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!

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

The Song is Too Long

First, an update on recent activities. We had a great Father's Day weekend. On Saturday, good friends the Scholma's came over with their 3 children. John is about six months older than Spence so they play well together plus their two older girls make sure no one dies in the process! The weather was perfect so we played outside and grilled out. When it got dark, the parents were able to visit while the kids watched movies.

For gifts, Spence made Jarrod a cute paper weight at "work" and we both got him a pair of shoes he has wanted forever. On Sunday morning, we took a bike ride to breakfast and then met Jarrod's parents for lunch at Bravo. Yummy!

Jarrod and I were also able to get a date night the week before. We packed a picnic basket and went to Shakespeare in the Park's presentation of The Taming of the Shrew. It was really entertaining and a beautiful night (plus you can't beat wine and cheese). Even better..the play was free! :)

Two weeks ago, Spence and Jarrod started "daddy and me" soccer called Kickaroos. Spence loves it and his skills have really improved! It isn't a match but rather more of a clinic where children and their parents practice. Below is Spence playing with dad at home!



Anyway, I'll continue to try to post Spence singing. The song is too long so, for some raeson, my iphone is unable to email it to me. I'll try to retape or figure out another option.

For now, we're keeping busy enjoying this beautiful weather. We have more friends coming over this evening and then a big auction for Spence's daycare on Saturday. Then Tuesday, my momma comes (followed shortly by my dad and grandpa)! We're all gearing up for the big birthday weekend! I can't believe Spence will be 3!!! :( Love to all!

Spencisms

Two quick Spencisms that have made me giggle this week:

1. I started going to the gym two nights a week. When Spence asked why I had to go I told him it was because I was "chubby." He said "You're going to get skinny?" And I told him that I hoped to. Well, when I returned home from my first gym sessions, he lovingly looked at me and said "You not chubby now!" If only.....

2. I'm trying to work on teaching him inflection. Often times he says things in a bad tone but the words, themselves, are not inappropriate. His most-used line is "What you say?" with this evil look and condescending tone. Slowly, he's learned to have a better inflection with this phrase. Now, instead of saying "what you say" in that mean way, he says "Mommy, I not say what you say (said menacingly). I have a good infection."

Spence requested that I work on posting his singing to the blog (as he is somewhat obsessed with himself). I promise to work on it this weekend! :)

I Had Clean Underwear This Morning

I make myself laugh. It's embarrassing to admit - but I think I laugh more in my head than I do out loud. Sometimes I even make myself laugh at pretend conversations I have with others. Today, I was writing a friend and I laughed, snorting loud enough for the poor secretary outside my door to hear. While her computer faces the entire office, I'm safe in my little room - to do as I please. Anyway, I'm sure she was anything but happy that I was enjoying myself while she did meanial tasks.

The point of my email was encouragement that success is how you define it. I said:

You will eventually figure out what it is you're supposed to do. My
whole life I thought I was meant to be a mother. I anxiously awaited
the day Spence was born and I could become a stay-at-home mom. That
time came and I felt like I had fallen into a black hole. I felt
trapped. Although that feeling eventually passed, the reality that I
was not a good stay-at-home mom continued to persist. The fact that
what I had always wanted turned out not to be anything I wanted was
difficult.

Eventualy, I realized that success isn't defined by how much you have in your savings account much less the job you get out of college. I've learned to
take the little things as success - I've kept my child alive for
almost 3 years, I haven't yet killed my husband, and I had clean
underwear to wear this morning.

It made me realize that, truly, it's the little things.

Looks like I'm back to my random posts while I try to get a cute clip of Spence singing downloaded. My iphone refuses to allow me to post the entire video, so I'm working on it! Until then....

I Made It 1 Year

It's official. I made it one year. One year in this chair.....

One year of early mornings, daycare drop-offs/pick-ups, frantic dinners, dirty laundry, and dusty floors. If I'm honest, the laundry and floors would happen regardless of where I work (home or not). Housewivery (is that a word?) is not my strong suit. Apparently neither is office organization - do you see that desk?

Anyway, we've been in St. Louis for over a year as well. It's still been hard to make couple friends. Our neighborhood is looking like a great prospect and Jarrod recently had several guys get hired in his department that he really likes. So far though, it's mostly just the Taylor Trio hanging out (which, in honesty, I often prefer). Living in a large city does have it perks: awesome parks, tons of children's activities, ridiculously nice shopping, fun concerts. Still, I miss Huntington. Why many would ask? Jim's of course! Just kidding - I miss my friends, my screened-in porch, MY PARENTS (and other family), Chick-fil-A playdates, 3 day a week working......

Enough nostalgia, it's making me sad. My brother visited over the Memorial Day weekend and I had such a great time. We took Spence to the Magic House and he and Jarrod got to go to a Cardinals game and sit in the Edward Jones luxury box. Not bad! My brother helped me take down Spence's crib :( (cue the tears) and we set up his toddler bed - his reward for peepeeing and poopooing in the potty. Spence LOVES it!

On another note: Jarrod takes Level III of the CFA this weekend. Please PRAY LONG AND HARD that he passes. His practice tests have been borderline and he's starting to worry. Even if you don't like Jarrod - maybe you like me - or at the very least Spence - and Spence deserves for his daddy to pass! :)

Finally, Spence's 3rd birthday is coming up and I just have to show you the invites. I think they're precious.



Now I feel like I should say something off of the Price is Right.. "If you are in the St. Louis area and would like to join our celebration, please email or call for party information." Oh how I miss Bob Barker.
On that note - time to do some actual work (or finally get 3 stars on Level 5-17 of Angry Birds)! Love to all!!!

When I Said Busy....

From reaching the end of the internet to failing to have time to ensure clean clothes, our lives have gone from SLOW to BUSY! In the past month alone, I've taken 8 plane flights. So, here goes a long-winded, not very exciting update:

First, I went into the woods. Yes - truly - into the woods on a business trip. It consisted of nats, sleeping in cars, and hiking. I wish I was kidding. Then, I came home and frantically made food for Caroline's baby shower. She is having girl #3 in July and Allison and I (really Allison) threw her a baby shower followed by a surprise retirement party for Linda. It was the first time all of the grandkids had been together in awhile which was fun!



The following morning, at 3:30 a.m., we got up and left for the airport for our much-need beach vacation in Charleston, SC. The house was a perfect little bungalow just a block off the beach. Spence LOVED the sand, despised the water, and is still fascinated by the dead jelly fish we found. It was great having my parents there and Clint even made a quick visit.







We returned to the beach and then Jarrod and I left the next weekend for Clint's graduation. It was so incredible to see all the people who knew and loved my little brother! Professors actually knew him. :) I went to college for 4 years and I GUARANTEE not a single professor knew my name on graduation day. I don't have pictures but, needless to say, it was a great time. I stayed on in NC for 3 more days for another business trip and was SO READY to be home by the end of it all!

Fnally, the next few weeks Jarrod is busy studying for Level III of the CFA exam on June 4th! He's been very deligent and, although Spence and I miss him, we're proud of his good work ethic! In order to stay out of Jarrod's way, Spence and I have had busy weekends. This past weekend, we went to the zoo on Saturday and a birthday party on Sunday. It was Spence's first adventure in bowling and he loved it! Lets just hope he doesn't dream of making the PBA.



We're still waiting for visitors to show around St. Louis. If you're reading this, that means you! And yes, that's an intentional guilt trip. XOXO