Well, I have stepped out of the xanga world, but now it is time to catch all of you loyal bloggers the latest in the Taylor Family!

January:

This winter has knocked us out much of the time. With school closings, illnesses, and the snow that kept on coming was really wearing us down. Both Nathan and I commute quite a ways to work (over an hour on good days) but the snow made it even longer. We were tired of the drive and thank God that no serious accidents kept us from working. January was literally a blur.

February:

This was an exciting month for us! Our baby girl, Gianna turned the big 2! What a difference she makes in our family! She is full of life, her love for her sisters, and full of humor! Love that pink frosting! What do you get a girl who already has everything????? FOOD!

This month was also a major milestone for me personally. I completed my first mini-triathalon! It was indoors at the YMCA and surprising, I finished in the middle. And for the record, I was the only 37 year woman competing! This was my number (of course, they wrote in permanent marker) I do have to confess that I did stop through the McDonalds and order a double cheeseburger, fries, rootbeer, and hot fudge sundae. After training for long time, I felt I deserved a small treat. 

March:

This month was stressful for me as well as relaxing (if that makes sense??) I was asked to present a power point presentation to justify my position with the school district. It is very time consuming when I have other responsibilities such as counseling and my family. The relaxing part of the month was our vacation to a cabin in Michigan! We invited the Taylor Family. Mom and Dad Taylor were come with us and it was a blast! We got up there on Friday (during our spring break!) and ate chili and cornbread. It was a bit nippy but with the fire Dad and Nathan built kept us warm. Mom and I decided to take a walk into town and we had our heads covered. On Saturday, God blessed with beautiful temperatures and no wind. We drove into Sagatuk and hiked up 282 steps to a lookout tower. Everyone made it! We were breathing quite heavily but it was awesome to see God's work! The lake, sun and springlike tempeataures made it beautiful! We got back and stayed around the cabin. Mom and Dad, Grace and I went down to the beach and walked. Dad taught Mom how to skip rocks and she did great! It was so relaxing to be down by the water. We drove into South Haven for dinner and went to a famous ice cream place. If it was famous, how come I didn't know about it? Good ice cream! We came back to the cabin and did the resurrection eggs Mom brought. On Sunday, Dad preached in Grand Rapids so we drove up to hear him. The church had a potluck and we started back to Illinois. Mom came with us and stayed overnight. This is ice/snow off the shore on Lake Michigan!

April:

Easter is always fun in our house. We color eggs and eat chocolate. Of course I love dressing the girls up in their  pretty dresses.

April also was the month I had to justify my position at work. After the power point presentation, the school district praised me and my work. They are thrilled to have me working for them. At that point, about 100 pounds of stress was lifted off my shoulders. PRAISE GOD!

Today I accomplished something I never would do in a million years! I FINISHED A 5K RUN! My first real 5k run. I had two goals: 1. finished the race in one piece, 2. not stop once during the race. I have achieved my goals! I am also training for a triathalon in Naperville in June. That one is going to wipe me out of commission for days!  Grace took this picture! I was too tired to flex my muscles!

Well, that bring us up to date. Signing off until who knows when I get back on!

 It is definitely a blessing to have my hubby home from the sandbox! Our God is AWESOME!

Life here is quite hectic. Nathan is trying to figure out where I put things, what the girls are up to, understanding their schedules, and just fitting back into the family. We had about 85 people attend his homecoming party and it was great to see them.

Nathan and I are thankful and blessed to be back with each other. When a couple is separated for an extended time, it really does put a different perspective on communication and respect. The saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" really sums it up. We have a stronger relationship with each other and with God. It is He who took care of us and provided all our needs. I am so PROUD of my husband for sacrificing his family for our country. He is my HERO!

Here is a picture I took when he got off the plane. It was about 10 pm and I had been waiting for 2 hours for him! Also, a picture of our family at our vacation in Michigan. We stayed at our pastor's cottage on Lake Michigan which was a blast. Very rustic and homey cabin! 

We will be visiting Sycamore church Thanksgiving weekend and hoping to see all of you! The girls at Lake Michigan! At the Air Terminal in Norfolk, VA

You’re invited to a WELCOME HOME PARTY for:

Aviation Boatswain Petty Officer First Class

Nathan Taylor

of the

United States Navy

as he returns home from active duty in Kuwait!

When:   Saturday, October 20, 2007

Time:    4:00-8:00 pm

Place:    Carl’s Fargo Banquet Room

(Inside Strafford Inn)

355 W. State Street, Sycamore