Cheers to 2010

Some day I promise I will post pictures again when I have a decent computer but for now my thoughts will have to suffice.

I'd like to say 2009 was a banner year, but lets be honest, it had more ups and downs than the worlds best roller coaster.

The highs: I have my health, Riley started Preschool,Vegas with my mom, knowing I am supported by the best family and friends ever, our annual trip with the Becks to Vegas to see the rodeo, Mat and I had our 10 Year Anniversary, Mat surprising me with a beautiful addition to my wedding ring, Colby going on a mission, going back to work, a free trip to Walt Disney word with Mat's work

The Lows: Loosing Grandpa Richard, Colby going on a mission (I have to put this in both categories because it was so hard to watch him leave for 2 years), not getting pregnant as we had hoped, having another knee surgery, watching friends and family go through their own trials and rough times.

You get the idea But you know what I have a lot to be thankful for. And I am choosing to not look back but to look forward at all there is to be seen and done. All the opportunities I have to learn and grow, and most importantly to say to all of you how much I love and appreciate all you do for me and my family. God has a plan for me and I know all I have to do is reach out and grab it. And even though there will be twists and turns along the way, I am going to do my best to just enjoy the ride.

So cheers to 2010! May this be a blessed year for all of us.....we deserve it.

Happy new years!!!

XOXOXOX
Amy

Second Verse, Same as the First.

I got layed off from my job at the bank again today. It has been a rough day but Mat and I have gone through this before and hopefully we will make it though again. Riley says he is going to go see Santa and ask him to get me a new job. He is such a sweet boy.

I was pretty blind sided and it's really hard to think that I am right back in the exact same spot I was in this time last year. I was really hopeful when they called me back to work that I would be lucky enough to get to stick around this time. I have enjoyed my time there and am sad to see it come to an end, but maybe there are great things in store for me. To any of my co-workers reading this, it has been a pleasure working with you. I have made some life long friendships and I will miss you.

If any of you hear of any jobs here locally in Utah County either full time or part time and wouldn't mind passing on the information, that would be great.

Thanks for any help and for being such great family and friends.

XOXOXO

Ames

My Tire!!!!

What was a seemingly uneventful day turned into a comedy of errors at the Taylor household.

I was upstairs getting ready for an evening of Bunco Fun, while Riley was downstairs watching Tigger and Pooh when I heard a muffled cry followed by "My Tire!" Riley has a few cars that the wheels come off and you can change them so I figured he needed help attaching a new one. I went downstairs and asked Riley where the tire was he needed help with and was greeted with an unpleasant "it's in my nose!" No people I am not KIDDING my darling boy stuck a tire UP HIS NOSE!!!!!

I am the worst person ever in a crisis. I of course am freaking out, which in turn is freaking Riley out. I call Mat and tell him I need him to come home NOW because Riley has stuck a tire up his nose. I won't even type what came out of Mat's mouth but it was something like "Are you kidding me" add a few choice words in there...you get the idea. I follow with a "no I am not kidding and I don't know what to do." Luckily Mat is calm in these sorts of situations. He tells me where the flashlight is and where the tweezers are (that I was just using minutes before mind you) and tells me to try and see if I can actually see the tire and to try and get it out.

We hang up and I look up his nose and low and behold there is a tire up my kids nose. Now I am sorry but WTF???? (which does not stand for WHY THE FACE?) Who does this sort of thing??? Certainly not my child. I tried unsuccessfully to get the tire out with tweezers, a bent bobby pin, my finger (which did not fit in his nose) all while Riley is in hysterics. I finally call Mat back and tell him we are going to have to take him to the DR.

I call the Dr's Office and ask if they still do urgent care. The nurse asks me what the trouble is and I tell her I have a three year old with a toy car tire stuck up his nose. With a laugh she tells me to just bring him in and they will fit him in right away.

Mat makes it home about this time so he takes Riley to the Dr's office. They end up sticking some device in his nostril to open it up and then it takes a few times to extract the tire, but they did in fact get it out. They then got flu shots (hey he's already traumatized, why not get it all over with in one fail swoop) which Mat tells him they have to get because he stuck stuff up his nose. Perhaps not the best parenting tool but if it prevents him from sticking objects up his nose we will deal with the fallout.

