Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Am I Three Yet?

Finally an update on the Taylor Trio. So far, this summer has been busy and HOT. Spence has become obsessed with sports. In addition to t-ball and basketball in our backyard, Spence and Jarrod started doing parent-and-me soccer on Saturday mornings. Spence (and Jarrod) have really improved!






Also, in case anyone forgot, Spence turned 3! Since his birthday is July 4th and most people are busy, we had his party on July 2nd at the Museum of Transportation. It was tons of fun and Spence was really sweet to his guests. He thanked everyone and really made an effort to play with each kid. We played, ate lunch & cake, and finished with a train ride.








For some reason, no one in St. Louis opens presents at kid's birthday parties. Although, I still think it's odd (and unappreciative - sort of), we followed suit. Therefore, after the party and after his nap, he spent an hour opening all of his gifts. He got tons of puzzles, books, Thomas toys, and other fun things.

Then, on his actual birthday, Kiki, Papa, Nanny, and the Taylor Trio all went to Grandmama and Pa's house for another party. Spence was so confused and kept asking "Am I 3 yet?" We had a great time opening MORE presents, visiting with family, and barbecuing. In the end, it was an EXHAUSTING weekend but we wouldn't have wanted it any other way!


Love from St. Louis, The Taylor Trio!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Not What My Hands Have Done

Although I have many fun, exciting things to blog about since this weekend was Spence's birthday, this post is solely about me. The fun stuff will follow later this week.

While hanging out with friends several days ago, Jarrod said that my blog was "deep." He clearly has only read 1 post - as 99% of my blog is for our family far away who desire to see more pictures/updates of Spence. So, in order to live up to his expectations (and today is our anniversary), I give you my recently thoughts. They are, perhaps, more personal than intended and would better be in a journal. However, since I don't journal and I'm not about to figure out a way to privately blog, they're placed on here.

This weekend, my mom said I was emotionally lazy. I think my family often times feel as if I allow Jarrod to run the show not by outwardly agreeing with his decisions but, instead, by failing to express my own. Perhaps it's true. I took her comment to heart and believe it to be accurate. I'm not sure when it started - my lack of desire to be emotionally invested - but it's absolutely happened. I worry that my desire to work is not because I want to work but, rather, I find being a stay-at-home mom so much more emotionally exhausting. I worry that I am racking up bitterness toward Jarrod by allowing our decisions (to move, for example) to becomes ours because I'm too emotionally lazy to exprses my own.

It's weird to type that I coward at emotions given that I have absolutely no trouble being a bitch. Cut me off in traffic and watch out. Mention anything that might be "deeper" than I want to go and I shut down.

Anyway, in thinking about it more recently, I realized that my laziness is an overreaction to being hurt/devastated by the consequences of my decisions in the past. In fact, I think I'm terrified that one brick removed from the wall might cause such a flood that the banks overflow. As I think of many of my friends, I feel that some are right there with me. Perhaps I surround myself with people that don't pry too much, who value facades, and don't desire genuine honesty! :) I'm clearly not talking about you (whoever you are). I live my life with the facade that I am overly honest and, in truth, I am - but only about the eternally unimportant things.

That being said, Jarrod and I have fallen in love with a poem/song that really speaks to my desire to be- that I be emotionally PRESENT in the lives of I love - by admitting my brokenness and accepting the grace He brings. I recommend a listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogV7Xpn0-3Y.

Love from Lindsay