So, I updated my blog header... and thought I had better update my blog while I was at it.

Blayne turns three in less than two weeks.  I can't even begin to explain how strange that sounds to me.  Blayne was 18 months old when Emileigh was born, in a few days, she will be the same age. She is still my little baby, he is my big boy.  I can't even imagine what my life would be about either of them.  Blayne made me a mother, Emileigh finished the job.

ABC...123...

Growing up, I wanted to be a Mommy.  I wanted to be a wife and mother more than anything in the world.  When I was in Kindergarden, we had a play.  I believe it was about different occupations A-Z.  I was a Librarian, I really wanted to be the Kite Flier.  (That was Tara Smith and she had the biggest, most beautiful balloon that she used.) Librarian?  Okay- I went from Kindergarden to second grade wanting to be a Librarian.  When I was in Middle School, I wanted to be a basketball coach.  Not because I enjoyed the game, but because I despised every middle school coach I ever had and just knew I could be better.

High School came and I decided that I wanted to be a teacher.  Senior Year: I wanted to be Mrs. Alcorn.

I didn't go to college at the same time my graduating class did.  I entered in 2001, a couple of years later.  I felt out of place.  Young enough to fit the sterotype of "typical college student" but older than the rest of the freshmen class.  I bailed shortly after the attack on September 11th.  It is just a coincidence, or I thought it was. 

I attempted NSU again in 2003.  I was not a MARRIED college student. Surely, I would fit in much better now, right?  Umm NO.  

I bailed again and went to work at LinkAmerica. 

The next 7 years were spend with my head deep in the transportation industry.  I was like a sponge, soaking up every term, account, formula, and driver history.  It was my life for a long time, putting in many, many, many weeks of 70+ hours.  I was always accessable by cell phone during all hours of the day and night, and was issued a laptop to be able to access the system, oh and email.  I literally worked 23 hours a day.  Kevin learned a lot by just listening to me sleep.  I could do my best dispatching while sleeping. :)

Although I moved up the ladder fairly quickly, I would always face the fact that I was a woman in a man's world.  YES that still exists and actually thrives in this industry.

When Emileigh was born, we made the decision that I would stay at home with the kiddos.  I will never, ever, ever regret that decision. 

About six months ago, I got the itch.  I want to jump back into the work force, but I wanted to do something that would stick with me the rest of my working life.  I have thought a million times about going back to transportation, even looking into the program at the University of Arkansas.

I just didn't want to get back into the industry.  That chapter is closed... that Book is closed.

I am opening a new chapter in a new book.  This week I started back to college, to pursue a degree in Nursing.  My hope is to work with either Labor/Delivery, or the NICU.

Yesterday was my first class back.  I am taking a Winter Intersession (minimester) class at Connors.  Psychology. 

I LOVE IT.

Stay tuned.. this could change at any minute.

Accused

I love facebook.

I love it because it allows an avenue to reacquaint myself with people I have known my entire life, but never see anymore.  I love it because it allows me to sit at home in my PJ's with a cup of coffee, no bra, (tmi?)  and socialize. I love it because I can talk to one of my best friends who lives in Utah, like she is next door.  I love it because a conversation can last four days, and everyone is okay with that. I love it because I am ultimately a people watcher, and you can't get any better people watching than facebook.

This weekend, I was accused.  Accused of being on facebook too much.

Last Sunday, I was at grandma's.  She cooked lunch and one uncle and two cousins, Jeff, Josh, and Tyler,  who will go unnamed were there.  The normal riff raff between father and sons continued through lunch when at the end of the meal, Tyler  Thing 1, pulled out his cell phone and discretely checked his text messages.  No harm, right?  WRONG.

Grandma immediately announced that she will be collecting all cell phones in a basket on Christmas day and locking them up, because ...wait for it.... wait for it.... facebook is of the devil.... 

WHAT??? 

I immediately knew this was going downhill and fast.  I quickly reached for the honey so I could have something to occupy my time and silently counted to 193 in my head. 

Before I knew it, I had fingers pointed at me, calling me out.  " AND SHE IS THE WORST! " 

Not cool guys... not cool at all.

