New Year's Resolutions

Okay family...I know it 's the holidays...but I NEED you to put pictures on your Blogs...or e-mail me. I'm feeling down about GrandDad, yes, more saga, but still the SAME story. ANd then, I don't want to take Christmas down because it means real life is in a few days (work)...but I'm ready to have it down...yep, just a little psycho. Michael's call was WONDERFUL but now I think about him all day again like the first few months. Sorry Michael--I'm trying to grow up, and if someone has to have separation anxiety I would rather it be ME than you:)
Don is waiting for me to gather the boys for family night to set our New Year's Resolutions. It's too bad that Microsoft Word has a delete button...I keep writing down resolutions and then deleting them. I still have about 8 REAL and SOLID resolutions left that haven't been blanked out...and those measly few feel a bit overwhelming to me. I remember other years feeling inspired and energized...excited even. Where did that girl go? GIRL? For heavens sakes, surely at 44 I am a woman, but I don't FEEL grown up!!! I'm thinking I should wait to feel more RESOLUTE before I go any further;hence, I write this BLOG in avoidance. I'm beginning to think it takes a lifetime to figure out a self. Besides,I keep changing. Actually, I keep THINKING and READING and WATCHING and it must be only natural to change. I smile as I think of how little I care now for the things that consumed me only a few years ago...and how I would have laughed then at the time I take now as I consider what and who it is that I want in my life. I want to love hard, work hard, play hard, run hard, mother softly, and ENJOY it all. But mostly, I want to be REAL and self aware so that I can love the people in my life the best I can.
I should probably be deleting this...along with the other resolutions.

I promise to TRY not to make you crazy with ALL of the books that change my life....but this one really is a MUST read...especially for couples together...and some GREAT stuff for Family Home Evening lessons. I LIKE this guys thoughts running in my head.I hope you actually FIND it and get to read it and SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS with me.

LOVE POINTS FOR MOM

Okay Buddy...here is what you are REALLY wanting to see...this is Jessie when she came to talk to you....and Tyler. We'll go to Tyler's farewell on Sunday at 11. Jessie is a pretty, good, sweet, happy girl, and we love that you like girls like that.:)
WE LOVE YOU AND WE LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED talking to you...I can't wait until Mother's Day!!!!

XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXOOXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO mom

CHRISTMAS EVE CRAZY

Well,....we were't alone very long before the true HARRIS broke through and the boys had a "DONUT" contest and a BELLY BULGE contest...just thought you wouldn't want to miss out. When it came time for family prayer we were laughing so hard...that you know what happend.

Christmas Morning Josh woke us all up at 4:30...HAPPY!!!! (I'm sure you remember that Josh is NOT a morning person.) Dad loved his BYU shirt best, Megan loved her crock pot and apron, Sam and Spencer loved their ZUNE's....Josh liked his OFFICE season 2 &3. I loved my new winter running clothes...has a new technology in the fabric that will keep the heat in even if I sweat alot. Spencer especially loved his Golf pass...even has green fees taken care of for the THanksgiving Point course. Megan gave Dad and I tickets to the Celene Dion concert that will be here in Nov...it is already sold out.

More Christmas

After dinner the girlies played PLAY DOE...I think I'll be 100 years old before I ever tire of play doe...and I LOVE the smell of it...but it never tastes good...I did quit trying to taste it in about the 4th grade. By 8 o'clock a nasty storm rolled in and everyone left to try to get home before it got too bad. We recieved about 4 inches. That left us to ourselves and it was nice. We played TICKET TO RIDE in which Josh schooled us all AS USUAL!!!! We switched to ROOK and he schooled us again. We might not let him play anymore...unless he's on my team or my partner:)

MORE CHRISTMAS

Here is more of everyone justing hanging out waiting for magic from the oven...Jeremi and Preston, GrandDad B and Megan,Jeremy and ELle, and then Josh and his WHOLE BananaCream Pie since he will be gone next Christmas...he still HATES to have his picture taken.

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

Michael we can't quit thinking about you. I'm doing a picture diary of the events of the last few days without you here.
I'm not sure if you remember the Clegg's who lived by us in our Orem house, but they just built a home in our neighborhood and they called her (Kay)to work with me with the 14-15 year old girls...I am so THRILLED!!! She is fun and a spaz like me so we all get along GREAT!!! Her husband Steve is in a BYU ward.

