Happy Halloween!

We went Trick or Treating around our neighborhood tonight with some friends.

We had fun!

My kids had to get creative and use what they already had for their costumes. Mamma’s rule was that we weren’t spending any money on Halloween this year.

I think they did a great job being creative! I let them make all the decisions. We even had some last minute changes!

Gracie was a Kitty Cat Ballerina

Rhett was a Pirate

Braden was a Magician

One of the houses down the street from us always does the some of the funnest things. This year, they had Tigger and Pooh in the front yard! Gracie definitely wanted a picture with them!

and so did Rhett!

We ran into some of Braden’s soccer buddies along the way!

The friends we went with have 3 boys. They are all the same ages as our kids! Gracie and their youngest son held hands most of the night and were buddies. They were so sweet!

Hope you all had a safe and fun Happy Halloween!

Some folks just have all the luck

Some people seem to people to fall in a barrel of poo and come out smelling like roses.

We are not those people.

Remember the crazy wind on Monday night?

We walked outside to get in the car on Tuesday morning and found this. The basketball gown had been blown over and it smacked into the car. There’s a nice dent in the top of the car too- but unless you’re 7 feet tall, you’ll probably never see it.

This is especially nice because not too long ago, someone backed into our back bumper and knocked out one of the reverse sensors.(Which will cost over $400 to fix.)  And of course, hit the road before notifying us. (For the record, a few weeks after this happened, Rhett opened up his door at the soccer field and SMACKED the car next to us. We left a note and our number for the other car owner and we’re taking care of the damage. It stinks. But I just have to say that it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are—you should do the right thing. In fact, God expects it. I digress.)

So, my car is beginning to look like it’s just been picked up from the junk yard with all the dents and black scuffs on it.

But you know what? There are things in our life right now that are so much more important than making my car look pretty, so I guess I’m living with the dents.

You know, the old me would’ve really been bothered by all this. Like, extremely bothered. The new me is aggravated, yes, but not upset. This life is fleeting, and I realize that it’s just a car.

Princess Night

This past Monday night was Princess Night at Chick-Fil-A. Gracie was so excited when I asked her if she wanted to go! I was so thankful that Jason was able to take the boys to soccer practice so we could go out on the town and enjoy some girl time!

The very first thing she wanted to do was get her nails painted. Left hand shiny purple and right hand shiny blue, of course!

The Royal Princess!

She got to make a tiara.

And when she saw the “Prince Cow” walking around, we definitely had to get a picture with him!

The two of us had a fun evening!

The end of an era…

This is a picture of my sexy new wrist brace.

At night instead of “Good night, baby, I love you”, the last thing out of my hubby’s mouth is, “Did you put your brace on?” Oh, my, have we entered “that” stage after 11 1/2 years of marriage??
(I’m only half joking—I still get the sweet I love yous too- it’s just followed by him checking up on me to make sure I have it on! He’s just good to me like that!)

Something I’ve feared for over a year now, have officially been confirmed. I have been diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. And tennis elbow.

Fun. Joy. Great.

And in my right hand/arm. And I’m right handed.

I’ve had some pain for a few years now. About a year ago, I started having more frequent pain as well as numbness in my arm/hand.

The last straw was recently when we were taking care of the babies at church a couple months ago. I was having trouble picking the sweet little ones up. When one little one fell asleep on me in the rocking chair, after just a few minutes of holding her my forearm/hand went completely numb and started hurting really bad.

I was in the doctor the next week. It scared me to think that I’m not going to be able to pick up and hold my baby without pain and discomfort. I have to get better before my little Khloe comes home. (Have I officially stated that’s what our sweet little one’s name is going to be? If not, there you go! It’s now official!)

So, the doctor told me to get the brace and wear it at night when I sleep and also when I have pain.

I was skeptical, but believe it or not, it has helped tremendously. What he said about most of the damage being caused while sleeping, I’ve realized it’s so true. I was sleeping with my hands in the weirdest positions before the brace. I was in a lot of pain right after the doctor visit because the poking and prodding and testing that he did really aggravated it. For an entire week, I was in pain 24/7. I even had trouble sleeping.

After that 1st week, it started feeling better. I ended up “accidentally” having almost 2 weeks off from making any cakes. The schedule just worked out that way. At the end of those 2 weeks, I was in less pain than I’d been in many months.

I thought I was cured!

The next weekend, I had one cake to do that had to be delivered on Sunday.

I barely got the cake done I was in so much pain by the end of it.

I was in pain for 4 straight days after I delivered the cake.

So, I came to the conclusion that the reason I was feeling so good after those 2 weeks is because that’s the longest time I’ve gone without decorating a cake since May.

So, after talking with Jason about it, we decided that I need to stop making the decorated cakes. The main thing that hurts so bad is holding the bags of icing and piping the icing on the cakes. Also, kneading and rolling fondant was killer. Although I didn’t use it much—because I couldn’t hardly work with it.

I was thankful that all the friends I had to cancel on understood and had enough time to be able to get someone else to make their cakes.

