Faith Kathleen

Faith in 2005 (3 1/2 yrs)

And 2010

Last, but not least, my baby girl. I always wanted a little girl. Growing up, her name was going to be Amanda. Then, as I went through school, the Amanda's I met were not very nice so her named changed to Destiny. In fact, in 2000 I was pregnant with what I knew was a little girl. My pregnancy was different than the boys. I wasn't sick very often. I kinda glowed -- a little. LOL I went to my checks ups which were all normal. Until the 5th month, when I would have my ultrasound. There wasn't a heartbeat. She was gone. I refilled my pain medication they gave me. (I wouldn't do the D&C) I had a hard time after that. I had my boys to help me, but I just wanted my girl back. One year to the date (my check up after my miscarriage), I found out I was pregnant! I was feeling pretty good again. I craved soup like I did with my previous pregnancy. God gave my my baby girl. But, her name changed from Destiny to Faith. Faith is what kept me going that year. Faith that God knows better I. Faith that God hears our cries and knows our hearts.

Faith was a wonderful baby. She was happy. She loved to watch her brothers. I enjoyed her so much knowing that she was the last one. All those little moments that I knew I wouldn't have again. But, with having two big brothers, she didn't want to stay small. She wanted to be big like them. Faith stopped nursing and would only drink from a sippy cup around 9 or 10 months old. (yeah, I cried because I thought I had more time) She knew her ABC's, colors, and shapes by 3. And was reading by 4! Now that she's bigger, she even knew her multiplication in 2nd grade and was learning some division! Faith is like a little sponge that just loves learning.

She also is soft hearted. Faith helps her friends and doesn't want to hurt any one's feelings. There's a special needs boy in her class the past two years that she likes to help. She loves to play games with her family. Faith is a natural athlete. She tried softball because her coach asked her to and she was great. She is one of the best soccer players on her team. (she started soccer when she was 5) And, Faith has been in gymnastics for a year now and they asked her to be on pre-team. (yeah, anyone who knows me - knows she doesn't get it from me!!) Faith is growing up right before my eyes. She still doesn't mind that I call her my baby ~ as long as it's at home! I love you up to the sky my baby!

Luke Anthony

Luke holding Faith at the hospital in 2002.

Luke in 2010.

It is amazing to me how much they haven't changed! And how much of their personality is just them. Notice the cowboy shirt? :) When I think of Luke, I think of the past struggles as well as the future. I remember those days of falling on the floor screaming ~ after the two's. In fact, his tantrums didn't start until after the two's. Luke was born screaming, spent the first nine months crying with colic, and then became a pretty happy little toddler. He didn't talk a lot, just pointed. We figured it was because Joey was there and he didn't need to talk much. But before kindergarten, we got him tested for speech through the co-op because the daycare mentioned it. I jumped on it. I knew something was wrong. He still wasn't talking. He fell down a lot. He had meltdowns or tantrums still. And, he didn't seem to be learning at a 'normal' pace. (I was working on ABC's, Counting, and colors) Luke started speech and OT at the age of 4. You would think it would naturally continue when he started kindergarten, but it didn't. It was denied at first. I went above them and he received services starting in kindergarten. It has been a struggle. Each year, he faces new ones. It was around 2nd grade when he started really noticing that he was different. We took him again to the Dennis Developmental Center for more testing. That's the hard part. My struggles for him does not compare to his going through it. In 3rd grade, Luke asked me why God made him different. I told him what I still believe today. God has a purpose. There are no mistakes. Finally, in 5th grade, we got a diagnosis of (high functioning) autism. Something that I figured out when I started checking out every book in the library when he was 4 or 5. Finally, I have an 'expert' telling me what I knew all along.

But Luke is not just autism. Autism is just a part of Luke's life ~ not all of him. Luke is soft hearted. He likes to be outside hiking or fishing. Luke loves the color blue. And, he acts like my Dad and he's proud of it. :~) Sometimes, I think he's an old soul living in a kid's body. He has determination. (a nice word for hard headed! LOL) That is one of his best qualities. Luke gets knocked down and he dusts himself off and tries again. I know that God has something planned for Luke's life. God is accomplishing so much through Luke. I've grown and changed since I've had Luke. Luke has influenced his siblings, his teachers, and his friends. He deserves my best as a mother. That's what I try to give him. I am so proud of him!

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!