Drew and Haven had a hard time playing with Laikyn so she became my kitchen helper... she did an AMAZING job with the rolls. I love it when she wears my apron. You can see everyone "hanging out" watching this special on climbling EVEREST which you would have enjoyed. I have included a picture of the table for the Christmas Feast. We had all the usuals. The little girlies took over my quitling room, it became a horse stable, an art center, a fort, a castle....

3 DAYS until MICHAEL CALLS!!!!

I want to apologize for the crummy photos, the missing photos and the poor thougth processing of the last post...I was a tired girl, and STILL an ignorant girl that hasn't figured out how to edit the photos on the site yet. With that said...

3 days until Michael calls. I can hardly wait. THAT will be the best Christmas Present ever!!! I keep praying that the German people in Bonn will wrap their hearts around him and help it to be an AMAZING last Christmas for him there. We should recieve the call around noon.

It's Christmas and CRAZY! And FUN!!!! Sam had his choir concert on Tuesday and Spencer and Josh's were right after his so we sat for a LONG time at the Junior High and then again at the High School. I admit to feeling embaressingly uncultured at these events...or maybe I've just been to TOO Many...but after MY KIDS have performed, I've had plenty and am ready to get out of there. Sam is in the 2nd row, second from the left--Michael, check it out...you'll see Spencer Hulsey, Nate Adair an a few other neighborhood boys in there.(I have no idea how the pictures will post...so...) Josh is the 3rd row, 6th from the left--check out David Chester's MANLY facial hair--3rd row, 8th from the left. So wierd to see these guys I knew as babies become MEN!!!

Spencer got his Driver's Permit on Wednesday...another happy Harris boy! More upset nervous tummy for MOM...I think I'll be better this time...surely teaching #4 must be easier.

We (I) got to babysit Haven and Elle while Kori and Jeremy went Skiing on Friday...they were ADORABLE as always...we played "horses", house, playdoe, colored,pegs,blocks,and had many new kids TV shows playing that I had never even heard of before. Elle kept walking through the house and closing all the doors to every room with a door and would say "TIME OUT"...I think it's had an affect on her...I had to laugh. Haven just keeps telling me that she loves me and likes it when I play with her...so I WAS IN HEAVEN...and I like PRETENDING again. It took me to alot of other places in my mind and I realized how sweet pretending can really be. Your dreams are real even if only for a second and even if only in your mind...a little brain buzz.

Tonight is the BYU Bowl game in Las Vegas and we are playing UNLV...SO...lots of MEN in my house supposedly eating massive amounts of French Dip Sandwhiches and treats that I have prepared while watching the game on ESPN...but the table is still FULL and I am ravenous from my 15 miler today. I LOVE food. I am going to have to stay in here for a LONG time. Megan came here tonight after work. She's crashed in the love seat and missing watching the Tongan players she loves so much. They boys are camped in the basement with the Bid Screen, and Dad and David Rockhill are in the family room screaming and yelling...I guess our boys are having a hard time blocking from what I can hear.

The offical Christmas Bash has begun.Preston and family get here tommorrow as well as Jeremy and kori and girlies coming back. I am well on my way for food prep.I am excited for playing TICKET TO RIDE for HOURS tommorrow and cards as well. Hopefully I won't get sucked into a 3 hour RISK game. I am excited for the movies on Monday (I think we'll see National Treasure 2 and the BIG DINNER....BUT MOSTLY I'M EXCITED TO TALK TO MICHAEL ON Tuesday!!!! I'd also be excited to talk to any of you...SO Austin and Audry and Issac and William and Jax and all the rest...let's try to hook up before real life begins again after Christmas.I lOVE YOU GUYS BIG!!!! Yep! ALL OF YOU!!!!

