All we need is Love...and Dancing!

So I lied. Here are some more pictures, and its not even Zacks birthday yet. See how lucky you are!

First up: Valentines Day.

The kids awoke to just a little bucket of love, filled with a flower planting kit, bubbles, toys and of course what every woman needs to feel loved... CHOCOLATE! (Note: not all items included in each bucket...except for the CHOCOLATE of course!) The kids were pretty surprised and of course the next question that came was,

" I wonder who brought the buckets for us?"

A valid question from a 7 year old who has it all figured out, from Santa to the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. So who does that leave for Valentines? Cupid? No, I get the credit for this one! Gotta love that!

Zack was the lucky winner of the bubbles, along with a new bouncy ball, which he was clearly happy about.
And that left the flowers to the girls.

Brylee went straight for the CHOCOLATE. Thats my girl. She also got a frog and some Valentine socks.

Her first experience with bubbles, not quite sure what to think yet...especially when they pop in her face!

After the goodies came some pink heart pancakes, or at least an attempt at hearts. Guess which one they all wanted. It of course turned into an argument which wasnt making me feel so much love. We'll re-think the strategy on that one next year.

Still happy to have the finished product, even if they were a little lop sided!

Eat your heart out!

Following breakfast included another round of bubbles. Ryan continued his attempt to warm Brylee up to them.

It worked!

Finally, we got to enjoy the highlight of the day, my favorite...grocery shopping! Not really, but it couldnt be that bad when it ended with a purchase of not one, but two boxes of CHOCOLATES. Why? They were on sale of course, 1/2 price. Why get one when you could have two for the normal price? I'll let you guess how long it took me to ingest the 2 boxes.

Next up: Daddy Daughter Dance.

This is the second year Madi and Katelin were able to go to their school sponsored dance. Alissa of course, was upset again, but next year she will get to join in. Wont that be fun for Ryan to get to take all three of them!?

Off they go!

They were just as excited as last year, but what Katelin really had her eye on...was a prize! They came so close last time to winning the dance contest, that this year, she was not going to walk away empty...winned? They actually didnt get a prize, but the title is enough to be proud of.

Raise the roof...

and boogie woogie!

But no dancing win this time.

Ryan was down to his last option at pleasing his daughter...the hoola hooping contest.

The problem here is...Ryan cant actually hoola hoop. (Notice how its around his neck?) So instead of winning it the traditional way, he decided to be...creative.

How about letting the hoop hoola you? Run around...and around...and around! Are you picturing this?

Or you can always do it around your arm...

or leg.

Needless to say, after many different forms of hoola hooping...except for the correct way of course, Ryan actually won the contest! Leave it up to a group of young screaming (and chanting) girls! Ryan actually felt bad for the Dads who were actually doing it correctly and didnt get any support. But I think he liked the 2 minutes of fame. And Katelins prize? One sweaty Dad! Enough to make a daughter proud!

A blog fix

It was brought to my attention recently that I havent been blogging as much lately. Actually its been about once a week...hmmm. But there hasnt been any pictures since Christmas, so Im assuming thats what you are really missing (you know who you are). Im going to chalk it up to my mental hibernation I have thrown myself into to get through the winter. And possibly due to the fact that there just isnt as much going on with us during the winter time. So I just ramble on and on, kinda like right now, in hopes to keep you posted on current events. But lets face it...you really just want pictures, not to read my drawn out posts on recent personal discoveries. So here is a little Brylee fix for you!

I was going to wait until she actually took her first independent steps, but I guess she is close enough. It started out as sort of a head stand with what I can only assume was an attempt to stand up, but this is as far as she made it...

Hows the view from down there!?

Anyone up for a little "London Bridges"?

It only took her a month from that point to figure out how to do this...

No, she isnt walking, but as you can see, she can now stand up on her own and remain there un-supported for a good few seconds. Impressive right.
In case you lost track, she is now 14 months old, making her by far the longest one of our kids to take those first steps. Im not complaining the least bit. She already gets into enough stuff just crawling around. Im not looking forward to her being able to reach more things! And after all, if shes happy...

then we are all happy too!

Doesnt she just make you smile?

There, hows that? Hopefully good enough to get you picture addicts by for a few weeks anyway...possibly until Zacks upcoming birthday. But who knows? If Brylee decides to walk before then, you could get lucky!

Happy hibernating!

Angel's among us

If I ever doubted the power of the promptings of the spirit, this week has proven to me how strong that power really can be when acted upon. It started off with me feeling down in the dumps one day. I was missing my friends. I was missing my family. I tried calling a few people to talk to, but with no luck. I was couped up in my house during this freezing period of winter feeling alone and depressed. I think the winter time does that to a lot of people, right? Tell me, Im not the only one.

