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!