Cake disaster!

How many of you watch TLC's the Cake Boss? Come on, fess up! Jk...It is seriously one of my favorite shows, and has given me the aspiration to become a wedding cake decorator. Not only does Buddy (the cake boss) make incredible cakes, but he somehow makes it look SOOOOOO easy (ha... don't be fooled). Look at these works of art!

Can you believe they're edible!!!

A couple of months ago I decided it was time to try my hand at cake decorating. A classic 9" by 12" you ask? NO! That would have been too easy (or so I thought). I had a whole day to dedicate to my new hobby and was willing to waste every minute of it making a cake-boss-worthy, full on, fondant-covered wedding cake! Why not? After 3 episodes I was sure to know be an expert right?

WRONG! My dream (and confidence was soon shattered after 10 hours of slaving in the kitchen over this pitiful finished product...

Not only was it ugly, but it tasted like gum-covered cardboard. After a lot of histerical laughing and nearly breaking down in tears, my Dad generously helped me cover the cracked and uneven fondant with some decorations. It is funny to look back on! I even swore I would never try again, but I just so happen to have the whole Christmas Break infront of me. Now, armed with 13 episodes, 3 youtube tutorials, and a 5 star recipe from recipezaar.com, I plan to tackle yet another cake adventure. With a lower standard of excellence (that being anything better than the above picture), and a whole week worth of detication, I am hoping for a little more success. Wish me luck!

Rock bottom/ please share

When I was in high school, I use to love writing songs. Recently, (inspired by the talented Kelsie Seaman) I have been trying to put some thoughts to music. It hasn't been very successful, but it has caused me to think about a couple of people who--through repentance--have completely changed their lives, and a few people whose lives I wish would change. While reading through my journal today, I read about an experience worth singing about.

A couple of years ago, I was talking to a friend (and home teacher) who had just turned his life around. He had made several poor decisions growing up, and was one of the last people you would have ever thought would come around. I remember listening to his family talk about his situation . They always had so much love for him and faith that he would change. They are seriously the most loving and faithful family I have ever met. They never once gave up on him, and understood that the power of Atonement extends to each of God's children--including their son (sorry, getting a little sidetrack).

Anyway, during a home teaching lesson on repentance, he began to bear his testimony about the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. While talking about his "turning point", he shared something that really impacted me. Here was our conversation:

Friend:

"Going down the wrong path is like quicksand. You can't just stay at one level, you're always sinking down, and further from Him. It gets to a point where you either hit rock bottom, or reach out for a rope."

Me:

"What was your rope?"

Friend:

"It wasn't just that my family had never given up on me, but that I finally realized that my Father in Heaven hadn't either. For the first time I prayed--real consistent prayer. That was me reaching out for the rope or hand. I know he was/is there."

So profound huh?! I have decided that my song will be called "Always Extended", and will talk about the Lord's promise in 3 Nephi that his hand was, is, and always will be extended to those who reach for it. Great concept huh (at least I think so)! In all reality, I may never finish the song, but I hope my friends thoughts are as touching to you as they were to me. I'm so glad I wrote them down!

Please, if you have any similar thoughts/stories I would love to hear them.

Happy Sabbath!

BABY HUNGRY

Aren't they adorable!!! Don't they make you baby hungry!

Benefit concert

OUCH...

This is what I looked like AFTER therapy today!!!!  

OUCH!!!

Who knew speech therapy could be such a dangerous job!!!  I use to tease my sister Sarah (physical therapist) for getting beat-up by the kids on her case load.  When she use to call me bragging about her newest scratches and bites, I never thought I would EVER be in the same situation!  Today, one of our clients with Autism (who is non-verbal) had a melt down, hit my supervisor and dug his nails into my neck.  He really is a great kid, he was just having a rough day.  It's frustrating for him to not be able to communicate his needs or wants.

 Next weeks lesson: No hitting or scratching.

Kids say the darndest things!!

I was walking to the front of the chapel today (to sing with the choir), when two little sunbeam yelled (in their outside voices), "There's sister Becky!  I found Sister Becky!  Hi Sister Becky! Do you see Sister Becky mom!"  I couldn't help but smile as their littler voices echoed throughout the chapel.  Being in Primary is such a joy.  Here are some of the funniest things I've heard while serving in this calling.

