Remembering Kevin

Two years ago today, my Uncle Kevin committed suicide. He struggled with drug addiction for many years and was trying to find the help he needed to get better. After weeks of calling rehabilitation centers, and finding no room for him, he decided he couldn't get help. Kevin felt he was a burden and a disappointment to his family, and took his own life. There was nothing in his system at his time of death, except sadness. I wish so much I could have told him how much he was loved and cared for.

If someone close to you is struggling with addiction, tell them you love them and get them help. Don't be afraid to make them mad or offend them. It is much better to have the ones you love angry with you, then gone forever.

We miss you Kevin.

Swimming, swimming, in a swimming pool.

Yesterday I decided to take the kids swimming at the new aquatic center here in Powell. When Hannah got home from school, I said "Hey guys, how about we go swimming?!" They were very excited and Lucas said "Awesome, we get to stay at a hotel!" Apparently we have been living in winter towns too much. My kids think if we're going swimming, we are staying at a hotel in another town. I explained to them that we were going to a pool in town, and they were still just as elated. I grabbed my camera and took a few snapshots...

Hannah always has to pose!

Lila met us there and really helped me out with the kiddos.

THEN, Jake, his girlfriend Kelsey, and her son Tristan came and we had ourselves a little pool party! (Jake came right from work so you can see the contrast from his dirty/wind burnt face and his under-clothes skin)

We had a way good time and I think I might just make it a weekly thing.

The Past Few Weeks

So, I've been sick. Not sniffles and mild cough. I'm talking, hacking, fever, headache, vomiting, you name it. I thought my amazing immune system could fight off the sickness, however, it proved to be less than worthy. $180 dollars later and a large regimen of pills later, I feel somewhat normal again. I'd say I am running at about 92% now as opposed to 11%. What better way to celebrate than blogging?

Ok, here we go. So the last few weeks have gone by like a blur. Valentines day was CRAZY hectic. I had to deliver about 14+ bouquets of Cake Pops AND help with Hannah's school party AND you know, still do all of my normal everyday mom stuff. Needless to say, I was spread a little thin. I shouldn't complain tho, I do it to myself. Anyways, Oh, Nashville was great. I had such a good time with Cole! We saw the sights, ate tasty food, and enjoyed one another's company. It was a great way to spend our 6th anniversary. I miss him so much!

In little people news: Hannah has decided to do Stars of Tomorrow. In case you are unaware of what this is, it is a local talent competition put on by the Kiwanis Club. If you win the upper division classes you move on to regionals, state, etc. I competed when I was 15 and totally won. Clap clap for me! Ok, enough of that... Hannah will be competing in the K-2 division where everyone wins and gets a little medal and certificate. She is going to be singing a song of her choice which happens to be....wait for it....Landslide. You know, "I took my love and I took it down, climbed a mountain and I turned around..." This pick was all on her own and I fully support it. I will try and post a video of her practicing.

It has been so strange not having Hannah around all day this year. However, I do get to hang out with Lucas and Lilli so I am not too bored :) Lilli has completed potty training! What a freakin relief! She was actually the easiest to train. She's to the point now where accidents are minimal and she tells me when she has to go. I wouldn't say she's 100% ready to turn lose on the world, but each day gets better and drier haha. Oh another thing, she has a new favorite toy: a cell phone. Imagine that. It is a cheesy little princess phone that makes noise, but she pretends it is real. She will hold it up and say "say cheese! Awe, looks so cute. I'm going to send it to daddy." I think maybe I take too many cell phone pictures??

Lucas is pretty much the same. He is 100% boy and 100% wild. I think that taking care of him should count for any exercise I might need. I also think he is sustaining the Crystal Light company with his daily beverage intake. That kid will never have a problem with dehydration, thats for sure.
Today, he said "Mom, can I have a treat." This can mean ANY food product so I said "Well, go pick something out and I will tell you if you can have it." He came back in the room and said, "I made myself a special treat mom!" Nervously, I looked in the bowl he was holding and found peeled segments of a clementine orange and grapes. "See mom, I made a delicious fruit salad!" I am so happy my son considers fruit to be a delicious treat. Now if I could only get him to eat his dinner....

