Our Latest Addition

You know you are really behind on your blog when you forget the web address of it:) The only reason I have time to write is that Hannah is in Pre-school and I am making it a priority over sleep and cleaning... although I must admit it is not hard to make it a priority over cleaning. Charis Elizabeth Taylor is the latest addition to our family. Her arrival has reminded me how much I used to blog right before and around the time that Hannah was born. I hate for Charis not to get any coverage. She was born March 7, 2009 at 4:45pm and weighed 8 lbs. and 4 oz. I will say a few words about her name. I have been advocating a Greek name for a while, and Charis is the Greek word for grace. For me it is a constant reminder of the grace (divine favor) God has lavished on His children. I always think of the verse (my own memorized version so sorry if it is not exact) By grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift of God not as a result of works so that no one can boast. Our salvation is a complete gift from God just as Charis is a gift to us. I did not make her or deserve her, but God blesses us with her anyway by His Goodness. In the same way, we have not earned our salvation, it is a complete unmerited gift by His grace. I need this reminder on a daily basis!!!

We are so happy that Charis has arrived safe. Leading up to her delivery all of us were sick to some extent and a little anxious. Thankfully Hannah recovered before Charis was born and returned to normal. Brian and I were still getting over colds, but thankfully suffered the worst of it before she came. You know you are sick when every nurse that sees y0u asks you if you want some cold medicine. Thankfully God answered our prayers and Hannah had a place to go while we were at the hospital. I also was able to get the antibiotics I needed without having an allergic reaction (I am allergic to a ton of antibiotics). Nana and Papa made one of their whirlwind trips to see us again and were very helpful with Hannah. Then, Gramzy and Popsy were able to come for a week. They were very helpful and cooked, did dishes, and added extra hands and love... Thanks!

We are still adjusting to life, but I am so happy with our family of four. I couldn't ask for a better husband, and I am so thankful that he is such a good father to our daughters and husband to me. Brian has been juggling work and home life, and I hope he remains stable through it all:) So far so good. Him and Hannah have had tons of time together lately. He definitely deserves a big award from all of us.

Nana, Papa, Allison, Luke, and Kallie are coming up today for the weekend. We are super excited to see them.

Well, not the greatest post in the world, but something nevertheless. Not sure when the next post will come.

New York- so far

Just in case I don't get another chance to write... here is what we have done so far.

Friday we arrived safely after the crazy cab ride to the Hilton Times Square. We love this hotel!!! After 3 weeks of sleeping in a full size bed in Florida, the king size bed here is like heaven. We went out with Brian's co-workers to a family style Italian restaurant for one of his co-workers 25 years at IBM celebration... no wine for me though:(

Saturday we had a great breakfast at the hotel with some vouchers some one gave us. The bill would have been $60 just for breakfast- it was really yummy. Brian had to work, so I went to the Metropolitan Museum in the snow. It was magical and I felt my soul filling up as I walked. I love that museum and I have decided it is my favorite one in the world. History, Art, Afternooon Tea- what more could you ask for. I stopped at Barnes and Noble to pick up the first book in the Twilight series. Then I headed over to the Wicked theatre to try to win $25 tickets in the raffle. No luck, so I picked up $30 tickets to Mary Poppins 2 hours before the show. Brian came home and we went. It was awesome and now Brian is singing Mary Poppins non-stop:)

Yesterday we got up early and went to church at Redeemer Presbyterian. Tim Keller is such an amazing teacher. We talked about his sermon through most of dinner it was so good. Brian had to head to work, so I went to the Frick Museum. I spent the afternoon in the heavenly bed reading and then Brian and I went to dinner and to Laura and Brad apartment in W. Central Park- after we picked up some Junior's cheesecake to bring with us. We had a great time talking with them, and stayed up way to late.

So today, Brian is off at work. I am about to use our last breakfast voucher and head over to the UN to see if I can get on a tour. Tonight we have tickets to David Letterman and might try to go to the Bar American (a Bobby Flay restaurant).

