The overdue Taylor update

Well, I have not given an update in quite some time, so I have set aside some time to do so. Hannah's bedtime is getting earlier and earlier, so I have some time in the evenings.

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday in Florida. (apart from my hair being frizzy from the hot humid weather) We spent Christmas in Tallahassee with the Gross family. We finally got to taste Franklin's (sorry Frank's) famous Matza blob soup... although this time the blobs really did look like balls. Thanks to Gramzy and Popsy we got to go to the movies, and we had a wonderful Christmas with the whole family (all 5 of us:). Thanks to the empty back apartment, we got some much needed rest and relaxation.

We journeyed over to Amelia Island to the Taylors' for about five days. Since Allison and Shane win in the kid category, we got the room with the bunk beds. Brian and I waved good night to each other. Amelia Island was very eventful, and we enjoyed seeing everyone. I got sick one day and Mrs. Taylor, Hannah, and I laid on the couch and watched Pride and Prejudice while the guys went golfing. We also got to see the whole entire Taylor family and Peggy! When we went to see Peggy, she offered to babysit for us and we went to my absolute favorite restaurant in the whole world Biscotti's with Brian's parents. Brian and I both ordered the Salmon sandwich which is superb. We also got to go to Eastside Community Church (the church that we went to in Jax and got married at). We saw all our friends there!!! It was very encouraging to get to see so many people that mean so much to us. Finally, we went to see another movie and got to the beach once or twice. We had a great time.

I posted some pictures on the previous post-- I guess we didn't take any pictures in Tallahassee.

We came home and had a wonderful visit with Bryan and Lynn Kane. It was very encouraging spending time with them, and even though they only stayed one night, I feel like we were really able to connect and catch up. Hopefully we will get to do that again soon.

In the mean time both Brian and I are trying to fill our time with a few things that we enjoy. I have been going through all the Harry Potter books again. I started on Halloween and I just finished the fourth book. I want to finish five and six and watch all the movies before the seventh book comes out. I am going to try and not speed read the seventh book, so I can really take everything in. Those books are fantastic and I have more appreciation for them reading them a second time. Of course I always love a book more on the second reading... think it takes me extra long to process themes and characters. Brian has been drywalling our garage and making it look PERFECT. There is not another garage in our whole neighborhood that can compare to ours. Last night we got both cars in the garage for the first time in almost 11 months! He still has a little organizing to do- but it looks fantastic- especially considering he had never drywalled anything before.

And of course we are doing our daily duties in life. Brian has been working hard on a project at work. He has had to be at work early everyday for the past few months, but he has been enjoying it- once he gets out of bed that is. He came home last week to announce he was going to San Antonio for a week and then said, "Do you want to come?" So now we are all going to San Antonio on Monday. This will be Hannah's first flying experience. We are all excited and just kind of leaving things open to see how they work themselves out. We will be staying downtown so hopefully Hannah and I will find plenty to keep ourselves busy. I have heard it is a great city. We are also tentatively planning to see Franklin, Allison, Shane, and the kids if it works out. I'll be bringing Harry Potter number six to keep me busy.

With all that said, we have had a rough time trying to figure out how to eat milk-free. It is amazing how much food plays a part in your life and your moods. I went to the library and got three allergy-free cooking books. Of course I have to learn what half the ingredients in the cookbook are, but they are a source of encouragement for me during this time. I have to admit, I do feel a lot healthier since I started. Some of my new staples are rice milk, oats and honey cereal, LUNA bars, hearty salads, salmon, and earth balance buttery spread- it is really good! The down side is that I really can't ever eat out. Even when you order something you think is fine- you never know what they have cooked with- almost everything has some kind of milk product in it. I ate out at Chick-Fil-A and Outback on Monday and Hannah's problem came back. This will make San Antonio a little more challenging- but the phrase "Give us this day our daily bread" will have more meaning now:)

I have also been going to a Bible Study at our church every Wednesday morning. Our group just finished studying 2 Corinthians and now we are going to start James. This is my favorite thing to do each week. I love all the women in my group and I have enjoyed really studying a book of the Bible. They have child care, so it is a wonderful much needed break in the week. Hannah loves the nursery too.

Brian continues to co-lead a Small Group Bible Study for couples. We just started studying Philippians. The guys just took a camping trip in the middle of winter. None of us girls can understand why anyone would WANT to go camping in 2o degree weather- guess it's a guy thing.

Last but definitely not least, the joy of our life continues to be Hannah. We are so thankful for her life and soul. She is getting up on all fours, laughing, playing, almost sitting up and generally being happy. All the nursery workers say she is such a good baby- by that they probably mean low maintenance. I would have to agree with that but she certainly has her high maintenance moments. I feel like I am getting crazier everyday she is alive though. I worry more and more each day. She has had a pretty bad cough, and it just hurts me to hear it. I wake up every time she coughs and I am constantly checking on her. Last night I prayed that God would give me His peace that passes all understanding. I must learn now to submit her to His perfect Love and Will. God has a plan for Hannah and I am blessed to be a huge part of it, but I can relax in knowing He (the God of the whole universe) cares for her and is looking out for her. (Amen!- that was for my own benefit) I am trying to focus on loving her and giving her a secure environment to learn and grow- especially in the stressful lack of sleep moments.

Please keep us updated! That is those of you who actually read this blog.