Piece O' Cake

I have wanted to take a cake decorating class for a long time now. Each year when October rolls around and I make what seems like a million cakes for our family, I wish I knew all the right techniques, which tips to use and how to make it all beautiful. I have been able to pull off some cute ones, but never as pro looking as I have in mind. So I finally decided take the Wilton Cake Decorating class. Mom gave me a gift certificate for it Christmas before last and I had never gotten around to taking it until now.

It was really fun and I enjoyed developing this talent more. Here are a few samples of my class projects:

100 years old

Neeley got a glimpse of her future on the 100th day of school. All of the kids were supposed to come dressed as they might look when they are 100 years old. At first she was really unsure about her "wrinkles" (aren't we all) but when she saw all the other kids with them at school she was ok with it. She and Grandma practiced hobbling around the kitchen to make sure she had just the right walk before going off to school.

Neeley and Her Teacher

We couldn't resist walking her in to see all of the oldies around!

Dear Leprechaun!

St. Patrick's day was eventful at our house. Letter to and from Mr. Leprechaun, rainbow waffles, party with cousins and fun crafts. What more could a kid ask for.....a pot of gold maybe?

Dear Leprachaun,

I think it would be fun to find a pot of gold. I would like to meet a leprachaun some day. Leprachauns sound cool. Leave a pot of gold.

Can you draw what you look like?

I have 3 sisters.

Ruin

My mom has always said that if everyone put their problems in a dish and you could choose whatever problems you wish, you would come back with your own.

Whatever struggles we have gone through over the past few years pale in comparison to what I see around me. There are so many days that I just pray for our Father in Heaven to take away my current problems, even just for a while, so that I could have a break. But then there is another part of me who fears what would take it's place. It's like I am afraid to get past one problem because I know another will be just around the corner. When I really look at what I am dealing with, it's not so bad. Day to day it can be easy to get caught up in feeling bad about things but when I really stop to think about it all and what I have gained from the struggles, I am thankful.

Today I am thankful for everything in my "dish". My heart aches for those around me and the struggles they bear. I am so thankful we can "mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort" (Mosiah 18:9) It gives us the opportunity to buoy each other up and realize that we are not alone in our struggles.

"Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation." --unknown

when I grow up

When talking with the girls the other day we starting dreaming about their futures. This is what they see. How I wish I had a crystal ball to see for myself, until then I will just imagine them as little pilgrims forging their own trails.

Lilah (age 3)

Husband - tall, blond and blue eyes. She can't wember what he will be.

3 kids - all boys and they can play which udders

their names will be Kate

She will drive a pink truck like Grandpas

Kayla (age 5)

Husband - Football player

She will be a doctor and a mom.

5 kids - 1 boy and 3 girls

Boy - Nelson

Girls - Courtney, Liza, Maria

Her boy will be all alone and then her 3 girls will play together.

Car - Red Minivan

First it will be just her and her husband together. (thank goodness!) Then they will have a baby but the baby will start out teeny tiny and then get bigger.

Neeley (age 7)

Husband - Entrepreneur, brown hair, brown or blue eyes

She will first be a mom and then a teacher

4 kids -2 boys, 2 girls

boy - Nelson,

Girls - Amanda, Bella

Car - Grey minivan just like Mom's

Notice both of them want to name their boy Nelson. Since I never got my little baby Nelson I have told each of them that the first one to name their boy Nelson will get $500. Maybe I will get my Nelson after all!?!

Return to sender.

What a good sport our daddy is. The girls thought it was the greatest stickering him up with address labels. He thought it was funny until it was time to take them off........

Great to be 8

We are so excited for the upcoming year. Our baby will be turning 8 and will have the opportunity to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In anticipation of this, we got to go to a special meeting with her so she could learn more about her special day, see the baptismal font and celebrate. She was tickled to get this special white towel with her name on it to use as she comes out of the waters of baptism. I can't wait for this special day and am so proud of her decision and excitement to be baptized. She has such a strong testimony of the gospel. She loves to read the scriptures every night as a family as well as on her own. She is currently trying to memorize all of the articles of faith and has memorized 10 of them so far. In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined a more loving, smart, obedient beautiful daughter. We love you Neeley and can't wait for October when you turn eight!

Update

Jer had his MRI and blood tests and nothing looked abnormal. Today he met with the neurologist and there aren't any logical explanations for it all. He feels comfortable they have ruled out any major illnesses but they have scheduled a brain mapping for later this month to see if anything will show up there. In the mean time he is enjoying the feeling back in his hands and feet and we wonder if we will ever know what caused it. We were happy to hear what the doc had to say today.

And as for the blue colored cloths, still blue!

Blue

Today has been a blue crayon through the wash kind of day!