Today was ANOTHER great day with many more visitors and lots more water play and boating! I have picked out my new house...yeah right I wish I could afford some of these mansions!

We had some special visitors (not that you ALL aren't special because you are) this just happens to be someone who has a SUPER special place in my heart! She walked into my life at a very young age (she was only 3 weeks old), stole my heart and left me loving her forever! I don't get to see her often she lives farther away but she came to see me today with her new boyfriend and I was taken aback as to how beautiful and amazing she still is!

Hanging out...trying to dry off for the millionth and 1 time!

Dock hanging...

Kimmi and friend....she is the sweetest friend Kimmi has ever brought! FUN TOO!

Christian came for the afternoon on Sunday and hasn't left yet! HA! He is such a great addition to the house and his family is one of the greatest families we know! THANKS FOR THE SHARING CHRISTIAN WITH US! (oh and thanks for bringing him clean clothes!)

BUSTED! Caught making water balloons! Who is the adult here? Oh and they were intended for 3 ADORABLE little girls to boot!

ANOTHER FUN DAY OF MEMORIES! More to share tomorrow!

Here is what day 2 and 1/2 looked liked! Enjoy and there is LOTS more to come!


Kelly hangs with her friends Kristine and Kaitlyn! She waited for 2 days for them to arrive and she was SO happy they did! They are great girls and cried when it was time to leave, but they will be back! These girls decided that it would be fun to kidnap the "big" boys kayaks from the bridge today and row them all the way back to the house, a mile! THEY DID IT! I wished I had pictures to prove it but we didn't have a camera on the water! IT WAS AMAZING! It was the cutest thing to see 3 little tiny girls steal kayaks from the boys aging 15-18 and take off!

Heesh visits and vacations! He is a perfect guest!

The view in the morning before the chaos starts!

Cass relaxing...way to do this thing called vacation! LOVE IT!

Hanging at the dock! Catching fish and sharks! See the catch of the day!

THE CATCH OF THE DAY...GOES TO.............BRIAN!

Kids playing cards after a day in the sun! This is where the laughter begins! It doesn't stop until we finally get my husband to go to bed and quit playing jokes on the kids.

SO...ENJOY and come see us soon!

WE ARE HERE! This is as close to heaven as you can get!

My baby can kayak! I swear she will stop at NOTHING to do what the "big" kids do! She is actually good at it!

Brian is tired after a long day of fishing, water balloons, pushing people in the Harbor, and kayaking!

We are here, we are happy! We have kayaks, boats,card games, water fights and lots to do! Water balloons are a plenty and the kids are happy! Kelly is happy that mom is giving into donut runs, junk food, and soda's! Yep, it will be a sad day once we nix all that on Sept 5TH!

Join us if you can!

Tonight was the teaser, we drove all the way to the Harbor House to drop off some kayaks and surfboards! We love this place, I almost seriously ALMOST cried at the thought of going all the way BACK home tonight to sleep in my own bed! I really wanted to be there, I love it there! The water was beautiful, the house is ready, the dock is waiting for it's first victim to be pushed in, first water balloon to be thrown, deck is crying out for the barbecue and I am ALMOST POSITIVE the duffy boats are re-routing their courses for the next 10 days to make sure they aren't bombarded with water balloons! It's ready for us, we are ready to go, bags are packed, cars are almost loaded and we are ready to finally have the best time of the summer! Tomorrow at noon it will be! See you ALL there! CAN'T WAIT! Seriously...can't wait, I don't think we will sleep tonight but then again...what else is new! HH...here we come!

As I walked through Target today what I heard was, my own daughter's giggling from somewhere close, the pitter patter of flip flops, children yelling "mom," crying from a stroller, laughter from other children, mom's calling out children's names, mom's in the little girls clothing dept. saying things like "isn't this cute?" Little girls saying "mom, I want this."
It made me realize the summer is coming to an end. I love to hear all this but yet I love the first couple of mornings the kids go back to school and you walk into Target and see the relief on other mother's faces because it is finally quiet once again in Target.
Bitter Sweet it is! Yet, not quite yet...I am STILL going on vacation...I swear I am...keep reading farther down...then you will understand!

