Anniversary #1

Some of you may remember what happened this day one year ago. Yes it was a cold and rainy day in March when we will all gathered together to celebrate our wedding. We've already thawed out the cake (not bad I might add, tastes almost "fresh"). We've made arrangements for our child, Jack (thanks Scott and Kendal). We're going to pack our wedding dvd (thanks John!). Now all we have to do is pack and head out to Eureka Springs. You might see us at church this morning. Then again you may not. Check out the ME link on my page for my blog entry and profile song on my Myspace. Ah good memories. Here's some pics just for fun....

A bloody mess!

The Stories Continue...
One of the patients was quite confused yesterday. He was sitting up in the hall so we could keep an eye on him when I arrived. He asked me, "What movie is it that we are in again? I forgot." I remind him he is in the hospital and I am his nurse (the proper thing to do).
Later on in the afternoon he asked,"Excuse me. I am in Fort Worth and I need to know what stop is my stop." Now he thought he was on the train. He commented to other nurses, "Man, this train sure goes slow!" At least he was pleasantly confused. Apparently, he thought I was mean because I keep telling him he had better stay in his
seat. "She's a mean nurse," he told someone. Oh well at least he believed me.

Let me tell you first that I have spiked blood, oh at least a hundred times in my nursing career and I have never done this before! After verifying patient identity, one must don gloves and carefully pull apart the end of the blood and insert the spike from the IV tubing. I went to spike some yesterday (the 2nd unit I might add) and it didn't stay spiked, it kinda slipped out. I knew I needed to get the end of the bag back up but blood was going everywhere and I was trying to avoid a) dousing my patient and her robe on the chair b) myself. The family asked if they could go get someone I said, "Yes and quickly!" Terri and the techs helped me save at least half the bag (I had to call the dr later to let him know what had happened since the patient didnt get the whole bag. He couldn't understand this.). One tech exclaimed, "It's like a murder scene!" Another said, "It's a bloody mess!" But we did manage to avoid the patient, her clothes, the bed, and I only spattered a little on my shoes. It was a pain however, mopping up blood which ShellyAnne, bless her soul, stayed and helped me with. A bloody fine mess indeed.

Bad Day

Sorry for the depressing last two posts. Last night, I knocked my glasses off the counter in the bathroom effectively breaking them in half. I also developed a severe sore throat and fever a 9:00 last night.
Today my awesome husband took me to get new glasses and the AM/PM clinic to get antibiotics. Meanwhile, and a hundred dollars later, Trevor got ill and we spent the remainder of the afternoon sick in bed. The good points were that I can see again with spiffy new glasses and fixed up with antibiotics. So hopefully my husband and I will be going to work feeling 100% better.

Update: We took Trev to AM/PM and discovered that Trev has strep throat. So we are both at home recovering.

"Shine your light and let the whole world see.."

Today is better than Saturday night. Let's just say Trev and I didn't agree. It was part selfishness and partly constantly trying to understand each other. I am still trying to figure out what my role is in friendships, my marriage, at work, etc.
Work is one of those places where I just don't feel like I fit in. I just don't feel like my co-workers really care about me as a person, what I do, etc. Don't know why this bothers me now, never really has before. And it likely may be MY fault. Lately, I just feel like I am very snippy with patients who are demanding (calling EVERY FIVE MINUTES for whatever). I want to be a light for Christ wherever I am but I'm just not. I struggle a lot with who I am. As prayed about this Saturday night, I confessed my bad attitude. God reinforced that I make him happy NOW by just being me.
Isaiah 62 is the place where God always brings me back to. God says I "have a new name given by GOD himself." And I will "be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand." He "rejoices over me!"
I felt a little better but drew Trev in an argument and was still upset by Sunday morning at church. We came in late to a song that says


Song: Mighty to Save
Everyone needs compassion,
And love that never fails,
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness,
Kindness of the Saviour
The Hope of nations

(Chorus:)
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My god is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything that i’d believe in
Now i surrender (and i surrender)

(Chorusx2)

(Bridge:)
Shine a light in and let the whole world see
Singing, for the glory of the risen king
Jesus, Shine a light and let the whole world see
Singing for the glory of the risen king

(Chorus)

(Bridge:)


When I got to the bridge I couldn't sing it. The tears started because I want so badly to be that light at work but just can't find the balance. Either I'm snippy and rude or I get run over. God still encourages me with His word in Isaiah but I still feel like there has to be something more I can do at work. I don't know if any of this makes sense. Probably doesn't. Just pray for me as God sorts it out.

