For my husband, on our Anniversary.

Marriage is hard work sometimes.
If someone tells you it's not, they're a liar...or they're a newlywed.
At some point you're going to want to smack some sense into your partner, you won't, but you'll really want to. You'll argue about stupid stuff. You'll get mad at something they did or didn't do. You'll feel frustration at the words they did or didn't say to you. You will want to scream at the top of your lungs into the night sky because they're driving you flipping crazy. Or maybe thats just me.
Then, you'll want to hug them tight and never let go. You'll want to kiss them and tell them how much you love them. Tears will form as you look into their eyes tell them you never want experience a day in this life without them by your side. You forget about all of the fights and frustrations because that person is the one you choose to share your life with.
Ten years ago I married my husband. I was 17 and he was only four days past his 18th birthday. Two crazy teenagers making a very adult decision. Our families were not thrilled. Our friends were...I don't know. I didn't ask because I am sure I wouldn't have wanted to hear the answer. I know for a fact that many, many people thought we were making a huge mistake and were bound for divorce within a couple of years. I am not passing judgement on those who thought that, I say it because I know I would have had those same thoughts. Regardless, we married on February 4, 2005 four months before our high school graduation.

Since that time we have had good times, bad times, and times somewhere in between. We have moved 9 times, completed a combination of 5 college degrees, and brought 3 children into this world. I think what is unique about our marriage is the fact that we basically grew up together within the bounds of our relationship. We have been asked, individually and on more than one occasion, if we feel like we missed out on our youth because we were married and had kids. Looking back over the last 10 years, I can honestly say the answer is no. Sure there were times we had moments of disappointment or minimal regret, but it always disappeared as quickly as it came. I am grateful that I didn't have to date the wrong guy before I found the right one. I am grateful that I didn't have to live in dorms or an apartment with crappy roommates. We didn't have to go through all the messy parts of finding someone while learning to become an adult. We thrust ourselves into adulthood and just dealt with the messes together.

I will openly admit that it hasn't always been easy. We definitely picked a very difficult path to begin our adulthood. I wouldn't want my own children to choose what we chose. I realize I am kind of rambling here, sorry. The point I am trying to make is this: we did it. We did it and I wouldn't go back and change it for the world. Not just because we have three amazing children together, but because I get to share my life, my every day, with a man who really knows me. The worst parts of me, all of the bad decisions I have made, my stupid jokes, and when I laugh at myself telling those stupid jokes, he accepts it all and loves me unconditionally. I want for everyone what I have with Cole. Someone you can binge watch Netflix with, eat midnight ice cream in bed, rip farts in front of, travel the world with, and build a life of joy and laughter. I am grateful every day that we made that crazy decision 10 years ago, and we have the rest of eternity to make even more crazy decisions. I can't wait to see what the next decade brings for us.
I love you Cole, until the day after forever.

"Let's try this again," she says.

It's been almost 4 years since I posted anything to this blog. 4 Years. Yikes.
The other day I was doing something, probably pretending to fold laundry, when I thought "Hey! Remember when I used to blog about my kids and stuff?" I found it and started looking at all of the cool things I used to post about (cool to me, not you), and wondered why I ever stopped. I don't write in a journal, I should because my memory is total crap, but I don't. I have no excuse. I'm just lazy. I loved going back and reading about all of the little things my kids were saying and doing. It's all of those little things that make parenting bearable sometimes. I don't want to forget those things.
Let's try this again.
So much has been going on with us lately. The best way for me to go about this is break it up. I'll do my best to organize my thoughts and not ramble on and on too much. I'm not promising anything though.
Part 1:
Cole has been part of an intense graduate studies program in Nursing Anesthesia in Miami, FL for the past (almost) 3 years. He graduated December 2014 and this past Friday he took, and passed, the national board exam. He is now a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). I feel like I am cheating his experience by reducing it to a couple of sentences. Let me tell you something; this was the most difficult 3 years of our lives so far. It is one of those things that unless you're in it, you don't fully understand. The amount of work, dedication, and time he put in to studying was nothing short of amazing. He missed vacations, school concerts, graduations, funerals, and time with his family in order to successfully complete the program. THEN after he graduated, he spent 12 hour days in the library studying everything he learned over 7 semesters and some things he didn't, in order to pass the boards. Think about that for a moment. I can't even imagine having to learn an insanely difficult field of study and then have to remember every single detail and procedure in order to pass a 170 question test. Um, no thank you. When he called me on Friday to tell me he passed, I could feel the relief through the phone. For Cole, it's like carrying a backpack full of bricks, or in this case anesthesia books, for years and finally being able to set the bag down. Then I came along and lit the bag on fire while doing a happy dance around the ashes. It's over, and it feels oh so good.

