My Thankful List...Old Movies

Well, it's official. The tummy bug is visiting the Taylor household once again. I think we caught it at the gym. They have a playroom for the children to stay in while you workout. And it's the only thing I can think of that they've been exposed to germs. I'm the momma that carries wet wipes every where. And if they have sticky hands or runny noses, which happens quite often at this time of year I'm there with a wipe. But, I guess, I need to inspect further into how often they disinfect their "playroom." And I don't mean spray and wipe down disinfect. I mean warm tub of soapy water with two cap fulls of clorox disinfect. (Yes, I'm that over protective momma.) Anyway, we are making the beat of it. They are quietly napping now, and my friend Dawn, dropped by a couple of movies for me to watch.

The Preacher's Wife

and the original it was based on .....
The Bishop's Wife

I have not seen either of these movies in their entirety. Only snippets, here and there. She said she knew I'd love the music in The Preacher's Wife and who doesn't love Denzel Washinton. But she knows I'm addicted to the classics. And I love Cary Grant and Loretta Young, so I can't wait to watch them both. This got me thinking about another remake I dearly love....
You've Got Mail

and the original it was based on....
Shop Around the Corner

Both of which I have seen, and both of which I adore. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are so great together. Not in a passionate way, but in a quirky kinda two pieces of the puzzle that just found each other and fit kind of way. It's not fireworks, but they're quietly drawn to one another, and you're drawn in as well. And the way they romanticise New York in the fall, through the scenery and their e-mails. I felt like There was a slight homage there to the play Love Letters. And Jimmy Stewart is one of my all time favorite actors. I love him in Mr Smith Goes to Washington and It's a Wonderful Life. I can't think of the holidays without it. So, I'm off to enjoy some of my old movies. Well, some old, some new. I think I grab a cup of hot chocolate while I'm at it. Til next time. Blessing to you all. Oh, and please say a little prayer for the babies to have a speedy recovery. Thanks!

A Tribute: 2009 Thankful Challenge...

Well, as I said before, number one on my list this year is my friend, Ashley.

Amanda, Missy, Heidi, Me, and Dawn.
Second is friendship as a whole. I am blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life. Just here in Ohio, I have a wonderful women's Bible study group. We meet every Tuesday night together either here, at my house, or somewhere in the community, like The Mocha House or Boarders Book Store. Each one of these women are wonderful and special in their own way. Amanda and I attend church together and our babies were born a day a part from one another. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have a play group or Bible study. She approached me about the two of us getting together when she found out she was going to get to stay at home. From there, she introduced me to Heidi. And Heidi introduced us to Missy, and we have grown from there. Missy is our funny lady. And she is also very protective and loyal to her friends. Heidi has become one of my best friends here. We have so much in common and we spend the most time together, now that Amanda is back at work and we are the only two stay at home moms. We just clicked. We're always on the same page and we're always in each other's corner cheering each other on. We usually check in every morning with a phone call to see how the night went with the babies and just encourage one other. Dawn and I used to work together, and she is one of the best teachers I have ever worked with. She is remarkable with children. My own included. They adore her. She is also a wonderful friend. We both love history and nostalgia. She has taken us all over the area and shown us the architecture, all the cultural areas and festivals, and where the steel mills began. We are right in the middle of where America's melting pot began. She has really given me an appreciation for where we live. And we've taken the kids on all kinds of fun trips together.

Ms. Anne

Ms. Anne is our surrogate grandmother here in Ohio. We met while she was walking her dog, Tippy one day. We got to talking, and then we started talking everyday, as she passed our house on their walks. And we just grew to be great friends. She came to Anna Grace's and Trey's birthday parties, we would trick or treat at her house. I invited her to our monthly luncheon with the Warren Women's Connection, and she would bake cookies for the kids and come by for a visit. We enjoy going by her house in our little wagon to see her and Mr. Dick. They have been the nicest neighbors. Trey and Anna Grace think it is a treat to get to go and see them. I can even get them to take a nap if they think they are going to get to go down and visit Ms. Anne. She is one of their favorite babysitters. It is quite comical that Trey has told us on more than one occasion that "we can go now" once Ms. Anne is there. It is a blessing to my heart that even though we are hundreds of miles away from our family, God still provides for our needs, even the needs of our little ones. They get plenty of hugs and kisses from their Ms. Dawn, Ms. Anne and Ms. Datha.

