A beautiful day!

It's my birthday!

Today is my birthday! I am now sporting the number 35!

I have determined within myself, that I am not going to be one of those ladies that hides and lies about their age. What is there to be ashamed of?? I have lived 35 years upon this earth, and I am proud to have made it this far, with only a few bumps and scrapes along the way.

I have been blessed in my life!

• I am a friend of God.
• I have an amazing man who chose to love me and live his life with me. He gives his love, his time and his life to me freely and unconditionally every single day!
• I have three beautiful children, who are happy, healthy and overflowing with love for their mommy!
• I have a loving and loyal family, who thinks I am wonderful no matter what I do!
• I have the greatest friends EVER! They so freely give of their time, friendship, chocolate, or whatever it is that I need.
• I have all of my earthly needs supplied.

35 years worth of Lessons (in no particular order):

• I realize that time is really precious.
• I have learned to spend more time with the people who love me, and less time with the people who don't.
• I have learned that what others think of me, is far less important than what my Savior thinks of me.
• I have learned that the word "No", can be just as beautiful as the word "Yes"
  
• I have learned that going to church on Sunday, does not constitute a deep relationship with Jesus.
• I have learned that being in relationship with Jesus, is not about how much I do for Him, but about how much I am with/in Him.
• I am still learning to be a human "being", and not a human "doing".
• I am still learning to graciously accept the Ultimate Gift(Grace), and not try to apply a price tag to it. It has been purchased already, and I can't earn it, or pay for it...Final!!!!
• I have learned that my Bible and www.mapquest.com will always get me where I need to go.
• I have learned that laundry is endless, so I need to get over it!
• I have learned that a clean, tidy home makes it's inhabitants happy!
• I have learned that a yummy meal in the oven, a hug and a smile makes my husband happy to be home.
• I have learned that I am not naturally organized, so I must give it my best, and keep it simple!
• I am learning that the teenager that lives with us (and belongs to us), just needs to hear that she is loved, pretty and will always be cared for...no matter what!
• I am learning that playing Pet Shoppe with a 7 year old, translates to "You matter to me!"
• I am learning that boys like girls (even their moms) to chase them, and think they are cool!
• I have learned that while fractions and past participles are important, so is learning how to be helpful, resourceful, creative, loving and kind.
• I have learned that instead of wishing people would be kind, I need to show them how.
• I have learned that a cup of Chai tea and a hug makes all things better!
• I have learned that I have much left to learn!

Now, excuse me while I go celebrate! Here's to the next 35 years!

Ashley started her ortho-treatment with Invisalign aligners today.

I included these pictures, because many people have never heard of or seen it. Word has it that braces, as we know them, will be obsolete in the very near future!

She will wear each set of aligners for two weeks. Then she will graduate to the next set. Each set will move her teeth little by little. Every six weeks, we go into the dentist, and get the next 6 weeks worth of aligners.
Her treatment plan included 29 aligners. That means that she will wear them for 58 weeks (1 year and 6 weeks). There is no metal involved (hallelujah!!) and she can take them out to eat, brush and floss three times a day, and also for dental cleanings.

Unless you know she has them on, it is hard to tell. They fit her teeth perfectly! This is important for a teenage girl with extremely crooked, crowded teeth! They do make her talk kinda funny. She will get used to them!

Yes, she is in pain tonight. They apply a lot of pressure, and her teeth are aching. I told her to just be grateful that there are no metal brackets ripping the inside of her lips, as well! (coming from someone who wore braces for 3 years!)

Our prayer is that Alex and Nikki will continue to have beautiful straight teeth!
I would include a picture of Ashley with her aligners in, but understandably, she is a bit sensitive about her looks right now.

A must read!

I have just started reading a new book called, "The Good Nearby", by Nancy Moser.

I am only on the second chapter, and already know this is going to be an amazing book!
I am planning to announce this book as our November read for my "Lit and Latte" book group.

This is the story of a little girl, abandoned by her parents, left with nothing to hold onto, except for the memories of a grandmother's love, and the belief that someday, she will have the chance to do something really important.

Here is an excerpt from the first chapter....

