Annual update

It's amazing to see how much God has done for us in the past year. Geoff and I felt strongly led to
Move back to the flathead valley last summer. Our desire and "wish" turned into a strong calling feeling like God was becoming us back to get in our old church where we were learning so much, and get "planted in the house" and get some roots put down.

We moved back to kalispell one week before Christmas 2015. We chose a home from our old neighborhood without ever stepping foot in it, knowing that it would be the easiest transition for our kids to assimilate after yet another move.

Brooks is going to be a sophomore at stillwater Christian school while Reagan and Greyson are at west valley school (it's a K-8th school. Yay!  Maybe they can stay in the same school for a bit!!!

We are loving being back in the flathead valley. Like, loving it here. So much has happened in the six months we've been back.  Like. More than I can tell you today.

June 6, 2015

At least it's only been four years since my last post.  I'm thrilled when I start a project and fulfill it through to completion.

Nothing has happened the past four years.  Well, unless you count moving to Kalispell for almost two years, building a home there, selling it, moving to Casper, Wy into a rental home, buying another home...and then wanting to move back to Kalispell.  Oh, and Geoff's sweet mama came down with lung cancer.  I say came down with, because that's what she did and that's how quickly it blindsided everyone.  We had her living in our home for the past five months until she was too sick for me to be able to continue caring for.  She died May 17, 2015.  It's all been surreal for several months.

I have a love/hate relationship with Casper.  On one hand, it's much closer to my mom and dad who still live in Billings.  On the other hand, it's mostly super lame and outdated and ugly here.  The wind blows wayyyyy more than in Kalispell...and I find myself trying hard not to be the person who talks relentlessly about how much cooler where she moved from was.
Needless to say, I don't have many friends here.

Adoption Application

Finally....we were able to send our application for adoption off to Oregon for review!  It took about an hour getting our paperwork notarized, four or five hours of writing an autobiography, countless hours of filling out more forms than I care to remember...but it's DONE!!!  Now, we will have a 'home study' with Catholic Social Services and proceeded by completing our dossier.  Exciting day!  Baby steps!

Ice Breakers!!!

I got the kiddos (well, Reagan and Greyson, anyways) to do ICe Breaker with me this year!  What a fun introduction to the crazy world of racing!  We woke up to several inches of snow...but if a gal had to have snow in April....admittedly, it was rather purty.  It was the Charlie Brown snow...the kind you'd see in a snow globe, and luckily it quit before the race.  Greyson and Reago were totaly champs!  They ran the majority of the way and I only had to carry Greyson a little way.  They got trophies and were tickled with themselves for running a whole mile.  Greyson was a little disappointed that he didn't get any Ice Breakers candy...but there was a bag of Cheetos in his snack lunch, so he quickly forgave.  Soo proud of my turkeys!!!  Brooks had a birthday party so he was off the hook this year!  Happy Ice Breakers everyone!

Saturday Swingset

Just kidding. This post really has nothing to do with swingsets.  I just couldn't think of a title. 

We did have our first 'orientation call' with 'All God's Children'  (our adoption agency) yesterday.  Pretty exciting.  We were going over general information, including the time line of this process.  We will receive a 'referral' (meaning that we'll know the child we'll be matched with) in probably a little over a year.  My main concern with the time line is as follows:  We get the referral...we travel to Bulgaria to meet said child.  We then come back home WITHOUT said child for FIVE TO EIGHT months until the adoption can be finalized and we travel back to Bulgaria to bring little boo boo home.  I got very teary when I was talking to the coordinator regarding this.  She said to me, "Kristin, the difficulty will only be on your end...this child will be fine with her living conditions.  She doesn't know any better.  You will see where she's living and want to pluck her out of there but she is going to be frightened and miss her orphanage and care givers."  Ouch.  I'm already emotional and we're barely rounding lap one of 500.  Meanwhile, I figure this little girl (or boy...but in my mind it's a girl) is probably just being born.  Perhaps today. 

I best get to praying for her!