1)  When asked why we should obey our parents: "Because if we don't, we'll get spanked"

2) The WEEK AFTER a lesson about Ammon & missionary work.  This weeks lesson was on how we can be missionaries: 

• Me: How can we be good missionaries?
  
• Mackenzie: Cut off the bad guys arms!!!!

3) Opening prayers reveal so much about a child: "Please bless us not to kick our little brothers, or play hide-and-seek in the fridge, or write our name in yogurt on the wall....".   

4) This scenario happened EVERY week after Kenny's B-Day.

• Me: When we keep the commandments, Heavenly Father gives us blessings.  Who knows what some of the commandments are?
• Kenny: (Raising is hand very reverently) I got a remote control car for my birfday!
  
• Me: That's great Kenny, tell me more about it after class.  Right now we are trying to name some of Heavenly Fathers commandments, like praying.  Can anyone think of some others?
• Kenny: (Raising his hand, and turning to the other kids) It goes on dirt and is red.

5) This one is actually from my 3 year-old nephew Noah.  While reading a children's book with his dad (my brother Scott) about the plan of salvation. 

• Scott: Noah, if we keep Heavenly Fathers commandments we can become like him.
• Noah: Like him? (Pointing to the drawing of Heavenly Father)
• Scott: Yes, like him.
• Noah: Like him? (Pointing again, making sure his Dad didn't misunderstand the question; starting to look extremely excited)
• Scott: Yes! (Excited that Noah is understanding the plan of salvation.  Feeling like he has really accomplished a lot in this 3 minute teaching moment)
• Noah: You mean... (pointing again, and squealing) I CAN HAVE A MUSTACHE!!!
  

6) We use to "spot light" a couple of children each week to help the kids get to know each other.  Parents were given a form to fill out with several questions they were suppose to ask their children.  Under "what do you want to be when you grow up", Melany (a sunbeam) said, "A princess, a mermaid, or a fairy."

Rock Band ... the real deal!

Hello family and friends! Many of you saw a post of mine on my Facebook page advertising for a concert I put on. For those who don't know, this summer I taught a Rock Band class at a summer camp here in Flagstaff. Not "Rock Band" the video game, but a actual music class with real instruments making real music. It has been one of the most joyful music teaching experiences I've had. My students were from 4th grade through 7th grade. They all got to learn how to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, or sing. Each grade learned a rock tune. We performed twice ... once at on old folks home called the Peaks, and once at our very own rock show that featured the kids! It was like their very own School of Rock show! We also made music video's with the help of a talented videographer friend. Anyways, I invited the newspaper to come out and they featured our show on the front page of the AZ Daily Sun. Here's the link if you're interested in reading:

http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2009/07/30/news/20090730_front_200793.txt

Enjoy!

Good morning sweetheart!

Well HELLO HONEY!!!!  Isn't he stunning, this must be Aaron's "Blue Steel".  I guess this is what I get for leaving my laptop downstairs and unattended!  The funny thing is, he almost NEVER lets ME take pictures of him.  Can you believe he would be camera shy, with a face as photogenic as this!  Love you babe!

Favorite things...

I have had the sound of music song "favorite things" stuck in my head all day.  I love that song, but hate when it gets stuck.  It is REALLY REALLY STUCK,  and am really sorry if it's now stuck in your head!  

These are some of my favorite things:

1) Hitting ALL green lights on milton! 

2) The smell of my husbands Polo cologne.

3) Being productive

4) Mama's homemade bread

5) Swinging my niece in my arms

6) Have ZERO new emails from school

8) Accomplishing hard things

9) Smiles from strangers

10) Playing "reverent" peek-a-boo with the boy who sits in front of us at church 

11) Snuggling with Aaron while watching movies 

12) Remembering all of my lovely EA roommates, old friends, and mission companions 

13) Old pictures

14) Singing to the radio

15) Singing in the shower

16) CHOCOLATE!!!

17) Getting 50% off of anything

18) Playing bananagrams (if you haven't played this game, you must go buy it immediately!)

19) Watching Abby (the Seaman's dog) stick her head out the car window

20) AhhHA!!! moments

21) Successfully cooking a new meal

22) High-fives

What makes you happy?

Suggestions please!

