A New Ward

As I blogged before, last Sunday, Shay and I had to attend only 1 hour of church....well, it ended up being more like an hour and 20 minutes but I am not complaining. It was such a wonderful meeting!

At first, our meeting started out with one of my favorite Hymns, "I Stand All Amazed," and as the meeting progressed I found myself not feeling so wonderful and instead singing my own rendition of this hymn:

I sat all amazed at the things that were being told to me,
Confused at the news that so fully displaces me.
I trembled to know that for me this ward was ending.
That for me, and for Shay, no 9 am, no nursery.
Oh, this is awful, that we should have to go back to 1 PM!
Oh, this is awful, awful to me.

Side note: Shay and I knew, moving into this ward, that it was on the verge of splitting. When we were called to the nursery (the second day at church) we were told it would only be for a few months, until the ward was split. Well those few months changed into 9. I think we both forgot that it was suppose to be split. We were enjoying our time in nursery.

It was later on, during the meeting, when my feelings changed.

You see, when I moved into this ward in June, I wasn't given a visiting teaching assignment right away....and since Shay and I were put into the nursery---together-- with 1-12 kids (depending on the week)....getting to know others became a bit of a challenge. So in September, I finally asked if I could get a visiting teaching assignment.
I was so excited when I got my list of three ladies to visit teach, along with a companion. My companion, Adell, and I have become great friends. We laugh all the time.....the only problem is that none of the ladies we were assigned were active--or would answer the door. We would go during the week, on the weekends, you name it......we even switched up the times to make sure we were covering all of our bases. Nothing. Adell and I often laughed about how we were the "cursed companionship"....because our assignments would change but our ability to actually contact someone didn't....that is....until last month.
Last month, Adell and I were assigned to a lady my mother's age. We meet her and had a blast talking with her. She was very humble, but with enough questioning.....she did tell us of how her husband and her had been called as mission presidents when they were in their mid 30s (to Korea no less). She told us of how they were currently serving in the MTC and were in the process of finishing up their paper work to serve another mission there (they were asked if they would be willing to serves as the Seniors Coordinators at the MTC--huge calling to say the least). Well, Adell and I left in awe of this woman. Who won't.....but it wasn't until Sunday that my jaw really dropped. When the Stake President got up and announced that our ward would be split and that this dear sister's husband would be our new bishop, I quickly turned to Shay and said, "How is that possible? They are leaving on a mission."
Later in the meeting, this fine lady was asked to bear her testimony. She told of how they had received a phone call from the Stake President asking to meet with him. She shared how she really didn't think much about it except that she thought it was to finalize the last of the paper work they needed to be done so that they could officially start their mission. She told how shocked she was when they issued the call to her husband to be the bishop. She then went on to bear her strong witness of how much she knows the Lord is in charge of His work and that He knows who He wants where within His church. She thanked the Lord for being so merciful to her and her husband and how grateful they were that they could serve. I was so overwhelmed by her testimony and faith. I know how excited she was about serving at the MTC.... and now....not one bit of complaint. I was thoughtful at what she had said and realized I believed the same thing. The Lord is so aware of where we are and what He needs us to do, and when.
So, whether it IS to a new building, and back to crappy 1 PM church, I will go with a happy heart. I am so excited to have Bishop Hawkins as our bishop.

Life is always full of changes!

Most interesting....

While playing games last night with some friends, Shay received a phone call from a member of our church. Apparently, she was calling to inform us that we would only be having sacrament meeting tomorrow so we did not need to worry about nursery. I thought that a bit odd. "Are you sure?" was the first thing out of my mouth. Shay said the lady stated that some stake leaders were coming and that the bishopric decided to cancel all other meetings. "OK," I thought, "never heard of that before." Then right after our friends left....close to midnight....Shay gets a text message also let us know that we are only having sacrament tomorrow due to the stake visiting......I have been thinking about it all day and haven't decided yet if we should be asking the stake to come more often or not---

Just kidding! :-)

Friday from H-E-double hockey sticks!

