Happy Birthday Taylor

Taylor January 12, 2006




Taylor's First Birthday Jan 12 2007 Taylor's 2nd Birthday


Enjoying her new bike January 12,2009

Taylor turned 3 yesterday. But if you ask how old she is the answer if Pee. She had a fun filled day. We ate pancakes for breakfast. (Her favorite breakfast meal) Preston made her pancakes in the shape of a Mommy cow and a Baby Cow per Taylor's request. Then Taylor had her 3 year check up she is now 26 pounds (3%) and 36 1/2 inches tall. (40%) She is quite the petite little thing. She got 2 stickers since it was her birthday. (one Thomas the Train and one Strawberry Shortcake) Then I took her to Mcdonalds for a happy meal. Then Taylor pretty much played by herself (I had a ton of work to do) Then after picking Nathan up from school we went to pick up her cake. Taylor had a Dora the Explorer cake this year. That evening most of her Aunts and Uncles, some cousins and 1 set of Grandparents came over for Hot Dogs (another favorite of Taylors) and cake and ice-cream. Taylor received some fun toys from family like a coloring book, barbie, book doll and barettes. From us she got a new bike that she loves, a helmet and a bell for her bike. She had a great day and loved all the attention. Our little girl is growing up. We sure love her. She is quite the character and she knows it. She makes us laugh quite often and gives the tightest hugs, especially for someone of her size.

And it came to pass........

I RAN OUT OF GAS!!!!!!!!!!! Yes you read this correctly. One of my worst fears happened today, this is how it all went down. Okay I drive a gas guzzler of a vehicle and I try to not let it get below 1/4 of a tank. I noticed on Monday that I was getting low and needed to get gas. I planned on getting gas today but then when I was leaving the DR's office today I noticed the gage said I had a full tank. My heart went pitter patter thinking that Preston got me gas after mutual last night. I was very grateful. Then I ran to Target and when I was leaving the gage said I was on empty. I figured it was something to do with the way I was parked on a slope. (stupid I know but that was my thought) This afternoon I ran 2 more errands dry cleaners, and picking out Taylor's bday cake. Both times the gage would tell me something different. Full one time Empty the next. I then begin to wonder what is up with my gas gage. I tried to call Preston to clarify if he did indeed get me gas. He didn't answer his phone so I put it in the back of my mind and head off to get groceries. On the way home I cross through the intersection about 3/4 mile from my house and the car DIES. I coast as long as I can and pull to the side of the road and put my flashers on. Taylor is in the back saying "Mom GO! why are you stopping?" obviously she can tell something isn't right. I am extremely flustered. I call Preston again and he immediately tells me to hold on. I try to say quickly "Preston I am stalled in the middle of the road" He doesn't here me and puts the shop guy Johnny on the phone to take a message. So I tell Johnny that I am in the middle of the road. Preston calls back a couple minutes later and I confirm that he did not get gas and that I am probably out of gas. He comes quickly from the shop and brings me some gas. I then continue to Nathan's school to pick up carpool from running club, get gas and then go home. The whole stranded ordeal lasted about 12 minutes but seemed like 12 hours. Many were quite rude they would blare on their horn, not a single person offered to help. I just wanted to cry. It made me a nervous wreck to watch people come up behind me and wonder if they were going to slow down or stop in time. SCARY STUFF!!!!!!!!! The two positive sides of this story is that my girls were content in their car seats and safe I was fully expecting Natalie to get hungry and just start screaming. I am so grateful that we live sooo close to the lockshop so it wasn't long before my knight in shining armor rescued me.

My PLEASANT Surprise

Last Friday I was cleaning my kitchen and doing dishes when I realized how QUIET my house was. There are only 2 times that that usually occurs in our household, 1 all the kids are asleep or they are secretly doing something they shouldn't be. So I start my search through the house beginning in the kids bedrooms trying to brace myself for what I will discover. Well this is what I happily found. The above picture is of Natalie playing with the new playmat that she got from my mom for Christmas. She loves this thing. It will entertain her for hours. Taylor is asleep on the left side of our bed and Nathan was watching cartoons. I think my heart skipped a beat with happiness. Okay as a side note how in the world do I post and add pictures and place them where I want? I wanted to type my story first and then add the pictures I am soooo blog illiterate.

What were you doing?

NEW YEAR'S EVE. I was playing the Wii Santa brought us with Nathan and Preston and Taylor. Nathan beat me both games in bowling by 1 point each game. Then later when Taylor and Natalie were in bed and Preston and Nathan were watching a movie I was blogging. Finally I put our pictures from Christmas on my blog. I had to do it before the new year. It was a very low key evening. Nathan even stayed up until midnight and then we all went to bed shortly after. This was the only year other then 6 years ago when Preston and I were severely sick with the flu that we haven't celebrated New Years with at least one other couple. So I pose this question. Did anyone do any partying last night? I promise to not be offended if you had a raging party that we weren't invited to. I am just curious.

I am looking forward to 2009. I haven't officially written down my resolutions. I have been thinking about them and the main goal is to make life better for me and my family in every aspect: health, spiritual, emotional etc. 2008 was a big year with the purchase of the shop, birth of Natalie and some fun family vacations and many other things. To be honest I think 2009 will pale in comparison. But it will be an exciting year full of Natalie's first (word, steps, tooth, etc) and hopefully some exciting blog posts. Have a very Happy New Year everyone.