TREASURE MAPS!...
Reagan's imagination keeps us all hunting for more adventures. He drew his own treasure map and then explained what each piece meant. Go around, go over, go down...he followed his directions exactly as he searched for hidden treasures in the mountain couch. He was absolutely amazed when he found a little treasure box lying right where his map led him (thanks for the help dad). I am certain that this will not be our last mission.

I GOT A CRUSH ON YOU...

Here is what my mom and dad would have looked like in previous decades. All I can say is "WOW! Bad hair years!" At least they are still crushing on each other!


Just for giggles, mommy and daddy put together my very own yearbook slideshow.

A SLEEPOVER FOR REAGAN AND WES!...
WE SURVIVED! It was so much fun to have my cousin Wes sleep over. I kept him rollin' with laughter. He is just about 10 months younger than me and all he kept saying is "so funny, you're funny..." Yes, I think I must have the daddy Taylor giggle box maker inside of me. I use it quite often these days. I am fairly certain that sticky situations are made better with laughter. Giggle, giggle! For a moment I thought about back trackin'. I thought I might need a sippy cup and pull up, but mom reminded me that I was a big boy and that Wes was still learning some of the things that I already know how to do. That was when I decided to be a huge helper! I showed Wes all the things I know how to do. I wanted him to learn to do them too. He tried out big boy spoons and cups and sat on phone books at the table. I showed him how to work things and where to get things and of course how to clean it all up. Whew! My parents are exhausted! Mom had to take a nap this afternoon to catch up. 2 little monkeys is much more than 1...and much more fun too...at least for us kids. I enjoyed running through the house, playing cars (Wes' favorite!) and pulling out just about every toy we own for a minute or two at least. We kept each other entertained and didn't fight a bit until around 10:30 pick up morning. 2 tired boys forgot how to share--whoops! Parents just don't give us tots enough credit...we love sleepovers! Especially when moms offer chocolate milk and chocolate chip muffins too. We will host a repeat in October when Aunt Carley and Uncle JJ vanish for the entire weekend to celebrate their anniversary...we are counting down!

IKEcation...

We weathered the storm and all the new sounds. We prepared in every way we knew. We had it all from batteries AAA-D, lanterns, quilts and more. Our tubs and sinks were filled to the brim and the pantry and fridge stuffed too. Dad, Mr. Lee and I went to work on the front door we had only a crawl hole left. We moved my bed to safety too. My window was soon covered with a mattress and pillows and my room was soundproof for sure. I slept through the storm probably better than I typically do while mom and dad wondered what would come next. They said the windows were creaking. Mom and dad thought we would just tough it out and camp a few days, but after 2.5 days in the heat they decided otherwise. They were tired of sticking to sheets and eating noodles. Mom wanted to wash our clothes and dad needed contact with the outside world. It only took a cough or two from me and suddenly the farm and the drive to get there had many, many perks. Off we went to Bellville to stay with Mawmaws and Tim. I think the animals were really glad to see me. I know Mawmaws and Tim were. They bought me a new pair of boots and some crocs too. I was set. I stomped and romped in those boots and loved every minute. I always keep them busy driving the Kubota down the road "faster, faster." I did all the steering myself this trip and when my eyes were on the road I did a great job with verbal directions. I turned right and left and mostly kept it on the road. I loved yelling "WEEEEEEEE! and AGHHHHHHH! as we sped down the gravel road or over the lumps and bumps in the pasture. I helped feed each evening too. I made sure the pigs knew they stink "PU, yucky" and that the cows knew they have a lot of "poop--big poops." The cows are always my favorite. I like to put out the "big hay" with Tim. He lets me drive and doesn't try to baby me either. I AM A BIG BOY! and I tried time and again to prove it. I stayed up late, skipped naps and let all my sillies out. Mom and Mawmaws were very entertained. I sang all my songs like the ABC's and The Ants Go Marching and more. Mom was so excited to hear my big boy words. I have so much to say these days...it is hard for mom to keep up with all my new stories. I fished in the hot tub with sticks and pretended to build a fire and roast marshmallows too. I helped dad clean off the roof (I slept while he swept) and collect the tree limbs too. I worked--I was the driver! We enjoyed our airconditioned, electricity using, internet surfin', great eatin' stay at The Suncrest Ranch. Thank goodness my parents came to their senses. No more house camping for us...camping is for the woods...not the indoors! We enjoyed most of our IKEcation and are so thankful for our safety, our house and all our family and good friends. We hope you are weathering the storm well too and that we see you real soon.

