Attention!

I have many of you who are wanting to comment on my blog, but do not have Blogger accounts. I have changed the settings so that anyone can post a comment, but I still will have to approve the comment before it shows up on the blog.
I am asking if you comment, you include your name at the end of what you write. I will deny all comments that come through without a name.
The last time I allowed anyone to post, I got a few really ugly comments, and there were no names on them. I will not let my blog become a place for just anyone to cause hate and discontent.

I love hearing from my friends and family, so please comment away!
Happy Snowy Day!
Sheila

Meet Henry!

This is Henry...why? I am not sure; that is just the name Nikki gave him! Isn't he cute?

Henry's Creators...Ashley and Nikki
Alex made a "Snow Bed"...he had a tooth pulled this morning, so I think he was a bit "draggy".

WE LOVE THE SNOW!

Winter Bliss, Luxuries & Indulgences!

I admit that I suffer with what I call "The Winter Blahs."
December brings the celebrations and gloriousness of Christmas. January and February bring cold weather, dark, cloudy days & cooped up kids, which adds up to insanity for Mom!
I was reading the other day that they now have a name for it: Seasonal Affective Disorder. Why is it that when a physician or scientist finally medically identifies a condition, it seems more real and even serious?
I have suffered with the winter blahs for years, and I never knew that it had a name. Had I known that...well, I could have felt even more sorry for myself. Please understand that I am not making fun of this. I know that it can be severe enough, that it completely paralyzes one from being able to function at a normal setting.
I am just tickled to myself that, what I dealt with for years was really a bit of a big deal, and I just thought I was wacko. Well, maybe I was!
All of that being said, I have now found what works for me. I am now able to "nip it in the bud" before it gets out of control.
So, this post is actually about "Winter Bliss: What I Do to Survive the Winter".
I would love to hear from all of you about how you brighten your days. What kinds of foods do you prepare (please share the recipe), what do you listen to, how do you make your home cozy and inviting...please share!

"Sheila's Winter Bliss, Luxuries & Indulgences"

• Hot Tea & Coffee...holding a hot cup, and sipping it's contents...hmmmmm!
• Soup...I think Winter and Soup are best friends. Tonight I am fixing a Broccoli and Cheese Soup, and serving with hot crusty bread. HEAVEN!
• Music...whether it is classical or spiritual, the sounds in my home have a direct impact on my feelings and mood. When I am wound up, classical music causes me to exhale and relax. If I am feeling sad or worried, I crank up the praise & worship music, and dance for joy with one of my children. Music is my hearts delight!
• Smells...a new lotion, or candle to fill my senses...Luxury!
  
• Reading a good book...An indulgence that I refuse to go without!
  
• Trying a new recipe...One of my winter favorites is Scones. I found a new recipe for Honey Scones that I will share on the sidebar of my blog. I am excited to make these for my Lit & Latte Book Group. Of course we will have coffee/tea to drink with them.
  
• Looking at home decor books...I get the most inspiration when I see a lovely room or arrangement. I feel my "move the furniture and clean mood" coming on, and it makes me and my home feel fresh and renewed.
• Going out with someone I love for coffee...sometimes it is Duane, and sometimes it is one of my friends. This time re-charges me and encourages my faster than anything. It makes me a better mom and wife.
  
• Buying new Stationary...I am still a fan of "the written word". I love to send a note on brand new pretty paper or card. It makes me smile.
  
• Prayer...spending time talking to my Father, and being in relationship with him. There are times that I can stop and quietly meditate on Him, and other times when He and I chat while I am scrubbing stains out of a shirt.
• New Pajamas...I know that someone that is reading this is laughing, but new warm jammies that I can put on and snuggle up with the afore mentioned cup of coffee...BLISS!
• Bath...a hot, full tub beckons me to soak and let the world go by. This is a luxury that I don't enjoy enough. But I will work on it. I have a very close friend, who makes this a priority, and I think it is wonderful!
• Watching a movie...anything by Jane Austin, and anything that is romantic. Of course, you won't find me enjoying this luxury without the coffee and a quilt.
  
• Spending time loving on my kids...just as I get the winter blahs, I know that my children feel cooped up too, and so I try to encourage them to find ways to express joy. We love to be silly and dance to country music. Not only does it make us laugh, but it increases Mom's heart rate, and that is "heart healthy living"! I also encourage the children to draw, write and play games together. Creativity brings out the best in all of us.

Now, I will beg you to share your Winter Bliss!

Ringlets & Basketball...who ever said my life was dull?

My Cousin Kyra was crowned Princess at Greenleaf Friends Academy Friday night. Ok, let's back up a bit....Kyra called me last week and asked me if I knew how to do "ringlets" (tight long curls)? After some thought, and a commitment from my dearest friend, and chief ringlet/hair designer, Rose, I said that we would do it.
So, on Friday afternoon, we gave Kyra hundreds, yes, I said hundreds of ringlets! Rose did the design/style of Kyra's hair, and I just curled. Kyra was thrilled with her "do", and we all thought she was beautiful! She made a lovely princess!
I have one question though..."do 'real' princess-es drink Coke??" (they probably do!)

