Today was a big day for my family!  We celebrated the official homecoming of our 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Raiders and the end to a very long year in Iraq is finally here!  All the soldiers are home and the Brigade Colors were uncased during an amazing ceremony on Joint Base Lewis McChord.

During the ceremony,  I had the honor of being awarded the “Department of the Army, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service”.

The award reads:

“For superior service and invaluable contributions to the soldiers and families of the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment and the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Raiders) from June 2007 to October 2009.  She inspires others around her with her energy, enthusiasm and optimism.  Her positive attitude and selfless service serve as a role model to those around her.  Her actions reflect a great credit upon her, the families of the Raider Brigade and the United States Army.

Signed by Col. John G Norris – Commanding”

My husband was also awarded the “Army Commendation Medal” for his service to his country while fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I am so honored to be given this awarded and feel privileged to be a part of the Raider Brigade, the Tomahawk Battalion and the Crazyhorse Company!

What a great day for my family, our unit, and our country!

And… just because I love this picture…. here’s my best friend Heather and her soldier!

The Eves and The Shorts!

I’ve been following Carrie of Fields of Cake and Other Good Stuff for at least a year now and I’m loving everything she bakes! [Read more...]

This weekend was my father’s 69th birthday party (Happy Birthday Daddy!) and my big sister was in charge of baking the cake.  Dad requested a white cake with white frosting… yummmm! [Read more...]

 Hello!!! My name is Betsy and I’m a lover of cupcakes! I’m also a 30-something Army Wife and Mommy, recent college graduate, and an avid Dave Matthews Band Fan.  I live in Tacoma, WA with my husband, daughter and two kitties! I’m a stay at home mom, baker, best friend and music lover!

Currently, my family is in the middle of surviving our second deployment. My husband is in Baghdad, Iraq serving his country, protecting our freedoms and my right to bake cupcakes!

My daughter, Emily, she’s 10 years old and is full of life! She’s definitely a “pre-teen” and has an opinion about everything! She’s my angel though and I love her more than life. She’s my reason for everything!

This is my cupcake blog!! I share photos, recipes, my successes and my failures all revolving around cupcakes cupcakes! When I’m not sharing my own cupcakes and recipes… I’m sharing photos, tips and stores about cupcakes from all over the world!

You can also read more about me on my personal blog, Tales of a Firedancer, where I share my life as an Army Wife, Mother, Friend and Daughter.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at betsy@javacupcake.com.  Thank you!

My little Cupcake turns 10 years old today!!  She’s the sweetest little thing that’s ever happened to me and I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since she was born!!

Happy Birthday Emily!!

Hey everyone!

Thanks for all of the wonderful love I got last month from the Secret is in the Sauce ladies! I wanted to post a quick update on what’s been going on in my world and why there has been a lack of frequent posts.

Earlier this Spring, my husbands unit got his deployment orders to Iraq, 10 months sooner than originally planned. At the time, I was very close to finishing up my degree from UW and my daughter was finishing 3rd grade. Since thing, I’ve graduated and my daughter started summer vacation… and of course, I’ve been spending as much time as I possibly can with my soldier. We took a vacation to Las Vegas (where of course I visited Kari at Retro Bakery), have gone to a bunch of movies, dinners out, day trips to Seattle, and most recently a weekend at the Gorge for the Dave Matthews Band concert. Next week, my husband will board a plane to begin his journey to Iraq, his 2nd tour there in 3 years. I’m dreading the day he leaves and until then, I plan to spend as much time as I possibly can by his side.

So, this is why I haven’t been posting very much and why I don’t know if I will be posting much again soon. I anticipate that after he leaves and the initial shock has lessened, I will feel like baking again. So… until then, thank you for your continued loyalty and support.

Happy Cupcakes.

Betsy

Hello All!!!

I know I’ve been MIA lately with the posts. Life has been a whirlwind lately and it’s not over yet. This week, I’ll be posting about my trip to Retro Bakery in Las Vegas and the opportunity to meet the owner Kari! What an honor that was!! So… stay tuned for photos and my thoughts on this lovely little bakery!

I’m hoping to get back to baking here in late September… so THANK you for you loyalty and support during this time!!

Love you all lots!

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! In honor of the spouses that work so hard on the home-front, here is a list of 101 Ways to Thank a Military Spouse!

