NEW BLOG :)

I've become quite a little baker these days so I've decided to start a blog named "have your cake... and eat it too." It will be totally devoted to my cakes and cupcakes...a blog where there will be much fewer words and lots more pictures. For now I've just added pictures of cakes that I've already posted here but in the future I'm going to keep posting cakes as I make them. I thought this would be a good thing for people who want to see my cakes but don't want to shuffle through the boring details of my everyday life :) I also eventually thought I would post some prices on there just in case someone is in need of a sugary delight. This is so much fun for me, and I want to keep it that way, so I don't really want to start a business but an occasional cake here and there has really kept me busy these last few months plus it has helped increase my decorating skills!! I am planning at some point this summer to take a cake decorating class at Hobby Lobby, I'll keep y'all posted.

www.NatalieBsCakes.blogspot.com

The Refiners Touch

I received this story via email last week. It touch my heart and spoke volumes to me as I sometimes feel that my "fire" might get the best of me, what hope I have when I am reminded that He has His eye on me the whole time and He is refining me to reflect His image.
Read, enjoy, and let me know how it speaks to your heart....

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three they came across verse three which says, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that, in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.


The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot - then she thought again about the verse, that He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's the easy part -- when I see my image reflected in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep His hand on you and watch over you until He sees His image in you.

cock-a-doodle-doo

Momma and I went to Sips and Strokes tonight to paint what they called the "Funky Rooster" and let me tell our roosters sure are FUNKY :) haha We had so much fun and I feel so blessed to have a best friend and a momma all wrapped into one incredible, godly woman!!

Here we were all smiles before we got started...


A few minutes into the painting, I started getting nervous-HA!


And we started laughing at ourselves too!! :)


Two hours later...our finished products!
Mine is going to be hung INSIDE my pantry :)
We had so much fun, can't wait to go back!!

What a weekend!!

This past weekend was jam packed full of fun...with the time change and our busy schedule it took me several days to recover!!

Friday afternoon Chris was offered the job he applied for with the City of Auburn. Praise God!! The timing was just right and I know that he is going to do great in this position!! Then Friday night Katie Caroline had try-outs for the OMS cheerleader squad....and SHE MADE IT!! We are so excited for her and know that God gave her the ability to learn the routines, do the jumps, and have calm nerves as she tried out, to Him be all the glory and praise!!

We made KC a poster and mint chocolate chip cake to celebrate. We all danced around the kitchen for her and dad even tried to do a split! haha It was so funny!


Disclaimer: The mixer was unplugged as he was licking and the beater was washed with warm soapy water before anymore icing was made :)

Bennett was my little taste tester :)

Brooks just sat by and looked cute

Saturday the 13th was Charlsie's 13th birthday...she celebrated with a limo ride around town. I made her a mint chocolate chip cake decorated with purple butter cream frosting...I hear the cake was hit. I sure do hope so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLSIE!!! Then, Saturday night we took our annual trip to the Montgomery Rodeo. We ran into the Blackmon family while we were there and had fun catching up with them over hot doughnuts after the rodeo. Such a fun night with family and friends!

Charlsie's cake


KC and Turner at the Rodeo


Me and Chris


Isn't Brooks the cutest cowboy?? :)


...wait I forgot about these two cowboys!!
Bennett with his buddy, Cates.


Waiting outside Krispy Kreme for some Hot and Fresh doughnuts, YUM!


Sunday our sweet baby Brooks was baptized at Trinity UMC. He was surrounded by family and friends that promised to teach him to love and serve the Lord. It was such a special day. After church we ate yummy food at Cock of the Walk and then went back to Shelley and Jason's house for cake and ice cream. The cake was triple chocolate cake with a filling of chocolate fudge butter cream with Oreo pieces and the outside icing was almond butter cream....YUM-O!





Shelley, Brooks, and Jason


Bennett wasn't excited about the photo shoot :)



WOW...
"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope." Ephesians 3:20