Where do I even begin??

All last week we were busy with playdates, doctor appointments, and mother’s day out days.

Then on Thursday night my friends asked if I wanted to do the heart walk in town on Saturday. I had no idea it was that day, but was excited to get to do it!

Then my friends decided to make shirts for us…

and y’all. I may or may not have ugly cried when they decided on the design…

Here we are ready for the walk- Misty and Peyton, Kayla and Emma, and me with Ryder and Rory- I am so thankful for these friends. They’ve been amazing to me this year!

Rory was super excited too!

Both girls had a nasty cold so I’m going to get cute pictures of them in their shirts once their noses aren’t nasty 24/7.

After the heart walk we went to our Sunday School department’s fish fry! It was such a fun time. I can’t tell you how blessed I am to be apart of this group of people. They, too, have been such amazing friends to me this year and since we’ve been going there. We had a wonderful time getting to socialize and laugh together.

Speaking of laughing…

Let me tell you about my pastor. Here he is with his sweet, lovely wife Deanne-

Now, remember, I said SHE was sweet.

A few weeks ago, this pastor of mine came up to me after church and half-whispers, “Hey, is that your breath or did you just fart?”

Then he starts giggling and I’m trying not to puke from being ABSOLUTELY mortified. He says there’s some YouTube video out there about this (google it if you’re curious) and thats where he got it from.

He thought he was so hilarious.

But apparently he didn’t know me as well as he thought he did.

Because everyone knows I’m going to get you back if you prank me.

So I got him back.

And I have laughed until it hurt about it.

You can ask Cassidy and Lori about it- they witnessed my giggling fits.

I walked around ALL DAY LONG with a giant goober grin on my face that day.

So there’s two things to learn from this:

1) Don’t mess with me unless you can take a payback.

2) I’m now in constant fear when I’m at church because our church is televised and I know that heifer pastor of mine is going to be cruel and call me out during one of the televised services.

But that’s ok. I’m one of those people who can dish it AND take it.

Happy Monday!

]]> http://theharrislife.com/heart-walk-fish-fry-and-paybacks/feed/ 3 http://theharrislife.com/southern-sundays/ http://theharrislife.com/southern-sundays/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 21:53:42 +0000 Tiffany http://theharrislife.com/?p=3827 Continue reading →]]> We got to go to church as a family for the first time in over a month today. It was wonderful!

Andy’s parents were here over the weekend (will blog that tomorrow) and so we went outside to take pictures.

As I was looking at these pictures, I had to laugh and say “what a typical southern Sunday!”. How many times in my life did my family growing up go outside in front of the house and take pictures? How many times will Rory and Ryder do the same with us?

I’m so thankful that I was raised going to church and raised LOVING church. I had some years after moving away that I didn’t love church so much. But now I’ve fallen in love again because we absolutely love our church and church family. We have been to some WONDERFUL churches (First Baptist Starkville and Calvary in Alexandria) but First Baptist Paris is by far the most we have ever felt apart of the church. It is home. It is family.

I’m also thankful that I was raised by parents who were in love with Jesus and showed it through their marriage and parenting. We have a wonderful relationship now and its because of that love for Jesus. I hope that Rory and Ryder see that in us as well.

Hope you are having a wonderful “Southern Sunday” too!

God knew we should wait a while before having kids in our marriage so that we would be closer and know each other well before trying to throw in parenthood. He knew we should explore and travel, fight and make up, learn how to be a husband and a wife. He knew.

God knew when we got pregnant with Rory and thought we were going to lose her that He was preparing us for a more difficult time. We prayed that we wouldn’t have a miscarriage and He came through despite what the doctors were telling us. He knew.

God knew when I had a scary labor that He was preparing us for more scary times in the hospital. He saved me and Rory and we give Him the glory for that. He knew.

God knew through all the 13 ear infections in 4 months that Rory would need tubes. He knew she would make it through that. He was preparing us for a bigger procedure to be done with our other child. He knew.

God knew when we were so scared that Ryder’s organs weren’t developing properly at 20 weeks pregnant. He was preparing us for more extreme fear to come. He helped us to realize to give our children over to Him and trust He will take care of them. He knew he was just starting on the impact Ryder would make. He knew.

God knew when we first heard the murmur on tiny little Ryder. He knew what was to come with all of it. He prepared us and kept us close the entire time. He knew

God knew when to show me it was time to go ahead with the surgery. He prepared us to be able to make the best but hardest decision of our lives so that our little baby would not only live but thrive. He knew.

