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I have a mixture of feelings today.  After many tests over the last couple of months, we found out today that Taylor has Hepatitis C.  I am so relieved, sad, scared, mad and confused - but I also feel a sense of peace.  1)I'm glad that we know what we are dealing with.  2) I am sad and scared because Dad had Hepatitis C and he ended up dying from complications from it and other things.  Course, medicine has come a long way since then.  3)  I am mad because this happened to him - and it's pretty obvious to us that he somehow got it in the DR, maybe when he had his accident.  4) I feel a sense of peace, because I feel Heavenly Father's hand in our lives and know that He will take care of him.

Back around Christmas time, Taylor started getting weird growth/tumor-like things in his arms and hands.  But only from the elbows down.  Over the months, he has gotten more and more and they have gotten bigger and his hands really hurt him.  We went to my knee doctor (because he also specializes in hands).  He then sent us to a dermatologist who ran blood tests, told us it was a bad immune disease but he didn't know what.  He then sent us to a rheumatologist who ran more tests - he then sent us to a gasttroenterologist/liver specialist who ran more tests and then told us he has Hepatitis C.  We just got done with him and we REALLY didn't like him.  He was very negative.

Our next step is to see if we can find proof that he got this from his accident in the DR and talk to the church and see if maybe we can take him to Mayo Clinic.

Here's the thing though.  Taylor was going to go and buy and engagement ring for Mallory today.  We talked him into doing it anyway.  We feel really strongly that he is being tested and so is Mallory.  She is having a surgery next month to put a shunt into her brain to help drain fluid.  These kids belong together and Heavenly Father has big things in store for them.  So, here is Taylor after he bought the ring having the kind of day he did.  Huge mixture of feelings.

p.s.  (Later date) We have experienced many tender mercies from the Lord.  As far as any of us had known, Taylor hadn't gotten any type of blood transfusion in the DR, but we knew that he had IV's, so we assumed that is where he got it.  Well, ever since the accident, I had kept all of the medical papers in a file.  One day I was going through some papers in a box looking for something and I came across 2 prescriptions written in Spanish.  They were orders written for 2 units of blood in the hospital in the DR.  Brad also called the doctor there and he said that yes, Taylor had gotten blood there.  Proof!! - that it happened in the Dominican Republic!

The church was very helpful and understanding and is moving forward to get him treatment at Mayo Clinic.  We are feeling very blessed.

Happy Halloween!

Well, another Halloween has come and gone!  It is really interesting to see how Halloween has changed over the years.  When I was young, we trick-or-treated, but I don't have any pictures of those times.  It seems like the holiday has gotten more "fashionable". It seems like everyone is always saying that Halloween is one of their favorite holidays.  It also seems like adults are waaay into it more than they used to be.  The most disturbing thing to me is that so many girls and women use Halloween as an excuse to not wear much clothing.  Anyway . . . I love the parts of Halloween that are cutesy and "Fall-ish".  It is a fun time if it is done right.

I go to help with Mr. Petrie's 4th Grade Halloween Party.  I was supposed to bring cupcakes.  I found a picture of mummy's online and decided to try them.  They were so fun to make and I think they turned out so cute.  I love them!

Taylor and Alex went to a few different parties and had a great time.  Taylor and Matt dressed as Arabs from some things that Aunt Susie got while she was in Saudi Arabia.  they were awesome costumes, but I guess got pretty hot after dancing for awhile!

Taylor, Diana & Alex . . . cowboy???

Ryan tried to carve a stick man into his pumpkin - because that was what he was going to be for Halloween.  It's hard to see in the light, but turns out better in the dark.  He did a good job!

 Great job Danny!

 Nice glasses Alex!

 Taylor and the Robot

 Ryan the Stickman - isn't it great!

 The Zombie (Quinn) and the Stickman 

 Danana???

 Sorting Candy

Mission Accomplished!

We proudly announce that Elder Taylor McBride has faithfully completed his missionary service and has been released by his Stake President. We are so proud of him and the mission that he served. While there is a bittersweet element to the way his mission was cut short, we are celebrating his success and dedication.

A dear friend of ours told us he looks at Taylor's return much as when a wounded soldier comes home from war. They are celebrated as heroes, given a Purple Heart, and discharged honorably. We feel the same way about Taylor. We know he served with all his heart, might, mind, and strength.

This afternoon he had the opportunity to visit on the phone with his Mission President, who thanked him for his hard work and dedication. Taylor's main concern was that someone should take care of the baptismal dates he had set up for the rest of the month.

