Walking the dogs

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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!