Harris Family

Moving Forward

2010-06-18T08:41:00.004-05:00

For a while now, Jack has been crawling backwards, pushing, pulling, scooting etc to get around...as of Monday...he is crawling forward!!! :) It is just so neat to watch him learn new things. He is very good at standing on his feet with his hands on the floor, I think he will be walking soon! :)

8 months old!

2010-06-08T12:24:00.017-05:00

I know, I know...I haven't posted anything in over 2 months!!! It is horrible! So, I will do another blog post "catch-up" and hopefully (fingers crossed) I will not let another 2 months go by without a post! :)

The boys are both doing great and growing and changing all the time! Ross is out of school for the summer now and it is hard to believe that he will be going into 2nd grade in just a few months! Our summer plans include: swimming, park, zoo, playing with friends, guitar lessons, and hopefully a family vacation! I have great memories of many family vacations as a kid and Derek and I both hope to make special memories with our boys as well! Even though I am not "out for the summer" and I don't have "vacation time" etc, I still am very excited about summer! Not much will change for my schedule with Jack but this is the first summer that I will be home when we have Ross and I am very excited about all the fun things I have planned for us!

Jack is 8 months old now and he has changed SO much! In addition to all the things I posted in his 6 month update, he is now clapping, going from being on his hands and knees to sitting on his bottom (so cute to watch!), playing with lots of different toys and figuring out how to "work" them, he is NOT crying in the car anymore (well, maybe every once in a while...but definitely a HUGE improvement), he is able to get anywhere he wants to go by gliding, pushing, pulling, rocking, spinning himself around etc! Jack isn't crawling yet but he is SO close, he can crawl backwards but hasn't quite got down how to move forward yet...it won't be long! He is eating 4 bottles at 6-7oz each daily plus baby food, which now includes meat! We have also been giving him some table-food in VERY tiny pieces. He has had green beans, tomato (w/o skin), cantaloupe, squash...basically anything that is soft and non-dairy. I always take some out before adding any seasonings or butter. He seems to love everything so far! We are still working on naps, some days are better than others but I am not giving up! He still sleeps wonderfully at night (7pm-ish to 7am-ish). He said Momma several times about a month ago and hasn't said it since! My parents watched him one night for us so we could go on a date and they told us he said dadda too! We have heard him almost say it ourselves! :) Makes my heart smile!

We went on our first camping trip as a family of four over the weekend, it was an ADVENTURE! Aunt Natalie joined us when she got off work. I am not much of a "camper" but I do enjoy "playing" at the park. I just don't care about staying the night in the woods! I realize that camping in an RV is not "roughing" it for most people, but it is for me!! We encountered bugs, raccoons and a snake! Needless to say, I spent most of my time inside with Jack! We even locked ourselves out of the RV at one point and had to lift Ross up to a window that only he could fit through so he could unlock the door! Besides all that, we had a wonderful time playing games, fishing, riding bikes, cooking out, roasting marshmallows, and just spending time with each other! We will definitely go again!

My baby is 6 months old today!!!

2010-04-09T17:45:00.008-05:00

****I forgot to mention how much Jack hates the car and I mean he really despises it! He cries almost everytime we are in it! I am hoping that he will grow out of it soon! I don't think any of us will ever forget how much he doesn't like it but I wanted to add it to the blog just in case! ;)********

Jack is 6 months old and here is what he is up to these days:

He is now sitting, eating a wide variety of baby foods (all of which he LOVES...this child was born to EAT!!!), rolling back and forth (he has been doing this for a while now), playing with his toys, he now enjoys bath time (whew!), he smiles all the time, LOVES to jump in his jumperoo, tries to feed himself with his spoon and holds his own bottle (for short periods of time), talks to us with all his sweet baby sounds and tries to imitate our facial expressions, he grabs anything we have in our hands if it is food or drink related, sleeps 12 hours at night and naps maybe twice during the day for a max of 30 minutes each...yeah...we are working on this one still! Jack still loves to chew on anything that gets near his face including his hands and has recently really taken to sucking his thumb. He never really liked the pacifier and still doesn't. He is eating 7oz of formula 4 or 5 times a day and 2 full containers of fruits/veggies as well. We have his 6 month check-up on Wednesday so I will post his weight/measurements then! Jack's favorite song is If you are happy and you know it! He grins from ear to ear when I sing it, absolutely loves the clapping part and even if he is fussy or crying, I can usually calm him down by singing it! (I don't sing well at all so it must be my enthusiasm that he loves so much! lol :) We can't go anywhere without someone commenting on his size! lol, this kids rolls have rolls! ;) I adore every one of them and I know that once he is crawling and walking those sweet little rolls with disappear! We have been enjoying this wonderful weather by spending time at the zoo and park with friends and family!

Hello Stranger!!!

2010-02-22T11:35:00.008-06:00

WOW! Has it really been 3 months since my last post??? So much has changed around here! Jack is getting SO big! He is 4 1/2 months old! At his 4 month check up he weighed 17lb 3 oz! Such a big boy! He is smiling, cooing, gurgling, drooling, grabbing, pulling, jumping in his jumper, chewing on his hands, chewing on anything that gets near his face(he dives for anything and "attacks" it), staring at his hands, scooting on his back and ALMOST rolling over! I say almost because his little arm is all that is keeping him from going over! I have moved it for him and helped him roll but he hasn't done it all by himself yet! It won't be long though! He is also eating rice cereal now and drinking apple juice! He LOVES it...we knew he would! He is still spitting out more than he swallows with the cereal but he is definitely on his way! He loves his jumper and he LOVES talking to his "friends" (the animals on his bedding, the animals on his jumper and bouncer...any animal really)! It is so cute, he just stares at them and coos and wiggles! Jack sleeps through the night (and he has for a while now). He goes down anywhere from 10-11pm and sleeps until 7am or so. The last few days he has slept until 9:30am!!! WOO-HOO!!! :) He does not like to nap during the day...we are working on that! We are just so in love with him!!!

Ross is doing great! He learned how to ride his bike without anyone helping him or holding onto him! He is so proud of himself and we are proud of him too! He helps out so much with Jack and is just a sweetheart! It is hard to believe that he is 7 1/2!!! He is so entertaining, the stories he tells and the things he says keep Derek and I laughing! He wanted to go on a "date" with me recently so just he and I went to dinner together. We walked to a little Italian restaurant close to our house. He gave me some chocolates and ordered for me and everything! It was SO cute! He also paid(with Derek's debit card)! lol We had great conversations about everything from what he wants to be when he grows up(a spy) to how girls treat him like he is a pancake...yeah...I had to ask for an explanation on that one!!

Derek and I just recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary (this is how we met). He surprised me with a night on the town!! We had planned to celebrate on the Saturday following our anniversary...or so I thought!! I thought we would be just going to dinner somewhere and maybe a movie. He had been planning all along to take me out on our actual anniversary. He arranged for his mom to be here to watch the boys, he bought me two new dresses to choose from for our date, white roses, a sweet card, a limo (he had our wedding dvd playing in the limo, champagne,and reservations at a romantic restaurant. It was the best night ever!!! I felt like a princess! I thought I was being sweet by getting him some new shirts and bringing home a Papa Murphy's pizza!! :) I have to say he was probably just as excited about the pizza as I was about the limo!!! lol ;)

I hope to try to update this blog more! You might think that because I stay at home, I would have all the time in the world to blog...well...I should! lol, really though..I hope to make more time for it! I will be attaching pictures of the boys and our date as soon as I get my camera back! I left it in the limo...OOPS! It will probably be picture overload so I will do a few posts of just pictures!

Jack Conner Harris

2009-11-09T17:18:00.007-06:00

I am a little late on announcing the arrival of precious Jack Conner Harris! He was born on October 9th, almost 3 weeks early!!! He is absolutely perfect though...we think the dr. had my date wrong! He was lifting his head and moving it around the day after he was born. Jack weighed 7lb 7oz and was 19 inches long. He weighed 7lbs exactly when we were discharged 2 days after he was born. At his first pedi appointment at 5 days old, he weighed 7lbs 9oz! At his 3 week appointment he weighed 8lbs 8 oz! He is healthy and growing and we are so thankful!

