Five Years

Today, Jon and I have been married five years. However, if you ask either of us, we would say that it feels more like ten! I don't mean this as a jab at my husband (well, not completely)--it feels like we've experienced more than five years can hold. We have bought and sold three cars, bought and sold a house, lived in three different houses, moved three times (including our 1000-mile move last summer), had five trips to the ER, and of course, had two children. Jon has also worked in four different positions with Ferguson, and in September I will have taught at three different "schools." (I never got to teach at Grace Prep because we moved down here before I was supposed to start!) To us, it certainly feels like our life experiences should have been spread out a bit better. However, we would also agree that all of this has made for an interesting past five years. And we are very blessed to have been spared from serious illness (although food poisoning on my wedding day was pretty bad) or other catastrophic events. And nothing could ever compare to our two little daily blessings, William and Brighton. I would be dishonest if I said that I love my husband as much as the day I married him because I love him much more than that now and in so many different ways, and I am glad to be by his side through all of these changes. So today, I'm looking back at the last five years with my heart filled, and looking forward to the next- 60 perhaps?- with great expectation :)

First Half

We were in Virginia for so long that I have to split up the vacation or I will be blogging all day. I'm pretty sure my kids would have a problem with that. The first half of vacation we spent at the lake. Mom and Dad drove all the way to LA to get me and the kids. We drove all the way back stopping in Chattanooga for the night. I was so excited to see mountains again! You truly don't know how much you miss something until you're away for a year. The kids did so well on the drive, and we had a good time watching the landscape "rise." I was not prepared for the cool temps when we got out of the car at one VA rest stop. I guess my body had adapted to the muggies!
Before Jon flew up (he had inventory at the end of June), I was able to visit with my grandmother on her 85th birthday. The day after he arrived we went to my HS reunion and then spent the fourth of July at the lake. The pictures below are from that part of the vacation. I will have to post the second half on another day. I'm blogged out now, and it's very difficult to keep an eye on my little ones--especially now that lil Bitty is on the move (more on that later)!

Will started swimming deeper on this vacation...he loved his "shark fins"

 

Brighton is a water baby :)

 

The boat is great for napping with Lightening McQueen!

 

Will wears his life jacket and loves to take boat rides!!!

 

I love this hat on her!!!

 

Nana has a good grip on Brighton since she refuses to wear her life jacket on the boat!

 

Papa has the best fireworks on the lake (he bought these on the trip to VA from LA)

 

Taylor Family

 

A family picture (I probably would've put on some make-up had a realized I looked like this!)

 

Brighton finds one of Nana's many flowers!

 

Will being a good sport

 

Callie enjoyed the patriotic photo shoot almost as much as Amanda and I did!

 

Papa's mustache is soooo fun to watch and even better to pull!!!

 

Kisses for Callie

 

Matching suits

 

Brighton's new face

Brighton has been making another funny face, and I think it's to show off her new top tooth! She has one that has come through the gum, and I think she must have more on the way because she loves to crinkle up her nose to show her top gum. She had a good time hanging out with cousin Callie at the lake. They actually seemed to notice each other this time around. We still had to keep Brighton from attacking little Callie, but Callie has gotten big enough to hold her own some! I think they will both me rough and tumble little girls one day!

Brighton's gonna get you!

 

Cousin time

 

Visit with Granny Roo

I was able to make two visits to see my only living grandparent--Grandma Worley (known as Granny Roo to Will) while visiting with my parents. I took Brighton and Will and Amanda took Callie along with Mom to see her on her 85th birthday. I'm pretty sure she didn't know who I was, but I know she enjoyed watching the babies and Will. She's still quite animated even with her age and dimensia working against her. She lives at a private home with full-time care, and Mom goes to see her one to two times each week where Mom does everything from feeding her to cutting her hair. However, lately Mom has been suffering from Carpel Tunnel Syndrome in both of her hands. She had surgery on the right hand and will have surgery on the left in August. Mom has quite a bit of pain and stiffness, and it has really limited her in caring for Grandma. It has also been quite a challenge for her to just STAY STILL, especially with her grandbabies around! Keep her in your prayers as she faces surgery. I know she is hoping for a speedy recovery, so she can care for Granny Roo the way she is used to.

Granny Roo's Great-Grandbabies

 

RVC Class of 99 reunion

While in VA, I had my 10 year HS reunion. It was so nice to see so many of my former classmates, and especially all of their little ones! I can't believe that it has been 10 years since I graduated from high school. I had moments at the reunion when I felt like I was 18 again. It's a good thing I'm still just 22 ;)

RVC Class of 99 reunion