Joseph Taylor

Joey in 2005 & 2010

Isn't it amazing that he really looks the same? :) Yes, of course, a lot bigger. He is now 5'6" and wears a size 10 in men's shoes. But, still the same Joey.

I remember being pregnant with Joey. So Sick! Not the glowing pregnancy every woman dreams of. I soon realized that an 8 month pregnant lady should not be sick over a toilet. Very hard to get up! :~D But, with the joy of preclampsia, he arrived four weeks early. A very loud screaming five pounds! He was SO tiny. But, with God's blessings, he was healthy enough to come home when I was released from the hospital a few days later.

He was a very easy baby. Happy. As a toddler, he was so funny. I think one of his first words after 'mommy' and 'daddy' was 'wipe-y.' Every time he'd get his hands dirty, he would hold them up and want a 'wipe-y.' Of course, at the time, it was cute. (as a teenager, I have to remind him to wipe his hands on a napkin!) He became a big brother at the ripe old age of 16 months. Joey was scared to death when he was brought to the hospital and saw me hooked up to several machines including an IV. He still doesn't like hospitals. But once we were both home, Joey became the big brother. Luke had colic and Joey didn't understand why he cried all the time. So, Joey would bring him toys. Or pat his head. Or bring a diaper. We would cuddle on the couch when Luke went to sleep. Once Faith was born, he was the big brother of two. Both Joey and Luke loved Faith automatically. Joey wouldn't hold her until she came home from the hospital though. (Still very cautious about hospitals.) But, he is a good big brother. He protects his siblings because it's his job to pick on them. No one elses. :)

Joey is kind and smart. His personality will drive us nuts at times though. He is happy to be in the middle somewhere. He doesn't have the desire to be the best at anything. Of course, this makes Kent nuts because if he tries to do something - he wants to be the best.. Me? Not very competitive. I'll lose if I think you need to win more. LOL But, if he ever got that desire for something -- anything -- he could do it! I believe in him. We are just waiting to see what will make him want to be apply himself. I wish that he could see how much potential is just hidden inside of him waiting to be discovered.

I wish that everyone, including Joey himself, could see him like I do. God gave me a beautiful little boy named Joseph first for a reason. God made him the big brother for a reason. I know that he will be there for Luke and Faith, the way I wish mine was there for me. Joey is so much like me that I can understand him (most of the time!!). I like to think he has the best parts of my personality! haha!! He does have Kent's sense of humor which is probably a good thing! But Joey gets why some things are important that can just go by other kids his age. Like family history. (he likes genealogy) Or visiting Grandparents. Or helping others. I am proud to be his mother and I can't wait to see what God has in store for him! I love you Joey!

Time Goes On...

Faith, Cara, Abby, & Summer

Spring Break 2008

(Faith was in kindergarten)

Cara, Faith, Summer, Joey, Luke, & Abby

Spring Break 2008

Looking at those photos makes me realize how quickly time goes. It doesn't seem that long ago but look how little they are! Luke was in 3rd grade like Faith is now. Faith was in kindergarten like Abby is now! It's so hard to believe that it's the end of another year. The kids have gotten so big physically and mentally. I now have a teenager!! And he's 5'6" and wears a size 10 men's shoe!! Don't get me started on the mouth of a teenager. Why is it that I have to 'pay for my husband's' raising? LOL :~D Both of my boys are in middle school trying to find their ninch. My daughter is now in third grade. It's already the middle of the school year. She will soon be in the blue hallway with the big 4th & 5th graders! I know that each workday we wish away so we can get to the weekend to be home with our families. Then, look what happens! It's the end of another year! Time does go on...