The birth story:
Derek, Ross and I went to bed on Thursday October 8th, my lower back had been hurting that day off and on and I just couldn't get comfortable. I never went to sleep that night. I tossed and turned. Around midnight I got up to go to the bathroom and discovered something unusual...I wasn't sure though. I woke Derek up and told him that my water might have broken, but I wasn't sure. It wasn't a lot but definitely noticeable. My due date was almost 3 weeks away and we just couldn't believe it was happening so soon! We talked about it for a little while and I was pretty sure that was what it was so we decided to get our things together and head to the hospital. I wasn't having any contractions so we were pretty confused about the whole thing. Derek got our things together and I decided that I wanted to clean the kitchen before we left! Well, there was no doubt in our minds at this point...I was shocked...it was official, my water broke! We got to the hospital around 1am and they hooked me up to all the monitors and NOTHING...no contractions, I wasn't even dilated to a one! But, my water broke so we had to proceed! I started having contractions eventually but I wasn't progressing very much, so after 12 hours they gave me pitocin (sp?) to get things going. I had refused the epidural because I had heard that it could slow things down and since I wasn't progressing...I didn't want it until things were moving along! BIG MISTAKE! The pain eventually got bad enough that I didn't care how fast or slow it was going...I just wanted the pain to stop! So I asked for the epi....I was informed that the anesthesiologist had a few patients to get to before me. An hour later, I was begging Derek to go find the man and get him up to my room ASAP! He finally arrived and gave me my relief! Well, the epi didn't work on my right side!!! He kept givng me more meds but nothing was working. I was so miserable and I remember thinking that if the windows in that room could be opened I would just jump out if they couldn't make the pain stop! lol, I really wouldn't have but I was desperate! The anesthesiologist gave me a spinal and that helped to releive the pain just enough that I could handle it. Derek was great and stood by me the whole time and talked me through everthing. The nurses were great too! The only time I cried was after the epidural didn't work and then of course when Jack was born! Everyone says you forget the labor...I am still waiting on that! :) But, it was ALL worth it! Jack Conner Harris was born at 2:33 pm and he was absolutely beautiful and perfect! We couldn't have asked for anything more! He has pretty blue eyes and light golden brown hair. He has become my little chunky monkey! Everyone says he looks like Derek and Ross and I have to agree! Derek says he has my chin and ears but I think he has Derek's ears...I guess everyone sees things differently! He makes the cutest little noises and he LOVES to stretch! He also squeaks when he stretches! SO CUTE! He is very curious about his hands and stares at them with a very scared and puzzled look on his face...I love it! I also love the way he 'attacks' anything that gets near his face when he is hungry! He actually pulled my glasses off and flung them one time when I tried to steal a kiss at feeding time! :0 He is sleeping at night now, just waking up to eat. The first two weeks, he was up all night and slept all day! It was pretty rough! I didn't sleep much at that time! Things are going smoothly now and we are really getting into a routine here! YAY! :) I can't believe how much I love him! There isn't anything in the world better than him sleeping on my chest! I love being a mommy and I am so thankful for a healthy baby boy!

37 Weeks

2009-10-05T11:00:00.004-05:00

***Updated 10/6/09***
I went in for my 37 week check up this morning and everything is still the same. I gained one pound from last week, making it a total of 25 pounds gained so far. The Dr. said that Jack is head down, which makes me happy! I was convinced he was laying long ways across my stomach! No other progress though...but according to my doctor, it doesn't mean anything. I, of course, am concerned that no progress means Jack will be late but he says it doesn't mean that. So that is good news! I am going to continue my walking everyday, I hope it helps!

Well, I am getting closer! I have been keeping pretty busy just trying to get everything ready for Jack's arrival! We have the car seat in, the room is ready, the swing, bouncy and pack-n-play/bassinet are all put together! I have started washing his clothes and we packed our bag and his bag for the hospital. We even did a trial run to the hospital to see how long it would take and what is the best route for us to go. I still don't feel prepared! I guess that just isn't going to happen! I thought Jack had dropped a couple of weeks ago because I was breathing so much easier and had a lot more pressure on my bladder all the time. Either he never really dropped or he moved back up! I have been talking to him about this but it doesn't seem to be helping yet! ;) I still haven't had any contractions, occasionally some tightness in my stomach and crampiness but that is it so far! I am VERY eager and ready for him to be here! He is still moving around a lot, I can see him wriggling around but no real big kicks or anything. I think he is getting cramped in there. Hopefully he will arrive any day now! Here are my 37 week pics!

34 Weeks

2009-09-16T10:27:00.003-05:00

My last day of work was Friday September 11th. I still don't feel any different...kind of like I am on vacation. I guess it will sink in eventually. My mom and I went shopping on Monday and she bought lots of cute clothes and shoes for Jack! He now has 4 pair of shoes! :) I was SO exhausted after shopping. I can't go like I use to! I came home and Derek cooked me dinner! lol, I was planning on cooking for him since I didn't work but I was too tired! On Tuesday I attempted the grocery shopping, probably won't do that by myself again until I have this baby! That was a lot of work! I know I must sound like a wimp but really I was exhausted! So, I have decided to stay home today and clean. No more shopping for me! Makes me a little sad because I love shopping! :)

34 Week pic:

33 Weeks

2009-09-06T12:50:00.006-05:00

So I guess I have given up on creative titles for my blogs...I am just going with weeks now! :) So I have 7 weeks left before Jack arrives...hopefully he isn't late! I guess there isn't too much I can do about that but I am telling myself he will be here. Of course, if he is anything like his parents, he will be late! I had a horrible dream the other night that I was still pregnant but about to have him at any time and then we found out I was pregnant again! My last day of work is Friday September 11th. I will have about 6 weeks at that point, I really hope that the time doesn't drag on b/c I won't be working. I have saved up a lot of things to do when I am at home so hopefully that will keep me busy enough! I am really excited to be able to stay at home. It is something that we had talked about long before I ever became pregnant and we didn't really know if we could do it and at times, it seemed like it might not work. Fortunately, it has worked out at this time for me to be home with our baby boy! I can't believe that we are about to have a baby! Sometimes it just doesn't seem real!

Things I want to remember about this point in my pregnancy:
I haven't had any braxton hicks contractions. I am a lot more tired now and super cranky...just ask Derek! :) I have gained 17lbs. I am up every hour at night going to the bathroom (this could be why I am so cranky)! I am really looking forward to sleeping on my back or stomach! Jack is still moving around a lot, fortunately it isn't painful. I haven't felt a foot in the ribs or anything like that. Mostly he just pushes or stretches and makes my tummy look like that scene from the movie Alien. He does push on my belly button area which feels really weird! He has had the hiccups a lot lately, I always feel so bad for him when he has them b/c I hate having the hiccups! I can't wait to hold him!

Here is my 33 week pic: (You will see these pants a lot in the weeks to come, I am on strict orders from Derek to wear only tennis shoes after I fell last weekend! I only have a few pairs of pants to wear with tennis shoes and I really don't want to buy anymore maternity clothes!)

30 Weeks

2009-08-17T19:16:00.000-05:00

I am in my 30th week now and everything is going great! I have gained 15lbs but it feels like so much more! Little Jack is still pretty active, I just can't wait to meet him! I am now going to the doctor every 2 weeks so that is very exciting for me! I remember thinking back in the beginning that when I started going every 2 weeks it would be close...I have somewhere around 10 weeks left but that now sounds longer to me! hahaha! I am probably one of the most impatient people on the planet, so this whole 40 week pregnancy is hard for me! Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying it thoroughly but I am so eager to have him here!

Ross 7th b-day

2009-08-16T17:25:00.006-05:00

We celebrated Ross' 7th birthday yesterday with an "army" themed party. He wore camo and had his face painted! Several friends joined us for some birthday party fun! The kids played outside in Ross' new fort that Derek built him for his birthday. The fort is really awesome and I am very proud of Derek and all his hard work! He didn't use a kit or anything...he is very talented! The fort is complete with a rockwall, trap door, and secret treasure chest that has a lock and key! Ross LOVES it! Rita made the most awesome cake ever! It was a tank shaped cake and it looked amazing and tasted just as great! We are so thankful for her talent b/c she makes all our cakes so very special! Ross starts first grade tomorrow at a new school. I can't believe summer is coming to an end but I am not complaining b/c I am SO looking forward to October!

Baby Shower

2009-08-10T22:15:00.010-05:00

My baby shower was this past weekend, Saturday August 8th. It was wonderful and I really enjoyed seeing friends and family! We got lots of great things and I am just more and more excited for baby boy to arrive! I still have 11 weeks so I am going to have to be patient! The shower was thrown by Cat, Miranda, Amber and Mindy and they did an awesome job of making it very special for me. Fun games and great food! Rita made the cake and it was perfect...of course! Oh and I guess I can announce baby boy's name now.......
Jack Connor Harris!!!!

Baby Furniture

2009-07-27T17:38:00.004-05:00

I am so excited b/c we got all of our furniture in this weekend! YAY! We (not me) put it together right away! The room is not ready at all but I had to see everything put together! Derek will be painting the room in mid August on his vacation (lucky him)! ;) Please excuse the mess in the background!! I have 13 weeks left (hopefully not longer)! Sometimes when I think about that, it seems like it is just around the corner and other times I feel like that is forever away!

This and That

2009-07-20T15:53:00.005-05:00

I don't have a real title for this post b/c it is mainly just some random things that have been going on lately. We picked up Ross from camp on Friday to start our summer vacation with him. We will have him for a month and it is by far the best month of every summer. We enjoy doing so many fun/memorable things together as a family. Derek's b-day is coming up this Friday (24th) he will be turning the BIG 2-9...that is right 29 years old, last year before the 30's start...hahaha...I like to tease him but he always reminds me that I am like 6 weeks behind him and that makes the teasing stop pretty quickly! ;) Little boy is still pretty active, we were excited to show Ross that my belly moves when he is kicking/punching or whatever in there. He thought it was pretty cool! We signed Ross up for a sibling class at the hospital where we will have the baby. He got to see a newborn baby and practice changing diapers/clothes on a doll. He watched a cartoon over how life will be with a newborn and the nurse explained about the baby's soft spot on their head and that they can't hold there head up on there own etc. He also got a big brother t-shirt, it was pretty neat and I think he enjoyed it. Here are a few random pics!

Ross on the boat

Relaxing in the sun!

Camp

Receiving his award for Passion at camp

Last swim lesson

My 26 weeks pics

25 Weeks

2009-07-12T22:16:00.003-05:00

Here is my 25 weeks pic

Bouncing Baby Boy

2009-07-09T08:34:00.002-05:00

I saw my belly move for the first time yesterday at work! A couple of co-workers saw it too and one was across the room from me. Baby Boy is pretty active! I told Derek about it and when I got home, we both stared at my belly waiting for him to make his move, sure enough, he started bouncing around and Derek got to see my belly move too! He asked me if he was trying to get out or something! We have a first name (I think), but I have said that before so who knows if it will change again. I will wait to announce it until we have a middle name. It is so hard to come up with a name, I never dreamed that it would be so difficult! Baby Boy also has an expanding wardrobe, I can't help but buy him clothes anytime I am somewhere that has baby clothes. We have ordered his crib, dresser and rocker glider and they all should be in around the end of this month and then we will begin working on the nursery. I can't wait to have his room all ready! Of course, I plan on him sleeping next to me in his bassinet for a while but I am still excited for him to have a room! Ross will be with us for summer break starting next weekend and I can't wait! We always have so much fun and enjoy every minute of summer with him! We will be celebrating his 7th birthday next month...I can't believe it! Seven years old!! He is growing so fast!