1. A simple “Thank You for Serving, too”
2. CHOCOLATE
3. Take the time to *listen* She may not have had an adult conversation for quite some time!
4. Don’t assume HE is not a military spouse. Thank the military-husbands too.
5. Pick up something at the store that reminds you of her; a potted-plant, a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, nail-polish & nail files, etc etc
6. Give her a call! Say ‘Thank You’ and find out how her day is going.
7. A day at the spa!
8. FREE child-care. Watch her children for her. Let her do something on her own.
9. Invite her out for a local-sight-seeing tour. She might not know the area & enjoy learning.
10. Equip her.
11. Take a spouse out for coffee or tea.
12. Pray for him. Pray for her.
13. Make a fancy-drink. Pour two glasses. One for you, one for her. Make toasts and enjoy together.
14. *Give* him a book from your book-shelf that you enjoyed.
15. Offer to wash her car (Don’t forget to vacuum)
16. Business-owners: Host a special event just for spouses, don’t do it for monetary gain.
17. Do you garden? Bring her some of your produce; flowers, fruits, vegetables.
18. Give her personal space to miss her loved one. Then open-up your arms to take her in.
19. Gather your mutual-friends. Have a multi-family picnic.
20. If she calls asking for something, a cup of milk, some eggs, potatoes etc etc Lend with a cheerful heart and don’t expect your ‘gift’ back!
21. Buy her a military-spouse shirt. Have it shipped to her: http://shop.cafepress.com/military-spouse
22. Find a military-spouse book she might enjoy: http://tinyurl.com/csm6wb
23. Plan a play-date at your house. Get the kids together and enjoy the day.
24. Sit with him at church. Not many enjoy sitting in the pew alone.
25. Take a picture. Send it in an email to her.
26. Offer to help with yard-work!
27. Give her privacy if you sense she does not want to open up.
28. Send her a quick note (on hand-made stationary if you are feeling crafty).
29. Say Thank You with food. Its the way to our heart!
30. Send her an email, let her know you miss her if you haven’t seen each other in awhile.
31. If you haven’t seen her for some time because of distance look at the calendar. When can you visit? Don’t always expect her to do the travelling home.
32. Get excited over something he is excited about!
33. Take her children to the park. Ask if she WANTS to come to. Some spouses like time alone; others want adult-company. It might just depend on her mood.
34. Give him a genuine smile; remember, a smile is worth a thousand words!
35. Compliment her children
36. Send an anonymous note of encouragement
37. Do you have a favorite magazine? Send her a subscription
38. Call her up. Ask if she wants to go out and get some ice-cream!
39. Run across a funny comic-strip or joke that reminded you of him? Clip it and send in a letter.
40. Do you see a new face in the crowd? She might be a new-spouse. Go over and introduce yourself.
41. If a seasoned-spouse does something that makes you feel welcomed, say Thank You. It’ll make her feel good, too.
42. Business Owners: Offer a Military-Discount (List it on MilitaryAvenue.com)
43. Don’t assume she knows that you appreciate her sacrifice as a military-spouse. Say it.
44. Organizations: Host a special military-spouse tea. It doesn’t have to be ‘fussy’, just fun!
45. If you are standing in line at the commissary and she is behind you with a cart full of food, fussy babies & screaming toddlers let her go in front of you. *Everyone* may say Thank You.
46. Say good-things about her spouse, the service-member. It can feel like a reflection of her.
47. Are you the service-member? Wash your spouse’s feet. What a humbling, gratifying act for the woman (or man!) you love so much.
48. Give her a list of things she has done for you. Take 5 minutes and make a list of 10 to 50 things you love about her.
49. Appreciate that “How are you holding up” isn’t always the best question to ask the spouse of a deployed service member!
50. Make her a CD full of all the songs that remind you of her. Keep it cheery!
51. Don’t forget the Military Husband! Include him while planning spouse-functions
52. Pick up a bottle of bubble bath. Deliver it with a small note of appreciation.
53. Respect her decisions. If she says she can’t do it let her ‘no be no’.
54. Give to Operation Showers of Appreciation for ‘expecting’ moms with deployed spouses: http://www.operationshowersofappreciation.org/
55. Offer a simple-hug. Amazing what ‘touch’ can do to heal the soul. But respect personal space if that is an issue.
56. Go to an art-class together. Many bases have an Art-Shop, or find a local business where you can make jewelry or paint-ceramics together.
57. Take him out to a ball game; either a local pro- or semi-pro. Buy him a beer and a hot dog. And enjoy the evening!
58. Are her kids sick? Is SHE sick? Offer to help. Bring over chicken-noodle soup. Run to the store for some 7-Up. Find out what she needs.
59. Service-members: Help her with the laundry! Help put it away without being asked.
60. Did she make a dish for a social-gathering? Compliment her. Ask for the recipe! Tell someone that is near you how good it is.
61. Contact your local Television or Radio Station. Do *they* know it is Military Spouse Appreciation Day?
62. Don’t forget to say ‘Please’ if you need her. She is probably juggling quite a bit at once. She will appreciate being asked, as opposed to told.
63. Chamber of Commerce: Host a special city-wide event for your military families. (Place your event on MilitaryAvenue.com at your closest installations to get the word out.)
64. Take the time to find out how his weekend was. Where the family went, what they did, how his son’s baseball game was.
65. Show her politeness, thoughtfulness and helpfulness. Open the door for her, pick up something she dropped.
66. Service-member: Buy “a little something” for the bedroom that you know s/he’ll enjoy.
67. Help her start a hobby. As an example, if you scrapbook offer to help her get started if she is interested.
68. Businesses: Hold a contest that will benefit the military spouse like, “Laptops for Flattops” (http://tinyurl.com/dkv6ob)
69. Service-member: Whisper sweet-nothings in your spouse’s ear. Tell him how much you appreciate him.
70. Help her children make an “I Love You, Mom” card. Get artsy with glitter and glue and construction paper.
71. Make some cookies with your kids & have them deliver them. Teach your own children gratitude for our military-families. She will appreciate it.
72. Do you make cards? Send blank ones to @cardsforheroes. They send them to deployed soldiers to can send a note home on – a treasure for a military spouse!
73. A very simple, heartfelt thank you means the world. Oh, and donuts too.
74. Businesses: Contact your installations Family Service Center and find out what you can do for the families on base. (http://militarymarketing.militaryavenue.com/2009/05/how-to-get-involved-in-your-military.html)
75. Invite him over for a game on TV. Sit back and enjoy a beer together.
76. When cooking dinner, make enough for two families. Bring half to a military-family or invite their family over.
77. Benefit Of The Doubt. A little BOTD can go a long way to show your appreciation for the military-spouse.
78. Make an acrostic with his/her name filled with adjectives about their strengths.
79. Flexibility is the name of game. Be flexible in making plans. Things happen out of her control.
80. When thanking a soldier for their service, thank their spouse, too!
81. Play a game of catch with her children. They may be missing the presence of a man in their life.
82. Businesses: Have a special gift for all the military spouses that come through your door; a key chain, a nail file, keep it simple.
83. Hit a mid-day movie together. Buy a large popcorn to share!
84. Invite her to a bible-study at your church. What a great way to meet new people!
85. Grab the strollers and take a walk together!
86. Servicemen – Buy her favorite lotion and give her a back rub.
87. Businesses – Having a special contest? Ask a military spouse to be a judge. She’ll be honored.
88. Call, Send an email, leave a comment to her/him. Sometimes the smallest gesture means much more than you think.
89. Service-member: Sign up for dance classes with your spouse.
90. Take time to get to know HER/HIM. He/she is more than a military spouse.
91. Do you have a friend you know she would enjoy knowing? Introduce them!
92. Do they have a green-thumb? Give a potted plant. “Bloom where you are planted” and a note that says thanks
93. Invite him over for a bbq on a Friday night!
94. Businesses: Do you see the flash of her ID when she makes a transaction? Be sure to say Thank you for her service!
95. Military Spouse in the family? Laminate a special card with the families’ phone numbers, addresses, birthdays. Help her keep organized.
96. Service-Member: Take Leave on your anniversary. Do something special together.
97. Do you have a pool (or just a slip-n-slide!) invite the military-family over. Have a big pitcher of lemonade ready!
98. Plan a girls’ day… manicures, pedicures and lunch!
99. Create a Themed box or basket for her. Drop it off at her door anonymously with a note of appreciation.
100. Businesses: Encourage your colleagues to offer a meaningful military-discount. Make yourself a town that appreciates the military!
101. Make her stop, breathe, and ASK “How can I help?” and then do it.

