I feel like Alison

In every way this is a compliment. I admire my sister-in-law in many ways. We don't talk that often and sometimes our personalities might clash (I'm learning) but she is an amazing person.

Today is the end (I hope) of one of those weeks. My house has been relatively clean, I mopped the floor more than once. My children have worked together to make it messy again and again and then clean again. I have cooked healthy dinners that my family likes everyday this week (or Justin has, Thanks!) I have participated in Relief Society, community and school activities and some that included my calling. Now to top it all off, Nellie has thrown up 7 times in the last 12 hours, Corbin has pooped on me twice, spit up on me more times than I can count, there is no bread in the house for the boys school lunches this morning, I need to make it in to work today, I have 16 (not exaggerating) projects i have started that are now abandoned around my house. Did I mention that my father-in-law's butt keeps calling me? (Today I just put the phone on the counter and waited to see how long it would take him to notice, he never did)I am starting dinner (yes, before the boys get home from school), baking cookies for an after school snack and I showered today.

Okay, you are reading the title of the post again right.

How does all this make me feel like Alison? Weather things go wrong, right on schedule (running out of bread, I knew I would but I didn't make it to the bread store to get the most healthy kind of bread my children will eat at the rock bottom price of .50) or spontaneous wrong things (kids throwing up, "surprise mom I had 6 pages of homework instead of none", "Keaton did it, No I didn't, yes you did, MOM!") She still pulls it all off. She still runs her house efficiently. She still pulls out a craft to do with the kids. None of it derails her. She still knows what is important and how to make it all work. I think that she is an amazing woman. I am glad to feel like Alison today, and hope that I often will.

What can you buy for $1.75

2 huggies wipes
3-150 sheets lined paper
18-2 pocket folders w/ prongs
3-childrens scissors
(notice the penny in change)

Yes I feel good!

Does this show his true whitness?

6 months

He is now 15 lbs and going strong. I sure love having my baby in my life. Sometimes it makes things more difficult and some times it makes things a whole lot better. He is laughing, loves surprises, rolls from belly to back on his left side, spits up, still in cloth diapers, no teeth, loves to be held by big brother Sam, leary of big sister Nellie, listens to big brother Keaton. He loves Dad's music and dances his spastic dance. I would keep going but I think he just filled his pants and is making a mess of the swing. I love you Corbin Micah Harris!

First Day of School '09

Keaton Parker Harris: 5th Grade

Samson Eli Harris: 2nd Grade

Nellie Rai Harris: Preschool

Corbin Micah Harris: Breathing treatment school

As a mom of these wonderful youngin's I am overjoyed at the opportunity they have to go to school. I am so happy for the new friends they will find, the new numbers and letters they will learn, and so many other things. I am happy that they get to go away from me and experience something that I cannot offer them when they are with me. I am grateful for every day during the summer that I get to influence my children in the gospel and life. I hope that as they start this new year they will remember these things. Every first day of school I am sad. It is a marker in thier lives. There is no going back. No do overs. I know that they are great kids and make great choices. I know that each day they add joy and new ideas to the world. I hope they know that I love them and want them to have everything in the world that is good for them. Good Luck on your First Day of School.

Have I Mentioned

How much Nellie and Corbin love each other!

Yes, Virginia, I do remember how to blog

Compared to last summer this one seems way less busy, in some ways, and way more busy in others. Last summer I was moving into a new house, working 3 jobs, 1st trimester of pregnancy, remodeling my mom's house, vacation, kids in sports for the first time.... It seemed like last year I couldn't breath with everything I was doing.

This year we have been having more fun. My house hasn't been clean for 3 months. My children have new memories. I have really enjoyed the time we have spent together. The kids and I were able to go to Palmers cabin in June, SanDiego (with Papa, Pappy and Granny), the Ranch (with the Woolfs), the ward family outing, and the Pappy family camp out. Nellie did swim lessons at the beginning of the summer. She is doing great. I think this has been a fun summer, thanks Justin for not being too sad when we left and overjoyed when we came home. We love you!

Palmers Cabin

Age order: Corbin, Grace, Micheal, Nellie, Kacie, Samson, Savanna, Keaton

As soon as the boys knew summer vacation was coming they wanted to know when they could go to the Palmer's Cabin. They have so much fun with cousins. There is a lake nearby close enough that we packed up our bikes so we wouldn't have to start the car for the week (thanks Les). We also invited Annika to come with. I loved having her there. Sometimes I lump her in with the grown-ups too much. She fit in great with the kids. They made traps, caught lizards, fed lizards, fished, played in the rain, saw deer, went for walks/rides. One day a local group had kayak's in the lake and the kids had an opportunity to try them out. I was impressed with how strong all the kids were. The wind was awfully strong, blowing against them. What a fun thing to try out. (We are trying to protect Micheals identity in the above picture, he didn't want his friends to know he was there :P ) Thank you Denise for the invite. We love your family and love to spend time together!!

