marriage. And just like a marriage, a bad fit could equal lots of heartache!

When Hubby came home, he told me that it was "okay." When I asked what that meant, he explained, "Well, I find myself hoping that the prettier girl calls me tomorrow." So, we prayed about it, and although it broke a major rule in dating/employment - Don't leave one unless you have another waiting in the wings - we knew it wasn't the one for us. We were so glad when they came to the same conclusion and hired someone else.

A few months later (and a few other interviews later) we were contacted by the prettier girl - although for the sake of the analogy, it is now the handsome guy because we all know that good Christian girls don't call boys. :) Hubby flew out of state to meet with them, and came home proclaiming that this was the one. Now, we just had to wait for them to proclaim the same. Well, we waited and waited and waited some more. My dad was even impatient and called me to ask if there was any way we could contact them. I reminded him that this is a courtship and that the girls do not call the boys. Isn't he the one who enforced that rule when I was younger??? We began to doubt ourselves and even threw around "He's just not that into you."

Well, finally they called! They had been praying - how holy is that? - and really would like to know more and see where this relationship led. So, we were overcome with joy! I mean, we've known for 3 weeks that they were the one. What took them so long? So, hubby flew out again to meet with the committee. He says it went well, and that they are discussing a third visit - and I get to be a part of it this time. So, they are ready to meet the family. That is a bold move. They know our situation, and while they aren't ready to ask us to not talk with other churches, they have expressed their desire to get to know us better. I think we are beyond "hanging out." I think we are "going together" - I just haven't gotten the official "check yes or no" offer.

I'll let you know when we start ring shopping. Just keep praying!

Graditude...Join the Fun

I'm a day behind the others because I read Gretchen's post after I had already written mine for Monday, but I love the new button and want to be sure to my list of things I'm thankful for. So, here it goes:

1. I'm thankful for solitude. I'm the kind of gal who needs her some alone time to remain sane. Since Hubby has been home for the past month, life has been fun, but I have missed my alone time. Today I celebrate because Brother has school, Sister has her one day of Mother's Day Out, and Husband has a meeting with a friend. That means I have the place to myself!
2. I'm thankful for my Wednesday morning Bible Study ladies because they have become my new family during this time of "spiritual homelessness." Being without a church home has been harder than I thought it would be.
3. I'm thankful for facebook because it had pictures posted to my account - pictures that I thought were forever lost when our computer was stolen a few months ago. I was able to retrieve them, resize them, and restore them on our new computer (with a backup flash drive).
4. I'm thankful for the thunderstorms that came through this weekend and that we were all safe from any destruction. I'm also thankful for the time without electricity because it gave Hubby and I some quiet time to be still and talk with one another. Don't you just LOVE the quietness of the house when there is no power?!?
5. I'm thankful that my diaper days are mostly over because nothing make me feel more inept than potty training. I mean, really, does anyone know how to do it? I think it is just a lot of trial and error. Very frustrating!
6. I'm thankful for the beautiful flowers that my sweet hubby bought me yesterday. They are for Mother's Day. I LOVE fresh flowers and I love how my house feels so happy when I have fresh flowers. And, I love that these are florist flowers instead of grocery store/SAM'S flowers. Not because I'm snobby like that, but because it is a splurge that we don't usually partake of. So they are special.
7. I'm thankful that Hubby has a decent lead for a new Associate Pastor position. It just makes waiting easier when you can see a flicker of light coming from the end of the tunnel - and this time it doesn't feel like a train.
8. Finally, and always, I'm thankful for my family, especially my crazy kids, because they make life so much fun and fill each day with a bit of laughter. Where else can you go and see these two characters on a regular basis!?!

Wounds from a Friend can be Trusted

I did it.

I have been avoiding it for months.

I finally went and touched base with an old "friend" today.

I use the term loosely. For this friend is one of those that you love to hate. One of those that "tells it like it is" and doesn't let you pretend to be something you aren't. One of those that you avoid when you know you have sinned because you don't want to be reminded of your poor choice.

It is a tricky relationship because this friend can also be the most encouraging when I am making good choices. This friend will help me celebrate even the tiniest of successes. This friend will keep me going when the going gets tough and pushes me to be a better person. This friend is the one who holds one of my deepest secrets, and doesn't tell a single soul. It is a true Proverbs 17:17 friend, "A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes."

So, despite my recent failures, I decided it was time to re-connect. Time for me to move past the past 3 ... maybe 4 ... okay 5 months of resentment and really listen to the truth of my friend. So, I got up with my alarm, said a small prayer, and went into the bathroom.