Chrissie, and I were privileged to participate with Taylor and President Barker in a bedside mission report and testimony meeting yesterday afternoon. It was a sweet experience to hear Taylor's thoughts on his service, and his witness of the truthfulness of the Gospel. After we closed, President Barker told Taylor that he felt prompted to release Taylor from missionary service, and to begin looking forward to the next phase of his life.

Taylor does feel much sadness that he was unable to finish the way he had planned, and to say goodbye to the people he had served and loved. He left in such a hurry, all he brought home was a backpack with a few of his personal belongings.

We don't really know at this time what the recovery will be like. How long, how difficult, how restrictive. Eventually those things will be determined. Until then, we ask for your continued prayers and faith on Taylor's behalf. We know that through the power of the priesthood, and the prayers and faith of our friends and loved ones, miracles have already occurred. We have hope and great faith that Taylor will make a complete recovery. In fact, we expect it.

Taylor is happy to have visitors. He is still in the ICU, so please call first: Brad 602-418-3135, Chrissie 480-235-5325. (He would still love to get letters - 2869 E. Page Ct., Gilbert, AZ 85234 - or emails to taylormcbride18@gmail.com)

We are proud of our son, and are glad to have him back from the Lord's errand.

Hump Day - One Down & One to Go!

 This is the last time I saw my boy exactly a year ago today.  I can't believe it has been a year.  It is so weird, because in many ways, time as crept so slowly.  It seems like FOREVER since I have seen him.  But then, sometimes I'm thinking - wow, I can't believe it's been a year!  I miss him soooo much, but am so thankful that he is on a mission.  The people of the Dominican Republic are so lucky to have him!  He has been an awesome missionary.  He has been very obedient and focused on what the Lord would have him do.  Brad and I couldn't be any more proud of him than we are!  Taylor is currently serving in the Bávaro/Punta Cana area.  His new companion is Elder Jordan Sunderhaus and Taylor is so excited about that.  He is from Mesa/Red Mountain High School and they have a bunch of friends in common!  Taylor has had a GREAT year and I know that he will have an even better 2nd year.  Our family has been so blessed by his service.  We love and miss you Elder McBride :)

Happy 20th Elder McBride!

Me and Taylor at Fred's Lake in Pinetop

Elder Timmreck & Elder McBride

Taylor's Home/Church in Bávaro/Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Well, this was our first official birthday without our boy :(  Taylor is 20 now!  How weird that I have 2 children in their 20's now.  I sent Taylor a great package and was so glad to hear that he got it!  It was mostly things that are hard for him to get in the DR like a cake mix and frosting, candles, plates - all the birthday fixin's.  I also send candy and a little kit to make animal balloons.  He loved that and said that he is going to make animal balloons for the little kids!  He said that he had a great day.  He has a new companion that is from Mesa.  His name is Jordan Sunderhaus and he went to Red Mountain High School and knows a bunch of Taylor's friends from volleyball.  They are excited to be together and Taylor thinks that they will work well together.

Happy Birthday son!  I still remember so clearly the night you were born.  You weighed almost 10 pounds!  Me and Dad and Emily were so excited to add a little boy to our family. :)  You have been a joy all of your life and I appreciate what a good boy you are.  We love you!

Aunt Oleta

Aunt Oleta passed away on January 15th.  She was 95 years old.  Brad and I were lucky enough to go up to Salt Lake to her funeral.  It was quite an adventure because we ended up getting stranded in Salt Lake for an extra night because Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix actually closed because of wicked thunderstorms and windshear.  There was actually a tornado watch also.

I met Aunt Oleta 24 years ago during April conference.  Brad's parents came up for conference that year, so he took me to Aunt Oleta's to stay with the relative while he and his dad went to Priesthood conference. It was kind of scarey because I was so shy, but they were all so nice and sweet.  We saw Uncle Ashael and Oleta as often as we could through the years.  They were really more like grandparents to the McBride kids because theirs had passed away and Uncle Ashael and Aunt Oleta had helped to raise Horton.  They were such wonderful people.  I am so glad that I was privileged enough to get to know them.  I'm also glad that I took the time to take Taylor and Emily over to see her in September on our way down to the MTC.   She was a great lady and we will miss her!

Best Christmas Present Ever!

I know that I am so behind on my blog - but I had to write a quick post because of the wonderful Christmas I had.  This was a really different Christmas for the McBride family.  We had a MUCH smaller Christmas but I felt it was still really good.  I think it was good for us to cut back.  Secondly, this was the first year ever to not be a complete family.  We were lucky that we still have Emily this year.  It is so nice to have her come home and she is such a wonderful help.  This was our first year without Taylor.  He has been in on his mission for 3 months now.  He is in a little village in the Domincan Republic.  Christmas wasn't complete until we were able to talk to him on the phone.  We got to talk to him for a whole hour!  It was so good to hear his voice.  He seems happy and so dedicated to the Lord's work.  I cried like a baby when I hung up the phone.  It is so hard to not be able to see one of your children for 2 YEARS - but I know that Heavenly Father is taking care of him for us and that he is doing wonderful things.  We are very proud of him!  He was a little sad because he had sent us all Christmas letters and we hadn't gotten them.  Well, we got them the next day and if felt like Christmas all over again!  He had individual letters for each of us and the one to me is the best gift he could give me.  Of course I cried again!  It was one amazing letter.  Here are a few pictures he was able to e-mail to us.