I didn't even get to the best part yet: He has an amazing job waiting for him. We have lived a lot of places over the last 10 years: Wyoming, Denver, Nashville, Miami. Our experiences in each place have enriched us as well as taught our kids many valuable life lessons. Miami has been especially educational. We really love it here. The different cultures, the food, our amazing friends!! That being said, it is time to move on. We want a place where our kids can be kids a little longer. We want space, and a garden, and a house we can call our own. We want to live in a smaller city where things don't move quite as fast as they do here in South Florida. All of the things we want for our kids, and for ourselves, we have found in Iowa. No that's not a typo. I said Iowa. Anti-climactic, I know. I was even resistant at first. I didn't want to admit to myself and to Cole that it was the right choice to make. I had never even been to the state of Iowa. What does it have to offer besides corn and...that's it. Corn. Who wants to purposely move there?! But we went anyways. Have you ever known that something was right, you just didn't want to admit it was? Thats how I felt about this.
Cole has an amazing cousin that lives there, and she is a great saleswoman. She showed me all the things the town has to offer, introduced me to teachers at the elementary, and even took me to look at the houses in the area. The more I looked around, the more I could picture us there. I could see my kids riding their bikes safely down the road, and me going to the grocery store on the weekend and actually finding parking! I know it's the right place for us and we are so excited to get on with the next part of our life.

Pomp and Circumstance

So I failed to mention in my previous post, a VERY important event that I was privileged to witness. On the way to Tennessee, we took a detour down to Florida to see my brother Tyler graduate from High School.

Tyler, pictured below, is a goof ball to the extreme. He has ADHD and I LOVE IT! That kid is constantly cracking me up and has the most random sense of humor. I didn't have the opportunity to grow up around Tyler (we have different dads). The only time I got to see him was on the once a year trip to my Mom's house for a visit. So it is only natural that his growing-up seemed impossible to me. Earlier this year I found myself thinking "Whoa, Tyler is graduating! He is too young to go to college. He isn't ready to take on the world! My little brother can't handle being a grown-up!" Then I snapped to reality. He is 18. He is no longer my "little" brother, but a man. He will always be the goofy, crazy, nerd that I love. I am so proud of him for graduating and starting his "real" life now. His grown-up life...because sadly, that's what he is now, a grown-up. Right?

I really suck.

Ok, so I am terrible at this. Obviously. I have never been goo

d at writing in a journal or diary, so why did I think I could do this? I am on the computer a lot. Not JUST Facebooking and messing around. I take online classes, print of coupons, do research, order things, watch Netflix etc. Why don't I just take some time and blog? I'm lazy. There I said it. L A Z Y.

Give me a break, okay. I have people and a dog to take care of.

Anyways, We obviously move to Tennessee. How do we like it? So far, so good. However, there are some things I would like to complain about. Such as: the heat, the bugs, the spiders, the humidity, the traffic, the spiders, my neighbors dog, the mail man comes at 6pm, the spiders, Cole works nights only, did I mention the spiders? I think that is it. I am sure I will find something else to complain about, just give me some time.

I do like the house Cole found for us to live in. It was build in 1

943 and has hardwood floors and lead paint. We have a fenced yard, which is

just lovely. The dog and children can run free with out the threat of escaping into the street.