22 Weeks

2009-06-21T18:07:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to post my 22 week belly pic (one day early). We bought our nursery furniture today, it should be here in a couple of weeks. We also registered yesterday and that was a BEATING! I thought it was going to be so much fun, but I felt so overwhelmed! I didn't know what I needed or what brand/style was better. I have a couple of really great friends (Cat & Amber) who both have given me some great advice and I should have called them before I went! I can't wait to start decorating the nursery! Derek is going to paint the room when he is on vacation in August. Baby boy becomes very active every night when I am getting ready to go to sleep. I LOVE it! I don't care what time of day or night it is, I like feeling him move around!

He's moving!

2009-06-19T08:28:00.003-05:00

I have been feeling the baby move for about two or three weeks now. I was trying to fall asleep last night and baby boy was having a party! He was moving all around and even though I was tired and wanted to sleep, I was more than happy to stay awake just to feel him moving around. I love that! Derek has tried to feel him before but he never could, last night he put his hand on my tummy and he felt the baby! I am so excited! Derek was amazed at how well he could feel him! I think it was an early Father's Day present from our baby boy to his daddy! :) On another note, I have been feeling pretty good these days. I did have a little scare last week and Derek took me to the emergency room. I started having severe pain Wednesday on my way home from work. By the time I got home, I couldn't get comfortable no matter what I did. The pain was coming from my lower back on the right side and moving across my side to my stomach. I was concerned about the baby and worried about what was going on so off we went to the ER. They did bloodwork and monitored me for contractions, after several hours, they came to the conclusion that it was most likely a kidney stone. They sent me home and I was to go in to my OB the next morning to follow up with him. After I was home, I quickly learned that the only way I could be comfortable was to lay on my left side...so I spent the next several days doing just that. I went to a few dr's appointments and was sent to a Urologist as well. I had an ultrasound of my kidneys which showed fluid on my right kidney, which I was told could be caused from a kidney stone blocking the fluid from being drained or it could be from my uterus laying on the tube that drains from the kidney blocking the fluid, either way, there was nothing they could do for me. I was told that it most likely was being caused by my uterus and that it won't go away until I have the baby and most likely will get worse. I showed no other signs of a kidney stone except for the extreme pain and fluid on my kidney. The fact that laying on my left side relieves the pain is the number one indicator that it is not a stone. I went back to work on Wednesday and my boss has been really great. They have provided a place for me to lay down when I need to relieve the pressure. I was very concerned about sitting all day at my desk but it really hasn't been bad at all. I have had moments where I did lay down b/c I was starting to hurt but overall I am feeling so much better than I did last week! I am hoping that maybe things shifted around or that all that time laying on my left side help the fluid to drain off my kidney. We are going to register this weekend and try to find material for the bedding. My mom is going to make it for me! I am excited!

IT'S A BOY!!!!

2009-06-08T12:36:00.005-05:00

We are so excited to announce that we are having a precious baby boy!!! I am measuring right at 20 weeks and everything looks great! He was VERY active during the exam, punching, kicking and attempting somersaults!!! He covered his face with his hands and at one point, it looked like he was sucking his thumb! SO CUTE!! Ross went with us to the exam and his job was to call and announce to everyone the HAPPY news! Well, to our surprise, Ross was devastated with the news of a baby brother...he cried! We knew that he wanted a sister and we had talked to him about it and told him that we can't choose etc and he said he would be happy with a brother too but he just wanted a sister. We know he will be okay and excited by the time the baby is here but it was kind of funny to see him so upset about a brother!! The dr. told us that usually little boys are that upset if they are having a sister but not Ross, he had his mind set on a girl! We have a video of our little guy moving around and lots of pictures. Now we just need to start shopping!! We have picked out a name and I think we will probably stick with it but I want to think about it a little more before we officially announce it. I am so excited to be a mom to a little boy! They are so sweet! Ross is a great kid and I have had so much fun watching him grow and change over the years. I can't wait to meet our little guy!!

We have movement!!!

2009-06-05T09:08:00.001-05:00

I have felt little things that I thought could be the baby moving but I wasn't for sure until today! Every night this week, when I got up to go to the bathroom, I would be thinking about how much I wanted pancakes...but I didn't give into my craving until this morning. After I finished my pancakes, the baby started moving around like crazy! There is no doubt that is what I was feeling! It is so neat and exciting and I think it is kind of funny b/c the baby was so happy to finally get pancakes that he/she did a little dance! Only three more days until we see him/her again and find out (hopefully) what we are having!! I am almost at the half-way point! I can't wait to start buying stuff! After Monday, the SHOPPING begins!!!

17 Weeks

2009-05-22T20:49:00.004-05:00

It has been 5 weeks since my last post and not a whole lot has been going on! I am finally over all the sickness, just some occasional queasiness and a few aversions but I am doing SO much better. Everything started looking up about week 15 and it has just gotten better! I have not experienced this rush of energy that I keep hearing about in the 2nd trimester...as a matter of fact...I feel more tired than I did before! But no complaints, I am happy to trade the sickness for being tired! I am looking forward to a long weekend and sleeping lots! Tomorrow, my sister and I are going to a ladies retreat at my parents church. My mom is very excited to have us go with her and I think it will be a lot of fun! Sunday afternoon, Derek and I are going to visit Catherine and her family to celebrate Memorial Day. I am super excited about that, I haven't seen Cat since Christmas! I can't wait to see Makayla and how much she has grown! Ross has his Kindergarten graduation on Tuesday May 26th...I can't believe that he will be in 1st grade this Fall! We have our anatomy scan on June 8th and we will find out if we are having a boy or girl! We can't wait...only 2 more weeks! I am posting some belly pics, I am actually showing my belly now b/c the horrible rash that I had for 2 months is pretty much gone now! YEAH for that!

Why do they call it morning sickness?

2009-04-04T21:06:00.007-05:00

I haven't written in a while due to the fact that I have had HORRIBLE morning sickness (and when I say morning sickness....I mean ALL day sickness). I pretty much have been just trying to coast thru each day and keep down anything that I can! I finally got a little help from my doctor, he gave me phenegran gel that you rub into your wrist to help with the nausea/vomiting. It had gotten so bad that I wasn't even able to drink water or anything for that matter without getting sick. I haven't been sick since Tuesday!!!! YEAH!!! That is so amazing! I still have a lot of food aversions, one that makes me really sad is mexican food. I can't stand mexican food and that is just CRAZY! I use to be able to eat chips and salsa as a meal all by itself...now the thought makes my stomach turn. The good news is that after weeks of just being able to eat dry cereal, plain baked potatoes and drinking ensure (and that was difficult), I have been able to eat salad loaded down with veggies!!! I have to brag because this is big news for me! Ok, enough about the not so fun stuff!

I have been meaning to write this down for a while now and just now getting to it! When we told Ross the news, we talked about what he wanted, boy or girl and names. He told us that if the baby is a boy he wants to name him Ross because he has always wanted to be a twin!!! I thought that was hilarious! You know, twins always have the same name...that is what makes them twins right? He is so funny! Ross also keeps reminding me of all the things I can't do because I have a baby in my tummy. Like, he reminds that I can't wrestle, which makes me so sad b/c I love to wrestle! Just kidding, I really don't know why he said that but I thought it was funny. He also makes sure the dogs don't jump on my tummy. He is very protective of the belly! I wish I could remember all the things he has said, I will have to write them down sooner from now on!

I have taken a couple of pictures of my "bump". I lost about 6lbs b/c I have been so sick but I still feel huge! My stomach has definitely popped this week. I can't even suck it in! Derek took some pictures and you really can't see it as much in the pics but I promise it is there! My pants feel tighter too! I really am just posting these pics for memories so that I can look back at them.

Week 9

Week 10

I got to hear the heartbeat on Tuesday for the first time! Derek wasn't there b/c I went in to talk to the doc about the issues I was having with not being able to drink anything. I didn't know that I would get to hear the heartbeat but I was so happy that I did! I am sad that Derek didn't get to hear it but he was happy that I got to! The doctor said now that I am 10 weeks we will listen to the heartbeat at every apppointment. I am SO happy about that, especially because I went back in on Thursday for a follow up to make sure that I wasn't dehydrated anymore and I got to hear it again! It was 174bpm!! We go back on the 15th for my actual appointment and Derek will get to hear it!

Baby H

2009-03-17T20:46:00.003-05:00

I went to the Dr. today and got to see the heartbeat! We won't get to hear it until the second trimester but I got to see the baby and the heartbeat! I cried! It was amazing! My due date is 10-28-09 and my dr said that won't change. I am measuring very close to where we thought I would be. YEAH! So happy! The tech doing the sonogram said that our baby was being shy, hiding in the corner! I love that! Sweet little shy thing! :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-15T19:16:00.003-05:00

I know it is a little early but when you have something this special, you just can't wait to share!

Derek and I have been waiting on the perfect time to get Mindy and Ken back for the Cinco De Mayo prank of 2008. What better way to celebrate St. Patty's Day than to paint the toilet gold! We know this means they will be paying us back but it is so much fun!