The Latest:

Visit from mom and dad, stomach bug, spring banquet w Bobby Bowden as speaker, house cleaning, sheets changed, Bible Study (amazing, by the way), stomach bug for Geoff, supper is already made (lasagne
..just needs to go in the oven), piano lessons, semi back on Facebook, ready for spring, Weight Watchers, cat still outside/garage dweller, met a great lady whose daughter is to have open heart surgery, friends are moving away, (wah, Anne and DAve!)  friends are moving here!  (hooray, Kenneth and Bryn) missing Iowa spring, need to clean my car, inside and out, Easter's on it's way, haven't worked out this week (see stomach bug), tomorrow is trash day, autobiography is written for adoption paperwork.  I have a pretty mundane autobiography.  Almost time to go get kids!!!

Before I forget....and when I forget....

For over a year now, Geoff has been telling me that he's felt 'called' to adopt a child.  I have had such a difficult time with this.  Honestly, I'm not an amazing mother.  I lose my patience.  I look forward to bed time.  I sometimes will the days away.  I long for date nights and shopping by myself.  I've had several friends that have had babies recently, and while being very excited and happy for them, I'm alternately relieved that it isn't me, and glad to have 'those years' behind me.  Until recently.


  In doing the study of the book of Daniel by Beth Moore, I've come to see God answer the ferverent prayers of Sharach, Meshach, and Abednego, by speaking to DANIEL.  He didn't tell them directly.  He answered their prayers for revealing truth to  Daniel.  I've been waiting for God to 'tell' ME that we should adopt a child.  I've been listening to hear 'the call'...only to have Geoff continue to reiterate to me that he's feeling disobedient to God for not following through with what he feels is a calling from the Holy Spirit.  Since surrending my own will and desires completely over to God, I finally have peace about the possibility of raising another child.  I'm even....get this.....a little giddy at the prospect.

Bulgaria.

 That's the country we're looking into adopting from.  I know it's going to be difficult.  Even brutal some days.  Which is why I'm writing this.  To remind myself (and maybe you'll even remind me some days, too)  That He works all things out for good.  According to His will and purpose.

Smelly Cat

So....the dear, sweet, fluffy little kitty had a not-so-accidental "accident" in the middle of Brooks' bed last night!  Smelly CAT!!!  What are they feeding you??? 

So....our declawed fluffy/neutered (did I mention that he's really fluffy?) kitty, Kyle..now is a garage/outdoor dweller.  Best of luck, dearest Kyle.  You've 'accidented' too many times in our abode!  Wah.

Gotta Run

I have been TRYING to get back into running since breaking my stupid fibula during the Des Moines Half Marathon, October 17, 2010.  I ran three miles with the one and only Mrs. Barbara Cook (love that woman, but that's another post) this morning on the tready...yes...my left outer ankle hurts a little.  GRRR, growl, snarl!!!  As if running's really all that fun, anyways...sheesh.
Chicken enchiladas are on the menu at the Taylor house tonight.  Then, it's off to Mrs. Kindra Young's for a 'Bachelor party'...final rose ceremony!  It's gonna be epic.  I was certain it would be Emily...but now I'm losing my confidence in that.  I have a whopping fourteen points left for the day..so that's cool too.  All in all a fantastic Monday.  The wind is howling like nobody's business...but it's sunny and pressing fifty so I'm gonna let it slide.

Showdown

Actually...that's the name of the local ski area.  We took a last minute trip up this morning.  SOOO nice to live an hour from the slope and be able to pack up the Yukie and take off randomly/spontaneously.  It was Greyson's first time skiing.  He LOVED it despite his desperate need for a nap.  He thought the whole thing was a race and was happy if you told him he was "winning".  He behaved JUST the way I had anticipated.  Not at all interested in learning the 'pizza' (aka..how to stop)  He just wanted to show that bunny slope what was up by seeing how expediently he could make it to the bottom to ride back up on the 'magic carpet'.  Most respectable moms would have amble pics of their three year old's first attempt at skiing...but not this chick!  (guess that makes me disrespectable?}  unrespectable?  Anyways....Reagan and Brooks had a blast as well...our cheeks are a little sunburnt...but what a GORGEOUS day on the mountain!