Needless to say Riley is fine and you would never know of his tragic loss of one white match box truck, which Mat threw away, because to put it bluntly he was not washing his nose crap off of the tire to put it back on the truck.

What to do with him....he is showing me more and more each day that he will without a doubt give us a run for our money.

1 match box truck- $1.00
1 trip to the Dr's Office $30.00
2 buckets of balls at the golf course to calm daddy down $10.00
Having this story to tell all our family and friends- PRICELESS

Nobody puts Baby in a corner

I am so sad Patrick Swayze died.....sigh. My life would have been incomplete without Dirty Dancing. What is the world coming to?

Where in the world does he come up with stuff?

As of late the 3 year old who is the love of my life says the funniest things. I may be in trouble later for posting some of them

A while ago we were saying our prayers. Riley usually prays for a baby sister, but this particular night he decided to pray for a baby brother. I told him that mama wanted him to have a sister. Without missing a beat he looked at me and said, You get what you get and you don't throw a fit! Talk about throwing my own words right back at me. Mat had to leave the room he was laughing so hard.


We we in Midway last weekend and we have been asking Riley to work on his listening skills (which most days isn't working so good). He was hiding in the kitchen while the adults were playing cards. He used to hide when he needed to go the bathroom so Mat asked him what he was doing, to which he hollered I am working on my thinking skills. Needless to say the rest of us had to take a few moments to calm down from laughing so hard. If only he would work on thinking about using his listening skills

Also while on this trip me, Mat, Teri, Eric and Riley went to Wasatch golf course to hit some balls and putt on the greens a little. On the way home. Riley said I love you mommy, And then he said I love you daddy. We asked him what about Grandma Teri? He told her I love you grandma. Then we said well what about Eric? And he said Well he's just naughty sometimes.

A few days ago Riley was hiding behind the kitchen table at home and Mat asked him what he was dong back there. He said I am not pooping, just thinking, so don't freak out!

He has started preschool and he has been kind of secretive about what he does there. They have a mystery bag they bring home and then bring something from around the house that begins with the letter of the week they are working on. We were asking Riley what some of the other kids brought. He told us a few and then he told us that the PRETTY girl in his class brought animals. We are still not sure who the pretty girl is but if he is already having his first crush we are in real trouble.

My mom and Tim got a fountain in their front yard at their new house. She called to tell me about it and then asked to talk to talk to Riley. She told him about the fountain and as soon as he heard the news he told her he would be right over to check it out.

Mat and Riley were playing with his animals and he threw an animal that went flying across the room and almost knocked over one of my breakable candle holders. He quickly told us, that was just an accident, I didn't do it on purpose, so its OK mom.

We were driving home after work one night and this guy cut me off hard core. I am talking I slammed on the breaks my purse went flying off the front seat and onto the floor. With out thinking I called the guy a dumb ass. Riley then proceeded to lecture me for about 5 minutes about why I shouldn't call someone a dumb ass. He told me I should call him a ding dong instead, so I don't get in trouble and get my mouth slapped.

We were cleaning up after dinner the other night and Riley came upstairs and said I just got some bad news mom I have a skid mark in my underwear.

Riley hates the smell of morning breath. Sometimes he wakes up before Mat and he will go down and wake him up. He usually tells Mat he smells terrible and then proceeds to start dry heaving until Mat gets in the shower. Unfortunately he has told me the same thing. I wonder if he knows his breath stinks just as bad when he wakes up.

He asked Mat if he could body slam him this morning. Mat asked him to please not do that because his back hurts so Riley said How about if I just kick your butt instead,

I am sure there are many more funny things he did but you get the ides. He is so quick witted. Most of the time he doesn't even miss a beat. And he usually gets the last word. He s an awesome kid with a bight future in front of him and to his future teachers get ready because you may have a little Johnny on your hands.

Riley we think you are fabulous, and we love how much you make us laugh.