*FYI* My sis, brother in law, Derek and I have on going pranks with each other. I don't remember who started it but we have been doing these things for years. The toilet has actually been a part of a few other pranks but it doesn't always involve a toilet.

Randomness

2009-02-23T20:26:00.002-06:00

Couldn't think of a title and I have been very scattered brained lately so randomness should fit for this post! I have already been having issues with my memory. I will constantly forget what I am talking about or something that I am doing! I didn't really think much of it but I mentioned it to a few others and they all said that it is part of it and I read it in my book...so I guess if it is already happening...it will only get worse! Another thing that I have noticed it that I am extremely emotional. I kept getting all teary eyed in church yesterday. I listen mostly to Christian music and I start getting all weepy at almost every song on the radio. It is crazy! Poor Derek! ;) But, I have to say that I love it! I am so happy to be a forget/emotional mess! We told Ross the news and he was SO excited! I bought him a calendar and put a heart around the due date and I got some crayola pencils and he colors in each day to mark progress. I thought it might help with trying to explain how long we have until the baby is here. He has already expressed that he wants a little brother but he would be happy with a sister too. He just wants to be able to wrestle with a little brother. He will be so disappointed that the baby won't come out ready to wrestle! ha! He has been very attentive to me...the other night he brought me my vitamins and a glass of water...I had already taken them that morning but I didn't want to disappoint him so I pretended to take them. He brings me blankets and keeps heating up rice bags for my feet, I don't ask him for these things he just does them! It is the cutest/sweetest thing ever! We knew he would be happy, he has been talking about having a little brother or sister for a long time. Well, I guess that is all for now...that is all I can remember anyway!

Happy Annivesary

2009-02-18T20:07:00.004-06:00

Today is mine and Derek's 3yr. wedding anniversary as well as our 4yr. anniversary as a couple. We had our first date 4 years ago today, four days after he sent me 2 dozen roses for Valentine's Day anonymously. We didn't know each other but, I worked at a bank inside of a Brookshire's that he worked for at the time. I saw him a few times when he came to the bank to cash a check or something, other than that, we had never really spoken to one another. He learned from a mutual friend that I was single and that is when he decided to send me roses on Valentine's Day and being the shy guy that he is....the card said "You're Gorgeous" and that's it, no name!!! After calling everyone that I could possibly think of that might have sent me flowers, I just figured they were from some creepy man that came to the bank. Three days after Valentine's, I received another rose at work, but this time, the card had a name! He called me at work later that day and asked me out to dinner the next night which was February 18th 2005. I actually already had a date with a guy for that night, but I decided to cancel that date and go out with Derek. I am so very glad that I did, from that day on we were inseparable. I know it sounds corny, but, I knew he was different from the very first date. I can't say that I knew I would marry him, but I knew that he was special. We got engaged just a few months after we started dating and got married exactly one year after our first date.

I haven't written in a month and I have had a lot going on but I will leave out all the minor details and get to the good stuff! I am PREGNANT! It is actually a funny story as to how I found out I was pregnant. Derek and I went to a Stars game on Friday night with his boss and some other co-workers. I had never been to a game and it was a lot of fun! Coca-Cola has a suite and we got to watch the game from there. Anyways, back to my story...I started feeling bad Friday night. I felt really tired and I really wasn't hungry. Saturday rolls around and of course, it is Valentines Day, we decided to stay in and cook a meal together. We made ribeye's, salad, pototoes...well I just didn't feel like eating. I picked at my food and gave up. I was thinking I was coming down with something, maybe a stomach virus. On Sunday, I knew I was sick. I called the lady in charge of the Sunday school groups and told her I couldn't make it in to teach because I wasn't feeling good. And that is when it started...I was so sick the rest of the day. I threw up a few times and I couldn't eat or drink anything. My stomach was so nauseous. I went to a clinic here in Lindale late Sunday afternoon and the dr prescribed me phenagren and told me I had a virus and it would just have to pass. I didn't have a temperature but I knew I must be sick. I called in to work on Monday and Tuesday. I didn't want to eat anything but I hadn't thrown up since Sunday. Finally on Tuesday after I called in to work, I began thinking that maybe I should take a test since usually these little 'bugs' only last like 24 hrs and I had been sick for several days now. Well, I took the test and went about my business and walked by a few minutes later to look at the test and I just casually glanced and was stopped dead in my tracks...it said "PREGNANT"!! I have taken this same test many times before and there are always two words, "NOT PREGNANT" so when I saw just one word on the screen I about flipped out! I called Derek immediately and told him. We are both so happy. We already told our families and most of our friends. It is just too hard not to! I wasn't going to tell anyone at work yet, but everyone kept asking if I was better from my virus and asking me questions about what I had etc and I am just not good at lying or pretending...so I told! :) I am 4 weeks according to my dr based on my last period. My first appt is March 19th and my estimated due date is 10-29-09! Please keep us in your prayers!

Prayers needed

2009-01-18T22:08:00.005-06:00

I have been reading Kelly's blog for about 10 months...right before she found out she was pregnant. I feel like I know her and that we are friends, I know all of you bloggers out there can relate! I know so many people already know of her story but if not, go here to read about it and most importantly, pray for all of them to find healing and comfort in this difficult time.

Pray for our children

2009-01-16T06:00:00.005-06:00

I love reading other blogs and I have many that I "stalk"...meaning I do not know the person at all but have found their blog and love it! So, I wanted to share one that I read that I thought others may be interested in too. There is a woman named Kelly over at Kelly's Korner who is about to have her first child, a little girl. She and her husband had tried for many years before being blessed with this miracle. Although, she had many struggles, she never let her faith waiver. That is why I love reading her blog, she is so inspiring. But, the post that I want to share is actually not on her blog. It is on her mothers blog, which you can go to here. She is a godly woman who is also an inspiration (so is her husband - they both have blogs). She recently posted about praying for your children. So, I printed it out and thought it would be nice to add to my prayers for Ross, any future children (you can never start praying for them too soon - even if they don't exist yet!) and children that I know. I think it is amazing what God can do through prayer. Just wanted to share this with anyone who might find this helpful in their lives!

Walking the dogs

2009-01-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Actually I should title this carrying the dogs. We take Andy for walks almost every evening. Charlie does not have a leash yet and he is still so small, so we don't take him. We felt bad for leaving him the other night, so I decided to carry him and Derek could 'handle' Andy. Andy is NOT an easy dog to walk! He pulls away from you and tries to run off every time the wind blows! He barks at EVERYTHING, this includes people in their own yards, minding their business...he just starts going crazy barking at them. He runs in between and around Derek and I, so we are constantly switching sides and handing off the leash to one another. I am sure it is like watching a circus when we are out there! Oh and don't even get me started on cats, he loathes cats!! They don't like him either, I have seen him get his tail-end kicked several times by some sweet/innocent looking neighborhood cats! It is so embarrassing. We actually try to only walk him after dark since he makes such a scene. On this particular evening, we had both dogs and I am carrying Charlie and Andy got all worked up at someone that came out side, when he took off 'screaming' (that is what his bark sounds like to me) :) he must have pulled something or sprained something because he yelped and started limping. So, Derek, being the softie that he is...picks up Andy and carries him the rest of the way. I know we must have looked pretty strange carrying two dogs around the neighborhood but really, what did we expect??? We NEVER have a normal, peaceful outing with Andy! Ha! I say all of this in good fun, I love that dog and he is my baby! That said, he still can drive me nuts! I just had to get a picture of us when we got back from "walking the dogs".

Such a sweet blessing

2009-01-14T08:00:00.001-06:00

I want to share an experience that I never want to forget. I want to remember this always, it was one of those moments where you wish it was possible to record it or take mental pictures and write every single word down. On Christmas Day, after all the presents, food and spending time with loved ones...we had one more special 'gift' waiting for us. Derek always reads the Bible to Ross at bedtime, he listens very intently and understands so much. It is a children's Bible and he loves it. After they read, Ross prays and then lights out. I have been wanting to try to encourage Ross to add to his prayers but without telling him exactly what to say because I want it to be from him. His usual prayer is "Bless momma, daddy, Stacey, Granny" and so on. I suggested that he add something about being thankful for all that God has done for him, you know, blessings. Little did I know that this would start a conversation with him that was so special to Derek and me. Ross was so overcome with emotion about God's love that he was on the verge of crying. He just kept saying how thankful and happy he was that God loved him so much and did so much for him. He would start to talk and just cover his mouth with his little hand because he was about to cry. He knows that Jesus died for him. He went on to talk about how he had been sad about his fish dying but he knew that God took them and that He knows what is best, so that was ok. I wish I could write every thing he said down but the truth is I can't remember all of it. I do remember the feeling of pure joy at seeing this 6 year old boy LOVE God so much. Nothing could have been a greater gift to us than to hear someone so little profess their faith! It was amazing. After we left his room, I cried, I didn't want him to think something was wrong so I didn't want to break down in front of him. But, I cried because I was so happy for him. I know how I feel to know God loves me and I am SO thankful that Ross feels that too.

I can't beleive how much he has changed! I almost cry looking at the picture of me and him with the fish...his little chubby face and the expression he has! I love it!

New Year's Eve

2009-01-13T14:00:00.000-06:00

New Year's Eve was a very low-key night for us. We went to Mindy and Ken's to eat dinner and play games. It was a lot of fun! I was surprised that we made it to midnight, we have never stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve. We were very proud of ourselves for making it! Here are a few pics from that night. Of course Shae is in every one of them, just can't get enough of her! Oh and excuse my mis-matched clothes...I borrowed some of Mindy's pajama pants for the evening. I should have known to just wear my pj's over there but I thought I would attempt to look like we had plans!