Me and Datha with Anna Grace

Datha was my first real friend here in Ohio. We met at my first job. I was teaching music, Spanish and multi-cultural diversity at Hope Children's Academy. She also worked there, in the toddler room of the daycare part of the facility. She is the most loving care giver I have ever come across. I have learned a lot from her in that regard. She has since gone back to school and finished her early childhood education degree and teaches kindergarten now. But, I have never seen anyone so patience and loving with little ones, ever. She has such a nurturing character. When I moved to Kidz by the Riverside to start The Early Learning Initiative program, which is a lot like head Start, I asked Datha to come with me to be my assistant. Together, we built a stellar program, but it almost did our friendship in. It's not always wise to work with friends. We both are very, very strong personalities. But, we realized in time that we needed a little space. It was for the best to go our separate ways professionally. We are both Christians and we consider ourselves more like sisters than friends. We've even talked to my women's Bibles study group about friendship, communication and forgiveness. We can laugh about it all now. How silly we were being and how we know we just have to agree to disagree on somethings. But, we aren't going to let it hurt our friendship, or sow seeds of bitterness between us. And we're lucky that we have both have the Lord in our lives to remind one or the both of us of that. We are still the best of friends. And she is a wonderful neighbor. (Did I forget to mention that? She is my next door neighbor.) I will miss her so much when we move back home. I love sitting outside with a cup of coffee as we watch our kids play together.

Amy and Emily and their grandmother

Amy and Emily are sisters that I met when we lived in Kansas City. I did a post on them and their friendship here. They are both remarkable women and I miss them so, so much. I used to walk with them in the evenings around our apartment complex. We would laugh and share and talk about everything. The very best memory I have about the both of them is that I had the chance to witness to them. We were sitting in their apartment on night, and they asked me what it meant to be "born again", and what was "a testimony." Have you ever had that opportunity? I have to say this was not my first, so I was prepared. It was very exciting. Needless to say, we were up half the night, and my husband came looking for me after a while, but it was all worth it. And I love how no matter where you go across the miles, once the Lord ties your friendship together, it can never be severed. We still keep in touch and when we talk, we pick up right where we left off.

Shelia, Me, and Marci
Shelia and Marci were my friends and roomies in college. We were apart of a tight knit group we refer to as "the family." We've been through it all together; graduation, marriage, babies, changes in jobs, promotions, moves, adoption, death of parents, -everything. These are the girls that took a week off of work and had their husbands watch their babies and drove 900 plus miles to be with me when I lost my mother and had Trey with in two weeks. You know some people will tell you that if you need anything I will drop everything and I will be there. And then there are friends like these two wonderful ladies God has blessed me with that are there. I can't even express to you what that meant to me. What that will always mean to me.

Shelia and Marci holding Trey

Me and Peige
My best friend Peige. I met Peige on June 1, 1986, right in front of my house, the day we were moving in. She was walking by and I walked up and introduced myself and asked her if she wanted to play. It was her birthday. We have been best friends ever since. She lived two blocks away and we grew up together in our small town, swimming, riding bikes, singing in our hair brushes, falling in love with our first boyfriends, going off to college, getting married, having babies. We also have had a friendship built on the foundation of the Lord. Peige was one of the first people I ever witnessed to. We have a very unique friendship. I don't know if you have anyone like this in your life, but, I know that I could never lose her friendship. We understand each other, and we accept each other. We have spent hours on the phone talking and doing Bible studies and praying together throughout the years, or singing praise songs together. And we don't feel inhibited or insecure about it. We can pray and praise together and there are no barriers. Praise God. I am so so blessed that He has placed so many wonderful friends in my life, in so many wonderful ways.
Dena and M.C. and Me last Christmas!
I also have two wonderful sisters that I was blessed to find by marriage. They couldn't be more dear to my heart if we were blood related. We have said it many times before, but we have dropped the whole in-law thang. I love these girls! They are silly~crazy fun to be with, at all times. I've got their back and I know they've gone mine. We will be true blue sis-tahs til the very end!

