Princess Paisley!

We had Paisley's official birthday celebration yesterday with the family. It was an enchanted tea party. Tinkerbell, tiaras, butterflies, tea cups, doilies, cupcakes, flowers, teddy bears and pink pretty much sums it up. I made a cupcake tower, and our tea was strawberry lemonade. I also played classical music that we figured was probably the standard music played at tea parties in England. All the ladies got miniature gift boxes with nail polish and mint chocolate chip ice cream lip balm. I also made heart shaped chocolates that we served on porcelain and crystal dishes. We also got out the fine silver, silverware. What a special occasion.

For dinner we served our guests a gourmet salad bar with homemade salad dressings and bread sticks. For desert the kids had cupcake cones with ice cream and the adults enjoyed the cupcake tower. Paisley sure got spoiled.

It really has been a great week. We stained out front porch and it turned out so nice. I got a surprise check in the mail from book sales from April and it sure was a nice surprise. We were not expecting that. Then I got a surprise email form the Food Network and they asked me to be a guest judge on their reality TV show called The Cake Challenge. It's going to be a newly wed episode for season seven. The contestants make cakes and compete against each other for $10,000. Apparently, they found my book on Amazon and contacted me through my website about this opportunity. The travel is all paid for as well as my food, hotel and then they pay me on top of that. It happens to be the day after we get back from Germany. I really feel blessed and so many ways and am grateful for every little blessing the Lord sends our way.

Happy Birthday Paisley!!

Our little angel baby turned 1 on the 23rd. We had a private little celebration and will have her big party this weekend. Stay tuned....

We had a nice dinner (grilled pork chops in a a red wine, boysenberry sauce and coleslaw with crumbled bacon and blue cheese) We learned that Paisley is not a fan of blue cheese or cabbage. We then went swimming at the Roy Aquatic Center. Both kids were free, so that was nice. After Gabe was having some moments and then stubbed his toe which required some first aid at the lifeguard post, we decided to head home for cake. We invited our neighbors over and did the cake and gifts on the front lawn. The kids and I made "blondies" earlier that day and we served that up while Paisley enjoyed her cake. By the time we got to the gifts she was on a sugar high and a stimulation overload. Needless to say she loved her gifts and Gabe loved them too, so much that he won't let her play with them.

On the 24th we celebrated Pioneer Day in Spanish Fork at my brother's with all my family. We went to the carnival and did all the fun rides and then had a BBQ at his house with water games and homemade raspberry ice cream. What a treat!!

Also, we finally finished our patio and living room. Manuel built a beautiful waterfall next to the patio. I love it so much that I made breakfast this morning and we ate on the patio. I made banana, apple, raisin, bran muffins, eggs, bacon and blackberry smoothies. We are also enjoying our living room too. I felt extra crafty and motivated this week and decided to make my own decorations rather than spend over $100 on what liked. I made a nice wall piece with canvases, scrapbook paper and modge podge. Then I took an empty oatmeal can, painted it a color from my wall piece and bought some flowers that were half off at the craft store. The whole project cost me under $45 vs. what I would have spent had bought what I originally wanted. We really like it.

Also, our neighbors moved this week. Gabe lost his best friend and has been so sad. We plan to have play dates but it still isn't the same.

Amazing Week

Despite our oven exploding this week and having to be creative with our dinners until we got our new oven, this week has been good. I had the opportunity to attend the "Mom's Who Make I"t conference. I was honored as a "Mom Who is Making It". There were 10 moms who were honored. I knew nothing about it until I got an email telling me I had been nominated. I was surprised. I got a free ticket that was normally $70 and got one for my mom as well. We had a great time. There were so many great speakers and mini classes. There were also free samples of everything and anything everywhere you turned. We got so much stuff. Then there was a yummy Mexican buffet. A virgin margarita and pina colada bar, an exotic fruit buffet, home tortillas, yummy salad, dressing, different flavors of rice, grilled steak and chicken, fresh salsa, cheese and guacomole and it was all you can eat.

It was at a beautiful building called Noah's. It was so charming. I met so many amazing women who have been through so many trials yet achieved so much. The theme of the night was overcoming your obstacles and succeeding as well as believing in yourself. There were women who were in horrible accidents and whose lives were turned upside down and now they are successful business owners. All of these women were young like me and so optimistic. I felt right at home. The classes were about how to turn your ideas into a business and still be a mom. How to balance your projects and family, how to have faith in God to help you achieve your dreams and how to live your dreams and enjoy life. It was so inspiring and these women always had everyone in tears as it was also emotional at times. What a great night!

I'm going to work harder at aligning my life with God so that I can be better guided and in tune with what He has planned for me and my family. I have had so many other amazing experiences this week that have all been pointing me in a better and more spiritual direction. I truly feel God's hand in my life.

Memorable Moments of the Week

What a week!

On Tuesday we went to playgroup and invited our friend next door and her two boys. We went to the aerospace museum and saw the cool jets. Then later had lunch at McDonald's. On Saturday our good friend Janet stopped by for a visit on her way back from Idaho. It was so good to see her and do some catching up.

On Friday I went outside to water the garden and when I came inside Gabe and Paisley were both inside this giant box. They were having fun and laughing so I decided to do the dishes. Suddenly I heard a rushing water sound and coughing. My exact thought of what that might be was correct. Gabe had thrown up all over the box and Paisley. What fun that was to clean up. Gabe was in more shock than pain. After he was cleaned up he was back to his normal self. Then yesterday Manuel and I were making a yummy Japanese dinner (my first attempt at tempura) and in between the chaos of both parents cooking, Gabe went diareah all over the bathroom upstairs and Paisley fell down the stairs. What a weekend!

Paisley got a cute little baby buggy for her upcoming birthday from her Oma and we hope it will help her get the hang of walking. Gabe loves it just as much as she does and hardly lets her play with it. Today Gabe went home after sacrament meeting with Manuel and when I got home there was this yummy cherry cake awaiting me. What fabulous cooks we have in this family!

This week has just been another reminder of why I love family so much. These special moments of being a mom and a wife are something I wouldn't trade for the world.