&t The Taylor Family: July 2010

Saturday, July 31

Just keep Swimming

This morning I went to breakfast with Brenda, Lisa, and Tina to discuss the food for Peter and I's Anniversary Party we are throwing in a couple of weeks. We got a lot planned out and accomplished and then Tina and I went to a couple stores looking for decorations and such. We stopped by my house and picked up the kids and then drove down to Ikea and looked around a little there too. We didn't find too much but not to worry we still have a little time. Once we were shopped out we took all the kids over to Tina's mom's house down the road and went swimming for close to three hours. The pool at the house is really shallow for the most part so the girls had a pretty free rein of it. About a third of the pool is only a couple inches deep which was perfect for Javan to wade in. He really enjoyed the steps too because he could do a little climbing with his head above the water. He also liked to just jump at me trusting I would grab him and hold him close before he went under. The girls played with Tina just about the whole time. They got braver and braver as the afternoon went on and pretty soon they were jumping in the pool from the side and holding their breath under water for longer and longer. When we decided to get out I was exhausted, I could tell the kids were too but they denied it. On the way home they all fell asleep and I must say, I was a little jealous. Thanks for the great day Tina, I am so happy you are back home!!

posted by We are the Taylors @ 8:53 PM   0 comments

Friday, July 30

Radley's Last Day

I love my job but I don't necessarily care for all the people I work with. Most of them are immature and dramatic and that just isn't my style. I am friendly with everyone but I make sure to keep my personal life personal and never disclose more than I have to because I know that rumors spread around the office faster than a wildfire does during the driest season. There was, however, one person that I knew I could confide in and that I looked forward to seeing everyday; Radley. She is awesome and over the last couple of years we have become really good friends. We had a lot in common and actually found out that we had a childhood best friend in common during different parts of our lives (talk about small world). Anyhow, Radley is moving on. She got a bigger and better job that she totally deserves and although I am extremely happy for her, I am very sad for me. I will miss Radley desperately every single day of work. I can't even think about it because it makes me want to cry. This morning before Radley came in to work I got the Supervisor that had her office spare key to let me in and we decorated the whole place. I had been blowing up balloons in my office all week so I had a huge garbage bag full. Plus some crime scene tap, a banner that Abbi helped me make, a card that I made sure everyone important signed, and little policemen and police badges to decorate it up. When it was all set we locked the office back up like we were never in there. When Radley came in she was super surprised and excited about her office. For lunch a bunch of us went to the Olive Garden and then I gave Radley a Jell-o pie I made for her (she is on a special diet but can eat Jell-o). I am so sad to say good bye to Radley, not only is she moving on but she is moving on to Virginia. So sufficeth to say, I will be very lonely at work now but at least we still have email and text messaging.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 8:31 PM   0 comments

Wednesday, July 28

My Boys

posted by We are the Taylors @ 6:07 PM   0 comments

Sunday, July 25

Answered Prayers

I know that God uses me but sometimes He blesses me with allowing me to see the way He uses me. This week has been like no other. On Sunday I gave my testimony and after the first service I had people coming up to me and thanking me. People told me that I helped them realize what they were doing and some people asked for my advice. Monday I posted my testimony on the blog and have had lots of people talk to me about it. On Wednesday I received an email that changed my entire world. Apparently the mother of the triplets follows my blog. This wasn't completely a surprise since I have had my blog for several years, from before the surrogacy. When I first saw the email, I almost erased it because I didn't recognize the sender name. Something in the first line caught my attention though and I kept reading. The email was from the triplet's mother and in her email, she must have thanked me a dozen times for what I did for them, she told me about the twins and how healthy and tall and smart they are, and she apologized for what had happened. In the one little sentence about the twins she had just answered my biggest prayer. I never even knew if the twins survived. I had prayed so many times that maybe one day I would just hear something, maybe one day I could see a picture or hear that they were alright. God is so much bigger though! I wrote back to their mother and thanked her for answering my prayer and contacting me. The next thing I know we had arranged to meet today at 3:00! My stomach was in knots as we drove to meet them, as I waited for them to pull up I just about went crazy. Peter saw them first and we went out to greet them. The twins are beautiful and I could only cry. I was almost afraid to touch them, this just felt too much like a dream. Three years I had just wanted a glimpse of them, three years all I did was think about what they might look like or what it would have felt like to hold them, three years of wondering if they even survived. But today, here they were, walking up to me like it was any other day. I got to hug them and smell them, I got to hold them and listen to them laugh and cry. I was just amazed by them and I can't thank God enough! He is so awesome!! We all sat and talked for two hours and caught up on what was going on in our lives. It was so good to see everyone and I still can't get over this gift that God has handed me. We took some pictures, but I was asked not to post them, and I thanked the mom when we separated and she thanked me. It is so hard for me to completely understand just how much God has moved in my life this week. I had only asked for a word or at most a photo of the twins but God stepped in and said, "I can do better than that!!" All Praise be to God and to Him be all the glory!!