I am so Thankful for that! More Thankfulness to come....... Blessings to you all!

2009 GIVING THANKS CHALLENGE!

This is the 3rd annual Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at South Breeze Farm. Yes, I am arriving fashionably late to this lovely event, but I am none the less ready to celebrate this month is style. I look forward to this event every year. I enjoy reading every one's lists and finding new blogs to read and visit in the process. It's just a lot of fun. And it is so inspiring. It helps me keep my focus on the real reason for this season of the year. "Thankfulness."

Cultivating a grateful heart and attitude. Sharing your blessings and in the process blessing others. Taking the time to slow down and look at all that we have instead of all that we want. Enjoy life's little everyday pleasures. Feeding our contentment instead of our desires. That is what I'm going to spend this month doing. I hope you will join me. Click on the button above and it will take you to Leah's challenge, where you can sign up too. Then grab the button, and advertise the challenge on your blog in a post. You can keep an on going list on your side bar under the button of all the things you're "Thankful" for or you can post every day about it. Have fun with it. I even decided to make a new play list of music for the month to go along with the theme. Some of it is patriotic, because I am grateful to my servicemen and women that protect my country. I love my country and my freedom and I'm proud to be an American. I also wanted something "homey" that represented my Christian values. So, I added hymns, prayers and blessings, and songs like Love in a Home by Doris Day.

The first thing I want to give thanks for in my challenge is my friend Ashley. You may have noticed my new look. She was so kind to put together a header for my blog here, and one for my children's private blog. I know she is busy with her business, Ashley's Artistry, and her beautiful family and baby girl Evy. So, this was such an unexpected act of kindness. It really touched my heart. She just e-mailed me one day and said she really wanted to do this for me, and I was like wow! Thank you! And so, I Thank you again, my sweet sweet friend! It may not have seemed like much to you at the time, but it came at just the right time for me, and it really lifted my spirits, and touched my heart. Blessings to you!

Hey Y'all! Let's get to celebrating!

Sorry It's been a while! We've been busy here in the Taylor household. We made an unexpected trip home the last week of October to meet with bankers and realtors, and to look at some houses. I can't believe we will be moving home in seven months. I'm excited and nervous. The house I've been "stalking" for over a year now has dropped off of the website we've been looking at. So, we're not sure yet if it has sold or if they just took it off of the market. I was crushed at first, but, if it's not in God's plan for us, then I trust He will lead us to something better. His best for us. Who knows how things are going to work out. I'm trying not to get too emotionally attached to anything. It's such an exciting time.


Hugh and I have known each other and been together now for fourteen years. We knew within our first year of dating that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, but we also wanted to finish school (college) before we got married. So, we dated five years and got married a year after we both graduated. We lived just a little over a year in Ridgeland before going to medical school. We lived in the same apartment complex in college. And our first home in Ridgeland was a very quaint little apartment. It was perfect for us. We have also rented while in medical school and here in Ohio while we have been in residency. So, this will be our "first home." I have to say that I think we have made the right move renting all along. I am so so glad we don't have the extra added stress of trying to unload a house up here right now, in this unstable economy. But, we have spent such a long time planning and dreaming. I can honestly say that sometimes I feel like it's never really going to actually happen. Like it is always going to be a dream we just talk about and dream about. And then again, it's kinda scary to think of it actually happening. I know that sounds strange, but, change is a little scary too. I've known this for so long and I'm comfortable with this, and I don't know what our lives are going to be like once this change comes, and I don't want "us" to change. The core of us. I don't want a little comfort to take our eyes off our focus, which is the Lord. So, all we can do is pray and keep Him close. And take it one day at a time, right?

Anyway, I feel like I'm missing out on sharing my favorite time of year. I love the fall season. The rich colors, the crisp cool air. The yummy smells coming from the kitchen or from candles burning. It makes me feel all warm and cozy inside and reminds me of all my many many blessings. I love Thanksgiving. I hate that it gets so overlooked. So, I'm going to celebrate Thanksgiving all this month. Here is where I'm going to start...