Then Saturday morning, the Taylor family watched Alex play his first basketball game. He is participating in Upwards Basketball through our church. He is on a team called the Rockets, and he has a great coach! Coach Jim does an amazing job teaching the game, and being an example to those little guys.
The Rockets have a boy on their team that has special needs. Joey loves his team! Joey practices with them, and during the game yesterday, they had him throw the ball into the game a couple of times. Alex and the other guys are so good to him, and it warmed my heart to see his excitement and smile when he got to play!
The Rockets didn't win yesterday, but they competed well, and gave it their all! The game ended at 24-18.
Go Rockets!

Please excuse the blurriness in some of the pictures...my camera doesn't do "action" well!

SNOW + TUBES + FRIENDS + WARM FIRE = FUN!

Ashley, Jessica, Tamara & Alyssa

Levi Mark Tilford

Duane loading tubes

Steph, Rose, Cher & Alyssa

Ma & Pa Kettle...oops, I mean Jake & Paula

Aaron & Cher keeping warm!

Nikki getting ready to enjoy a S'more!

Austin already enjoyed a S'more!

Chad and Jacob

Ashley and Rache'l tumbling!

Thank God for Porta Potties & for friends who bring them!

Emme and Bridgette enjoying Hot Cocoa!

Duane and Aaron

Paula, Rose, Sheila, Steph & Cher....were is Talisha?

Ashley Cotner, Brooklyn and Alyssa roasting weenies!

Emme Jan Taylor

The Fire Crew-Aaron & John Cotner-Thanks guys, you made it bearable!

The "Gettin' Jake's Truck Unstuck" Crew...Duane, John, Terry & Jake!

Nikki and Kenlee...COLD!

Recipe for Trouble! Steph and Paula, looking rather innocent, I might add!

We had such a great time tubing and hanging out with friends today! I think there was close to 30 of us there on the mountain! We adults fixed food, shuttled kids up the mountain, warmed cold hands, and then enjoyed a few trips down the hill too! The kids went up and down more times then we could ever count! There were many tumbles and a few tears, but no major catastrophes! Yeah! We also want to thank Jake for getting stuck so much! If you hadn't, I don't know what your friends would have done with themselves all day! :)
It is days like these, that I come away thanking God for blessing our family with amazing friends!

Our weekend.....

This last Friday, we made the two hour trek across the dessert to Twin Falls. We have friends, The Haight's, who so graciously opened their home for our weekend stay.

Kevin had recently broken his knee-cap, and so he was pretty much "out of commission". We enjoyed dinner out, and then a movie marathon on Friday. Then on Saturday, Anita took me shopping to an amazing store called Real Deals. Trust me on this girls....it is worth the time! We also spent 2 1/2 hours combing through the clearance racks at Old Navy.

We worshiped with them on Sunday morning, at their church, Twin Falls Nazarene. Unfortunately their pastor was on the "Extreme '08" to Argentina, so their Youth Pastor filled in. He shared a wonderful sermon about living together in community within the Body of Christ. It was challenging!

My cousin Justin (who is attending College of Southern Idaho), sat beside is in church, and then came over to the Haight's for an amazing lunch of Anita's Lasagna, salad and bread!
It was great to see Justin! He is such a neat kid, and after all, I am his favorite cousin! He even told me I am looking younger! (I think he just may be my favorite cousin now too!)

Ashley, Alex and Nikki all had a blast with their friends, Courtney, Kayla and Ashley! Nikki spent most of the weekend, with her arms wrapped around Tucker, the family dog. I think he might have to sleep for a few days to recover from her chasing him around saying, "Tucker, come here boy". I will say that he was very gentle and tolerant.

Leroy gave us a fashion show with some of his favorite hats. He loves to have his picture taken!

Thank You Kevin and Anita for the nice time! We love you!

Happy Birthday Alyssa Chaelyn!!!

We are going to be away this weekend, and I want to wish my niece, Alyssa a Happy Birthday!!!!

Alyssa is my brother and sister-in-law's oldest daughter.
Alyssa is as quiet as a ladybug, and as sweet as chocolate!
She comes to my house every weekday morning, to do school with Nikki, so we get to see her alot!
She is a great reader, and always does her very best at everything! She and Nikki are very special friends and cousins, and have made lots of fun memories together!

Alyssa, we all love you and are thankful for you!
Have fun being 7!!!!
Love,
Uncle Duane, Aunt Sheila, Ash, Alex and Nikki

The Taylor Men

This is a picture that should make one mother especially proud!

