Cake catch-up

It was a busy weekend for cakes!  It's actually amazing that I got them done despite a few unforeseen setbacks (long story...better not to ask!).  Also, we had a busy few days of softball...and we ended up winning the league championship!  I am SO proud of our team, we had so much fun and played hard (in the 100 degree heat!).  But, I digress...

Anyways, here are the cakes I made this weekend:

Anniversary cake.  Cake was devils food with chocolate buttercream.  The cake is piped with a large star tip.  The bow and gift tag are made with fondant.

Med school graduation cake.  I actually have to thank my husband for helping with this cake.  I may have baked and iced the cake but he made the majority of the fondant decorations! 

30th birthday cake.  The cake was low-fat french vanilla.  It is iced in vanilla buttercream and the decorations are fondant.  The ribbon at the bottom is non-edible.

1st birthday smash cake.  The cake was classic white with vanilla buttercream.  Ernie is made of fondant.  And of course, he has to have his rubber duckies! Side note, I made this little boy's momma's baby shower cake (check it out here)...I can't believe he's already 1!

Bookworm...

That's me.  I'm a bookworm.  I have loved to read since I was a little girl.  I have a lot of special memories of my mom and dad reading to me. These days, no matter how little time I have, I try to always have a good book close by.

Well, one of my favorite parts of my whole day now is when the boys will snuggle up at night and read books.  Eleven months ago this wasn't possible.  The boys had zero interest in books.  I would try so hard to sit with them and read books and they would squirm and play.  To be honest, I'm pretty sure they had never been exposed to books.  They didn't know how to properly hold a book, didn't know which way was up. They have come a long way and even ask to read books now (ok, maybe it's a way to procrastinate at bed time but I'll take it!). We have learned the trick. We have to read to them one on one.  So, at night, Chris will read to one of the boys and I will read to the other in different rooms.  We can now get through four or five books with no squirming!  They are recognizing some letters in the books and get excited when they identify them correctly.  It's so great to see them learning to enjoy books!  Here are some of my all time favorite kids books:

This is the boys favorite to read.  Did you know there's a mouse hidden on each colored page?

We read this one a lot too.  My grandmother, Nonni, actually wrote it!!!

This one is a little long for the boys to sit through yet...but we'll get there!

Again, a little long.  But such a great book.

Any Berenstain Bears book is a hit with us!

Ok this one is a chapter book.  But, I remember my mom reading this to me when I was in elementary school and we laughed so hard we cried.  I hope the boys enjoy it in a few years!

I have so many other favorites as well...but I'll keep this post short and sweet.  I really do hope that the boys will develop a love of reading!  There's nothing quite like getting lost in a good book!

What I've been reading...

"Jesus Calling".  If you're looking for a devotional book, this is a good one.  It only takes a few minutes to read each day but it's always super encouraging...truths straight from God's Word.  This is what I read yesterday.  I needed this truth...maybe you need it today too.

"You are My beloved child. I chose you before the foundation of the world, to walk with Me along paths designed uniquely for you. Concentrate on keeping in step with Me, instead of trying to anticipate My plans for you. If you trust that My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, you can relax and enjoy the present moment.

Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you. Nothing can rob you of your inheritance of unimaginable riches and well-being. Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on. But your main focus should be staying close to Me. I set the pace in keeping with your needs and My purposes."

Happy Father's Day!

Last year I wrote this post for Father's Day.  It was dedicated to my father, the best dad I could ask for.  This year, I have one more "father" in my life to celebrate.  My husband...

As foster parents there's this strange disconnect between feeling very much like a parent but not really yet being a parent.  So, when I asked Chris what he wanted to do for Father's Day he simply said, "well, I'm not a father yet".  I disagree.  I have never been so proud of Chris than to see him with those two little boys.  He is loving, playful, compassionate, and firm.  All the things a father should be.  He may not be their biological father and they may not live with us forever but I do strongly believe that those two little boy will never forget Chris and the "father" that he was to them.

I am so blessed to call you my husband Chris.  I am thankful for you on this Father's Day.  I know that you will be an amazing father to our children one day, just like you are to our foster children.  I love you!

Anniversary trip

This past weekend Chris and I were able to getaway for 48 hours for our anniversary.  Some good friends of our kept the boys (THANK YOU!).  Chris actually planned the whole trip, I was just along for the ride.  We were not able to leave until about 9:30pm on Friday evening so we didn't get to Asheville until close to midnight.  We were both exhausted and it felt SO great to be able to sleep until 8am on Saturday!  That hasn't happened since...well, last August!

