Christmas 2009

As quickly as Christmas came, it went away. The yearly dilemma we face full of all the anticipation and weeks of buildup, all to be over within a few short hours. But its so worth it. I think we really hit the mark this year with the presents. Dont you hate it when your kids get a gift and end up playing with it for a week and then get sick of it? Well, not this year! No sir-ee! They are going to enjoy these gifts for a while. But lets back up a bit.

This year, I decided to be ambitious and make all the kids pajama's. A few years ago, their aunt made them some nightgowns that they loved so much, that they wore them until they were rags. I wanted them to have that again, and I thought "Hey, it couldnt be that hard to make a nightgown, right?". Well, I never could have done it if it hadnt been for a patient and kind friend who walked me through the whole process and taught me how to read the patterns. I never knew that clothing patterns spoke such a different language! I have only sewed one other item of clothing in my life and it was long ago, so I didnt remember much. So thanks to her, they all got the night gowns (with the exception of Zack) that they all love! They were a huge hit, and they wore them all Christmas day.

In addition to opening their beloved pajamas on Christmas Eve, we also did a re-enactment of the Christmas story. The stars this year were as follows:

Madison-Mary

Zack-Joseph, Shepherd

Katelin-Angel

Alissa-Wise Woman

Ryan-Donkey (again), Wise Man

Heather-Shepherd

Brylee-Sheep

Madison even performed the whole giving birth process and Zack delivered. Boy, was that easy!

Christmas Eve night was the longest night in Christmas history thus far. The kids just did not want to sleep! 3 of them ended up in our room, and I was up almost all night with Brylee. She must have sensed all the excitement. Katelin even got up around midnight while we were still up, and got upset with us because we weren't in bed yet and Santa couldnt come until we were sleeping. Ryan gave her the whole, "Oh, its only been a few minutes since you went to bed, so its okay. Go back to sleep." And she was like "Really? It feels like Ive been asleep for hours!" Silly girl. Needless to say, we were pretty tired all of Christmas Day. But who can sleep on Christmas? We were too busy opening, assembling, cooking, and cleaning up small pieces of everything off the floor so Brylee didnt eat them; to catch up on any sleep. Good thing we had Saturday to sleep in...oh wait, our kids dont sleep in-they wake up at 5:30. The good side to that is that we got out early to catch the after Christmas clearances, and I got another tree for next year, along with some more decorations. How much longer until it comes again?

So back to the presents! Along with the kids getting exactly what they wished for this year, I think some of the best gifts were those that the kids had hand made. Katelin and Alissa worked together to create a very well written story about a girl and a snowman that was given to Ryan and I. Alissa also made an animal book for Katelin that was very cute. Madi made a cute sparkly snowman ornament in activity days for Ryan which we love, and a necklace, ear rings and bracelet for me. Alissa painted a picture frame in preschool, and Katelin also made an ornament in school. I think they were by far the most cherished and loved them all and the idea of them working to create something special for us.

So thats about it, for the short story anyways. Enjoy the slide show which enhances the Taylor Christmas story further! We hope your Christmas was happy too!

Happy 30th Heather!!!

I will start this posting by stating that this is Ryan and this is my first post. This way you wont wonder throughout reading this why it is not as well written as most the other posts on this blog. So please be understanding of my attempt to post and say a few things about my wonderful wife without noticing I am not blessed to be as good as writer as Heather.
Unfortunately for Heather having a birthday in the Christmas season and the crazy schedules that often come with it sometimes her birthday isn’t recognized as much as others. She always does such an amazing job of celebrating everyone else’s b-day and thinking of others, I decided that this year would be different. After all it was the big 30th birthday!
On Wednesday I took the day off of work and we had a good time celebrating her actual birthday with the family. A friend took Zack to a museum and watched him for a while so we could go help Alissa make a gingerbread house at her school. Than this friend watched Alissa, Zack and Brylee so Heather and I could go out for lunch (so Heather could eat her favorite meal – BREAKFAST). We than did some last minute Christmas stuff until Madison and Katelin got home from school. Later that night we opened presents, did the cake/ice cream etc… Heather has wanted Guitar Hero for a very long time it was fun to finally get her this and see her excitement as she opened the present (like a kid on Christmas minus the jumping and screaming). We played the game late into the night and had a blast.

Heather getting help opening present

Setting up Band Hero

Zack rocking out!