Friday from Heck! So yesterday was an awful day! Seriously, my kids were CRAZY! They would not close their mouths to save their lives. They wanted to talk to me about everything under the sun that didn't relate at all to any type of class work. To make matters worst, it started to snow---making it an inside recess day (a teacher's nightmare)! I thought I was going to go insane.....until right before the bell rang and the weirdest thing happened which made me laugh. I was sitting at my computer, typing in a student's leprechaun story while they were dictating it to me, when another student (we will call her Ann) came running clear across the classroom and yelled out something about a piece of brain being on the floor. I quickly waved her off by saying "Ann, there are no brains on the floor. Go back to your desk and get your work done." I then turned back to the student who was standing next to me, who of course who had not ceased dictating their story, to try and figure out what it was that I had missed (have to love first graders--completely oblivious to others around them when focused on a task). Of course Ann hadn't moved at all and was just looking at me in shock,

Ann: "But Mrs. McDaniel but there are brains....something something."

I really didn't understand what it was she was saying because she was saying it so fast and loud while the other student next to me was rambling.

Me: "Thank you Ann, now return to your seat."

Ann (responding in pure panic): "But Mrs. McDaniel there are brains!"

I quickly turned to Ann and said: "Ann, brains can't be on the ground."

She obviously was so distraught by this time that she must not have listened to what it was that I said because she said, "Yes Mrs. McDaniel I see it!!!"

I finally decided to abandon all hopes in trying to get the story typed before the bell rang and excused the other student to go to back to their seat. I then turned to Ann and said, "I really don't understanding what it is you are trying to tell me, what piece of brain?"

Ann (in a weak, scared voice): "Your brain is coming out of the back of you head!"

Me (shocked voice): "What! Ann, my brain is not coming out of my head."

Student (voice elevating): "Yes it is! I see it."

Me: "Where?"

Student (While taking her finger and pointing hesitantly at the side of my head--of course not too close because that would be gross): "Right on the side of your head!"

Me (Touching the side of my head): "No Ann, my brains are not coming out."

Ann (quieter now): "Yes it is."

Me: "No Ann, my brains are NOT coming out of my head."

Ann (softly): "Yes it is. I can see it."

Me: "What? Ann, really there is nothing coming out of my head."

Ann (elevated and exasperated voice): "Yes it is! I can see it!"

Me: "Ann, where exactly do you see my brains coming out of my head?"

Ann (in an annoyed voice): "It is right behind your ear!!!"

Out of pure annoyance, I quickly touched behind my ear to show her that there is nothing there. As I do, I immediately feel the mole I have located behind my ear. As I touched it Ann says: "See, there! Your brain is falling out!" Reality hits.....

Me (with a chuckle): "Oh, Ann that is just a mole. That is not my brains falling out."

Ann (completely shocked): "But it looks like brains."

Me: "Well, it is not my brains, it is a mole."

Ann: "What is a mole?"

After that conversation I felt like I did lose part of my brain! UGH!

New Horizons

For those of you who do not know, Shay has been unemployed/working part time for over a year now. Last February, the day after he proposed to me, he was laid off with all of his co-workers. This was a very scary time for both of us. Do we wait to get married? Will he get a job soon.....later? What does the future bring.
To be honest, none of these questions were answered, except for our decision to proceed to get married. :-) It has been one roller coaster of a ride. We have not had it as hard as so many others (I am so aware), but that cannot demean the insecurity or stresses that unemployment has caused. Unemployment is one of the hardest thing ....and due to my past, I do not do well when I feel financial insecure....at all.....one of the hardest things ever!
After 6 months of unemployment---and the same day Shay's unemployment check ended---he was rehired back on at his current company part time. In a way our prayers were heard....different than what we had thought....but answered nonetheless. You see, we had prayed for a job that would help us meet all of our financial obligations. Well, despite the undesirable circumstances, Shay's part time job paid almost exactly what his unemployment check was, which would keep us afloat and give Shay the much needed experience in the IT world that will enable him to apply for higher paying positions later.
Part time of course was not ideal.....but one can't complain when one has a J.O.B. and so many others have nothing. Time passed. Interviews, meetings, studying, praying, fasting, attending the temple, etc. have helped as the year has gone by. Stresses lessened when Shay was given more hours--38 to be exact. Unfortunately, that only lasted for a few months. Shay was then once again cut back to only 20 hours in January. Stress increased, my hope faltered a bit. We learned a lot about each other during this last year. Unemployment can really be a strain and a blessing on a marriage. I have learned how impatient I am with the Lord and how he is going to continue to test me until I can get over that.
Then it happened. Shay had an interview Friday. It went well. He said they were going to call him back. Nothing special was said to make either of us feel like this was "it," but at least it was something.
The next day I told Shay I felt we needed to go to the temple in regards to his unemployment. He thought it would be great idea as well. So we ended up going over to the Mt. Timp. Temple. Then Shay was contacted and asked to have a second interview on Monday. He went in on Monday and by that night he was emailed a job offer. He then informed his current boss about the situation and she told him to give her some time to see what her boss could do......then the next thing we know Shay was given a counter offer. Apparently, his current boss told her boss how much she liked Shay and how good he was at his job that he went to the owner to see what could be done.
So after 11 months of unemployment Shay and I found ourselves worrying about which of the two jobs he should take......neither would be his "dream job"---or something he will be doing forever---but they were blessings just the same.
Well, Shay decided to stay with his current employer, since they are well known and respected throughout the country in his field. He started today and I felt a need to document my gratitude for answered prayers.
I know that it is often after the trial of one's faith that blessings come .....and, especially in the IT world, this will probably the first of many scary situations in our lives....but I have an even firm testimony that miracles happen during difficult times. I have a stronger testimony of tithing and fast offerings.......when one remembers the Lord first He somehow provides miracles along the path of trials--they may not be exactly the way one wants them to be, but they are miracles just the same. Miracles Shay and I have experienced over the last 11 months. How grateful I feel this day for answered prayers....they do come!