"Sharks are like dogs...."

"Sharks are like dogs...they only bite if you touch their private parts."

Yes, this from "our" movie 50 First Dates, the first movie Trevor asked me to three years ago yesterday. We watched it tonight after a rousing game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with the Greins and Pringles. Hard to believe Trev and I have only REALLY known each other three years (well you could argue we didn't know each other until we got married but we won't go there) Somehow it is a fitting movie for us(: In less than a month we will have been married a year. Wow. Here's another of "our" moments.
Here's a link to our favorite song. Altogether now: awww. By the way, Jack Johnson's In Between Dreams album is something worth checking out.

The last two days have been good. Kendal picked me up yesterday to go work out at the Y. We participated in a weight circuit workout and how I hurt today. It was a lot of fun though. Then I went to Stillwater to meet Leslie and Ephraim. Of course we went shopping,etc. Ephraim is getting so big! Today I went to work out again at the Y and did a Yogalates workout. Again it was hard, but good. Finished off today with Bible Study over I Thessalonians 3. Not bad at all.

This Weekend

Wow what a weekend! Trevor and I not only went to the Family Vision weekend, we also went to Louisiana on Sunday and came back yesterday. On the way back we did some shopping in Norman and we met with Kevin Stark at the Action Figure Museum in Paul's Valley. Trev is working on a project for this summer. So today I am cleaning up around the house and maybe get to visit with Kim(:

The Vision

Trevor and I attended a Family Vision conference this weekend. We learned how to create our vision statement and were able to think and pray about our family values. No, we are not expecting but this is our family, at least right now.

Taylor Family Vision Statement:
The Taylors Live Like No One Else.

I won't recount the rest of our Vision statements now but the main one is that we live a life of worship. (Romans 12: 1-2) That's how we live like no one else. I am sure we will continue to tweak it but that's it for now.
This is part of the vision we want to pass on to generations to come!


Thanks to all our friends and family who support us in so many ways now!

Better than I Deserve...

"Doing better than I deserve."
Dave Ramsey says this all time on his radio show. I feel it applies to how I feel about
life right now. Things have not been easy but Trevor and I are moving closer to our first anniversary. Wow, how time flies.
Professionally, spiritually, socially I still have a long way to go in life. I just say
be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet.

My Husband Continues to Do Well

Not only did Trev get me a mixer, he also cooked steaks, fixed a fancy salad, and arranged a candlelit dinner after I arrived home on Wednesday night. He said he went to
Walmart earlier that day and was amazed by all the plastic baubles you can buy for your loved one. He said I am worth much more than that. Awww. I guess I am worth quality steaks (: That's pretty good in my book.

Valentines Day Came Early

I wanted to show off the Valentines present my husband gave me last week. I already made a Dr Pepper cake.

Movie Plans

Here's a movie title that got me excited, The Last Sin Eater. It is based on a novel by Francine Rivers, one of my favorite authors. Coincidentally, it is also directed by Michael Landon, Jr. It seems lately a lot of quality Christian films have been produced. ( Some would argue against me about the reliability of this claim since Mr Landon has done a lot of the Love Comes Softly books. I actually enjoy those books.) I hope to see it tonight, if I can get Trev to go. For those of you who have never heard of the book, check out the website for the movie.


Update: Kendal and I saw the movie on Sunday and it was pretty good. At least we enjoyed it.

Finding Time to Read

Several weeks later, I have finished Failing Forward, How to Make the Most of Your Mistakes by John Maxell. I enjoyed it enough and parts were encouraging. I usually try to have the mindset of my mistakes make me better. For instance, when I get lost, I learn a new way to go somewhere. Well I guess except when I go to Alicia's house and I get lost about every time.
Note: I did make it to Alicia's last time without calling her. I did get turned around but instead of getting frustrated, I simply realized from getting lost so many other times I was going the wrong way.
I recommend the book overall.

Days off

I have had a few much needed days off this week. I feel like I have keep pretty busy though. Monday, we went sledding at the Manions. Tuesday, I did some computer training at the hospital. Yesterday, I had a meeting at Baptist over a case. Trevor went with me and we used our Olive Garden gift card his mom gave us for Christmas. Thanks Carla and Terry! It was good. We also were able to see some friends in OKC we haven't seen in a while. And today, thanks to sweet Angel, I get to go to the biweekly Women's Bible Study. I have plans to go to Thirsty Thursday as well. Its been a pretty good week all in all, barring the reason I went to Baptist (which wasn't too bad after all) and some bad news we received earlier this week. I also have to thank my wonderful husband for driving me everywhere the last few days on the skating ponds that are the side roads in Shawnee. Hopefully the weather isn't too bad ( or any worse than its been) so I can sleep in my own bed this weekend. I better stop distracting myself so I can get my Bible Study done!

