Just a little announcement!

Have been working on these birth announcement cards from Shutterfly. So easy and fun to do! I even had a gift card that I received for free when I bought something in a Motherhood Maternity store several months ago!

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Our Family of Five!

Caleb Andrew Taylor is here! He was born on May 25, 2011 at 6:19 am weighing 8 lbs. 1 oz. What a crazy delivery this was, and we are still amazed at how quickly he came! Praise the Lord that He is in control of everything and that everything is done in His perfect timing.

This labor/delivery went so quickly! I was planning to have a natural birth again this time (God willing!) so I began asking God awhile back if this labor could be short. Well, he certainly answered that prayer! Caleb was born just 4 minutes after we ran into the hospital room! I awoke around 3:15 am with a contraction and laid in the bed until I had another one, about 8 minutes later. At that point I was awake and thinking this could be it! I got out of bed and checked my email for a little bit before waking Andrew around 3:45 am. I told him my contractions were still sporadic and not too painful and encouraged him to go back to sleep for a little bit. He started to close his eyes, but thank goodness he decided he should get up and take a shower. My contractions continued to increase in strength and duration but not in frequency, so we kept waiting at home. Andrew's mom came over early to stay here with the girls, and I finished packing my bag and cleaning up a little around the house! We finally decided to leave for the hospital close to 6 am, and I had 2 long contractions back to back before I could get in the car. Once the contractions stopped I jumped in the car and Andrew quickly sped to the hospital. Methodist Germantown hospital is about 25 minutes from our house, but Andrew got us there in 10 minutes! The entire drive I felt like I needed to push and was fighting it---that was tough! Andrew was driving so fast, and I was just praying that we didn't have a wreck. I was also debating whether or not to ask him to pull over and call 911! The only thing I could say to him was, "When we get to the hospital, tell them I have to push now!" I think that scared him and he started driving even faster! And I just kept praying that God would keep Caleb safe and hold him in until we made it to the hospital. I kept visualizing the hospital bed and focusing on that.

Finally we made it to the hospital! Andrew pulled up to the front entrance and ran to get me a wheelchair while I pulled myself out of the car and started to walk in, clinging to the wall and trying to breathe. Andrew came flying around the corner with the wheelchair and raced with me to the admissions desk. The admissions lady was trying to ask us 4,000 questions quickly while I was practically ripping the arm off the wheelchair, panting, humming, and then whistling (for some reason whistling really helped but probably sounded crazy as it echoed all through the lobby of the hospital!). Then the admissions lady asked, "Is she having any contractions?" I almost came out of the chair and choked her---but I was afraid if I moved that the baby would come flying out. Finally they let us back to the rooms and a very kind pediatrician opened all the security doors for us as we ran through the halls! We flew to the room and I practically jumped onto the bed. I'm not sure the nurses believed that I really needed to push until they checked me and found that I was 10 cm, 100% effaced. Then they flew into action and the on call doctor came running! 1 push later and Caleb arrived screaming!

We couldn't believe how quickly this labor/delivery went! And then we realized that we almost didn't make it to the hospital. I think we were both in shock at how quickly everything occurred and how gracious God was in allowing Caleb to be healthy and safe. This was definitely a delivery that I won't forget! We are so thankful for our family and all they have done to help us during this time. We definitely couldn't make it without them, and we are so fortunate that our parents love their grandkids! And I definitely have to brag on Andrew--he was wonderful and such a help to me. He was my voice when I couldn't say a word and was such an encouragement! His quick driving got us to the hospital just in time. What a wonderful husband I have--what a blessing from the Lord. He is an amazing dad and always puts the kids and me before himself.

We are enjoying life as a family of 5 now and just trying to figure out a new normal. The girls just love their little buddy and can't keep their hands off him! The Lord has been so gracious to us, and our prayer is that Hannah, Cate, and Caleb will grow to love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind.

