Family fun-ness

My niece turned 13 yesterday. It's so weird, I was there when she was born and for the first 3 years of her life...and it does NOT feel like 13 years ago. She has grown into such a little lady (13 going on 25), and I think she is a fun, sweet girl. Most years I am not able to celebrate her birthday with her, but this year I was not only able to make it to her family party, but to also see her on her birthday too.

We love you, Jess. Happy 13th!

The day after, we had our annual Harrison family Christmas fiesta...

This is a fun bunch, really. I always enjoy being with them, laughing, eating and singing with them (which we weren't up to doing this year, boo). I love my family and am so thankful for those God has put into my life.

And these are some outtakes just for fun:

Oh, and I fixed a new, killer recipe...zucchini casserole. Stay tuned for the recipe!

Simply having a wonderful Christmastime

So, I am typing this from my phone to see how it works. I tried downloading an app to my phone which I thought was supposed to post directly to my blog, but that wasn't the case. All the app did was email the post to me so I could upload it from there. Lame! Then I had the great thought of actually going to the blogger website from my phone and trying to post from there. I don't think I can upload photos from here though, which is a bummer. It's just so hard to sit at the computer for any length of time nowadays.

I am loving this Christmas season this year. We've done a lot of fun things, spent time with friends and family and will get to do more of that coming up in a few days. And I am excited about all the things we've done as a little family of four, like looking at Christmas lights, watch movies, dance around to Christmas music, hang lights outside, and baking cookies tomorrow with Jude. This has been a great year.

Today in our world, we are watching Meet the Robinsons,doing laundry, running errands and making a new bread (cinnamon, mmm). What are you doing this Christmas Eve Eve?

Back on the wagon

It's hard getting back on the wagon after being sick. Back to working out, housework, laundry, cooking, the works. (notice I didn't say mommy duties because there is never time off from that!) It's hard playing catch up. The remnants of being sick is, my house looks like the tazmanian devil ripped through it (or more like a little preschooler), my kitchen counter still has flour on it from the last poor attempt (and fail) at making bread, the laundry is piled up in a hamper beside me waiting to be folded, and the house smells like fresh bread. That last part makes me happy, though. Hopefully order will be restored to my house, my laundry and my head before the whirlwind of the holidays take us over.

On a few other notes:
I just got this phone (in black, not white), and I have come to loooove Blackberry...and this phone. So what if it's not a touchscreen? I didn't really want one anyway.

Ross did not like that hairstyle that I posted a few posts ago, so I am thinking about bringing this back:

What do ya think?

I have been love, love, loving this song and this one too ...and listening to them quite a bit. Jude calls them the "girl's song" and loves it too. This girl's voice gets my mind set back on the One it's supposed to be on, instead of all the crazyness, stress, and all the 'stuff' that has whelmed up around me. Look her up - Lanae' Hale. She is amazing.

I have been thinking about cooking this. I know, it looks grody, but I am so in love with curry. I think that even though it looks gross, it probably tastes really yummy...simply because it has curry in it. :)

We still have not been Christmas shopping. Ross and I have a date to go shopping on Friday, and we still have no idea what we are going to get our boys. Maybe we should plan better next year?

I'm going to go listen to more Christmas music. It makes me happy too.

Family, is there anything like it?

Is there anything cuter than your kid playing pretend with his toys? Jude just started doing this and I have to say, it melts my heart. I am awed by kids and their imagination, how it seems so pure and yet untainted by cynicism and the bitterness that seems to come with age and unfulfilled dreams. Sometimes it makes me want to be a kid again. Sometimes.

Jude really enjoyed letting his Buzz play in the johnny-jump-up and feeding him puffs like I do Ezra...

We enjoyed being with our families over thanksgiving. Even through all the mess you go through when being with family, the holidays are a chance to learn, grow and love people like you never though you could. Not to mention, I got to meet the sweet Lucy Meade, 

see some old friends, have a great meal with my family, and enjoy a much needed night out away from the kiddos. I'm so thankful for those who love us no matter what!

Welcome to the family, Lucy. We feel so blessed to be a part of your life!

Christmas Cards, yippee!!!