It's about time!

2009-01-12T20:50:00.005-06:00

So, I haven't updated this in a while! I need to catch up on Christmas, New Years and anything else that has happened...if I can remember it all! Christmas seems so long ago! It is crazy how that happens. Well, I will just start off by saying that we had a wonderful Christmas, it was nice to be with family. We all got a lot of goodies so that is always nice as well! I got a new camera which I am totally excited about, I did not know that Derek was going to get me one. I have dropped subtle hints here and there, you know, "I want a new camera" those kind of hints...ha! I guess he got the point! Ross got so many things, toys, books, clothes, a scooter and very cool tri-bot. He was a very good boy this year! Santa must have really liked the cookies, milk, stick of beef jerky and coffee that Ross left for him and the reindeer must have really appreciated the carrots and water. Ross just knew that Santa would need coffee to keep him awake and warm. He also thought that he might enjoy a little beef jerky since he was having so many sweets already! Derek got a new Bible that he wanted and a new pillow - that doesn't sound like anything cool but really it is a nice pillow, it is a tempurpedic pillow. We both got little things too, but those were our 'big' presents to each other.

Winter Wonderland

2008-12-21T15:47:00.008-06:00

On Saturday we went to see Ice at the Gaylord in Grapevine. Derek almost bought the tickets online the night before but he decided not to at the last minute. As we were walking up to purchase our tickets, we saw an incredibly long line of people ahead of us and then out of nowhere this man walks by and asks us if we need tickets. I said yes and he handed me 3 tickets...FREE! We were so excited, not only because it was free but that meant we didn't have to wait in line. The tickets he gave us were special tickets that were good for any of the times. WOW! It couldn't have worked out better for us! I did feel a little bad for all the people who had to wait, but it was so nice to skip that part! The ice exhibit was neat! Ross really enjoyed it even though it was FREEZING in there! We also went down the ice slide, so much fun! By the end, I felt like my face was frozen, it felt really tight when I was trying to smile or talk! After looking at all the ice sculptures, we walked around the Gaylord and saw many other exciting things...Santa, a balloon artist, toy shop, and a real gingerbread house. The whole experience was amazing! Then we headed over to Grapevine Mills to do some shopping! We went to the Rainforest Cafe and Ross got to make his very own stuffed animal. We have made a build a bear before but this one has a sound added to it...so exciting...especially when it went off during church! HA! Got to love those moments! :) The rest of the weekend was filled with hanging around the house and a Christmas party with the Kingdom Kidz group at church. Kingdom Kidz is the children's ministry and I teach Kindergarten every other Sunday. The party was a lot of fun. We are all excited at the Harris house for Christmas! We are getting our cookies ready for Santa and carrots for the reindeer! Hope everyone has Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pictures

2008-12-15T09:07:00.005-06:00

We took our family Christmas pictures a little over a week ago and here they are! I am very pleased with the way they turned out!

New addition to the family!

2008-12-07T14:24:00.010-06:00

I am so excited to introduce the newest member of the Harris family...Charlie!

He is a cute/sweet puppy that we got from the Humane Society this weekend. He is a chi-winnie like Andy. He is too precious! The whole family fell in love with him...except Andy. Andy was leary from the moment he came in the door. I have to say that it TOTALLY surprised me because everytime we take Andy anywhere and there are other dogs, he LOVES them! They usually don't like him because he is so playful. I guess because this dog is in his house, he does not like him. He growls at him and has tried to bite him a few times!! The puppy, of course, keeps trying to play with Andy. Today has been a little better, I think he will get use to him eventually.

Derek and Ross making a gingerbread house.

We took family picuturs this weekend and I can't wait to see them! My long time friends, Miranda and Michelle do photography as a hobby and they do such a great job! They are also so very sweet! I am glad I got to see them, even if it was only for a short time. After the pictures, we met up with another childhood friend of mine, Catherine and her daughter Makayla to eat dinner at Tamollys in Greenville. Sadly, I did not take any pictures! Makayla is so precious! She is a living doll! It was great to see such wonderful friends! I hope we can all get together again soon!

The fam playing horseshoes at Thanksgiving:

Not sure what the funny face is all about :)

Derek showing off his skills!

Clay and colton

CJ, Derek and Clay

Dad and Miss Shae

I hope to not go such a long time without posting again, we have been SO busy though! Derek and I started taking dance lessons on Monday nights. I have a women's Bible study that I am involved in and Derek and I are about to do a couples one with my sister and her husband. I should have lots to post...if I have time!

Dancing with the Stars

2008-10-21T21:27:00.004-05:00

Ok, I love this show. I have been hooked on it for 3 seasons now! I so wish that I could dance like all the girls on the show! Every season I find one or two people that I really want to win. Yes, I even get online and vote for them! This time around, I am leaning towards Warren Sapp and Cody (the youngest competitor on the show). However, I am very disappointed in the fact that Chloris Leacheman is still on the show!!! Seriously, it was funny the first week or two and she is entertaining (when she isn't droppping the f-bomb on tv) but it is time for her to go!!! It is wonderful and all that she is 82 and doing this, blah blah blah, but she can't dance! I know I sound mean, but really, I just don't get it! If she wins this season...I am done! (maybe not, I do really love the show!) :)

I have the best husband in the world!

2008-10-20T22:03:00.012-05:00

I came home from work today to a wonderful surprise!

Derek planned a scavenger hunt for me! It was so much fun! I ran all over Lindale finding clues.

I almost didn't make it in time to get this clue...it was blowing away when I got there!

I took pictures of some of the clues but didn't have time to get them all! I loved that each one of them was either something funny or a special memory between us! He did this for my 26th birthday as well. That time, I had to go all over Tyler wearing a crown! I went in several stores and even had to ask for some of my clues! This time I had to go in stores but I didn't have to wear a crown! The final clue tonight led me to Chili's where we ate dinner. It was such a fun way to end the day!

Update on Shae

2008-10-17T21:27:00.009-05:00

The surgery went well and Shae is doing great! She was very sleepy the first couple of days after the surgery but is starting to get back to her old self again! We are watching her tonight so that Mindy and Ken could go see Fireproof. She has been singing, saying her abc's and counting (english & spanish) all night. We took a walk in the neighborhood too and she had a blast! I made stew for dinner and she loved it! Derek and Ross just left to pick up Lauren, she is spending the night and going to the State Fair with us tomorrow. Ross is really excited, he loves to have sleepovers! I finally bought his halloween costume tonight - he FINALLY decided on one! He is going to be the Hulk, he got the Hulk gloves for his birthday...so that will really just make his costume complete. Ross was so excited when he saw it that he wanted to try it on, so we let him wear it to pick up Lauren!

Shae before the 'funny juice'

Shae after the 'funny juice'

After the surgery

Shae ate all her stew...so Aunt Tae Tae gave her a cookie!

Look who's walking!

2008-10-12T15:10:00.007-05:00

Mindy, Ken, Shae, mom and dad came over for dinner last night (Derek cooked and it was delicious!). As usual, we all sat around watching Shae...she is so captivating. We, literally sit around and just watch her every move. She is so funny! Well, Mindy and Ken had a big surprise for us...Shae is now walking!!! She does hold on to mom and dad's hands but she is still walking! It is amazing to see how much she has changed and progressed since we first saw her. She was born with a tumor on her brain...actually the doctors said she didn't have a brain. They said she would only live 2 weeks and that what brain she did have was mush. Now, we all know that is not true, but if you look at her MRI from when she was born...you can see nothing but the tumor and a very tiny tiny portion of brain. So, we understand why the doctors said what they did, but, they are just doctors - God is the only one who can decide how much of a life this child would have. Because she had such a large tumor, her head was deformed and quite large. She could not hold her head up on her own. The weight of it was too much for her, so for much of her life she could only lay down. After 2 surgeries to deflate the tumor (they can't remove it) and to reshape her head and make it smaller, Shae was able to start sitting up on her own. She was able to lift her head on her own!!! These are such amazing things that we take for granted!! Everything she does is amazing because, it was once thought that she wouldn't even live and look at her now! She is living! She is learning! She is doing everything any other child can do. Now, she is walking!! Every person that meets her falls completely in love with her, she is so charming. I could go on and on about this child, she is a gift from God and we are so blessed to have her in our lives. I feel privileged that He chose our family to care for her. Mindy and Ken are so amazing and have done so much with her. She could not be in better hands or in a more loving home.

Here is a video of her walking (please ignore my horrible voice...)

Fireproof

2008-10-11T13:14:00.004-05:00

Derek and I went to see Fireproof last night. It was a REALLY good movie and we both loved it! I really like Kirk Cameron and not in the way that I liked him when he was on Growing Pains! I respect him as a christian man, someone who doesn't fall into the hype of Hollywood, someone who doesn't lose who is he really is...actually someone who uses his talents to reach out to others and bring them to the Lord. I really admire him. I saw an interview with him recently and he talked about how he won't kiss another woman, in a movie, other than his wife. So, in this movie, when he kisses his on-screen wife...it is actually his real life wife who stepped in as a body double! I LOVE that! I hope he does more movies!

Tonight we are having my parents, sister and brother in law over for dinner. Derek wanted to make something for them since they are leaving tomorrow to prepare for Shae's surgery. He won't tell me what he is making but I know it will be yummy so I can't wait!

Tomorrow after church we are all going to Dallas to eat at PF Changs. (I know...we are really asking for another disaster,right?) :) We are going to stay the night so we can all be there for Shae's surgery on Monday morning.

