Our children are naturally sinful.
They don't need to be taught to bite.
They naturally claim, "MINE!" as soon as they're able.
"NO" is a favorite word soon after their second birthday.
They are selfish, self-serving, and manipulative.
It is my job as a parent to teach them right from wrong.
To teach honesty vs lies,
Integrity vs sneakiness,
Service vs selfishness.
We as humans are constantly fighting against our selfish human nature. We (I) are naive to think that our children are naturally good and free from temptation. They need our guidance, our love, and most importantly...our discipline.
Hi, my name is Shannon and my children are heathens. I vow to do my best to recognize where they truly are and to discipline them in order to prepare them for a happy, healthy and productive adulthood.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
If You Had Time...
I've been day dreaming today.
What would you do if you had time?
This is a selfish day dream.
I have desires to serve more, give more, be more selfless. In my quest to be more like Christ I am in constant thought about how I can represent Him better day to day. But for the focus of this blog I want to talk about the interests and talents He grants. Heaven isn't going to be one long choir practice. I believe we have eternity to explore and learn new and exciting things. I believe we will have an eternity to study all the wonders of God's creation. So for this blog, what would you do if you had time. Time to just explore your own personal interests or talents.
In my day to day life most of what I do is for others. That's not a complaint, it's a simple fact. I love serving and loving my family through acts of service.
However, if I was granted a day. A day to do something to grow myself, go somewhere I could learn something new, learn a new trade, hone a skill, what would it be? Not a day at the spa, something to expand your horizons, exercise your brain.
For now I think I would really enjoy some sort of baking school. I love to cook. I love to bake. I think it would be so much fun to go to a cake decorating class, a class on BBQ and smoking foods, a class on how to make sushi, a pastry class! Ooohh, how about cooking light yet delicious! I like to read and do research online but a class environment speaks to my social side.
I really look forward to the kids getting older and doing stuff like this together. Jared and I talked about taking Tanner to a baking class since he seems to show the most interest. He's artistic and creative and would likely enjoy it and I would love to have the one on one time.
Anyway, day dream with me. What would you do if you had the time?
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wedding Crashers
Jared and I officially crashed my sweet friend's wedding.
We left as soon as church was out. After heading home to grab the cake and last minute decorating supplies we hit the road. Unfortunately our GPS on our phones took us the most direct (read: paved goat path) vs the most efficient route. It took forever and a lot of the drive we couldn't go over 30 mph due to the winding tiny roads.
We arrived at the restaurant at 3:40 ish and put the cake together. When we left the house the sides of the cake were smooth and beautiful:
After 4 1/2 hours in the car, it settled. The icing in between the layers began to bulge. I talked to Dana (the cake whisperer) and she said since I chose butter cream icing I chose taste over function. Traditional wedding cake icing is all shortening, no butter (typically you add butter flavoring). It doesn't taste as good but it holds it's shape much better. Good to know! I think in this case I still would've used the butter cream since the bride requested it. A lot of people decorate with fondant these days but few people prefer the flavor. It's a challenge to get that smooth look and still have the delicious flavor of butter cream. If you look at the finished product you can clearly see the bulging icing on both the top and bottom layers. Overall, I am really happy with the way it turned out. I've already been asked to make another for a New Year's Eve wedding!
We finished putting the cake together at 4 and headed to the Thorn Crown Chapel for the service that was scheduled to start at 4:30.
The problem was, we didn't know where it was and our GPS had it located in the parking lot of the "Joy Motel." We wandered around a bit and kept calling Wendy but she didn't have her phone. Finally at about 4:20, she called and in a very stressed voice said, "Honey, where are you?" I told her we were desperate to find the chapel so she handed the phone off to Danny. He gave Jared some directions and at 4:31 Jared and ran down the path you see at the back of the chapel, opened the door to the wedding party and guests (including Wendy) staring at us. She hugged me and said, "Sit down, we're waiting for you."
NEAT!
After the brief ceremony we all had a laugh and hugs while the cameras flashed fiercely, capturing every moment. We are now known as the "wedding crashers."
The ceremony was beautiful and even though it was a whirlwind trip, I am so thankful to have been able to be there. There's a lot to Wendy's story and this ceremony was a beautiful reflection of God's redemption. I don't have pictures of the ceremony yet so here's a picture of the Bride and Groom at a Military Ball just a week before:
We all headed to the Rogue Manor for dinner and cake. Wendy said the cake, "rocked my face off." I think that means she liked it :) We arrived home at midnight last night exhausted and so happy to be home.
All in all, a blessed trip and we are so happy for you both!
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Danny Pinkerton!
We left as soon as church was out. After heading home to grab the cake and last minute decorating supplies we hit the road. Unfortunately our GPS on our phones took us the most direct (read: paved goat path) vs the most efficient route. It took forever and a lot of the drive we couldn't go over 30 mph due to the winding tiny roads.
We arrived at the restaurant at 3:40 ish and put the cake together. When we left the house the sides of the cake were smooth and beautiful:
After 4 1/2 hours in the car, it settled. The icing in between the layers began to bulge. I talked to Dana (the cake whisperer) and she said since I chose butter cream icing I chose taste over function. Traditional wedding cake icing is all shortening, no butter (typically you add butter flavoring). It doesn't taste as good but it holds it's shape much better. Good to know! I think in this case I still would've used the butter cream since the bride requested it. A lot of people decorate with fondant these days but few people prefer the flavor. It's a challenge to get that smooth look and still have the delicious flavor of butter cream. If you look at the finished product you can clearly see the bulging icing on both the top and bottom layers. Overall, I am really happy with the way it turned out. I've already been asked to make another for a New Year's Eve wedding!