God knew that we needed an extreme peace to wash over us as we prepared for surgery. He knew we needed a HUGE community to overwhelm us with prayers. He knew.

God knew we needed to feel him wrapping his arms of comfort around us as we handed Ryder off to go into open heart surgery. He knew He needed to send people who loved us to wait with us and distract us. He knew Dr. Turner (our pastor) needed to come to provide comic relief and help the hours fly by. He knew.

God knew Ryder would go through major surgery and be healed. He knew.

God knew Ryder’s story would impact so many people. He has used her story to encourage others all over the US. He knew.

God knew that He would not only heal Ryder but miraculously heal her. She no longer struggles to eat. She no longer gets blue. She know longer has a hard time breathing. She is no longer “failure to thrive”. He knew.

God knew that at the appointment today He would blow me and the doctors away. He knew that he would make her murmur that they thought would be there the rest of her life even after surgery would be undetectable. He knew she would gain TWO pounds and make us cry with joy. He knew.

God knows the future for Ryder. God knows the future for Rory. God knows the future for Andy and I. He knows the future for you.

I am so thankful for those of you that have prayed and continue to pray for us. It isn’t all over, but we are close. God is so good. I hope that through all of this I have honored Him… its the least I can do.

I’m linking up with WLW Wednesdays (just a day late!).

I can’t tell you how invaluable my parents’ help was while we were at the hospital and coming home. Rory had such a wonderful time with them and is still asking for them constantly. I was so worried about how she was handling being away from me and then I realized that she was having the time of her life getting spoiled by all the grandparents!

She became such a Papa’s girl while he was here. She would wake up every morning saying “Papa! Coffee!” and still is waking up saying that. On Saturday night after they left she woke up at 2 wanting her Papa and it was so sad to see her realize he wasn’t there. It was a long night for all of us!

Her favorite thing about the grandparents being here was playing outside. She had such a blast in the cooler weather. When my dad came back on Thursday they played and played outside.

And she LOVES swinging on her belly now that she learned how!

And she’s a speed demon down the slide!

As far as today goes- its been going really well!

I mean, of course, Rory is her usual stinker self…

Man, my life was so dull before Rory. HA!

And as for stinker #2, Ryder…

Don’t let that little smile fool ya! She has become awfully demanding with her new heart and all. When she wants to eat she means NOW. There is no warning or prep time. Its getting more and more clear that I will have two stinkers on my hands. Please pray for me.

—

And on a serious note- Please, please pray for my friends Emily and William. Their father, Rhea Dabney (who by the way is the sweetest man on earth), has terminal cancer and isn’t expected to live much longer. My heart is breaking for this family.

Also, sweet little Ruby Harris has been scheduled for a surgery much like Ryder’s to fix her heart. Hannah, her mom, and I “met” over the internet and I’ve been following their struggle of eatings, infections, etc. Please pray that Ruby gets to have her surgery soon and that the whole family gets well soon!

Thanks, friends!

The food, the friends, the fun…

and THE DAWGS!

Even if we aren’t in Starkville today we’ll be watching them play Memphis tonight here at home.

We’re going to raise Rory right – SEC all the way! Hopefully she won’t be brainwashed into a Texas fan, ha! When WE say “UT” we of course mean THE Vols- but they think the Longhorns and it just isn’t right! And their maroon and white means Texas A&M, not MS State… the horror!

Today we are sporting our Mississippi State gear- all of us wearing our polo’s!

Here is proof that she does, in fact, love her Momma too.

Can’t forget to show y’all the booty (and to show you how hilarious Andy’s face is in this picture!).

Wouldn’t be complete without a matching pacifier, right?!

She’s learning to clap and we caught her mid-clap! We were saying, “Go State, GO STATE!”.

Happy Game Day!

• First I’d like to introduce you to a new page, segment, category, etc- The Man Life. Hop on over there by clicking the link or if you look directly right you’ll see “pages” and it’s listed there as well. Andy is going to be writing about manly things that I know nothing about. (For example: did you know deer lose their antlers every year and then grow them back?! I didn’t until my friend Jodi- who runs a hunting lodge- explained this to me/made fun of me… like yesterday.) Andy’s going to be talking about all things technology, fishing, hunting, and occasionally some daddy/daughter stuff. Go say hello to him over there- he needs some love on his new page!
• Secondly, did anyone notice my new box over to the right for facebook? I’ve created a page on facebook so that people can be updated if they wish on there and if they don’t wish, they don’t have to see any of this nonsense! Eventually, hopefully soon, I’m going to be getting rid of my personal account and only doing that page. So you can either click the link I provided or you can go over to the right and click the “like” thing in the box. That way you’ll be updated with all things of The Harris Life!
• I’m going to be doing a giveaway VERY soon! Be thinking of some suggestions for categories, topics, etc that I could do on the blog. I’m going to ask each person that enters the giveaway to suggest something new or tell me something you want more of on here.