We were supposed to start our vacation today, I planned on driving the kids down to the house, doing all the shopping for a house full of people and TONS of food, and then sitting on the back dock watching the boats go by and waiting for my husband to join us! BUT....the phone call!
Now, before I explain the phone call let me explain that I learned a lesson about how to handle my phone call before it even came through. See a friend of mine came by work today, things weren't set up the way it was supposed to be so miscommunication left frustration with this person. I try hard to listen but somehow I missed a step or two, it caused short comments and confusion.
Now, this upset me BUT then the phone call! Again, miscommunication left me frustrated with my phone call, BUT I decided to use kind patience, even in my disappointment. I wanted when the same that left me lost in confusion only a few minutes prior.
So, here is the just of what when on...we can use the family home on the water almost any time we want. The rules are put your name on the calendar and it's first come, first serve. We always block this time of the year on the calendar because it's my kids favorite time of year, right before school starts. It turns out that we are in competition for this time of the year now and there is a catholic retreat going on at the home and they need 2 extra days. I am told that my husband was told this might be a possibility when he put the dates on the calendar BUT didn't hear that part. I wanted to get upset and say "how could you NOT hear that?" But that was how I was talked to today and it frustrated me, so how could I do that to him, the one who spends so much time and money to make this next 10 days wonderful for us and everyone who passes our doorway? I couldn't and wouldn't.
We can wait the extra day and a half to start our vacation, it makes me sad but it also gives me time to get things in order here, do some school shopping for the kids, and just be ready to go in a less stressful way. The nice thing is we can all go together and don't have to wait for David to join us!
I love lessons and I love seeing why things happen in God's plan and timing! I won't say I am not disappointed but I can wait! Good things and Good TIMES are a comin'!
LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHICH DO YOU SEE? Is this an old lady or a young lady? THAT'S MY QUESTION OF THE DAY?




You just love the humor of this concept! Thank you for showing me that I am! Sometimes you are just plain awful and other times I LOVE YOU! Sometimes you are nice and other times you are MEAN! Don't be mean, it's just not nice! I wish I could put you on "time out" like I do my 7 year old, but you love to make the clock go faster when I do that!
I just wish daily you would give me the "head's up" as to what each day is going to be! It would have prevented that look last night when I saw a CHILD I have known forever working at a real restaurant (not fast food) telling me she is getting her masters, did my face show how old that made me feel? I blinked and these kids are all adults, is that the same time that blink caused things to "go south" when I wasn't looking? AGAIN...mean! Is that the same blink that said, "get out of those cute little stores in Huntington Beach yesterday because they have nothing that looks good on an old lady like you?! AGAIN...mean!
Ok, other times you are kind! There are so many days I love being who I am and how old I am, I know that there is SO much more ahead for me to do and see as my kids get older. I love seeing things through the eyes of someone older who has been there, done that, and doesn't need to be there and do that again! YEAH!
So, in conclusion...can you please just tell me what today holds? Am I the "old woman" today or the "wiser older woman" or am I a "young older woman," there are so many options...which one is it today? What should I wear today? You know what fits this old lady the best!

Today I was invited for the 4th time to the Food Show at the LA convention center and each time it gets better and better! My husband, my boss, Alex, and Sally (a speciality caterer we use), all left this morning to venture to the LA Convention Center for the biggest Food Show on the West Coast!
We were greeted by the smell of breakfast cooking! Alex had the biggest smile across his face! I don't think he had EVER seen so many FOOD booths and samples in his life! It was like Costco on steroids!
It was fun to see my vendors I had only talked to on the phone! It's so funny how you picture people to look one way and they look totally different! It was fun to see my favorite vendor and finally meet them in person! We share a common interest in our children surfing and talk about this often so it was fun to actually talk face to face!
It was a fun day because my husband joined us, (well, he ditched us often for the products they sell at Trader Joe's) but it was still fun to have him there. Sally was like a kid in a candy store finding new products for her new business and Jamie and I found MANY things to offer in the new student zone! I can't wait to share these with the team from the Student Zone!
Next month we go to the Sysco Show and at that show there is NO HOLDING BACK as far as food offerings! If you want it, if you need to see it, if you need to taste it, and if you need to order it, they have it at this next show! It is like Costco on a TRIPLE SHOT OF EXPRESSO, on steroids with an energy drink chaser! It's a dream come true for anyone in the food business! My husband has actually scheduled a vacation day that day, he had NO idea what I had been up to all these years! I don't think he will miss one EVER!

