Well what can I say? I am a slack blogger. That's right. It has been well over a year since  my last post and I can not believe how much has changed in such a short period of time! I am so thankful that I have this opportunity to share with all of our friends and family (goodness knows we are scattered!) what God is doing in our lives and what is keeping us busy. I really enjoy keeping up with all of you through your blogs as well as social media. It makes me feel we are a little closer through all of the miles.

Here is a little catch up!

I can not ignore a certain half birthday today. It's Anderson's 6 month mark. I can not believe it. For those of you who knew Inslee as an infant, you can attest to the early sweet smiles and giggles. I didn't think another baby could be as lovable and expressive at such a young age. I was wrong! Anderson is such a giggler. Is that a word? I'm not sure but he is a little giggle machine. He loves to catch the eyes of any one up for the "hello" and just laugh (usually with full fist in mouth). He is hilarious. Of course, there is none other like that of big sister's presence to get him reaching to a near point of hyperventilation. He is full of love and laughter and our lives are even more so thanks to this guy.

 

can you handle the sweetness?

 

 

 

Let's not forget this girl

 

 

 

independent, "spirited" (we get this a lot), hi-lar-ious, feisty, empathetic, crazy, singer of princess songs, rock climber, macaroni enthusiast, and hippo lover. She's my little "chump steak" (don't ask!), and I am in love.

 

 

We are in Lakeland, Florida.

 

 

not gonna lie. It's not my favorite place on the planet, mainly because we have zero fall weather (ok maybe a day or two). Super shallow, right? But it's true. I am a lover of all things fall and it is very strange indulging in all of the season's favorite pumpkin flavored goodies all the while I'm sweating while walking towards the mailbox. On the bright side (no pun intended), we have found a wonderful church home at Trinity Presbyterian and have made wonderful friends here. We have been so blessed in our journey to this new place and I am trying to embrace Lakeland as home.

 

 

I can't wait to share more about how we have gotten involved and where the Lord has directed us to spend our time and energy. Thanks for dealing with the corny posts and thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and gifts to us to make us feel so overwhelmingly loved and missed.

 

 

It's 1am and I'm not lonely

So here's the situation. I decided to learn how to make cake balls at 10pm tonight (or technically last night). I found this awesome recipe which is pretty basic as it seems in the world of cake balls, and so I looked to our good friend, Paula Deen for some delicious inspiration...

yum!

You can find this easy recipe here:

http://www.smithfield.com/recipes/recipe/paulas-cake-balls

I must confess mine have not turned out as glamorous as these, but taste phenomenal! I know this because I had two, hence why I am up after a jam packed day at almost 1:00am!

So while I'm up I thought I'd reflect on a few treasures that I have acquired this week.

Treasure:

help:

to give assistance or support to

to make more pleasant or bearable

to benefit

to promote

to serve with food or drink especially at a meal

to restrain from doing something

to change for the better

This is not only Webster's definition of the word "help," this is God's definiton for "Taylor." I am a "help mate" for Joseph. A wonderful, godly woman from our new church shared this insight with us from God's Word this week.

Then the Lord God said.

 "It is not suitable for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

Genesis 2:18

Most of us have heard this verse multiple times and it is often quoted at marriage ceremonies, but as this godly woman read this definition to me, I was mortified. Not only do I not make Joseph's life as "pleasant or bearable" as I would like, but I do the exact opposite.

Where are my needs being unmet? Why do I feel alone? Why do I have to do ... bla bla bla. You get the point. To BE help is to be selfless. Needless to say I was very convicted and ran to bring my baby lunch today :) Thank you Lord for showing me my fulfilling purpose as a help mate.

Treasure

This cutie:

I know that everyone does not need the hundreds of pictures I post of her, and in fact I would be completely understanding if there were multiple individuals who predict my daily uploads that will pester their facebook news feeds and sigh. Friends... I simply can not help myself.

She is hilarious.

Clapping after we pray together. Loving her little cross figure we got her for Easter. Kissing Jesus in her children's Bible. Playing hide and seek with anyone willing to chase her. Her sweet little expressions when she watches her new favorite movie, Tangled.

I know most parents feel this extreme fondness and love for their child, and so I simply am here to say that I am head over heels for this little girl and the majority of the time she makes it hard not to have the "fever."

