Released

After 6 years of serving in the Young Womens program at church, I was released on Sunday and put in the primary presidency. Being released from a calling is always a weird experience for me and this one was no different. I was out of town on Sunday, so I didn't get to spend my "last sunday" with my girls. They wouldn't have know any different anyway because our Sacrament meeting is last, but it still seems so harsh to be pulled out of something you've been apart of for many years and not even have a chance to say goodbye.
It's crazy. You know these girls so well. You spend hours on end with them, share spiritual experiences with them, see them laugh, cry, grow and dream. You are with them on Sundays, on Wednesday nights, at girls camp, youth conference, and other major events in their lives. You see them grow, you see some fall and you cheer them on the whole time. You love them, pray for them, worry about them and cry for them, laugh with them.. and then... you are gone. No goodbye, No time for that one last bit of counsel you want so desperatly for them to hear. It's over in a matter of moments when you are released. I understand this is part of the gospel and serving in it, but it doesn't make it easier. What do the girls think? Do they understand? Will they continue to know how much I will still care for them? Did I do anything in their lives that made a difference? You give your soul to a calling and just pray you did what you needed to do.
I am now going to be serving in the primary. It will be another growing experience for me and I am excited to learn from this calling. I am sure when the time comes to be released from from there, I will feel the same way as I do now.
But at this moment, my heart is with my beautiful young women. They have taught me so much. They have humbled me, have inspired me, encouraged me to be a better example. They have been my babysitters, my children's favorite friends, my excuse to stay young. These girls are spiritual giants who have so much to offer to the world. They are girls who I hope and pray my daughter will be like when she is older. I love you all and will miss you terribly.
So for all the young women I have had the opportunity to serve with the last 6 years... from my sweet beehives in my ward right now to those of you who are driving and going to college and even those of you now married and having babies.. I love you. I will not forget you and most of all... THANK YOU for bringing so much joy into my life as I've served as your young women leader.
Since I don't get to share my last bit of counsel with you... if I could, this is what I'd say:
Remember Always the beautiful daughter of God you are. Remember the power you have to set examples and change the world. Don't be afraid to set your standards high.. and rise above the temptations that will be put in your path. Stay beautiful by keeping your sprit strong and your dreams within reach. Rise above your expectations of yourself and strive for greatness. Don't get discouraged, but if you do... pray and know that there will always be someone praying for you as well. Love the lord, Love your parents, respect them. Know your leaders are doing their best to be there for you. Talk to them, lean on them if you need a friend.
Study the scriptures. Find characters in them that you can relate to and live according to their examples. There are powerful women in the scriptures that can be guides in your life on how to live. Learn about them, Figure out ways to apply their lives with yours. Complete your personal progress because it will be a GREAT tool for you in your life as you experience marriage, children, careers, missions, and all the other things your lives will be blessed with.
You WILL go places. You have nothing to fear when the Lord is with you. Change the world and be proud doing it.

Last, but not least I want to tell you this... Be strong, Live Life to the fullest, Have Fun and Love the Lord.

Our Trip to Pink Mountain

The other day I went on a trip. Not just any trip, but the kind that all the money in the world couldn't have made it any better. We started off with our fearless tour guide with all the necessary things a tour guide should have when going to Pink Mountain.
a parachute
*a knife
*Binoculars
*a pillow
*and a gun... why you ask? well I did ask and the reply was "In case we have to shoot any deers" (Hmmmm, interesting... we've never been hunters in our family, not really sure where this came from)


Once our group (Our tour guide, his assistant, myself and the little dude) all had our pillows, we were ready for our journey. We passed the the land of cake baking, trugged over laundry hill and traversed our way through the all so famous "A zillion things to do AND clean pass", then up the steep climb to our final destination.
We reached our "Two Day Vacation" to Pink Mountain just in time for dinner. What a remarkable resort we stayed at. The meals were the epitomy of fine dining. Pizza, Fruit and Kaden's famous Mushroom soup. The soux chef was creating masterpieces.










My room was better than any 5 star resort... It only had 1 rule. NO SNORING! (It may wake up the other guests said our tour guide). I had a wonderful nights sleep of about 15 seconds. I have never felt so refreshed in my life.








