Hello World

What up, World? I'm Matthew Taylor, most handsome of the Taylor men! Hmmmm.....what can I say about myself? I love video games (what teenage boy doesn't?), I can be a bit childish at times, and I'm not always sensitive to other people's feelings......but hey, I'm not a bad guy, I'm just a realist!

I have a twin sister whose name is Madison.....we couldn't be more different if we tried! But I love my sister......she's the only thing in my life that has always been constant.....she's always the same lazy, grouchy slob every single day!

My mom is Gabriella Elise Erikson. She's a pretty cool mom......I mean she owns a soccer team! Mom has always been there for me and Maddie. Her and our dad split before we were even born and so she was the only parent we knew for a long time. The only male role model I had was my uncle Donte......

My dad is Clay Miller. Me and Maddie finally met him a few years ago......I haven't seen him since......I can kind of see why mom left him. He's not very dependable and he acts like a child all the time. He doesn't even have a real job, unless you call slacking off a real job. But he's my dad and I love him and I hope one day he can grow up and be a good dad.

My step-dad is Taj Erikson.....Taj is an ok guy I guess. But there's always been something I don't like about him. My mom calls me pessimistic but again, I think it's just being realistic. Nobody is as nice as Taj pretends to be. And his brother Rodney is really into some shady stuff. Birds of a feather, you know.....but I've made peace with him for my mom's sake. Maddie convinced me that mom deserved happiness and if Taj was as bad as I thought, well then we would just have to mess him up!

Maddie is my best friend......yea, I know it's lame, but she is. She always tells me when I've gone too far.....although, you would be surprised at hot-tempered she can be! It's funny since she's always trying to calm me down......but if you get on her bad side, watch out! She's a force to be reckoned with!

We live in LaQuest Beach which is awesome.......the beach is within walking distance and I spend most of my time here......my sister is a much better swimmer than I am but I still like to do a couple of laps.......we have a pool at home, but nothing is like the ocean!

Like I said, Maddie is my best friend, so we hang out alot. The cool thing is that since we're twins, we don't have to go through that whole awkward "one person going off to college, one person staying home" stage. We graduate at the same time so we'll be hanging out for a while.

Only thing I hate about swimming is all the water that gets trapped in your ears.....please excuse the fruity swim trunks, this was before I went shopping for new ones.....this is why I don't send my mom clothes shopping for me any more....I'm a guy for goodness sakes!

Much better! We met a random guy and started a game of kicky bag. His name is Pao and he was looking all doe-eyed at my sister.....not going to happen! Pao seems like a nice guy, but they all do in the beginning.......and my sister deserves the best......she's going to hate me when she meets a guy she likes!

My mom and Taj recently had a baby and so now I have a little step-brother....Kayden is a cute little guy and I don't mind helping my mom out with him from time to time. He actually seems to like me which is weird because most kids don't really get along with me......I'm not too kid friendly!

I talk to my dad about once a week.....that is, when I call HIM......he has some new girlfriend that's in college, which I think is just wrong.....he's too old to date a girl in college! Me and Madison will be going to college soon! The more I talk to dad, the more I see why mom left him!

We have a cute little chihuahua named Juicy....she's gotten pretty old now (we've had her since I was a baby). She's the smartest little dog in the world as far as I'm concerned. She's even been in a couple of dog food commericials!

Best thing about having a twin that's a girl? I get to scope out all of her girl friends! Shanna Reiner came by to see Madison today and I made sure to introduce myself to her. She doesn't go to the private school that me and Madison go to, so this is my first time meeting her.

After talking to her, I found that we had alot in common. And she's a cutie! Madison is going to be mad about me going after her friend, but at the moment, I don't care. And it's obvious that she thinks I'm pretty cute too since she's letting me hold her hands.

So I ask her out and she says yes! Me and Shanna Reiner are going out later this week! In all honesty, this is the first date I've ever been on......but how hard could it be? You talk, you dance, you eat......nothing to it right?

My mom is on this kick that we don't spend enough time together so she makes us all sit down to do an activity together at least once a week. Taj of course agrees......he agrees with everything my mom says. But I guess it's not so bad sitting down with them. They're alright people....but I would rather be hanging out with Shanna right now!

A New Me

Well after months of being uncomfortable, trying to win back my parent's trust, and trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my life, I finally gave birth to a baby boy.

And here he is, little Ryder Ray. I named him Ryder because it means knight and with this crazy life I've condemned him to, he's going to need to be a tough little guy. He looks so much like Tyson........I don't know how much I like that fact.....but he has my hair.....and he's just beautiful.