Greyson

if ever you were taking a picture of the lad....this is his look.  I love this kid.  He tells me about fifty six times a day that he loves me and that I'm the 'greatest mom in the whole earth'.  He gives kisses ALL the time and to everyone!  Soo sweet!  I know he'll outgrow this sooner or later...I just don't want to forget how great it feels to have his sweet arms squeezing my neck.  What a blessing it is to have the privilege of being these little man's mommy..

Random Decorating Thoughts..

ttp://www.ballarddesigns.com/vetrina-60-inch-media-console/furniture/media-furniture/13258So...I've scoured the catalogues and internet searching for the perfect media center for my downstairs family room.  I finally found just exactly the one I want.....in GREY!!!  How fun is that??  I went to order it today...and they won't send out the order til the end of MAY!!!!!!  Anyone see anything cool/similar out there lately???  oh..the pain!

Couples Retreat

It's hilarious and I love it.  If you haven't watched it, you need to.  At least three times, because it gets funnier each time.  Go.  watch.

busy weekend!

So...Friday after the kiddos got out of school....and Geoff got off work, we dropped Ellen off at 'Happy Tails Lodge', put out some extra portion of kitty chow, and took off for Missoula!  What a treat the drive was!!  I was amazed by the awesome drive.  Most of the trip was 'pass'..meaning we were directly 'in' the mountain.  We kept watching for deer...and there were SOO many that it's really a miracle that we didn't hit one.  We also saw TONS of elk on the side of the mountain.  Gorgeous!  We arrived in Missoula just in time for the Rock and Worship Road Show to begin!  We were able to see Jars of Clay, Thousand Foot Krutch, La Crae, and Mercy Me.  Because I'm a crier..I had to shed some tears at all the different types of people all under one roof to praise and worship our God.  Love love love love loved it! 
     Saturday morning, we got up and ate some breakfast and headed to the waterslides.  Greyson and Brooks were the only brave ones to muster up the courage to go down the slides.  Greyson was part animal..as usual.  We hit Red Robin and the mall and got to meet our dear friends from residency the Madrian family in town from Spokane.  It was SOO good to see them!  Fun to be able to pick right back up where we had left off as if no time had passed at all.  Fun as well to see the kiddos play and interact with each other!  Love love love them!!!  We raced home, picked up the smelly dog, and bolted the kids to the Peak while Geoff and I met some great friends for an awkward medley of people at Dantes.  Fun fun!!!  Brooks' bff spent the night...and we went off to a great church service and post church Fuddrucker's with our small group church family!  Loved every second of this weekend.  We're blessed to have such fun and amazing people in our lives!

wow. I'm blogging!

So. When a gal gets off Facebook....she suddenly realizes that she once used to keep a blog. I see it's been a while, Given the fact that Greyson is listed here as one...and he's now 3 1/2!!!

It's Geoff's birthday. I went to Sam's Club and got a TON of cupcakes and chocolate and brought it to the hospital to surprise/humiliate him. (hehe) Greyson had a hard time reconciling Dr. Taylor with daddy...as Geoff was dolled up in his scrubs with a surgical hat on and a mask around his neck. Cute! He was significantly embarassed, but I honestly think I was even more so as I can't recall a time when I've felt more stared at.. weird! Even Brooks felt shy which is unusual for that boy.

Happy Birthday, Dear GEoffrey!!! 38! I remember when you turned 18!

BAsement Afters.

Well...wouldn't it be nice if I would post some?? I'm going to figure out how to upload my pics from my new camera. (besides, I still don't have all the furniture figured out down there...kinda tricky with the limited...I mean, LIMITED furniture shopping in this fine uh,....town.) :) j/k...we love it here..just a tremendous lack of shopping!
HaPPY Friday! My folks will be here this weekend and we're going to Glacier and I'm totally excited!! I LOVE my mom and dad and having everyone together (the kids LOVE it, too!)

Saw our first snake in the yard last night. I was pulling in the driveway and was certain I had finally come across my first rattler (several neighbors have killed a few already this summer) I didn't spy a 'rattle' at the end of his tail so it must be a bull snake. (Which looks just like a rattler, but obviously doesn't have said rattle) ick!! I soooo hate snakes! This ends my 'running in the evenings' ventures!

Loving it here!

