Cake decorating contest

So, we had a father/son cake decorating contest in our ward. It was for cub scouts. Jonathan decided to take on the challenge. Like I said in previous posts, he is amazing me with his cooking abilities. All these years he has bragged that he really can cook. I just laugh because I have had no faith. There was no evidence to be seen.. So, he and Jerin decided to make a Cub scout hat cake. This was the same type of cake that Jonathan and his dad made when he was a young lad.
The cakes turned out awesome. The competition was fierce.Jerin and his hat cake. The dragon cake the big cupcake cake.


There were no awards given but, I know Jerin and Jonathan both loved doing it. I was pleased with the results and I think they both were also. All in all, it was a very successful night.

Haylee's hair woes

Ever since Haylee could speak she has had her own way of doing things. She is very specific about the way things are done. One of those things is her hair. When Aubrey was her age, I was creative with the things that I did. She allowed me to do braids, ponytails, pretty much anything I wanted to. I wanted a girly girl. Well, Haylee will have none of that... Her favorite way of doing her hair is wetting it down and combing it straight, sometimes she will put a head band on. There have been many days of struggling. For the most part, I will let her have it how she wants. I have learned to pick and choose my battles carefully with her. But, on the sabbath I would like her looking nice. But, there have been times that we have stayed home from sacrament meeting because I have done her hair and she hates it so much that she cries and cries and cries. It is just a ponytail, I promise!!

So, today I talked her into getting a haircut. I thought a short bob would solve my problems. She will not have to worry about ponytails or anything else. So, she said OK! Well, we were there and half way into the haircut, she changes her mind.. I told her it was to late and that we have to finish. She cried and cried all through the rest of it. Oh!!! man. She hated it at first but now says that she likes it. I think it is adorable.

Welcome to the World!

My sister Amber and her husband L had their baby yesterday. After a hard 2 weeks of contractions with no progress, they induced her at 11:00 am. Zyan Amil Hobdy was born at 8:42 pm. She weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. She is a beautiful little girl....

What has just happened?

Okay!!! I am beside myself with giddiness. My husband has done something he has never done before in all the 16 years we have been married. He has made bread. Not only did he make the bread, he ground the wheat that went into the bread. That is right!!! You read that correctly.. He ground the wheat. I have not even done that. He wanted to try our wheat from our food storage and also our food storage grinder. It was a handle turning grinder but the boys were a big help to Jonathan in that. It also tasted amazing. It was a piece of heaven. I am very impressed. He than said "what else can I cook?" He than proceeded to make brownies...WHAT? Is this Jonathan Bond, the man that has not cooked more than a few times our whole married life? I don't know what it was but I am not complaining.... I am pleasantly surprised and hope there are many more loaves of bread to come..

34 years young

So yesterday was my birthday. We had a nice family party with some of my sisters coming and my mom. It was nice and quiet. I am not really big on birthdays or I should say my own birthday. I don't mind turning a year older. I just don't think I should have to celebrate it... But, I am glad for the excuse for family to get together. I love that more than anything else. My favorite gift that I received was a coupon book made up by Jonathan and the kids. It was all the nice things that they want to do for me like doing laundry, giving me a massage and Haylee even said she would clean the toilet and sinks....It was nice. Jonathan joked and said that was the most expensive gift of all. Some of the coupons would take some serious effort, like the one that says "we will be loving and kind for a week." That is going to take some serious deliberateness on their part. But, I absolutely loved it....

Self Help Book Help

So, my reading lately has consisted of lots of self help books. Currently, I have started 4 different books. I read them and think that is such a great idea. Then I get pumped up to do better. I tell myself I AM POWERFUL, I CAN DO THIS. This is the self talk that is supposed to be able to change my thinking and therefore my actions because "as a man or in my case a woman thinketh so is she." So, for a day or two I really put in my effort to do the things that are taught to me in these books. Than, I feel the opposition that seems to bear down on me so hard.I start to get discouraged.. Is this stuff really working? I must be missing something. I have a great desire to do better and be better. I want to have a successful family and marriage. So, I was given some great advice, but practicing it is so hard for me. It was this " what you want and what you desire are not the same thing. What you want, you are doing. What you desire is just that, something you hope for." My desire is to be a better wife, mother, friend. What am I doing about it? I know what I desire, now I must change it to what I want..

Love, Hate relationship

Do you have one of those things in your life that you love and hate? Maybe hate is to strong of a word but something that you dislike at times? As of lately mine is refereeing basketball. The season is winding down and I have been refereeing about 4 games a week. Now when I am there, I love doing it. I love almost everything about it. I love that for an hour and a half a day I am just a referee. I can shut everything out of my mind and concentrate on officiating the game, especially when I feel I have done a good job. I love the exercise that comes with it. I love the teaching moments for the 7th and 8th grade kids. So, why do I have times of dislike? Because, I get anxiety before the game, worried about the coaches and the fans. I worry about making good calls and almost talk myself out of going. It usually starts the night before, depending on what game I am doing. Boys games are harder than girls because of the fans and coaches. The game itself is actually easier to referee. There has been one time this season that I just called in sick because my anxiety was so bad. But, when I get to the game and I start it, everything is great! It is a fear that I deal with every time I referee high school games. I hope that it will get easier as the years progress, that I become more confident in my abilities. I remember feeling this same way in high school before a track meet or a basketball game. I only have 2 weeks left in the season. I am both relieved and sad..... There are many more reasons why I love it and will return to doing it next year but I REALLY want to get over the anxiety thing..