Thing 2, Josh, tried to stick up for me, but he knew he was outnumbered so he backed off pretty quickly, chicken.   Jeff Uncle Sell Out's favorite word was "yeah" agreeing with everything grandma was saying.  I tried to remind him that he is on it more than anyone... but that point was mute.

I finally ended the conversation by saying... I am 31 (gasp) years old.  I believe I can post whatever I wish on facebook.  Besides, how do you KNOW what I do on the Internet... You don't even touch a computer or smart phone.

Needless to say, we cleaned the kitchen in very awkward silence.



After   MUCH thought about this whole debacle I have decided that maybe I do post too much random nothing-ness on facebook.  Maybe I do spend too much time reading about other people and their cool lives.  I decided that, although I will still participate daily in the facebook era, I will try to post more to this blog... I mean, it is intended for my kids. 

I would die if they read some of my status updates.... lol  
Maybe they will think I was cool???   nah

Goin' to the chapel.....

Kevin is from Ponca City, and most of what is left of his family still lives there.  We don't ever seem to get there enough and I always feel super guilty when we do go because I tend to drag him to see someone in my family every three days. 

We always come up with some sort of excuse as to why we shouldn't go.  In reality, we should definitely make it more of a priority. 

This blog isn't a premature list of new year resolutions. 

Last Saturday, Kevin and I went to Ponca City to see his nephew, Scott get married. Kevin is the youngest of 8 children, so he and Scott are fairly close in age 6 years.  It is strange to me that when I married Kevin, I immediately became an Aunt and great-Aunt all at the same time :)

We haven't seen Scott in a few years and I was SUPER excited to meet two of his sons.  I almost fell over when I met Eli.  He is six months old and the resemblance to Emileigh is striking.  Infact, his hair grows the exact same as her's.  Mohawk style :)

Liam just turned two, and unfortunately for his parents is LOVING this crazy stage.  He was supposed to walk his momma down the aisle... he screamed the entire time.  To me, it was adorable- I am sure the beauty in the white dress was thinking otherwise.

I can see the resemblance in Liam and Blayne as well..... so strange.


Here is a picture of the Taylor men... Some of them.  Steve and David aren't in it, nor are Scott's other sons.  Maybe this summer (or sooner) we can get them all together and get one.   There I go about those stinkin resolutions again.

Front:  Eli Taylor 6months - Liam Taylor 2 Years

Back: Kevin Taylor, Scott Taylor, Brett Taylor

I apologize for the quality of this photo.  It is actually from a camera phone that I 'borrowed' from facebook :)

December eve...

Thanksgiving flew by faster than it has ever flown before.  It seems like last weekend, we were celebrating Emileigh's birthday and now it seems I overslept and missed Black Friday all together. 

This year, my family got together in Bristow at my Uncle Curtis' house.  It was a small gathering, it seems to get smaller every year, but a good time was had by all.  More than once I heard, "why do we only eat this meal once a year?!!"  We had a lot left over, but it was so yummy.

Kevin worked Friday- So Butch, me, and the tots hung around all day and watched football.  I enjoyed living in my sweat pants and doing nothing.  Saturday Kevin was home and we pretty much continued from the day before :)  As crazy as life is, I am learning to enjy those days where you ahve absolutely nothing planned.  They are nice.

I put our Christmas tree up the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, because I knew we would be uber busy and I wouldnt get around to it.  I am SOOO glad I did.  Sunday, we went to Slick to put up Grandma's tree, she always says every year that she isn't going to put one up.  This year, I found out why.  Not only does she have the heaviest tree known to man, but also 17 million ornaments.  WAY TOO MUCH WORK.

We got it up, though. 

Emileigh has decided that she thinks everything is hers and will say as loudly as possible, "miiiiiine!!"  This was cute for about 2 times, now I am going crazy hearing it.  She will see something across the room and on her way over to it, scream the entire way.  Blayne just picks up the toy he wants and chooses to hide.  Poor kid.

Emileigh has also decided that she would give walking a try, finally.  I guess she liked it, because she is toddling around the house like she is looking for something, talking baby chinese the entire time. Either that or she is cussing me in 1 year old, which is probably what she is doing.