posted by We are the Taylors @ 5:18 PM   3 comments

Sunday, July 18

My Testimony

A couple months ago I sent my Pastor an email about my testimony to forgiveness. I had thought about doing this in the past but always put it off but God had really been putting it on my heart lately and I felt it was finally time to get it down. I don't really know what I was expecting. I think I thought that if someone needed help with this issue I could make myself available and Pastor James would know who those people were since he is our Lead Pastor. The day after I sent the email I received one back from Pastor James and he asked if I would be willing to share my testimony publicly. The idea that God could use me in this way excited me but I was also nervous just by replying that I would be willing. I figured it would be a year or so down the road before Pastor James had a sermon that would focus on Forgiveness but last Thursday Pastor James called and asked me if I would share my testimony at the Sunday services (we have two). Of course I said I would and instantly became very nervous. I prayed a lot that God would give me strength to get up in front of the 700 or so people that attend our church and that He would give me the words that needed to be heard. Anyhow, our church records all the sermons and uploads them to the church's website so that those who missed the sermon can still hear it. This is link to download the sermon or you can listen to the sermon online. If you click the link to listen online use the picture below as a guide when the new window opens and click on 'Part 13' where the 1st arrow is on the left and then click on 'Sermon' where the 2nd arrow is to the right.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 6:37 PM   2 comments

Saturday, July 17

Party Day!

This morning I got up and met my friend Evelyn for breakfast before starting all the work for the days events. Bresa has been counting done the days to her birthday party and just couldn't wait for today to arrive. She told Grandma she wanted a princess cake and we planned her party at Michael's Craft Store. I had already booked the room and bought all the supplies for the kids we invited to make their own special boxes. Grandma and I came up with a good idea for Bresa's cake and today we made our attempt at decorating. The cake actually turned out pretty cute and all the kids at the party really loved it. When it was finally time for the party I couldn't get Bresa to sit still, she was so excited. One by one the kids came in and pretty soon the party was underway. The kids worked really hard at making their boxes perfect and they all did a great job. They sang Happy Birthday and ate cake as I loaded up their new boxes full of goodies. After the cake was gone Bresa opened all her presents. She got lots of Junie B Jones books and a few fun little toys and a gift card to Target. The party went pretty smoothly and I think it was worth the price that Michael's charged for it, very reasonable. A full day of fun and all the kids were happy with their boxes so I think it was a hit. We went home and unloaded all the goodies and then the kids swam in the pool out back for a while. Tonight Grandma is going to watch the kids for us and Peter and I going to go out with Bill and Lisa. Time for some grown up fun too.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 5:40 PM   1 comments

Friday, July 16

Happy Birthday Bryanna!!

7 years ago today I became a Mommy for the very first time. Though this miracle seemed so small in my arms and took 21 years to come, my life didn't really start until the moment I held her. From the very start Bryanna has been such a blessing and though sometimes our personalities may clash, she is still my baby girl whom I am very proud of. We really celebrated Bresa's birthday on Wednesday when I had the day off but Daddy still got up really early to get special birthday breakfast for our new 7 year old. I went off to work and then Grandma came over to watch the kids while Daddy got some work done. I had training but they let me out really early so I went home and we just did some window shopping and grabbed so groceries. Bresa wanted to go out for dinner so we went to Moe's and got Quesdillas. We got home just in time for the ice cream man and Grandma treated us all.
Bresa Brye, I can already see how God is working in your life and I cannot wait to see the beautiful child of Christ you will grow up to be. Mommy loves you so very much, you will always be my biggest helper!

posted by We are the Taylors @ 8:26 PM   0 comments

Thursday, July 15

Never to be 6 Again.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 7:22 PM   0 comments

Wednesday, July 14

Another Day Away from Work

I had requested the day off again and took the kids for a day of fun. This time my friend Lisa came along with her two boys. We went to the movies again and saw Planet 51, a cartoon movie about an alien planet. It was pretty cute but not as good as the last one we saw. After the movie we tried yet another splash pad we have never been to. This one is in Deltona and it is free to the public so we were happy not to spend anymore money. Javan did really well and played for a good hour before deciding he was done. Usually he is done in a few minutes but today he ran all over and tried all of the many different water sprayers. The girls had a blast and Bresa had to be told several times by the park worker to stop running. After Javan was finished it was about 1:00 and we still needed to eat lunch so we changed all the kids back into their dry clothes and headed over to McDonald's for 49 cent hamburgers. We had perfect timing though because it started pouring harder than I can ever remember but we stayed nice and dry inside. All the kids went and played on the playground while Lisa and I talked to our friend Machelle who was also getting food with her kids. Once the rain stopped we headed back out to go home. We were all exhausted but we had a great time. When we got home Lisa left with her kids and Peter and I packed up the kids to go see Tina and Noah in their new house. We hung out over there for a while and the girls played Mariokart on the Wii. After that we all left to go to dinner at Tina's mom's restaurant, La Bella Luna. It was our first time eating there and everything was delicious!! We were all thoroughly stuffed when we decided it was time to head home. It was nice to have the day off but somehow I am much more tired than I am after I have worked all day. Funny how that happens.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 10:07 PM   0 comments