After lots of pressure to "get on the blog roll" I finally talked Alex into joining the list of bloggers! Alex is one of my favorite people ever! He has stayed with us all week this week so he wouldn't have to drive from someplace we call "hell" he calls "home" in the far far land of Riverside! We had a huge conference at work and he needed to work 12 hour days so my son gladly gave up his room to Alex so he wouldn't have long hours on the road! Alex has been a pleasure to have in our home! Just another reason, he is a favorite in the McTag home! So, he is a blogger now...welcome him and tell him to blog and I am sure you will hear his famous giggle when he writes his heartfelt blogs!

This time is the real thing...sorry about the previous post...lack of time!

Ok Julie, you got us started so here they are...scary and true!

1. I dreamed of a family that I never thought I would have and God gave it to me!
2. I love the beach, journaling on the beach is the greatest!
3. I am super sensitive, this is my issue and I know I have to keep working at it! IT SUCKS!
4. I love to go to our cabin, get everyone off skiing, come home and read by the fire..ALONE! I love the snow when I am sitting by the fire!
5. I love Seattle, I miss Seattle and do regret not living there longer! Trader Joe’s send us back!
6. I love to journal! It soothes my soul!
7. I hate to drive farther than I have to (go one way, get it all done and go back…use the shortest route)
8. I don’t sleep much, I can go days on 4 hours sleep! (See #10, this explains this)
9. TV bugs me (unless it’s a good Christmas movie or REALLY good chick flick) Ok, confession I have become addicted to “The Deadliest Catch“….shhh, don’t tell anyone
10.I have self-diagnosed ADD, my husband has wife diagnosed ADD! We are quite the pair!
11.My best friend and I talk over each other and still understand each other, our husbands would say that we have our own language. We are so close it scares people!
12. I love everything about blogging!
13. I wish my parents knew God
14. I miss my younger brother, being my younger brother…he grew up…L
15. My favorite favorite favorite place is our home in Huntington Harbor, I am great when I am there!
16. I love having people at our home no matter how much work it is! I could cook and clean all day to entertain at our home. I love the buzz and love that my kids realize how great it is to share their home!
17. I love listening to the belly laughter of my kids
18. I love watching my teens growing closer to each other
19. I hate vegetables, not all vegetables but most, especially cooked vegetables!
20. If I could change one thing about myself it would be the feeling I had when I found out we were having a 3rd child…I regret not realizing what a joy it would turn out to be.
21. I hate that cancer took something so dear and close from our family! I still scream inside when I think about what we lost!
22. I love love love all my old friends and memories! I love that I have friends who pick up where we left off! I love that I have so many old friends! It’s an amazing feeling!
23. I love knowing that I am still loved by the same people for many many years and they are a phone call away! Though I HATE talking on the phone for long periods and put off making phone calls! Darn that ADD!
24. Shopping, shopping, shopping was created by God for ME! I love the Spectrum and love that I live 7 minutes from it! You knew that putting a Nordstroms, Target and CHIPOTLE all in one location would thrill someone as much as it does me! SOMEONE KNEW…because they did it…YEAH!
25. I hate conflicts, drama and girl crap! I would rather….NOT! I know this will cause a discussion but this is why I have guy friends! Ask my husband, it’s because girls can be so yucky!
26. My brother said if he had was given a short time to live he would eat bacon everyday of his life…I think I agree…no I don’t think…I KNOW I AGREE!
27. I love really nice hotels! I love to stay in really nice hotels, I could live in a really nice hotel! I dream that I do that! My husband loves to take me to really nice hotels, we just don’t do it often enough!
28. I have the same re-occurring dream over and over…I am falling asleep at the wheel with the sun in my eyes!
29. I hate not being able to see my children (when they are small) in public! It scares me!
30. I hate hate hate being the center of attention, I hate to stand up in a group, I hate public speaking, I would rather die!
31. I hate that I will always struggle with my weight!
32. I love Trader Joe’s and the food they offer….except VEGIE’S…WHY BOTHER!
33. Disneyland, long lines, and amusement parks are nothing but a horror and headache for me! WHY!
34. I love flying and hate rides! I hate to be off the ground but love to fly…this sounds crazy but true! I could also live in an airport! I love airports!
35. I hate really hot days unless I am at the beach or my harbor house!
36. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the rain!
37. I love days spent in front of the fireplace, candles, playing games, staying in jammies!
38. Ok, close your eyes guys….I love putting on my jammies and taking off the undergarment that holds the top up…I didn’t say it out of respect for the boys who embarrass easily…but it’s true! It could possibly be the best part of my day!
39. I hate my husbands company party, every year…new dress, fake smile and the countdown to the next year when I have to do it all over again!
40. I am a fearful person, rides, noises, losing my kids, bugs…all of it freaks me out!

