We Love Daddy!

(Mac was so exhausted from our morning at church and afternoon of celebrating that I couldn't get him to wake up for a picture. So, I had to settle for this sleepy pic.)

Yesterday we celebrated Father's Day, and, boy, do we have lots to celebrate! Sam does a lot of things really well in his life, but the one that tops the list is being a dad. He is the absolute best dad to Mac. I have so loved watching him take on this role. He is the perfect blend of love, fun, and discipline. His tender, yet firm, approach with Mac coupled with his incredible amount of patience has been such an example and reminder to me. Mac absolutely adores his daddy...and is definitely his favorite person. It brings me such joy to watch them play basketball, tackle on the floor, share cookies and ice cream, and rock together at night. I couldn't be more thankful for a husband that is such a wonderful dad to Mac (and almost here, Baby Taylor 2). As he strives to model and follow our Heavenly Father, it shapes him into the perfect earthly father!!! Thank you Sam! Mac and I love you more than anything!!!!

Big Changes at the Taylor Household

Last week marked big, maybe even huge, changes at the Taylor House. For starters, we moved from our furnished condo in Branson to an unfurnished trailer in Forsyth. If there is one thing the Lord has repeatedly taught me over the past 6 months, it is that His plans are not mine :) It truly has been just amazing to see all of the various ways that the Lord is providing for and taking care of us as we have totally handed over control of our lives and wills. I honestly never thought I'd say that we are blessed to be living in a rather small trailer, but we are blessed!!!

When our moving truck arrived, we had a wonderful crew of church friends help us unload in quick time. Then, our unpacking crew arrived...my dad, mom, and Lia. I was so thankful to have help getting boxes unpacked, the house set up, and lots and lots of shelves added to just about every space. Sam and my dad worked tirelessly all weekend on projects aimed at adding "space" to our humble abode. My mom and Lia worked hard at organizing and decorating. I'm telling you the truth, if not for all of the hard work from Sam and my family, I would've been sitting amongst boxes crying, overwhelmed by the task of moving while 8 months pregnant. We actually got it all done and unpacked in one short weekend! Talk about extreme makeover!

The other big change is that Mac now sleeps in his new fire truck toddler bed (in his new big boy room)!!!! I really wanted to get him out of the crib before Baby 2 arrived, but was unsure if Mac would be too young or not. Well, I should never have doubted that sweet, compliant little boy. The first night we did our usual bedtime routine, put him in bed and never heard another word from him. He never tried to get out, didn't cry and yell, nothing. It was so easy and has been every night since. He loves his new bed. He does like to play in it when he wakes up in the mornings. He turns on the little siren light, turns the key, and plays with all his stuffed animals in bed with him. And he doesn't even get out of bed when he wakes up in the mornings. He just plays and waits for someone to come get him out. I'm so, so thankful!!!! Now, we have 2 weeks left to get rid of the loochies...I have a feeling that one won't be so easy.

Life has been changing a good bit the past few months. And you know what? Its only going to change even more. Baby 2 arrives in just less than 3 weeks!!!

Our new street in Forsyth

Kitchen

We did give dad a long enough break from working to enjoy lunch at Mel's Hard Luck Diner after church :)

He was so worn out from the weekend that he fell asleep on Lia's shoulder in Wal-Mart. That's like maybe the second time ever he's fallen asleep like that!

Mac Loves Veggie Tales

Mac's previous affection with The Wiggles has recently been replaced by Veggie Tales. Now, don't get me wrong, he still loves The Wiggles, but they have quickly fallen to the number 2 spot on his list. To be honest, Sam and I are thrilled, as we had already decided that his Wiggles affection would not be allowed much longer. Mac loves to sing along to all the Veggie Tales songs, but the theme song is his favorite.

Sam has helped me launch our blog into the 21st Century with HD video...so listen carefully and enjoy!

On the Road Again

Well, we loaded up the first load of our things to take to Branson. We are going from the furnished condo to another temporary rental that is unfurnished. So, we had to go "home" to get some of our things. Our next rental isn't large enough for all of our stuff, so we left some things behind in the house (which we are still waiting to sell.) We used a company that drops a trailer for you to load and unload yourself, and they do the driving.

Since Sam had to load that big baby up himself (and since I'm toting a big baby these days), we were so thankful to have family and friends help us! Sam's folks and youngest brother came to help and our good friend Marcus Jackson gave up his entire day to help...and sweat! LOL I tell you, I miss a lot of things about Mississippi, but the humid, suffocating heat is not one of them! Anyway, thanks for all the help everyone!

We were so thrilled to see lots of familiar faces on this quick trip over. We seemed to have a steady stream of friends and students stop by, and it made my day each time. Monticello and the people there will forever have a special place in my heart!

The big trailer

Reed, Sam and Marcus hard at work

Mac and Mrs. Joy. She was a big help keeping Mac occupied as we worked.

Oh, my sweet Mac has no idea this is the last time he will get to play in his favorite toy for quite some time. We had to leave it at the house since it won't fit in our rental. Sad day...that ball pit has kept him happy and occupied for hours and hours!!

A Lily Legacy

This past Thursday I celebrated 29 wonderful, blessed years of my life. Sam, Mac, and I were in MS packing and loading a trailer to send back to Branson. And when we arrived, I could not have been more excited to see what was blooming in my yard...day lilies, or "my birthday flower" as I've called it my entire life. Years of memories flooded my mind as I walked up to the delicate bloom.

You see, my great-grandfather, Papa Cha-Cha, brought some of his day lilies to plant at our house when I was a young child. And every year, they bloomed the week of my birthday. Never early, never late. Even if other people's lilies were blooming, ours always waited. So, since I absolutely loved my birthday week growing up (and insisted on celebrating all week), I would pester my mom if it was almost my birthday. She always advised me to go and see if the day lilies were getting ready to bloom.

Those flowers have been transplanted over and over to many places along the journey of our lives. My mom took some to Texas, I've had them in Magee, Pearl and Monticello, and my grandmother has them at her house on the coast. And they've never let me down, including this year!

Wow, just the sight of them brings such joy to my soul as I think back on all the wonderful years I've had the privilege to celebrate a birthday. And I'm also always reminded of what an amazing family I have. They, like the lily, never let me down and are always there for me!

I guess next year we'll see how the day lilies like Missouri weather!

ZZZ's

Everyone meet "Doggy." Mac's favorite animal friend that doubles as his pillow. His faithful friend joined us on the long trek to Mississippi to load up a moving truck.

He also has his other favorites...his loochie or "ouchie" as Mac says it and his blankie. I think its mostly hidden by Doggy, but its there somewhere!

Mac and His Teddy Bear

Practicing his "cheese" face

Sweet little toddler stance with his teddy tucked under his arm

I just love how he carries that thing around under his arm!

Blankie in one hand, bear in the other...its a good day!