On Saturday we spent the day at Dupont National Forest in Cedar Mountain, NC.  If you haven't been there and you like to hike, you really have to go.  Before the boys, Chris and I hiked a lot...I mean, every chance we got.  And in the past 10 months we had not gone once.  So, this day was absolutely wonderful.  We did a 7.5 mile hike and saw 4 gorgeous waterfalls.  This is where they filmed a lot of the Hunger Games...I can see why, it's a pretty amazing place.  

We were pretty tired and hungry by the time we finished the hike.  We crashed for a while at the hotel before heading into downtown Asheville.  Ok, Asheville is a weird place, ya'll.  Chris and I didn't exactly "fit in".  It took us forever to find a restaurant and we finally settled on one right across from some street vendors.  Honestly, we probably said about 20 words to each other the whole dinner, we were both so distracted by people watching...

Anyways, after dinner we, of course, had to stop at Kilwins for ice cream!

On Sunday we spent the day at the Biltmore Estate!  This is something that I have wanted to do since I moved to NC so Chris surprised me with tickets.  The house is pretty amazing and we only were able to see about 40 rooms out of the 255.  I can't even imagine how long it would take to go through it if we were actually allowed in the whole thing.  Unfortunately, it started to rain as we were walking through the gardens.  It was still a great day!

So, we had a great trip.  I feel so blessed to have spent the last 3 years with Chris.  This past year was  definitely the most challenging we have had yet but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I love you Chris and I look forward to many many more years (and challenges) together!

Triple Falls

High Falls

Another view of Triple Falls

One more of Triple Falls

Bridal Veil Falls

 

Honesty

When Chris and I became foster parents 10 months ago I had great aspirations about blogging about the whole process.  But guess what...it hasn't happened.  For one, I honestly just don't have time.  Who knew that being a mommy to two four year olds while working full time could be so time consuming??  But mostly, I just haven't blogged because it's hard to do.  It's hard to put into words what we have felt for almost the past year.  I want my blog to be helpful and inspiring to others but too many times I have felt like I was the one needing help and inspiration.  To be perfectly honest, I was not ready to become a "parent" when I did.  I had a lot I still needed to work through myself and the first few months were hard.  Chris was pretty much a "single parent".  I vividly remember one night crying for hours because I was so entirely overwhelmed by the whole thing.  I remember selfishly thinking that we had lost our "freedom" and that our marriage would never be the same.  But, looking back, I know I was just so afraid.  I was afraid of getting attached and getting my heart broken.  Not to sound overly dramatic but I have experienced heartbreak.  But, I knew, and still know, that losing a child would be far worse than any "breakup" could ever be.  So, I distanced myself- emotionally and physically.  I can still remember days that I would take the long way home from work just to have a few more "alone" minutes. Ok, I realize I'm not exactly putting myself in the best light but I also know that what I experienced is probably not extremely different than other young foster mothers.

One night I was having a particularly hard night and I can remember Chris sitting on the bed and crying with me. He let me have my pity party and then looked me straight in the eyes and said "This isn't about you, Abbie.  It's about two little boys who need a home".  Wow.  That was like salt in my wounds at that moment but honestly, a switch flipped in me.  I realized that no matter how uncomfortable the situation made me, it was not about me.  We are called to look after the orphans and I may have been physically doing that but not emotionally.  It took me a while but those little boys went from being just in our care, to two little boys that I care deeply for.    I will be honest- there are still plenty of hard days.  When the boys act up or throw a fit, it's easy for my selfishness to come right back.  But, more often than not these days, they are just two affectionate little boys who so desperately want to be loved.  I was blinded to that at first but now it's a joy for me to be able to give them the love they deserve.  Do I still worry about what may happen?  Absolutely.  Every day.   But, when we put those little boys to bed at night and listen to them say their prayers, it makes all that we are doing worth it.  Because above all, we want to teach them the love of Jesus.  If they can learn that and it sticks with them, they will be ok no matter where they grow up.

I cannot even count the number of times over the past 10 months that people have told us "what a great thing we are doing".  That has never settled well with me because I know my heart hasn't always been it the right place.  But, I do thank the Lord that Chris and I have been given this opportunity to be a part of what HE is doing- to be the instruments He is using to change the lives of two little boys.  No matter how long it lasts, we are thankful. 

Last weekend's cakes...in pictures

5th birthday cake- classic white with vanilla buttercream

Cars themed birthday cupcakes in classic white with vanilla buttercream

Two tier devils food cake with vanilla buttercream and fondant decorations

Lingerie shower cupcakes.  Heart shaped cupcakes, vanilla buttercream, and fondant/piping gel decorations