Well after the ice this weekend just trying to lay low I guess. Avoiding work, I worked all weekend and I need a break! Just looking for God's miracles. The biggest one is a healed heart. You say your heart needs healing? Fall down in view of God's grace. He will carry your burdens and make you clean.
I Peter 5:7 He cares for you.

Many new ways to choose joy....

Choose joy!

Hello everyone. Trevor and I went to Gordon again this weekend to help out with Disciple Now. For those of you who don't know, Disciple Now is a weekend designed to disciple youth through Bible study, discussion, and craziness! The group is divided up and stay in host homes of church members. Gordon's DNow this year involved a scavenger hunt, coffee shop, and a service project on Saturday morning (ours was raking leaves). It was a pretty tight schedule with little sleep. Sorry I have no pics since Trevor was wanted to be in charge of the camera. We even saw Travis, Kim and Addison Pringle!
I always learn a lot from the kids and not to mention some pretty cool adults like Claudette and Ed and Christina DeMichele. The tragedy that happened about 3 weeks ago is still fresh on everyone's heart. The speaker also brought up how to choose joy by producing the fruits of
Spirit. I had often struggled with why I just can't "be patient." The reason why I discovered is that you must be growing fruit to produce fruit. In other words its a process and does not happen overnight. So I will be looking for opportunities to Choose Joy when things come my way.

I finished a fictional book lately called Blessed Child by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright. The child has miraculous powers about which many speculate the source. As it turns out the boy can walk in the kingdom further than most people can. Raised in an Ethopian monastery by a monk who teaches him about the kingdom of God, the child knows no other way but to walk in the kingdom. The child knows that the world, as C.S Lewis puts it is "Children busily playing making mud pies in the slums unaware that just beyond the horizon is a vacation by the sea."
I have been trying to think about the kingdom of God. As the book pointed out so well that we start on a walk with God to only venture a few steps in the kingdom. How do I keep walking in the kingdom? In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus states, " The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it he sold all he had to buy the field."
Seems like I am not sold out for anything these days much less the kingdom. Perhaps if I knew how to sell out for that field I could be on my way.

Christmas with the Procters

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The last three days Trevor and I visited Gordon for Christmas. We also saw the Dr Pepper Bottling Plant, a basketball tournament game and Claudette. Here's some illustrations for our journey. For more information of Dublin Dr Pepper visit www.dublindrpepper.com

So this is Christmas and what have you done?

Merry Christmas everyone! Tomorrow, Trevor and I head to Texas for Christmas with my family. Here's a song that makes me think of how Christmas is a time to think about our Saviour and what we've done this year.

Christmas and Everything Else

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We made our annual Christmas trip to Iowa and Missouri last week after a little late start. Let's just say I started the early celebration of my birthday over the porcelain chair.
Saturday, we (Trev, me, Jessica, Tyson,and Jess and Ty's mini poodle, Lucky) drove to Winterset, Iowa, birthplace of John Wayne to celebrated Christmas with my mother-in-law. My brother-in-law, Tyson and I almost share the same birthday. Good times.
Sunday, started out with a Christmas play at church starring our adorable nieces and nephew. We also had the big Taylor/Kalbus clan Christmas with the second annual Taco Bar/ Gift Exchange. I think Dylan had the best Christmas of all with the Pirates of the Carribean ship.
Monday, we hung out with Dylan and the nieces. That night we had dinner with the Danners.
Tuesday, I finally got to celebrate my birthday at the Cheesecake Factory in the Kansas City Plaza. It was splendid. I definitely recommend. And now

I Celebrate the Day

It was a long week last week again. I felt so blessed to be part of the celebration of Don Manion's life. Makes me think about how I live mine. Please continue to pray for some people who are truly amazing and truly hurting.
I also ask you would remember the community of Gordon in your prayers too. One of the youth has committed suicide and all are struggling to understand.
To everyone: When you think about your life, remember you are loved. Think of the gift God gave you.