Sugar and Spice and everything nice

 

As most of you probably know, we have the wonderful opportunity to be living in Little Rock, Arkansas where Inslee has been overjoyed to spend almost every day with her sweet cousin, Grace.

Every morning has been so sweet as they anxiously await saying "yay!" as "good morning," to one another! They love to dance together, press their faces up against the glass door for any bystanders' amusement, and of course, bake :)

Grace calls Inslee either "E!" or "INS!" Inslee just screams with excitement, usually with her hands up in the air. They also like to share (for the most part). Grace knows that Inslee will most likely help her sneak her lunch onto Ins's plate as she quickly gobbles up the evidence ;)

Probably one of my very favorite (yet frightening) activities they enjoy is leading the other "away." "Away" meaning Inslee leading Grace to the pantry on the other side of the kitchen, or Grace corraling Inslee to hide in "Mimi's" room. I just think it is so adorable that they have this instant knowledge of the other's plans and a quick comradery as they seek to escape! I love the giggles and Grace's occasional "uh oh" when the observing mommies decide to spoil their escapade. These girls need a very watchful eye over them ;)

I love watching them genuinly adore each other's company and watching Inslee try to keep up with Grace. These two girls are fearless!

"Rock rock!"

Inslee's new thing is saying "OOOOO!"

It is yet to be determined which one is "sugar" and which one is "spice," but one thing's for sure...

... they both sure are "nice!"

Catch up!

courtesy of James Riley Images, LLC

So I have not blogged in 4 MONTHS! I can not believe it! I thought I'd share a few things that have entered into our lives that have contributed to our busy schedules and that have made this life so exciting and yes, very busy!

Bible Studies Fellowship. Otherwise referred to as, "B.S.F." Joseph and I started going to this international bible study group that meets in downtown Charleston every Monday night. They also have a day time meeting for women, but Joseph and I have decided to make it a fun date night for us as I drop him off at his and I head towards Citadel Baptist Church for mine :) All BSF groups all over the world study the same scriptures every day and this group has provided INCREDIBLE accountability, encouragment, and most of all has promoted DISCIPLINE (yikes! does my life somewhat reflect discipline now?) in our time in the word and in prayer. There is most likely a BSF group near you, wherever you may live and you can check it out at www.bsfinternational.org! Beware: this WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

So I am not going in any sort of chronological order, but coming to mind next is that I am busy because i have a ONE YEAR OLD!?! What!? Are you insane?! When did this happen? I can not believe that my baby Inslee is now a toddler Inslee. She is moving and shaking not only our world but her little world as well as she is walking and yes at times almost running everywhere! She is now doing some sign language and now confidently calls on "Dada" and "Mama" by name. She is such a sweetie pie and I could never express how much joy and smiles she brings into our every day life.

Shutterfly. I have now become addicted to this wonderful website. I made a few picture books over the holidays as gifts and now I finishing up "A Year with Inslee." I have had so much fun keeping track of all we did with Inslee every month of her first year and making records of all of her firsts as well as sharing our hopes and dreams for her life. Mostly that she will experience true joy in this life through Christ.

Packing. Ugh. Ugh is more of the feeling towards actually packing, and not towards this stage in our lives. For all of you who do not know, we are packing up and heading to Little Rock, Arkansas to live for about a year or so to help with Joseph's family's business. We are really looking forward to spending time with his side of the family there, and of course are not looking forward to saying a temporary goodbye to all of our wonderful friends and family here in Charleston. :(

So this blog is also very reflective of my morning- bsf bible study-playing with my inslee bear-trying to NOT get on shutterfly ;), and yes then packing. Tomorrow? Repeat. I am so thankful that a life of following the Lord will not make this monetenous.

Count it all JOY

Count it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - encouragement from James 1

I have encountered my fair share of trials in the past few weeks and as time goes on, the burden and hurt from these trials has begun to wither away. Although there are a few unsettled issues that I believe will take time and God's revealing grace to heal, I truly can say that at the end of myself, I found peace, an overwhelming sense of abandonment in my worship to Christ, and also have grown closer to a new family of His. I truly have felt this truth of James 1 come to fruition through this time.