Anyway, just as I was thinking, I should just sit all day and wallow in my self-pity instead of being productive, came a knock at the door. "Dang, you mean I actually have to answer the door looking and feeling like this? Who could it possibly be, and what are they selling now?" If my kids werent the types to run to the door screaming "Ill get it!" every time they hear a knock and peer out the window, I probably would have ignored it. But by now, they knew I was home. I had to answer. To my surprise, as soon as I answered it, a bouquet of flowers was placed in my hands, with no other explanation than "here...because your special." and off they went. It was a drop and run...literally. I stood looking at her with a bewildered look on my face, wondering what I had done so "special". But as I entered the house, an amazing thing happened.

I smiled.

This person, this neighbor who I know had problems of her own to deal with, took 5 minutes out of her day to make me feel better. I dont know how she knew...she didnt know how I was feeling. Most likely she just felt a prompting to bring something to me with no more reason why than I had, and she followed through. She was an angel.

Not 2 days later, a couple of the kids were sick with fevers, coughs, and runny noses. I mentioned it to a friend as an excuse to cancel something. A couple hours later, there was a pack of Gatorade left on the doorstep from her. I wanted to cry. Twice in one week!? Where are all these helpful people coming from?

A couple more days pass. Brylee was still sick. She hadnt been sleeping well for days. She hadnt been eating. All day long, all I could do was hold her while she cried. Feeling exhausted and frustrated, I managed to pull together something for dinner while listening to Brylee cry the whole time. Still, the kids complained about the food on their plate, and questioned why there wasnt more variety. Unfortunately Ryan had to go back out as soon as we finished eating; to fulfill his yearly opthamologist appointment, taking Madi with him. I had to survive a while longer on my own. When Ryan returned, he came bearing more flowers, this time in the form of a dozen red roses. Im so thankful for my angel of a husband who is receptive to my need for a little extra love, and a show of appreciation.

Oh, Im still not finished, it gets better. Another day passes. 5 days after the first showing of illness, and 6 after my destruction of self-worth. I put it out there in facebook world. People always share their frustrations there...why cant I? More comments than normal came my way, the "Oh I hope you dont get it" to " I know how your feeling" and "I hope your feeling better soon". But one person in particular decided to come to my rescue...again. A couple hours later, I received yet another knock at the door. It was another angel, this time bearing the most awesome care package you could ask for. Complete with a full dinner, boxes of Kleenex (which I happened to be totally out of after all the nose wiping going on), mineral water, popsicles for the kids, and a Take 5 (candy bar) for me. I was so relieved that I didnt have to come up with another dinner through crying children again. Seriously, what did I do to deserve this outpouring of love? Ryan aside, I havent done anything noteworthy for these people, and here they were serving me and my family. 4 different angels, 4 different days all in the same week, and all following promptings to serve. I didnt ask for this. They didnt ask either, they only acted.

So I have had my eyes opened. If I learned anything from all this, it is that I want to be like them. I want to be the kind of person who can pick up on a prompting and follow through with it, even if I dont know why. No questions asked. Just do it. Ill feel better, and I know they will too. I also learned, that even in the winter months, Im not alone. I do have friends here, people who care about me. Silly me, thinking no one cared. How wrong I was! We are never alone. Someone knew what I needed, and showed me His love. His love through the kindness of others.

And if you are wondering, There is still sickness at our house. Im feeling it, Brylee is still feeling it. With the 7 of us, it may be a while before it works its nasty way through us all and goes away. But somehow, now it feels a little bit easier to handle.

Thank you to all my angel's this week!

*Also, if you happen to have your sound muted, take a second to listen to the first song on my playlist at the bottom. Its perfect for this! Love it!*

A Good Day

Just a quick shout out to our friends the Hess'. Maybe you have been following their story (link on the side of the blog), maybe you have helped them out, and maybe you have even prayed for them. If you have, then this is for you. The news as of yesterday is that he has BEATEN cancer! He is now in REMISSION! We are so happy for them and grateful that ours and many others prayers have been answered! This couple is amazing! If you have followed their blog, you know. They have both been through so much and have fought it all with love, determination and faith. The way Margie put together a whole support system and kept it together for him was inspiring. I know their love and faith has grown from this experience, along with all of those who have supported them. We are so blessed to have gotten to know them, only if it was for a short time, and so happy and relieved that they have pulled through this! Thanks to everyone who prayed and helped them even when you didnt know them personally.

WAY TO GO GUYS! TEAM RYAN HESS RULES!

