Evangelist...

I'm not! Sharing my faith in an upfront and obvious way is hard for me. I can't remember a day the Lord wasn't in my life and my faith is very strong. My relationship with Him could use improvement, but what Christian wouldn't want to be closer with Him no matter how close they already are?

That being said, I had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to have a theological discussion with a couple co-workers of mine. I don't know they'd define themselves as atheist, but definitely agnostic. I don't even remember how the conversation started there in the packaging room as we made omeprazole and GI cocktail, but it was a start. They both spoke of the end of the world coming in 2012. I've not seen the movie so it's hard for me to comment on that, but when one person says she's heard that the year 2012 is in the bible then I do have to speak up there. We talked of the end of the world as we know it, at least, and they both admitted to having given it serious consideration as to if they wanted to have children before 2013. It was then that I realized just how much I trust the Lord and believe that the rapture will happen before anything like that can happen and I will be gone, along with my children and all the other believers. I have no fear on this matter what so ever. I believe so strongly that He will protect me and my children that I'm not scared at all. Will there be trials and tribulations that we will face before the rapture? Of course! Will there be times when we have to stand up for God and face possible punishment for our beliefs? Quite possibly. But I love Him and believe in Him so strongly and without even a shred of doubt that I am at peace.

My co-workers spoke of TV specials they'd seen on the Mayans and how they all disappeared at once, how the pyramids are placed perfectly in line with other objects in the universe, how those pyramids could not possibly been made in the time frames they are supposedly made as told by scientific experts, and how many other man made structures and such just can't be justified scientifically. Despite all that evidence they just laid before me that, to me, proves the existence of God, they still doubt. We talked about hell and one said to me, "Maybe we're living in hell now." I shrugged my shoulders because I didn't know exactly what to say and I like to think before I speak. But later that day when I thought back on it I wanted to rewind the day and go back to say that there is no possible way we are all living in hell right now. I've seen too many miracles first hand and there will be no miracles in hell for miracles are works of God and hell is void of Him. I hope to someday be able to say that without it all sounding weird to them. I believe God will give me the time and place to do so, so I'll wait. I know there was more we talked about, but my memory fails me now. I just remember afterwards feeling so great about my faith. Hoping that God was saying those words I long to hear more than any other, "Well done, good and faithful servant." I'd never done anything like that before. Usually I just sit back and listen while in my head arguing the truth. I didn't have an option this time. There was only the three of us and I didn't have the option of being silent. God didn't give me that option this time. And I'm glad He didn't. It felt good to share and to be able to say I didn't know about something and feel okay with that answer. I think I've always been afraid that someone would ask me a question that I didn't have the answer for and so I just didn't put myself in the position to be asked. But this time I was okay with not knowing and just answering with what I do know. I hope I gave them something to think about. A different view on the all the TV specials they'd seen. So perhaps the next one they watch they'll not blindly believe what the scientists say and have another angle to look at.

So that was a couple weeks ago. And last week my co-workers were about to drive me insane. I am one of the oldest techs in the pharmacy and the oldest one on my shift, including my supervisor. Last week I found myself annoyed to no end with their immaturity. The topics they choose to discuss and the way they like to spend their time is probably typical for their generation - of which I am a part - but it all seems so juvenile. Now I don't know if any of them will read this or not, but it's not that I dislike them, because I like most of them, but I long for an adult atmosphere at work. I just want to look at them and say, "Grow up! Be and act like the adult you're supposed to be. This is not junior high or even high school. It's time to mature." If anyone has any ideas on how better to deal with this situation I would appreciate any and all suggestions.

Now fast forward to today. I had a good day and can see the results of my hard work as I sit here typing this. Although I had lots more to get done today, it will still be there when I get home from work tomorrow and I'll work on it then. Sometime this afternoon I read a very heart-warming email and liked it so much I forwarded it. Now I don't forward very many emails anymore because I don't like to receive a lot of them so I don't put that on my friends and family either. However, every once in a while there is one I just have to share. Usually it's the ones that pull on my mommy-heart strings, which this one did. I was just about to call it a day and I checked my email one last time to find an email from my sister-in-law stating that she is an atheist and would appreciate it if I did not send her anymore of emails about religion. Wow! She was just baptized a few years ago and I can remember how happy her mother was, but I guess that's why she did it because it obviously was not because she believed at all. I knew my niece-in-law calls herself and atheist, but I had no idea my sister-in-law did too. This breaks my heart and upsets me very much. I cringe at the thought of offending anyone, especially family. And had I sent my sister-in-law repeated "religious" emails and she finally had enough and sent me the email I received tonight I could kind of understand it, but I haven't done that. I rarely email her at all because she's never liked me, but I just try to keep the peace the best I can. I do care about her and love her so this upsets me a lot even though I know the feelings are not mutual. So, I have a lot of praying to do for these two young women before Jesus returns. I don't want anyone to go through the hell on earth that will happen after the rapture, but especially family. I want to see them all in heaven someday.