There it was.

My old "friend" ... the scale! GASP!!

Like I expected, the news it had for me was discouraging, but full of the truth I needed. Now that I have rekindled this relationship, I can start re-creating (or is it recreating as in recreation) myself.

Saturday Soccer and Storms

I prayed for rain, but it came a bit too late to cancel Saturday's soccer game. Is it bad that I wanted the game to be cancelled? We like to teach Brother the importance of team sports, and the fact that you keep a commitment, but sometimes it is just so hard to sit out on the soccer field and cheer. While members of our family may be a wee bit competitive (ahem), we are not an athletic family at all. While, I know I'm not raising any professional athletes, I want to teach my kids the importance of physical activity. So we encourage Brother's love of soccer. He plays at a near-by church in their not-so-competitive league. Once we treked through the mud and dodged a sprinkle, we enjoyed an hour or so in the great outdoors.

Our Favorite Cheerleader

Our Soccer Star

After the game (which we loss b/c the other coach doesn't fully understand the concept of "not-so-competitive"), we went to lunch at my favorite Saturday lunch place. It is a local pizzeria that makes the pizzas - including throwing the dough - in front of the kids. It is a nice place to sit and visit as a couple while the kiddos are entertained by the kitchen. The pizza is really good, too. If you were to look for us around noon on Saturday, you would most likely find us at Brooklyn's.

All, this, and it still hadn't rained. But, never fear, I fully trusted my friendly weather guy, and like a good girl scout, I was fully prepared. Next door to the pizza place is the Blockbuster. Yes, we are one of the few who don't Netflix. We don't DVR either. Aren't you sad for us? Anyways, we ran in there and got 2 movies to fill our rainy day afternoon. Here's what we rented:

We got home and settled in for the afternoon of movie bliss. I just love sitting around and watching movies, and I'm so glad I have kids who like to do that with me. We made it through Bolt with a few claps of thunder and ever-darkening skies. When the movie was over, and we turned it off, the TV immediately showed a scary-red radar. Then the wind kicked up and the sky poured down. Then, we heard about this:

You can only image the television coverage that got right here in Cowboy Country. Then, the tornado sirens went off, sending Brother into the hallway to duck and cover. Aren't we such great parents? We didn't even move when the sirens went off. We could see the radar. We knew we were safe. Once we convinced him that the family didn't need to join him, and that he needed to join us, we were able to pop some corn and continue with our double feature. Thankfully, we got through the movie, and got the kiddos tucked into bed (but not asleep) before we lost electricity. Of course, they both tried to argue that they couldn't sleep because it was too dark. Yeah, right! They both sleep in dark rooms with the the covers over their heads! It was a long day, but Hubby and I waited up until 12:30 when the lights returned and we could properly shut down the house and go to bed ourselves. Another wave rolled through about 4 a.m. I didn't get up to check the radar. Instead, I stayed in bed, praying that the thunder wouldn't wake the sleeping beauties in my house. God answered that prayer!

Fun Friday!!

It is my blog, so I'm taking a deviation from my normal Friday post. It has been a tough week for me, and I believe laughter is the best medicine, so here is a list of random things that brought me a good, hearty laugh.

• Yesterday, we received hubby's final check from the church. It is the equivalent to 5 months salary. It is the most money we have ever had at one time. (yes, I know Dave Ramsy would be greatly disappointed that we don't hold that much in savings on a regular basis.) Well, I promptly went to the bank and deposited the check into our savings account. A few hours later - right after I told hubby that I hope that check cleared - the bank called. I thought for sure they were calling to tell us they had to put a hold on the funds until they were verified, or something else like that. No, they were just calling to thank us for our business. I guess that is the treatment the rich folks get. The bank will be so sad to know that is our last deposit for a while. It was nice to see how the other side lives.


• I went to Walmart by myself the other day. *bliss* I preceded to spend 30 minutes in the card section. Some of those cards were just too funny. I think my favorite was the wedding card with the couple on the beach - girl still in her wedding dress. There were thought bubbles over their heads. His: Sex! Sex! Sex! Hers: Thank you notes! Thank you notes! Thank you notes!


• My mom sent me this email. I don't want to be political, but I liked this one:


• If you have a Facebook account, go log into it right now. Scroll down to the bottom left corner where you see “English” and click that. Change it to “English (pirate)." Then waste hours of time entertaining yourself with the pirate jargon. I'm still loving the fact it says I was born in Arrrrgust and "friend request" is "sorry lout thinks they're yer mate!"

So, now that I've lost you all to Facebook, I will sign off! Have a great weekend.