Mom and dad decided that he should stay in my room so that when he cries I can get to him quicker......I think that they did it as a punishment because he cries at all times of the night and I have to get up to get him.......but I guess that's a part of being a mom, right? They even took away my desk and computer to make way for his crib and changing table!

I've been working very hard on my painting. My parents have decided to keep Ryder for me while I attend school under three conditions: I have to attend Sim State University because it's close enough that I can come home every weekend to take care of Ryder. I have to get at least 3 scholarships before I leave for school. And I have to keep my GPA at school up at least to a 3.0 or they're pulling me out and I will have to take Ryder and get a job. The conditions are tough, but at least they are giving me a chance. I thought they would never get over this whole thing.....that they hated me.........

But Ryder has weaved some magic over them and they can't put him down......especially my dad.....I think he secretly always wanted more kids but they couldn't afford to have anymore because we would have had to move. They're happy about Ryder even if they aren't happy about being grandparents.....

He's really not as much trouble as I feared he would be.....he's such a sweet baby....he's going to be so spoiled by the time he's a toddler.....but I'm not upset about that......everyone could hate him and hate me for having him.......Maybe there's a bigger picture to all of this.....who knows.....or maybe I'm just a really stupid teenager!

The only thing that bugs me about Ryder is that he has no sense of time! It's 3 o'clock in the morning and he's up crying about something.....I have to go to school AND work today......Oh, for crying out loud! Ugh, I see what he's going on about......he stinks!

I decided it was time for a change so I lopped off all of my hair........it's a new day and a new me with new responsibilities.......I think it looks pretty boss, but my mom is probably going to freak.....although at this point I don't think there is much more that I can do that would surprise them anymore......

Oh yes, I love my little Ryder.......I hate that I won't be around as much when I go off to school......But I will be home every chance I get so that he doesn't forget who his mom is......maybe I should just take him with me.....they have parent housing on campus.....it would be hard, but I could do it.....

Tyson still comes snooping around the house......NOW he's saying he wants to see the baby to see if it's his......didn't he say that he was positive it wasn't his child? My dad is going to end up whooping his tail again......he's even been kicking over our trashcan!

School is tougher now because I'm usually tired from being up half the night with Ryder......work isn't much better.....I'm trying very hard right now to get my last promotion at work because that would look very good on my scholarship applications......3 scholarships.......this is going to take alot of work......

I come home to this! My mom decided that my dark colored room wasn't good for Ryder......they completely changed my whole room! Baby blue? Yuck! She pointed out that when I went to school it wouldn't be my room anymore, it would be Ryder's.....but I still have to live in in right now!!

She told me to just be quiet, at least I got to keep my bed......yep, Ryder is going to be super spoiled! I don't know......Everything is happening so fast......should I take Ryder with me? Is that fair to him when he could have a much better life here? It's only four years and I could see him every week but I would miss all his big accomplishments......and what if he forgets about me because I'm not around? What if he grows to think my mom is his mom? Ugh, I don't know what to do.....

But I guess I should stop worrying and just enjoy my time with him while I have it. Being a mom is tough, I guess........makes me feel bad about how I treated MY mom.....I hope Ryder doesn't grow up to hate me.....even after I graduate, it's going to be a really tough road ahead......I'll be a single parent trying to raise him.......

But you know what? I think he and I can do it......I kind of got myself into this situation.....I still can't believe how wrong I was about Ty........I won't be dating for a very, VERY long time......I have too much on my plate right now to also worry about some stupid guy......nope, from now on it's just me and Ryder.

I've been working very hard practicing on my drums......if I get good enough, I may be able to get a music scholarship. I love music but I don't know what I want to major in yet.......I need to do something that will make enough money to support me and Ryder......

Even my dorky little brother likes having Ryder around.....although I think he would feel differently if he was the one getting up with him in the middle of the night when he needs changing or feeding.....My parents never help with the late night feedings.....but I guess they will do it enough once I leave.....if I don't take him with me that is.......

If I do decide to leave him, you can bet that this picture will hang in my dorm room so that I can see my little man's face each and every day.........I just don't know what to do......

The Wedding

Here is the wedding of Zoe Gonzalez and Kyler Dewayne Taylor......I also threw in a few of the engagement party pics too.......enjoy

KD and Zoe Taylor from Jennifer Fuller on Vimeo.