Nothing better to do...

So, here is sit, in the Charolotte, NC airport. Almost 24 hours past when I was supposed to land in Nashville. It is 4:58 am, Wyoming time. I have been awake since 3 am yesterday. Granted, I took the occasional uncomfortable snooze whilst in the air, but I am very very tired. So why not update my blog?!

So here are some things that are happening in Asay town. Or as I like to call it, AWESOME town. Sorry, cheesy tired joke. You know, because I am tired...anyways.

Things in Powell are going pretty good. It is freezing cold there, actually colder than freezing. I am reminded once again, I hate winter. With a passion.

Lilli has shown interest in going potty so I'm rolling with it. She has the #2 business down pat. When I get back from my trip to TN (if I ever get there), I am going to be hard core and get it done. High-five for no more diapers! Side note, she thinks that toilet time is also a time to take in a good book.

Lucas is doing well in preschool. Lucas is, well, Lucas. He gets annoyed with all of the pictures I take of them (the kids) unless I'm taking a picture of Lilli. Then it's, "Hey mom, take my picture! [click] I wanna see it!"
Hannah is a kindergarten star. Or at least I think she is. They recently celebrated the 100th day of school and she had to dress like a superhero. She chose to be "Teddy Bear Girl". She had the power of flight and her teddy bear had laser eyes. So watch out Powell, there is a 5 year old girl saving lives with her bear! She needed a haircut very badly, so I made her an appointment at the salon. She insisted on keeping it long, so we added layers. Isn't she so cute?!

Soooooo. I miss my husband. That is the whole point of going on this trip. It is going to be our 6th anniversary on Friday. Guess what? We still LIKE each other! I mean we love one another too, like, a lot okay. I think it is equally important that you like your spouse as well. This is a pic I sent him, one late night at the Cody Wal-Mart:
I have been keeping myself very busy lately. I have school work, kids, chores, errands, AND cakes. Whew. The good news is, I just took my midterms so I'm halfway thru my Economics class. This is GOOD news people. I am not a fan. However, I am enjoying the ease of my Graphics class. They wouldn't accept the credit from one of my NWC classes, so I am in a somewhat beginner class. Needless to say, my work is a little (Okay a lot) more advanced than that of my peers. This is my favorite project so far:
Sweet Ace Cakes has been BUSY! This past week, I made 3 birthday cakes for people. I have been experimenting with some other design methods to expand my portfolio. Still, no fondant. I cant convince people to order it, so I am still lacking in that department.
This was a cake for my brother's girlfriend's mom. She is a girly girl to the max, can you tell? I am pretty happy with how the roses turned out. Oh yeah, those are hand made. WHAAAAT?!
I also made a cake for my sister-in-law Mandie. Her favorite colors are green and yellow. This was my interpretation of her and her personality. She loved the cake. OOH, side note, the cake was sugar free almond cream. My first time doing a SF cake. It was DELICIOUS! I am in love with Splenda. Seriously. L-O-V-E.
I also introduced a new product...CAKE POPS! These things are exploding in the cake world. (Yes, there is a world of cake. Shut up) If you don't know what these are, it is basically cake and frosting, rolled into a ball, and dipped in chocolate, then decorated. Are you saying "Mmmmmmmmmmm!" ? Well you should be, because they are freaking delicious.
I made 50 Red Velvet and 50 German Chocolate for the local coffee house, Parlor News. They had them for their "Tunes on Tuesday" open mic night event. I also made 50 Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup for Hannah's class. Yeah, I am a pretty cool mom. What can I say.
Business plug time. I am selling bouquets for Valentines day. Interested? Contact me at: sweetacecakes@gmail.com