50 Concerts

Oh WOW- A post........I Know you are shocked

50 Concerts

I think I have been to 50 c0ncerts but not to 50 different people

1- Sawyer Brown- First concert ever. Saw them in St George with my awesome Step-Mom and family on a girls trip
2- George Straight/Faith Hill- First concert I ever went to with a friend (Eugenia) no parents. I have seen him 2 or 3 times
3- Neil Diamond- My mom came with me to this one. We danced our asses off
4-Tim McGraw, Black Hawk and Little Texas- My FIRST date with Mat
5- Robert Plant- Jimmy Page- Mat scored this tickets for us. One of the BEST Concerts ever
6- Rolling Stones
7- Garth Brooks
8-Jimmy Buffett- 4 times in Vegas Baby
9- Tim McGraw/Faith Hill- Won box seats frm Bank One
10-Chris Ledoux- 3 times
11- Fleetwood Mac- FRONT ROW BEST CONCERT EVER
12- Billy Joel- Lacy won tickets from work and took me
13- Journey
14-Tori Amos
15- Alan Jackson
16- Collin Ray
17- Elton John
18- Green Day- 6 or 7 months pregnant
19- Jim Brickman
20- Black Hawk
21- Deana Carter
22- Shania Twain
23- Alabama
24- Foo Fighters/ Pete Yorn
25- Don Williams
26- Eisley
27- Prince
28- Tracy Lawrence
29- Celine Dion
30- Kurt Bestor

This s seriously all I can think of.....my brain hurts. You should try and do this too. It brings back some fond memories for me. Maybe it will for you too

Out of the loop

Sorry to all for my lack of posts. Our computer blew up for lack of a better word so I have been without many such conveniences at home, such as blogger, face book, itunes, netflix, and other such sites that occupy my time. Mat has borrowed a hard drive so that I can hopefully get back to my cyber friends, but I still have no access to my pictures, and I have lots of fun stuff to share....sigh. So the Taylor blog may be going dark for a while until we can get things back up and running. Hugs and kisses to you all. I will catch up as I can, and sneak peaks at what all of you are doing as well. Until next time...Cheers

The Taylor's Have a New Addition

This morning I got an email from Mat, who was at work, with a link to an add on KSL he thought I might like. Thinking perhaps this was something cool for Mothers Day I clicked on the link. Well as you can see this something was not for me at all. Meet Duke the newest addition to our family. He is making himself right at home. Duke ate all of Jazz's food (much to Jazz's dismay), jumped right up into the slide with Riley and peed on all parts of our yard within a matter of minutes. Mat bought him from a family in Ogden who were looking for a good home for him. Well I think he found one. Some of you know we had a Wire Hair who died a few years ago and Mat has wanted another one ever since. I have three words for him...Happy Fathers Day !!!

Super Woman in the house!!!

My super awesome friend Sharon (the one in the green) Graduated today with her Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice, from UVU. I just want to tell her congratulations, and that I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished. Sharon is probably the busiest person I know, but somehow she manages to get it all done, and do a great job in the process. She has been a great friend to me for many years and I am so blessed to have her in my life. Congrats again, and just know you have a lot of people behind you on your road to law school. You go girl!!! You are way up there on my list of Hero's!!

New Family Pictures

Here are the latest family photos we have had taken. My dear friend Maggi took them for us before Colby left on his mission...Enjoy Ü

Say What??

I'm having knee surgery today.....PRAY FOR ME!!!

Retail Therapy

I just got back from Las Vegas with my mom. After 30 years I finally talked her into taking a vacation with me. There's nothing like a little retail therapy to cheer a girl up.

We stayed at the Mirage which is our most favorite hotel, and we had a great view of the pool and the strip from our room

It was nice to hang out with my mom for 6 days. 6 days in Vegas to some is a lot but it went by really fast. We like to shop, eat, shop, sleep in, shop,take in the sights, oh and did I say Shop!! If not for Mat and Riley I could have easily stayed another 6 days......money might have become a problem as well come to think of it.

No one shops like my mom shops and much to Mats dismay I whole heartedly inherited that trait. Here is how our days went:

Get up, lay in bed for a while and eat croissants from the bakery downstairs or head to our favorite breakfast place The Peppermill, shop the afternoon away, go eat somewhere fabulous, go back to the room and gown up for the evening, lay in bed and watch TV or a movie, eat our dessert, go to bed around 11 or 12 and then get up and do it all again. It was nothing short of perfect. Not to mention that the weather was gorgeous.

