CHRISTMAS IS HERE

Well, Its here. I've been patient, and now it's here. CHRISTMAS. I love everything about the season. The stores, the people, the decorations. oooohhhh the smells. I just love everything about it. When I put the kids to bed on Thanksgiving, they have a twinkle in their eyes. They know Mom can't bear to wait any longer to decorate the house. We wake up, do a quick scrub. Change everything around. For those of you that know me. I do this activity frequently. Pack up fall, and bring in winter. The tree is set, the music is on ,and away we go. From this day forward. The focus shifts. JESUS . He loves us so much He went through childbirth ( Who volunteers for that). He knew what was coming, the pain the rejection, the separation. He knew and yet, He loved us enough to do it for us. He is all over the house always, but especially this time of year. Nativities, wall hangings, books, music, plays. He is everywhere. We will bake and bake and bake. Play relax play some more. We will watch every Christmas movie that is out there. Listen to Christmas music from the time we get up, to the time we drift off. The flour will be flying. I imagine food fights as we decorate cookies. ooohhhh how I love this season. We won't get much book work done this month. But we will learn a lot, and have a lot of fun. I wish Christmas was all year long.

Laundry

This morning I awake to a living room full of laundry. I am guessing 30-40 loads. I wish I had a picture. My eyes would be peaking out of a mountain, while the kids jump into a pile like fallen leaves in the yard. Oh that it would smell so sweet. My washer has been broken for three weeks, and I have found that God has done an amazing job making me a more patient person over time. There was a time that I would have gone crazy knowing the laundry was piling up, but now it does not bother me so much. So the up side to all this is that I get to sit and watch movies with the kids today, while working on all the laundry. I will make sure to watch some historical, or science related shows. It is a school day you know. When all the laundry is finally put away. I look forward to pulling all the Christmas boxes out of the rafters, and get this season under way.

Here they are up close and personal. My new friends. For weeks we tried to get our relationship ironed out. Then I prayed. God I need your help on a simple little thing. You created man and woman, could you help me do the same on a smaller level, because mine keep looking, pretty scary. I left it up to Him, and in the morning Teri and I made these without a glitch. God cares about even the smallest fondant figurines. I love Him so.

Drew and Sarah Newman. one of the most beautiful couples I know. They are beautiful inside as well as on the outside, and their families are wonderful too. Thank you for letting me be a part of your beautiful wedding.

This week I had the chance to create an Art Deco cake for a very lovely couple. I Love praying for a couple that asks me to make acake for their special day, and our Father was with me every step of the way.
These are the flowers on the cake. Every one is different, and all have dots or cut outs in them lots of work, but so worth it they were beautiful.
Sarah wanted to know if there was a way to incorperate Andes mints, into the design, so we made a mosaic with them carving them to creat a design. the two lower cakes also have them baked into the cake. It was so delicious. Like mint chocolate chip icecream.
The Groom, Drew< is a drummer, in a band, and I wanted to do something for him. We made a drum, and chocolate covered strawberries and hand made the couple on the top. Believe it or not this was the toughest part of the whole affair.
Teri is one of my best friends, and we had so much fun making this couple to resemble the couple who got married, and all the flowers. She was so nice to do this with me, and we had the bestest time too.
The couple made place cards on small bottles, and embossed an N on each for Newman, grooms last name. So I replicated this onto the grooms cake.
The jewels on the cake are going tobecome a necklace for the bride. They were beautiful glass beads.

The kids are at their music lessons, so that means I am alone. The house is quiet, and I am sleepy. I can see the cotton wood trees in the back yard loosing their leaves. The green and golden yellow are so beautiful together. The sky is so blue, and I can see a gentle breeze touching the leaves on the tree. It is such a lovely day. I really appreciate hearing from my family in New York. I learn more about them now that I am on the computer more often. I really like this. I think we could be neighbors, and best friends. I get to keep up with my wonderful daughter and her husband in Montana. I am so glan I live in this age of technology. I would have such a hard time if it were the 1800s.. I keeps us connected. I learn so much about other parts of the country , and Canada. I went out yesterday. The kids love that since my accident they get to push me around. ( in my Wheelchair) haha They rolled my to the gas station for a soda. It is so great getting out in the sunshine. Have a great day friends, and enjoy my favorite time of year. I love you all