I love this time of year. The decorations, the music, everyone’s joyful spirit, it’s contagious and magical…but one of the things I love the most is Christmas cards. There’s something about receiving one that is special. I love giving them too, of course, but there’s something sweet about a simple hey, we thought of you this year when sending out cards. Which is why I’m so excited about Shutterfly’s 2010 Christmas card collection. There are many different styles, and you can include photos…they are just so darn cute! I have looked through it and have loved so many. They really pulled out the stops this year with over 800 pages of different designs. I have to say, I did find a favorite that I’d like to use! In the past I have done a traditional folded card, but I am excited about doing a photocard this year.  Here are a few examples of the ones I’ve fallen in love with…

 

Doesn't it make you want to order some right now? And if you want 50 free (and who doesn’t!), then go HERE. I have used Shutterfly in the past, and have known many, many people who have also and I have to say, they are the best. And they don’t just have cards, people! They have photobooks, which would make great Christmas gifts for the family, birthday cards, birth announcements, and even desk calendars. They have a great selection, great products, quick delivery… So, go to the site and order from them now! You won’t regret it!

Video of cute

Thought you might enjoy a little dose of baby cuteness today.

I thought for sure that my 9 month old would be crawling by now. He just can't seem to get it down. He's doing the army belly scoot crawl thing, but no real crawling. Ahh, well!

New look?

I have been getting tired of my hairstyle. What woman doesn't? It's a way to reinvent ourselves at a cheap price (well, maybe not so cheap anymore), a way to express ourselves, to feel vibrant, young and sexy. You feel like a new woman when you're sportin' a new 'do. And with my current weight loss thing going on (at least 20lbs, but I have not weighed in awhile), I want a new look to go with my new bod. I came across some photos of a model from the 60s, and I thought, I could totally pull that off. I don't really know if I could, so I'm asking your opinion..

Yes? No? I have been contemplating getting full bangs, but I just don't know if I could pull it off. And will they get on my nerves? Probably. I need something new though, something drastic, people! (and I want to keep my length. I am so not all about chopping my locks of chin length or anything...my hair does not do short very well. Believe me, I have tried.)

In my backyard...

There is very little else I am able to take photos of, other than my kids and what is in my house or backyard. So, as I was walking around my backyard, I was looking for any quirks or interesting things going on out there. This is what I found:

Pretty green and yellow plants

 A Broken fence from the ice storm a few years ago

Other pretty plants that are several different colors

Jude loves to play with water (no, that's not the dog's water bowl)

Long sticks that Fiona drags around and plays with

I look at my backyard every single day and this time I saw it in a new light. I was able to be inspired by a few things out there that make it OUR backyard. Now, we just need a swing set or something to play on and we'll be set!

Love

Ross and I are reading this book on marriage, and I came across this quote today that I thought was soooo great. 

"If our understanding of love is going to grow...we need to recognize that we don't know that much about love. We also have to know that once we understand it, we might not like it. This is going to require humility. We have to be willing to learn something new, to be surprised by what love really is....We can know a lot about love because God has shown us love."

If you want to check the book out, you can find in the margin to the right.

Do an act of love for your spouse or significant other today. Take the trash out so they don't have to, cook them a nice meal, take care of a task they normally do so they can enjoy the evening. It will bless them and in return bless you as well.

Ahh, fall

The park is so lovely this time of year, we couldn't resist a visit last weekend. And where there's a trip to the park, there's a mama not too far away with her camera, snapping away.

Ross skipped a rock 7 times, he was real proud!

Still here, staggering on...

And when I have to crawl

Will You crawl too

I stumble and I fall
Carry me through 
The wonder of it all 
Is You See me through

When everything I was is lost
I have forgot where You have not
When I am lost You have not lost me

I love lyrics. Sometimes they say the exact words I need right then, or explain some feeling I have in words that I can't quite form myself at that moment. Sometimes they're just clever, or soothing, or fun, or just plain awesome. I found this song earlier and I fell in love with it. It so explains what I go through at times, crawling, stumbling, but thankfully I never have to do it alone.

I have been trying out a ton of new recipes, some I have liked and some I have not. I'll have to put them all together some time, when I don't have 2 small kiddos running around. But, I am enjoying cooking and baking bread like never before. Who would have thought, I would actually enjoy cooking! 

What's been going on in my world:

Making new friends, developing existing friendships with amazing ladies, missing my sister, cooking, baking bread, exercising, running, ZUMBA!, potty training, studying Isaiah and 2 Timothy, raising 2 boys, dealing with poop, reading a parenting book, a marriage book, expanding my knowledge on preschooling an almost 3 year old at home-and actually doing some preschooling too, looking for fun activities for us to do together, finding new music to listen to, searching for ways to eat/live more healthy, and really just loving life. (whew! is that a lot? naaaaah) Not to sound like a Perky Patsy or anything. I mean, who wouldn't love life with these 2 cute, sweet, funny, challenging, lovable, did I say funny? boys...