GOD BLESS THIS HOME IN WHICH WE LIVE;
GOD BLESS It's EVERY PART.
GOD GRANT IT PEACE AND SWEET CONTENT
GOD GRACE OUR EVERY HEART.
-Bert Whitehouse
More Fall fun to come! Love and Blessings!

Away Sick with the Flu...

well, we thought it was the flu. But, I think it was more of an intestinal flu. I never got the respiratory symptoms. Thank goodness with my my asthma. I just had fever, chills, aches and tummy troubles. And I had dizziness and weakness for a couple days that just wiped me out and required me to ask Hugh to stay home. I can usually just carry on through, but this one hit hard. So, I've been away from the computer for a while. I've even had my husband update my face book page a couple of times, letting my friends know I'm still alive, just very under the weather.
I've missed visiting all my blogs but, I have come across a new (or new to me) group called the Sisters. Have you heard of the Ruppes sisters? They are fabulous! Let me say it again! Fabulous People, FABULOUS! My husband introduced them to me one night last week. I was curled up on the couch, sick as can be, and he said I have something I want you to listen to. He played me the song I am about to leave here for you and all I can say is, I was weeping when it was over. I felt like I'd just been to church. You can feel like you have just been hit by a mack truck, and be overwhelmed with God is good. -Amen

Our New Preschool Ministry

I have been having such a wonderful time teaching our new preschool class at church. We don't have a curriculum for our new class, but, we have been making due with scripture, crafts and the help of my Christian Mother Goose book. Ms. Pat, our pastor's wife, always leads our time together for Master's club. She opens in prayer, takes up offering, and then we have our pledge to the American flag, Christian flag, and to the Bible. After that she reads our Bible story. We start with the Old Testament in the fall and work our way into the New Testament in the spring session.

I knew from working with her last year that she would begin with the creation story. Our class is using construction paper and stickers to make a wordless book of the creation story to take home. We will be doing this over a succession of weeks together. When we separated into our individual classes, I tried to build on what Ms. Pat read to us, by talking to my class about day one, where God separated he darkness from the light. As a prompt, we are using a peek-a-boo motion to remind them of day one. Then we talked about what God made to give us light: the sun, moon and stars, (day four.) I asked them if they knew the nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Of course they were all very excited and wanted to share with me that they could each recite it together. Then I shared a new version of that nursery rhyme, a Christian version that says.....

Twinkle, twinkle little star, God has placed you where you are;
Up above the world so high, you're God's light hung in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, when you look down from afar,
What's that little light you see -shining here for God? It's me!

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, I can't reach you in a car;
But someday by Jesus' might, I'll fly to visit you each night.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, God has placed you where you are!

We added motions to it by opening and closing our hands like little twinkle stars, which is a great motor skill activity for preschoolers. Then we used rhythm sticks, bean bags, and shakers to work on our scripture verse from Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation..." I used eight quarter notes and two eighth notes to help them tap or shake out the rhythm. We did this several times together, giving everyone a chance to use an instrument or bean bag. Then we did other songs, where they could get up and move. Little ones have such a short attention span and can not stay still for long, so we kept things moving, always connecting what we were doing to our scripture, story and theme. We finished the evening with a craft to take home with our verse on it.

I am sharing this with you in hopes that you will be able to use it in your church or even at home with your little ones.

For our second week, we continued to build on week one. Our verse was from Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world..." We talked about how when we know Jesus/God, and we love Him and follow Him, we begin living a life filled with God's light. Other people can see that light, and we can share it with them by sharing Jesus with them and His love and kindness. That's how they get to know Him. Then we can bring them to church where they can learn about Him through the Bible, the pastor and other teachers. We sang songs like This Little Light of Mine, and we used the nursery rhyme Jack Be Nimble to make crafts with our verse to take home on it. We also reviewed Twinkle, Twinkle little Star, and our memory verse form the previous week together, as well as, other songs.