December Update

I have 20 minutes to write a few things before I have to leave to go to Hannah's Pre-school Christmas performance. December has flown by, but we have been blessed in the midst of the busyness. The whole Gross family came to visit for Thanksgiving and Brian had the whole week off. We spent the week relaxing and getting house projects done. Everything was low stress and Hannah had a great time with Gramzy, Popsy, Poco, and Uncle Frank. My mom's sister Anne was able to visit us and the last night Ross and Liz came over for dinner. I always enjoy having a house full of people. December has been busy with Christmas events and Brian getting ready for a big show in New York. Some of the highlights were the Christmas Cantata at church, having our Bible Study over for dessert and Christmas Carols, Erin's Cookie Exchange, decorating the tree for the first time with Hannah, doing the Jesse Tree (an advent calendar that I made), and watching Hannah open up her presents (she is still just a little too young to really get it, but she had a lot of fun). I think Hannah liked her Animal Crackers more than her new dollhouse. Brian put a lot of work into a little MP3 player for Hannah. We recorded some of her favorite songs for her to listen to whenever she wants. It is great because it is very toddler friendly- only 4 buttons. Brian is now preparing for an annual retail show that will take place in New York City in January. It is always a lot of work, but very rewarding at the same time. Most of his co-workers bring their families to this show. Last year I brought Hannah, but this year I am going and Hannah will be staying with Nana and Papa. I just could not imagine being 7 months pregnant and going all over New York with Hannah in the cold. I did get a ticket to go to the Martha Stewart Show while I am there. I have always wanted to go to a TV show! Finally, we are heading to Florida to spend time with our families and can't wait!

Durham Christmas

It's Great to be a Florida Gator

Family Update

Well, I have a little time to write because I spent all afternoon trying to get Hannah to take a nap and she finally feel asleep. This is the first nap she has taken all week! I figured out today that I have to stand at her door and make sure she is laying down, or she won't go to sleep. I am guessing all the other days she has just popped up out of bed the second I closed her door. I am just happy we are having this problem this week instead of last week when Brian was in France. Brian went to Cannes, France all last week for a conference. He gave two presentations to IBM European employees. I got to view a few of his pictures (or rather his boss's pictures), and his hotel view looked awesome. We are also racking up the frequent flyer miles! Thankfully Carla spent a few days with us while he was gone to help make his absence go faster. Carla went with me to get my eyebrows waxed for the first time. I was so nervous that they were going to take off all my eyebrows, but I really like how they came out. We also got to go out one night and we went to spin class one morning. It was so fun! Hannah is very busy these days (so busy she doesn't want to take her nap:)). She loves pre-school and talks about the kids in her class all the time. She can name all of them, and I often hear her talking about them in her bed. She also doesn't have time to eat very much, but she will stop for fruit snacks or cookies. The other thing is that she LOVES to sing. She can sing her ABC's, Annie, Jesus loves me, a few songs from the radio, Jingle Bells, Mary had a little lamb, Ba Ba Black Sheep, and a ton more. It is so precious to hear her little voice singing. I hope she grows up to really love singing. It is easy to want the best for your child- the best school, the best career, success, comfort, fashion, a good life, etc. (especially during troubling economic times) I was reminded today as I took a walk that wanting her to walk in God's ways is the best life that she can have. That should be my number 1 desire for her! That should be MY number 1 desire for myself! Well, we are all excited because Brian has all next week off. I hope it will be a time of refreshment for him. My parents and Franklin are coming to spend Thanksgiving with us and my aunt Anne will join us on Friday... oh yeah and I can't forget to mention that Poco is coming too:)

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth."

Trick or Treat

State Fair

Picking out a Pumpkin

Gramzy made this shirt about 28 years ago:)




This was Hannah's favorite pumpkin.

My Train ride to Segovia

Well, one benefit of going to Spain is that I have been waking up at 6:30 am. I am taking the opportunity of the time change to correct some bad habits of sleeping as late as I can. It gives me a full hour before anyone else wakes up to get ready for the day. Of course it also makes me a lot grumpier at the end of the day, so I need to work on that:) So I have 20 minutes before I have to get ready for the day. We had a great time in Spain. My favorite day was my trip to Segovia. It was a magical day. I got on the slow train instead of the high speed train, so the journey took 2 hours instead of 30 minutes. I asked two people if it was the correct train and they both said yes. The ride was lovely and I would have missed all the scenic beauty if I took the other train. At first we were surrounded by mountains that were covered with fog. It reminded me of the psalm "He touches the mountains, and they smoke". Then we were actually on the mountains. You could look out and all you could see was grandeur. My heart was bursting. I wish I spoke Spanish b/c I wanted to say, "Isn't this amazing". There were only two other people in my train car and you could tell they had taken this journey many times. The beautiful scenery had no effect on them at all. It made me think of all the joys and beauties in my life that have become commonplace. I don't drink the beauty of my husband and daughter as I did at first. Next, we actually rode through a forest. That too was just amazing. All the trees surrounding us. As you can see, I loved this train ride. I think it was even better b/c I had been walking all week and it was 2 hours that I was forced to rest and reflect. Well, it seems that is all I can write for the day. I actually had something else in mind to write about, but this is what came out. I pray today I will see the beauty I pass up on a daily basis. The people I come in contact with. God's creation that I see. I pray He will help me see things that I am blinded by because I am too busy.