A nice little Christmas message

Taylor on a jungle path

The view from his bedroom window.  He says that they are one of the only ones to have running water in the village.  Their shower is a PVC pipe that sticks out of the wall (no hot water of course).  He said that they are lucky to be on the 2nd floor because then they don't have a rat problem.  I was pretty shocked by this picture, but Taylor sounds so positive about everything and says that he is having the kind of mission he always dreamed of.  He is an awesome missionary :)

He's Gone

Well, here it is Wednesday, September 23, 2009 and Taylor is gone - he is officially a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the next 2 years! Emily and I (along with Brad on speakerphone) dropped him off at 1:15. It was crazy. We drove in and they directed us to the curb where there were TONS of others being dropped off too. We had a good spot right in front and there were 4 cute little missionaries there to help us. They got out Taylor's bags and talked to us for a few minutes. We hugged him and told him we loved him, took a couple of pictures and then he was gone. I couldn't help crying - and cried more than I had wanted too. The missionaries were really sweet and told us that all of the moms do and that they would take good care of him. It was soooo much harder than I expected. I know that what he is doing is right and I am so incredibly proud of him, but it is very hard to know that I won't see him for 2 whole years. He will be such a fabulous missionary. He is so well-prepared and is so easy-going and likable. I hope he has a wonderful time and I hope that he feels that it is the best 2 years of his life. I have a strong testimony of this gospel and know that he will be taken care of and watched over. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH TAYLOR!

p.s. I am in the motel on Emily's work computer which is a Dell. When I get home, I will edit this post and put all the pictures on. We really got some great ones. I just wanted to jot this all down while it is so fresh in my memory.

These two pictures were taken Monday night after Taylor was set apart to be a missionary.

Saying good bye at the airport

We had fun taking pictures in the morning before we dropped him off!

Saying good bye for 2 whole years :(

Is He Really 19?

Today is Taylor's 19th birthday. (Well, September 18th was . I'm about a half hour late). I can hardly believe it has been 19 whole years since he was born! Taylor, you are a wonderful son and have made us so proud through the years. You have always made the decision to choose the right and set a good example for others. You are handsome and strong, but better yet, you are talented, funny, interesting and have so much to offer. We love you and are so proud of you. Only 5 more days 'til you report to the MTC! I am going to try to soak up every minute of having you here for the next few days!

The Eagle

The Missionaries

On Monday, August 3 - we went to Matt's setting apart to be a missionary! He reported to the MTC on August 5th and is going to Santiago, Chile. We are so proud of Matt. He has always been a great nephew and he and Taylor have been so close throughout the years. Since Taylor is only 6 weeks behind him I took a picture of them together. Hopefully they can get a picture with their name tags on at the MTC before Matt leaves. It was such a nice night and the Spirit was so strong. I know Matt will be a wonderful missionary and I am grateful for the good example he has set for my boys. We love you Matt!

Look at all of these future missionaries!

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission . . . They Just Did!

On Thursday, June 25, Taylor's mission call came! He was so cute - we were planning on calling family and a few friends when it came, to come over that night so he could open it. However, when I called him at work to tell him it was here, he couldn't stand it. He said he couldn't wait and wanted to open it "right now"! So, we called Emily at work so she could listen on speaker phone. I can't believe how nerve-racking it is. We all guessed places it would be . . . Taylor guessed the Southwestern United States!

and . . .

it's somewhere foreign . . .

somewhere in the Caribbean . . .

Taylor was called to serve in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East (Spanish speaking) mission! Wow!!!

Of course we had to start learning everything we could about it! It is the 2nd largest island in the Caribbean and shares an island with Haiti. Santo Domingo is where Christopher Columbus first landed - how cool is that! Also, his mission president is from a tiny town in Chile that Brad served at. They are close in age - I wonder if they were there at the same time.

Isn't it beautiful? Taylor Bradley McBride will report to the MTC on September 23, 2009 - just 5 days after he turnes 19! He will spend 3 weeks training there and then will fly to the D.R. and spend 6 weeks in the MTC in Santo Domingo.

We are all so thrilled for him and are prouder of him than you can imagine!