The Tayviator is Thirty

This is my Tayviator. That's Taylor + Aviator, if you didn't already figure it out. He turned 30 today, and I want to tell you some of the reasons I love him.

He's a good big brother...he's the oldest of seven and he makes sure that all of his siblings feel important.

He's good with technology. He figures out the stuff for me that I'm too impatient to do myself.


He's a good protector of the family


He's Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent

He's worked hard to complete his education

He's willing to try new things, even when he looks like a fool

He stands up for what he believes in

He is an extremely loyal friend

He has a "Taylorsmile" and kind eyes

He has forever enriched the lives of Rosie and I

He came into my life exactly when I needed him

He let me put this picture in our wedding announcements, even though he thought the pose was cheesy and contrived

He tells me often that he loves me more than the day he married me

He looks so irresistible lying next to his laptop

He's survived some pretty hellish times, including a trip to Hell (Michigan)

He shares his Diet Coke when we go out to dinner

He puts the twinkle in my eye

He humors me with taking pictures for my blog that he thinks are really lame

He loves the beach as much as I do (especially Ventura County)

He introduced me to In-n-Out

He takes my breath away

He makes our house feel like a home

He understands my need for adventure and culture, and takes me out on the town

He treats me the way an adoring husband should treat his wife

He has secret magical powers (and is a blast to be with at Disneyland)

He's a devoted husband and father

He's fun to fly with

He has extremely kissable lips (and they're all mine)

He looks hot in his uniform

He's fun to be with, both day and night

He loves to travel, and has afforded me many opportunities to see many parts of the country

He "rocks" my world

I love you, Tay!

Nine Years of Adventure

Dear Rosie,

Excitement and boredom. Joy and sadness. Change and adaptation. Hugs and kisses. Creativity and silliness. Independence and bravery. Fun and Culture. Travel and Home. Love and empathy. Childlike, yet mature. Seven moves, four states, lots of great food and countless people who love you. I'm so blessed that you're mine. Please don't grow up too fast.
Happy 9th birthday!

Love,
Mom

Helmet Head

This weekend we bought Rosie a new helmet. Between bike riding and skateboarding, I've been pretty adamant about Rosie keeping her brain protected. She hasn't had a bike here very long, but I've been paranoid every time she went out riding without a helmet. In Michigan and Georgia, I always saw kids wearing helmets, and in California it was about half of the time. Since we've been back in Utah, I have not seen one kid in our neighborhood wearing a helmet!

I wanted to have Rosie be an example to her peers, showing it was cool to wear a helmet. I let her choose any helmet she wanted (and of course, she chose the $30 one) Today Rosie came into the house sobbing. Some of the neighbor kids were taunting and teasing her about wearing a helmet. It made me so sad.

I have read multiple operative reports of patients with brain injuries, often caused by bike crashes. So many traumatic brain injuries could have been avoided if these people had worn a helmet. I'm curious now...how many of you wear a helmet, or require your kids to wear a helmet when riding a bike?

Catching Up

Is it September already?!?

Thanks to all who wished me well in my recovery of pneumonia. I'm doing much better, and I'm almost back to normal. Just don't mind me when I break out into spontaneous coughing fits.

I took two trips to California in August. I attended my twin nieces' first birthday party, spent some time on the beach in Ventura County, reconnected with friends, relaxed, spent time with family, and ate some really great food. No trip to California is complete without visiting some of my favorites...El Torito, Jack in the Box, La Tolteca, BJ's Pizzeria, Legends Diner, and smoothies from Juice it Up.

Taylor is FINALLY done with school. He successfully completed the algebra course that's kept him from his diploma for much too long. He's sent for his transcripts and applied for graduation from Utah Valley University's Global Aviation program. He won't be able to walk for commencement until spring, but he's very relieved to say he's done with school before his 30th birthday (which is in 3 weeks). To celebrate, he was able to bust open his new XBOX 360. We purchased it months ago on a killer sale, and he faithfully kept the box sealed until he passed his final. Next week he's going on a hiking trip to Yosemite with his cousins, a desire he's had for many years. And did I mention that he turns 30 this month?

Rosie started 3rd grade two weeks ago. She likes her new school and rides her bike almost every day. She turns 9 next week and is obsessed with her birthday. I don't think we'll do much of a party for her this year, but that hasn't kept her from obsessing about it for the last 8 months.

Overall, I'm doing better than I have for the past few months. I've struggled through a "major depressive episode" that has been an experience unlike I've ever had. I'm working with a great counselor and getting regulated on some meds. I'm still living life day to day, but I'm feeling more hope. I'm back into the job search, but it's been frustrating to see the lack of opportunities and low pay scale(especially in Utah County) I'm pretty sure I want to stick with administrative positions in healthcare...but I wouldn't mind a change either. I miss the security of earning a regular paycheck and helping provide for the family.

As odd as this may sound...I've been missing Michigan. I was unhappy for much of the time we lived there, but recently I've been thinking about the friends I made there and how beautiful it was last fall. There's been rumors about displacements within Taylor's company which might move him back to Detroit, or possibly Memphis. It would be a good thing because he's flown so few hours on reserve this year in Atlanta. If he's ever going to upgrade to captain...he needs to be flying a more intense schedule. We're sad that we're living apart, but there's a sense of stability I'm feeling in Spanish Fork that makes me wonder if we're supposed to stick around here for a while. It breaks my heart that Rosie's already on her 4th school in 3rd grade. Unfortunately, that means that Taylor and I will have to live apart for an undetermined amount of time. It's not preferable, but we're making it work.

Recent guilty pleasures: chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, Dooce, Hulu, melon Hi-Chew, Diet Dr. Pepper, and Connie and Carla. Oh, and I made the BEST batch of my banana bread ever this week. I want more...mmmmm!!