Reflections

I have been thinking today, a dangerous past time, I know... I had such a great day today. I wasn't stressed or impatient, I wasn't irritated easily, or counting down to nap and bed. Why? My house was a mess, Glen threw some major fits at the library and store, and John was late getting home from work, so why was today so great?
I know the reason, I have known it for a while, but I keep forgetting. I should stop making fun of the people in the Old Testament for being so quick to forget the Lord, because I am right there with them. Today was such a great day because I woke up earlier then the kids to read scriptures ans pray. I did something to make my husband happy before he left for work and when the kids woke up I put away the book I had been reading. Then all day we spent time together, doing chores, during meals, playing, running errands, reading, talking, hugging, and learning about the gospel.
I have discovered over and over again, I hope someday to stop forgetting this, that when my focus is on spending time with the kids, teaching them, doing as the Lord would have me do that my days are wonderful. Whole weeks will go by where I do not lose my temper or become irritated all because I put the Lord and my children first. When I put way the book and the computer, when I stop spending so much time on the phone and more time with them we all have better days.
Even when the house is a mess and the kids are cranky I do not feel stressed, and when I do not feel stressed I am a better mother and wife. I find I can discipline without anger, teach with patience, and get more done around the house. When I focus on what is the most important and put the important things first every one is happier.

On My Mind

Life has gotten crazy busy lately. I have found myself rushing from one thing to the next and before I know it I am putting the kids to bed. I feel like the time goes by so fast even when we spend our days lazing around the house just playing, I don't want to much it up with anything that distracts me from my boys. They grow up so fast that I don't want to miss anything while I stare at a computer screen or have my nose buried in a book. So I hope you will understand my lack of blog posts. There is tons going on, and maybe someday I will blog about them, but right now I just want to enjoy it all with my kids.
Here are a few tantalizing hints for those of you on the edge of you seats:
This is the Place, pony rides, Lagoon, hugs and kisses, jumping on the trampoline, parks, a family reunion, more hugs and kisses, taking time to talk right before bed, scriptures after meals and snacks, a few tantrums, hugs and kisses, rolling down hills, horse races, kiss betters, jammies, love, haircuts, shopping trips, potty training attempt, family cuddles, and hour at the library reading about horses, wrestling matches, forts, play dates....The list is endless. As you can see my days are packed full, and this doesn't even include things like the Dr. or errands. I want to catch everything. I feel like I miss enough being there most of the time, I can't let anything less important distract me. I love these sweet boys to much to miss anything or go wrong because of a book or Facebook, or blogging.

Cakes of all sorts

July was a busy month for me, a lot of birthdays, a baby shower, two holidays, and two kids...I may even go so far as to call July a crazy month. Here are a few of the cakes that I made in July.


Here is a cake I made for a girls dogs when she threw them a birthday party. It was way fun to make this cake, partially because I had never made a cake for a dog and had no idea how. I made the cake out of crushed dry dog food, though I am sure canned food will work great, pureed meats (ham, pepperoni, bacon, basically a little of whatever I had laying around) a little rice flour, water and a bit of honey. I had also planned to include shredded carrots, but I ended up short on time. Lets not forget the rawhide "candles" The shape is made from a brad pan in the center and small round cake pans on the outside with two sides cut off. My house smelled like dog food, but the party was a hit and the dogs loved the cake.
And lest you think the party only involved a doggy cake here is the ice cream cake I made for the people. I used a box mix and added a bit more flower to firm it up a little (an extra egg works well in addition to the flour as well.) I poured the mix into a sheet pan and after it had cooled cut it in half. The I sliced into a brick of ice cream and arranged it on one of the halves, then I put the other half on top and frosted the cake and decorated it. It tasted yummy.Here is my favorite. This cake is probably the pretties cake I have ever made. I used about 50 diapers, various baby items and a spool of ribbon. I love how it turned out and so did my sister in law when I gave it to her at her baby shower. I was hoping it would stay together for her to look at for awhile until her little guy needed the diapers, but alas, the cake met its demise due to eager children in need of entertainment. Farewell..I can't wait to try another one. Maybe this one will be a little sturdier.
All in all a fun month full of baking, creating, and experiments. =D