Seven Things you might not know about me

Allison wants me to do this:)

1. I don´t like large bodies of water I can imagine myself drowning in. I don´t like driving over them, being in fast boats etc.

2. I love to watch real life crime shows and then I get really freaked out and nervous.

3. I am almost exactly half extroverted half introverted... slightly more introverted.

4. I like public speaking.

5. I wish I could hire a professional to design and make all my clothes.

6. I made a promise to God that I would never sing a solo in public if He would get me through the one I volunteered to sing at my high school graduation. I have kept the promise.

7. I eat at least one dessert/sweet a day... most days more than one.

More Pictures

Hannah's Pre-school Apple Tree Project
Pretty New Dress

A few pics

Hannah's Birthday

Harris Teeter Praise

So, today I went to the grand opening of the new Harris Teeter in Durham close to our house. It was a great store, and I thoroughly enjoyed my shopping experience. Hannah enjoyed her cart with a special steering wheel. And of course we both enjoyed multiple free sample that were offered. When I got home I realized that they had forgot to put a bag in my cart and I was missing four items. I called and notified them, thinking they would save the groceries for me to come pick up. They took down my address, drove me my missing items and gave me a $5 gift card for the inconvenience.... oh yeah, and also an extra cappuccino cooler which I had not purchased. What costumer service!

Update on Jury Duty

After multiple calls and letters, I have been released from Jury Duty- well hopefully.

What I had to do...
1) Call Hannah's doctor to get a signed letter... what should it say you may be asking yourself. When I asked what the letter should say, they replied, "Sorry, we cannot tell you what the letter should say, but you need a doctor's note"
2) I was turned down by the doctor, only to have a sympathetic nurse say she would write something up and see if he would sign it.
3) Received the letter from the doctor which stated that I am the primary caretaker of a dependent child.... yes, just one sentence.
4) Made a copy of Hannah's Birth Certificate to include as evidence.
5) Wrote a personal letter stating that I would be happy to serve jury duty when my life circumstance changed.
6) Included a copy of their website that stated that an acceptable excuse was as follows: Provides actual and necessary care of a person and actual and necessary care of another.
7) Sent all the evidence in.
8) Received a letter saying I was excused from Jury Duty.
9) Received a letter saying I was summoned to Jury Duty.????
10) Call to clarify whether I was indeed excused.
11) She told me I was, but I would not be surprised to find out they did not excuse me after all! I think I should have just served!

Taylor update

It is hard to find time to blog these days. Sleeping, watching TV, reading, cleaning, and checking email seem to fill all my free time. Every now and then I try to catch a minute to just sit and do absolutely nothing. Hannah needs constant attention when she is awake. We received her Pre-school packet in the mail. We are all excited for her to start school in September. She is of course our greatest joy especially when she is in a good mood. On Wednesday she was in a constant state of ecstasy for no reason what-so-ever. Everything we did she exclaimed to me with a "WOW" or "YEAH". I love those days. She is starting to memorize her books. She can finish sentences and sometimes if something reminds her of a book, she will start reciting it. She is still completely clueless about her colors. When you ask her what color something is, she says "Pink"... no "Yellow"... no "Blue"... no "Green" and so on. So she knows what colors are, she just can't identify them yet. We have a color book and she gets them all right, but I realized it is because she memorized the order the colors were in. I guess I can be proud about that. July is the month of bills. We moved here in August, so all of our yearly bills come around this time. We are also doing some major exterior work on our house. We are so thankful for how much God has provided for us. It is easy to always be looking upward at the things we don't have... a larger, more organized house, a full-time cook and housekeeper:), etc. Right after I graduated college, I lived off nothing and I did not have a care in the world about material possessions. Every now and then I just have to stop and remind myself what is important in God's eyes (which is all that really matters). Loving and serving Him and His people. Spending time with Him, caring and loving others.

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Wrightsville Beach. We had a great time and will definitely go back. The last one is of Hannah's new hand wrap. She got a second degree burn by placing her hand on a hot burner. It was an eventful night to say the least.

Trip to Tallahassee (one month later)

Well, it has been a while since I have blogged. Hannah and I spent a week in Tallahassee in May. We had so much fun! We got to see Nana, Papa, Gramzy, Popsy, Grandma, Grandpa, and of course Poco or Coco as Hannah says. I got to relax everyday and Hannah had a lot of entertainment. My two good friends Lynn (from highschool) and Carla (from college) live there, so it was super fun to be with them. We saw Carla multiple times a day. Now my mom, Lynn, and Carla all hang out without me. Brian was very happy to have us home. Hannah also took her first trip to Chuck E Cheese. When we returned we went with Daddy to the North Carolina Zoo for the first time. More updates to come soon.