"...I felt her shake her head, then hold me extra close. 'I may not have money to give you, child, but know this: I love you more than anyone in the world, and I want you to know you're special. You're going to do something important someday. It may not change the entire world, but it'll change the world to the people around you. You'll be the good nearby.'
'The what?'
'The good nearby. People don't realize good is closer than they think. Good people. Good things. And chances to do good.' 'The good nearby. That's you, Gigi. I know it!"

Happy Reading!

Prayer Need

I am asking all of you to please help me pray for Sandy Nuse. She is my dear friend, Deanna's older sister.
Sandy has already fought breast cancer, and now has a recurrence of cancer in her lungs. Deanna told me last night on the phone, that Sandy is very serious! It looks like she will go to a Cancer Treatment Hospital in California soon. Please pray that Quentin and Sandy will have peace about the BIG decisions ahead of them, and for Quentin and Becky (Dee and Sandy's mother) as they care for Sandy and their five children.

Steven and Dee are scheduled to arrive back into the states (Idaho) on Oct. 6th. Please pray for them as they come home to this crisis in their family.

Thank you for praying. God is not clueless about Sandy, and He will be faithful!

Blessings,
Sheila

Tent City, Idaho

Before you think that we are camping, let me explain. This is a "tent city" going up in our back yard. We are considering this style of living....haha!

Duane, Marc, Aaron, and John take hunting very seriously! This year, they became proud owners of two huge tents. I was told that these tents need to be put up, aired out, and rained on. I guess all of this conditions the tents for the outdoor elements.

Duane & Alex put the two tents up this afternoon, and just as planned, it is now raining on the tents.
We were all invited to come and hang out in the tents to "check them out!" You will notice the shadows coming from inside the tents...it is Aaron, Alex & Duane just chillin' out.

O Happy Day!

Nikki celebrated her seventh birthday yesterday with lots of smiles and presents!

She told me this morning, "it sure feels good to be 7!!"

Birthday Girl Nichole!

Nichole Rebecca Taylor is going to be 7 years old tomorrow!

She was born on 9/21/2000.

She came into our family as the baby sister to two older siblings, and they were wrapped around her little finger instantly! Ashley was seven, and would pick her up if she even grunted. Alex was four, and he was so protective from the beginning.
Today, things are not a lot different. She barely speaks, and they are at her beck and call. Alex gets very worried if she gets hurt, and would fight a large army for her. She does get on their nerves, and she is a bit bossy, but they love her anyway.

Nikki's birth was the first one I had an epidural with. It was truly wonderful! I had absolutely no pain, and the mood in the room was quiet and very calm. When Marc & Talisha and Aaron & Cher came in right after the delivery, Talisha said, "you don't even look like you just had a baby!" I became a huge advocate for epidurals after that!

Parenting Nikki has been a joy-filled experience. All three of our children are wonderful in their own unique way, and Nikki's way is mostly happy! She is easy to deal with, and I could count one one hand the times that we have had to come down hard on her. Most of the time, all it takes is a stern look, and we see her change her mind about how she is behaving. (We will have to wait and see how it is during those traumatic teen years!)

Nikki is all frills and very girly! She loves the colors pink and purple, all things princess, Polly Pocket and Pet Shoppe. She loves going to her class at church (she quickly falls in love with her teachers!) and Caravan's on Wednesday night. Being with her cousins, Alyssa, Kenlee, Brooklyn, Bridgette & Emme, is one of her favorite things of all!
She likes to spend time in the kitchen with mom, but helping Daddy is fun too! When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she says, "I will probably marry Levi, and then I will be a mommy... oh, and a nurse!"

Nichole, you have brought oodles of happiness into our family. We all love you and we pray that you continue to be a girl who loves Jesus and others as openly as you do right now.
Have fun being 7!

Writing On Their Heart's Slate

A wise person (Dr. Phil) has said "Everyday that you parent your child, you are writing on the slate of their heart".
I heard him say that today, after having a deep discussion with Alex, last night. He was having a hard time with something in his life, and Duane and I were able to talk him through it, and then pray with him. When I think on it, in light of Dr. Phil's quote, it makes me really pause and think about the impact Duane and I have on our children all the time.

Everything I teach my children, whether through my words or through my actions, is being inscribed on the slate of their hearts. They will carry it throughout their lives.