Crap Shows

I have been attending craft shows with my grandma since I was born.  I can remember when I was young, I hated to be drug to them.  Quilt shows?  the worst  Grandma likes to remind me that I used to refer to them as "crap shows" when I was young. 

Apparently, I outgrew that.  I love, love, LOVE them.  We really do not go enough.   My favorite are the shows in Arkansas the third weekend in October.  War Eagle, Hillbilly Corner, etc. 

Yesterday, we attended An Affair of the Heart in Tulsa.  This show is held at the Quick Trip center two times a year, once in Spring and another in Fall. 

I found some SUPER cute outfits for Em-J.  I am telling you, if I am ever lucky enough to win the lottery, a HUGE chunk will be spent at this show.

I really, really, need to charge my camera and stop using my Iphone... the quality is so much better.  But- you get the idea.

The show is still open today- go spend some cash!

we DID it

we made it- we moved.  I forget how exhausting it is.  Most of our things are still packed away in half-emptied boxes strewen about, but oh well... we are here. I love being able to run to the grocery store and be back in 7 minutes. 

We are getting used to the stairs, lol.  We have 15.  I made sure to count them the fifth time I had to climb them.  Blayne fell down them yesterday after climbing the baby gate that was secured to the top of the stairs.  Emileigh will go up the stairs, but then make a little "uhh uhhh" sound until someone comes to her rescue.

Most of their toys are upstairs in their rooms, so I spend a lot of time up here while they play.  Blayne refuses to be up here alone.  We will work on that...

Oh- speaking of Blayne.  He has slept in his own bed all night long the last two nights.  This is a MAJOR accomplishment considering he would come and get in our bed by midnight at the latest at the old house.  He likes Blaynes new room...

Dear Emileigh

Emileigh-

   Today was special, daddy and I got to spend time with all of our attention focused on YOU today.  Blayne has been begging to go stay with papa and doodah, so we shipped him off.  I love spending time alone with you, just the three of us: Daddy, Mommy, and You.     
    At dinner tonight and you stole the show for sure. We went to Runts and you ate your very first fried pickle today. Of course, you made the funniest face but kept eating away.You wore your OU shirt and brand new OU flower that Aunt Amanda bought you... with your smile you took the breath away from a lot of people today.  I love that you are such a friendly little girl :)
     You are such a little stinker though.  You are 13 months old right now and refuse to walk.  We have to trick you to get you to stand on your own.  I should be happy that I have a baby who prefers to be held, but I am ready for you to walk!  I know I should cherish this time, before long, you will be running everywhere. 
   You have begun to show your personality a bit lately.  Uncle Butch taught Blayne to "put em up" when I was still pregnant with you.  It is super cute and Blayne tends to "put em up" from time to time.  We really never taught you the trick, but you learned all on your own.  The last week, you have been wanting to fight everyone you see :)  I wish Butch was here to see it.
    You went to the doctor for the first time this week.  You have your first ear infection, but are such a trooper.  I wouldnt have know you were even sick if it hadn't disrupted your sleeping habits.  You were SUCH a good girl at the doctor's office.  Not a peep out of you. 
    I cherish the time we get to spend one on one.  While you will never know what it feels like to be the only child, you will know what it feels like to be the baby.  The daughter.  I hope it is a good experience that you will tell your daughter about one day.  I love the way you ask for mama now, not just when you are scared or hurt.  I love that you always have to know where everyone in the house is at all times.  You have began to love to watch "Dora the explorer" and "Mickey Mouse."  You shout Duuura  Duuura and do the "we did it" dance so perfectly. 
    You and Blayne started attending Children's Day Out this week at the United Methodist Church in Muskogee, Ok.  While your brother cries when I drop him off, you are such a big girl and crawl in the room and play with the closest toy/friend you come to. I hope that you will continue to be friendly, I want to to be nice to everyone.  We will work on that more later.
    I love you so very much, Emileigh.  When you are a mommy one day, you will understand.  Right now, you will just have to trust me.

M-O-V-I-N-G

It is not a surprise to anyone that I hate living in the sticks of muskogee county.  Actually, I guess it could be worse, I could have zero internet access or satellite.  That would be so bad.