So EMBARRASSED!

So, today I had my older brother Paul, his kids, and my sister-in-law's sister's husband, Trevor (who we consider family), over for dinner (My brother's wife and her sister are out of town, due to the passing of their grandfather).

I made barbecue roast, potatoes, cooked carrots, and salad.....a "typical" Sunday dinner. After dinner the kids and I had a wonderful time making a pineapple upside down cake (it turned out SO good--great job Nathan and Ilene!).

While the cake was cooking, everyone played games while I cleaned up. We had a blast and I was so grateful they came over and spent time with Shay and me......

So where does the embarrassment come in....well, right after everyone left I quickly started to clean up the rest of the dessert mess. When that was finished I went into my living room to take a load off my feet. As I was walking from my kitchen area to my living room area (a whopping 2 feet maybe), I looked over to see that the guest bathroom's door was ajar and that the blue 12X12 page that I had left Shay was still sitting on my toilet!

"NO!!! NO, NO, NO!!!" I yelled out loud.

Shay immediately asked me what was wrong. I told him and he just chuckled! He then assured me that only Ilene used the guest bathroom that night (Ilene is my 8 year old niece)....but I am not sure! Either way, I still feel SO embarrassed!

Why do I feel embarrased? What does this blue page say? Well, let me give you a little bit of background about me.

I don't like dirt or filth of any kind in my home

.....a bit of clutter is different---but dirt--NO WAY!!!!

Therefore, when it comes to my house,
I have to have it clean-clean or I start to go NUT!

This became a big adjustment for me when I got married. Don't get me wrong, Shay is not a mess at all, it's just that......

boys think differently

then girls do!

During the first few months of our marriage Shay was unemployed and stayed home during the day looking for work. During the day, instead of walking the 50 steps it would take him to get to the master bathroom, Shay would use our guest bathroom that was located only 5 feet from his office (logical I know--but bad for me). This became very annoying to me.

Why? Well, with him using the guest bathroom I had two problems;

First, I would have to weekly clean two bathrooms instead of one....

Secondly, I would find the typical guy problem---the seat being left up in both bathrooms!!!! UGH!!!!

Nothing is worst then knowing that you'd forgotten to double check your guest bathroom before guests have arrived and then realizing they would have to put the seat down themselves! To me that is worst than death (sorry if you have been one of them)!

To combat this problem.......about a month and a half ago......after repeatedly trying to remind Shay how much I hated to clean two bathrooms......I wrote the following love note to him on a 12X12 bright blue scrapbook paper and placed it on the guest's toilet seat.


"It takes more cleaner, effort, & time to clean two bathrooms then it does to walk to the other bathroom.....not to mention the wearing down of more towels, etc. Just a thought! With love!"

This note had been a blessing, at least I thought....

Because, to my knowledge, Shay hasn't remove it and now proceeds to the master bathroom (or at least he puts the seat back down and covers it back up with the paper). Don't worry, I still weekly check to see if the bathroom needs to be cleaned....and from inspection Shay has successfully stayed away--yippy!

Unfortunately, today I had completely forgotten about the note and instead of removing it before my guests arrived, it was left out for all to see.

I AM SO EMBARRASSED!

First of all, because I didn't get the note removed....