I am serious...it's stinking hot! Ok, 97 is not that hot but when you add the stupid humidity to it...well, I feel like I may melt! I am running my air at 59 degrees...yes, you heard me right 59!! I know, I know...it costs a lot and it causes the rest of the system in other places to go out leaving the rest of you without air. I realize my selfish need for cool air and trust me I wish I could feel a little more sorry and turn it up...BUT NO I WON'T! I like my air, I love to be cool and not sweat! I actually saw medics at work taking care of a woman who had heat exhaustion...and I would hate for that to be me, so I will keep cool in my air conditioned places! Maybe I will invite that woman into my air conditioned home so I don't have to feel bad! I promise, when I go out of town this summer to turn off the air here at my home...I won't need it where I am going!
Again, wishing I could turn it up....but my fingers only work ont the down button! SORRY!

It has been SO long since we had one of those days...OUR DAY! Our day to just be together and be a family. We had many errands to take care of, picking up school registrations, applying for school, doctor, school shoe shopping, and then just going places we needed and wanted to go. It was a great day! We did it right...we got our things done and ended with a movie, a quick catch up with Brian, a talk with Alex (who is staying with us for the week), tucked our kids in bed and thanked God for each one of them!

We saw Evan Almighty...loved the movie but what we loved even more was the conversations after. Realizing that our older two got something out of the movie. Walking away realizing that God doesn't just fulfill our prayers, he teaches and grows us through the things we ask him for, patience being the biggest one. They also realized that we have to have faith and do what God asks of us NO MATTER what! Everyone in the theater clapped after the movie and no one seemed to jump to their feet right after the credits roled, it was almost as if people wanted to stay and talk about what they had learned!

There was one little bad moment in the day that really wasn't about us but about someone else's bad day but we all took it in stride and also talked about why we needed today. It also became a learning tool for the day.

I am SO incredibly happy to have all my kids home after 3 weeks of being all over the state! It seems like both Holly and Matt grew so much in the last 3 weeks, both in maturity and height. Matt seems to grow every day but seeing him after camp was a shock to how much he has changed. We missed them terribly but are loving the stories about camp and friendships (Matt discovered lots of girls, which is scary). God really worked in both of their lives and as the days of "camp high" are coming down we are hearing more and more about where God is taking them.

It was good to be THE MCTAGGARTS TODAY! I love my family more than anyone will ever understand!

My friend Darren came to see me at work today to tell me that my kids said "hi" and that they are having a great time (he got to visit with them for the last 3 days at camp). I was thrilled to hear that they took the time to tell Darren to tell me they missed us. It made my heart skip a beat. OK, laugh, joke and tell me that they have only been gone a week but it's quiet, and we are missing them!
I had to go see a friend today, I felt like we weren't all there, we were missing a part of what this family is. Her kids wanted to know where my kids were, they weren't all together, even her house seemed quiet without my kids there.
I realize they are growing up and we are not going to have all the time together we have had in the past, Kelly is going to have to get used to being an only child more than part of the group. She misses them so much, she is counting down the days, she wants more companionship than us, we have outgrown our welcome in her world, we have played games, gone to movies, dinners, lunches, shopping, and she wants to be part of the group again. Tonight she asked if she could call one of our friends for a "date night!" She needs her siblings!
OK, trust me I am so glad that my kids can go to camp, I love that they are having a great time, I can't wait to hear the stories, hear where God touched them, friendships that were made (don't know if I am ready for the "camp love stories"), food they ate or didn't eat, jokes played on each other, all the camp memories!
I love that we are so lucky to be a family that does miss each other, but it's time, time for them to come home! Tomorrow is the big day!

We have had the last 4 days with just Kelly. I have loved my time with her, I love just listening to her, spending time with her, and watching her. I know, I should have been doing this ALL along, but with 3 kids and a crazy schedule I forget how much time and fun it is to give to one of your children one on one!
Every night since she started hearing (another story, another time but basically she didn't hear for her first 3 1/2 years of her life), she and her daddy have had a regular routine at night, get jammies on, brush teeth, and pick out a book only daddy can read! Sometimes she chooses to have a story about daddy growing up. But that is not my point, tonight they did their regular routine and it hit me...when did daddy stop carrying to me to kiss me and hug me, when did she start running in and doing that without being carried? When was the last time daddy carried her to me? I miss those days and just let that last time fade into the days of growing up.

