What a birthday!!!  I was so excited this year about my birthday, am I not a kid anymore so I'm not suppose to say that!!  I was reading a blog one day, http://ticklestogiggles.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-birthday-was-awesome.html, and I decided I wanted to do that this year for my birthday.  I didn't want presents and I was thinking that all I wanted was for everyone to be kind to me!!  I know that sounds CRAZY, but I have 5 kids and they sometimes argue with me or each other and I didn't want to deal with that on my birthday!  After reading this lady's blog I wanted to spread the kindess.  I wanted all of us to do "Random acts of kindness" that day.  She listed all her acts that day and I stole some of her ideas, but did some on my own as well.  The experience was wonderfully fullfilling!!!  I also called my mom and told her that all I wanted on my birthday was for her to come and visit and stay with us for a while and go with us and do "Random acts of kindess".  She thought that sounded great and stayed with us for almost a week!!  It was wonderful having her here! 
Here is the list of "Acts of Kindess" that we did, I left a few blank so we could feel a need that we saw through out the day.
Our first stop was at our mailbox.  Mom and I made chocolate chip, peanut butter and sugar cookies the day before and wrapped them in cute baggies.  I put one in our mailbox with a card that read "Enjoy this random act of kindness".
We then went to a retirement home and the kids passed out their homemade cards to them.  I also purchased a bundle of roses for my kids to hand out as well.  The ladies were all very gracious that we were there visiting and that the kids had made them cards.
Next, we went by Ryan's doctor's office and gave them a bunch on the cookies along with the note RAOK, "Enjoy this random act of kindness".  Cindy, Dr. Elder's main nurse was gone on vacation so I hate that the missed out on the cookies!
We then went by my mother-in-laws office and gave them all a bunch of cookies!!!  They were thrilled that we had bombarded their office!!
We headed to the hospital next to pass out homemade "Get Well" cards that we made a couple of weeks ago.  I also purchased a balloon for each kid to give to someone!  The patients and thier families were very happy to see us.  We also left a bunch of cookies for the nurses stations!  We also taped quarters in a baggy with a RAOK note to a couple of vending machines!
We also took cookies to my husband, he works in the hopsital, and his co-workers! 
We left the hospital and dropped for food off at the local food bank and went by our groomer and left them some homemade doggy treats!
We also took Poppa Joe some cookies and we all gave him hugs and kisses!!  I think he thought we were nuts running around!!
We went to eat then, becuase mom and I were getting tired and needed to refuel!  After we ate at Pizza Hut, one of my favorite's, we cleaned our table the best we could and left our waitress a small gift with a RAOK notes!
We also left quarters in a bag on the archade games with a RAOK note!
After we ate, we went to Dollar Tree and each kid left a $1.00 somewhere in the store.  I think they all left them somewhere in the toy section.  I'm hoping some little child found it and their parents let them get a toy with it!!
We ran by the post office and I mailed some letters off!
We heading to Harp's and pushed all their shopping carts into the store!  That is  harder than it looks!!
I also wrote some notes to my family that I gave them that day!  I left one on my mother-in-law's desk at work.  I put Joe's in his truck the night before and I put my mother's near the sick in the guest bathroom. 
We smiled at everyone, opened doors for everyone and I was a NICE driver.  I'm not always, ok never, a very friendly driver so that one was kind of hard.  I had to remind my self a couple of times to be kind.  My family thought that was hilarious!!
All in all, we had a terrific day.  We were tired by the end of the day, but I think it was all worth it!  I will never forget what we did that day and I'm hoping my children learned the value of kindness!!
 
 
 
Ok, so I am completly addicted to "Pinterest"!  They have some really crafty idea's to DIY! 
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This is a homemade sensory bag! You squirt hair gel into a zip lock bag and add food coloring.  I used packing tape and sealed the top.

This week Madelyn turned 8!  I can't believe what a wonderful young lady she is becoming.  We had her birthday party today at the bowling ally!  The kids had so much fun and I didn't have to clean up anything!  I didn't have to clean my house before the guest arrived, nor did I have to clean when everyone left!  It was a wonderful day!  Also, Joe grilled when we got home!!!  Did I mention it was a wonderful day!!??
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This is the Barbie doll cake that I made for Maddie's party.  It is a chocolate cake covered in buttercream frosting.  Yes, this is a real barbe doll inside the cake!

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I also make sugar cookies that look like dresses.