Pressing On

I told you I wouldn't wait another six months to do another post! I am actually about 2 weeks tardy with this post, but things have been crazy around here, as usual. However, I still wanted to give everyone an update on the latest with the Taylor family.

Not a whole lot has really changed since my last post. I won't detail my schedule out for you again like I did last time, so if you're not sure of our daily schedule you can go back and read my last post. Really, we have just been in school, work, and family mode lately. Hannah and Caitlyn are growing up faster and faster by the week and Jenn and I can barely keep up! We have also officially began the countdown until our son is born! Jenn is officially 36 weeks now and ready to get this baby out! Her due date is June 3. Please pray for her as she completes the last couple weeks of this pregnancy. She is still feeling extremely sick and nauseated like she has been the last 8 months. She is one tough girl, but she is tired of feeling sick. I will never claim to be tougher than she is! I would be the biggest baby if I had to go what she goes through on a daily basis. Some of you might remember that our oldest daugher, Hannah, was born at 36 weeks, so we know we are coming down the wire now.

I had a one week break from school last week and was able to get the room painted a nice blue color and start the preparations for the baby! With the upcoming birth, the next couple months are really going to be tough with my schedule and a full house. We would really appreciate your prayers during this time because I know the we will all be stretched to our limits.

I wanted to also take some time to thank all those who have been supporting us, through prayer and/or financially. Your support means so much to us and I can tell you that we would not be able to make it without your help. One thing I regret is that Jenn and I don't have time to meet with each of our supporters over coffee just to thank them and let them know how important they are. One day we hope to get that opportunity.

A quick update on school:
I am now in the third trimester (there are 6 total) of my mechanic school. It's hard to believe I"m almost halfway done! The class I am in now we are learning aircraft structures which consists of sheet metal, composites, and other aircraft materials that we must be familiar with when it comes to repairing part of the plane that doesn't involve the engine. So far I am enjoying it and have been making good grades in all of my classes. I will obviously have to miss some class time with the baby coming, so please pray for a healthy baby and mom!

I know this is a shorter post than normal, but I'm doing everything possible to keep our supporters and friends updated with what we are doing. Again, we thank everyone who is walking with us as we prepare to go to the nations. We will definitely be updating everyone on the baby and how that all shakes down.

One more thing I want to mention. If you have been praying or even considered supporting us financially or through prayer, we definitely want to invite you to do so. We are sponsored field partners through GMF (Global Ministries Foundation) here in Memphis. They handle all of our support finances and each gift is tax deductible. The most convenient way to give is to go to their website, www.gmfonline.org. There you will see a link to give financially. The page will then pull up a form to fill out your information with your preferred payment and when you to give. You will see a drop down menu that has all of GMF's field partners. Scroll down and you will see our name under "Taylor - Missionary Aviation Outreach".

You are each a blessing to us and we thank you for all of your encouragement and support, however that may look! May the Lord bless you and your family and we look forward to updating you soon on the new addition to our family!

A Lot Has Happened!

I want to begin this post with an apology to those who actually might read our blog. I'm sorry it has been six months since I have posted something on here. I can blame it on a combination of extreme business, laziness, and forgetfulness! I promise I will try my best to post more often from here on out. So now that that's out of the way, I will attempt to begin to explain all that has happened since September. Ok, here's it goes...