RELIENT K LYRICS "I Celebrate The Day" And with this Christmas wish is missed The point I could convey If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve And from a lack of my persistency We're less than half as close as I want to be And the first time That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior And the first breath that left Your lips Did You know that it would change this world forever And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years To what this midnight made so clear That You have come to meet me here To look back and think that This baby would one day save me In the hope that what You did That you were born so I might live To look back and think that This baby would one day save me And I, I celebrate the day That You were born to die So I could one day pray for You to save my life [ www.azlyrics.com ]

Newness

Our new fridge arrived Tuesday. Yeah. I sure it's about to get loaded with pics and food.

Nothing exciting

On Friday our fridge went out. Our awesome landlords are buying us a new one but it won't get here til Tuesday at the earliest. We have been keeping things cold outside for the last few days but it is due to warm up tomorrow. Frustration. Any tips on how to cook and provide meals with no fridge. Even some nice cold ice from the freezer will be sweet after this!

Snowed in

The people from up North are probably laughing at my title but for Oklahoma we are snowed in. In fact, the plows didn't start on Kickapoo St (major street in Shawnee) until around 10:00. Barely made it to and from work yesterday. I guess we got about 8 inches of snow.









Here's some pictures I took with my camera phone yesterday at the hospital, a funny picture of Jack hating me taking his picture, my toes
(I should show my toes after I lost feeling in them) and pictures around the house today. Notice my feet are buried in the front yard. And so far its too powdery for snowballs. I checked. Maybe later today I will build a snowman.

Stillwater Visit

Today, Leslie and I had pedicures done to celebrate her feet being normal again. Of course Ephraim came along for the ride. Unintentionally we got the same pedicure, a red polish with a white flower-with blue jewels design ( and no I am not going to include a picture this time).
I also got a leg massage to go with it. Tomorrow, I head back to the salt mines.

Update

Well the eye is doing somewhat better. I can see for the most part but it is hazy. The eye dr says that it is still irritated and not completely healed so I will take one steroid drop a day. Who knew eye problems could last so long? Keep praying for a recovery....I hope it goes quicker than it has so
far.

Thanksgiving

Well I got a few pics of my family on my camera phone but for now I guess our Thanksgiving is for the dogs. (No it wasn't that bad either) We also saw Todd and Rachel, which I may get posted later, in Denton on Wednesday. They are doing well. Todd's in taking some dental school prereq's.
The big dog is my brother Marcus' named Rufus. He's a Beagle/Lab. The little dog is Dot and she is some kind of Rat Terrier/Chihuahua/Wienie Dog mix. And of course don't forget Jack Daniels who is Rottweiler/Beagle. I guess that's enough Mutt Show-and-Tell.

Welcome, Ephraim James!

Jonathon and Leslie Hall welcomed Ephraim James into the world on Monday, November 13. Yesterday, Trevor and I went to see them in Stillwater. Ephraim was able to attend his own baby shower! We are so excited for the Halls. Mom and baby are doing well.

Please call

I received my "new" phone in the mail today and it is activated!
I ,however, have no motivation to do anything constructive around the house. I work the next three days and that fact is not motivating whatsoever. Mainly I think I am still frustrated with the slow progress of the eye. It is still quite blurry and sensitive to light. Tired of putting drops in my eye 5 times a day and ready to have my bearings about me again.

Jennifer and Matt's Wedding

Saturday, November 11, was my friend Jennifer's wedding. It was a very pretty wedding with few mishaps.

Cell Phone

I better get ready for work but I broke my cell phone in half this morning, may it rest in peace. Lost a lot of numbers I won't be getting back. Hopefully, we can get Mom to mail one to us overnight. Thanks Mom!

Weekly Update

Friday: I went out with the girls (Kendal, Alicia, Peggy, Kim, and Addison) for Ladies Night. We ended up going out to Santa Fe. It was a lot of fun.

Saturday/Sunday: I worked at the hospital. I ended up being the Charge Nurse for the weekend, it was actually pretty interesting. I also found out how disgusting Flagyl (an antibiotic) is. I still can't drink water without a disgusting aftertaste. I will apologize to all those patients who complained it was nasty.

Monday: Today I am running errands. Trevor and I are also going to have dinner with the Manions tonight.

Better get started on that dinner! The eye is better but slowly getting there. I am trying to be patient with my eye.

Trick or Treat

Tonight I had the privilege to go trick-or-treating with the Greins. I went with a witch, a Stitch, Captain Jack Sparrow, a rock star, and a fairy. All in all we had a lot of fun. Sorry Kendal, don't mean to steal your show if you are gonna post pics.