Have a good weekend and if you get a change, go see Fireproof!

Prayer Request

2008-10-08T08:55:00.002-05:00

Shae, my niece, is having another surgery on Monday October 13th. This surgery will not be as extensive as the previous two surgeries but still we ask that you keep her in your prayers. She is an amazing little girl that has overcome so many obstacles and continues to keep us in awe of her progress. I believe that she is a gift from God. She has touched each one of us and changed our hearts and lives for the better. I will update after her surgery to let everyone know how she is doing.

Also, please keep my Grandpa in your prayers. He has struggled many years with his health but has done amazingly well given his circumstances. He is not doing good right now, his kidney function has decreased significantly more than it should for his age. Right now, it is looking like he may have to go on dialysis. Please remember my Grandpa (Joe) and my niece (Shae) in your prayers! Thanks so much!

October already!!!

2008-10-07T20:45:00.021-05:00

Oh my, time is flying by so fast! I have so much to catch up on. I really don't like to just do one huge post but I am so far behind!

A couple of weeks ago, Derek and I woke up to a surprise at our door. It was about 6am and Derek was about to leave for work when he came and woke me up to ask me why we had balloons all over our front door. I was half asleep and not sure what on earth he was talking about...but sure enough...all you could see out of the glass on the front door was balloons. So, I opened the door and they flooded the entry way. Someone had put saran wrap on our door frame and stuffed that area with all different shapes, sizes and colors of balloons. Whoever did this...spent a lot of time blowing up balloons. They also put them all over our garage door. Oh, and they covered our mailbox with saran wrap! We, of course, thought it was Mindy and Ken (my sister and her husband) because we have an ongoing 'prank battle' with them. And sometimes with my parents too. So, we were sure it was one of them that did it. Well, they wouldn't fess up to it and that is not the norm...none of us are good at keeping secrets so the prank never lasts long! So, we assumed it must be some clown gang or something...just kidding! But, it did make us kind of paranoid b/c someone was at our house in the middle of the night while we slept doing all of this and we never knew it! Our dog, who barks at his own shadow didn't even hear it! Well, after 2 weeks, we finally get a call and the prankster comes clean...it was Derek's sister! So, we have been plotting our revenge. This is getting a little out of hand though...it was just my family and now his is in on it too! I didn't get a picture of all of the balloons at the door but I did get a few of the garage and yard.

We also celebrated my dad's 61st birthday! Mindy and I made him a wonderful dinner. I made meatloaf and Mindy made all the sides. My mom made my dad's favorite desert, lemon pie. We had a great time eating and visiting.
Dad playing with Shae

Mindy and Ken cooking

We went shopping for Ross' halloween costume and we still haven't been able to get him to pick just one! But, we did find Andy a cute little angel costume. What do you think? He looks just like an angel right???

He looks a little possessed!! Oh, and excuse Derek in his boxers, this pic is too funny not to post!

We went to a pumpkin patch on Saturday. It was so much fun! They had a hayride, games, pumpkin decorating, treasure hunts and more! Mindy, Ken and Shae went with us and Shae LOVED the hayride! Ross really enjoyed the treasure hunt and getting to pick out and decorate his pumpkin.

Ross and his pumpkin

Shae and her pumpkin

On our treasure hunt!

Oh and I made HOMEMADE sourdough bread...that is right HOMEMADE!!! I am shocked and proud of myself! I had help from my sister, she gave me the sourdough starter and buttermilk starter but, I 'fed' them and made the bread all by myself! Well, Derek did have to help a little b/c my arms were so tired after 15 mintues of kneading the dough!
Here is the proof:

And who can cook without making a huge mess...right? Or is that just me???

I'm period.

2008-09-21T13:57:00.007-05:00

You might be wondering what I mean by my title. Well, this is Ross' new saying. I'm period. He says it like you would say, I'm serious or I mean it. It totally cracks Derek and me up! It is really funny to hear him say it...he is totally serious! "I'm period."

Today was my first day to teach the kindergarten class at church. Ross was with me of course and he was so excited that I was going to be his teacher. He sat by me the whole time with his hand on my leg...I think to let the other kids know that I was with him! He even told one little boy that he was going home with me! I felt popular! :) I enjoyed teaching the class. There was of course that one kid who did not want to listen to me or do anything that I said but that is ok. I am not there to raise someone else's child...just hopefully teach them something about God. I even saw one of my kids outside in the auditorium and she pointed me out to her mom...it made me feel good. That must be how teacher's feel when they see their students outside of school. Speaking of teachers, Ross' kindergarten teacher attends our church now and he was so excited to see her today.

There was a lady at church today who gave a testimony about the womens retreat she was at this weekend. What she said hit so close to home with me. She talked about how we are always in a hurry and how we don't really listen to God and what he is trying to tell us or show us. This is so true of me...I am in a hurry constantly - even when I am not late. I rush to work in the mornings...watch the clock all day until 5pm...rush home...rush around my house making dinner and cleaning and then to bed and back to the same thing again the next day. I have noticed this about myself recently...I always feel I am in a hurry even when I have no particular place to be. I want to slow down and enjoy things more and also stop and listen to God. I want to stop trying to be the one in charge and let Him take over.

Update on Andy: He seems to be fine but I am extra cautious of him now...constantly watching him and asking Derek if he seems ok. I just feel so bad about what happened to him. He has been getting extra lovin's though, so I am sure he is fine with that!

I may never get to eat a lettuce wrap again....

2008-09-20T15:08:00.012-05:00

Today was suppose to be the day that we were going to Dallas to eat at PF Changs. This is our third attempt to do this. The first time my appendix prevented us from going, the second time it was hurricane Ike and today was probably the scariest of all of them. We were all getting ready to leave...I had just gotten out of the shower and got dressed...Ross was doing his usual - playing mario. Derek was fixing us lunch. Andy (our dog) started acting really weird. His back legs were spread out and they were trying to run. His front legs were still...he was confused and we were too. We weren't sure what he was doing - so Derek opened the back door to let him out in case he needed to go to the bathroom. He immediately laid down on his side and we could tell that something wasn't right. So we decided to take him to the vet. While I was looking up the number to our vet, Derek put him in his kennel. That is when it turned bad. He started convulsing so bad that his kennel came apart...not just the door but the whole thing! I of course was crying hysterically and Derek was trying to put the kennel back together and get him back in it. We both thought that he was dying and we were completely shocked because minutes before he was fine. Derek got him back in the kennel and I told him to just go to the vet and I would be behind him with Ross. The problem is that our vet was closed - luckily Mindy and Ken have had to take their dogs to the emergency vet before so we called them and they told us where to go...it was in Tyler - 30 mintues away. I got Ross and got out the door minutes after Derek left. I called Derek a few times on the way to check on Andy. He was fine at this point...just laying down in his kennel. Long story short, the vet said it was an epileptic seizure and that this may or may not be his first one. He is fine now. It was completely scary and I hope that it never happens again. The vet said he may never have one again or he may have more. Good news is that it doesn't hurt him...it is just scary for him and us. So we postponed our trip to PF Changs again and at this point I am not sure I want to go now! I am just so very thankful that he is ok. I prayed the whole way to the vet for him to be ok...I love him and he is like our baby. We are making a trip to the store later to buy him some of his favorite toys (which he will demolish in the matter of minutes). :)

Now that we know that he is ok, I have to share something funny. Ross was with us during this whole ordeal and suprisingly didn't freak out at all but he did tell Derek afterwards that his tummy hurt when Andy was having his seizure. He actually made me laugh while I was bawling my eyes out in the car. It was just me and him in my car and Derek was ahead of us. Let me rewind to when we left...Ross has this new thing with not wearing a shirt at home. He loves to sleep without one and even hang around the house playing mario without his shirt. And no, Derek does not do this (except for he sleeps without one) so we don't know where he gets this but anyways...Ross was not wearing a shirt. I knew this when we left but I didn't care. I had just gotten out of the shower and had soaking wet hair and no makeup...actually a bright red face from crying. We were over half way to the vet's office when I heard this gasp from the backseat. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw him shaking his head and looking at his stomach! I laughed and asked him if he just now realized he didn't have a shirt on...and he said YES! He immediately grabs my visor off the floorboard and covers up. He sees a cop ahead at a gas station and he says to me, "Is this appropriate?", I said "what? Do you mean you not wearing a shirt?" and he said "yes"...I told him that we really shouln't go out in public without a shirt but that it was ok b/c he is a boy. He then said, "So, I won't get a ticket!!!" He wasn't trying to be funny either...he was sincerely worried! Oh my gosh...I laughed so hard...I was crying too but he can make me laugh while I am in pain (read my post about the hospital) and he can make me laugh when I am incredibly sad and worried. I love that kid!

The BIG 2-8

2008-09-07T22:13:00.004-05:00

Yep...I am 28 now! Actually as of Friday Sept. 5th! We didn't do much because I was/am still not feeling great from the surgery. We did eat at Olive Garden with Mindy and Ken but that is all I could do! I was completely exhausted from just going to eat! The good news is it gets better everyday! I am totally excited though b/c now I get to celebrate my birthday again...we are going to go back to Dallas soon so I can go to PF Changs and my friend Amber called me today and told me that she is taking me to get a pedicure at the spa here in Lindale! So...I still have some fun things to look forward to! My toes are so happy! I haven't had a pedicure since Mother's Day! Derek's gift was the best of all...he hired a maid to come clean our house!!! :) After being home not feeling well for a week...the house was in major need of some cleaning! I didn't have to do a thing!!! My parents bought me some new makeup...which I love! Ross' 'idea' for a gift for me was the best though...he just knew that I would want the Hannah Montana wig that he saw at the mall! lol...too funny! He is always wanting to get me princess stuff or little girl toys etc...I think he thinks that I am a big kid! I LOVE it! He told Derek that my hair is dark like Miley Cyrus and that all I need is the Hannah Montana wig! That boy is a mess!

