Very special day part 2

AFTER our special morning we brought one of aydens buddies home from church and were joined by two more. We took them to see the new Disney nature movie Chimpanzee. I highly recommend it! It was beautiful. If you love adoption, animals, babies or daddies it is a MUST see. So good. Ayden is now in star wars heaven with his friend an I'm sitting here staring at enough cake to feed 20 people. Sheesh. What a wonderful day! We are so blessed. I am so grateful to see God moving in my children's hearts and providing us such a great church family to grow in.

{ Simply Party theme ideas: Movie Party.Invite a small number of friends, arrange child care for young or difficult siblings, pull out all the stops at the theatre- save money by bringing paper bags to separate a large popcorn into- refill for free at many theatres. Have cake at home before or after. If you do cake before you came kids home after the movie which is an easy transition. We passed out theatre box candy instead of favors. Ours was super casual and we invited our guests in person and on the phone, but a cute invitation would be to make your invitation look like a movie ticket. }

Very special day part 1

Today we rejoiced with OUR church family as we formally joined in membership. We are honored to be a part of this family that seeks the Lord, teaches consistent reformed, accurate theology. ( you won't get the lie that Jesus wants you to live in comfort and financial blessing here). They have embraced us and all of our quirks and we are thrilled to be involved and actively serving here. We also baptized all of the boys. It has been quite a journey from not understanding infant baptism ( done from a reformed Presbyterian view/ which is that baptism is the sign an seal of our covenant relationship with God for us and our children. I still don't think I'm comfortable enough to go into any more that, but for my other Christian friends who don't practice this know that we do not believe baptism to be salvitic. We are saved only by the Grace of the blood of the lamb.

Little Bear

Our little mister is not so little anymore. It hit me today that my BABY is almost 2. Only four months left. He is blowing us away recently with his verbal skills, which I'll admit I have been a little concerned about. All of the sudden though he is talking up a storm and making sentences too! Here are a few examples of his new big boy vocabulary; " truck go" "pick up" ( As in pick me up, or pick that up) "eat" "drink" ( "juice" can mean anything from milk to Water to soda to whatever we have in our hand... Soy sauce?) "see that?!" "look!" he calls his daddy "papa" and his lovies " meme". for Dog he makes this really low guttural growl that cracks us up. If he wants something he makes the gimme gimme sign and says "me!". He has had down for a while " night night" " hi" and " bye-bye". He even has some friends and knows their names, which is saying more than I can for my other sons ;) just kidding - sorta. " Saynee" ( Sadie) "no-nuh" ( jonah) and "ammy" ( Sammy). He also says "book" which applies to the iPad as well. He calls his brothers "Ayden" and "bubba" Physically he is now climbing on everything- including the bunk bed. Thanks to some good advice I've taught him to climb down instead of just trying to keep him away from it. I have more confidence he isn't going to break a leg and he is much happier. He still carries around as many lovies as he can get away with, and insists on sitting in a normal chair at the table. We love this sweet boy and all the adventures he brings with him.

The cake that wasn't.

So a few days ago I told you about aydens request for an earth shaped cake. I tried. Multiple ways. First I tried baking cake in a bowl. Some say that works. I forgot to grease and flour the first bowl and undercooked the second. Oops. Then I tried to make a rice krispie treat bowl but the humidity here melted it so it refused to hold shape- of any kind. Eventually I iced a layer cake and made it pretty. Put a horrible drawn earth map on it and called it good. I did make sour cream cake or the layers and almond buttercream for the icing so it should taste delicious. Aydens response? " at least I have a cake". You can't say he isn't honest, ha! We did not actually get to eat it though because everyone got sick- so into the freezer it went. We will try again next week! Happy b{earth}day Ayden!