Celebrating Christmas

Hi Lovey!!! It's been such a sweet week. It's amazing to me how much can happen in a week.
GrandDad decided to NOT buy the Walker's home the next block over...much to my dismay.I feel pretty sure that within the year he'll be here to live, he really shouldn't be alone now. So, maybe he is just saving us a step. He and Olive plan to come for a while after Christmas...I have no idea how long "awhile" might mean, but I'll take it.
Friday Night the Ward Christmas Party was a trip to Behtlehem and they had everyone come dressed in nativity costumes and ate on blankets while having the program like the sheperds in the fields. We missed it to go to Gretchen King's marriage sealing in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple. Paul came down from Boise to be a witness. He brought Ali, so we were lucky to be able to have our old Scripture Study Group Christmas Dinner together here. It was great to be together. We are so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives to love, AND GREATFULLY, who love us!!!! The sealing was at 7 so we didn't get back to start dinner until amost 9pm. Spencer came in after 11 and sat down with all of us and STAYED...so we must not be too boring of old people...of course Shayne was there, and we laughed all night as usual. What a gift he has.
Then, last night was Paul's folk's (you met them a few times at the Ranch in Idaho)big 50th wedding anniversary in Salt Lake and we went up with the Clarke's. We were trying to get a picture of Dad and I before we left when Shayne walked in...and you can see what happend by the pictures. They had dancing there and DAD DANCED WITH ME. Shayne heard about it on the way home because he DIDN'T dance with JaLee...Michael...important marital tip...DANCE with your wife. I know you won't have a problem because I already know you like it. Thank you!!! She thanks you and she doesn't know what a lucky girl she is yet...I pray for her wherever she is, and can't wait for her to join us:)
Josh woke up Friday, hugged me, declares that he IS a SENIOR, and that it was a snowboarding day. He packed a lunch, waxed his board, took his Dell DJ and went all by himself to Park City to "commune with the snow"...I was surprised when he didn't take Stephanie or Greg or David. But then as I thought about it...how glorious to spend a gorgeous day out on the mountain with your favorite music. He was back before 5...he said it was FREEZING cold. It was the first time ever that I wished that I had learned to ski or board. But the moment has passed and so has the desire. I don't want to hurt my legs...rendering me unable to run.
Speaking of running...yesterday it was 12 degrees when we left, we ran up the canyon and the wind was almost unbearable at first...by the end my tongue was numb from breathing with my mouth open...too wierd...it was like trying to talk after going to the Dentist. Half way through we put our IPOD's on and lost track of time and ended up going about 17 miles. The snow was thick and untraveled in some places so it was a mighty workout.
Dad and I surprised each other by BOTH of us doing the 12 days of Christmas for each other...very fun! So far I've gotten to die for fur lined slippers, sleeping socks, a gift certificate for 3 foot rubs and candles. I got Dad a relaxation CD to accompany a massage, universal garage door opener's for the car's, under armor for his biking, and the BYU Football video for 06'. I am wondering if you've gotten YOUR packages yet...?
I bought new yummy material for another quilt and CAN'T WAIT to start it!
Stephanie took Josh to Preference last night and you can see how darling they looked! Josh will e-mail you the REAL details.
The deer have eaten ALL of the new euwanamus bushes down to nubs...see the deer(fawn)in picture. NOT CUTE!!! We are going to have to barricade our yard or SOMETHING...Kym Peterson refers to them as giant RATS and I fully agree. I just don't get why the game commission can't come and take them OUT or away. Those bushes cost over 300 dollars, not to mention the whole day it took to plant them!!! AND the lovey hedge border it was going to be to keep us blocked from the Adairs and hopefully our baseballs, footballs, golf balls, basetballs, tennis balls on OUR side of our yard. Anyway.
Bradford Windley(?) leaves for his mission in Brazil the day after Christmas...we saw his folk's at Dave Harding's mother's funeral. Roger and Liz Bell asked me to send you their love...Kaylie is home for the Christmas break and has decided to take Winter Semester off to have surgery on her foot. Kimberly Cooper is loving BYU and dating up a storm.
The whole fam will be here for dinner tonight. It's the SURVIOR finale...there is a kid from PG High in it this time...he calls himself a GAY MORMON. Megan had a few classes with him, says he was a really nice kid, but had a ton of family problems. We are actually hoping at this lunch lady with a Mohawk wins...you'd love her. We'll be thinking of you...
XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXX MOM