Then it hit me...so many firsts and so many lasts come and go and we blink and miss those last moments of one more hug, memory or even just moment to stop and reflect on the successes of where we are in life.

When did it become ok for my kids to jump out of the car without a hug or a kiss when I drop them off? Will I cherish that last day that Kelly does that or will it also just fade with the days? When did it become ok for Holly and Matt to leave for camp while I worked and not watch the bus drive away? When did I think it wasn't ok for me not to wave them off?

Last night David and I were reflecting on the days when Kristi (see earlier story about raising her) came to live with us and playing the "what if" game. We both realized that we can "what if" like crazy but there isn't a moment or a memory whether good or bad that we don't cherish about Kristi. I thank God for that! So, remembering the last time she walked out of our door, or kissed our children, are our memories.

I have so many moments I wished I would have just stopped, even for a moment. These moments aren't selective to my husband and children, they are with friends, with memories, and just plain life. I love the idea of slowing down and seeing these memories one more time.

Time to slow down and reflect on first's and last's. I need reminders to do this...my family and friends are SO incredibly important to me! I want their memories to be scrapbooked in my head!

Two weeks ago my son and our friend Gustavo headed out to "catch a few waves" in Newport Beach. Sitting on the sand visiting with a friend I see the lifeguard head out to "save" a swimmer. Little did I realize that the lifeguard was headed out to save Matt and Gustavo. Brian laughing hysterically at this event has not let them live it down!

Today Brian decides to take my little Kelly out to sea to "play in the waves" and I see the lifeguard running down the beach, out to the water, lifeguard truck pulling up and the lifeguard boat heading out. I say to my friend "he couldn't be out there to get them!" I know Brian would NEVER do or put Kelly in harms way so I am really not worried, I would never be worried. Then I see it, lifeguard approaching Kelly and Brian, pulling Kelly towards safety. Now, again I am not worried, there is no way that Brian would allow anything to happen to Kelly no matter what the circumstances are but wondering "how could this happen again?"
In Brian's defense he tried to wave them off and tell them he was fine, also they "rescued" probably a total of 24 people today while we were there and the waves were huge and out of control.
Brian's excuse for getting rescued..."It was a field trip for Kelly!"

Laughing and still grateful that nothing happened to either one of them!

I am excited for our vacation, there is nothing better than life at the Harbor House...but I decided that counting the days only meant counting the days until the kids go back to school also. See my kids go back to school 2 days after we get home. Now, I know, I know...most of you are READY and counting for the days until your kids go back. Usually that is me. Usually I have grounded them to their rooms, handed out horrible chores, withheld movie money, and pretty much disliked the sounds of their voices by now.
This summer is flying, Holly has been at camps and with friends and pretty much gone. Matt has been so much easier to handle, wanting to please, help and hang with his older sister, they are actually friends now! Kelly is loving the beach, mommy time and just plain fun to watch. SO, my dilema....I LIKE THEM NOW and want MORE time. I will cherish the time I do get the rest of the summer, but dreading the days of running around, projects, homework, and not having down time to just be with them!
Maybe I am nuts, but right now...today...I want this summer to last longer!

57%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Baltimore Singles


I thought I was more addicted, I think I am a little sad that I am not as addicted as I thought...MY BUSY MOM SCHEDULE! Someday I will be more addicted than others, I am NOT competitve, am NOT!

Monday night is set aside for Bonfire night at San "O," my family lives for it. Thinking we may not go tonight because our two oldest are away at camp (we have 1 kid for a whole week and ALL babysitters are at camp), we decided to go so we could meet the "famous Aaron!" Boy are we glad we did! Aaron reminds me of my friends back in my younger years, fun, easy to talk to, and just a great all around guy. See I have heard MANY MANY MANY stories of the "famous Aaron" but never found an opportunity to meet the "famous Aaron" because he lives in New Mexico.
Aaron has taken care of my friend Cassandra, helped her through the "guy junk," talked her through nights of needing reassurance that she is amazing! He has traveled with her, cared for her, and just made her feel special! Not in a romantic way (I promise Mommy Lisa, if I thought that, I would tell you)but in an amazing guy friendship that I have had the opportunity to have so many times in my life. I have told her to cherish this friendship and she has. Now, after meeting the "famous Aaron" I can see why she cherishes this friendship.
Tonight he made my husband's youth come out, his stories of youth and the fun they had. He laughed at every detail of David's silly stories, gave my husband an outlet to tell his growing up stories for the billionthest and 1 more time to someone who truly cared and listened. He played with fire with my husband, now that makes them family, anyone who plays with the firepit with David and gets excited about how wood burns and discusses the "hot spots" in the fire is now considered his best friend! What makes boys like fire...wish I understood that one?