One word

The new year is upon us again, and what does that mean? We all know it...goals, resolutions, expectations, new hopes, dreams and...blah blah blah. Let me just say this: these things have never really worked out the way I plan them to. I hate making resolutions, and putting a time limit on myself. It makes me feel so much pressure! And then what happens when the end of the year comes, and I havent reached my goals? Im a failure! Nobody likes being a failure, right? Well it happens to me almost every December. Im not patient enough to wait a whole year for something to get accomplished. If I dont stay on the right track in that first 3 months, I give up. Every year I set the same goals, like reading the scriptures every day. If I miss a day, well, thats it! The goal is broken. Why even try anymore? Ive already failed. I know, I know...we need to challenge ourselves. But I resolve simply - to improve. Improve on anything and everything. If I just try to read my scriptures more than I have been, than that should count for something, shouldnt it? Any improvement is a step up. And shouldnt we strive for improvement all the time? Not just at the beginning of the new year, and then forget about it by March if things dont go our way? I like to think that "every day is a new day" (Thanks to Chicken Little for the tag line.) I can decide to make a new goal in July if I want to. And what is the deadline? Whenever I reach it, thats when. It might take me 5...or 10 years to lose that extra 20 pounds, but as long as I am constantly trying, then I should in turn be at least improving a little bit. And if I keep improving a little bit at a time, then soon I'll be perfect right?! (hushed laughter)

With that said, I so much like the idea of a new word to exemplify, better than that of a concrete set of resolutions with a deadline. I can have forever to work on characteristic improvements. Im still working on my word from last year (which by the way, was set in February, not January). I dont think I will have it fully mastered for a while, maybe ever; but Im still trying. (To look back click here: http://ryheathtaylor.blogspot.com/2009/02/better-late-than-never.html ) So instead of giving up on my last years new found inspiration, Im going to add to it. I think after trying to cherish and appreciate my children more last year, and worry less...I have lost a lot of my patience. And I need to get it back to be able to look past all those little things that shouldnt matter. So my added word to strive for now is:

PATIENCE

One would think that with 5 kids, you must have gained a lot of patience. But I think with every child I have had, I have lost a little bit more of it, until presently I'm almost completely out. While I tried to come up with all the ways to describe why I need to replenish my patience, I realized there are so many different forms of that word. So I decided to start in the dictionary. Heres what I found:

Main Entry: 1pa·tient
Pronunciation: \ˈpā-shənt\
Function: adjective
1 : bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint

2 : manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain

3 : not hasty or impetuous

4 : steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

5 a : able or willing to bear —used with of b : susceptible, admitting

— pa·tient·ly adverb

Yep. I need to work on all of em. I dont think Im much of a complainer like in def. 1, but I dont know that I bear my burdens calmly. I hate it when things go wrong. I hate it when my kids do certain things and I end up yelling at them. (Look, I just complained...and Im gonna do more just to prove a point. Just know I dont normally do this, and have PATIENCE with me! ;) ) I need to calm down. Things really arent as bad as I make them. Whats the big deal if Im in a hurry to get out the door and Zack wants to wear his snow boots to church? I can be a sane, rational adult and talk to him calmly about putting his church shoes on, instead of freaking out and ripping the boots off of him and screaming "GET IN THE CAR!" to all the other kids. And if he doesnt listen, then whos really going to care if he's wearing snow boots with his dress pants to church? He's 2!

And if that old lady in front of me is driving 5 miles under the speed limit, do I need to pass her or ride her bumper? No. By the time I get around her I will most likely get stopped at a red light and she will be right back there behind me, stopped with me. It could only possibly shave off an extra minute or two in the end. What difference does that make?

And then theres having to wait for people. I have always been a pretty punctual person, so when Im ready to go, and Im left sitting in the car waiting, it drives me crazy! When Im ready to play a game and people are sitting there talking, Im like"C'mon people! Lets get with the program and do what we came here to do!" When its time to eat...we eat! When its time to play...we play! There just isnt time for anything else but what is on my agenda! Why dont people understand that! Of course Im being sarcastic, and I hope you sensed that. The point is, PATIENCE Heather.

Patience with getting that new job or promotion. Patience with fixing all the little blemishes around the house, or getting the basement done. Patience with reaching that desired, (seemingly impossible) waistline. Patience with my goals. Patience with my family. Patience with myself. Patience in all things.

I love the last definition in the dictionary, where it says "able or willing to bear ". If we are not patient with other people, how can we be sensitive to their needs? How can we help those around us when we are only thinking about the mile long list we need to do for ourselves, or where we need to be in the next 5 hours? How can we understand them? What Ive realized, is that on the rare occasion when I am being patient, at least with my kids...I listen better. They listen better. They behave better, because I listened and didnt get upset right away, or jump to conclusions or place blame. If I honestly sit down with them and listen and talk in a calm voice and try to reason with them the best that I can, eventually they will calm down in return. Its like a fungus...it spreads! Patience spreads like happiness! And if we are all a little happier, then I can cherish my time with them more.

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.