I have reminded my mother-in-law on several occasions, that she has much to be proud of and grateful for. I know she is!

All four of these guys love God, their wives, their children...and others. They are providing well for their families, and serving in many areas of ministry. They know how to laugh, play, help & work.

I think they are some of the nicest looking guys you'll find...especially the one in the red shirt!

Thank you Jamie for the picture!

Living Backwards...

Tonight, as a family, we watched a movie on the Hallmark Channel called, "Charlie and Me". Ashley had seen the previews for it, and has been looking forward to watching it.

Charlie is 12 year old Casey's dear "gramp", and he is dying with heart failure. The story is about his last days, and how he and Casey make the most of every moment, and the people they love.

Charlie makes a comment toward the end..."I think this 'living backwards' was a pretty good way to live...I have lived as if this (earth) was heaven, and now I am going Home!"

So, with that in mind....I sit here tonight with a cup of coffee and my thoughts.
All three of our children are snuggled into their warm beds and Duane is watching "politics" on Fox News.
But me, I am drawn to reflect on this thought of "living backwards", and since I think best in written (or typed word), I decided to blog.

Now, we know that in all actuality, this earth is the farthest thing from Heaven. It takes a whole 10 seconds of watching the news or the Presidential debates (sorry Jamie), and it is clear that sin has taken it's toll on our world!

I think what Charlie was saying was, he had lived his life to the fullest!
He had loved deeply, found joy in simple things, respected others, gave all he could give. He took time to play, sang songs in the night, planted tulip bulbs for the joy of seeing what happened in the Spring! He looked for the good in all things and all people.
His life had been a good one, and now he could go Home!

I felt like singing the Hallelujah Chorus, when Charlie said that!
I want to be able to say it too, when I reach the end of my days! I want to look behind me, and know for sure that I lived well, despite the hard and painful times!
So, when I think about how I plan to do really do that....it dawns on me that maybe it is just a way of life, and not something that I can fabricate.
Maybe as I said in my New Year's post, it is about being, not doing!

With that in mind, I will begin by being joyful, and gentle, and peaceful, and merciful.......by playing, and laughing, and sharing, and giving, and loving unconditionally....just being the girl who God created me to be!
Something tells me, that when you live as you were created to live, everything else just falls into place.

Just my thoughts...........Goodnight!

Heros

Webster defines a hero as a person, who in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities, or has preformed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.

Usually at some point in each of our lives, we are afforded the privilege of having or knowing a true hero. That special individual, who at just the right moment, says or does something, that will forever impact you and may even change the course of your entire life.

Tonight, after many years, I had the joy of wrapping my arms around such a person....my hero. His name is Don. He is a very old man now, but 20 years ago, he single-handedly changed the course of my life.

After crawling though some of the deepest, darkest places in my life and not thinking I could go on, I found myself sitting across from this retired Nazarene pastor; in his office. Don became my counselor, and for several months, he gave me a safe place to be and bear my heart. He listened to me, spoke honestly to me, shared God's word with me, and with tears running down his face, he prayed for me!

I have always thought back to that time in my life, with deep appreciation for this man. Please don't misunderstand, I know that God is ultimately the one who carried me through those days, but He used this Godly man in an extremely powerful way! I will never forget the day, that Don told me that God could still use my life for His glory, and not only that, but He already had a beautiful plan for me, and all I had to do was accept His love and healing. That was a turning point for me, because I did just that! I opened my heart to be healed, and forever changed!

I have seen Don around town once or twice over the last 20 years, but have never had a chance to really tell him what he did for me, and thank him for being God's man, and my hero! But I did that tonight!
He thanked me, and after introducing him to my family, he looked me in the eyes, and said, "It is a beautiful thing to see God's grace at work in your life, Sheila! I am so proud of you!"
I have to say, those words shot all the way to the core of me, and it took all I had to keep my composure.
I do give ALL of the praise to God! I will say that it is by the grace and mercy of a loving God, that I am where I am today!

I am pretty sure that Don will never see this, but I know that one day, he will stand before His God, and hear Him say, "Well done, my faithful servant".....and I will wholeheartedly agree!

The girls, and only the girls, on New Year's!

I took 33 pictures over the New Year holiday. This morning, I loaded them onto my computer, and realized that not one of those 33 photos, has a male/boy/man in the picture! I am not real sure why, but upon further review, I came up with this thought: "Maybe the Taylor boys have captured the attention around here for long enough. Now it is time for the girls to get some press!"

Here are a few of them to enjoy!
#1...Nikki looking like she had something to drink! :)
#2...Ashley looking up!
#3...Nikki and Baby Brittney
#4...The Royal Court. Princesses Bridgette, Kendra, Kassidy, Nikki & Brooklyn
#5...Baby Katie
#6...Sara giving Nikki a pedicure and manicure. Thanks Sara!
#7....Jamie & Megan