OVERDUE!

This is my family.  Let me re-introduce you...
    I have been married to my wonderful husband for fourteen years now and sometimes those years seem to have gone by right before my eyes and some days it seems like it's been FOREVER!  Have we all been there?  We have three handsome boys-13,9,3 and one beautifully stunning girl, 7.  Together we are trying to teach and raise a righteous family who know, and put into action, the most important things in life:  God, family and showing love to all.  Well, the list is longer than that but you get the idea.  Lately it's been a struggle to share my abundance of love and patience toward my children.  I don't know what's happened, if it's the Christmas Break that I love so much (I know some moms LOVE to have the time to sleep in and laze the days away but for me it's never sitting down and trying to make time for everyone and keeping the house clean and cooking meals that everyone enjoys, not possible.)  or if the kids are going through another "testing" period.  All of them combined can be a little too much for me to handle.  I love and adore my children, don't get me wrong, it's just truly the hardest job because you don't know if what you're doing is the right thing or if you're setting them up with bad habits and manners.  They don't come with a manual of instruction and so I rely on a lot of praying and observation of other mothers who seem to have a clue.  My time with them is so precious and so I want to make the most out of their childhood.
    My friends are a very important part of my life.  They bring stability and help to ground me when it seems I'm destined to float up to the clouds!  They are all great examples to me of how to keep a strong family and grow closer to one another.  They are there if I need to talk it out or to give me suggestions.  Thank you girls!
I love my family, each and every member of it and I know you are helping me to strengthen all my muscles, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  I am so thankful for you and all your hugs and loves continually even if I'm having a rough day.  I am joining the ranks of mothers everywhere who say "I am doing the most important job in the world and that is raising strong, healthy, loving souls so they can go out and do good in the world today and everyday!"

A Happy Happy 2nd Birthday for Ryan

So here we are singing happy birthday to Ryan with Zingers in hand (those are cheap cupcake things) and a little while later we hear him singing CLEARLY to himself "Happy Brr....."
I am so thrilled to bring to you this little presentation of our SUPER STAR for the day... And if you know anything about him you know this is HUGE!

Party Cakes

Nephew Jordan's 3rd birthday

~Thomas the Tank Engine~

Fondant cake

Niece Aubry's 1st birthday ~Flower~

Carrie's first baby shower cake (it matched the nursery). Fondant cake

Rhett's 12th birthday

~Pokemon Ball~

If anyone is in need (or want) of a cake for any occassion, call me! I make traditional frosted cakes and fondant.

And they're all getting along

The kids were taking turns stuffing their little bodies into this storage bin and pretending it's a bed, etc. Ashten is my star in this film! He cracks me up at the end; always trying to be right in the camera's face, making strange noises and faces too. I am so thankful our kids can play together and make so many fun memories.

Elbow room

Candid is always a good way to catch people! Hey look they have twinner jackets! You guys are so cute together. Serious.

The kids had a great time playing in the snow every day, all day. They would come in to get warm and dry, eat, pee and go play! We all stopped for a photo shoot. Hurry, look this way everyone!
Jimmy cracks me up in this picture. He's the one waving in the front. So sweet!

Happy 5th Birthday, Chaney!!!

We celebrated Chaney's birthday over a few days! She has been talking about her 5th birthday since the day after she turned 4. We started the day by taking her older brothers to school and then Ryan, Chaney and I went to the doughnut shop for a dozen. She chose the chocolate with sprinkles. Then it was off to shop for some dressy birthday shoes which we finally found some that fit and were decent looking in the third store! Cute black patent leather that she hasn't had the opportunity to wear yet. I would like to save them for nice occasions such as church. She did enjoy trying on all the wacky shoes out there, though.
Ryan must have been pooped by then cause once we got out to the parking lot he started having a seizure. I'm thinking, okay, on her birthday! Stay calm, don't get irritated by Chaney's many questions as to why her brother looks the way he does while I focus on what to do. Long story short- use emergency kit I keep with me, doesn't work, 911, ambulance, vomiting, lasting way too long and needing a shot to stop it, hospital, Lisa breaks down crying in front of her daughter, Chaney freaking out but keeping it contained pretty well, nurses find out it's her birthday and track down a cat that meows, did the trick for her, me, still a slight wreck (I'm by myself folks), grandma arrives to pick up Miss Chaney, Ryan sleeping and recovering nicely, Jason arrives hours later, we go home a couple hours after that. Flu or something similar to follow for the next 3 or 4 days.
He is doing well now.
After a rocky late morning/afternoon (at least for me) Chaney and I made cupcakes with cherry frosting and had a nice evening together with our family. Celeste and Taylor made it home from Thailand that afternoon, just in time to sing and eat cake. Chaney had a great day nonetheless and I was very relieved of that.

Just the Boyz

Chaney had the opportunity to spend a week with her Great Aunt Gina and cousins for a whole week! She had such a wonderful time. THANK YOU SO MUCH, Gina, for the much needed R & R.

The boys had an evening of wrestling with dad. Good times! Ryan thought it was hilarious and cool to climb all over Jason.