AARON PLAYS WITH FIRE!!

Here is my final approval on the "famous Aaron!" Listening to David tell some goofy story about some childhood memory Aaron says "one sec, my phone is ringing and it's my mom, if it was anyone else I wouldn't interupt you!" OK, this guy loves his mom! Cassandra...my message to you is...keep this friendship FOREVER! We love Aaron, he is now part of the McTaggart Family just like you!

Who's bags are packed?!?!?!

START PACKING!

Passport to Freedom by Jud Wilhite
I just got done listening to today's message at church on CD. I am going to service this evening to re-listen. It's so simple, yet amazing. It's stuff we all need to hear and use in our life. It's about how God says "don't be afraid," "stay calm,"stand still and watch God rescue us," "support one another, be there."
What really hit home was that "God is never early, but he IS never late!" I love this...I sometimes think "why didn't God show up before this train wreck, crisis, overwhelming pain?" I sometimes ask myself, "was I ignoring Gods voice?" And sometimes that is the case, I missed a nudge but most of the time he is waiting for me to ask him, call out to him, and have MORE faith!
This message is appropriate RIGHT NOW in my life...God wasn't late AGAIN!

In 47 minutes it will be 20 days till HARBOR HOUSE TIME! Now that is something to be THANKFUL FOR, GIVE TONS OF THANKS FOR, KISS THE GROUND INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HARBOR HOUSE FOR! I can't wait and I know LOTS and TONS of other people who feel the same way...get your suits and towels...LET'S GO!


Ok, now it's 42 minutes...START PACKING!

My Tears today, My Forgiveness Tomorrow
As the mother of three, I look at each of my children as individuals. They are so different in so many ways. I strive to be a good mom, a supportive mom and a mom who stands beside my children no matter where their feet land. I look to God to guide me constantly, I pray constantly, I get in his word constantly and I journal constantly. If you were to open one of my journals you can tell which child needs the most “mom and God care” at any given time. I wish Paul would have given us a step-by-step outline to raising our children in a loving home, or a list of what to do and not do, but he didn’t and we have to pray and trust. We just ask God to show up and give us a hand, most of the time he does, but some of the time…we don’t ask and he waits on us.

So that being said, I want to share a little bit about my almost 15 year old son Matt! I fought for almost 7 months to have Matt and have him be a healthy baby (that’s another story) but what I didn’t realize was that the reason I had to start out trying harder with this pregnancy was because this was a preparation for the years to come. Matt has struggled from day one in school, needing just a little more help, making him feel frustrated and alone. He also doesn’t always know how to maintain friendships with kids his own age, craving the friendship of the older crowd. In teen years, identity is a huge burden. Who are we, where do we fit, and who will accept us? It’s not God’s way really but these are REAL questions in the lives of teens and especially my son.
My son looks to role models, people he looks up to, he has a handful and on any given day he will blurt out a statement or a need to be “just like that person.” This tells us that he is striving for better for himself, it’s not a negative, it’s doesn’t mean he is going to be or do what that person does. Take his relationship with another pastor that left our church, Doug Elliott. Matt adored, honored, cherished and maintained that he would be “just like Doug” someday. We loved that about him because like I said not only was Doug a pastor but he met Matt where Matt was, he made Matt feel important so Matt could keep going forward in a way we just weren’t touching on. We praise God for Doug’s touch on his life, we don’t view it as a negative.
I see my son as an incredible giver, servant, lover of God, protective and wanting to please. So many things about these qualities are perplexing because knowing 15 year olds these aren’t qualities that are common. I praise God that Matt found these in himself. He wants to be “like someone,” he wants to be “accepted by someone,” and he wants to be “loved by all!’ Not horrible things if you really think about it. Life has definitely not handed Matt an easy street, he struggles but he overcomes. I love and adore this son of mine who now stands 6’2, wears a size 16 shoe and sounds like a man not a little boy anymore! I look forward to the future for him even though it will be hard, never easy.
Ok, so you either asking why am I writing this or you gave up because ‘it’s too long,” but I need to ask forgiveness from Matt. I get frustrated, annoyed, impatient, and lack the Christ love he deserves from his mom sometimes. I found myself with a heavy heart today, crying lots of tears (which I usually don’t release), feeling like I can’t breathe at the thought that I could not see past the “teen stuff” to realize that there is SO many more great things about my son I wasn’t looking at today, yesterday or I didn’t protect. It pains me when I think I let others show an unkind heart towards the only boy I will ever give birth to, the only boy that is trained by God and his father to be a servant and a giver. He is NOT perfect, he is goofy, he is flaky, he annoys his sisters, parents, friends, he is trusting, he is idolizing, he is looking to be accepted. He deserved and deserves to be accepted, I missed that mark and for that I ask forgiveness!

