Here we are!!

So to all two of you who have missed us posting.... we're back.
After computer issues & a vacation &.....blah...blah...blah.

You don't want to know why, you just want to know what we've been up to. So here are is a snap shot into our lives for the last few weeks (more details to follow....I pinkie swear).


Isaac sporting his new cowboy hat & working on his riding technique. Pap isn't an obedient horse- he just wants to buck you off.




A few of Isaac's newest obessions- his paci & blanket (nothing new here), cowboy boots are apparently for any outfit & a fun necklace Mom just bought.


Our Stay-Cation with the Anders included a date night to the Power & Lights district. It's been a long time since any of us have dressed up for a night on the town without kids
(thanks Mimi for babysitting!!)

Brooklyn put to work in order to earn her turn to ride in the car


Getting to meet Luke Friend & visit with his brother Casey & Mom Crystal. Isn't he A-dorable!!


What can I say....we start with our sports loyalties early in this household. We're looking forward to enjoying the newly renovated statium as a family.


We're doing a L.O.T. of swinging


Yes I did grab my camera & watch her eat dog food- it was funny & you're laughing now too!


What more could a little girl ask for in a Daddy- there's none better!!!

A Lunchtime Winner!

Who doesn't love a sweet tasty treat?

Well my kids L.O.V.E. smoothies, and I love making them as a fun snack or addition to a meal.

I just cut up fruit that's close to going bad & throw it into the freezer-except bananas, I just leave those in the peels & freeze whole. Then when I'm ready to make a smoothie I toss a handful with some yogurt or applesauce into my food processor, hit on and let it whirl!

Pretty simple & D-lishious!!! Plus a great way to keep food from going to waste!

What are your favorite tasty treats to whip together?

The Bang Theory

Well I have been playing around with different hair styles for ~1 yr now-

long...short...medium...layered...straight ends...

I decided, after seeing pictures of some friends who recently got bangs to try it. Why not?

I've seen pictures of the horrid mullet-like bangs my mother pranced me around in as a little girl & thank the Lord she wised up & grew them out when I was starting school. From then on Mom forbid all suggestions of bangs. So being the obedient middle school age Sarah that I was I cut the slightest wisps of long bangs & hid them from my mother by going to school with my hair wet and slicked back every morning. When I got to school, I quickly went to the girls bathroom & 'fixed' my pitiful attempt at bangs-of course with lots of hairspray.

Fast forward to Saturday- I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I went for it anyways.

And I'm so glad I did!!! I think it looks great (Zach concurs- which is important!). Maybe it's what I've needed to do this whole time. Does that mean I need to go back and try all those hair styles again, but with bangs this time? hmmmm...
(Also bonus- I can keep headbands in my hair now, when they would always fall out over & over before. I guess I have a ginormous forehead, but none of you told me)

I will post pics when my new Canon Rebel xs comes in the mail THURSDAY!!!!!!

Spicing Up Rainy Days

This Kansas spring has been cold and rainy....

Cold- I can deal with that. We can bundle up & still play outside. Both kids thrive when outdoors & this keeps Mama sane.

But when it's raining what do you do?

We'll I'm fed up, so I've started planning 1 or 2 fun things to do each day despite the rain- so there!

So what have we been up to this week?

We've used the garage as an extension of the outdoors. Bubbles are soooo much fun in the garage! And while bubbles are a challenge in the normal Kansas wind, this is not a problem in the garage. Ride on toys, chalk, and games of chase work great in the open space of the garage.

I had to get over my fear of messes indoors & let the kids 'paint' with chocolate pudding inside. And you know what? It was so much fun for all of us!!! Isaac was busy driving his tractors through the 'mud' while Brooklyn ate the pudding by the fist full. When that ran out she dove face first into her tray to lick whatever her little tongue could reach. And I just laughed & enjoyed watching the kids have fun!!

One day it was warm but raining, so after dinner we all went for a walk in the rain. Isaac splashed in the puddles & ran and burned more calories than he's consumed in days. Brooklyn pushed her hippo walker up & down the sidewalks. We were all soaked, but had huge smiles on our faces when we came in to dry off & get ready for bed.

So despite the weather I have to make every effort to do my best job as a mom. Not every day needs to be filled with huge memorable events, but the little things do matter. I hope when they're older they'll sit around & talk about, "Remember when: Mom took us to... Mom let us.... Mom helped us make..."

So since more rain is in the future I'd love to have some other tricks in my back pocket. What are your favorite rainy day activities?

**FYI- our camera is dead & we're shopping for a new one**
**Sorry about no pics, we'll resolve that soon!!**

Joy in obedience

I'm sure all parent can identify with being frustration of blatent disobedience & defiance from our children. Zach and I have sure felt this way, especially with Isaac and his strong willed personality. But we've tried to remain calm, stay consistent with our discipline and follow-through, and remind ourselves of what a great attribute this will be for him as an adult. Some days this worked very well.....and others have left me in tears.

The last two weeks, however, have been just a huge blessing!

Isaac has turned a corner and has been a very obedient & kind little boy. I'm not sure what changed, or why but I'm so glad that it did. He is listening to me, and usually without a fight or hesitation. I love to hear him say, "Yes Mommy" when I ask him if he understands what I'm telling him.


It's made me think a lot about how my obedience or disobedience to God makes Him feel. Do I cause Him to cry in frustration when I defy Him? Does He delight with a huge grin on His face when I obey? Does He just stare at me in utter delight of His child while I'm just being me?

While I'm not sure if this is just another phase or a corner turned in a new direction, I am enjoying each day as it comes. And handling the ineviable outbursts ('cause let's be honest folks, they still do happen) much more gracefully.


How has parenting widened your understanding of who God is & how He views you?

Welcome to our new blog. We're using this to keep our family & friends up to date with what's going on in the lives of the Taylors.