It blows my mind that we are given a "recipe" to become "perfect and complete." What in the world?! Who does not want to become a more perfect and complete person? Although the results are mind boggling, along the way is not, and for me, has not been easy. This world is full of haters who despise the perfection of Christ in us. Not that we are perfect, but we carry the Spirit of the One who is. Testing came with tears, doubts, and satan's efforts to thwart my perspective and blame my situation on my Creator. By the power of Christ and looking at the cross, I was consistently reminded that He is my defender, Father, Sustainer, and Redeemer. In Him I have perfect peace and joy.

My worship to Him through this time has brought a closeness to Him that makes my trials pale in comparison to His love.

This weekend Joseph was taking care of Inslee while I was in my friend, Meredith Davis's wedding. At the beginning of the ceremony she fell asleep cradled in her daddy's arms. She slept throughout the ceremony and enjoyed a deep rest that the day's playtime had encouraged. At the end of the ceremony everyone began to clap and cheer as the new couple was announced. Inslee looked up for a moment at the chaos and then burrowed her head even deeper into her daddy's chest, falling back asleep.

Sometimes I want to "awake" from my relationship with God and yell with fists shaking for everyone to settle down so that my plans are not hindered. My beautiful daughter exhibited a truth that is helping me even today. When life seems crazy, loud, and full of trials, bury your head deeper into the chest of your Creator. Draw closer to Him to get the strength you need before attempting to take on a crowd much too big for you alone to handle. His closeness will impart wisdom to realize your situation's potential for miraculous peace and joy.

Fall Favorites

Fall is my favorite season, by far! Warm sweaters, hot chai tea, leaves changing color, and of course the best part is that it's the beginning of snuggle season! Getting excited about the upcoming months, I thought that I'd share some of my favorite things that make the season perfect!

-God's beauty- 

 

is displayed in shades of gold

 -comfy sweaters- 

love this one from anthropologie

 -oregon chai tea lattes-

yum

-pumpkin cookies-

my friend, Kristie gave me the best recipe for them! I could eat 10 in 5 seconds. yes, that good!

-halloween-

not because of all the evil things associated with it, but because it brings back so many memories of homemade costumes, handmade sweaters from my nanny vicki,  and fun times with my family. my mom always threw the best halloween parties so that we wouldn't be roaming the streets and didn't get scared half to death of all the gory goblins and witches!

here is some wonderful evidence of our mom's encouragment during the season. my cute mermaid sister, haley.

-bonfires-

awendaw green is a music venue where they have a free barn jam every wednesday night (or at least they used to). they would have great music, free food and drinks, and of course a nice, warm bonfire. am i the only one who loves the smell of a bonfire? in addition to all of the many wonderful things about a.g., it is where i met my husband :)

-snuggles-

with my sweet man, who looks super fine in a sweater!

-holiday decorating-

this is a picture of my and my nephew, evan when he was just a few months old. i was visiting my sister and her family in houston where it is a highly desired tradition that i go and help her the day after thanksgiving to decorate. our times are filled with laughs, crazy dances, holiday creamers, celine dion christmas album, and warm holiday cheer!

so i may have jumped the gun a little bit since we are still in the dead heat of summer (at least here in sc), but i thought that i could use a little warm encouragment to what lies ahead :)

Perspective

In just a week I will start another traveling stint that will be full of celebrations, reunions, many laughs, and yes being on the road for miles upon miles. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be able to travel with Inslee, and am extremely thankful that she does so well in the car. As I look at our busy schedule I am so very excited, but truthfully thinking about our schedule makes me want to take a nap. For a little encouragment and perspective I thought I'd share my upcoming plans.

Stop ONE

my best friend

Stacy's

bachelorette weekend

st. augustine

so excited to share with her and all of her wonderful friends in Florida (as well as mine!) laughs and good times as we celebrate the future

mr. and mrs. ray frazier

Stop TWO

back to Charleston to say goodbye to my love and to pick up my Nanny Jean and cousin, Brittany along with her daughter

layla

Stop THREE

Houston, Texas to see my brother in law, Richard and my big sis

haley

also can't wait to get my little hands on her son,

evan

Stop FOUR

heading back to Charleston to pick up my man and heading to florence, sc to join a bridal party while we celebrate

meredith and lee

 

Stop FIVE

heading to Charleston for a few days and then back to jacksonville for my bestie to be a

matron of honor

(i feel old)

maybe we can settle down a little in October?

whew!

let's do this.