good days and bad days

Today... was a bad day. I woke up very sore. My leg is hurting and I feel down. I should be going to church today, but I don't think I could make it through a service. I am sure we all have days when we just don't feel very good about out selves or our situations. Thing is we don't usually talk about it. We hide out and wait for it to pass,, or we suck it up and buck up. I listened to a couple of sermons that Jason put on my ipod, and prayed a bit hoping this would pass. By 4: oo I still felt bad. I took a bath, looked at myself in the mirror, ( THIS DID NOT HELP) and proceeded to cut my hair off. This is the shortest it has been since I was in the third grade. This did not make me feel better, but now I don't have to deal with the tangles. You know what I love though. Tomorrow I will wake up and feel great. That is what I love about My God. He loves me and I get to start all over tomorrow. Only without hair.

BABY GIRL' S BIRTHDAY

Twenty years ago today I had the sweetest little girl ever. ( no offense to my other sweetest girls ever. ) Mandi was not planned exactly, but I wanted her soooo much. I was so glad when I found out I was going to have a baby girl. Mandi looks a lot like me, and she thinks like me too. I suspect some day she will be recovering from knee surgery for showing off too. I remember being in labor with Mandi. Her father and Auntie were watching, and playing Jeopardy, while I labored. There came a point where I glared at them ,and the TV went off and Mandi came out to greet us. What a beauty. She had a rough start. I remember it as though it were yesterday. We lived in an apartment, and her bed was on top of a dresser. Mandi got jaundice, and had an incubator with a mask and private nurse. What a start. As mandi grew she had a lot of accidents. Broke her leg and had a body cast. On top of that she got chicken pox in the cast. We were very careful when taking her places , for fear she would get hurt. Usually she did not disappoint. Remember the stitches on the Britton's countertop. I thank God for friends who are DR's. Now I realize I am just like that. I thaught all these things that have been happening to me were new. Not so I was reminded by my mother that I was just like my Mandi as a child. To my daughter who is twenty today. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RAISE SUCH AN INCREDABLE YOUNG WOMAN. I LOVE YUO SO VERY MUCH/ so for everyone who gets this. wish my baby a happy birthday.

recovering from an amazing weekend

It is Monday morning and I am recovering from a great, but hard, weekend. I am very sore from overdoing this weekend. This does not surprise anyone who knows me. I was able to go to church. Saw friends, and lots of people did not recognise me in the wheel chair. It took a lot out of me. I realized the trees have turned color its beautiful. The air is crisp, and the smell of fall is in the air. I love this time of year. The drama on Saturday night simply wore me out, and for those of you who were wondering, the police was firm but nice about it. I guess I don't look like much of a threat in my Big Dog shirt and crutches. I went to therapy,and my therapist said I am making good progress. I got muscle stem shock treatment. WOW!!! I even got to bring it home to do it every day if I need to. Karl and the kids better behave or I will use it on them. Just turn up the dial, and set them straight. The therapist said I will be able to put pressure on my foot November 10th. Maybe off the crutches by Christmas. I have my work cut out for me. I look forward to drawing strength from God, because I have none. In my weakness He is made strong.

I M not sure I like this cake as well as others I have done. What do you think?

OH MAN... I crashed. Karl beat me to the hunt for the infamous PIECE. I should have drank more coffee, and watched the sun rise. I was sooooo close. My first adventure in such a long time, and I slept through it.

