Steampunk Goddess

The fashion show was Thursday and it was so much fun. I spent the day getting ready. It was quite the process and took all afternoon. Nicole did my hair and make-up; which looked AMAZING!! Not your everyday go out look but perfect for the outfit. Nissa worked so hard on the costume...we all put in our time but it was definitely Nissa's vision and it looked stunning. The idea I had going in to it was I wasn't going to tell anyone I was the model. I told my parents, sisters and a few close friends. I wanted to be unrecognizable, plus I was scared out of my mind to walk the runway. Rehearsal was Wednesday and we had adjustments to make after walking the dress on the run way. Thank goodness for rehearsal, which also helped take the edge off a little. Here are some pictures from the event. I surprised a lot of people and all of them said they didn't even know it was me. It was a success and I am looking forward to next years creation!

Molly and Nick were able to come to the show. My hubby met us for the after party.

Runway

The last few weeks have been insanely busy. I feel like every post I write states that I am so busy, well I am! My friend Nissa from Nissa Nakia Photography and Nicole from Karizma decided to design a costume for Raw Fusion in Mankato this year. Little insight on Raw Fusion it is put on by the Minnesota River Builders Association. All the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. The people who sign up to build costumes must build them out of building materials. My friends asked me to model. I was like sure what do I have to lose. Never model ever but they assured me it would be easy and no one would recognize me with the ideas they had. I said sign me up. WOW...who knew all that in involved. Not only have I had a million orders to bake, ship or deliver I have been spending hours with the girls helping get the costume together. It has been a lot of really REALLY late nights and lots of frustration. We have called in favors from friends...thanks Rachel Krediet for coming to our rescue the first night of design. Now we are coming to the end of design and preparing for the debut which is Thursday. THURSDAY! WHAT..that is only a few days away and now it really is going to occur. Yesterday we did the first trial run with my hair. I always enjoy getting my hair done even if it is wacky. When I came home Emma said wow you got your hair done but it looks funny. Charlie told me I looked creepy...haha..brutal honesty but oh so funny! No hurt feelings here because we aren't going for the bridal/prom updo. This is industrial to match our costume. Tonight is another trial with hair and make-up. Again I enjoy being able to sit and just relax while getting my hair and make-up done. When we were first building the costume I stood in heals for 7 hours the first night. OUCH...my feet were terribly sore for a few days. Now I can enjoy relaxing a little. This week is crazy busy with Raw Fusion rehearsal on Wednesday and the event Thursday evening. I also have orders to complete, a wedding on Saturday, mom's 60th birthday Saturday and a big birthday party order for Sunday...OH YEAH..and the kids are on Spring Break! Yeah me...I am bummed I don't really get to do anything super fun with them for Spring Break. We are staying home so I can get everything done in a timely fashion. I just want to enjoy the week so did a lot of prep work the last few days to take the stress of the week. Phew...learning as I go with my business so it is always a bonus when I can say I feel relaxed about the week even with all that is going on. I will post pictures this weekend from the show. The costume is amazing and Nissa has put a ton of time into it.

Get Lucky 7K

This past weekend my sister, Patsy, and I ran the Get Lucky 7K. I ran it last year and had so much fun. I convinced her to run with me this year. It was her first race and we had a blast. We have spent the last few months collecting items for our outfit. Last year I didn't know what to expect and didn't plan for a fun outfit. Now I know everyone goes all out so we jumped in with both feet and found some fun things! My goal was to stay with Patsy the whole time. I tried so hard but kept getting a head of her. I felt terrible. I stopped a few times and waited for them, Patsy and her other friends, to catch up. I really didn't think I got as far ahead of them as I did. I stopped at the water tables and waited for a while but then realized I wouldn't find them until the finish line. We all met up at the finish and enjoyed a little celebration of our own. It was so much fun and I am so proud of Patsy for finishing. Here are some pictures from the race. I can't wait for next year!

Race Weekend

This weekend is not only St. Patrick's Day but it is also the Get Lucky 7k in downtown Minneapolis! I ran it last year and had so much fun. We used it as a little get away and got a hotel room and stayed for the weekend. We decided to do it again this year and Patsy is going to run with me. I am so excited. This is Patsy's first race and I keep telling her it is a FUN race. It isn't meant for you to keep time just to have a great time running. We are decking out in great St. Patty's Day gear....green wigs, green shirts, boxers, tattoos...etc! It is going to be a hoot. Last year it was 30 degrees. I froze and so did my family while they sat waiting for me. This weekend it will be almost 80 degrees. How crazy is that?! Hard to believe it is March and we are having June temps. The kids are so excited to spend the weekend with their cousins swimming and having fun. Stay tuned for some fabulous pictures!

Being a mom......

Maybe people told me that parenting was hard. Maybe I should have figured that just growing up but honestly I wasn't that bad, well what I remember of life as a child. I just never knew that it was this hard. I feel it is a daily battle of learning new ways to do things. The limits are pushed and we work a new way. I don't like being the bad guy all the time. Some days I feel as if my kids went to bed and we just didn't have the greatest day. It breaks my heart so bad. I am trying so hard but I give an inch and they want a mile. This too shall pass and something new will arise I know this. I am just hoping with the nice weather comes nicer, respectful kids.

Oh where oh where have we been....

I apologize for not posting for awhile. We really haven't done anything exciting so I didn't want to bore everyone with the every day monotony of life.

Braeden's swimming ended last week. I enjoyed this week of not having something every night. It was relaxing to have a breather. Swimming starts up again in April and then baseball will be in May. It will be a vicious cycle of every night somewhere BUT it keeps everyone out of trouble. OH and they sleep so much better when they have activities to wear them out ;)

Today I had Charlie's preschool conference. He has come a long way from fall. He started his speech therapy two weeks ago. All his teachers are so amazing. Charlie came home on Wednesday with homework and he was so excited to show it to me. His speech therapist said he would have homework so we told him he was a big boy like Braeden. Braeden is idolized by many and the poor kid wishes he could be little again and enjoy not having all the responsibilities. It goes so fast! Charlie has learned to write his name, all his colors, shapes, numbers...all preschool things. He is still lacking a little confidence but as his language improves so has his confidence level. My Aunt Ann told me to have him do simple things like say the blessing at supper to improve his confidence. Thank you Auntie, he was timid at first but now that he knows the prayer and all the signs of the cross he is first to say it is his job to start it. We still have moments when we can't understand him at all and he gets frustrated but they are becoming fewer and farther between so that is promising. We are surround by amazing people that have helped lead Charlie in the right direction.

Braeden and Emma have their conferences next week so we will see how they have done in school. I have been super busy with orders, events and consultations. My weddings start in a couple weeks and then I go strong until November. I love to know that my business is growing every year. I am constantly learning new techniques and perfecting ones I already know. This will be a busy wedding season but I have great people to help me.

Lent

This year we all gave up candy for lent. The kids didn't know what they were getting into. We threw away all the candy we had in our house so we wouldn't have temptations. They have all asked for it and asked if we could give something else up instead. It has been a week and we are all wanting candy. Peanut M&Ms are my vice! I LOVE them and always have them in the house. Now how does one get a chocolate fix? All I need is a little. Well good thing I have a great chocolate frosting recipe! Yum...frosting on animal crackers. I only need a couple but it does the job..until Sunday ;) Braeden learned at CCD this week that Sundays are not included in Lent so we can have candy on Sunday. You should have seen how excited he was. The smile that was on his face was priceless. Now all the kids are planning what they are going to eat for candy on Sunday. Braeden did also explain the purpose of lent to the kids so we had a nice lesson at supper on Wednesday night.