Brighton

Could he be any cuter? He's still not walking... ya, I know... he's 17 months old. He can do it.. he's just scared... or lazy... or something.
He's a crack up these days. He's found out it's fun to laugh at his brother and sister.. and he loves his daddy the best.. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT! If Brian has him... he will have nothing to do with me.. except slap my hands away and say NO! (it's pretty cute actually... he's quite the daddy's boy)

Get Me Out of Here

Bright decided to pull a little trick on me the other day and locked himself in the car.... uhhhh... with the keys in the car with him! Ya that was fun! These pictures are priceless.

Uh Ohhh

I went in to get Bright from his nap the other day and this is what I found on the floor......


This can't be good.



Then I saw this.... Man, he's cute.

New York

Happy Anniversary to US!

Brian and I decided to celebrate year 10 in style! We took a long awaited trip to NYC and up to Maine. It was so much fun and great to get away from everyday life for a while. I'm already ready for our next vacation. alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368178359063909314" />
This city is so cool. Amidst, all the buildings.. there are trees and water fountains and parks everywhere! Central Park was a huge highlight.. you would never believe you were in the heart of all the cabs, people, sky scrapers, etc. etc. It's so peaceful there.




Oh my gosh... Wicked was AMAZING! All I have to say is if you haven't seen it... GO GET TICKETS NOW!!! If you have seen it... this post will remind you that you WANT TO GO GET TICKETS AGAIN!!! I LOVED this play!

I'm Not Dead... Just Crazy Busy

I know. I know.... It's been TOO LONG since I've blogged and it's driving me nuts.. If I have anyone who even cares about my blog anymore, I PROMISE this weekend I will try and get caught up on my blogging.
But in the mean time... this is why I haven't blogged for a month. Wedding Cake Season is in full swing. That's all I've done for weeks. If you want to check out the cakes I did in May... log onto my cake blog.

My Kid the Movie Star

Kaden has been in two different commercials the last couple months. Not for any reason, but my friends and family needed kids and he was available. Don't worry.. I'm not adding "stage mom" to my list of to-do's anytime soon.
But he is adorable all the same.

Check out Kaden being the perfect patient at our friends dental office. If you don't have a pediatric dentist.. GO SEE THEM! They are awesome and their office is so cute.

Good Things Utah

Wow... It's hard to believe, but thanks to my dear friends at Swensen Photography and The Bridal Extravaganza, I will be appearing on Good Things Utah on Tuesday March 24th. I'm so excited for this opportunity to show off my cakes and am blown away that I was asked. It's going to be a little nerve racking to watch all the girls from the show eat my cake on live television (ahhhh). I hope they like it! Wouldn't that suck if you were on a food segment and the hosts actually spit your food out? Man.. worst nightmare right there.
Anyway... tune in to Channel 4 news at 10:0-11:00 next Tuesday morning.

My family was teasing me on Sunday saying that all my theatre in college and high school is finally paying off. I'll have my 10 minutes of fame!! Don't worry.. I'll be signing autographs after the show (hee, hee).

Updated Sugar Kisses Blog

Hey if you are interested, I've updated my sugar kisses blog that has a few more cakes on it. I got to make such a fun boat cake this past week. It's always so much fun to look outside the box and do something just fun.

Melt Down

As you can see it's been weeks since I've posted anything. I had a meltdown last week when I finally realized I have too much on my plate. Things aren't getting done... and others things are getting done half hearted due to lack of time.. and things I enjoy doing (like blogging) have gone to the wayside. I know I can do everything I need to do.. I just need to find that balance. I'm having a tough time trying to figure out my role as a mom of three (wow... it's still hard), having my own business, being a friend, doing my calling to the best of my ability, etc. etc. etc. I know everyone deals with this juggling act we as mom's do, and I think that for the most time, we do a dang good job at it, but sometimes... we break. That's what happened to me. I got so overwhelmed that there was nothing else I could do but cry. It's kindof crazy how a good cry session can clear your mind and get you back on track.
I'm not much of a crier... so for me to break down, I think it' frieks Brian out a little bit. He was great to be there for me though. I could talk, he listened. When I began to sob because a cup of crayons fell out of the cupboard, he rushed over and held me as I shook in his arms (seriously.. I'm sure he was thinking ... "What the crap is going on? They were crayons for heavens sakes") Well, those crayons were the last straw of a very long few months. I sometimes wonder why I put so much upon myself. I know part of it is how I was raised, and I think another part is just that feeling of wanting to always move and change and grow. I like to know I'm doing something to help others or improve my talents and especially be there for my kids. I have this need to constantly be moving. I don't know if that's necessarily good. I get to these "Melt Down" moments and realize that down time is HUGE! I don't give myself time just to chill. I don't stop until I've literally crashed on the couch and have to have Brian wake me up to go to bed. Why do I do that? Why is it so hard to find this balance? It's do-able.. I KNOW it is. I just gotta figure it out. For all you moms out there that cram your days, go, go, go and never take time for yourself... STOP! Stop right now or you will soon be crying hysterically over a bunch of crayons on your floor.
We need to have down time. We need to just sit down and reconnect with ourselves. If we don't do that... how in the world will we ever successfully connect with those we love and care about? We can't. At least, I can't. I'm learning that I can't be my best self for my family and friends and my church without making sure I'm OK first. It's a crazy balance.. but we can do it. We just need time to clear the chaos (even if it's just for a minute or two) and have your down time. It makes everything better and nothing seems too overwhelming. I am amazed at how easier it's been to refocus after my crazy "melt down". It cleared my head, it allowed me to see that if I plan a little better and try not to overbook myself.. I can find that balance. I may have to give up a few things here and there.... but that's not such a bad thing, Infact.. it will probably make me a better mom, a better wife, a better friend, a better business owner.. and all the other balls I juggle in my life. I just need to prioritize the most important things and then say goodbye to everything else. (ya.... a lot easier said than done for an overworker like myself)
Balance... I think THAT is going to be my greatest challenge as well as the my greatest strength if I can figure it out.