great times

Wow, what a night I had. I haven't been out since my accident in Montana, but our anniversary is on the 23rd and I have been asking God to help me find a way to celebrate it from my couch. Does not sound too adventures I know. He sure came through. Austin went to an over-nighter with Reuben and the guys, Abby and Shane spent the night with their cousins. This my friends sets the scene. When you have 6 kids and been married fifteen years. you swoop down on an opportunity like this one. Karl and I went to eat Chinese, and saw the movie FIRE PROOF(Highly Recommend) and then went for coffee and desert. What a perfect night. We came home to a quiet house. No one tattling on the other, or asking for a drink of water before bed time. I have come to cherish these moments. But having a night alone with my husband. PRICELESS!!!! We snuggle a bit and fall asleep in each others arms. Despite my ailing leg. Now it gets exciting!!! I hear voices outside my bedroom window, and as I rise from my stupor I see what appears to be the reflection of flickering firelight (to me anyways) I focus in on that light for a minute, and realize its lights from an ambulance or police car. I wake Karl. I fear my elderly neighbors are in trouble. I quickly gather myself grab my crutches, and hobble to the foyer, when the doorbell rings. I slowly open the door( oops I didn't even wait for my body guard to keep me safe) I suppose thats why I'm on crutches, I leap before I look. The Police officer at the front door commands me to open the door, So like a good little girl I do, Now mind you there are three cop cars in front of my house. He asks for Jacob. There is no Jacob here. He asks again and then says Are you sure you don't have a Jacob that lives here. Now it is 3:30 in the morning but I'm pretty sure I did not name any of my children Jacob. He says that the young man that they obviously had just arrested. He claimed his friend lived here and his name was Jacob. On top of that tidbit he threw his piece into our bushes. My heart is pounding. Having been waken to such excitement. Now it is 5 am. They are still out front. still searching this mans car, taking pictures, and still searching our bushes. That leaves me to believe, I still have the piece somewhere in my bushes. They get pictures of our house, call the tow truck, and wait. When the sun comes up you can bet I will be out in the bushes looking for what they could not find. Now I can not sleep. The difference between my wonderful husband and myself. I have to be in the thick of it. Maybe just maybe he is just exhausted from taking care of everything while I am laid up. What a champ, I shall let him sleep. Thanks for listening, What an incredibly exciting night. You know God sure comes through, I couldn't have come up with that kind of excitement in my wildest dreams. Isn't he amazing?

I has been a while. I have been recovering from surgery, and God has really been at work in my family. I have always taken charge and made sure everything ran the way they should. I did all yard work and the neighbors too. I did whatever construction needed to be done in order to have things the way I wanted. I ran school, took care of the bills. I played taxi mom all the time/ Oh the list goes on and on . I also forgot to grow up, and made sure everyone knew that I could keep up with all the kids. This left no room for my beloved husband to play his part. He went to work and faithfully made the bacon, and when he arrived I diligently took it and made sure it was perfectly divided and fried up. Now I am on the couch, and doing my physical therapy. I cant even get the bathroom by my self. Karl gets the opportunity for the first time in our married life to make decisions, to take the lead and run his home. I am tucked perfectly in my place allowing him to do so. He struggles with that sometimes, he said he is just not used to it. I am here to tell the world that i should have stepped out a long time ago. I have tried at times, but it is like when you take your burrdons to god and lay them at his feet. Then for some reason you can't help but go back in and take them back, I guess we think we can do a better job if we have control. WRONG!!!! It took God knocking my knees out from under me to realize that my sweet husband really wants to take care of us. I want you to know HE DOES A GREAT JOB AT IT. Thank you God

My Friend

This is me and the worlds best friend. God wanted me to know who he was by giving me the most wonderful of his children. She loves me no matter what I do. I get it now,He loves me no matter what I do. She gives and gives, never expecting anything. Just like My lord He gives and gives. He gave It all. She makes me feel like I am the most special person in her life and if I were the only person left on this earth, she would be there for me. Just like my Lord. He is amazing.I am His special child. He knew me and knew I would not understand without experiencing it. So He gave me Shanna. I love to talk to Shanna, and spend time with Shanna, When I have a problem or am hurting, I call Shanna. I understand now that that is all God wants from me. I Desire to spend time with Him and seek Him and Run to Him because I know haw it feels to have that relationship Here. And I will go to him first when I need help, or am hurting. when I have exciting news and just to spend time every day with the one who loves me most and makes me feel so special that he stretched out his arms and died for me. ME because He loves me so much. Thank you Lord for the physical blessing of a friend who has my fathers eyes. So that I might know YOU.
Oh how refreshing to spend some time with a child loveing Him and showing him new things. water is so exciting to a baby. it is so new and splashy. Every day with a child is a blessing.