Breakfast was fresh fruit hand cut by our guide and his assistant. It was delectable.
Our adventures awaited us, so after breakfast there was an in-room movie party. Caillou was showing this morning. As the movie started (one of my "favorites" by the way... ha, ha) I made my own rule.... As a guest at Pink Mountain Resort there will be No Phone, No Internet, No Cleaning! I could only enjoy the beauty of my surroundings and the pleasure of being with my guests. You know, it doesn't get much better than a couple days at Pink Mountain with a tour guide, and assistant and a little dude who slobbers on everything.



DO I HAVE TO COME HOME?
I COULD STAY UP HERE FOREVER!

Seriously????

I really don't know who needs to learn more... ME???? or AVERY???? All I can say is.... Seriously????
This is the 3rd.. (yes, I said 3rd) creative learning experiment that took place in her room this week.
#1- Marker all over her dresser, fish tank, picket fence and bed (thank goodness for cleanser.. it works miracles)
#2- Chalk on all the same things (easy enough to clean up)
#3- And then this......

Let's just give you a run down....

11:30 PM.. Brian comes walking upstairs and says, "Turia, are you painting your nails?" It smells like fingernail polish.
Turia: Oh crap... Go check Avery's room now!

This is what we found....

Cute and innocent looking right? She's so sweet when she's asleep.


Cute.. yes... but innocent??? I guess it depends on how you define innocent. Let's just say she's curious.
Here's the evidence....


Well...... This is why it smells so strong in her room.

***Warning*** Picture below is graphic and those with any pride to home decor and their own skin, may cringe at what will be shown here on this blog.


So this is only part of the "crime scene". There was clear glitter polish in a nice smeared pile on her carpet. I don't know how we got so lucky to not have red polish get on the carpet... but her hand made quilt I made for her (that took me HOURS) is now nicely decorated in dark red... much worse than what is on her beloved "sleep bag and Straw Jammies".
Can I just say how happy I am that I just recently posted her two most favorite things before they looked like something that you'd find in the ER?

Brian and I spent the next 20 minutes trying to clean up the damage and just laughing at this precious little girl sleeping soundly in a bed full of fingernail polish. You know... nothing she does seems to phase me anymore. What can you do but laugh? (or maybe cry occasionally?) But mostly laugh... and love her more. Ave's what would I do without you??? I sure wouldn't have nearly as much stuff to blog about!

Bridal Show and the launch of my website

The bridal show was a success. It was a long week, a long Saturday, but so much fun. I hope I get some good clients for all the work we put into this. Here's a picture of about half the cakes I did this week. I think it turned out just as I hoped it would.
I couldn't have pulled it through without the help of so many people. Friends & family for stepping in and babysitting, my mom for taking charge of getting everything ready for my booth, my VERY, VERY supportive husband who believes in my more than I believe in myself, Swensen's for giving me the opportunity to even be in the show, and mostly my brother... He put as much time and sleepless nights in this week as I did trying to get my banners, brochures and website designed. They all look amazing and I am so grateful for everyone's support this week.

So, thanks to by bro... I have an awesome site up and going!!! It's still got a little bit of work we've got to do on it, but it looks awesome!! We will be launching a blog on it where I'm going to post lots of fun things. I may even offer some cake decorating classes (still stewing over that one). Check out the site. Hope you like it!!!

Computers Make Me Cry

So my computer crashed Friday night. With no warning, no clues that something terrible was about to happen, we said goodbye to hundreds of pictures, files of digi scrapbook stuff and all the other stuff that is on a computer. Ahhhh, I am sick. Why we rely on electronics for everything is beyond me right now. If I was smart and normal, I would have backed everything up on my external hard drive, but did I do that? NO!
All I can say is THANK GOODNESS FOR BLOGGING! At least I've got a few pictures of my kids this year from the posts I've done.

To my smokin' hot wife

Turia Rocks!

This is going to be a bare bones post... No pictures, no sound, pretty short and to the point. I just had to publicly say how proud I am of my wife. She had her own "Hell week" and weathered it better than I think anyone could have. Her cakes turnedout amazing, the booth at her show was one of the best there, and she did it all with a smile on her face. I married the most amazing woman I know! I love you Turia. I couldn't be prouder!