I think thats all for now. Sorry its all business on this post! Did you enjoy yesterday’s six month post by the clever Rory? I still can’t believe she’s six months already!

Tomorrow I am attending a conference for some certification to teach starting in September. Its in Dallas and I’m going to be away from Rory for the first time for more than an hour or so (well my surgery doesn’t count because I was drugged and don’t remember…). I’m nervous and excited all at the same time. Thank goodness I have such an amazing husband that I can trust completely with my little munchkin! I’m positive they will have a wonderful day together! We’re meeting up in Dallas in the afternoon with our Sunday School class for a little fun and I can’t wait!

Rory woke up so happy. This is not rare, but she was literally laughing when she woke up. She was giggling and “talking” and having a good ole time in her bed.

We snuggled together on the couch for probably an hour and a half and I enjoyed every single second of it. Soon, very soon, she’s not going to be wanting to snuggle anymore so I’m soaking it up while I can!

Then we went to the church because…. drumroll please…

You are looking at the new 2 year old lead teacher at the Mother’s Day Out!

Yay! I am employed!

I’ve been lesson planning and craft planning non-stop. I can’t wait to start!

After the meeting with the director, Rory and I went to WalMart to go grocery shopping. She was such a doll. She laughed, played, talked, blew bubbles and had a great time.

Andy got home and she was so excited. She squealed so loud when she saw him. Melts my heart.

We went over to Stephen and Julie’s house (friends from church) and Andy and the boys went to look at a hunting lease he’s getting in on. He’s so excited to start hunting again. Julie, Rory and I sat in Baby Grady’s room (due in Sept) while Julie organized the room some. Rory sat up playing for 30 to 45 minutes by herself. Big girl!

It was just a great day. Rory was so happy the entire day and we had so much fun together. This post is short and boring to most of you I am sure, but I just wanted to record it. Great days in the middle of the week that aren’t planned are just so wonderful. Its easy to wonder why all days can’t be great, but I know its because if all days were like yesterday I wouldn’t be able to treasure it so much or build my character at all. Testing times are to be praised too and we’ve had plenty of them this year!

So thank you God for the simple, wonderful day I had yesterday and thank you for the many trials we’ve been through in the past year. We know you planned every single one of them so that You could be glorified in our struggles! How awesome You are!

My in-laws are on their way to the house so I’ve got to do some last minute cleaning. Hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

So since Rory has been born I’ve had the most amazing, and truthful, excuse to not go fishing. The baby, of course, cannot go. Therefore, I cannot go.

Until.

The call.

Andy calls and he is SO EXCITED. He has found something amazing! Something that I have PRAYED they didn’t have…

Can you see their excitement?! She is obviously saying, “yeah!!!”

She loved it. Sorry for cutting off your head, darling man…

So, we’re all going fishing since I told Andy we couldn’t go until stinker was big enough for a life jacket.

Now I am eating my words just like she’s eating her jacket.

I am also eating my words with the whole my-child-won’t-watch-tv thing.

And I am seriously consideriing a smaller tv. No wonder she loves it… its so huge how could you miss the dang thing?!

And don’t judge me for watching Hannah Montana all day long. Its a funny show, okay?!

And also don’t judge me for going to see Eclipse tonight at midnight. I’m desperate for girl time with friends!

I couldn’t ask for a better father to my sweet Rory.

She already absolutely adores you and when you walk through the room she watches you and smiles.

You’ve stolen her heart, like you did mine, and I can’t wait to see all the fun you will have together.

My own dad was my biggest pal growing up and my biggest hero (and he still is!).

Seeing you with Rory reminds me of how wonderful my dad is and I am so proud she will have a father just as amazing.

I love you so much and so does Rory and we are both so thankful for you!

Rory loves being silly with her Daddy more than anything!

could she look anymore like her daddy?!

This is a pic of Rory’s card she gave Andy. She wrote “Love You Daddy! Love, Rory”, can’t you tell???

Emily Dabney Taylor

Congrats! And also another big congrats to Emily- she’s having a precious baby boy in November!

Note: I used random.org to generate a random winner.

Emily! Send me your email address so I can send you the giftcard!!!

I will be doing more giveaways, so watch out! Thanks to everyone who participated! I wish I could give all of you giftcards!…. but I can’t. Sorry!