A Party fit for a Princess

OH MY GOSH!!!!!! Can I tell you how fun it is to have a princess party for a 3 year old? We had such a great time. Avery was hilarious the whole day. She was so darn cute and excited about everything. Here are a few highlights of her special day.
***NOTE*** Notice how many times she changed her clothes? She's too funny.



Here are the adorable princesses after they spent some time at the "Jewlrey Store" making wands and crowns.


The tea party was about the cutest thing I have ever seen. The menu consisted of pink wafer cookies, ham and cheese rolls, fishy crackers, grapes, pink lemonade or strawberry milk and of course... individual princess cakes. The highlight was pouring the drink into the TINY little teacups. The favorite part of the meal was beheading the princess cakes. All the girls had a kick out of eating the heads off their princesses. They may all look dainty.. but this picture proves they can hold their own!
Poor, Poor Princess Cakes.
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What a sweet little girl. She had so much fun today and I had even more fun watching her. I'm so lucky to be her mom. Her favorite gifts were her princess shoes, her magic wand, and her real live fishing pole she got from daddy. She wore her high heels while pretending to catch fish in our family room... she would point her wand at us and say, "I magic you!" Everytime she opened a present she would gasp and yell what the gift was as she was jumping up and down. It was awesome. I love this little girl!

Happy Birthday Avery

It's hard to imagine that it's been 3 years since this little 5 pound baby literally fell out of me. Who would have thought that in that tiny little body would hold such a strong willed, driven girl who has captured our hearts and brought us so much joy.
We love you Aves... thank you for being you. Happy Birthday.

From Scrap To That

Hey, I just wanted to show off my talented brothers work. If anyone is looking for someone who does AMAZING wood work, you need to give him a call. He's been making a ton of custom made kids beds lately that are so awesome. He's also doing custom made picture frames, dressers, etc. etc.

So if you know of anyone who is in the market... get a hold of him! He is so good and does everything custom made. If you have an idea of something you want, he'll be able to make it for you.

Here's his blog.
www.fromscraptothat.blogspot.com

Or Email: fromscraptothat@hotmail.com

"Knock On Wood"

It's been 3 days with NO DIAPERS and better yet.... NO ACCIDENTS!!! Whoo Hooo!!!

I've decided I'm a firm believer on just letting potty training happen on your kids own time table. For months I've been fighting this dumb thing... and all it took was a couple princess stickers and a desire on her part and it was taken care of. Way to go Aves. I'm proud of you!

I think I'm going to go private

I think I've decided to go private now that my name and business name is all over the web.  When I google my name, my blog pops right up...(I don't think I want all these people booking cakes from me to see my whole life story if ya know what I mean) so if you would like be on my blog list, let me know.  

My Kind of Sunday Afternoon

This hardly ever happens at our house, but when it does... there is nothing better.  So this is what makes the best sunday afternoons ever!!       

 Being with my family all day with no where to go                                                             

Kids all go to sleep  

Afternoon naps with Brian

No cleaning allowed!

Cuddling with sleepy kids 

Breakfast for Dinner                                                            

Hubby MAKES dinner

FHE with our kids

and a little bloggin!

Can't get better than that! What a great day!!

                              

Sugar Kisses Blog Updated

I still haven't updated my personal blog from the last month or so, but my business blog is in the process of being updated. I have a couple new cakes up if you want to check them out. If I get a chance, I'll post more in the next few days. You can link here or from my website or just by clicking the Sugar Kisses Blog button on the sidebar.

ALSO....
The offer still stands if you want to join Tidbits. Thank you for those who have posted cute things your kids say. This blog is a great way to keep track of all the funny and priceless words that come out our kids mouths. Check it out.. If you want me to send you an invite so you can post as well, let me know. The more we have.. the more often we can laugh!