What an amazing and almost unexpected blessing it's been to be living in Great Falls. We moved into our new home in May and have really enjoyed being 'country folk'. Geoff has almost elimated the gopher population (is that ever really accomplished?). We have laid 22,000 square feet of sod, finished the basement (including a theatre room:) and had several rooms painted. Aside from it taking twenty minutes to get just about anywhere (minimum) we LOVE it!!!

hey.

I almost forgot to ramble for a couple of days here. We're still here on Whispering Ridge.
Our awesome Iowa friends will be here tomorrow and I"m soooo excited to see them/squeeze their guts out!

Reagan and Brooks are enjoying school and in the 'swing of things'. I love it. Today was 'meet me at the pole' day and I got a lump in my throat just thinking of the 3 million kids expected to gather around their various school flag poles to worship and pray for our nation. What an honor!

I had the DELIGHT of having a sitter come stay with Greyson this morning so I could be my nails done. It was THE most frivilous thing I've done in lord knows how long...but it was sheer joy! (and I can once again talk with my hands...which is useful) Greyson cried when 'Miss Debra' left. I think he enjoyed it, too!

Time's flitting along like mad. I can scarcely believe that October is just around the corner. We have an awesome little ladies luncheon shaping up for the 3rd and I'm getting really excited to see the details come together!!! We even got some cool chicks to sing/lead worship! Awesome!!!

Geoff's 2nd call tonight...which means he just may be there a stinkin' long time, but will be the first to leave tomorrow...so should be home by noon! I heart his new job, and so does he. What a blessin'.

I guess I best go wake up the little mister so we can get the big kids from their schoolio.





that's all.

Squash and heat

You should know that I played Squash today at the gym . Oh my, oh my!!! What fun is that?? (Thanks for the recommendation, Ann...I'm certain I wouldn't have tried it w/o your prodding:)

OH...and it's remarkably warm here....this the last week of summer. (is that right?)

OH...and I'm now ''co-leading' a "ministry for women" at my new church! (www.harvestspringschurch.com ) I think :)

I trust you all with send me your greatest and best ideas...and speakers, and schedules, and other cool things like that. Oh...and PRAY...because you know me...and me no is a leader. I'm anxious to see God work through me...cause mama knows it ain't going to be ME!

Welcome Back, Me

The message in church just today spoke so close to my heart. The transition of moving from Iowa to Great Falls has been just that. Transition. And transition is tough.

I'm making a concerted effort to focus on what's really important this week. We've been challenged to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the areas that we need to give over to Him each day this week to assist in doing this. "Fasting (giving something up for an intended purpose and time frame for an intended result) has been the challenge.

I'm 'fasting' Facebook. How dumb does that sound? I've let updates, conversations, 'likes', snooping, picture lookin', commenting, joking, thumbs upping, friend accepting, group joining, poll taking, quiz matching, and photo uploading take away from what is and should be first and foremost on my priority list. Time with the Saviour. Time in the Word. Prayer. Fulfilling my purpose here on Earth to be a whole-hearted follower of Christ.

Time for a refocus, Me!

check in

We're still alive. We close on the house on May 29th...also known as Brooks last day of school. :) We're very blessed that this house is sold. I notice its not nearly as clean lately!

Just trying to cram everyone and everything in before we leave!

sold......we think!

Yes, we accepted an offer on the house! It was a great offer...so we didn't even counter!!!
Now we're just praying everything keeps sailing along like this in the house category!!!
The van's not starting like it should (despite it's lovely new battery and brakes from last week)

It's a money pit we're in!!! Not the kind that's FULL of money....but the kind that TAKES money! :) Oh well...still counting my blessings!

sold......we think!

Yes, we accepted an offer on the house! It was a great offer...so we didn't even counter!!!
Now we're just praying everything keeps sailing along like this in the house category!!!
The van's not starting like it should (despite it's lovely new battery and brakes from last week)

It's a money pit we're in!!! Not the kind that's FULL of money....but the kind that TAKES money! :) Oh well...still counting my blessings!

Flashback Friday...

just for fun. Baby Reagan, in Feb....2004, Brooks as a baby, and Sydney in Feb 2006 (just after she was born....duh) and Brooks at his kindergarten Valentine's party!