The Meals Family

I'm a Martha!

2011-04-27T12:32:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm a Martha...I would love to be a Mary AND a Martha, just balanced! When people come over I'm hastily cleaning trying to make my house look somewhat presentable because it's obviously not done before they pop over unexpectedly. I need to clean with joy in my heart, knowing that what I am doing is providing a safe and comfortable home for my family. But I'm disorganized, a perfectionist, and a procrastinator. That's a deadly combination for a homemaker! Hopefully I will be able to get some great tips with this new book, 31 Days To Clean. I need encouragement, and a plan to stick to! Really, I need a schedule (or a maid and a nanny? Just kidding!). Maybe soon I will be on my way to "having a Martha House the Mary Way!"

Raising Homemakers Giveaway!

2011-04-12T22:04:00.000-05:00

There is a great giveaway going on right now at Raising Homemakers, and I'm really excited about it! I am definitely a Martha except you couldn't tell by looking at my house! I wish I was more like Mary but with the pride Martha took in her home. I hope this book will give me some insight on how to balance that.

Cake Classes

2010-03-05T11:48:00.014-06:00

Ok, so I've been taking cake decorating classes at Hobby Lobby. I took Wilton Course 1 and 2, and I've made a few cakes. Keep in mind, I'm just learning! They're not perfect, but that's ok! I guess that means I'll just have to keep practicing...what do you think Colby will think of that? Oh darn!!! I plan on taking the the last two courses, but the teacher is leaving Hobby Lobby and going to open her own shop in a couple months. We'll see about taking them from her when she gets squared away. Anyway, here are my projects so far:

This was my first cake...it was supposed to be a birthday cake, but since it was nobody's birthday, I just put Caleb's name on it! That black icing started out deep purple, but the icing darkens within about 30 minutes after coloring, so I got it way too dark and didn't realize it. Oh well, lesson learned!

Then it really was someone's birthday...Donnie's! So I made this one for him.

Just for fun, I made these cupcakes. I got the grapes idea from a Wilton book. They were chocolate mint with buttercream icing...soooooooo yummy!

This cake was the final project for Course 1. I had to miss class because I was in Abilene and it was the weekend before my dad's birthday, so I made it for him and he helped me. We had so much fun! I had leftover batter so we played around and made some cupcakes and little cakes from molds we had at the house. I tested out my new tip that makes cool grass. I think the grass technique would look awesome on any kind of Easter, spring, or sports themed cake (or cupcakes).

For Valentine's I made some cupcakes. I had trouble with the roses previously and it turned out my icing wasn't quite right. The petals cracked instead of being smooth. This time they were beautiful! I decided to put them on the cupcakes, but I wanted to play around with other tips, too, so I made the swirly ones, and on the rest I made them look like those message hearts you get on V-Day. Still practicing writing...it's hard to get it straight!

This was my final project for Course 2. We made flowers and the bird out of royal icing and color flow icing. They are pure powdered sugar, and although they are edible, I don't like to eat them. I prefer buttercream. So this cake is iced with buttercream; the basketweave is a new technique for me that turned out okay, but the rope border still needs work...it's not very tight and even. More practice = more buttercream = me very happy! I probably eat more than goes on the cake! Ok, just kidding! But seriously, who could help from eating the mistakes...can't let that icing go to waste, can we? I gave this cake to Kaelan for her birthday!

Family Photos

2010-01-14T12:51:00.007-06:00

Caleb Dancing

2010-01-14T11:35:00.010-06:00

This is hilarious! Caleb loves his new mp3 player he got for Christmas, and when the music plays he loves to dance!!!

Christmas 2009 at Grammy and Pap Paw's

2009-12-28T11:47:00.007-06:00

Caleb got lots of great presents...and lots of camo!

Jake is "Grandma's little cowpoke!"

Daddy some great gifts, too!

Caleb's shirt

Mommy helped Caleb with his presents

What's that white stuff outside???

Caleb and Daddy match!

Mommy makes a snowman

Caleb's first snow and first snowman!!!

Time for the snowball fight!

Christmas 2009 at Nana and Granddonnie's

2009-12-28T11:11:00.005-06:00

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-28T10:49:00.002-06:00

Jacob Coming Home

2009-12-27T22:01:00.006-06:00

Jacob wore a Lil Sheriff onesie...we had to keep with the tradition we had with Caleb of wearing a western shirt! Caleb's was a blue onesie with a sheriff's badge that said "I'm in charge around here." It was so cute!

Mommy and Jake getting wheeled out in style!

Jacob in the carseat...he's sleepy!

Daddy getting Jacob out of the car.

Daddy and Jake in our home!

Mommy putting Jacob in his crib.

Mommy and Jacob!

Pap Paw holding his little cowboy!

How cute!

Grammy and Jake share a gaze...

Jacob Martin Meals

2009-12-27T21:31:00.002-06:00

Jacob Martin Meals was born on November 17, 2009 at 10:34 AM. He weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces and was 22 inches long. He is a healthy, beautiful baby!!!

Pictures of Caleb and Jacob

2009-12-27T19:26:00.003-06:00

These are beautiful pictures of the boys taken by a good friend of ours, Jill Ellison. She is a professional photographer and does an amazing job! She shot lots of pictures, including ones of the whole family, but they aren't all finished yet. These are the ones she's gotten to us so far, and I will have to share the rest when we get them!

2009-10-02T16:19:00.007-05:00

Caleb is getting so big!!! He's now 17 months, his burns and skin graft are healing very well, and he is doing something new on just about a daily basis. I'm trying to teach him how to "kiss the baby," which is kissing my belly...he's confused still because all he does is push my belly button! He's definitely noticing that my belly is getting bigger, though, because he's starting to pull up my shirt and pat my belly, then he pulls it back down! It's so sweet!!! I can't wait for Jacob to get here...just about 8 more weeks! I know Caleb is going to be such a great big brother! He helped me moved the crib out of his room and into Jacob's a few weeks ago. Caleb now has a "big boy" bed and a "big boy" room. Of course, the room only has a bed and a dresser, but with Grammy's help in a couple weeks, I'm hoping to figure something out for toys and books. Maybe shelves and buckets...I don't know yet. Jacob's room is ready as far a furniture goes, but Grammy's going to help me get all the drawers and closets organized so I can have a bit of sanity when he gets here! Jacob has been so active lately, moving constantly. He never seems to stop! I think he's just itching to get out of there! Other than normal tiredness, sciatica, back pain, and other pregnancy stuff, I'm feeling fine. I'm just ready for Jacob to be here so I can hold him, and so Caleb can meet him!

Caleb eating birthday cake for Granddaddy Gene's birthday at Dairy Queen.

Caleb playing the piano at Granddaddy's house.

Caleb at La Hacienda......getting fed all sorts of yummy things from his Aunts!!!

Uncle Cory blowing bubbles!

Love the shirt: "I'm a little CRABBY!" This was at the Meals Family Reunion.

Caleb sitting with Grammy at the Meals Family Reunion!

Caleb at the Doctor

2008-11-04T22:51:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! We started a blog so that you can see Caleb whenever you want! It will be under construction for a little while until I figure out how this thing works, but here are some recent pictures for your viewing pleasure! This is Caleb at the doctor's office for his 6 month check-up and immunizations. He's 19 lbs 13 oz and 28 1/2 inches long. He's been eating baby food including meats, veggies, fruits, juice, biter biscuits, and zwieback toast. He's such a big boy!!!