I have many BIG things that I want to teach my children with the help of God:

1. I want them to see that Mom and Dad really love Jesus, and it shows!
2. I want them to know that Jesus loves them for who they are RIGHT NOW! They don't need to pretend to be someone more worthy, or more holy.....
3. I want them to get GRACE! I don't want them to be at the age of 34, and finally understand it. I want them to know early on, that Grace is nothing but a gift from their loving Heavenly Father, offered to them freely. IT IS NOTHING THEY CAN EARN OR DO ON THEIR OWN! (It will save them A LOT of grief, to understand this concept early in life!)
   
4. I want to teach them through my actions and words to turn around and offer grace to everyone around them. If God so freely gives it to us, why wouldn't we offer it to those around us?
5. I want to teach my kids that sometimes people say and do mean things, and that it may make us feel like we are not good enough, or pretty enough, or smart enough...but that God loves us, NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS THINK! Only listen to the good things, and leave all the mean things at the foot of the cross.
   
6. I want to teach my kids LOVE. Not just surface love, but unconditional love. A love that goes beyond status, position, and money. I want them to truly love others, as Jesus loves them!
7. I want to teach my kids how to be a true friend. My true friends are my lifeline!
   
8. I want to teach them to be kind and compassionate always!
   
9. I want to teach them to be helpful. If someone is in need of help, jump at the chance to be the Hand of God extended.
   
10. I want to teach my kids boundaries. I want them to know that it is good to sometimes say "No". It is easy to get bogged down, with all the things we "think" we must do, but there are times when it is healthy for them and others, to draw a respectful line at "No".
11. I want to teach them to stand for TRUTH! No matter if is popular or not!
12. I want my kids to learn to be real! I want my girls to be the loving, beautiful girls that God made them to be. I want Alex to be an honorable, strong boy who faithfully follows Christ.

I could go on and on...as with any mother out there, I want to do my best with my children. I pray that the twelve things I mentioned above, will be truths that I write on their heart's slates, through the way I live my life.
"Please, Dear Father, give me wisdom and guidance!"

The Taylor Family's Newest Arrival

A beautiful Baby Girl, Katelyn ("Katie") Olivia Taylor was born to Brian and Jamie Taylor on September 11, 2007.
Her big sister is Megan. She is the 8th little girl in the Taylor family.

Her Uncle Duane, Aunt Sheila, Cousins, Ashley, Alex and Nikki are thrilled that she is here and
we are thinking that Idaho and Tennessee are awfully far apart right now. We are anxious to see her at Christmas!

You can go to: www.taylors-taylortalk.blogspot.com to see more pictures and stories about Katie.

Because they make me smile!

I have this thing for flowers!
They always make me smile, and I am drawn to photograph them. Duane, Aaron and Cher endured my endless "floral photography sessions" at Disney Land last year; then again in the Owyhee's last Summer; then at the Pacific Coast. I even took one of my favorites (pink rose) at my friend, Paula's house last week.
I intend to enter some of them into the Western Idaho Fair, just for fun. I also plan to frame & use then to decorate.
Enjoy these four. I am trying to post my favorite one, but it is giving me grief. I'll keep trying.

He is 11!

Alex had "the best birthday ever!"

Here are some pictures of his day.

Alexander Robert Taylor...is 11!

Well, here I go again with a birthday. Only this time it is Alex's turn.

This Sunday, September 9th, Alex is going to be 11 years old!

He was born on 9-9-96.

Alex tried to be born in May, again in June, July, August. But we put him off until September.
I spent the months between May-September on strict bedrest, living with my parents in Murphy. Ashley was out there with me, and Duane would come out on the weekends to be with us.
It was not a fun time! I was on heavy doses of medication to keep the contractions at bay, so my nerves and emotions were shot!
My Doctor kept telling me that we had to get the baby to 36 weeks. The eve of my 36th week, I went into hard labor, landing me in the hospital. The next day, Dr. Hutchings came in and said that I could go off all the meds, and have a baby. Guess what happened...the contractions came to a dead standstill. I was so tired and frustrated!
I got up out of bed (I had been in bed for 12 weeks), and started to walk the halls. That worked and at 6:oo pm, I went into labor for real.
Alex made his arrival at 8:10 pm, into the arms of very relieved parents! I still remember holding him all night, not wanting to let go, so grateful that he was alive and healthy!

