Cousins!! Claire, Alyssa, Kara, Kaitlyn, and Me
The cutest kids in the entire world with their Grandpa and Grandma
Jessica Lilly Taylor-One VERY BEAUTIFUL and VERY LOVED little girl!!
My favorite 4 year old and I.
I stole this from Dev too. Granmpa juggling for everyone.My trip was wonderful and much needed!! It was a busy vacation but also very relaxing. I flew to Memphis for the night, hung out with the family, and the next day my newest niece was blessed. Right after the blessing we loaded up and drove to Nauvoo. We stopped at the Home of the Throwed Rolls (Lambert's Cafe) in Sikeston, MO on the way. We also drove right through St. Louis. It has changed so much there. The next day we hit as many sites in Nauvoo as we could. We toured the bakery, the gun shop, the blacksmith, the brickyard, the Family Living Center, Pioneer Pastimes, the red brick store, a few shops downtown, and of course the FUDGE SHOP! We also took a carriage ride and afterwards went to the Visitors Center and heard a lovely BYU choir, who happened to star a friend of ours. Later that night we went to another outdoor show on the old stage where we performed in the pageant for 9 summers. It was so great being back there, it really feels like home to me. I miss those summers so much.
So the next day we loaded up to head to the town I grew up in. We headed to the cemetary to visit my brother and my nephews' grave. Seeing my brother and his family crying in front of my nephew's grave was so hard. It is hard seeing people you love going through such hard trials. It is hard to go back there but it is really good to be there. I miss that small town, although it is really run down now. We stayed with some family friends that night and ate a deicious feast. It was so great to be back in a house I remember going to lots when I was young. I love the way it smells there. And I miss the FLAT, open fields soooo much!! I love how simple and beautiful it is there!
We woke up the next morning and headed down to Southern Indiana. While there, some of us stayed in a very old but neat bead and breakfast while the rest of the gang stayed at my Aunts. It was a crazy couple of days with all of the family together (my mom's side). We swam, watched the World Cup, and just hung out. On Friday, the 18th we had the surprise early birthday party for my grandpa. The next day was my cousin's wedding reception. My last day there was sunday. We all went to church and my grandpa gave a great talk. I learned so much about his life and luckily I was on the ball and took notes.
That night I left but to make a long story short, my trip home was delayed with a cancelled flight and some lost luggage. I stayed in a very nice hotel for the night, finally made it back Monday morning and my bags made it the next day.
Things have been crazy busy since I got back. Work has been pretty hectic and the volunteer thing I do has had some drama to say the least. I have had lots of things to catch up on but it is all good. I played softball and volleyball tonight which was way fun!! I am still undecided on my plans for the fall but WILL decide soon...I hope!!!
I finally went to MOAB!!! In my 5 years of living in Utah, I have never gone before. It was absolutely breathtaking there!! It was sort of a long day of driving but it was so worth it. Pictures do not even come close to doing it justice. It is amazing there!!
Thanks for all those who left me a comment, letting me know they read my blog! I promise I wasn't fishing for comments but it is nice to know that someone reads every now and then. I had an idea for a post earlier in the week but now I can't remember what I was going to write about. So, I will just leave it at this:
A week ago today, I got a call at 3 in the morning from my sister. She was very calm and nonchalant. She informed me that her water had just broken. YAY!!! A few hours later they were in the hospital, waiting on their baby girl. Val dialated pretty slowly and was in labor for about 8.5 hours before getting an epidural. All in all, she was in labor for around 13 or 14 hours. In the meantime, I was going crazy and stayed up to date via texts from mom and Val's hubby. Then, a few hours later, a beautiful baby girl was born! She was a bit stubborn and had to be suctioned out, but she arrived!! She was born on May 8, a day before Mother's Day. She weighed 6 lbs 14 oz. She is beautiful!! Mom, Dad, and baby are doing great!! After much deliberation and waiting, her name was decided on. Her name is Jessica Lilly Taylor (3 middle names). I cannot wait to meet her next month!!!!!!!
The happy little family!!
Jessica Lilly Taylor-She is so perfect!!
It has been a long time since I have blogged...but that is ok because nobody reads it anyway, at least I don't think anyone does. Where to start for an update???
Everything is going well. I just finished coaching a Kindergarden soccer team for the last month or so. It was so much fun! I cannot wait to coach again. Coaching is harder than I expected but it was fun and my little kiddos sure improved a lot each game. I'm still working the same job and I love it, although it is very challenging at times. It has been one of the best experiences of my life and I will be sad when it ends. Speak of ending, I am considering a move at the end of the summer. It will be very hard to leave Utah but I feel like it is the right thing to do and I am ready for a big change...scared but exctied! I will miss my friends so much though. They have been my family during the 5 years I have been so far from home. I have met some of the most amazing people out here, as well as built on other friendships from before. I will miss it a lot.
I have been putting together a book for my Grandpa's birthday. The letters people have written him are amazing, he is such a wonderful man. He has touched the life of so many people. I cannot wait for our family reunion this summer. And in even more exciting news....my sister is SOOOO close to having her baby! She has just over 2 weeks left. I can't believe it. I am so excited! My nieces and nephews are the best things in the whole world and I cannot wait to meet this perfect little girl. Plus I am ready for a little vacation! Anyway, here is my update. Life is good! Warmer weather would be nice but I will be patient....
I just read an extremely sad story, although it has a miraculously wonderful ending. This is a long read and will make you cry but wow. For those of you who don't read it, please do not leave your kids alone in the bathtub. So scary!!
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