This week (week 3) we talked about sin and when Adam and Eve left the garden of Eden. Side note:(I was so happy when they remembered that the first man and woman were Adam and Eve, from the week before.) Again, I truly believe this is because we are using songs, games and prompts to build on the Bible story Ms. Pat shares each week. She talked about how Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with leaves, but it didn't help, and God knew that they had disobeyed Him (enter -sin.) She connected it to how we sometimes disobey our parents, and it makes God very sad just as it did when Adam and Eve sinned. And how even when our parents punish us, they still love us, just as God still loved Adam and Eve. She also talked when Adam and Eve had to leave the garden, and how the Lord made a covering for them out of animal skins. And how we think they might have been sheep skin, because in other places in the Bible we had to sacrifice or shed the blood of a spotless lamb/sheep to cover our sins until Jesus came. And how Jesus shed his blood on the cross to cover our sins, so we wouldn't have to sacrifice sheep any more. (Pretty deep, I know. But it's an introduction to what they will hopefully come to know and understand later as they get a little older. She is also sharing this story time with children up through the six grade.) We used the verse Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. in our class time to connect with what she had taught for the night. They took the verse home on the bottom of the cotton ball sheep they made at craft time. We also used a Christian version of Baa, Baa, Black Sheep.

Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full:
One for the Lord, and one for my family too, And one for the little boy that says, "Thank you!"

Since we use the sign for Jesus already when we sing our songs, i used this opportunity to teach them the sign for "Thank you."

This next week we will continue to talk about sheep and using these two Christian nursery rhymes....

Mary's Lamb
Mary had a little lamb,
It's fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go.

Now Jesus has a little lamb,
That little lamb is you!
And He is pleased when all His lambs keep following Him too.

Little Bo-Peep
Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them;
But, Jesus knows and can bring them home,
Wagging their tails behind them.

We will also use the Christian book One Lost Sheep by Rhonda Gowler Greene.


And our verse will come from John 10:27 The sheep that are my own hear and are listening to my voice; and I know them and they follow me. Please pray over this children's ministry, and our little class if you have time. It would mean so much to me! The majority of the children we serve do not attend church and don't even own a Bible in their home. I know this from giving seven Bibles to little ones last year in my k-1st grade class. I am praying that they will share all we are doing with their families at home and their excitement will bring their families to visit our church. I'll leave you with a few pictures of our craft ideas that we've used to go along with our theme and lessons. -Blessings!

The Gentleness of my Savior

Oh, how sweet the Lord is. He is so gentle and merciful in our weakness and pain. It brings tears to my eyes just to type the precious moment He gave me last night. If you have lost someone in your life very dear to you, a loved one or family member, you know that there are times, some little something will spark a rush of memories to wash over you. I had such a moment last night. I was sitting here alone. The babies were asleep, and my honey was at work, and I was thinking about and missing my mom. It started out sweet and then all of a sudden, I was crying a flood of tears and I just couldn't stop them from coming. I lost my breath and I buried my head in my hands and just sobbed for a few minutes. It ached way down deep inside, I missed her so much. "It's not fair. It's not fair," is all I could think or feel for a few moments. "I just wish you were here. I need you."

Then I heard a little creek, and out came my sweet little girl from around the corner. As, she toddled in with her blankie, I could tell she was still half asleep. "Hold you, momma," and she crawled up into my arms, and laid her head on my shoulder. She snuggled in, and I quietly held her close and let the tears continue to fall.When she was ready, I carried her back to her bed and tucked her in. I leaned over and kissed her softly on her the side of her head and whispered, "I love you so much." Then she turned over and wrapped her arms around my neck. She gave me a little pat pat on my back and whispered, "I love you so much momma." And she kissed me goodnight. It was such a sweet and comforting moment. And the Lord knew it was exactly what I needed. Other people may just shrug it off as a coincidence, but, I know it was a "God" moment. A healing moment. I have always said that the Lord gave me my son to sustain me through the heart ache of losing my mom so unexpectedly. And He gave me my daughter, a year later on my mom's birthday, to help me heal. We mirror image so much of the closeness and the bond I had with my mom. And it helps me feel close to her, like she is still everyday a part of my life. Not just as a memory, but in a real tangible way.

Oh how sweet His love is for us. With all in the world that He has to take care of, He still has time to show us that He cares about the small things our hearts ponder over. He takes the time to say I see, I know, I do care and I love you. That is how sweet my savior is. That is the God I know and love. Do you know Him that way? Not just know about Him and who He is, but, know Him. Do you share things and moments like this with Him?