Alex has brought us more joy that words can express! At a very young age, he gave his heart to Jesus, and that made his daddy and mommy very happy!
He loves to play ball, hunt, ride bikes, swim, camp, shoot his gun, blow things up(within the bounds of the law), chase his sisters with bugs...regular ol' boy things!
He has an imagination that will not quit, dreaming up big ideas and inventions. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, we have heard many things. It usually depends on what is going on in his life at the time. When he is in the kitchen helping me fix dinner, he tells me how he is going to own a restaurant someday. He even told me that on Tuesdays, he is going to serve free ice cream to just his family!
He drives his sisters to insanity, but he loves them devoutly. Recently, Nikki hurt herself pretty bad, and Alex sat on the sofa and held her, assuring her that he was sorry and that he loved her.
Words that describe Alex:
kind, tender, happy, goofy, funny, creative, artistic, helpful, loving, compassionate, adventurous, spontaneous...
Happy Birthday Bud! Have fun being 11!

Our week

On Monday, Labor Day, we celebrated Ashley's birthday. We spent part of the day with Duane's family, and then we took Ashley for a evening out on the town with aunts, uncles and cousins. We ended the night at Applebee's.

On Tuesday we started school. Alyssa is joining us this year, and she and Nikki are doing first grade together. We are waiting for our books to all arrive, so we have been doing review work.

Last night we had a big thunderstorm go through the valley, and then it rained. After awhile, Ashley ran in and said that the sunset was amazing, so she took the camera out and captured the moment for us.

It is only Wednesday, but already this week, God has been with our family and given us much to be grateful for.

Ashley Dyan Taylor...Happy 14th!!!!

Today, our oldest child & daughter, Ashley Dyan, is celebrating her 14th Birthday!

She was born on 9-3-93.

Duane and I are finding it hard to believe that it was 14 years ago, that we welcomed our first baby into the world.
She was the first grandchild born to her paternal and maternal grandparents, and she made Aaron, Terry, Marc & Brian first-time uncles. The church we were attending, had not seen a baby born into it's congregation in close to 6 years. Needless, to say, she was the star of the show! She made her entry into this world, with a host of family hanging out in the halls of the hospital, waiting to hear her first cries. Her four new teenage uncles, were keeping everyone entertained with their predictions about what she would be like and who she would look like. I will say that money was even exchanged in the process.

At 1:36 am, she made her debut. I can still remember the feelings and emotions that came over me, as I gazed on her for the first time, memorizing everything about her. I kept having to remind myself that she belonged to Duane and I.
She brought us instant joy, and 14 years later, is still bringing joy into our lives!

She is the oldest of our children, and making the job of raising a teenager not seem as frightening as I had originally expected. She is a great older sister!

She loves Jesus, and so beautifully loves others too! She is caring, considerate, compassionate, giving, helpful, creative, responsible, studious, thoughtful, loving, fun....I could go on all day!

She is artistic, and has shown such amazing talent in art. She collects Breyer horses, and "will someday own a horse ranch in Kentucky". She plays violin, but is taking a break from it for a year, to take piano. She reads anything she can get her hands on, and skillfully writes amazing essays!

She is beginning to have strong desires to drive (don't tell, but she already has a couple of times!), and she has informed me that she wants to work in a coffee shop as a barista next summer.

We love you, Ash! Dad and I are so proud of the beautiful girl that you are!
Happy 14th birthday!

Annual Corn Day

Every year our family goes through the complicated process of "doing corn".
This year, Jake and Paula wanted to join us, and even offered to have us over to their house to do it.
I have to say that this was the best "corn day" we have probably ever had! Jake had set up his shop to be "corn central", and it was a very efficient process.
All of the children joined us for shucking 75 dozen ears of corn, and really did help alot! Even three year old, Kenlee did her part!

We had a close call, when my mom punctured her wrist with a very sharp knife. It bled quite a bit, but finally stopped! Thankfully, she was okay and able to do her annual job of cutting the corn.

We finished, having bagged 253 Ziploc bags of corn.
Thankfully a shower makes everything better after a day like today!