Time Waits for Nothing

Ok, so haven't been keeping up with this as much as I should.....but hey, the life of a fashionista is fast paced and exciting! Lots of things have been happening in the house of McGaw, so here's a little recap:

Yes, this picture is a bit inappropriate, but come on! My husband is hot! Donte is now the head architect at his firm and I'm so proud of him! He's amazingly creative and I'm sure he will have his own firm soon. I don't know where I would be without him and our beautiful girls....

Things in my boutiques have been alittle crazy. I had to fire my stylist at RJ Taylor - Pleasantview. She had the nerve to tell me that she wasn't making enough money! My clothing line has become a household name now and I have always paid my employees a VERY generous salary.......she just got overly confident! Love to see her get work at another boutique now.......I don't have this much trouble out of my models!

It doesn't matter though, because from her dramatic exit came the entrance of one of the best stylists I've ever had. Carl Weaver is a dream! All the customers love him, and he has yet to have one complaint against him.......so good riddance!

Amara is now a teenager.....she's beautiful isn't she? Donte is pulling his hair out worrying over boys........I told him that as pretty as Amara is, it's impossible for her NOT to have dates.....I don't know what he's going to do when Arlena becomes a teenager....he'll be bald by the time they both leave home! Amara is a very smart girl with her head on straight, so I don't worry about her.....well, not too much!

I gave her a cell phone for her birthday. Now we can contact her anytime she's not at home. It made Donte feel alittle better, but not much. God help the first boy she brings home! Donte will probably sit in the living room with a shotgun on his lap!

Little Arlena isn't so little anymore! She's a curious little toddler who we have to keep a constant watch over! Her room is upstairs so she can't get into too much mischief......but that doesn't stop her from trying her best to get into trouble.....but as cute as she is, who can get mad at her?

Today is her birthday! Donte is out back grilling some hotdogs and I'm inside calling over everyone for her party. It seems like the time is just flying by........it makes me kinda sad.....I mean I know they have to grow up some day, but it all seems to be happening way too fast......ugh, that means I'm getting old, huh?

KD announced to all of us that he's going to marry his longtime girlfriend, Zoe Gonzalez. My little brother is getting married....I AM getting old...my only consolation is that Gabby is getting just as old since we're twins!

Mom and Dad are here, of course. Since dad retired, he's made sure that he is here for every birthday the girls have. I think he feels guilty because he wasn't around much when me, Gabby, and KD were growing up. We all understood that his music took him away. I'm just glad that I have him around now.

And here's my birthday girl! I think Arlena is going to grow up to look just like her sister......so that means that Donte really IS going to pull all of his hair out! I'm just so thankful that I have my family. Truthfully, I never really wanted any kids. I was so focused on my career that I thought children would be in the way of me getting my clothing line out there. But I've been able to balance it all and I'm so greatful that I have them!

KD has really taken an interest in his nieces and nephews. I think he's going to be a great dad when he and Zoe have kids. He's really got himself together. We were afraid that mom and dad's separation would make him want to be a playboy all his life......but he met Zoe and fell head over heels in love with her.......

Zoe has been really good for my brother. She seems like a really nice girl. Gabby and me are throwing her a bridal shower. She's new to Pleasantview and hasn't made many friends since she's been here and we don't want her to miss out.....after all, soon she'll be my sister in law!

Angela and her husband and kids and Ambrel also come over. Ambrel has FINALLY stopped fighting her attraction to this guy she met at school. It was really sad to see her struggling so much.......I blame her jerk of a dad.......she's so afraid that she will end up like mom.....but mom and dad got their acts together and everything is fine now.....Ambrel just needs to let go of the past so she can begin her future........I don't know if this guy of hers is the one for her, but he seems to care a great deal about her and they have alot in common.......I'll check him out a bit more at KD's wedding......I'm sure she will bring him along.

Amara and Arlena seem to be getting along so far......you know how sisters can be sometimes.....hell, Gabby and I use to fight all the time.......we've always been so different......but I love my sister as I love myself......I hope Amara and Arlena have the same kind of relationship.....it's off to a good start so far.......

Dad is like a little kid when he gets around his grandchilden. AJ Taylor is just a great guy.......the world loves him because of the music he made, but his family loves him because no matter how famous he became, or how many mistakes he may have made, at the end of the day, he's always the same man.......he's just as goofy as he was when nobody knew his name......

Can you believe the cops come and break up the party? I mean it's not like we were having some wild party! Arlena is just a child! Geez, that gets on my nerves! I hope they don't try to break up the bridal shower........stupid flashlight cops!