I found lots of treasures while shopping, and I could have brought home a lot more if my money supply would have been endless. We ate at some great restaurants, The Grand Lux, China Grill, BLT Burger just to name a few

I just want to tell my mom thanks. It really was nice to spend some time just the two of us. You are a wonderful mom and I know I turned out as good as I did thanks to you (and a lot of other people) Until next time...Love you up to the moon and back ever.........

Looking up

I am sure this will not be a week the Beck's/Norths will soon forget. It has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least, but somehow we have managed to get through it all. Between the passing of my sweet Grandpa Richard, my precious niece Kinley being in the hospital with RSV and my brother Colby heading into the MTC today, I am ready for a LARGE box of wine and a funnel. Somehow I am not sure that will help either.
But even after all the rough things that have transpired this week, I am forced to once again take note of all the wonderful things I do have. Watching my family this last week, I am amazed at the strength some people carry. My grandma Colene is a perfect example of this. What an amazing woman. And my step mom Teri, I can't even begin to imagine all that she must be carrying in her heart. I hope she knows how much we all love her. And my uncle Tad has been a rock for all of us even if he doesn't know it.
I know I have said before how lucky my brother and I have been with the wonderful way we are connected with our step parents, but whats more amazing is the way in which we fit in with those families. I know I wasn't Richards biological granddaughter, but he never treated me like I wasn't. and more important I have great memories of him with Riley that will always make me smile.
It was hard to say goodbye to Colby today, but I am so glad he was here with us for the Funeral. We are going to miss him so much. But we know he is going to do something that is important to him, and we offer our love and encouragement on this new adventure.
As for me I am going to try to leave the tears behind and have a fun time in Vegas with my mom on a much needed vacation....hopefully for all of us things will start looking up.

Papa Richard

As some of you know my Grandpa Beck passed away early Monday morning. He got sick pretty fast and his death came kind of suddenly. In the end we all knew it was a blessing, but somehow that doesn't seem to make it any easier.

It has been a reflective few days for me. Thinking about grandpa and all the ways he touched my life, and touched the lives of all of us. He had a quiet way about him, and he had a soft spot for Riley. He would humor him by taking out his hearing aids and pretend to put them in Riley's ears. He never let us leave the house without telling us what a "Genius" Riley was and that he wished he could be around in 20 years to see what he would become. Riley has been lucky enough to spend his Wednesdays there since he was 2 months old and I know he will miss having grandpa there.

Grandpa was the first person to attempt to teach me how to drive a stick. He took me up the road behind the house at the ranch and let me drive around the flats and back down the hill. To this day I still can't drive a stick but Grandpa was patient and I'm sure no matter how many times I stalled that truck, he'd just calmly tell me to push the clutch to the floor and try again.

There are many things I will miss about grandpa. I feel lucky to have known him and grateful for the things he taught me and for the love he showed to my family. We love you Papa Richard.

Richard Vernon Beck, age 75 of Springville, passed away Monday, March 30, 2009 at Mountain View Hospital. He was born September 3, 1933 in Springville, Utah to Wayne A and Rachel Marsh Beck. He married Colene Child December 7, 1956 in Springville, Utah and later solemnized in the Manti Temple.
Richard was raised and attended schools in Springville and attended one year of college on an art scholarship. He worked as an operating engineer for the local construction companies, W. W. Clyde, Thorns, Gibbons & Reed and Granite Construction.
Richard enjoyed spending time with his family in Wanrhodes; whether fixing fence, riding horses, snowmobiling, or turkey hunting. He never outgrew his love of riding horses and riding his four-wheeler.
Richard had many friends. He had many memorable memories as an honorary guest member of the Rotary Club. His favorite place to sit and visit with friends was at the local coffee shop. The family extends a special thanks to David, Mike and the guys at M&R.
He had many dogs during his life, but he was very fond of his dog Bo, that passed away last year.
He is survived by his brothers Alton Beck, Tom Beck and Milton Beck. He is preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Beck, a sister, Flora Dudley, his parents and father and mother in-law, Hardy and Norma Child. He is also survived by his wife, Colene; daughter, Teri (Bill) North; son, Tad (Tammy) Beck; and grandchildren: Amy (Mat) Taylor, Justin (Mandi) North, Chelsey Beck, Colby North, Zack Beck and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the LDS Chapel at 55 North Main Street in Springville. There will be a viewing held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville and Friday at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

