Support For Team Mama Bear PDX

To our beautiful support system!

I decided at the start of the summer to pause my social media accounts in order to focus my girls. I’ve learned the importance for my own mental health how necessary logging off and focusing on the present moment are for myself.  The summers we have with our babies go by so fast! I’m trying my best to soak in every single second.

I wanted to give us a moment to process before logging back on to share the news.

Sadly this past week brought a loss I hoped we never had to face but deep down knew was on the horizon.  Unfortunately my ex husband and the girls father lost his battle with addiction and mental health issues.

This loss comes with so many emotions attached for myself and my girls.  Anyone that knows our journey the last few years knows it has not been easy. Our grief is an overwhelming mix of all emotions.  We are all taking each day as it comes.  Thankfully all 3 of us have been in therapy for quite some time so we have been working though our healing journey and have a strong support system already in place.

Many have asked what we need - and frankly I still don’t know. The fog hasn’t lifted yet.   I’m trying to focus on big milestone birthdays coming up(an official TEENAGER and Double Digit) and getting my soon to be 8th grader and 4th ready to go back to school.

Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to send love and support, especially checking in on the girls! I know many of you are just now finding out this way. Obviously it’s an overwhelming task to share this tragic news and I needed a moment to catch my breath and gather my thoughts - and with both girls at camp it’s the first moment I had to be alone.

I’m heartbroken 💔

Hello Team Mama Bear
I’ve realized that it’s been way too long since I’ve updated you on the journey that the girls and I have been going through. As you can imagine getting back into the school rhythm along with sports and everything else keeps this mama bear on her toes, but a lot has happened since my last update and I felt that it was finally time to share. 

As I stated in my September update, my exes lawyer withdrew from his case. This unfortunately has led to an absolute spiral of our divorce proceedings - making my legal fees skyrocket to a place I never expected. In November My ex admitted a relapse which I do not believe is truthful as I know he has not been sober, but it finally allowed me the chance to pause his parenting time and give the girls a much needed respite. 

We had a general settlement trial in November with the hope that we could settle. This obviously is extremely difficult due to the fact that he provided zero required financial documents. We went on court record and agreed to basic terms with the knowledge that the details would need to be worked out later, forcing him to provide the required information. It was at this time that it was clarified what steps were necessary for him to restart any form of parenting time with the girls starting Christmas break with supervised activity which would be two hours once a week with a supervisor. He is also required to be in both addiction and mental health treatment along with other stipulations - obviously a benefit to the girls that he would get the help he needed. Sadly he has yet to complete the requirements. 

Because of this new custody situation having one hour of kid free time daily was beyond impossible especially since I am now forced to list our house for sale by July 1 so unfortunately, I had to step down from my Teach teaching position so I could focus on preparing for the next step of selling our house and moving elsewhere. Our home has been neglected for years and the stress of trying to do everything while working a second job was just too much. 

On top of all of that - he has also not followed through with the situations involving our previous unsubmitted taxes and I am now having to communicate with the IRS to make sure I am protected. The hits keep on comin’

So we are at a very pivotal point right now, as I try to process where our next chapter will begin while still attempting to navigate this divorce nightmare. I have no savings left and am unable to pay my lawyer any legal fees as the balance continues to rise due to my exes noncompliance, knowingly wasting tens of thousands of dollars which should be spent on my girls while still providing me no financial support for them. 

The last few months have brought me to my breaking point. What has kept me going is knowing my girls are safe now and the end is near but I’ve seen what damage the trauma has caused me and I know it’s time for me to start working on the healing process. It’s a daily practice to remind myself that my ex is sick and my daughters deserve a healthy happy dad, but his actions are not allowed to control us any longer and I refuse to live in anger anymore. 

As for my beautiful, amazing daughters, they are thriving. 

Bay has started playing basketball again, and the spark has reignited. She struggled for a very long time and lost her love for playing, but this year I’ve been able to watch as she stepped back in her passionate sporty self. She has always been the most amazing team cheerleader, and watching her step back into a lead role and encourage her teammates is so inspiring. Middle school has been a journey (as any middle school parent knows)and at times  very difficult but she is blessed with great friendships and support system. She even attended her first middle school dance last week and never left the dance floor. My heart burst with pride. 





Micah, of course is my beautiful, creative social butterfly attending a million birthday parties and taking on the role of Swiftie passed down from her too cool to be a Swiftie anymore big sis (even getting her all of her Taylor Swift merch). Anyone that knows Micah knows when she is interested in some thing she’s 110% committed.  Christmas is her superbowl when all the elves return and she writes EVERY. SINGLE. NORTHPOLL. RESIDENT!! Because of course we have a magic mailbox and they write back! Her letters are pure magic! Asking all kinds of questions and even writing to new ones. (It was a LONG MONTH). She has the biggest heart! I recently found out a friends partner passed away suddenly who wrote children’s books and was a beautiful advocate for our community and its youth.  We actually found his book a month ago and she’s already made plans of how she can write the next book in his series to keep his legacy going. 