Well, I have to be to up for work in a few hours. I have been meaning to write this all down for awhile now, but after that email I knew I had to stay up and do it NOW! It couldn't wait any longer. Somehow it feels better to put it on down in words. It helps me work through it all. So now I'm off to bed but not before saying some heavy duty prayers. And if you're one of those lost souls, I'll be praying for you too.

B...B....B....Busy

I know I haven't been blogging regularly, but truly, did you expect anything more from me? It seems I've been too busy to even sleep lately. I think I'm averaging 5 hours a night these days :( So, let's see what's happened in the last month or so.....
Mid-march I attended a 2 day training session for Wilton cake decorating so I am now a certified trained instructor. There are some exciting things starting in June so I had to go find out all about. I wish I could say more, but I'm sworn to secrecy till May 8th.

My last post was the wedding cake I did last month. That was fun and rewarding.

The kids are keeping me busy as usual. Brendan and Devon continue their music lessons. Brendan on guitar and Devon on piano. They have a hard time remembering to practice..hmm, wonder where they get that from :P....but are doing well regardless. They are both having fun in scouts as well.

Brendan, Devon, and Bailey are preparing for the summer ball season. Bailey is sooo excited to play t-ball and it's going to be hard to keep Garrett of the field as he always wants to do what everyone else does, especially Bailey.

Bailey is also very excited to start kindergarten in the fall. He got his physical and shots earlier this week. We get to pre-enroll him this next Friday. And once again, it's going to be hard on Garrett to not join him. I'm seeing lots of tears in August from that little man.

Garrett is finally potty-trained. That seemed to take forever! He was so close twice before and had set-backs, but I'm 99.9% sure we're done now. He hasn't had an accident in weeks! 4 down, one to go then no more diapers in this house, yay!

MacKenzie started walking almost a month ago and improves all the time. She's even starting to climb things. And talk about slimming down once she really got moving. I do not remember any of the other 4 slimming down as much as she has. We started her on vitamin D milk shortly after her birthday, but it gave her terrible diarrhea so we switched to soy. Jeremy accidently bought organic whole milk once and so we went ahead and tried it. It didn't cause the diarrhea so we decided to try the vitamin D again. But, the diarrhea started again and this time there was a rash around her mid-section. Back to soy! And I need to get her into the doctor to discuss this. Cheese, yogurt, pudding, and ice cream don't seem to bother her, just the vitamin D. Perhaps there is a preservative in it that is causing the problem.

I'm still keeping busy with work 3 days a week and teaching once or twice a week. I have been blessed to get every Sunday off from work now so I can enjoy going to church EVERY week. I love it! I tend to make 2 or 3 cakes a month these days. I'm currently preparing to make one for a fundraiser for the arts called Tunes on the Tarmac. The theme is fire and ice and I know exactly what I'm doing. Now let's hope it comes out like I envision it. I usually get my inspiration from somewhere else, but this cake is coming 100% from me.

Well, that sure doesn't make it sound like I should be that busy, but I am. And now I'm ready to call it a night.

Newest endeavor

Well, I know it's been awhile, but I've been busy (as usual) preparing for my latest cake creation. I've done several tiered and/or stacked cakes, but this was my official first wedding cake..complete with the official label. I was so excited about it and I'm still flying high even though it has long since been devoured. Did it require a lot of work? Yes. Did I learn anything? Yes, fondant ribbons are hard, next time I'm going to use chocolate clay. Did I have fun? Yes. Was it worth it? Oh you betcha! Will it be my last wedding cake? Lord willing, I pray it is not!

So who was the brave soul to let me do their wedding cake without any other wedding cakes in my portfolio? My cousin Steve and his gal, Angela. They have simple taste so they chose a simple, yet elegant cake. It was an all white cake with buttercream filling and frosting under homemade fondant. It was adorned with a fondant ribbon, fondant leaves, chocolate roses, and chocolate pearls. I received many compliments which always makes a girl feel good, but I couldn't have done it without the Lord my God. He is the reason I can do something like that. Thank you Lord.

Well, without further ado, here is the picture (although I think it was much better in real life):

My baby is one!

It's been a week and half since my baby turned one. She is growing faster than I could have imagined. Sure, they all have grown fast, but I think knowing she is the last baby I will ever have makes it seem to go that much faster. I keep asking her to slow down and stay my baby, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. She's so active now the only time I get to hold her is when she's sleeping. Every other time I hold her she's so active she just wiggles all over the place.

Well, we had her party a week ago and so I thought I'd share her cake with you. I got the idea from one of my cake heroes, Sharon Zambito. I hope you like it.



Well, I have many more things to do before I can get to bed tonight so I better stop playing and get to work.