 I'm not too happy about the composition of this photograph, but it was so sweet I had to post it. (this was not posed, I looked over and he was sitting like this, maybe pondering something really intellectual, you know, poop, food, candy, Buzz Light Year...the things 3 year olds think about)

 I am really enjoying watching this little boy's personality form more and more everyday

He loves his mama, for sure :)

Boo!

Just wanted to say hi, and a belated Happy Halloween to all my lovelies. I have so many posts in my brain that I want to share, and so many pictures I want to post. Just wanted to let you know that more will be coming!

Being home with the kids means

Getting to be silly playing with playdoh...among other things :)

Things

It's been a bit since I posted last. Not because I am neglecting you, but because I have been preoccupied. Which, I just realized is the same thing. So sorry, faithful four. Since getting home from the retreat, so much has been swimming around in my mind. I'm honestly not sure I have been able to post a complete thought. There's a lot of good stuff going on up in there (in my mind, that is, and no thanks to me), so I am still trying to sort it all out. 

And then I didn't want to deal with Monday. Laundry, a messy kitchen and housework catch-up loomed over my head, but I just pretended it didn't exist. That Monday itself didn't exist. Even through my not-so-subtle but complete denial of Monday's existence, I realized I couldn't sit around ALL day. So, I did a little housework (just a little), went to Zumba to shake my bootay and cooked tacos for all my mens. Speaking of my mens, you know you want to see them...and I can't resist showing them off. :)

I had to get pics of Ezra this past Sunday in his cute little button down shirt. Doesn't he look so grown up??? My, that boy is getting big so fast.

 Jude's expression and hands say, "but why Dad???" This kid is so darn cute, what did we ever laugh about before he came along?

And a few books to read to your little ones for Halloween: I can't get these book pictures any bigger, so I included the names of the books and the authors also.

Ollie's Halloween by Olivier Dunrea. Cute book with cute pictures that had a sweet message at the end about sharing.

Trick or Treat, Calico! by Karma Wilson. Karma, really? A lift-the-flap book that Jude really enjoyed.

What's Under the Bed by Joe Fenton. The illustrations in this book are quite interesting. It was dark grey and black mostly, but with small splashes of color makes it neat to look at, and the story itself was cute too.

Enjoy!

Tonight's menu

I think I am going to try this tonight. And maybe steamed veggies (squash, broccoli and carrots). What do you think?

The long waited for bread recipe is in the making...it will be posted here very soon! Woot woot!

Things that make me smile today

Smooshed baby face

baby hand fat---I looove me some baby hand fat

Not only babies in Halloween pjs, but babies in dinosaur pjs too ("silly" stitched on the arm makes it even better)

 And cute boys with silly grins

I could use some things to smile about today. After all, it is Monday.

Oh! To those who have so missed my food posts (all 2 of you), don't fret. I haven't forgotten about posting my menu and recipes. It just takes lots of time. I will hopefully post my menu for this week later on today. Happy Monday to all!

My confession

I have a confession to make. I am obsessed with children's books. There. I said it. There is just something so cute and fun about those hardback, picture filled, fun-loving story books that make me giddy. I search and search for ones at the Children's Library until I have found the perfect ones, take them home and can't wait to read them...to Jude, that is. No, I am not THAT person. You know,  the one who reads children's books by themselves, just for fun. (but I have been known to look through them on my own a time or two). 

In fact, I think I love them almost as much as the books I get for myself! 

And what do I love more than just regular children's books? Topical, seasonal or holiday children's books! Jude is at that age where he is learning soooo much, so this year, I wanted to get him some Halloween books to get him familiar with the subject. Right now, I am really into monster books. Don't ask me why. I'm not even really that into Halloween. And not that I'm trying to scare my kid or anything. They are just cute! I personally won't read any vampire or ghost books to my toddler who is easily impressionable. But for some reason, I don't feel that monsters are all that bad. Here is our first stash of Halloween/monster books.

Most of them are fun monster stories, not scary at all. A few I liked. A few weren't good enough to read twice. And that one was really creepy, but true to the Halloween vampires, werewolves, mummies and dead people theme. We'll be going back for round 2 tomorrow. So, there you have it. My confession, photo included. It's all out there for the world to see now! eeek!

Another confession:

My love for babies in Halloween pajamas...

 They love each other. Promise.

Fergus boy photos

I usually take photos every day of the boys. You moms know what I'm talking about. You do it too. So, with all the pics I take, I always have cuteness to spare!  Here are recent photos of both my bundles of sweetness. Ok, not always sweet, but cute nonetheless.

Here is Jude with bread dough all over his face and hands. He kept calling it a donut. So funny!

 Car-jamming!

Snuggled in mommy and daddy's bed watching The Incredibles. A great way to start out any morning!