Secondly, because at least one person had to remove the note and obviously replace it back on the seat out of fear.....UGH!

Thirdly, I really don't mind GUESTS using the bathroom.....I would hate for our guest to feel uneasy about using our guest bathroom.....

And last....because now everyone knows how dang anal I am about not having to clean two bathrooms--I am so lazy, I know!!

I guess the only good thing that has come out of this embarrassing moment is that Shay and I have had a good laugh (I hope you do too) and that you can all know that when you use my guest bathroom you are guaranteed a clean sanitary environment....

with or without a note letting you know how much I hate cleaning two bathrooms!

UGH--HOW EMBARRASSING!!!!

Oh, you gotta love life!

Disclaimer: Please don't think I have a perfectly clean home 24/7

----I do go nuts once in awhile!

THE MOST AMAZING CUPCAKES EVER!

So, Wednesday Shay and I had my friend Jacquie and her family over for dinner. We had such a fun time chatting and playing games. Of course, Jacquie was so sweet to volunteer to bring a dessert. I assumed that since she has become the cake decorator extraordinaire--seriously, her cakes are breath taking--she would bring cake......but I was quickly corrected. Jacquie brought cupcakes instead.....in this case, very different. She told me that her hubby Matt is so sick of eating cake that she decided to make cupcakes instead. I was thrilled. They looked just like the picture above.....and when I actually sunk my teeth into one, I almost cried! Seriously, these babies are AMAZING! They taste like the old fashion cake recipe that my sister & sister-in-law love to make (which is heaven to eat!!!----Actually, I think a bit more moist).
Anyway, I wrote to Jacquie after I had eaten 3 in less than a 48 hour period (I need to workout ASAP) and begged for her to send me the recipe. Of course she sent it--and in my attempt to archive it within my yahoo account (she sent the email over facebook) I deleted it--UGH. I almost had a nervous break down. I quickly wrote Jacquie back twice within 12 hours and left a voice message trying to get her to forward the recipe to me again (I am not crazy--I don't think anyway).
So, now I have decided to archive it here on my blog so I can have it forever!!!! Seriously, beware of below recipe! There is NO way you can eat just one in 24 hours (unless you have fabulous self control unlike myself!). I have left a message on Jacquie's phone to see the exact amount of cocoa she added....because the frosting was to DIE for...and with all the fattening cheese, etc. in it I am sure I will eventually die from them! I want to make sure I can make them EXACTLY as I tasted them. Not obsessed or anything ;-)

Update: cocoa modifications are already inserted--Jacquie just called!

Winnie

Ok, here's a link to the recipe. Glad you liked them...it was my first time trying the recipe, so I was worried.

The frosting isn't that chocolate buttercream (although I bet it is GREAT).

This is the frosting recipe...

8 oz softened cream cheese
8 oz softened mascarpone cheese (italian cream cheese found in the specialty cheese area of the store)
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 and 1/2 cup whipping cream.

Beat cream cheese and mascarpone cheese together until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cocoa, and vanilla. Beat until well blended.
In a separate bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Add to cream cheese mixture and fold in.

I modified the frosting to make it chocolate. The original recipe calls for 1 cup of powdered sugar and no cocoa. It is delicious too.
Jacquie's modification: Take out 1/4 cup of the powder sugar and replace it with cocoa.

FYI: Because it has whipping cream in the frosting, it is best to frost right before serving. If you can't do it right before serving, make sure you put them into the fridge immediately.



Traditional Chocolate CupCake|the CupCake Recipes
thecupcakerecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 stick of Butter, best at room temperature
1 1/4 C. of Sugar
2 Eggs, room temperature
3/4 C. Flour
1 t. Baking Powder
1/4 t. Salt
1/2 C. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (spend that extra cash for the best cocoa powder - you will not regret it)
1/2 C. Whole Milk
1 t. Vanilla

Method: Preheat oven to 375 degrees, then turn it down to 350 just before baking

1. Beat the butter with an electric mixer until it is soft, then add sugar. Beat about 3 minutes.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time beating until they are well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients and whisk them to incorporate them.
4. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar and beat it just to combine. Add 1/2 of the liquids (milk & vanilla), scrape down bowl and beat to combine. Continue adding the dry and wet ingredients alternately making sure you don’t have any more dry.
5. Fill muffin tins 2/3’s of the way and bake for about 20-22 minutes. Allow to cool, then frost.

Makes 12 to 14 cupcakes

Love, Jacquie