Wow, this has been the craziest summer I have EVER had.  I just started my clinic rotations and have 4 instead of 2!!!!  I have no idea how that happened and even though the school doesn't either, they won't let me drop even one rotation!  Don't get me wrong,  it is REALLY COOL to get the experience and I absolutely LOVE what I do.  I just miss my husband.  I see him for about 15 minutes before we go to bed at 10:15 PM, and kiss him good bye at 6:00 AM every week day (while he is still asleep).  I can really feel it wearing on both of us.  I have tried setting aside certain nights to spend time with him, but it seems like I always get emails or phone calls on THOSE nights from professors requesting new assignments for the next day.  I hope it will get easier as I gain more experience and get faster at writing treatment plans and clinic reports, but until then, HOW DO I STRENGTHEN MY MARRIAGE?  Have any of you gone through something similar?  What did you do?

Best haircut ever!!!

I finally got a hair cut and have to say that Leigh Call is EXTREMELY talented and fun.  If you are looking for someone who can really bring out your best look, and have fun doing it, she's your gal!  Thanks Leigh!  Sorry, this is the only photo I have.  I hope to go even shorter soon, and when I do, I'm going back to Leigh.

Day 4 Aquarium

We wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo, but decided the aquarium was a cheaper alternative.  It was actually pretty cool and worked out better because we were already exhausted from golfing with my grandpa that morning (I wish I would have gotten some pictures).  I doubt we would have stayed long enough at the zoo to get our moneys worth out of it.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.  

More to come....

Vacation at last!

Aaron and I finished our final exams last week and are enjoying time off from school!  Our break so far has been WONDERFUL, and filled with LOTS of vacation.  I promise to spread this update over several posts so you don't get overwhelmed with tons of pictures and stories.

DAY 2-3

Part of our trip was spent in San Diego with the "Turnbull" side of the family.  We spent the two days at my Grandparents house.   It was so nice to finally spend some quality time with them.  My grandpa turned 90 last year and I am not sure how long he'll be with us.  He still is has brown hair and enough energy to golf.  His vision and hearing are declining fast, yet he still has a wonderful attitude and is a joy to be around.  My grandma is  the most beautiful women I have ever met.  I have no idea how old she is, but she seems to get more beautiful each year... seriously.  To celebrate Mother's Day, my aunt Nancy made reservations for ALL of us to get pedicures.  Even Aaron and my Grandpa had it done!!! 

Here's Aaron sitting between my Grandparents.

 My aunts, grandma's sister, sister and me after the pedicures.

(Sally, Betsy, Me, Aunt T, Grandma, Julie, Nancy)

This was Aunt T's first pedicure.  She was SO funny to watch.

Nan, showing Aaron the ropes

My Grandpa being a ham for the camera.  My Grandma has been making him get pedicures for a while now.  Apparently last time he had an in-grown toenail that the lady tried to dig out.  He was a little nervous this time around :) (He totally doesn't look 90 huh!)

The finished product!

Stay tuned for more vacation updates.....

Migraine miracle

 Yesterday (Saturday), Aaron had a DJ gig in monument valley.  I was planning on going with him to help load and unload the car, but got a migraine 10 minutes before we left.  Wow!  Can you believe it!  For those of you who don't know, I get really nasty migraines that leave me completely incapacitated for a WHOLE DAY.  This usually involves vomiting, screaming, sleeping and LOTS of pain killers.  Needless to say, I was not going to make it to the DJ gig.  Aaron gave me a blessing before he left.  I kid you not, the migraine immediately left, leaving only a small (bearable) headache in it's wake!  I got lots of sleep and was able to attend the adult meeting of stake conference.  It may sound strange, but I know I needed to be at that conference.  The talks were incredible, and I honestly felt like each one was "just what I needed to hear".  The Lord really does work in mysterious ways.  I am grateful for the blessing of being married to a worthy priesthood holder, and for the miracle of not having to feel the pain of the migraine in order to enjoy stake conference.  Here were a couple of thoughts that stuck out to me:

1) You can't teach a child NOT to hit by hitting

A) Your example speaks louder than words

2) There is no growing in a comfort zone, and no comfort in a growing zone  

3) The strength of youth pamphlet applies to all members 

4) A good strong marital relationship is the best gift you can give your children

5) Increased temple attendance means, increased revelation for your personal life.