Happy 4 year-old to you

This year has been sooooo fun. You are a great cuddly kid. It is amazing how excited you can get about playing with friends and cousins. You still suck your fingers, but we will see how long you as a big girl can go without it. You do disagree with me quite a bit. It is not easy to convince you of something you don't agree with. However you are always capable of accomplishing a goal. It is always great fun to play with big brothers. Little brother is fun to push around too. You are a great mom mimic. Sometimes brothers don't appreciate your little echo, and then sometimes all they hear is you and not me. Your hair has gotten so long, Thank you for letting me brush it and make it so cute.You love princessess and everything pink. You are a great sister and a wonderful daughter. Love you and happy birthday!!

Tagged

Here you go sis! This was a card that Keaton drew for his cousin Tate's baptisim. (This was the 6th picture in the 6th file on my computer). I tag Kelly, Lisa, Sara, Alison Denise and Carlie!

EGG!

Can you see it in there? It gives a whole new meaning to checking on the chickens.

The brothers promised Nellie could get the first egg. Keaton was nice enough to venture in and get it for her.

Three very happy kids!

Breakfast time!!

Cello

My boy has completed a year of cello thru the public schools. This might mean alot or not so much (depends on your view). He did great in his last concert. He was lucky enough to get the solo. I am so proud of my little musician! I hope to have him continue with the instrument. I think we'll have to sweet talk Aunt Bonnie. He

My favorite flower

...is the tulip. I think that they are so pretty. In Utah they were blooming everywhere. It just gives you a different feeling seeing them sprouted from the groud rather than cut and in a vase.

Papa Harris is 90

We went up to Utah the last weekend in April for Justins Grandpa's 90th birthday. He was so happy to see all that came. There were lots of stories and fun second cousins to play with. I sure do enjoy the company of the Harris family.

Not often do I get sentimental, especially with family. I don't often think very deeply on the meaning and direction of life. This being said, I was so happy to hear Keaton, after he knelt by Papa, ask to hear some atories. I think that my children understand a little better than I do about the time spent with family is never wasted.

We're Jammin'

Strawberries have been silly cheap at the Souperstition Ranch Market (Main east of Greenfield). So what else is there to do but make jam for your year supply($.80 a pint). One batch I did with my sister and mother, the second was with wonderful women in my ward, the third batch was with Denise. I sure enjoy doing things with family. The kids get to play, we get to chat, and this time we got enough of a domestic feeling to last us until the tomato plant are full.
A side note on strawberry jam...Justin only likes strawberry jam. One time at the cannery I thought I would bring home lots of flavors, you know, for the variety. No Way. As soon as the strawberry was gone he made it a point to go to the store and get more. I have made plenty. We should be good until the next strawberry harvest. 9 quarts plus some smaller half pints to share with others. Wait this might not be enough. I will probably check to see if the strawberries are still good.

Biggest Brother

Keaton is an awesome big brother to all. He is so willing to help and share his time and talents with his brothers and sister. He has such a kind heart. His mind is amazing, constantly finding different ways of doing things. His little brothers and sister look up to him. He has so much responsibility on his shoulders. I do not envy the pressure he feels sometimes. Being the example of good behavior and the one to blaze the trail is not an easy job. I couldn't imagine a more capable young man to take this job and do great things with it. Keep it up, it really is worth it.

Big Brother

Sam has been really amazing with Corbin. He knows that Corbin is such a special little person. I can see it in Sam's eyes that he will be so excited to teach his little brother how to ride the skateboard, bike, and how to play soccer. These two are will be on the go all the time. For now I am enjoying and loving the sweet still moments these two are sharing. Lots of love to you Big Brother!

Big Sister

Nellie loves having Corbin in her life. She is always willing to carry him. She is even willing to do his laundry (not her own, small steps). She loves to hold him and tell him, "It's alright".

One thing she has yet to sacrifice for any of her brothers are her fingers. One time I caught her holding him tight in her right arm and still sucking her fingers. Not the safest place to be Corbin.

Did I Mention

Just how fast it was that Corbin came to our family. I did however think to grab one of my phones with a pretty decent camera. As they placed him on the scale I barked orders to Justin to get out my phone and start taking pictures. For everyother delivery my sister has made it just in time to take some good pictures of baby and mommy along with others that came to see the new one. I guess this will have to do. Pappy was lucky to be in town. Justin called him, knowing he would be awake early. He was, and was headed out the door for the airport, so he stopped by and met his newest grandson. Everytime Pappy holds one of his new babies his eyes express so much of his emotion. His words don't compare to the look that he gets when he holds them and looks at the new body he holds in his hands. We are so lucky to have Pappy and his testimony of the Plan of Happiness

Blessing Day