We continued our mission of spreading love and were able to host one final shoebox packing at our house this year! Something I didn’t believe I’d be able to accomplish!  We also did our annual Christmas Eve teddy bear delivery to residence at the local senior center as well as donating toys to the local children’s hospital and stuffed animals to foster children. No matter our circumstances love will always win! And my favorite inspirational quote “Do Small Things With Great Love” will be always be my life’s mission. 



So here we are, attempting to pack up 14 years in a house that has served us well knowing it’s time to say goodbye, and dreaming of what our next chapter will look like.  I will keep this fundraiser open as obviously now with the costs of moving while still having a legal balance beyond my control, we could use as much help as we can!  

Thank you for your ongoing love and support! It’s what’s given me the strength to keep fighting for us. 




❤️Team Mama Bear

To Our Amazing Support System!

I’ve been meaning to come on and give an update!! Getting back into school and sports mode has been a lot!  We are currently at 2 schools, playing 2 sports all while taking on a 2nd job! But the last few years has given me the strength to keep on Keepin on!!

First off - Miss Bay made the difficult but very thought out decision to come back to our neighbor middle school! She’s able to walk to school everyday with our nexdoor neighbor and  attempt to adjust to 7 classes plus Volleyball (which she absolutely LOVES!!)  Lots of tween emotions but I’m SO grateful that’s she’s resilient.  Things have been so hard for her on so many levels (many of which no 11 should have to navigate through!)  But my baby girls is Strong and Brave and full of love and kindness!

Miss Micah is jumping into 2nd with a little less enthusiasm (not a fan of early mornings and school work) but she’s as always quite the social butterfly!  She LOVES facts and deep diving on whatever topic is of interest at the moment. Jeopardy here she comes! Back to soccer (she’s proud to have named the team!!)

She MAY have dedicated a goal to “pigpen” a possible new adopted addition to our piggy family… it worked! 

(I mean - what’s another one right!)

As for me, at the nudging of many to start taking care of myself - I was blessed with a perfect VERY part time job as an educational preschool assistant. I’m able to still drop off and pick up the girls - but also get out of the house and become human again for 4hrs. Reselling is still my full time gig for now and it’s been a bit of a juggle adding another commitment but this lil part time job is just what I needed for my mental health!  Teacher Bree is back!

I also wanted to share a bit of an update on my situation. Unfortunately as I hoped yet never thought would happen - my ex’s lawyer terminated his contract with him.  I am unsure what next steps are as we were waiting for the court to except his withdrawal.  As you can imagine I’m beyond frustrated - wasting so much time and money by his constant lack of cooperation. BUT my hope is that since my lawyer and I had decided to try for settlement to finally end this - without representation we will finally have the upper hand. My legal fees continue to mount as this new situation of course adds more work - so I will continue to need this fundraiser to continue to help me navigate all of this while still receiving zero financial assistance from my ex. 

PLEASE keep us in your prayers! I am absolutely mentally and emotionally drained by the constant rollercoaster of dealing with someone with what I believe to be mental illness.  

There is SO much still unknown - but THEY are worth it!

❤️ The Taggart Chicas

And just like that…Summer is winding down!

I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to update in a bit but I’ve been trying to be present in the final days of our summer!  As you can imagine, the situation I’m in causes me constant stress and anxiety and I’m trying to not be consumed but rather focus on the good - which I’m one lucky mama to have 2 beauties who remind me daily that life IS good! 

We were able to squeeze in a quick trip to CA to have some much needed cousin time (yay miles and companion fares!!). Had a “come to Jesus” with my legal team (while poolside - yay for big sun glasses hiding my tears) about the reality of my situation.  I told them I could not continue this path we are on - Emotionally, mentally and financially. It’s a lot to process on what’s in the best interest for my girls. Thankfully my legal team understands my frustrations and the unfortunate reality of my situation - that we are getting nowhere. I’m truly praying for clarity. 

Last summer we decided to book a stay at our families BEYOND MAGIC beach house in Rockaway the week before school started and it was the perfect way to say goodbye to summer. Sand and water have become my souls recharge. THIS BEACH IS HEAVEN! And literally all ours! Our 2nd annual trip had to turn into an overnight (cause…SPORTS🥳) but we made it happen and is was perfection. Life has been quite chaotic and loud lately - and the start of the school year is always insanity. So I love our new tradition of ending the summer at the place that brings us pure calm and quiet. 

We are gearing up for back to school! Bay decided after a lot of soul searching that she wanted to transfer back to our neighborhood school. She also tried out for volleyball! I haven’t seen her this happy in a very long time!!

And Micah is gearing up for 2nd grade! Key word gearing! She’s not a fan of “work” but loves school!

As for me - after much heartfelt concerns, I decided to listen to my support system and look for a part time job outside of the house.  I love reselling and it provides the flexibility I need to be the full time parent, but being home alone all day really does something to your mental health.  I used to fill that void by volunteering all the time at the girls school - but that was when there was a second income available.  SO I’m blessed to have found a PreK educational assistant job - working 9:30 - 1:30!  Perfection! I can still drop and pick up and resell!  I know that once life calms a bit I’d like to find a full time job - but I’m realistic on my limits right now.

Again - THANK YOU SO MUCH for your constant love and support for me and my girls. This journey is far from over but I’m beyond grateful to each of you! 
❤️Bree