Blessed

I don't really know why I am writing, I suppose I just needed an outlet for all that has been going on. The past few weeks have been trying to say the least. And yet when I look at all that isn't going my way, (sick kiddo, brother leaving, sick grandparents, roof blowing away...blah blah blah) I force myself to remember how blessed I truly am. I have never viewed myself as a pessimist, but I guess like everyone I have my good and bad days. But I want to leave the negative behind and focus on the positive.

I have a great family. A husband who always supports and loves me even when I drive him nuts. A son who is the light of my life and brings me more happiness than he will ever know. Great parents, in-laws, Grandparents and siblings who are always willing to help out when I need it. The best set of friends ever, who would drop everything, even if it was just to bring me a Pepsi. I can't tell you how nice it is to have all these fantastic people to lean on for support when I need it.

I have a job. And not only that but I have a job I enjoy going to everyday. I am surrounded with great people who probably don't even realize all the ways they inspire me.

And most importantly I have God who I know is always looking out for me. I know He has brought all of you into my life, and that He has and will continue to take care me and for that I am grateful.

What I want to say, is thanks to all of you for making my life a little brighter. Sometimes I feel a sadness pulling at my heart for all the things I can not change but then I will get a text from a friend, or a call from my mom, or an email from someone I haven't talked to in a while and things don't seem to be quite as dark as they did before. You all mean so much to me, and I hope I get wiser with age and quit worrying about all the little things, and find happiness in all the wonderful people and friendships I do have.

Anyways thanks for reading, I feel better already.

Jumpin Jacks

We thought it would be fun to let Riley have a "friend" party this year for his Birthday. He wanted to go to Jumpin Jacks.

We had a great time and I wanted to share some of the pictures. Riley was so excited to get presents. He got a cool monster truck, bubbles, a spider man coloring book, some glow in the dark stars for his room and an Elephant book. Thank you to Sadie and Justin, Cassidy and Lacy, Kayden, Lindsey and Kayle, Carson and Natalie, Uncle Colby and Grandma Teri and Papa Bill for coming.

Enjoy Ü

Three, Three, Three

Today we celebrated Riley's 3rd Birthday. I know some of you are thinking, but he turned three in December. He did but between Christmas and the loss of my job we delayed it by a few months. I want to thank everyone who came to the party. Riley got so many wonderful presents and it was so nice to spend an evening with our family and friends.

My super cute niece Kinley. I just want to eat her

Diana made Riley the cutest Dinosaur cake. He just loved it

Lock up your daughter is right....we have a lady killer on the loose

Some new shoes...new Crocs to be exact. Riley loves his Crocs. Luckily Grandma Sherry keeps him supplied and has since birth

Chelsey stopped by for a visit before the party to bring him a new Bob the Builder video. He also had a visit, From Tad, Tammy, Zach, Grandma Colene and Papa Richard, but I forgot to get the camera out.

Grandpa Dale, Grandma Diana and Aunt Kim

Me and Sadie. This kid has more spunk than she knows what to do with.

Uncle Colby, Grandma Teri and Papa Bill

Kelly, Braden and Braden's friend. Riley is Braden's biggest fan.

The proud parents of Riley Joe Taylor Beck North

Grandma Sherry and Papa Tim

Uh OH...I'm not sure who is going to win this fight...my money is on Riley

Great Grandpa Dean and Great Grandma Jean

Uncle Colby scored big point by giving Riley his very own Golf Putter. By the time Colby gets home from his mission he will be a pro.

We had so much fun watching Riley open all his presents and sing happy Birthday to him while he blew out his candles. What a big boy he is getting to be. He amazes me everyday with how smart he is. I am finding that he is not a baby at all anymore but a cute little boy who seems to be changing daily right before our eyes. I feel so very blessed to be his mother, and I am so grateful to all of you for helping us raise such a wonderful boy. He is a light in all our lives. We love you all and thank you for helping make this a special day for him.