NEAT!
After the brief ceremony we all had a laugh and hugs while the cameras flashed fiercely, capturing every moment. We are now known as the "wedding crashers."
The ceremony was beautiful and even though it was a whirlwind trip, I am so thankful to have been able to be there. There's a lot to Wendy's story and this ceremony was a beautiful reflection of God's redemption. I don't have pictures of the ceremony yet so here's a picture of the Bride and Groom at a Military Ball just a week before:
All in all, a blessed trip and we are so happy for you both!
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Danny Pinkerton!
Here We Go A Wassailing
This year marks the 4th year I've been at the Piper Craft fair as a caroler. This is the first year we've gone as a trio and also the first time we have footage. Jared brought all five kids in and took a quick clip of us singing Silent Night. Jared is holding Anneliese who had been crying. That is why I keep looking at the camera with the goofy, "it's okay" look :) I sing soprano, Dustin tenor, and Jess alto. I really think our best song is What Child is This? but we didn't get that one on video. This one is a bit pitchy dog :) but you get the general idea.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
I'm Still Here Kickin!
I just realized I hadn't posted since the end of November. That's terrible! I really try to post every other day and I've been just too busy to mess with sitting down. It's highly overrated.
First of all I pray your Thanksgiving was thankful. I heard a joke on the radio Turkey Day that went like this,"Today I get to spend the entire day with people I hate, thanks a lot Pilgrims and Indians." I couldn't help but giggle. I hope that is the opposite of what you experienced! We had our first smoked Thanksgiving turkey and it was AWESOME! The best part about a smoked turkey is that left overs can be slathered in BBQ sauce and it makes it even better and tastes nothing like Thanksgiving :) I set it to brine for two days and then smoked it for 6 hours. It was the juiciest, tastiest turkey I've EVER eaten. There were several comments from the fam and they agreed.
Tomorrow we have our family gathering with the Altics. It may seem late, since it's December, but better late than never! I made a ton of bread yesterday for the event. In the morning Dustin, Jessica and I will descend upon the Piper Craft fair singing our carols and then Dustin and I will head to Platte City to join the family around 1.
Today I started my first wedding cake. I have half of the layers baked and am about to start the other half. Yesterday I made dozens of adorable little white and dark chocolate swirled seashells. The bride wants a beach theme, hence the shells. I'll post pics as it starts to go together. Jared and I will be delivering the cake to Arkansas Sunday afternoon and then heading back Sunday late. We tossed around the idea of staying the night but I have work Monday. It's okay though. Mom is staying with the kids so we'll have 8 hours of uninterrupted conversation. Not to mention, being forced to sit for a while would do me good. It will be a blessing!
We're just about done with our Christmas shopping for the kids. It's getting harder and harder to do their Christmas for the budget we set. We typically have 3 gifts per child. No reason for the number really, it's just how it's worked out. This year they each have one big gift that zapped the bulk of their budget. It's such a blessing to see how grateful they are each year. They are a blessing and we are so very fortunate!
I pray you are all doing well. I will try to check in again with pics of the cake. The kids and I ate the rounded tops I shaved off the layers and it's delicious. I was a little nervous since this is my first marbled cake, but it's SO good! Relief!
First of all I pray your Thanksgiving was thankful. I heard a joke on the radio Turkey Day that went like this,"Today I get to spend the entire day with people I hate, thanks a lot Pilgrims and Indians." I couldn't help but giggle. I hope that is the opposite of what you experienced! We had our first smoked Thanksgiving turkey and it was AWESOME! The best part about a smoked turkey is that left overs can be slathered in BBQ sauce and it makes it even better and tastes nothing like Thanksgiving :) I set it to brine for two days and then smoked it for 6 hours. It was the juiciest, tastiest turkey I've EVER eaten. There were several comments from the fam and they agreed.
Tomorrow we have our family gathering with the Altics. It may seem late, since it's December, but better late than never! I made a ton of bread yesterday for the event. In the morning Dustin, Jessica and I will descend upon the Piper Craft fair singing our carols and then Dustin and I will head to Platte City to join the family around 1.
Today I started my first wedding cake. I have half of the layers baked and am about to start the other half. Yesterday I made dozens of adorable little white and dark chocolate swirled seashells. The bride wants a beach theme, hence the shells. I'll post pics as it starts to go together. Jared and I will be delivering the cake to Arkansas Sunday afternoon and then heading back Sunday late. We tossed around the idea of staying the night but I have work Monday. It's okay though. Mom is staying with the kids so we'll have 8 hours of uninterrupted conversation. Not to mention, being forced to sit for a while would do me good. It will be a blessing!
We're just about done with our Christmas shopping for the kids. It's getting harder and harder to do their Christmas for the budget we set. We typically have 3 gifts per child. No reason for the number really, it's just how it's worked out. This year they each have one big gift that zapped the bulk of their budget. It's such a blessing to see how grateful they are each year. They are a blessing and we are so very fortunate!
I pray you are all doing well. I will try to check in again with pics of the cake. The kids and I ate the rounded tops I shaved off the layers and it's delicious. I was a little nervous since this is my first marbled cake, but it's SO good! Relief!
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