This is the cake that Teri and I made for a new baby at her church. It was so fun to decorate with a good friend. I enjoy decorating but I enjoy sharing it with those I love even more.
I would like to share with you how New Mexicans fish. We were visiting Texas, and Uncle Tim told the kids a good fisherman gets his and her feet wet. The kids steped in. Oh no says he you need go go in a little further if you want the big ones. So Neive as they are, a few more steps they took. Uncle Tim grew up here so he knows the next step is a dusey. but they kept on fishing. It was so funny

This is Ashton Shinn', 1st birthday cake. Mom duck took a tumble, but she doesn't look any worse for the wear. Ashton really tore into the baby cake.

just a day in the life.

Austin and I made this one together. He loves to help. The cake matched the invitation. and I made this one for Karls sister. Austin made the stars, and the balls around the cake. he did an awesome job

This is a gardening Hat. It was fun to make Tori says I'm just showing off.
This was Eions birthday cake He likes the Yankees, and wanted a hat so thats what I gave him. The problem is He was upset because he thought someone set their hat on his cake. .I told him that is the cake.

we had picnics in the park. Noah got tired and took out big brother. Pow to the eye.
this is DOG. pronounced deogee He is the best dog I have ever had.
Oh if you could only get a look at those teeth. He has such a wonderful smile, and the heart to go with it.
My boy Austin, Man is he growing up fast. He is now taller than I Which is not saying much, but his feet are bigger than dad's He is hoping to be as tall as uncle James.
s.
Poppi has such fun with the kids. he carried Aiden forever, because his feet hurt. He felt like he was super man because he had his poppi all to himself.
Eion is so serious most of the time I love to catch him when he relaxes and goofs off. He really is quite the ham. I sure love that boy
OK I bet your wondering, what is this conservative boy up to. 80's themed weekend. Moms hair was even bigger, and bluer, if you could imagine that. I will look for pics
This was so funny, watching the boys be boys
He always puckers his lips,. I call him my ducky.
Need I say more. She is amazing If only I had half her cuteness, I could get away with anything. I try to make sure she knows it is what she is on the inside that counts otherwise her head couldn't get through the door.
He looks just like Aiden and Jason. Its amazing how genes work
He always trys act so tough. He really is just so cute.

I am recovering from my electrocution experience, taking all the jokes and new nick names in stride. I made my first paid wedding cake today. Then came time for delivery. I pull out the map, and see that it is near a familiar picnic ground. No problem. Karl at the helm . I at the cake patrol in the back of the van, we proceed to our destination. Oh My destination is two miles down mountain terrain bumpy four wheel drive type mountain road. I held on for dear life. What should have taken 10 minutes took about 30. And every muscle in my body was puckered. That was intense. It made it settled a bit but we made it. unbelievable. God is so good.

Busy week. I have 6 kids under 13, and I love it. we went to VBS, in the morning and had lunch in the park with great friends. when we got home we empties the pool in the back yard, had a mud fight, and showered with the hose. We needed that I might add. the kids are jumping on the trampoline, napping and crawling on the floor. I am taking this moment to catch everyone up on a day in the life, as it were. these are short and few and far between. Karl is in Taos untill tomorrow night. I miss him. Jason and Stacy are having fun on the beach of SanDiego. I am so glad they got to do this. Tori and Johnny are at camp this week in Montana. Boy do I miss talking to Tori every day. I know they are having a great time I f you see this tori I love you. I actually got called away for the last 2 hours, Kid stuff. Well I better take care of business. Love to all Kim

silly girls, having fun. Wow how time flies
this is the graduation cake/cakes, for Tori. The foundation is the Bible, Tori enjoyes Greek Mythology, ie: the Iliad, Hard to read is Business Two, and Her favorite class that she took three years running, is Pilates. It was fun to see peoples reaction to this cake.
My Girls, Abby is fure going to miss her big sister. So is her mommy.

Tori graduates, and now we count down to the big move, lots of tears.

Pagosa pics with Shanna

Last year I went to Pagosa with my best friend and we had an awesome time. This was one of the most beautiful waterfalls, It's called silver falls. Climbing up it took me breath away ;-)

A taste of my creations

Here are just some of my cakes!!!!

I love to decorate and get creative.