Life This Week has NOT included blogging

As much as I should be blogging this week... documentation via blogger of all the daily fun events of my children have been put on the back burner for now.
I am not dead, I am not on vacation (oh how I wish I was), I am just VERY BUSY!!!
Let me sum it up for you.....
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to be invited to do a bridal show!! (YeAH)
The bridal show is Saturday... exactly 8 days from when I found out (Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!)
I had NO, nothing, zilch, nada prepared for something like this... so here is how my week has gone down.

Friday afternoon--- stressed out, scared out of my mind, pacing around in circles trying to figure out how I could put all this together in time all while trying to finish up a wedding cake for a client. (ya... a little crazy) Then I realize I need styrofoam... and LOTS of it.. so I run downtown and buy loads of styrofoam for my "fake wedding cakes". Went to the store to buy fondant twice. (So did my mom)

Saturday-- Deliver my actual wedding cake, went to buy more fondant (so did my mom) go to sniagrab with my family.... (It's a must when you are married to the worlds most obsessed skiier) But I was excited.. I actually talked Brian into getting a helmet for Kaden. He's too stubborn for one himself, but at least our kid will be safe. Oh ya... did I mention I have to speak in church tomorrow?? Guess I should start thinking about my talk (11 pm) Oh ya.. Oh ya... went and bought more fondant. (The cheap kind was 50% off this weekend... yeah!)

Sunday-- Went to church and gave my talk. I guess it went ok... not one of my better ones. Came home and put the kids to bed and off to the drawing board I went. FIRST writing a full page of "To Do's" to get ready for the Bridal Show... then figuring out how I can divide and make the most of the help that would be offered. I passed off the entire "Booth" set-up stuff to my mom (MAJOR LIFESAVER!!!!), got my brother working on finishing up my website and designing the printing of brochures and a banner, then started drawing up cake plans, color schemes, variety, etc, etc. Whew!!! Plans for 8 cakes. EIGHT CAKES IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!! (this is going to be one heck of a week)

Monday--- Labor Day and Brian is off work (Hallelujia!!!). I spend almost all day in the kitchen working on cakes. I get two finished and start on my chocolate leaves. Chocolate leaves looked awful, so scrapped them and decided to do them in gumpaste instead (that's going to have to wait for another day-- I'm going to bed) Did I mention me, brian, mom, dad, callee, duncan, jordan... ALL bought fondant today? (hooray for 50%off and AWESOME family! )

Tuesday-- Back in the kitchen.. Still working on cakes. Don't get nearly as much done today due to hubby at work, but spend most of the day shopping for other cake needs. Guess what? I didn't buy fondant today! (Just everything else.. including more styrofoam) Worked on 2 more cakes and finally crashed about 2 am.

Wednesday-- Slept in and didn't make it to the gym. (not good) and went straight to the kitchen (surprise). My poor children and not being taken care of, watching too many movies and being ignored until my great friend saves the day. When Kaden gets to Emily's house he tells her "this has been the more boring day ever!". (whoops... bad mom)
I form my autumn leaves, paint flowers on one of my cakes, and color fondant for another cake.
It's Wednesday, so off I go to young womens. We have a fun activity, I get home and straight into the kitchen with me!! Here's the big night. I airbrush the autumn leaves, paint my snowflakes silver, finish my flower power cake, do a tradition white on white cake, and make loads of royal icing... Do you think I'm tired yet? I SHOULD BE.. IT'S 4 AM!!! Ok.. I'm almost done at this point, only 1 1/2 cakes left to finish, but I'm exhausted so off to bed.

Thursday-- Get up, get the kids breakfast, send them to my other wonderful friends house to play. While they are there, I rush to finish as much as I can. The kids come home and we head out to preschool. WE get home.. the two younger kids take naps and TADA...... (drum roll please)...... ALL EIGHT (yes I said 8) cakes are finished!! 8 cakes in 3 1/2 days! whew!! I made it.
Now it's thursday night and I'm finally able to sit down, check my email, blog a little bit, and try not to fall asleep.
Tomorrow will bring photo shoots of the cakes, more last minute details to get done and my nerves to start up again because Saturday is the big day.

Hope it turns out well.