When we moved to this house, we were desperate.  In about a weekend, we came to the conclusion that I would quit work, we would move, and this needed to happen in days, if not minutes.  Our rent and expenses from Kevin driving back and forth from Tulsa to Muskogee for work were astronomical to say the least.  The only way we could afford to let me stay at home (in theory) was to move back to the 'Gee. 

Kevin and I spent a day combing through the newspaper and calling local relators.  We were not (and still are not) ready to purchase due to going from two incomes to one.  We were lucky enough to find a realator who also managed some properties in Muskogee.  That is how we landed here. 

At first glance, I was excited.  I have the granite countertops, I have the stainless steel appliances, I have crown molding, blah blah blah.   I also live 35 minutes from Wal-Mart, 25 Minutes from a grocery store, 15 minutes from a convenience store.  I fight ants and spiders on an hourly basis. I am not even going to begin to speak about the dogs next door, the ones who killed our dog and would do the same to my children.  The ceramic floor tiles in my kitchen are cracking and breaking under our feet.  What do you expect from a house that is 100 years old?  Our roof is a metal one, which might be amazing if, again you arent living in an 800 square foot, 100 year old house.  Being as it is, when it rains, no one sleeps.  I compare it to sleeping under a tarp. Clearly,I read this book by the cover.

Lucky for me, WE ARE MOVING!!! 

We are moving into town, into a neighborhood where other normal people live.  People who have children, not mean pit bull dogs.  I am super excited about this move.  We will gain about 800 square feet plus a two car garage.  We will also gain a fenced in back yard (privacy fence) and a back door for the kids to leave open and come in and out all day.  The only drawback I have at the moment is the fact that there are two bedrooms upstairs with the master down.  This means that my kids will be upstairs.  That will take a little bit of logistical thought, but I am up for it.  I need to purchase baby moniters, and was thinking about whether ot not I would prefer a video monitor.  Do any of my readers have any suggestions?

uncle mike

My uncle Mike came home to visit this week.  I posted on my facebook account that I felt like I did when I was 8 and he would come home to visit.  I was very serious. 

I was born in 1979, Mike's senior year.  I attended my first Bristow High School football game when I was only days old to cheer on my uncle Mike.  I can remember riding in the car for what seemed like hours with my grandparents to watch him play baseball games while he was in college at SWOSU in Weatherford, OK.

I would take my matchbox cars with me because the guys in the dougout would play with me during the games.  I am not sure why they would let me play with them... but I can vividly remember it like yesterday.  I LOVED going to baseball games. 

When I was 6 my uncle Jeff got married, and I can remember the atmosphere being so thick.  Mike was supposed to be in the wedding and was late!  25 years later, I finally asked my grandmother about that.  Her voice always lowers a bit and I hear sadness.  Apparently, on the day that Jeff got married, Mike had a try out with the Phillies in Kansas.  He was offered a contract and all anyone really cared about was that he was late (almost) to Jeff's wedding!   Looking back, how hard would that have been to have to drive 8 hours with the news that you were officially a professional baseball player... then to arrive and not be able to tell anyone. 

I remember Mike working out in the mornings.  He would run and I would always ask to go with him.  Some days, he would allow me to run to the post office with him if I would run back.  He would always run backwards while I would run as fast as I could.  I just wanted to keep up with him.

In the first grade, he came to school with grandma to pick me up.  I was so surprised, he picked me up and put me on his shoulders and walked through the hallways at Washington Elementary.  I will NEVER forget that.

As Mike progressed through the ranks of his baseball career, I saw him less and less.  I was always glad to see him when he game home.  He ALWAYS had the best stuff.  I played a nintendo for the first time at my grandma's house.  Mike brought one back :) 

When I was 10, we went to Oklahoma City and watched him play.  I am pretty sure I smiled for a month afterward.  I still have the baseball with the players signatures on it in my hope chest.  That was MY uncle Mike on the pitching mound.

I always wanted him to be proud of me. I worked really hard when I was young to do good while playing softball.  We even named our team the Phillies :)

I love my Uncle Mike.  I wish he lived closer. 


Here are some pictures of the good ole days-