Welcome to my little corner of the cupcake world!! Here you will find fun cupcake videos, pictures, and recipes! I’ll also be posting my adventures, success & upsets while trying new cupcake recipes!

Java Cupcake was established Feb, 15, 2009 and has been growing strong every since. The goal is to cultivate Java Cupcake into a business where I can sell my cupcake creations to people local to Washington state for parties and events!

Since the rumors are flying… I thought I’d let everyone know what’s been going on with us the last 24 hours.

Yesterday, I went to Madigan for a routine monthly baby exam. Dave had tried to get off at work, but the powers at be didn’t let him come to the appointment (although I was told bye the CO that he could be there). So I had my Mom and Dad there with me. After answering all the standard questions, the doctor rolled in the ultrasound machine to look for sack the baby is in and to hear the heartbeat. The doctor squeezes the gell on my belly and proceeds to look for the baby. 5 minutes pass by, 10 minutes… the doctor tells us this is a new machine and it’s his first time using it. So, he calls another doctor in for a second opinion. The second doctor comes in, now it’s been 20 minutes, and he looks. They tried both the belly and vaginal ultrasound. Neither doctor could find a baby.

This meant 1 of 3 things. 1)It was too early to see the baby (which I knew wasn’t the case, I was at least 13 weeks) 2)It was a miscarriage or 3)It was an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. The doctors said they were going to send me to the lab to get more blood drawn to see what the horomone levels in my body were to determine pregnancy. At this point, I thought it was pretty important that Dave come to Madigan and go through all of this with me. So, I call the CO and he gets Dave to me with in the hour. I get my blood drawn and head home to wait for the phone call from the doctor to tell me what the outcome is.

A couple hours later, the doctor calls me back and informs us that it was a miscarriage and that the cramping I experienced several weeks back was probably when it happened. So tomorrow I go in to OB at Madigan to have one final ultrasound to 100% confirm and figure out if a D&C needs to happen. The docs don’t think so… but want to be sure.

So, we’re okay. This sucks… but in the light of the upcoming deployment, we feel a bit relieved. I still want to have a baby and will try again. Just now wasn’t the right time.

I think for at least the time being, we just need our space and time to grieve. Thank you to everyone who called, emailed, texted your condolances. Your support is really appreciated.