The Peacegiver

Get it. Read it. It will change your life.

Carlie is my best friend, huh, mom?

Sawyer can't seem to get the 'ch' sound, so Charlie's name comes out exactly like her cousins name Kari, so when she said this earlier this week without having hung out with Kari recently, I was a bit confused, until I realized she was talking about the dog. I love this picture because I finally caught this precious daily occurence on camera. They are so sweet together, it makes me so excited to see how Sawyer will bond with a sibling. We got so lucky with Charlie, she is such a gentle giant, honestly the funnest dog I've ever, ever had.

Happy Father's Day

I am an awful daughter. I will just get that out there right off the bat. Something in the back of my head, some far away part that wasn't completely taken over by stressed out thoughts about Melissa's cake this week, some part of me thinks that since my dad is far, far away, and shipping costs to Taiwan are ridiculous, I am only obligated to send a card or something. But, did I even get that done? Nope, no card in the mail at all. And I know that is something my cute dad would really appreciate; he's a sucker for a heart-felt note. (who isn't?) I feel awful that I didn't even get that done in time. I know that an awesome wedding cake is no excuse, but it does make me feel better that Matt's father's day was pretty "mailed in" too. The thing is that my dad is such a self-depreciating guy that he deserves all the appreciation I can give him. He has really done an amazing job of teaching me how to do better and be better. As a kid, anytime he & I would have a bit of a scuffle over silly things I cannot now remember, no matter what, regardless of how in the wrong I was, he would always be the one to come into my room (very hostile territory sometimes) and apologize to me. At the time, I remember thinking that his apologies were always followed by a "but..." and it really bugged me. I realize now that he knew how important it was for him to initiate the kiss & make up part of a fight, but he loved me enough to make sure that I knew that whatever we had fought about was important. That it was important for me to be obedient and make good choices. I've made some pretty dumb choices anyway though. I have always been the type who must make her own mistakes. Learning from other people's mistakes has only recently entered my realm of possibility. And through it all, my dad has been there quietly on the sidelines never saying "I told you so" but only believing, knowing that I could figure things out and that I would be better for it. He has patiently put up with my "champagne taste on a beer budget" (his words, not mine) supported me physically as well as spiritually and has always had time for me. I have never, not once felt like my dad would rather be doing something else. I have never, not once felt like my dad didn't have time for me. He gave me my first cookbook, brushed my hair gently & patiently every Sunday, and has worthily given me father's blessings every time I've requested one. I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have had him as my father, friend & example. And as my daughter's grandpa, because he is the greatest grandpa I've ever seen! I am so proud of him for going on not only one, but now two very, very foreign missions, and being the eternal companion of my also amazing mother.
I love you, Dad!
Celeste

just had to share

To those of you who were subjected to my ranting about my problems this week with UPS:

Here is why:

I personally think it was worth the trouble. I am so fortunate to be able to do what I love, (and throughly challenges me) for people that I love. Here is to much love and patience and kindness for William & Melissa in their life together!

happy birthday birdies!

Yesterday 3 of the 4 eggs in our front yard hatched!!! I love how the parents freak out when we come outside, trying to distract us from their babies by acting hurt & flailing about. One of them charged Sawyer & I today while we tried to take these pictures, it was kind of scary actually. That was one ticked off bird. Oh and my peony bush that I planted last fall & thought it died, did not die!! How beautiful are these? I think I might have a new favorite flower, they are just so soft and delicate, I want to have a nap on one.

lovely things in my life

I've been forgetting to do my 3 things of gratitude on each post. Ooops.

1- the faith that the Lord has in me. It is obvious that He thinks I'll either succeed or learn from these things in my life, and who else's opinion matters?

2- Looney Tunes. Best purchase in a long time is a DVD for Sawyer, she pretty much was enthralled by it all day yesterday while I got an obscene amount of baking done. I almost feel like scanning in my to do list from yesterday with EVERYTHING crossed off. It was miraculous & partially due to the voice talents of Mel Blanc.

3- ebay. Got the beautiful Martha Stewart Wedding Cakes book that I have been LUSTING after for HALF OFF!!! yeah! Now if only they would send it already! Enough time wasted on blogging, must go make tangerine fondant.

where to start?

okay, so I've been a lazy blogger. There has just been so much going on that even starting is intimidating. Um, topsoil. Got some topsoil for the garden. The poor driver who brought it backed up onto our curb and got STUCKER than I've ever seen anyone get stuck. He's got a huge load of dirt in his truck and he thinks backing up into a big mud hole is gonna work out? It was hilarious. Nicest guy ever though. I totally should have taken pictures, it was just silly. So yeah, I spent the next few days hauling dirt around to the backyard. I got my tomatoes planted but I still have some seedlings that need to get out there, but I'm scared. I don't want them to die.

Alright, then we took off to Seattle with our good friends Danny & Jess, and Max (mostly Max). jk. They are awesome. We stayed at Jessica's parent's house which, even better than being incredibly beautiful & fun, was completely inspriational. I mean these people are some of the most Christ-like, down to earth, amazingly fun peeps I've ever met. The thing that actually struck me the most is how completely unjudgemental they were. Not just unjudgemental, but like the opposite of judgemental. The antithesis. That's one thing that Matt & I really, really need to work on. Totally inspriational. Anyway, this trip was "a golf trip that the wives got to go on," so there wasn't a whole lot of family time. But shopping around with Jessica & Becky was way fun, except for the part where Sawyer had a sleep-deprived melt-down in a teriyaki restaurant. That part was a complete joke & I hated it with all my heart. That girl is related to me for sure. If you mess with our sleep, you WILL regret it. Jessica (unbelievable photographer that she is) took the greatest pictures and she said she'd share with me, because I took crap for pictures. Here is one that is so stinking cute.

She's fanastic, huh? I really want to get a new camera for my birthday, and I am totally intimidated by the thought. I took photography in high school AND college & I still feel like a complete idiot when even thinking about f-stop or aperature or shutter speed or depth of field or anything, really. boo. I want to be good.

I've just been working on Melissa's cake since we got home. It's been a whole lot of work and stress but it is going to be very, very cute and even yummier. I tried using cake flour on one of the tiers and I have no idea what I was thinking not using that forever. I couldn't believe the difference. It makes it so much more tender & fine & wow. What a difference! Sorry, I'm being a cake nerd, huh? Now I just have to find a place to get it in bulk. Anyway, I have lots of ranaculuses to paint, so if anyone wants to come & help, you're welcome to.

total fricken awesomeness!

http://listoftheday.blogspot.com/2007/09/great-olan-mills-photos.html
God Bless America, this is funny!