He is an amazing boy becoming a man…I promise! It just takes a little harder look sometimes!

1 Corinthians 13:7
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

THE NIGHT OF BONDING WITH GREAT FRIENDS!
The Pool

I promised some pics from our evening at my best friend Lisa's house for a barbecue. The pool, the food, pool table are just the cake the REAL icing on the cake is knowing that I have the greatest friend in the entire world beside my husband. I am SO incredible lucky! We have history, we have stories, we have laughter, we have tears and we are family...I am SO BLESSED! So here is the pics, enjoy and realize that YES I AM NOT A PRETTY PICTURE IN THE POOL AND MAKE-UP IS A GREAT INVENTION! So, look beyond the look of NO MAKE-UP, pretend you don't notice and see the great blessings and laughter being shared!

Me and my wonderful husband in their beautiful backyard!

Lisa, my daugher Holly (age 16 1/2), ME or someone who looks resembles me with NO makeup...scary!

Pat and David "holding up the grill area!"

Jennifer, Kelly and friends eating dinner at poolside...oh Pat, they love you and love being spoiled by you!

Wish this was a better picture of Holly and Lauren hanging in the jacuzzi, but what isn't shown in this picture is a night of re-bonding with Lauren and Holly (they were inseparatable as children, different schools, friends, makes this tough to keep up. This was also an amazing night for Lauren and I to have a heart to heart, auntie to neice talk! I love ALL 4 of their children and each one holds a special place for each their own reason in my heart!

And the night ends with a hardcore game of pool, they forgot HOW GOOD I AM AT POOL! Really, I am GOOD! TRY ME, that's a dare...

I am not a sleeper, I don't like to spend a lot of time sleeping, I would rather be doing a thousand other things, it's not important to me nor have I ever required much of it (it could be my self diagnosed ADD), I need to constantly be going, getting things done, sleeping is not one of those things.

THEN IT HIT ME...Sunday night at church I felt my head was falling off my body (yes, I know the message was great), I couldn't hold it up another minute. It got worse by the second as I finished my job that night after church, I almost felt like I could cry because I wanted to sleep so bad. I thought that going home that night going straight to bed would help. I slept from 10:30pm to 9am, going right back to bed till 1pm. Still feeling exhausted I decided my committment to Monday Nights at the Beach with my family was important so I went anyway. I feel asleep at the beach twice! I came home that night, showered and went back to bed waking around 8am, getting my kids situated, worked on a proposal, starting laundry and taking another 3 hour nap! Back to bed last night around 10:30pm, I am awake at 7:15 and counting down the hours till I can nap again (going to the beach today, do you think I can catch a few ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ's on the beach)!

Have you ever been THIS exhaused? Just curious because it's driving me crazy! I want this feeling to GO AWAY! I have things to do, people to see, places to go, life to live, blogs to read, I need to not be this tired!

Heather McTaggart
The wife of an amazing, funny, incredible man! The mother of 3 God loving amazing young persons!

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• Guess where I am....
• Did I disappear...honestly YES!
• Because she is......
• Favorite part of my day...
• Sad, mad, frustrated...it's all in the bag for today!
• HOME SWEET HOME!
• Moving has begun...
• Mother's Day...is a beautiful thing!
• Cassandra made me do it...
• HELP...is needed!

• April 2007
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Movies

• Christmas Movies
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• Allison
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