Emotional woman

Last week you would have thought it was that time of the month, but it wasn't. Devon had her last basketball game of the season. She played some awesome defense and made several great assists. It was the best I've ever seen her play (especially since this was her first year playing) and she sure learned a lot. She had made a basket in a previous game, but I wasn't able to be there as it was my weekend to work. So when it came down to the final seconds of the final ballgame of their undefeated season, Devon scores....end of game/season. Yahoo baby girl! I've never seen her run so fast or with such determination as she ran straight to me with the biggest hug she's ever given me. She was grinning ear to ear as my eyes filled with tears of joy. And it's happening again as I remember it all right now. I was sooo happy for her and she was sooo proud to have finally scored so Mommy could see. I hope Jeremy got it on tape.

Fast forward 24 hours to Sunday at the end of a great morning of worship and sermon. MacKenzie had gone into "big" church with us and she was talking a bit too much for our liking so I had stepped out with her. She quieted down and so I went back and stood at the back just in time to see the most moving dramatization I've seen in a long time. You can see both the message and the drama HERE. If you just want to see the drama it starts at 36:54 on the time line on the bottom. Once again my eyes well up with tears as I watch this awesome demonstration of Christ's love. Way to go James, Tonya, and drama team! Very powerful!

So I don't know if it's the fifth child that flipped some emotional switch in me or what. I've always been pretty emotional, but I seem even more so as of late. I imagine it's only gonna get worse as the kids get older and I watch time slipping away far too fast.

Busy or just lazy!

That must be what I am....too busy to blog or too lazy. I like to think it's the former, but I don't want to kid myself. There are days I just want to veg and only do what's absolutely necessary. However, these days I do find myself with a to-do list much longer than the time I have available each day. Even now I should be baking or making pieces for MacKenzie's birthday cake, yet here I sit typing this up. I like to think I'm tired from a long day that began at 0520 when I woke up late for work. Well, whichever it is it certainly hasn't made by blogging frequency increase any, huh?!

I've been wanting to get on here for awhile and share what I've been up to but it seems that I'm usually finding something else to do. However, a lot of my time lately has been working on cakes. My classes are still going pretty well although 2010 has had a slower start than the last half of 2009. And occasionally someone asks me to make a cake. They can all be found on my cake website (www.mysweetheaven.webs.com), but I'd like to share several of my latest works.


This is a golf cake I made for a couple of young gals at my husband's job. They were celebrating their birthdays and golfing was the theme. This was a red velvet cake and the frosting was cream cheese. I don't know if you can see them or not, but there were several balls in the stream. My learned lessons from this cake are that piping gel takes color soooo well that you really need to start with an extra extra extra small bit of color (the water was waaaay too dark) and cream cheese icing isn't bad to decorate with provided you have a decorators recipe.

This was the cake I made for my Mom's birthday in January. It was a strawberry cake that had strawberry buttercream filling which is what Brendan suggested. I used the Wilton pan that makes the filling in the shape of a heart. I've been practicing the roses for a wedding cake so I thought they would make a nice touch to this cake. The sides were inspired by a cake by Wilton. Lesson learned this time is that I either need a firmer cake or a firmer filling or both in order for the heart to show up the best. This was the first time I used a new chocolate buttercream frosting and it was great to work with and tastes pretty darn good as well.

When I made my Mom's cake I didn't like the way the actual cake came out because I didn't use enough cake batter. So I made this as a practice cake that I took to work for my co-workers to enjoy. I think they liked it and I got more practice on my roses and sidework (which, btw, I need a lot more of!) It was the same flavors as my Mom's birthday cake.

This was the cake I made for the love of my life for valentine's day. We can't be together as his job requires he work ALL holidays that involve people going out to eat. I hate it, but what's a wife to do?! Anyways, I surprised him with this cake at work after church on valentine's day. It was based off a Wilton cake, but I really like the roses I added. I don't think I like the way tuxedo strawberries look in the grand scheme of the cake, but I spent a ton of time on them so they were going on there by golly. Lesson learned on this cake: it takes a long time to do tuxedo strawberries, 2 cakes (heart & squirrel), chocolate mold roses, and cookies (heart & tail). But, trust me, it was sooo worth it for my love.


And last, but CERTAINLY not least, the full sheet cake plus that I did for Brendan's cub scout blue and gold banquet. The base cake was a 24 in x 18 in half white half chocolate cake decorated with buttercream. The castle was a 2 tiered yellow cake covered in gray fondant. I used the Wilton castle set to do the towers and turrets - just covered them in fondant. I used a stone pattern press on all the gray buttercream and fondant. The logo is the official logo for the 100th anniversary of the boy scouts of america. I had 3 towers fall after I moved it off my kitchen island, but I took a repair kit with me and fixed them all at the venue before the festivities got underway. Lessons learned were if you must freeze the cake make sure to level it first...don't level a frozen cake and don't frost a frozen cake as it freezes the buttercream before I'm done smoothing it (lots of interruptions from the kids).

Well, I am exhausted and must get some sleep before it all starts over again tomorrow. And like always, I'm gonna try not to go so long between blogs. Have a great week! I'll be busy as usual.