The funnest part (at least for me) was still yet to come. I had been working with a friend for a while on planning a surprise party for Heather. Of course I couldn't tell Katelin or Alissa or their tricky mother would certainly get the surprise out of them but we managed to keep the details secret throughout. Things were going really smoothly until a few days before the party, Heather started getting very suspicious of everything and I honestly thought she was on to the big party. So Friday finally came and the plan was being executed perfectly. We dropped the kids off at our friends so we could catch a movie and come back home to play some games before we pick up the kids. As I am pulling up to the house I saw no cars around our house at all, and my immediate thought was did they forget or am I coming home too early. Than Heather saw our cat and said I know I left him in the house when we left. She was now catching on to exactly what was happening. As we came in the door she saw streamers coming down from the door and she kept backing up (lots of attention toward her and big surprises aren’t usually her favorite thing). However, I being the insensitive brute that I am gently guided (pushed) her through the door to a house full of friends, food, decorations etc… We had a great time talking, eating and playing some Band Hero (I found that I may have competition as being the worst singer around…), and just having fun. Unfortunately, the camera battery died immediately upon our arrival so there are not many pictures.

Madi decorating for the party while we were out

Heathers picture right as we walked in

Party Time

I really appreciate all those that helped in celebrating Heather’s big day. I also would like to give a special thanks to those that helped me plan and put this thing together. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to have such a wonderful person as my wife. She is so unselfish, honest, loving, kind, helpful, patient, and thoughtful. She really makes our family function and brings so much happiness to each of us individually and collectively as a family. I treasure her and love all that she is and that she does – truly an amazing person. It was fantastic to have friends to take some time to join in and helping do something for her to hopefully let her know that she is loved and valued. While she really enjoyed the people and games I think she is done with the big surprises for a while.

The big ONE!

Well, its here...Brylee's first birthday! We cant believe how fast this year has gone by. Our last baby isnt a baby anymore! What a bittersweet time. I am excited to move onto new things, and be done with the baby stage, but I have also loved having a little one around to let me cuddle them and just sit and watch them play contently without making a mess or getting into an argument with a sibling. I have to admit that I wasnt so thrilled to go through it all again, but it has been fun to watch her grow and develop.

Brylee was definitely a Christmas surprise. We are still trying to figure out how Santa granted that wish for Katelin (or the dandelion stalk fairies). I admittedly cried when I found out we were having another one...for weeks! I didnt know how we could fit another child into our family, or our car for that matter. We couldnt afford another one. We would have to push back that family vacation a little longer. I would have to wait an extra 2 years for all the kids to be in school, so I could pursue my own interests. But I really felt like I couldnt do it again. I'm not the type of person who can raise 5 kids! I dont have the patience or the ambition to do it. And I definitely didnt want to go through labor again! All selfish reasons, I know...but I really thought I was done! I was pregnant...again, and going to have to accept it whether I thought I wanted it or not.

I started to try and come up with reasons why Heavenly Father thought I needed another one. There must be some mistake...does He not know me and my capabilities at all!? The only thing that I could come up with, was that Zack needed a brother. Poor kid...stuck with all these girls! So I thought I knew this must be the answer! I started to cope with this thought, and feel a little excitement. I can put my own desires aside for the sake of Zack. Then came time for the ultrasound. Ive never had that motherly instinct where I knew what kind of baby I was going to have. My intuition was wrong with every single one of them! I let my hopes and wants get in the way of reality. This time was no exception. Of course...it was another girl. " What! Are you sure? Look again!" Nope, a girl. The tears started again! What the heck do I need another girl for?! I already have 3 of them! My original feelings returned.

I felt bad for myself almost the whole nine months. Pregnancy never went so fast! Then the big day came. I was so far from being prepared to give birth, I didnt know how I was going to do it again. But of course, there was no stopping it. I considered getting an epidural for the first time in my life, because I just didnt want to feel that pain again. But I took it a little at a time, until it was time to push, and I did it. I made it through naturally again. And then I looked at her, and heard her cry. She was beautiful!

Thoughts of shame entered my mind. 'How could I not want this precious gift from God? He has trusted me enough to send me another one of his children to love and to nurture. He must think I am doing a good job. I am honored to have his seal of approval. She was coming into our family to offer us something new. To teach us new things...and bring us joy. Thats it...her middle name. Its Joy. Its perfect for this, the Christmas season. She will bring us joy, how couldnt she? She is a miracle.' Every moment from that point on, I have tried to make it up to her...my feelings of resentment toward her; my lack of faith, and prayer on her behalf. When I was alone with her in the hospital I would just hold her, and look at her in awe. I tried to apologize for not wanting her. Could she have really felt that? I hope she couldnt sense the absence of love, that the other kids had been given in the womb. I didnt talk to her or try to bond with her. What kind of a person am I? She was perfect! I vowed to her to never let her feel unloved again.

And for that reason, she may be a bit spoiled. Its whats caused me to pick her up as soon as she cried. That kept me nursing her the whole last year, even through teeth biting and long sleepless nights. The longest I ever went was 5 months. She didnt have to learn to take a bottle or have to be alone if she didnt want to! So its my fault she has just learned to crawl, and isnt walking or pulling herself up, or even sleeping through the night. She knows I owe her one, and she has me wrapped tightly around her little fingers, all 10 of them! Whatever she wants, I need to get it for her! And you thought it was all the other kids fault! Nope, its all me...trying to make it up to her, trying to prove to her that I care.