Have a happy Sabbath!

Aaron's First Blog Post Ever

Greetings. After much consideration, I have decided to contribute to the Helvig Family Blog. A certain person who shall remain nameless has insistently requested that I make an effort to contribute to this online family journal, and share my deepest darkest secrets. As a participant of the Helvig Family, I formally announce that I will regularly make an appearance on the Helvig Family Blog.
-Aaron


This week has been the happiest week of my life (oops...my wife kindly reminded me of another event in our life that was the happiest also ...). I got approval from the family financial committee to purchase presale tickets to a U2 concert this upcoming October! I never dreamed that I would ever have the chance to see one of the most influential rock bands in the world! And would anyone believe that Becky wanted to go too?! I'm so excited to go with my sweetheart. It's gonna be the radest show of the year ... Get On Your Boots!

Blast from the past!!!

I spy with my very own eyes, a wavy half-up-half-down side pony tail!!!  There is only one way to describe this picture...WOW.  Can you believe how fast time flies?  Looking at my friends from Mr. Smith's 3rd grade class makes it seem like only yesterday we were pegging our pants and tying knots in the side of our shirts.  What was your favorite outfit growing up?

There have been several requests for the names of the kids most of you will recognize.  See if you can spy: Katy Barrow, Jack Ballard, Christy Montoya, Sage Christensen, Kristen Ririe, Tess Baker, Ryan Ward, Leonard Dalton, Danny Haizlet (they're listed in order, zig-zagging from Katy in the front row with zebra pants)

Getting to knowwww youuuu...lalala laa laa laa....

Even though the few of you who actually read this blog know us well, I thought I would tell you our DEEPEST DARKEST SECRETS!!!  Not really, but I wonder if you know that....

We:

1) Down a half-gallon of ice-cream every 3 days!

2) Like to be out-doors, but not if it involves camping.

3) Love movies!!!  (Becky likes the Disney, Aaron prefers action).

4) Both are serving in the primary.

5) Dipped candles downtown on our first date.

6) Live with Becky's parents... 

Aaron:

1) Never procrastinates!  Really, he finishes projects weeks before they are do (hard worker)

2) Is allergic to peanuts.

3) Never buys a shirt for more than $10, unless forced. 

4) Still opens the car door for his wife!!!

5) Cooks pasta and meat like nobodies business!

6) Own his own DJ business

Becky:

1) Can eat chocolate for breakfast! 

2) Has an arm span longer than her height (monkey-girl)

3) Is cold ALL of the time!

4) Is the proud owner of pink fuzzy socks

5) Is allergic to anything fury

6) After much culturing, can now identify the title and artist of classic rock songs 50% of the time.

Don't underestimate everyday household items!!

This little beauty is my backpack.  Only $12.00!!!!  I guess you get what you pay for.  I am only half-way through my second semester and it is completely trashed!  My Dad tried sewing it back together with FLOSS after my first week (as evidenced by the white stitches on the strap), typical dentist for ya.  I have to admit, the only reason it is still usable is because of the floss.  I highly recommend Johnson & Johnson brand for all of your heavy-duty sewing needs!

Sabbath Day Miracle

I have a hard time posting updates on my life, since nothing every seems to change.  I normally wake up, eat, go to school, eat, come home, eat, kiss my husband, do my homework, and go to bed......pretty darn exciting huh!  This past week was a little different.

Have you ever had a week that felt overwhelmingly impossible?  I was sure last week was going to be that week for me.  There have been many challenges since I started graduate school, but this is the first time I've EVER had a test, project, or final due in ALL of my classes at the SAME TIME!!!!  Honestly, I think my teachers forgot that we have more than one class.

This story begins Saturday, March 7th at precisely 10:00 PM....(two days before my midterm was due).  Although I had been given a week to work on it, I was busy spending most of that time preparing for a scary voice final, plus a million other assignments.  I decided to designate Saturday as my "work-only-on-language-midterm" day.  It only had 10 questions, so seriously, how long could it take?  HA!!!!!! I woke up at 6:30 AM to begin.  At 1:00 PM I had finished 3 questions....yep...ONLY 3.  I was starting to panic a little.  By 10:00PM I was on question number 5.  Like a true procrastinator, I had skipped the hard questions and 16 hours later was only half way through.  I have never been so stressed out in my entire life.