Looking into the New Year, I just want sleep at night knowing the bills are paid and my kids are healthy. I want to have wonderful moments that will turn into warm memories. I want my family to know how much they mean to me. I want to worry less what others may think and do what God has for me. I want to keep trying in relationships. (Kent doesn't understand why I try so hard in relationships that don't appreciate me or even seem to want me, but for my own conscience, I must try. Who knows? Maybe next year will be there year that I can get through. Anything is possible.) I want to try and enjoy the days in between the weekend. (at least part of the days!! LOL) My wish for you are God's Blessings throughout the New Year. Enjoy your time here because it is limited and time does go on..

Love and Acceptance

The cousins:

Luke, Summer, Faith, Cara, Joey, and Phillip

My niece, Abby

Cara and Grandma Yarbrough

Faith, Summer, and Cara

Tonight I am once again feeling blessed. I was downloading my pictures to see what I got and just felt that warm fuzzy feeling deep inside. Must have been what the Grinch felt when his heart grew. My heart just feels full of love. I look at these pictures and think of how they have grown and changed. How their love and acceptance has changed me.

That first Christmas years ago, I remember sitting on the floor by the fireplace being quite (unusual huh? lol) Just watching trying to remember any one's names and trying to figure out who was who. My niece, Cara, was about 5 at that time. She curled up in my lap and stayed there. Aaawww...the love and acceptance of a child can make a weak person brave. I remember watching Phillip and how clearly you could see how much he loved his Uncle Brent. The love and acceptance of a child is not hid, but shines through. Now, they are in college. Starting to figure out who they are and who they want to be. Summer, she was born a couple months after my oldest, Joey. It was been wonderful to see them grow up together. They used to run and hug one another when they were little. (not so much anymore! heehee) Now, they both have turned 13 and I'm wondering where did the years go? It was harder because she was born just a few months after my own first child and I was concentrated on him. But, she has always given me a chance and her love and acceptance has made me want to be a better Aunt. Last but not least, our little Abby. She had me at her first scream! I remember getting to hold her and her crying from colic. Walking around and bouncing her a little, talking to her, then the quietness as she settled down. (no, it wasn't everytime, she did have colic...lol.) That small little joy inside knowing that somewhere deep inside of that beautiful baby, she trusted me as she curled up on my chest. (yeah, I know. She probably just fussed herself to sleep but let me have my moment! LOL) The love and acceptance from a child is humbling. They are amazing things, aren't they?

Love and Acceptance

Isn't that what we are all searching for?

Christmas Meaning

This time of year is filled with so many things. Some good. Some bad. So many times I feel like the meaning of Christmas is lost in the shuffle. Christmas is to celebrate Christ, His birth, His love, His grace. It is not "Happy Holidays." It's CHRISTmas. It's not the pushing. The shoving. The shopping. This wonderful time of year does not always bring out the best in people. I guess that is why my favorite holiday has always been Thanksgiving.

I grew up in a home that REALLY 'celebrated' Christmas. Well, when I say 'celebrated', I mean my parents made sure that was lots under the tree. That was the one holiday a year that my mom did some major shopping! Which as a kid, made it an awesome day!! LOL The tree would be empty and in the morning, it would be full of presents. Even now, she makes sure that Kent & I plus my three kids have stuff to open Christmas Day.

I just want to take back Christmas to a simpler time. I don't know if it's possible in today's world, but I'd like to try. We have always read the birth of Jesus in the Bible and 'Twas the Night before Christmas' every Christmas Eve. I always bake Jesus a birthday cake every Christmas Eve. Then, every Christmas morning before we open any gifts or look at our stockings, we stand around the cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Next year will probably be Faith's last year to believe in Santa. (She'll be in 4th grade) I've slowly moved away from that. They haven't went to see Santa in a couple years. They have never wrote their wish list and sent it to him. (they actually give it to my mom!!) As the kids get older, I want to focus on what Christmas is really about.

Yes, gift giving is part of the Christmas traditions. I do love shopping for my kids, nieces, & nephew. I love finding that gift that you know will make them smile. I think in the Christmas story we read, we should include Matthew 2:1-12. After all, this where the gift giving comes about. We need to teach our kids the whole story and why we do some things. This is a perfect example.