I have to brag a little about my kids.  They have all been so patient with me the last 3 weeks.  I have had cakes to do for the past 3 weekends and they have all helped in anyway they can.  If it is helping with the younger ones or even helping each other with any questions they have about their lesson.  I have been truely blessed with loving kids.  The past two years since our kids have been in public school their attitude changed toward each other.  Just in the past couple of months of homeschooling and teaching them values again, I can see a huge difference.  I see them working together again and trying to help each other. 
We have always taught our babies sign language.  This week was a huge milestone for Ryan.  He can now sign "please", "thank you", "bite", "drink", "more" and "all done"!  We have been signing to him for months and just this week he started signing back and using sign language to tell me things!  I love seeing him learning new things!!  I am just so proud of him!!
I hope everyone has a great week.
"Live simply, be grateful, give love, pray lots and the rest will fall into place"
 
 
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Well, we have  had a GREAT weekend!  We celebrated my mom and step-dad's 25th wedding anniversary!  The weekend was jam packed, but we enjoyed every minute of it!!  Saturday, I watched my parents renew their wedding vows.  It was beautful and perfect!  I'm very blessed to have two parents that truely love one another.  I was 9 when they married and have been blessed to have such a wonderful Godly example of marriage in my life. 
This week we celebrate the birth of our oldest daughter, Madelyn.  She is turning 8 on September 29.  I can't believe how grown up she is.  She is my mini-me!  She loves to be my little helper and thinks she can do anything!  We are so proud of the young lady she is becoming.
We have also made a life changing decision.  We have decided to move back to Jonesboro!  We are all very excited about the move.  So if anyone knows of a job for my hubby, please keep us in mind.  Right now he owns his own lawn care business and works at the hospital on their grounds crew.  He also has 10 years experience intransportation, purchasing, customer service, and project management.  We will also be looking for a house that is big enough for all of us!!  We are looking to rent at this time, so if you hear of anything please think of us.  There is no time frame, just as soon as Joe finds a job then we will move!  
I hope everyone has a wonerful week and remember God is in control! 
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This is the cake I made for their 25th wedding anniversary reception.  I was very nervous on this cake.  One reason is because I wasn't in my home while decorating it.  I had baked and froze the cake that week and brought everything with me to decorate Friday night at her church.  I wanted it to be perfect for her!  She loved it and I thought it turned out the way she wanted it.  The bottom tier is chocolate, her favorite, and the top tier is white.  It is all covered in buttercream frosting, her favorite as well and I handmade the rose petals out of gumpaste.  The silver pearls are NOT edible.  She bought those at Hobby Lobby in the Christmas section!
 
 
When Joe and I got married we were given a washer and dryer by my parents.  That was over 15 years ago.  Ok, I have to admit I have never cleaner them.  I mean, I have washed the top off and around the knobs, but I have never washed my washing machine.  I was looking on "Pinterest" today and someone "pined" about cleaning their washing machine.  I really have never thought about having to do that.  I looked at the blog and thought I should do that.  So this morning in between teaching the kids I decided to wash my washing machine!  Please don't judge me by the "before" pictures that I post.  I am very embaressed now!
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Here is a before picture......YUCK!!!  The grime on there is from my fabric softner.

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This is just gross!!!  Again, please don't judge me :(

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The first thing you do is fill the washing machine with HOT water and add 2 cups of vinegar.  Once it has filled up and started "washing", stop/turn off the machine.  All I have to do is pull the knob out.  Leave the top open.  Let it set for an hour.  After 1 hour "start" your maching.  Let it run it's wash and drain. 

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When it is complete, restart your machine again.  Let it fill up again with HOT water and this time add 1 to 2 cups of bleech.  Let it sit for an hour also.  Again leave the top open.  After 1 hour start your machine and let it finish running.  I also got a rag/toothbrush and scrubbed some of the spots left.   

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In the meantime, I took off my fabric softner dispenser and let it soak in 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water then scrubbed it clean.

This is one of the "after" pictures!!!

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All pretty and clean. 

I can't believe I have never done this before.  I will have to add this to my spring cleaning list. 
 
 
What a busy week.  Drew and Maddie were both in the parade this past week and had a great time!  We went to the fair one night and the kids loved it!  I enjoyed my favorite part, cotton candy!  I made my first wedding cake this week.  I worked on a little each day and that worked great!  By the day of the wedding, all I had to do was stack the cakes and put the finishing touches on it!  It looked great and the bride and groom loved it!  Everyone at the wedding even said it tasted great!  On top of the cake this week we also had dance class twice this week, and I kept a sweet little baby for four of the days this week.  AND, yes we even fit school in there!  I do have to say that one day we did arts & crafts and science!  They helped bake and make the calla lilies on the cake.  Hey, they learned something new that day! 
This week I hope to get back into our normal rountine as much as possible.  I do have another cake to do this week.  My mother and step-father are having their 25th wedding anniversary and they are renewing their vows.  I am going to be making  her cake for that.  I am only going to be baking them here.  We are coming to Jonesboro Friday afternoon and that's when I will be decorating!  I have never traveled and decorated any place but my kitchen.  I'm a little nervous about that.  I hope I don't forget anything!  It will be great to get to visit with my family and friends this weekend. 
I posted pictures of the wedding cake.  The bottom tier is carrot cake, midde is red velvet and the top is white.  They are all filled with cream cheese frosting and covered in buttercream and fondant.  I handmade the calla lilies out of gumpaste.  Everything on the cake is edible! Thanks for reading!!