Sunday, July 11

Free Slurpees at 7-11

I saw today on my sister in law's Facebook page that 7-11 was giving out free slurpees today to celebrate July 11th (7/11). I told Peter about it earlier in the day and thought it was pretty cool but soon forgot all about it. After dinner I was getting Javan ready for bed when I remembered the offer. I told Peter and we decided to take the kids down to the local 7-11 and grab our free drinks. I didn't get one (not into the sugar-sweet drinks) but the girls each decided on Strawberry-Banana (which I neglected to tell them was sugar-free). They have never had slurpees before so this was quite the treat. They both thought their tongues turning red was really cool and had to show it off.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 7:49 PM   0 comments

Saturday, July 10

Finger Painting

It's been so hot out lately it's hard to be able to get out and do anything unless it involves water for cooling down. Today was a day for errands and such as we head into a busy week so there wasn't much time for water activity. The girls and I worked hard on an invitation for Grandma but that was entirely on the computer so they were feeling a little 'hands on' deprived. After nap times and such I got out the finger paints for the kids and they all went to work creating masterpieces for Grandma. Even baby Javan made a picture (with just a little help) of a nice flower scene using hand prints. I think Grandma will be very excited to see the wonderful works of art that were made especially for her.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 4:29 PM   0 comments

Friday, July 9

Cow Appreciation Day

Today Chick-fil-A was celebrating Cow Appreciation Day. If you went to any Chick-fil-A dressed from "head to hoof" as a cow you got a free combo meal, if you had only a little cow apparel than you would be given an entree for coming in. As you know, us Taylor's love us some Chick-fil-A so, of course, we stampeded all over this opportunity for free food. After work, the kids and I went to work putting together some cowstumes and Daddy got himself all cowed up. The kids were excited to look like cows and even baby Javan tolerated his cowstume long enough to score him a free kids meal. We were rewarded for our hard work when we all got free dinner complete with chicken, fries, drinks, and fruit cups! Chick-fil-A was pretty busy tonight but they seemed prepared. There was a clown there doing face painting so after the girls finished eating they went and got all painted up. The clown was really good and probably the best face painter the girls have ever been to.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 10:20 PM   1 comments

Tuesday, July 6

This is my son...


...in whom I am well pleased.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 4:05 PM   0 comments

Sunday, July 4

Happy Independence Day!!

This year our Life Group decided to have a party to celebrate this national holiday. Normally, Peter and I go to Janell and Wyatt's house but they were going up to SC this year. Since Peter and I lead the Life Group and host all the weekly meetings at our home, when we have socials we have them at other people's homes to give us a little break from hosting. The party today was at Kelli and Woody's house which worked out great because they have a pool. We started off by swimming and Peter and Woody played more "Volley-Whale." When we got out the food was ready (everyone brings something previously decided, and a drink so there is always plenty of food to go around and divide up to take home left overs too). We have some really great cooks in our group so it is always a pleasure tasting their foods. Tonight we had 2 kinds of whole smoked chickens, pull pork, spare ribs, and hot dogs as well as a bunch of sides and desserts to go along with the meat. After we were all full we sat around and talked awhile and then Peter pulled out his guitar at Woody's request. Peter started playing some worship songs and we all sang along. It was really great and probably my favorite part of the night. Javan did little dances for us which everyone got a kick out of and before long it was dark enough to start the firework show. We migrated outside and the guys put on the show for us in the street. The kids all got to play with sparklers and had a great time spelling out their names and making shapes with them before they burned out. I thought I had picked up some pops that you throw and they pop on the ground but I apparently don't know how to read because I bought Snakes instead. Oh well. Once the fireworks were over and cleaned up everyone started heading out. Peter and I and Bill and Lisa stuck around for a little Wii action afterwards but pretty soon we were all ready to get home.
Photos-(1) Singing after dinner, you can see a bunch of people but most of them are kids. We have 16 adults in our group so we are pretty large but Peter and I just don't have the heart to turn anyone away. (2) Javan's first sparkler experience (he was sleeping last year) (3)Watching the fun. (4)Setting off fun

posted by We are the Taylors @ 10:48 PM   0 comments

Saturday, July 3

Helping Mommy

Tomorrow is our Life Group Party for the 4th of July and one of the things I said I would bring was a sugarfree dessert (we have a couple diabetics in the group and I don't want them to be left out of enjoying dessert). I wasn't quite sure what to make and didn't want to do anything too crazy so finally I decided on making sugar free raspberry Jell-o and put fresh raspberries in it. I decided to put it in a long glass pan and then decorate it like the girls did the red velvet cake a while ago. Bresa helped me out with preparing the Jell-o and is very excited to be finishing it up and of course tasting it too. When it is all congealed and set I will use sugarfree Coolwhip to make the white strips on the flag and then add blueberries again for the stars.

posted by We are the Taylors @ 11:13 PM   0 comments