Matthew 2:11: ". . . they opened their treasures and presented him with

gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrth."

In fact, as my kids get bigger and older ~ I want to go back. If as a babe, Christ received three gifts fom the wise men. Are we any better that Him? The Perfect One? So, that is what I want to do. Each Christmas morning, to sing 'Happy Birthday' and for each of us to open our three gifts under the tree. I want to take the focus off of our wants. To put our focus back where it belongs. On Christ.

Christmas Thoughts

One of our favorite things to do as a family is put up the Christmas tree. We unwrap each ornament and each of the kids get to place 'their' ornament on the tree. Until a couple years ago, they each picked out a new one each year. When they started kindergarten, they each got an ornament for school. Now, we add a family picture to the tree each year. As you can see, it's not just about my kids. It's about family. I love to see how much they've grown and changed through the years. Look at my niece and nephew in the corner picture. They are both in college now! My niece at the top is in kindergarten. My Dad passed on last year. My tree may not be the fanciest tree with ribbons and bows. But, I look at my tree and I see the connections of family. The love of family. It's become so large that my pretty ornaments don't even make the tree anymore! And ~ I wouldn't have it any other way!

This year has been harder for me to get into the Christmas spirit. It has been a hard year in many ways. Yet, I'll stay up and sit and look at our tree in the silence of the evening, and the meaning of Christmas is there. The love of Christ is so apparent in the blessings He has given. I love the saying that the most important things in life are not things. It is so true!

But, even so, with Christmas comes a little Christmas shopping. :-D Most people know that I'm not a big shopper. Honestly! Kent lucked out on that one! Unless, of course, it's Christmas time! I love to go looking (and some buying) for my kids, my nieces, my newphew, my Mom. Yes, as they get older, it becomes more of a challenge. But, it's kinda a test to see how well you know them! ;-) I do admit it though. I broke down and asked my newphew what he needed. So, I have two weeks left and one gift to buy yet for Faith. And, I know what it is. Not bad, not bad at all. Good Luck to you as you finish you Christmas shopping!

Friends are the Family you choose

The Brooks

Madison, MaKinna, and Jaden Brooks

When I was growing up, I didn't have aunts or uncles that lived by. I honestly can't tell you the name of any of my cousins. I only saw them when my Grandparents died at their funerals. But, I had a friend that was like a second mother to me. She took on the role of what I think of as an aunt. She was the one that I could talk to that was kinda' like my mother ~ but wasn't. LOL :-) I knew that no matter what, she would always love me. I also knew in the back of my mind that if something major happened, she would tell my parents. But, for the little dramas of just growing up, she would keep my secrets. I remember going to Sonic and ordering a couple cherry limeades and just sitting their talking. About boys. About mean girls. About the life of a girl growing up. God chooses our family, but we have a say in who we choose as our friends. I want my kids to have that relationship with some one. They need it. As much as I want my kids to tell me everything and have an open relationship so they can talk with me, I know that won't happen. I know that secrets will be kept as they grow older. My parents don't know everything and I was a very mild teenager. I want my kids to have some one older and wiser then they are, who will love them unconditionally, to listen when they feel like they can't talk to me.

I also want to be that person because I know how important it is. Those three children in the photos are very important to me. They are my closest friend's children. They have a large family that loves them, but they also have me. I love them as well. They have been part of my life since Jaden was born and what a blessing it has been. I also have nieces and a nephew that I love unconditionally. Who knows what lies ahead for any of us? I believe that our children need the support and love, not just from us, as parents~ but others as well. Faith was in second grade and two girls were bulling her. I don't remember getting picked on until 6th grade. Things have changed. Our children need love and understanding and acceptance. Sometimes they do not get it at home, so they look for it elsewhere. Sometimes it is in the home, but our children do not accept it so they look elsewhere. Where will our children look? Friends are the family you choose. We must choose wisely and teach our children to do the same.