The Sweetest Boy I Never Knew

It's been a pretty rough week for our family as well as one that has changed my life. I have been blessed this week by learning to love more, appreciate life's challenges for how they strengthen us and once again realize the importance of family.

Last Wednesday, my sister in law went in for her monthly check up to find out her little baby boy had no heartbeat. Since she was so far along, it was not a miscarriage, but a still birth. My heart ached for her and my brother as I thought of what they were going through. Not knowing how to show my love, concern and sympathy for them... all I could do is pray. What I gained from this experience is an overwhelming feeling of love for a little child that I never even met... one who changed so many lives and so many hearts in a life that never even breathed an ounce of this earth's precious air. His name is Matthew Keith Sohm. A name that stands for friendship and a love for all people. The name alone brings wonderful memories of good people from our past, but the name was not what brought that feeling of love into my heart. The love came from a small little boy.. who's hand didn't even wrap fully around my brothers finger. This little boy... Matthew Keith was not just an unborn fetus.. he is a boy. He is my nephew. He is a grandson, a cousin, a brother and most importantly.. a son. The world may tell us that it is not necessary to bury such a child... since he was never out of the womb alive... or that we he wasn't fully developed. But I am here to say otherwise. This little boy.. who left us before he even was here is a child with arms and legs, fingers and toes, a nose and a chin. His little body may not have been any bigger than a barbie doll, but his little spirit changed the lives of a whole entire family. He taught us how to love deeper and how to hold on to life in a better way. He gave us the desire to be a little better on this earth so that we may be able to be with him again. He taught us how important the gospel of Jesus Christ is in our lives and the knowledge that families are forever is what gives us strength.
I watched my brother and sister in law today at the graveside service we had for this precious little guy and was lifted up by their strength. In their humility and sorrow.. in the most darkest hours of their lives, they have rose above the pain of loss and pulled together in faith. They have been taught in quiet moments the purpose of family and know they have a loving Heavenly Father who is with them. I am comforted by them and realize that God DOES take care of us... especially through our trials. I can't imagine the loss that they have felt, but I know they are strong. I watched them today in awe by their unwaivering faith. They were not complaining.. "why me??" but they were thanking Heavenly Father for what they had learned this past week. I hope I never have to go through a trial like this, but I know I will go through trials of some kind. All I can do is pray that I will be as strong and inspiring as my brother and his family were during the hardest trial of their lives.
I love my family so much. I don't know what I would do without any of them.

To end this post.. I just wanted to remember some of the neat words that were shared by Tyler and Jana's kids this past week. I think they understand death so much better than we do. They never even got to see their brother, but that didn't stop them from loving him and understanding his place in their family.

Riley:
I'm sad too.. but it's a happy sad. Now he gets to go live with Heavenly Father.

(in his prayer the night they found out) "Heavenly Father, please let my baby brother sprit get back to you ok"

I love Matthew because he was the first in our family to die and go back to live with Heavenly Father"

Abby:
I love Matthew because he is the third brother in our family.

A lot of catching up to do

I have so much to catch up on this past month. Life has been a whirlwind of ups and downs that I need to blog about, but of course... I don't have any time just yet.. But first and formost... I gotta give a happy birthday shoutout to my darling little brighton. (see post below)

I'll start updating soon... I promise.

A Year of "Brightness" for our family

Today is Brighton's Birthday. I feel so blessed to have this little guy in our lives. His smile radiates my soul. His huge eyes sparkle and shine. He is a joy and has brought so much love into our home this past year. He worships his brother and sister, and they worship him. Here are some of my favorite things about my little bright.

His high pitched squeal when he doesn't get his way
His smile and his enormous eyes that melt my heart
They way he "army crawled" before he became the speedster he is now with real crawling
His dimple on his right cheek
The way he giggles when Kaden and Avery are around
Cuddles on the couch
The way he grins every time a camera is in his face
That he sucks his thumb and pulls a blanket up to his cheek when he's tired
His midnight play time - when he just wants to be up with us and hang out
His little temper tantrums.... yes.. they've already begun
His chubby little legs.. cheeks... arms... belly
The way I INSTANTLY fell in love with him

It's been an incredible year with this little guy. Wow.. it's hard to imagine that I cried and cried when I found out I was pregnant with him. He's been the greatest little "surprise" I've ever gotten. I love you so much Brighton. Happy Birthday.

ps- Thank you Jen for the AMAZING picture of Bright. (check out www.jenleephoto.com)

Brighton Discovered the Christmas Tree AND that he could GET to the tree!

Brighton doesn't get too many posts that are just dedicated to him. Call me a bad mom. But I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more posts on Bright due to the fact that he's figured out how to get where ever he wants and that usually equals into getting into trouble.
So, he's already 11 months old and he's still not crawling, but he has discovered the "army crawl". It is the cutest thing ever! He moves his little arms as he drags his lower body as fast as he can. Today he was in my bedroom and he heard my in Avery's room and pretty soon, he comes crawling in with a huge grin on his face. He thinks he's pretty cool now that he has a little Independence on his side.