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This week is going to be one busy week.  I pray the Lord gives me the strength to get through this week.  I woke up today with a head cold.  I don't know have time to be sick, and this week....REALLY!!??  We have our normal rountine with school and I am also babysitting for a good friend of mine.  She has two beautiful girls.  Logan is 4 and Maeson is 9 months.  Monday Drew has his "all boys hip-hop" dance class.  Tuesday Maddie has her Jazz, ballet, tap and hip-hop dance class.  Brock has an orthodontist appt and I have a doctor appt as well.  Wednesday some what normal, school and church.  Thursday we are planning to going to the Baxter County Fair.  Then to top all this off, I have my first Wedding cake to do for a wedding on Sunday.  I am VERY nervous about the cake.  I told Joe that starting Wednesday I will be in "wedding mode"!!!  I will have to start baking the cakes then and freezing them.  I will also have to start hand making the lilies that she wants for decorations on the cake.  Saturday I will be knee deep in cake.  I hopefully will be putting the cake together and getting it done!!!  We will see if that happens.  Oh and I almost forgot, Maddie and Drew will be in the "fair" parade one night this week with their dance class. 
I will post pictures along the way of the cake.  I hope it goes well.  Please this week if you think of me, say a prayer.  I will need it!!! Everyone have a great week and be thankful of what we have.  I read a quote this week on facebook.  "What would you have if you woke up this morning with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?"  I needed to hear that!!  I think I should post that in my bathroom mirror!! 
 
 
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I am so blessed.....
I want to thank Kim McKay for giving me this opportunity to write a blog about my crazy life.  I have to say, I am truely blessed and I thank God everyday for my family and the people in my life. I want to give you a little background on our family.  Joe and I have been married for 15 years.  Joe is my best friend.  He supports me 110% on any crazy idea I may have.  He is always my number ONE supporter and my biggest fan!  With that said, I support Joe in anything that he feels is the best thing for our family.  I support him in any and all decisions that he makes and I am his biggest fan!!  We have 5 beautiful and crazy kids.  Brock is 13 and is in the 8th grade.  Drew is 10 and is in the 3/4th grade.  Madelyn is 7 and is in the 2nd grade.  Meredith is 3 and Ryan is 15 months.  We love our busy life and wouldn't know what to do if our house wasn't loud and always a mess.  In 2004 we decided to homeschool.  Brock was our only child that was school age.  Drew was 2 and Maddie was just a baby.  We loved it.  We had our days that was terrific, then we had days that I stopped and put the books up and stated "we will try this again tomorrow!".  In 2008, we moved to Mountain Home, AR.  We continued to homeschool through out that year.  During the summer of 2009, I wasn't looking forward to starting school.  I was REALLY dreading it.  I had never felt that way in the past.  I didn't realize the difference it makes when you don't have that "support" group (all the homeschool moms) to help you through all the highs and lows.  My husband supported me, but I really missed all the homeschool friends that I had made in Jonesboro.  That summer we decided to send our kids to public school.  They were really excited and I felt relieved.  One month later, I found out I was pregnant with our 5th child.  I was the sickest I had ever been during any pregnancy.  I lost 20 pounds within the first 3 months.  During the rest of the pregnancy I had some other issues, but nothing serious.  I ended up weighing less when I went in to deliver then my first month of pregnancy.  I feel like it was a blessing not to homeschool our kids during that time.  There were so many days that I couldn't get out of bed.  The following year the kids went back to school and we thought nothing of it.  This past summer our kids started mentioning to us that they would like to be homeschooled again.  At first, I was surprised.  Joe and I talked and prayed and finally decided that the time was right to homeschool again.  WE ARE THRILLED TO BE BACK!!  I have to say, I am a bit nervous with not having a support group near, but I am going to do everything I can to be connected to all the moms here and all the friends I have in Jonesboro.  We hope to be able to plan visiting our family and friends in the Jonesboro area when there are events for our kids to be a part of.    
I hope I haven't rampled on and on to much!  A side note about me...... I love to bake!  I have started a very small cake business.  I enjoy decorating cakes and experimenting with different flavors and decorating tools.  I hope to blog about my cakes, baking and kids when time allows.  I hope you enjoy my blogs to come and thank you for being a part of my family!



 

    Jessica Austin

    Jessica is an amazing mom who has been through alot and yet still smiles constantly.  I am so glad to have her as a friend.  She is also an amazing cake decorator.  She has some cool pics on her facebook website.  Thanks Jessica for blogging for us and letting us in.  


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