I am disappointed in myself...

2008-09-07T22:11:00.003-05:00

Ugh...I just finished watching the VMA's....WHY??? I don't really know! I feel like I need to take a shower and wash the disgust off myself! I guess I am old now and I am GREAT with that!

Time to catch up!

2008-09-06T15:05:00.001-05:00

Man, I have been bad about blogging! We have been super super busy around here and I just haven't put any time aside to sit down and blog! So, I am going to post a few different blogs to catch up instead of one ginormous :) blog! They are below this blog!

Rockin' good time!

2008-09-06T13:50:00.004-05:00

We have had so much fun with Rock Band! I love the Wii! We have had several people over to play it with us! Here are some random pics of a Rockin' good time! :) I know I am completely cheesy!

Dallas Weekend Part 2

2008-09-06T13:49:00.011-05:00

After we left the Dallas World Aquarium, we headed to the Sheraton to check in and freshen up and then we were off to Ripley's Believe It or Not! I haven't been there since I was a kid. This was Derek and Ross' first time to go there. They also have a mirror maze which was a lot of fun! We also had wax hands made. Ross had his made in the spiderman web pose. Derek and I held hands and had ours made...I know we are totally sappy! After Ripley's we were suppose to head over to PF Changs...MY FAVORITE! I LOVE the lettuce wraps there...oh my mouth is watering just thinking of them! But, as luck would have it...we didn't get to go! As we were leaving Ripleys I had this excruciating pain in my stomach, started out like a cramp. It caught me off guard because I felt totally fine before that happened. I started feeling nauseous and just not very good at all. We were walking to the car and I told Derek that I wanted to go back to the hotel and lay down before dinner. We got in the car and the pain moved to my right side and it hurt to sit up so I had to lay back in the car. Derek told me that we should go to the hospital but I DID NOT want to go...we were suppose to be having a fun weekend and I was SUPPOSE to get my PF Changs ~ which I had been dreaming of for weeks! I told him to just take me to the hotel. We got there and I tried to get out of the car and I couldn't stand up...I let out a yelp like dog that had just been kicked. I started crying, the pain was SO BAD! I asked Derek which side the appendix was on and we both thought it was the left. I thought that maybe I had food poisoning. Since I couldn't get out of the car, we decided to head to the hospital. Derek went inside and asked for directions to Baylor. The pain would come and go at this point and on the way there, it was bearable and I told him to go back to the hotel b/c I REALLY did not want to go to the hospital. So, we turned around and went back to the hotel...I managed to make it to our room...barely able to walk. I tried to lay down, but I just was miserable. So, off we go again! lol ~ We get to the hospital and they put us in the waiting room - where you guessed it...the pain subsided again. I was about to leave but Derek said we should stay since we had already checked in. Well, it wasn't long before I was in pain non-stop! They took me to a room and a nice doctor came in and looked me over and asked me a few questions and said, "I suspect your appendix." I said, "No, it is on your left side" He lauged at me :) and said no. I didn't want it to be my appendix b/c I didn't want to have surgery. Well, this was around 8pm Saturday night. After several tests and several dr's and nurses in and out and some pain meds...they took me into surgery at about 4am on Sunday morning. Derek, Ross and I had not slept a wink! Poor Ross, I felt so bad for him but we did have his gameboy with us and that kept him entertained for hours! He had bloodshot eyes by the time they were taking me into surgery! He did so well though...he didn't complain at all. Actually he made me laugh a lot! Which was extremely painful! He is such a little character. He told me, "Don't worry, you aren't going to throwup" ~ like that is the worst thing that could happen! Then he told me "You will be fine, you will be ok, I mean, I don't know if you will be ok or not" I had refused the pain meds for a while b/c I wanted to be completely alert for the diagnosis. At one point I couldn't take it anymore and I was crying and had paged the nurse and she hadn't come yet...I was just rambling about how I needed pain meds and I heard Ross whisper "It is your only hope to live." Through all that pain, he could still make me laugh! I love that boy! Anyways, so we never actually got to stay at the Sheraton...our luggage had a nice stay there. But, we got to stay at the The Bay~lor...I hope we never go back! So, I had my appendix removed and have been at home all week recovering. It stinks! I still don't feel good. I have been told by several people that had theirs removed and the dr's that it would be about two weeks before I felt good again! Ugh! Well, 7 1/2 days to go! Here are some of the pics of Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Dallas Weekend part 1

2008-09-06T12:49:00.027-05:00

We had been planning on going to Schlitterbahn the last weekend of August, but Derek and I just really didn't feel like making the trip b/c we would have to go there on Friday night after work and return early on Sunday. So, after some bribing...we convinced Ross that Dallas would be a fun place to go (he would get to go to KB toys and pick out whatever he wanted). Derek booked the hotels and I had no idea where we where staying but I was really excited to find out that we were going to stay one night at the Hyatt Regency Dallas...you know that tall building with the ball on top that rotates! I am such a big kid...I know! Derek knows how much I love to stay at nice hotels so he booked the Sheraton in downtown Dallas for Saturday night. Good job Tink! ;)

We arrived Friday evening and we didn't do much...just explored the hotel and played in the room.

Ross loved the decorative ball pillows...Derek and Ross had some fun pillow fights!

When there are multiple elevators, we always guess which one is going to open

On Saturday we headed to the Dallas World Aquarium - which was TOTALLY awesome! Ross was really excited to see the feeding of the sharks! We ate at a mexican restuarant there and it was delicous! I can't wait to go back! We stopped at some memorial place downtown and took some pictures.

Miss Shae Shae

2008-09-06T12:27:00.015-05:00

OOHHH I LOVE this little girl! I just can't get enough of her! Sweetest baby in the world! My whole family is head over heels in love with her! Actually anyone who meets her falls for her...she is beautiful, charming, sweet, funny...I could go on and on! I plan on doing a much more in depth post of her in the future, explaining how blessed we are to have her as part of our family. Anyway, every chance we get...we go see her or have her over here! We are lucky because we live 2 minutes away from her so we get to see her often! I have some random pics of her from the summer. Enjoy!

Shae scooting all over my house!

Aunt Tae Tae and Miss Shae

Shae enjoying Uncle Tink's favorite 'pia' from Papa Murphy's

Shae and Momma singing

Aunt Tae Tae and Shae playing

Pa and his baby girl

Luke putting the moves on Shae.... :)

Chillin' with Uncle Tink

Getting her weekly exercise

Triple the fun...

2008-09-06T12:17:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago, we went to Mindy and Ken's to have dinner. My cousin Brian and his wife Melissa and their triplets, Allie, Jakob and Jaxson also came over. They are such sweet kids and Miss Shae sure did enjoy their company! It was funny to see Ross with all the kids...he always seems so small to us until you put him next to a two year old...he looked like a giant! I have a few pics!

Ross' 6th b-day party

2008-08-09T22:18:00.011-05:00

We had Ross' 6th b-day party today at the house. It was absolutely wonderful! A lot of kids showed up (and I am so very thankful). It was a Mario themed party. Ross is really into Mario right now! We have the old (like 1980 something) version of the nintendo and it still works and he loves to play it! He also has a gameboy with Mario too! Now, he has MarioKart for the Wii. Anyways, Rita, Ross' grandma made the cake and it was so PERFECT!

The detail on the cake is just amazing...we are so thankful to have someone as talented as Derek's mom to make cakes! She really is amazing!

We of course had cake, presents, pin the tail on the donkey and a pinata. Someone (me) forgot to get out the blindfold for the pinata...so...needless to say, only two kids got to hit it b/c it burst open very soon! I felt so bad! They were great though and were just happy to all get some of the goodies out of it! I did learn two very important things today...don't forget the blindfold for the pinata and look through the filler for the pinata beforehand and take out all the noise makers! lol..I am just kidding! The kids loved them, but man...it was LOUD! Ross got some really great presents but the best part was all the family and friends that came to celebrate with us! That was my worst fear...that no kids would show up. It was a success! Ross had a great party! Thanks to everyone who came! Here are a few pics!

Extreme Blog Makeover

2008-08-08T08:34:00.003-05:00

I am so excited that my blog has a beautiful new look! Blogging will be so much more fun for me now that I LOVE my page! I can not take credit for this new look though...Jennifer from the blog Keeping up with Landry is the very talented person who made my blog look so pretty! Anyone who is interested in having their blog made over please visit her blog here. Jennifer is participating in a 3 day 60 mile walk for breast cancer and if you donate to her account, she will make your blog pretty too! If you are not in need of a blog makeover...donate anyway b/c it is for a great cause! Thank you Jennifer!

Time flies when you're having fun!

2008-08-04T21:58:00.014-05:00

I can hardly believe that Ross will be 6 years old on the 15th of this month! I have been in his life since he was 2 1/2 years old and it is just amazing how much he has changed in that amount of time. I remember when we lived in Overton and I still worked at the bank. I would get home around 9pm some nights and he would be waiting for me at the sliding glass door...standing in front of the curtain with his hands and face pressed against the glass...just waiting for me. I can still picture it! I am truly blessed at how well he and I bonded. He took up with me immediately and I, of course, did the same. He had my heart from the beginning. Ross is truly special and just an amazing little boy. I am so thankful for the relationship that we have. One of the greatest compliments that I have ever received is when my old boss told me that he didn't know that Ross wasn't my son. He said that from the way I talked about him, he would have never known that I wasn't his mom. Although I am not his mom, I love him just the same!