Happy birthday firstborn

9 years ago today at 7:58 pm, joined by four precious young women, after 24 hours of labor, God helped me bring into this world an 8 lb 10 oz, beautiful baby boy. He had a loud cry and a full head of long blond hair. I spent the entire night holding my precious bundle only handing him over occasionally to the nurses who came to came to check in on him. I remember the quiet. The strange silence of the hospital as I breathed him in and talked to God. How would I go from being a 21 year old crazy minded college student to being a mom? How would I get through graduation and then move on to life? How long would we be alone? How would I not mess this up? Why would God allow me such a beautiful blessing when so many of my godly friends who made wise choices struggled with infertility? It was a long night, full of questions and wonder and joy and fear and above all grace. You see, our creator loves his people. He made us for relationship, and there is no bond greater than mother and child. Because of my Fathers great love for me, this precious child - This unbelievable miracle - was mine. For as long as God allows.
Today I was planning on this post to end in the announcement of his baptism. In the celebration of Aydens own confession and commitment to the Lord. We still celebrate, but my sweet one woke up with an amazing fever. Flu. But despite the disappointment ( we were also going to formally join our church today) God continues to grace us. My parents got to spend yesterday with him while he was in good spirits, and I have recieved such sweet phone calls and messages from friends that remind me that our God wants good things for us. Ayden is rejoicing that although he missed his birthday party he got out of the scary standardized test that has been giving him anxiety- and we can celebrate with friends next weekend.
I am so thankful for every day God has given me with my son. He will always be the one that made me a mommy. The one God used to remind me that through it all I belong to Him- and that even when it gets hard... Like the days we wake up with flu ... we can remember "as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you " Isaiah 66:13

As you wish

If you've been visiting around here for very long at all, then you know I make cakes. I do not make them for money. This is simply a hobby and usually done only for my family. It takes a lot of love to put in the hours these cakes require- but I LOVE to love with sugar. My sweet first born turns NINE on Sunday. Here's a short cake history : aquarium, Thomas, treasure chest, superman cupcakes from Walmart { I was preggo}, a donut cake with giant sprinkles, ice cream cone cupcakes, neon dinosaurs, and last year penguin cake balls on a blue fondant iceberg. This year he has requested the earth. His birthday is earth day and for three years he has wanted to have an earth day themed birthday. Disney comes out with earth themed movies for earth day and we've wanted to go see one. This year it's finally happening! So the earth it is. This could go bad fast. At the moment I'm possibly ruining my mixing bowl trying to bake half a globe. I'm going to try making the other half out of rice krispie treat. Wish me luck, and someone get Walmart bake center on the phone for me just in case...

More...

I can blog from my phone. I'm so excited I'm doing it again :). How bout some cute pics of the kids to celebrate?! I had a surprise day off from babysitting so we took Ayden lunch at school. I can not believe he turns 9 THIS Sunday. Sheesh.

Simply:: {technology}

I've been wanting to start organizing my thoughts here in blog land a little better. You probably have noticed my categories like Simply Eats and Simply Party. Im working on some along the lines of Simply Technology and Simply Recommends. I admit, we use gadgets here in the Simply household. My iPhone is a third arm and by far the most useful tool of my adult life. The apps are too many to count and so gosh darn helpful! I want to share with y'all apps that I find helpful, and those that aren't so much worth the money. To start, I'm for the first time today trying out the new blogger app! It's free and I'm excited to try blogging from mobile land. It hasn't been very easy before, although I've tried. I could get parts of posts to publish or just a picture. So we will see. Consider yourselves guinea pigs ! Let's try posting a picture of the app during this post for trial sake. There's no way to do special formatting that I see yet, and I don't like the idea of location services being on- so I turned those off. Let's post and see what happens!

my brain...

...is blogging all the time. My hands though are busy.... folding laundry, making meals, giving hugs, writing notes, making lists, buying groceries, changing diapers, holding books, building with Lego's, sweeping, folding more laundry, holding little hands, washing little hands, driving, driving driving.... you get the point. Its a busy season around here. Easter was wonderful. Eggs were found. Jesus was celebrated. Boys were dressed in easter egg green. Crafting is happening too. Made a bed ! made a sign for said bed. Dipped some wine glasses in chalkboard paint. We are celebrating Passover tomorrow evening. We are so excited to share it with some new friends. I even pinteripped some matzoh toffee. YUMM. This I will share. I would give you an original pinner link but I didn't end up using one. There are recipes all over the place for this stuff.. i think God invented it when he invented flour. Its super easy, and super delish.