On the mend

Well I can see but its still quite blurry. I may be wearing the patch to work in the AM to save myself a tremendous headache. Trusting God with all the things to make it through this week. Hubby gone again to San Antonio. Seen him here and there this past week.
Leslie and Jonathan drove out to see us last night. Leslie is such a cute pregnant lady, as I knew she'd be. Leslie and I are addicted to the show Scrubs so we watched about 5 episodes last night. The boys- ahem- sorry men, talked about Stephen King and Star Wars collecting the entire evening.
Today I am hanging out at home. I was so excited to get the invite to go trick-or-treating with the Greins! Its gonna be a blast!

I can see!

After almost a week of treatment, I can finally open my eye and see. Its pretty blurry and sensitive to light (probably because of the dilation) but it looks and feels a lot better. Thanks to all who have prayed for it. Continue to pray for the ulceration to heal completely.
I got a little stir crazy yesterday but Kendal saved me by taking me by Hollywood Video so I could rent the rest of the first season of Scrubs. I really like that show-- its funny and pretty accurate as far as I can tell.
Today I am going to church with the Greins (Micheal and Elise) and will probably take it easy the rest of the day. Trevor got in at about 2 or 3 o'clock last night, and left at this morning at 6:00 for west of San Antonio. He should be back about 2 or 3 again but at least he's off tomorrow. I can't wait for Halloween to be over. I get the eye checked again tomorrow. I guess that's about it.

Greetings from the blind one

Well for those of you don't know I woke up Monday morning with excrutiating pain, extreme sensitivity to light, and my left eye swollen shut. The doctors are still unsure of what caused this eye infection (which has caused a milimeter long ulceration on my eye, I guess from whatever it is munching on my cornea). Some theories are that this is the herpes simplex virus ( which 80% of people have been exposed to and have floating around in their bloodstream), shingles, or just some combo of bacterial and viral infection of unknown origin. I am now taking a steady regimen of eye drops/ ointments all day long. Things I know for sure: I will not be able to wear contacts again, Lortab makes me nauseous, and I don't like sunlight these days, I have some pretty amazing friends who have cooked for me, tucked me in bed and have been my eyes for me the last week, and an amazing husband who has patience with me in all this. Things I am waiting on: if I can have Lasik surgery done later( depends on how well the ulceration heals), just seeing how long this will take to heal. I have already missed three days of work but I guess, luckily had some overtime scheduled this week so all I am missing is three days. Doubtful I will work tomorrow. Oh and I have also lost my cell phone charger but Kendal says she will take me to get another this afternoon. Trevor is gone til about 5 this morning. Thanks to everyone, since I know many are praying for my recovery. My God will do amazing things!

Pictures

So my genius husband figured out how to rig a computer out of my laptop and his laptop. Don't ask how I don't know how....so here's the pics!
Descriptions of pics in no particular order: Precious Moments fountain show, complete with gospel singing little person (Duke Mason), the neat old house was the Grand Avenue Bed and Breakfast where we stayed in Carthage, MO, also pictures of the Precious Moments chapel.

our trip

I guess I won't have pics posted of our trip...due to technical difficulties. Trevor and I went to Missouri on Sat Oct 7 and stayed in Lawson for three days. On Tuesday afternoon, we headed to Carthage, MO to stay at Grand Ave Bed and Breakfast. It was fun and relaxing.We stayed in the Laura Ingalls Wilder room which had a (small) Jacuzzi tub/shower. We went to the square and went shopping in antique stores. We also had dinner one night at a rodeo arena/steakhouse. On Wednesday and Thursday we went to the Precious Moments chapel and fountain show, where a singing, I guess you call him a little person, sang gospel music. All in all we had a lot of fun.
This post was made possible by the Greins letting me use our computer. If anyone wants to contribute to the Taylor computer fund...let us know(: Just kidding.

Get thee to Ren Fest (or I want to be locked in a cage)

Today, Trevor and I visited Ren Fest in Kansas City, along with some family. It was pretty neat.
Having fun in Missouri with family.

Weekend

I am off for a few days so I am going to see the fam in Texas. The last few days have been CRAZY!! at work. I stayed at work til 8:30 completing charts tonight. But I'm off!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend. Also, Don Manion is getting better. Praise the Lord. I also was able to speak to my good friend Erin Young this week ( who looks on this blog frequently but doesn't comment). You need a blog too Erin!