What else is new? I started couponing. Not like the extreme ladies on TLC, but only because I don't have the time to dedicate to it. I do, however, get some smoking deals. This pic is from my first trip and I saved almost $90 bucks! All of the things I get for mere change that my family doesnt use, i.e. the pull-ups and extra tooth brushes, are going into a collection box for the local homeless shelter.

Being in Tennessee is also great because I am closer to my side of the family. My dad is only 6 hours away in North Carolaaaaanuh. We recently paid him a visit on Fathers Day.

Part of the appeal of visiting my dad, aside from my dad being there, is what is in his backyard--a LAKE!! Now when I say "backyard" I mean that quite literally. He even has a private little beach area with sand and good ol Carolina red clay. We had such a great time swimming and are looking forward to going back...you know, to see my dad...

In other news...Cole's little sister, Maggie, got married this past weekend in Denver. We had the opportunity to attend the festivities.

To me, one of the BEST parts of the weekend was spending some much needed time with my best friend, Ayzlynn. She is seriously the greatest. We text/call each other every day, but you can't beat good ol' face time. It was wonderful.

So we flew to Denver, which took about 4 hours total travel time. On the way home, we drove the new van we scored from a newly retired Radiologist. The drive took us a total of 20 hours travel time. Ask me which one I prefer...

The kids actually did a great job. The first half of the trip was at night so the kids, and myself, slept. Once the sun came up, it was my turn to drive, at which point the dvd player went on as did my audio book.

All-in-all, things are pretty good for the Asays. Now let's hope I can keep up with this blog and continue to entertain you with my wit and literary personality.

Major Catch Up

Okay, so once again I have failed at updating my blog regularly. Sue me. I am a busy person with little persons to take care of. I am really wanting to try to keep up on this, especially since we are getting ready to move to Nashville. Thats right, the time has come.

Since it has been a while since I have entertained you with my wit and happenings, here is what has been going on the last few months:

-Hannah sang in the Stars of Tomorrow competition and did an AMAZING job. She sang Landslide by Stevie Nicks, and was nothing short of totally awesome.

-Lilli turned 2.

-Lucas snapped his glasses in half. (don't worry, they're fixed now)

-I have been working on my BFA degree, slowly, very very slowly, but still working on it.

-Cole came to visit in March, and April.

-I got an iPad and Lilli can work it better than any adult in the house, including me.

-Glen, Cole's oldest brother, got married.

-I made an awesome cake for the event above.

-My husband spoiled me and bought me a new wedding ring. It is gorgeous.

In more recent news, I became an Auntie to the first Hooper baby!! His name is Carter Wayne and I am totally in love with him. He is so tiny (only 6lbs) and so perfect. It makes me a little sad that I have to leave.

Also, Cole finished his BSN!! Not only does he now have a bachelors degree, BUT he graduated with honors and was on the Deans List every semester. Am I proud of him? YES!!! I know he worked his buns off to do well and with how chaotic our life can be, I think its saying something.

Lastly, this past Saturday, Lila and I jogwalked a 5k for breast cancer. It was not a planned thing, I just saw a poster for it at the grocery store and sent Lila a text. It went something like this:

Me: Hey, would you be interested in a 5k on Sat?

Lila: Watching one? Sure :)

Isn't she hilarious?! It didn't take much convincing, and she was game. SO we did it. We walked at a brisk pace and jogged off and on. Overall it was a great time to visit and get some exercise. After the 3.2 miles were complete, I felt GREAT! I think that I am going to make it a regular thing? Maybe...

Ok, thats all for now. I have a longer post I would like to do, but I have a 2 year old who is trying to sneakily steal my iPad and watch Netflix.

Lucas Bieber

So I put this song on and Lucas started getting down with some sweet moves. I immediately got the camera and restarted the song. I freaking love my kids.

I promise I will sit down and write some stuff later. I know there are SO MANY people who want to hear what I have to say. I have been busy, okay.

A Few Things

I am too lazy right now to write my regular length of a post. I am not feeling well, again, and I want to get back to watching mindless internet videos while I wallow in my sick self-pity. So, that said, here are just a few tidbits.