As you all know I quit my job at Pinnacle Airlines back in September and have been attending Tenn. Technology Aviation School to certify for my A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) license. It has been quite the whirlwind since I flew my last trip at the end of September. Jennifer and I both went into this new phase of life with enthusiasm, excitement, and some apprehension. I can honestly say we have experienced each of those and more. I am now just finishing my second trimester of school, there are six total. So I am already 1/3 of the way through! It really has gone by fast, even though my days are filled with busyness and exhaustion. After starting school Jenn and I knew that we couldn't continue paying our COBRA, since it was over $1,000/month! After receiving some Godly council from our teaching pastor and others, I was encouraged to get a job and work part time for insurance. I was very much against this idea because I knew that I would be gone all day, everyday, and some on the weekends. I wanted to be able to concentrate on school and be involved with different ministries as my school schedule would allow. Well, God ended up providing in an amazing way! But, not quite the way I envisioned. I applied for several part time jobs that had benefits to no avail. Then one day I called up a former student of mine from when I was a flight instructor. He is an extremely wealthy business owner and I knew he might could hook me up with a job. Keep in mind, I haven't talked to him in almost 4 years, and wasn't quite sure how he would react with me calling him up and asking for a job. Well, he ended up offering me a job on the spot and asked me to start the next day! He told me they don't offer benefits for part time employees but told me he would make an exception since he knew me. After hearing all of this on one phone conversation, I knew that God has swung this door wide open!

Now that I was a full-time student and a part-time worker, my schedule was maxed out immediately. I'll just give you a rundown of a typical day in the life of Andrew (you should feel special!). I wake up at 5am each day, spend time in the Word, eat breakfast, make my lunch, and leave for school around 6:20. I attend school from 7am-2pm, and then I head straight to work from 2:30-7pm. Whew! I never knew what people meant by there not being enough hours in the day, until now!

I have had such a range of emotions with this schedule. I have felt overwhelmed, exhausted, irritable, frustrated, and even anger over my situation. I also must insert an important note here. Jenn and I found out she was pregnant back in late September! So, this has definitely added a new dynamic to our daily lives. Oh yeah, we also found out we are having our first SON!! We are so excited, and the girls are thrilled about having a baby brother! I added this pregnancy story here to say that Jenn has also had a lot of extra things to deal with. With me being gone from 6am-7:30pm almost everyday, she has really had to pick up the load at home. So I definitely want to make clear that it's not just me that has added pressure. Also, please pray for her because she is so nauseated! It's been this way with all three of her pregnancies, and it makes it very difficult for her to take care of two kids, clean the house, grocery shop, etc., while feeling like poop. So, needless this season of life is much more difficult than we ever though it would be. But, we both understand that God is teaching us things through our circumstances that we would not have learned if our lives were easy.

We find ourselves wishing for our previous lifestyle, when I was working 3-4 days, and then having 5-6 days off in a row! It just seemed so easy then! We had a good steady paycheck, time off to do things around the house, take the kids to the park, etc. Now, we can barely keep our heads above water and are just trying to survive each day! But, while things are crazy, hectic, and time are hard, we are still confident that this is the road God has us on. It seems like we would feel the opposite, but we have received so much encouragement from family and friends and God continues to give us grace. There are days when we both feel we can't go on. But, we are reminded that God's mercies are new every morning and we ask Him to give us our daily bread. For tomorrow holds worries of its own. Again, we are confident that God is teaching us things now we would not have learned if we weren't going through these trials. Scripture teaches us to find joy in all situations. My has this been a challenge!! But, we are joyful to be taking part in expanding God's kingdom and that He is teaching us new things daily. The Lord has given me great opportunities to disciple the guys in my class. God has already opened several doors with a couple of guys and I am daily praying for fruit! Please pray for my classmate, that God would reveal himself to them and give me grace to empty myself and serve these guys.

Lastly, I wanted to bring up something that many people don't like to talk about. Money. As many of you know, we have been raising financial support since I left my job in September. God has surely provided in so many ways and we are blessed to have people supporting us financially. We are still looking for monthly supporters, however. If you would like to give and partner with us as we prepare to go overseas, we would be grateful and humbled by your participation. If you look at my previous posts, I explain how you can go about giving.

Again, I do apologize for being so tardy with this post, but here it is. I promise I will do a better job in the future! But, as it stands now, it's 10:15pm and I need to get up in less than 7 hours to do it all over again tomorrow. Pray for us to have endurance and perseverance! We are so thankful for all of you and hope to post soon! (soon meaning less than 6 months from now!)