PRIMARY...
Reagan is officially a big boy PRIMARY student! School is back in session and we are moving like wild fire around the Taylor house. Reagan is growing taller (39 inches) and leaner (39 pounds) and so, so, so much more independent. He is enjoying his 3-5 year old class and learning or at least sharing more with us at home. He fells like a "big guy" and reminds us of his status often. He has a locker at school that he loves to check and he has a new friend named Kennedy too. We met her at gymnastics over the summer and his teachers say they play all day together. She is mothering and he is loving having a buddy in his new class. Preston dropped Reagan off at school before the storm and all the children were playing outside. Kennedy saw Reagan and ran over the hill with open arms. Reagan saw Kennedy and ran to her too. They met at the top of the hill and embraced, hugging before holding hands and walking off to play together. Preston said it was a movie moment. I am thrilled he loves her! He needed 'safe' place to learn and grow. He was not happy in his toddler room. Ms. Denise, his new teacher said he is adjusting well and only combats his teachers with his famous 'no' when nap time approaches. No news there! He does not think he needs a nap until he falls asleep. Then it is 2-3 hours later when he rises a much happier little man. I was not sure how the new class would change him...I was just hoping and praying for the best. It is so nice to see smiles when Preston leaves him instead of tears and more. Picking him up is a new adventure too. I am greeted by 5 year olds and all the stories of the day. On Reagan's first day, God please let him forgive me, I sent him in a new pair of shorts. I knew they were a bit too big but that was the least of it. Apparently his pants were stretching as the day progressed and upon picking him up I heard all about how his underwear were showing all day long. What could I say at that point to 5 year old girls? I just stated, "well, at least they were cute." I won't tell you what I really wanted to tell them. Of course I apologized to Reagan time and again and promised smaller shorts. Poor baby tried to hold them up all day and kept having to wash his hands because they were in his pants. :( You better believe Reagan picked his clothes for the next week. He reminded me for 2-3 mornings that he did not want big shorts he wanted "small, small, small ones." Welcome to school Reagan!

KEEP THEM LAUGHING!...
Mom is loving all my sweet words these days. I try to "prize" her daily. She should really carry around a notepad and pen because I am dishing out all kinds of sweets...there are so many more memories to be made.
-Mom wakes me up every morning with a song and smiles and most of the time I return them right back to her. If I am in a really good mood I even hide under the sheets and play a game to see if she can find me...she always looks in the wrong places first...I think all my giggles give me away. Well, this morning I reached up and she thought I was going to give her a hug--nope, not today. I sang out, "Reach and pull climb a rope" and grabbed her hair as if I was a mountain climber. Mom busted out laughing. I always catch her off guard.
-Not too long after I insisted that she "off the honytail, no honytails, no hbands, no baids...crazy hair!" That is always my request. Mom says I better meet a gal with long hair who just loves to let it be--no honytails!

more to come...mom is still trying to remember...

I JUST DON'T WANT TO FORGET...
I remember growing up and asking my mom what I was like as a child. I couldn't remember all the little moments or when I learned to do xy or z. Trouble is past 1 kid how could anyone remember. So, I have to tell you this story because I just don't want to forget.
Everyone knows that Reagan is MR. CREATIVE PLAY. Preston and I were laughing because a friend was over today while we were playing pirates. Reagan had all the gear out (swords, hooks, pirate hat and flag...) and he was catching fish and sharks from his rug also known as the pirate ship. Luckily the friend thought it was great and played right along, but what if he hadn't. What if he just looked at the 3 of us like we were weird. I guess it would not matter much, because Reagan was having a blast and so were we.
Well, the friend left after about an hour of giggles and squeals and a great time of play. It was bath time and Reagan loves it of course. Mr. Clean, Mr, Clean! He jumps right in and again the imagination takes over. His wash cloth became an eel! He explained each move to me. It swam fast through the water and hid in the corner of the tub. He then scooped it up and it curled up to hide. He added water to the scoop so it could breath and live...I mean seriously...what 2 year old knows this? DID I? He let me hold the eel at one point but warned me to watch out for the teeth--they are sharp.
So, if ever I run out of stories, share this one with me again. My little man just amazes me. He makes each day worth so much more than I could ever have dreamed...he is destined for greatness and I am just along for the ride; praying that I can accomplish what God will have me to do and hoping that all the while I can spend time living and loving all the moments with my little man. I am one proud mama who feels just too lucky...how do I deserve him? I am blessed!
Remind me of that too. All too often I find myself looking at others that are living my dream--staying at home, raising their children and being mom. What a title! Don't get me wrong, I love teaching. I love making a difference in 40 plus students lives each year, but more than anything I just want to be mom. I struggle with accepting that and it does cause stress in my life. Please pray for me that I will accept God's challenge of the working mom and recognize and appreciate all the gifts he gives me along the way. I want to make sure I accept each blessing and use each gift. I don't want to miss them or allow them to be masked by my wishes or jealousy as it may be. Pray that the lump in my chest will ease and that the tears that fill my eyes each time I think about the time I miss with my child will dry. I really think I am mourning over the life I thought I would live...my dream job was stay at home mom extraordinaire. I need to accept and appreciate that God has taken me a different road and his way has to be better than mine. I have no directional sense :) Thanks for laughing with us and praying for us, I know he will heal.