cupcakes

I'm seriously considering opening up a cupcake shop. What do you think? I could be really crazy or tap into one of the biggest trends the world has seen in a long time. This is way cooler than the trend of leggings and short skirts, as if you're hiding anything with the tights. Who are those girls kidding? So I've been online and visiting the competition here in KC as far as the cupcake world goes and have discovered that this is really lucritive stuff. Article after article about women opening up cupcake shops and making instant profit. How expensive is it to make cakes? Well, I guess that depends on how elaborate they are...but anyways it's an exciting thing to think about. If you are interested in checking out a few websites google cupcakes. One of my favorites is Kara's cupcakes. The local cupcakery is called Babycakes and it's in the old River Market downtown. I've been there and have to say that I was underwhelmed by the whole thing. The cake was moist, but the frosting tasted not so good.

I always struggle with how to start a new entry. So that being said, I am really ready for life to slow down a bit. It seems like this past month I've not been able to get much done. And being a stay at home mom, that is really a depressing thing to say. It's not like I don't have the time to do things. Something just always comes up. Having a 16 month old that is highly energetic doesn't help though. I seriously don't know how women function with multiple children. I am in awe of their ability to tackle everyday things like personal hygiene and sanity.

I have started making cupcakes. Who doesn't like cupcakes? I made some really cute ones for a baby shower last weekend. They were completely home made raspberry and coconut with coconut cream cheese frosting. They were completely covered in frosting and the sides were rolled in toasted coconut. The tops had fresh raspberries in the middle. They tasted delicious and got rave reviews. I was very pleased with the way the turned out. They were all gone which is a huge compliment because the woman hosting the shower also catered some cookies from the Pastry Goddess and most of those were still left. So I am going to try to start drumming up some business. Who knows...you might see me on the Food Network some day. That is my secret dream to be on the Food Network. I have seriously considered going to pastry school. I have a folder of info in my room. It is so stinkin expensive. For 9 months of school you are looking at around $40,000!!! Wow. I couldn't believe it when I read that.

In other news, the family is great. Ethan is talking a little more. He goes to kindermusik and bullies the other kids. He kicked a little girl off a bench and made her cry. I felt so bad for her. Joe and I have joined the gym. We have been pretty consistent since we joined on the 2nd. Not anything to do with New Year's resolutions. It was something we were talking about for a while and it is so convenient that this time of year there are tons of deals. So yay for working out and getting sooo toned. Joe is super swamped at work. I think of business as job security. He thinks of it as irritation. I can see both sides. We have been so exhausted from the family and holidays and now working out that we've hardly seen each other. We did, however, manage to find time to watch American Idol tonight. Not as funny as some years auditions, but I think there will be a lot more of a competition this year.

Until next time...

I think I am becoming an insomniac. I keep staying up later and later and just piddling around the house or the internet or the bills or my favorite, reading a good book. I am currently reading through a gift I got at our office Christmas party called Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. So far it is very astetically pleasing. There are a lot of great reciepes. Oh, I guess I should mention that this is a cookbook. I am really into becoming the next Food Network star. I recently read Paula Deen's book It Ain't All About the Cookin'. It was a very interesting read. Very provocative and somewhat unexpected. I would highly recommend it. I have taken three Wilton Cake decorating classes and am tentatively scheduled to provide cupcakes for two upcoming baby showers. I am excited. I really love cooking.

In other news, Ethan is 15 months old. He's so tall. Very clingy to mommy right now and extremely jealous of Joseph. I am working on Friday's at a Dr.'s office to get away from the house a little during the week.  I am basically a receptionist and I also make appointments. I love my job. It is such a blessing because it is paying for a very neccessary bill-a second car. Oh the freedom of owning a car. Think back to being 15 1/2 and very tired of being carted around by everyone. Then the day you get your license and borrow your parent's car you are a new person. Reformed into something amazing to all your friends who are a few months younger than you and still at the mercy of the parental units. Oh how we forget these things.

Well, until I think of more to say and get at least a few winks, tata.

It's Been a While

Wow, so many things have happened. It would take to long to write them all, so I'll just ramble. I am so excited to FINALLY have a car during the day. It's such a freedom most people take for granted. to just be able to go outside, see a car in their driveway that's theirs and just go where ever they want. Thank you God for blessings. Speaking of...so yeah in two days I am going to a private concert of Matchbox 20, and probably going to meet them. The details I have are sketchy whether or not I'll get to REALLY meet the band, but that's my understanding. My friend Katie won tickets from the radio and I get to go with her. That's a great friend. Shout out to Katie-you are so cool (I am almost insulting you by just calling you cool. Sorry....) I am so excited to go. I have been telling Joe for the past few weeks I wanted to win tickets. God has such a peculiar way of working out how he gives you the desires of your heart. So. Ethan is one now. He's getting more teeth as we speak. Isn't it funny to think that we as humans grow two set of teeth? I sometimes forget that. How often do you think of baby teeth? Stop and think of when you lost your first tooth. Remember how exciting and painful it is to wiggle your teeth around with your tongue and then push it just a little further until it kinda hurts and when it's finally ready to pop out you get kinda scared. But then you see dollar signs when your parents reassure you that when the tooth does come out the Tooth Fairy in all her goodness will come into your room while you are sleeping and put a buck under your pillow. The whole thing is actually kind of traumatizing if you really think about it. Some winged woman will magically appear and take your already rotting tooth from under your pillow while you sleep and leave you a dollar? Why? Who comes up with this crap. I don't think we'll tell Ethan about the tooth fairy. Would you want to tell your kid such a lie? What's the benifit other than the fact that every time he loses a tooth he gets a dollar?

In other news. I am working one day a week at a doctors office. I love it. The people, the drama, the insurance crisis. It's made for TV. You wouldn't believe some of the crap patients try to say to see the doctor RIGHT NOW. Because apparently they have a life threatening situation every time they call, which is sometimes 3 and 4 times a day. And that situation has just magically appeared so that they couldn't possibly schedule an appointment in advance like the rest of us. Oh no. These people are like addicts. They need their fix. They NEED the doctor. They will not leave you alone until they can personally talk to the Dr. Crazies!!!

So I should get some sleep. I have a long day ahead. I have to bake my final cake for cake decorating class. It will look like a basket when I'm done with it. With pretty daisies and apple blossoms adorning it. I will try and remember to take pictures of it. Gute nacht!!

Even though no one reads this...

I'll post something anyway...

Quick update...

My dad had a heart attack about three weeks ago. He's been in and out of the ER since then with different things going on each time. So that has been extremely stressful.

My sister moved to Springfield.

My brother is coming home soon from North Carolina. That is super exciting because last time we saw him was Christmas. He's only gotten to see Ethan a little bit and he's definitely changed.

Joseph has been endlessly applying for Jobs with Sprint and hasn't heard anything yet. That is a very frustrating situation.

We are still living in Grain Valley for another 15 months and then after that... We don't have a clue. We still talk about going back to Scotland on a daily basis, but know that right now we are not ready to go back. We have so many desires and ideas about what we would like to do over there, it's just a matter of knowing what God wants us to do. So if you think about it, pray for us to have a clear vision from God. So, enough rambling for now. Here are some recent pics.