WOO!!

I got paid today for the cake!  And here's the recipe link for one of the cakes I made.  I didn't do all the other stuff, obviously, that this recipe calls for, but the basic cake recipe is the one I used. Chocolate Caramel Coconut Cupcakes...or, what I call, the recipe I used for the Chocolate Cake.  I made 2-6 inch cakes, a dozen cupcakes and two mini-bundt cakes with this recipe.  It's extremely moist and delicious.  The cakes take about 25-30 minutes to cook, but the mini bundts and the cupcakes only take 15.  The tops do not look like they're done, but they don't stick to your finger when you touch them.  Love.  This.  Recipe.  If you make the actual cupcakes from the recipe, don't use all the half and half it calls for.  They're some of the best cupcakes I've ever made.  I use the buttercream recipe from Wilton.

Buttercream Icing Recipe
1 c. shortening
2-3 T water (depends on the stiffness of icing desired)
3/4 t clear vanilla
1/4 t clear butter flavor
dash of salt
1 lb (about 4 c.) powdered sugar

Mix shortening and liquids until fully blended.  Add powdered sugar gradually and mix thoroughly every time. Mix on medium high until light and fluffy.  If it's too stiff, add another teaspoon of water until consistency is desired.

I didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night.  We didn't go to bed early since Dusty had been working outside for a long time unloading the dirt.  I didn't make it outside before he came in last night. Then at 2:20 the weather radio alarm went off telling us there was a tornado watch.  Then at 4 something the thunder started, and it woke me up.  I looked at the kids, and noticed Seth was on his stomach all curled up, so I figured he was cold.  Also, he'd had a fever last night, and his medicine had probably worn off, so I was pretty sure he was cold.  I saw Hannah moving significantly after one big clap of thunder, so I went up to give her Mr. Bear, which is the gigantic bear whose legs cover her ears. :)  I put Mr. Bear on her bed, and she sweetly said, "Thank you, Mommy" and then a big clap happened, so I went to cover up Seth, and came back and laid down with her for a few minutes while the thunder ended.  She was very happy. :)  I tried to go back to sleep, and it took me about an hour.  Then one hour after that at 6:10, the weather radio went off again.  This time it was a tornado warning for Madison County.  It was south Madison, so it's almost an entire county away from us.  I slept until the actual sleeping alarm went off...three times.

We had a very busy morning today, and I really could've used some more sleep, but thankfully God blessed my schedule and my strength, and we made it through it all.  I took the cake, and it looked great when she got it!  Then she picked up the box and held it with ONE arm!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?  AAAAHHHH!!!  I don't care.  I'm paid.  It's photographed, and documented, so I'm good. :)  I just hope it tastes good.  I know the chocolate layer will, but the white layer is a little sketchy.  I'm not a big scratch white cake fan.  Oh well.  Not my cake.  I took Seth to the doctor today, too, because of his cough.  I was getting worried because he had a fever, and it didn't seem to be getting any better.  Actually, last night he coughed a lot more than any other night with the cough.  The doctor said that he thinks it's probably the end of croup that has been caused by a virus that just didn't give fever.  He said that he probably didn't need steroids, but gave me a prescription to use if he gets worse tonight or tomorrow.  I love our pediatrician.  He allows me to use my discretion on treating our children with medicine, sometimes, because he knows that I pay attention and have common sense. :)  I'm just glad that he doesn't have bronchitis or pneumonia or anything that bad.

So that was a lot of talk!  Now I'm going to rest. :)

OH, also, we've been reading The Little House books.  I've read the first two to the kids, and we're in the middle of Farmer Boy (which, by the way, is WAY less interesting and way more boring than the others).  I got the fourth book, On the Banks of Plum Creek, from the library on Wednesday, and Hannah picked it up yesterday and looked through it.  Today she picked it up and started to read it.  She has read around 50 pages of it this morning.  How funny would it be if Hannah read her first novel at age 4.  Hilarious, I tell you.  Hilarious.