I finished the 2 that I had on the books for this weekend and that is the end of my cake decorating career.

The end of this short but sweet era of my life.

I can still bake and provide the pure yumminess without a problem! I’m just going back to my original intent for my little fundraising business.

I never intended to make the “fancy, decorated cakes” in the beginning because of the time factor involved. I’m too busy without the cake decorating on the side! But, the orders were coming in faster than I ever imagined and I was so thankful for the business that I just couldn’t say no!

And truth be told, I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve surprised myself on some of the stuff that I did that I never thought I could do. I’ve had several sweet moments in the kitchen with my husband as he helped me finish cakes into the wee hours of the morning when we were getting delirious and could hardly hold our eyes open- swigging caffeine like crazy and jamming out to my Michael Jackson station on Pandora to keep going.

I have to admit that I also thoroughly enjoyed the praise from my children each time I completed a cake and showed it off to them. Each of the boys had written reports at school about their mom’s awesome cakes. They gave just the most glowing comments each time. Even if I wasn’t completely satisfied with the final product, they thought I was the rock star of cake making. How could that not be a good self-confidence booster? (Especially when I struggle with self-esteem issues anyway.)

In a lot of ways, making all those cakes was good for me!

I’m so thankful for each person who ordered these cakes from me and for your contributions towards our adoption fund!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

I am still in business making cakes (sure to be homemade from scratch and yummy… but don’t ask me to decorate them in your party theme, please! I just can’t do it!) as well as cupcakes, muffins and cookies.

And, coming soon:

HOMEMADE PIES, CANDIES and CINNAMON ROLLS for the holidays!

More info on these new goodies coming soon!!

Thank you again to EVERY SINGLE PERSON that has ordered anything from me. You are helping us to reach our goal of bringing our Sweet Baby Girl home. I pray God’s blessings on each of you!

Rhett’s Weekend

Rhett also played 4 games in the Ozark Classic in his division. He had fun and learned a lot. Since this is his first year playing competitively in a 6v6 format, he is still getting the hang of where to go and what to do in the different positions.

During one of Braden’s games, I looked behind me to check on Rhett and Gracie. This is what I found. Rhett had spread out a blanket on the grass and was laying on it and Gracie was giving him a back massage!

That’s the life!

Champs!

Braden’s team won their division at the Ozark Classic! They played great and we were very proud of them!

They went 3-0-1 on the weekend.

Here’s some pics of Braden in action! Go #3!

Corner Kicks

Way to put a head on it!!

Get ready Braden!!

Good job Bubba! Your hard work is paying off!!

Black and Pink Baby Shower Cake

This weekend I made and delivered this girly baby shower cake. Love the black and pink combo!

Mrs. Cleaver

This month, our bunco group had a Halloween theme. I didn’t decide until the night before the event what I was going to go as.

I decided to channel my inner June Cleaver!

My hubby insisted on taking pictures of me before I left.

 

And my sweet girlfriends voted me as Best Dressed! I got the cutest scarecrow as my gift that looks great on my foyer table.

It was so fun!

From our 2nd home- the soccer field

This is the face of some serious concentration while workin’ the fancy footwork!

 

Halftime- Daddy told Rhett he’d give him $1 if he could run to the farthest soccer goal and back in less than 1 minute.

He pushed hard and he made it! With only 1 second to spare!

Here’s the soccer sister -passing the time by drawing.

Hey MeMe!

The cooler, sunny days have been welcomed by this soccer family. We were all in considerably better moods because we weren’t so hot!!

My Baby Turned 10

At some point, I realize that I’m going to have to quit calling him my baby! Braden is 10! I say this with each of my children’s birthdays…but I just have to say it again… where does time go?? It does not seem possible that I can have a child in the double digits. It’s official… he is over halfway to adulthood now.
Wow. Is that ever crazy to think about!

He asked for a cheesecake and chocolate cupcakes. The night before his birthday, I was really busy. He offered to get in the kitchen and help me! I love this sweet boy! He made the cupcakes all by himself! All I had to do was put the icing on them the day of the party.

We rented a big bouncy mini mountain for the kids. Braden had a sleepover with some of his buddies and they jumped on this thing until I thought they would pass out. They have so much energy!
They were so sweet to let Rhett tag along with them at the sleepover. I was really proud of them.

This is seriously the sweetest, most mature and kind, well mannered group of 9-10 year old boys ever. I’m so thankful for Braden to have these awesome friends! This picture is missing one friend who came after his football practice.

Gracie got to jump for a while after her dance class!

Chocolate Cupcakes. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
This picture makes my mouth water.

Playing Wii

Braden’s favorite: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake.
Sliced up and ready to eat!

Special message on the chalkboard in the living room!

At some point, Braden dove off the side of the bounce house. This particular time he face planted on the ground and got a gnarly bloody nose! Poor guy!

He said this was the best birthday ever. Nothing makes this mamma’s heart smile like seeing my kids having fun and making memories. I know he’ll remember this birthday for the rest of his life.

Happy Birthday Braden! I love you so much! I hope your 10th year is your best year yet!