Lucas said today that he wants to draw a picture of himself as a superhero, take it to Walmart, and there have them make it into an action figure to be sold. He then informed us we could purchase 10 each and they do a lot of things like fly, fight with swords, and watch cartoons with you. Another cute little thing he said was "Heavenly Father put a crazy bone in me, that's why I'm so silly." What a clever kid. He is still on his fruit salad kick too.

Oh, and this is the face Lilli has been making EVERY time she goes pee.

Family Fun Times

Soooo guess what we did on Saturday? That's right--Sledding.

Lucas and Hannah loved it! The wind started to kick up and it was only 11 degrees outside, so we called it quits on the sledding venture. The kids were still wanting to do something fun so we found our way over to Cody and hit up the Dairy Queen drive-thru. It's never too cold for an ice cream cone!

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

Lets try this again....

Okay, So I really suck at this. A lot has happened since I last visited this blog. A LOT. Too much to type, so lets start fresh with a recap of the past couple of weeks. I think that anyone who is reading this, pretty much knows the rest of the story.
So, December brought my best friends wedding! (good movie) I had the privilege of being her Maid of Honor and I had an absolute blast. She married a wonderful man, and as cliche as this may be, he completes her. I couldn't be happier for Ayzlynn Hammond :)

Also in December, Cole was offered a job in...

...at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. So, looks like we're going to be saying y'all and Howdy a little more.
We decided that instead of blindly moving to TN, I would go and stay in Powell for a while with the in-laws and he would go ahead and move to start his new job. The plan is for him to research the area and find a good suburb for us to live in. When he does, we will find a house and head on out. He left January 1st and it has been a very very long 3 weeks so far. His birthday is Feb 1 and our anniversary is the 4th so, guess who has a ticket to fly to TN?? That's right, ME! I am so excited to go and spend some time with my husband. I think this will be the first time in years, just the two of us have spend some time together.
So, here the kids and I are, in Powell, WY. We are doing pretty good. At times, things can get a little crazy without Dad around, but we are managing. I have been trying to stay busy to pass the time, and let me tell you, it is working. These kids keep me on my toes!
Lillian is now 21 months old. She is such a little shining star. I find it hard sometimes to get her in trouble because she has such a sweet little face and a tiny little speaking voice that just melts my heart. She is so smart too! She has started to bring me a diaper, wipes, and desitin when she has a dirty bum. She then says "Change my diaper, I poopy." I see potty training in our very near future...

Lucas...oh, Lucas. This kid is such a wild little man! His toys of choice are swords, guns, and action figures. From the time he wakes up, til the time I wrestle him to bed, he is going 100 miles an hour. I enrolled him in preschool here and that seems to be doing wonders for him. He loves getting ready with his sister and going to his own school. As wild as he is, I have to give him credit for being a good protector of his sisters. He would do anything to keep them safe and he has a very kind heart. Just when I think I can't take any more of his wildness, he gives me a hug and says, "You're the best mom".

Hannah Marie is so grown up! She is in Kindergarten this year and already is starting to read. She is so smart and talented. We have her in piano lessons and dance class. She is definitely a performer! You can constantly hear singing in the house because everywhere she is, she is singing some kind of tune. Hannah has also become very independent lately. She gets up, makes her own breakfast, and has insisted in walking herself to the end of the driveway to meet the bus. She is very responsible too. She always does her chores and is usually very willing to help me clean up. I am so blessed to have her in my life and I am grateful for her presence every day. What a beautiful child.



On top of everything I do for/with the kids, I have started working on my Bachelors degree. It is going to take me a while because I take 2 classes every 8 weeks, but I am in no rush. So far, I am enjoying it, despite the fact that it is ALL online. I am looking forward to getting in to more advanced design projects. The 7:30 bed time my kids have is lending a huge hand to my success as a student. I have become quite the night owl. If only my kids would sleep past 7am...
Final thought--Cole and I are going to be celebrating our 6th anniversary on the 4th. I am so lucky to have him in my life. I can honestly say that I am married to not only the love of my life, but the best friend that I have ever known. I hope that everyone gets a chance to experience a love like we have :)