And through all that, she is still the happiest and most content baby we have had. Aside from not wanting a bottle and not sleeping...she is perfect. And as I stated..thats my own fault and I deserve it!

So here we are, a year and 6 paragraphs later. And what have I learned? I thought I knew what I needed and wanted, but I didnt. I thought I knew what I could handle, but found out only one person really knows that, and He will test us to our greatest ability. I learned not to question Him. To submit to his will. I can do it if He says I can do it. I have been doing it. She is getting older, just like all the other ones and growing too fast, just like all the others.

Now that you have read another one of my novels, I will get to the goods. The stuff you all scrolled down to see. The first birthday details. We started out by having her favorite meal for dinner, baked ziti and bread sticks. Of course today, of all days, she didnt want her ziti. Its okay, its her birthday, and I love her! Then it was off to open presents! She was assisted by 3 helpers and then robbed of her new toys by one. Ill let you guess who. Then she was presented with a 22 cupcake balloon bouquet and one big candle to reach out and try to touch, blown out courtesy of those same 3 helpers. The cake mess we were hoping for did not happen. She only wanted ice-cream today. I think the pink and purple frosting freaked her out! And last of all, what does a one year old need after all that excitement? Bedtime. Hopefully tomorrow she will get a little more peace to play with her new toys.

Did you guess who the toy thief was? Zack thought it was Christmas already, and tried to open his own present. When he saw the fun new things Brylee was getting, he just couldnt resist! Who could blame him?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!

All the turkey details

Now that all the hard work is over, and the food is mostly gone, I finally have a minute to sit down and post a Thanksgiving update. Is all your food gone too? Is it just me, or does it seem like an awful lot of work to go through just for a nice dinner that gets eaten within 30 minutes? Then the continual snacking and pie eating over the next 2 days takes its ugly toll on our waist lines, which continues over the next month with an abundance of Christmas candies. But what a better way to show our thanks...at least our thanks for good food, right?

Enough about that Heather, get to the details!

So I was complaining to Ryan recently about how Im never in any of the pictures we take since Im usually the one behind the camera. I mean, I want our kids to remember me too! So he made an obvious effort over the last couple of days to stick me in front of the camera. Why, oh why did I mention it!? My poor husband cant win. Oh yeah, now I remember why Im the one behind the camera-I usually dont like pictures of me. But here they are anyway, pictures lacking Ryan, and displaying too much of me. Did I mention, the camera adds 10 pounds, or 20 or 30?

I got the smallest turkey I could find at 10.11 pounds. The good thing about that is that it only took about 3 hours to cook, especially since I didnt put stuffing in it (you know, because its bad for you to eat it...or if you didnt, than now you do!) Instead, I just stuffed a lemon up its...you know what, and covered it with butter and spices. Madi was excited all day to help out, and putting an apron on made her even more gung ho, so here she is posing with a lemon.

The kids wanted to try this chocolate chex caramel crunch stuff, so while the turkey was cooking, we added that to our list of preparatory foods. Yum, caramel!

Finally the cooking was done and it was time for devouring! Im not posting a picture of the turkey because I dont want there to be a "who has the best looking turkey?" contest, but you can catch a glimpse of it on the table. It turned out pretty good, although if you really know me, you know I am kinda a meat-a-phobe and tend to overcook fleshy things really well, so we dont catch its various diseases. Well, dont worry, I didnt overcook it...but therefore I was worried the whole time that it wasnt cooked enough, and ate it sparingly in fear of whatever the undercooked turkey had in store for us. No one ended up getting sick, so I guess it was cooked enough. Bon Appetite!

After dinner, we headed over to a friends house for dessert and games. It was good to wind down and have some laughs. We dont get to do that enough. I actually prefer having dinner as a family, and then getting together with friends afterward. It makes for less stress, and a good balance of things. I guess thats about it. I could make a list of all our thankful things, but that would take too long, so I will just say...Im thankful for all of you who still follow our blog and put up with my ramblings, and post a comment even though you dont have to. It makes us feel so loved! Hope you had a happy thanksgiving too!

New Gadget

I just wanted to bring to everyone's attention the new little gadget on the side of the blog, titled "Kids say the funniest things". We always find ourselves laughing at the funny things that come out of the kids mouths, and Ryan actually suggested that we blog these things. Well, rather than a whole post for every little saying, I thought I would just put the most recent funny quote on the side of the blog, so for those who are interested you can just peek over when you are visiting.