Not doing homework on Sunday's is one way I try to keep the Sabbath day holy.  It has been such a blessing in my life to have one day a week to NOT think about school, and FOCUS on what's really important.  It's a great way to stay balanced, I totally recommend it.  BACK TO THE STORY.....At this point, I knew I would not be able to finish on time without doing homework on Sunday.  I was in need of a MIRACLE.  I wrote my teacher an email explaining our crazy week and pleaded for one extra day.  By 10:30 there was still no response and I knew if I didn't get to sleep soon, my primary lesson would be a mess.  Aaron gave me a blessing and I quick checked my email one last time.

I had a message from my teacher saying that she was so sorry about our crazy week, and that she would extend the deadline one day.  I thought that was enough of a miracle, but it didn't stop there.  Later that week I also received an email from my voice teacher informing me that I didn't have to take the final since I had an "A" in her class...  My neuro teacher decided to give us a case study instead of a test, and Dr. Ahmend moved the due date for our research paper back 2 weeks.  Thanks to my Sabbath day miracle, the week turned out to be not overwhelmingly impossible.

I know that Heavenly Father blesses us when we try to keep the commandments.  

What miracles have you seen recently? 

Misunderstandings

WARNING:  this is a SOAP BOX on comments made regarding the church's view of homosexuals.... I seriously was SO done with this topic until a comment I heard tonight that made me sad there are so many MISUNDERSTANDINGS on what the DOCTRINE of the church is.

I wish I wouldn't have, but I started watching the Oscars tonight.  I found the comments made by the screen writer of "Milk" very interesting.  He talked about growing up in a conservative Mormon home, and how he found hope when his family moved to California where he felt more accepted as a homosexual.  He thanked those who continued to love him despite the pressure not to (from churches or society), and also told the homosexuals listening to know that God loves them no matter what some churches are saying, or what others may think.

Perhaps he wasn't directly talking about the Mormon church; however, it seemed implied that Mormons teach and are being taught, hate, discrimination, and that only those living as "we" think they should are children of God.

Maybe some Mormons feel that way, and if so, it is too bad that they too have misunderstood the doctrine.  Discrimination and hate is not what the doctrine of the church supports or what I have been taught in my Sunday meetings, conferences, or scriptures. 

This is what I KNOW to be true, and what I have been taught by conservative Mormon leaders.

Every person who has every lived, or will ever live on this earth is a child of God, regardless of race, orientation, etc.  He loves each one of us and has a plan to help us achieve happiness in this life and the life to come.  Keeping the commandments is the path that leads back to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and how we can obtain the greatest blessings available.  Back in the presence of God is where we obtain everlasting joy, and happiness.  Every child of God will experience temptations in this life.  Homosexuality is one of the most difficult temptations one can face, and one of the most difficult to overcome.  It is not considered sin until those feelings are acted upon.  Through Jesus Christ's atonement, we can overcome and be healed from temptation, sin, or weakness.

Family relations are some of the greatest sources of happiness we can experience in this life and in the life to come, and is part of Gods plan for his children.  Knowing this, Satan is attacking the family more than ever.  Marriage between a man an women is ordained by God and important for the spiritual nurturing and growth of his children.  The everlasting happiness of a family is dependent upon marriage between a man and women that have been sealed by the power and authority of the priesthood.  It is also dependent upon the husband and wife keeping the covenants they have made.  This is a truth that has been revealed in every dispensation that the gospel has been on the earth.  

From what I have been taught, it makes sense that the commandment to love one another applies to all of Gods children (without exception).   Because the mission of the church is to help bring all of Gods children unto Christ through his atonement, and back to the presence of God, our brothers and sisters who are tempted by homosexual feelings need love and help.  Are we taught to hate homosexuals?  NO... Jesus taught to hate the sin, but love the sinner.  We do not support gay marriage because it supports living in sin, and keeps or brothers and sisters from being worthy to receive the greatest happiness and blessings God has prepared for all of his children.  It is not to take away rights, or because we see them as something less than children of God.  

