Two Years Ago.....

We were in Maui getting. I married a man who has been the only one to truly show me how a man loves a woman. Through ups and downs and many challenges that life has thrown our way, we always make it through standing side by side. I couldn't have asked for a better person to share my life with and to have a family with. To many more years together....cheers.


P.S
This is my sisters dress. She somehow convinced me to wear it, and well for those who don't know me; when it comes to getting dressed I'm pretty conservative. This time I thought why not? it's our anniversary and I want to look hot for my husband. I'm not going to lie, I kind of felt like a hooker. It didn't help when the waiter at the restaurant said he's seen me there before a few times....I about died when I looked at Wade and said "well with me supposedly being her a few times, and wearing this dress with six inch heels, I'm sure they think I'm a freaking hooker and this is where I take my "dates" for the night!" good times. Only my luck. Good thing I have a husband who finds these things funny and we just laughed about it.

Mother to Mother & Stranger to Stranger

I believe people are brought into our lives for a certain reasons. Sometimes they are short lived and sometimes they can last forever. I also believe you experience certain moments in your life, so that it could shape you to be a better person later. I've had many moments like these. For instance the day I became a mother for the first time, it taught me patience, its shown me the feeling of unconditional love. Also when I became a mother for the second time, it showed me to feel that same unconditional love for another child, it taught me to never take life for granted when she was very ill after birth. Things, people, and events all happen for a certain reason.

I came across the Taylor family through a mutual friend who shared their family blog . They are a very beautiful family with two beautiful girls. The pictures that are displayed in the blog are sweet and you can just feel the love that they have for each other. You can tell they are proud parents by their smiles. I don't know this family on a personal level, but when their daughter was 3 months old they were hit with a bomb; Ruby was diagnosed with Caroli Disease which is a rare liver disease. It's curable through transplant only. As I sat and read her blog posts I would be sitting in a pool of tears. Not only did I feel angry that this little girl was going through something like this but as a mother I couldn't help but think of Ani (Rubys mom)and what she must be going through. I'm not one to sit back and read stories and not try to do something. As I read and read; this family really touched a place in my heart and I knew there had to be something I could do. I would even without a doubt in my mind, if I were a match for her daughter, I would give her apart of my liver.

Ani & I have exchanged a few emails to each other about Ruby. The other night as I was reading her blog I saw that she and her husband had to rush Ruby to the ER because something wasn't right. As I sat reading on the edge of my seat, I knew that I had to do something! Something was telling me to go...to go and donate my blood to her. I know I've never met them and have not really had a conversation other than a few emails here and there, but I had to do it. It was mother to mother type of thing. Like I get it, I've been in her position of not knowing what's going to happen next and not being to do anything and leaving it to doctors and nurses to do their jobs. It's a terrible feeling leaving it and trusting someone else with your child's life.

I got the babysitter, and got into my car and drove to UCLA to give my blood for Ruby. When I arrived to the front desk, right behind me was Ani sitting there waiting to donate her blood for her daughter. I've never met her before. I don't think it was a coincidence either that we were both in the same place at the same time. Ani went to get tested to donate blood and she failed her iron test, which resulted in her not being able to donate blood that day. When she walked out of the room, I could tell by the look on her face she was so disappointed. I could also tell she was trying to keep it together for me. I knew though; I knew how terrible it must of felt for her. That was when I knew I was meant to be there, I was there because I needed to give my blood to Ruby. Almost like someone looking out for them knew Ani wasn't going to be able to donate her blood today and they sent me in to do it. I think that made Ani feel better knowing that I was there to give blood to her daughter.
Today was special, I got to meet an amazing strong mother, who would drain her body dry of blood just to give it to her daughter, someone who greeted a stranger like me with such compassion and who wore a smile on her face to keep her strong when I know that inside she's hurting. I also got to give my blood to a little girl named Ruby who is waiting for her transplant and second chance at life. Please keep this family in your prayers :)

Taylor Family Blog:
http://aniandmatttaylor.blogspot.com

On my way home from the clinic...

So glad my first time donating my blood was for Ruby :)

Presley Soccer Adventures!

First of all I would like to take a little trip back in time when I was a little girl and my mom signed me up to play soccer. I remember we were the Blue Barracuda's! I don't even think I knew what a Barracuda even was, but I went with it; it sounded cool. That was my first soccer team I ever joined, and it was certainly not my last. I played for many more years after that and I absolutely loved it. I remember thinking to myself as I got older, how fun its going to be when one day I have a kid and I get to sign them up for their first soccer team. I also thought about how fun it would be to be the "team mom".

Signing Presley up for the first time was one of those weird moments that some of us may have. I thought "wow, I'm signing Presley up for soccer!" that quickly was followed by "Wow, I have a KID to sign up for soccer!" then I thought "crap, I'm getting old." With many crazy thoughts going through my head I couldn't help but be so excited for this. I didn't force this on her, I actually gave her two other choices and she wanted to play soccer. Thank goodness because if I had to sit in an hour of ballet class I might have lost it. (jk, i think little ballerinas are cute.) Anyway, this is a toddler soccer thing. It's no AYSO but it teaches them at an early age the basic techniques on soccer rules. Also being able to show them how to take instruction from a coach and to participate in a team environment. She enjoys it very much and I just love watching her play in her little cleats and tiny shin guards! Oh one last thing..that whole "team mom" thing...not happening. I'll be more than happy to cheer on the sidelines :)


Seriously CUTEST EVER!!!

Team Huddle!

GOAL!!! :)

Jones' Lake Trip

This was our first trip to a lake as a family. It was exciting to be doing something new together, but also a bit unsettling thinking of possibly dealing with major meltdowns and of course babies & water. I mentally prepared myself WEEKS before knowing that this isn't a "lake trip" that I'm used to taking without kids. This is a trip where I needed to be prepared for the worst. I needed to be on top of my game with whatever these two little chickens threw my way.

To say the least, these two little chickens were on their best behavior the whole time! There were no meltdowns, and their faces read pure enjoyment. I was so happy it was a great trip and everyone was so good. Although, Presley did go on the boat for her first time to watch her cousins wake board and well from what Presley said to me, and I quote "Mommy, I don't like boats. They make me feel sick." Well there you have it she's not a fan of the cruising around in boats. Maybe she will like it when she gets a little older :)or maybe she will be like me, where we can't even get on a swing set without feeling nauseous.

"Got sand"

Wade taking Kinley out for a swim in the inner tube.

Me and Presley after our boat ride, you can tell by the look of her face she was a little sick :( poor baby.

Two little chickens trying out the lake for their first time.

Hunter playing with Kinley.

Parker with Presley

Kinley 11 Months

Can this month please go as slow as possible? I cannot even believe my last born, my baby, is going to be one year old next month!! She is standing on her own now and she's even taken small steps without any help. I'm in trouble. I'll have two walking toddlers soon. Kinley has insisted on now sitting at the table with Presley instead of her high chair and she has also expressed that drinking out of a "sippy cup" is only fair because Presley gets to do it. It makes me so sad that she is our last and she's growing so fast. On another note watching her and Presley starting to play and form this sister bond is the sweetest thing I've ever seen! They fight about toys now, and one day they will fight about clothes and make-up; but if one thing is for sure it's that both of our girls will grow up knowing the value of family. They will- no matter what; respect each other and be there for one another. I will make sure of this or else! :)