The current one is one that always gets a laugh at our house. Zack has definitely watched Toy Story enough times. That kid always cracks us up. Tonight he was put on a "leash" by his loving sisters, and sent to hunt down M&M's like a hound dog. This being referred to as "his new trick" by his owners. That kid can sniff out chocolate...he must get that from me! The poor boy is so confused around all these girls, he doesnt know who he is. He insists that he is a princess, not a prince...I wonder where he got that idea? It is funny to watch, but dont worry- he has plenty boy in him! It will make for good embarrassing memories when he is older!

Look who's crawling!

Thats right...at 11 months and 8 days, Brylee finally decided to take to her hands and knees! I had a video, but cant find the cord to connect it, so pictures will just have to do this time. Usually at this point most babies start walking, but we have decided that Brylee is a perfectionist. She wont move onto a new step until she has mastered the previous one. She became a pro at rolling, and then decided it was time to move on to bigger things. She's getting good pretty quickly with this trick though, so who knows...maybe she'll be walking before we know it!

So now what does life hold for her, and her new discovery?

More toys at her reach.

Getting into things. Here she is going after Madi's backpack,

and shoes.
"Look what Ive found!"

Her favorite new discovery so far though, has been the curtains and the vacuum and computer cords. Looks like its time to baby proof again! And just in time for Christmas! Won't that be fun!?

Rules, Rules, RULES!

Is it just me, or does it seem like there are a lot of kids running around without any sort of parental discipline at all? Bear with me here, Im about to go on a rant...I need to vent!

During the summer months, I have observed the neighborhood children out frolicking about the neighborhood and roaming from house to house...playing on everyone else's swing sets, trampolines, and in their garages. They have even come into my house and asked me for a snack. Excuse me...what? I am not the local snack vendor! I can barley afford or want to give my own kids snacks, let alone all their friends. The only reason they get 2 snacks a day, is because the school requires that they bring a snack to school. Now they are hooked. I make it a point to tell my kids to try not to eat all the neighbors food. Maybe its just the way my kids are, but if they eat too many snacks...they dont eat their meal. And I would much rather them be a little hungry and eat their dinner all gone, then fill up on empty calories and sugar all day. If they are hungry, they should come ask me. Do the neighbors not eat actual meals? Is snacking the new dietary recommendation? Im just trying to crack the cool mom code, because Im totally not getting it. Why is it, when I call my kids in for lunch/dinner, the other kids stay out and play? They look at me like Im from another planet because I want my kids to take a break to come in and eat a meal. How rude am I!?

Do these parents have tracking devices installed in their children? Do they have a bug planted so they can hear their conversations? Even now, nearing the winter months, when it gets dark out by 5:30 pm...I am always the first to call my kids in when I can no longer see them in the darkness. Am I neurotic? Paranoid? Out of line? Just strict maybe? Just when I think Im being the cool mom by letting my kids stay out a little longer against my better judgement, I look out and still see the neighbors running around in the darkness! Dont get me wrong, my kids (specifically one who's short and curious) have been seen wandering where they shouldnt. They have been in places where I have had to go look for them. But when this happens...they are sure to face the consequences of their actions. They know, the rule is that they dont go anywhere without my knowledge. I want to know where my kids are. I welcome the neighbors to play over here, so I can see what my kids are doing...as long as they ask, and they dont want food. =)

Now, we have great neighbors. We really, really do. They are social, friendly, they keep their yards groomed, they dont make domestic disturbances...they are just what seems to be - good people. I just cant complain about our neighbors. But as we all know, being outside of Utah, not everyone shares your same values. This doesnt make them bad, just different. We like diversity. Its no big deal to us to decline a birthday party because it is being held at Chuck-E-Cheese on a Sunday. But what happens, when that same neighbor invites your kids for a sleep over in that same week in which the party was declined? To some you say...let them go. But being the strict parents we are, we have decided to make the rule that our kids are not allowed sleep over's at friends houses. Its for equal treatment really. What may be fun and safe at one neighbors house, may not be at a school friends house when Uncle Joe (the ex-pedophile) shows up for a surprise visit. Im just not comfortable sending my kids to sleep at someones house who I just met.
So first, NO you cant go to that super fun birthday party that is being held on Sunday, and second, you CANT sleep over either. I AM the mean parent on the block. (Just to clarify, they are allowed to sleep over here.)

So lets re-cap:
rule #1: No snacks right before meals.
rule # 2: I must know where you are at, at all times! (they are still kids for petes sake!)
rule # 3: ask permission before going into someone elses home, both mine and theirs.
rule # 4: No sleep-overs at friends houses
rule #5: Sunday is for family time. We can go visit and do things with other people, as long as we are all together. No recreational activities. (Its just once a week!)

So now my question(s) to you is...am I so mean? What rules do you enforce at your house concerning friends? How do you handle sleep-overs? I really must know if its just me being out of line. Please tell me there are other parents out there who discipline their children! I always wanted to be the cool mom...its just not working out for me. You cant be cool and a responsible parent at the same time! At least...I cant.