It's Potty (training) Time for John!

Today was Day #1. He did great. He had about 4 accidents but by the end of the day told me that he needed to go and went pee pee on the potty! I swear by this "one day" method. I don't really think it is truly one day, but it definitely is an intense approach to getting started on the right foot. There is no turning back now!

John with "Tinkles" the potty doll

My supplies! Plus lots of candy and juice (and attempted patience)

Merry Christmas 2012!

Our beautiful Christmas card designed by Jill Baumhover at JillBee Designs.

Santa Pic

I guess this will just have to do this year. I attempt to get a Santa shot every year but John was absolutely petrified of the man and would not even look at him. He asked up until Christmas if he was ever going to have to see Santa again and if Santa was coming to our house. Poor little guy.

And I just did not have it in me to dress the kids up cute. . . maybe next year?!

Combo B-day for Brother and Sister

I was shocked when Alivia and Will said they wanted to have their birthdays TOGETHER at Build-A-Bear. How sweet! I each let them invite a few friends and we all gathered at Lakeline Mall. Alivia had her birthday there last year, too but never seems to tire of it.

Alivia and Avery

Baby Matthew (10 mos) and Mimi 

Josh Underwood and Alivia

Birthday BOY! Who is now FIVE!

Birthday GIRL! Who is 6 11/12ths!

OK, this was total chaos. The mall was packed for the holidays but the kids were great.

Frantically cutting two cookie cakes!

So Thankful. . . for my Health

Right around this time I began to have a terrible one-sided sore throat. I kept thinking, "Wow, if this is strep throat, I am going to have way more compassion for my patients from now on." I have never had strep throat. I tested myself for strep at work and nope, the rapid strep was negative. Move forward a few more days and I was taking Ibuprofen 800 mg, Tylenol 1000 mg, and some leftover Vicodin that I had laying around the house to help with the pain . . . to no avail. The pain was incredible. After 2 days, I began to have difficulty swallowing and talking. I knew it was time to take myself to the ER. So at 2 am, I left Matt with the kids, called my folks on the way and they met me there.

I was diagnosed with a parapharyngeal abscess and cellulitis with a CT scan. I was given IV steroids, antibiotics and pain meds and went back to Mesa Drive to recuperate for a few days on antibiotics. My only guess is that I picked up that crazy bacterial infection at work. GROSS!

Matt was absolutely incredible during this period of time. He had to take over every aspect of our household and work, too. He never complained.

Thankfully, I was almost back to normal just in time for the kids' birthday party at Build a Bear. WHEW. I just kept thinking about how I take my health for granted.

My precious kids

Baby Matthew's Dedication

The final Taylor grandchild wore the special dress this past weekend when we had baby Matthew dedicated. We changed things up a bit and had the service at our house surrounded by family and our community/fellowship groups. It was really special to have Elder Rob Truss perform the ceremony. Sweet Matthew, it becomes more and more apparent to me that you are just on loan to me for a short time. May God use me to help you learn about Him. Amen!

Precious Matthew - he's 10 months now!

The Mezgers

Lots of kids - about 25 - were here. They all get along great.

Schooler, Matt and Davis

Schooler and Adam Zimel

The ceremony. . . 

The Ripleys

This is Mimi and Grandpa's Christmas card photo!

The Taylors

Sam, Josh, Alivia and Bentley

We love the Underwood boys!

Matt's 40th Birthday

The pictures speak for themselves. Matt took some guy friends from the 'Hood to Carrizo Springs to our family ranch in deep South Texas. (We are talking basically Mexico.) They shot a lot of ammo, killed some wildlife, blew up stuff, and ate some good food. All in all, it was a great man-bonding

Happy 40th Birthday to the favorite man in my life.

STUDS - I mean from L->R - Scott, Jon, Matt, Truss, Davis, Don, Schooler, and Larry. I surprised them with these shirts and sunglasses. It makes for an AWESOME pic!

Matt organized everything. He even had two friends from PDX come for the weekend

Nothing says Texas like an semi automatic weapon and cake