I love my two guys so much!

A Look Back....

2008-07-26T23:05:00.032-05:00

Well, it has been a while since I posted so I am going to try to do a recap of what has been going on at the Harris household!

July 16th: We picked up Ross for Summer break! We have been super busy but we LOVE having him with us everday!

July 18th-19th: Lauren spent the night with us and on Saturday we all went to Splash Kingdom again but this time Rita joined us! We had a great time! It was incredibly HOT...but what else would I expect in the middle of July??? :)

July 21st-24th: This was a busy busy week for us...Ross had Vacation Bible School everyday and on Thursday there was an end of week program for the families to attend. Everyday when we picked him up,he would tell us about what he learned that day. We were so proud of how much he learned about God and Jesus! The program on Thursday was great! The kids were so cute! Ross' group sang two songs - we practiced memorizing the songs all week. He is so smart and picked them up right away! My mom, Derek's mom, Mindy, Ken, Shae and Lauren all went to watch Ross perform. Thursday was also Derek's birthday...the BIG 28!!! So, after the program we all went to eat at Chili's. But the 'official' celebration for Derek was on Saturday.

Ross, Derek & Rita (Derek's mom)

Ross singing with his group at VBS

Ross' tortilla face!

New shirts and socks for his b-day...how exciting!!!

July 25th: We bought a Wii!!!! It was a spur of the moment kind of thing...we got home from work and ate dinner. We started talking about getting one and the next thing you know we are on the phone calling the stores in Lindale and Tyler that might have one in stock. NO LUCK!! Everyone was out!! So, we called Longview and Best Buy had 2 left!! So, we asked them to hold one for us and off we went to get it! When we got there, both sets that they had left (one for us) were up front and the other one had been put on hold too...so we called just in time! We also purchased Guitar Hero with it and Derek stayed up until 3am playing it! Now, that may not be late for some...but we are usually in bed by 10ish, even on the weekends! Let me just say that the Wii is AWESOME! They did not have Mario Kart which is what I wanted and I wasn't sure how I would like the sport games that came with it but I was pleasantly surprised! I am totally awesome at golf! I have never played 'real' golf but I do love me some putt-putt! I was not expecting to enjoy that game at all! I also LOVE bowling and I have to say...I am really good at it too! Not so much at tennis, never have been good so not much of a surprise there. I totally stink at Guitar Hero...Derek is really awesome! I am totally jealous of his mad guitar skills! Ross is really really good at all the games - except guitar hero...we don't let him play that one. Oh and I forgot boxing...now that was one that I had NO desire to play but I decided to give it a try and let me tell you...that is a serious workout! I am sore already! As I am typing this, Derek is playing guitar hero...I will probably never see my husband again...he is addicted already! :)

July 26th: We had our families over to celebrate Derek's b-day. We ate hot dogs and Rita made the most wonderful german chocolate cake!

Mom and Dad had a gag gift for Derek. Anyone who knows us knows that we are both terrified of bugs - I am afraid of ALL bugs espcecially spiders but Derek is afraid mostly of mayflies and ladybugs...yes you read that correctly...LADYBUGS!!! We have many many funny stories of us running screaming through our yard b/c some bug freaked one of us out! So, my parents made a Bug Survival Kit for Derek! It had Hot Shot, a mask, coat, hard hat, rubber boots, knee pads, safety goggles, a bug zapper and a survival manual! It was really funny!
Derek opening the gift...

This is his real gift

Here are some pics of everyone playing with the Wii

And here are some pics of the adorable Shae...you can never have too many of those!!!

4th of July

2008-07-04T22:27:00.023-05:00

We had an awesome 4th of July celebration but before I get into that, I want to share a funny story about Ross. We were all sitting at the table eating dinner and Ross was wearing a sleeveless shirt, he was looking at his bicep and rubbing it and said, I am starting to get one of those bumps on my arm like Popeye (PiePie is the way he says it) and daddy. He was so proud...it was really really cute.

We went to a 4th of July celebration at a place called Living Alternatives here in Lindale. It is a Christ centered place for women who find themseleves in a situation of unplanned pregnancy and gives them a place to go and get help. It was a free event and they did accept donations to help their cause. I was very impressed with how well planned this event was, there were so many activities for the kids to participate in and Ross had a blast. I was also very thankful for the family friendly atomosphere, there were several Christian bands that played great music. There were bouncy houses (wet and dry), swings, face painting, rock-climbing wall, pool, fishing, snow cones and more! At 9pm they started the fireworks, we all piled onto the blanket and enjoyed the show. We can't wait to go back next year!

We were really impressed with how high
Ross climbed...he wasn't scared at all!

Ross and I climbing the wall together

I did not have a very graceful landing as you can see...

This is how Ross watched the fireworks...with his hands over his ears...he is so funny. His little arms were getting tired so I had him sit in my lap and I covered his ears for him.

They also had a drawing for a door prize, which was 4 season passes to Splash Kingdom -a water park in Canton. To our surprise - WE WON!!! Derek and I were completely shocked and very excited! This is a picture of Ross and me with our prize!

Complete randomness....

2008-06-30T21:57:00.010-05:00

I don't have anything interesting to post, so I am putting up some random pics of Derek and I in the car. This is what happens when you put us in the back seat together....

I bet Rita and Max didn't even know there was a photo shoot going on in the back seat!

A song to sing...

2008-06-23T15:23:00.009-05:00

The Altar and the Door by Casting Crowns

Careless, I am reckless
I’m a wrong-way-travelin’-slowly-unraveling shell of a man
Burnt out, I’m so numb now
That the fire’s just an ember way down in the corner of my cold, cold heart

Lord, this time I’ll make it right, here at the altar I lay my life
Your kingdom come but my will was done, my heart is broken as I...

Cry, like so many times before
But my eyes are dry before I leave the floor, oh Lord
I try but this time, Jesus, how can I be sure I will not lose my follow through
Between the altar and the door

Here at the altar, oh my world so black and white
How could I ever falter
What You’ve shown me to be right

I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me
Jesus, I’m trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me

This song means so much to me and it grabs at me every time I hear it. I just thought I would share the words...if you haven't heard it, I recommend listening to it! I highlighted a couple of parts of the song that really stand out to me.

Life's a Peach....

2008-06-23T11:53:00.023-05:00

A recap of this weekend:

Friday June 20th, we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday at my sister's house. Mom didn't know that we were all going to be there and have dinner and cake together...it was a surprise! Not only was it a celebration of her birthday but also a celebration for her RETIREMENT!!! As of Friday June 27th 2008 my mom will be officially retired...my dad retired in September, so they will get to enjoy their freedom together now! I am so excited for them....they have worked so hard and helped us all out and now it is their time to enjoy life! My grandparents gave them an RV so that they can really enjoy retirement and travel wherever they may want to go. I LOVE YOU MOMMA!!!!

On Saturday, Derek, Ross, Mindy, Ken, Shae and I went to a berry farm in Tyler and picked blueberries. It was a lot of fun! Ross really enjoyed it! Shae was a little unhappy b/c it was so hot but she was a trooper and made it through! I took her to a bench under a nice shady tree and fanned her!!! She is such a PRINCESS/DIVA!! We wouldn't have it any other way though...
After we picked blueberries we were off to a peach farm to pick peaches, Amber and her son Luke joined us for that venture. Unfortunately, when we got there, the peaches had already been picked for us...so we just bought some. So if anyone out there wants some peaches and blueberries, get them from us! We have a TON!

Sunday was pretty much a lazy day, after church, we all took a nap! I never take naps...I just can't sleep during the day but I have to say, I really enjoyed a little Sunday afternoon nap! I don't know why Ross dreads nap time so much...I wish they would incorporate that into our workdays!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Making Memories

2008-06-19T20:50:00.005-05:00

Well, I have not been very good at this whole blog thing so far...hopefully that will change. We get Ross every Wednesday morning and take him to school and pick him up. Usually it is me who picks him up in the mornings because I have a more flexible work schedule. For a while now, I have wanted to eat lunch with Ross at his school and I finally did last Wednesday...I went to his school and brought Chick-Fil-A. One of my favorite memories of my childhood was when my dad would bring me lunch to school and eat with me...I felt so special. I was hoping it was special to Ross like it was to me when I was a kid. When I picked him up yesterday morning I asked him what he wanted for lunch and I told him I was going to drop something off for him at lunch time. He said he wanted Chick-Fil-A again and then he asked me if I was going to stay and eat with him again. I said that I could do that or I could just drop it off...he told me that he wanted me to stay and eat with him like last time. That made me so happy because I know that it was special to him too! Hopefully one day Derek will be able to eat with us. On Wednesday's he has a meeting that usually lasts most of the day but occassionally they will cancel it so next time that happens, we will all have a lunch date! While I was waiting on Ross to get to the cafeteria I got to listen to some of the kids talking and let me tell you...if you don't already know this...your kids are like little walking, talking diaries of your lives! I heard so many stories, "My dad does this..." or "My mom says this..." it was very amusing! Then I got a little paranoid, wondering what Ross might have said about us! :) It is not like there is something bad but just thinking about him telling our lives to other people is a little scary! I can't even imagine all the stories that teachers hear! Anyway, I am hoping to make this something that we do more often.

Hello to all in blog land

2008-05-07T15:17:00.002-05:00

I am new to this whole blog thing. I have read many others blogs and found them to be inspiring and interesting. My hope for this blog is for it to be entertaining and inspiring to someone else. I am not sure how good I will be at blogging but I am sure to find out soon! Hopefully the next one will be longer than this one!