It is too bad that many people choose to hate, and sadly, even some within the church.  It is very unfortunate that there are many misunderstanding as to what the doctrine of the church is.  I feel that if people better understood the doctrine, they would understand why choosing not to support gay marriage is not an act of hate or discrimination, but rather an act of love.  WE  love them and want them to receive all the blessings prepared for them. 

Valentines day miracle

Aaron and I had plans to eat at Brandy's for Valentines day.  It is a cute local restaurant in town.  Even though I have eaten lunch there a million times, I never became obsessed until our good friends Jill and Kevin took us there for dinner.  They have AMAZING dinners that make you want to lick your plate (no matter who you're with)!  The best part of the meal is the dessert... coconut mango cake!  

Because of an ugly test I have tomorrow, I needed to spend most of the day studying.  We decided to beat the crowd and go to Brandy's for lunch.  For some reason I assumed we would still be able to order off of the dinner menu.  Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed when our waitress informed us we would have to come back at 5:00PM if we wanted dinner.  WE COULDN'T EVEN GET THE CAKE.  My poor husband had to suffer through Valentines lunch with a mopey wife who despite trying to have a good attitude, could not get over the fact that the one thing she looked forward to that day was spending time with her husband eating coconut mango cake.

I got back to work as soon as we got home.  Because I was so stressed, Aaron ran to the store to pick up some treats for my primary kids.  When he came back, he informed me that he would make dinner.  This was such a relief since I had SO much to do, and a quick errand to run.  When I got back from my errand, Aaron greeted me at the door and escorted me to a beautifully decorated dinning-room table, where he poured me a glass of Martinelli.  We listened to Frank Sinatra while eating an amazing pasta and Brandy's COCONUT MANGO CAKE!!!!  That is right, he went back to Brandy's and got me the cake.

I am so grateful for such a thoughtful and loving husband.  He is so patient with me, and so selfless.  As good as the cake was, the best part of Valentines day getting was to spend time with him.

Birthday fun!

It was definitely NOT the Disney Land trip we were hoping for, but spending the day in Sedona with my sweetheart was the perfect birthday gift.  You would think that we would spend more time there--living so close and all--but to be honest, this was the first time I've ever actually gone TO Sedona.  I have driven through several times, and made stops in the outskirts to play in the creek, but I have never gone to town to hang out.  Here are a couple of pictures from our trip.  Enjoy....

Birthday cake at Chile's thanks to Susie Valdez...yum!

Some goofy UFO citing museum.  Who knew there were so many weird things in Sedona!

Check out the "fog machine" under the UFO.  Apparently, this is the real thing.

 

HAIR CUT!!

I have had long hair for far too long and am ready for something new.  This is a really scary thought when looking at my "new haircut" history.  Everybody has their fair share of bad hair cuts, right?  I am certainly no exception. For me--and probably many of you--it all started at age 3 with the MUSHROOM-CUT.  After years of recovery, I kept my hair long until the 9th grade when I adventurously decided to chop it to my chin.  Since my hair is super thick, my head looked like a giant PYRAMID (this was before layering and texturizing was common). 

Once my hair began to grow out, the painful memories started to fade, exposing me to false confidence in extreme hair styles.  This is when I made the biggest haircutting mistake of my life... I WENT TO MY MOM'S STYLIST!!!  Are you asking yourself why this was a mistake?   Let me explain.  At the time of the tragedy, my mom STILL had the mushroom-cut (by the way, this was in 2005).  When we walked through the doors of the salon I knew I was in trouble.  Standing in front of me was Andre, my new stylist, who was ALSO displaying the same mushroom-cut he had given my mother!!!  The only thing running through my head was a piece of advise my sister gave me after my last haircut tragedy, "Never get your hair cut by a stylist if you don't like their haircut."  The last time I saw the mushroom cut on a boy was in preschool, I never dreamed that a full-grown man would do this to himself.  I quickly decided that today was not the day to try something new.  I told him I wouldn't mind some layers since my hair was too thick.  AND LAYERS HE DID.  We are not talking about normal layers.  I walked into the salon with long strait hair and left with the one haircut I swore I would never have.... a MULLET!!!!  

After that experience I never thought I would be able to gain up enough courage to try anything new again... but lately I have been thinking about going short.  I have been saying this for 2 years, but I really mean it this time....  what do you guys think about the picture at the top of this post?