Matzoh Toffee

3-4 sheets matzoh
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 bag semi sweet choc chips (or 4 bars fair trade milk choc)
1/2 cup toasted almonds
kosher salt

Line a deep cookie pan with non stick foil, or parchment paper if your kitchen is fancy like that. Lay the matzoh down and try to break it so you get the most even coverage. Make it a game. Involve your somewhat ocd 3rd grader. Simmer your butter till it melts and then dissolve the brown sugar in it. Let it bubble a couple minutes and try to stop drooling. Pour your caramel (yes! you made caramel!) over the matzoh and try to get it everywhere.. but you probably wont. Don't worry. Deliciousness is even better when imperfect. Let bake at 275 for about 15 minutes. Not hotter! don't burn the matzoh. Take it out and immediately sprinkle your chocolate on top. Let sit for 5 minute and then smooth your now perfectly melted chocolate all over every inch. Here you can sprinkle some kosher salt on top if you like and almonds. I usually make one pan for the grownups and one pan for the kids. I like mine salty. Let it cool and then place in the fridge to set the chocolate. When cool just peel off the foil and break it into pieces. Try to sneak out of bed after you husband falls asleep for an extra piece and write a blog post because you are so in love... sleep all night long and dream about your exciting day tomorrow! (oh and keep your toffee stored tight so it stays nice and crispy... if it makes it past tomorrow that is....)


I apologize dear blog for not giving you enough attention lately. You were always on my mind....

Acres of Texas Wildflowers

Acres of Texas Wildflowers

Yellow beauties strike a pose.
Black-eyed Susan like a sweet kiss,
Chocolate flower, Yellow primrose,
Huisache, Nettle, Coriopsis.

Flowery Whites are making merry.
Magnolia is a famous bragger,
Dogwood, Yucca, Dewberry,
Bishop's Weed and Spanish Dagger.

All the Blues like sky and sea,
Bluebonnets a nice surprise,
Bachelor Button, Scurfy Pea,
Plum and Bluebells, Baby Blue-eyes.

Wild Reds will bowl you over.
Indian Paintbrush, wild esprit,
Ocotillo, Crimson Clover,
Prickly Pear and Redbud Tree.

Crazy colored quilts fanatic,
When they bloom in wild array,
Nothing could be more dramatic
Than Texas in a grand bouquet.

BuscadorDel Palabra

Simply Party:: {Linda's wedding shower}

This weekend I had the honor of making cupcakes for a church bridal shower for one of the young ladies. Although I have not had the chance to get to know her very well yet, I have spent some time with her Mama and was thrilled that God has given us enough time with this body of believers to not only be around when the engagement occurred, but to also attend the wedding next month!  I was thrilled to try out some new recipes and ponder marriage as it would take the form in a cupcake. These three creations are the symbols I came up with to share our marriage advice in my favorite form... sugar. I gave the bride a copy of the recipes, a cupcake tin  and a 1M tip and icing bags~ all she will need to recreate these herself~ and all you need to do the same.

Bliss

A simple and sweet cupcake to remind you of the early days in your relationship and the beautiful ceremony and celebration that you started your life together with.

 1 box white cake mix

1 cup cake flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cup water
2 Tb spoons vegetable oil
 1 Tb vanilla
1 Tb almond extract
1tsp salt

 Pre heat oven to 325. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Slowly add to dry ingredients and mix with a mixer until smooth. Fill cupcake cups ¾ full and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Bumble

A cinnamon spiced vanilla cupcake with a surprising sweet honey injected center. A reminder that sometimes our bumbles in marriage provide the greatest opportunity to sweeten our relationship. Forgive often.

 1 box vanilla cake mix

1 cup cake flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cup water
2 Tb spoons vegetable oil
1 Tb vanilla
½ Tb cinnamon
½ cup honey

Pre heat oven to 325. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Slowly add to dry ingredients and mix with a mixer until smooth. Fill cupcake cups ¾ full and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.  When cool use a medicine dropper for children or a baking injector to inject approx ½ tsp of honey into center of each cupcake. Ice after injecting.

Blessing

These rich and chocolaty cupcakes have a hint of mint to them and are perfect to remember that in our marriage it is most important to seek to honor our spouse, loving or respecting them as needed, and to desire to bless them daily. A blessed marriage is one in which both partners cling to the cross and lay their life down for one another.

 1 box chocolate cake mix

1 cup cake flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
1 1/3  cup water
4 egg whites
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ cup Andes Mints

 Pre heat oven to 325. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Slowly add to dry ingredients and mix with a mixer until smooth. Fill cupcake cups ¾ full and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.