"simply put.."

About What Our Children Mean To Us:

"...We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us..." 1 Thes. 2:8

"my YES day.."

Alright so... Joey & Josey have been away this weekend- little Ashton & I have been all by ourselves. We have had a super-fun weekend, but I must admit that my wrestling skills are NOTHING like Joey's (and I am alright with that)! So I have to look for other ways to woo my little 2 yr old??? We went to a gold-fish pond & fed the fish (many quarters worth)... We shopped & even dined out together- who knew that I would do something as crazy as that @ a non-dollar menu venue without Joey? Ashton has been the perfect gentleman- he has been the best "man of the house" around here. I am sure that his daddy will reward him when he gets back (I hear that he has a new car for him upon his arrival). Anyway today I have decided to have a "yes" day. When he asked to wear his giant watch to church- I said "yes". When he asked to brush his teeth 3 times- I said "yes". When he asked to take his drum sticks in the car- I said "yes". When he asked to wear his Thomas the Train boots to lunch- I said "yes". When he asked for an extra cookie for dessert- I said "yes". And when our neighbor visited with their dog & he asked for a puppy- I said "yes"- well kinda...

this is our new "puppy"
or mouse or rat or cat or whatever?
~ROCKY~
Anyway it is his new little friend- he LOVES him.
He is the perfect combination- he has eyes,
he doesn't bite, he doesn't poop, he was free, & he is quiet!!

I found him in A-man's bed..
He had tucked him all in- how precious!!
Did you really think that I would get a puppy?
(HELLO- today is a "yes" day not a "crazy" one!!)

please keep my precious travelers in your prayers. Harris-house is a bit lonesome without their sweet faces!!!!!!

"GO Momma!!!"

His music class starts in 2 weeks, but he is ready "NOW" (his new word- for better or worse)!!! He has become quite the little drummer. We have gone through 3 sets of drum sticks now- but what can I say?? He is VERY enthusiastic & Passionate about his music- ha ha! He sings from the top of his lungs during his solos with "I want Daddy.... I want Papaw.... I want Priss... I want Momma.... I want Tucker!!!!!!!! It is precious & very VERY loud!!!!!

can you guess who got a package in the
mail today?? Cooner has just barely had time
enough to cut off her hospital bracelet & this came
today!!! Now you can see what I have been saying-
she thinks of everyone EXCEPT herself!
(What are we going to do with her????)

"my little S-P-E-L-L-E-R..."

Today is "Luau Spirit Day" @ SCCS. Priss was over the moon with excitement about getting to bust out all of her B-day apparel!!! I am sure that many of her friends will have something from her party on today too.... She woke up this morning @ 3:00 a.m. saying: "Momma I think I had a bad dream & I know what color I want my nails painted for school! BIG decisions need to be carefully considered, don't you think?" This child has a very old soul & I LOVE that about her. Today is also her first spelling test. I tucked a copy of the word list in Joey's car so that they can practice on the way in the mornings this week.... She told me that spelling was "EXHILARATING Momma- I just think of a word, then sound it out & write in down. It is so fun, I may want to be a speller when I get big!!"

PRAISE REPORT- Cooner is home & doing wonderful!!! I have been calling her when she needs to check her blood sugar & it's working out fantastic!!!!!! Please pray that she continues with this schedule & that her sugar levels remain normal.

"YUMMY Strawberry Bread!"

As I mentioned before; when I am stressed (ie the Cooner situation) I either bake or sew.... My sewing room has been reduced to out-grown clothing from my kiddos so... I have been baking up a STORM! My MIT group is having its "Open House" this morning so I volunteered to bring a little something... And well since a little something turned into a double batch... I am taking some of these YUMMY treats to Josey's class as well. I hope that the other 1st graders adore them like mine does??? Try out this recipe sometime. It is best in the summer when you can use fresh strawberries & fresh preserves- it is a favorite in our house!!!!!!!
~ENJOY~

1 & 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 cup butter , 1/2 tsp soda, 4 eggs beaten, 1 cup strawberry preserves (fresh is best), 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp red food coloring,
1 tsp vanilla, 3 cups flour, 1 tsp lemon juice

(bake in mini muffin pan @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes)

cream cheese icing:

2 cups powder sugar, 2-4 tsp milk, 1 (8oz) block of cream cheese, & 1/2 cup butter

"delight yourself in the Lord & he will give you the desires of your heart.."
~Psalms 37:4~

PRAISE REPORT: Cooner may get to come home today!!!!!!!!!!!!!

go here for more YUMMY dessert ideas:
www.kellyskornershowusyourlife.blogspot.com

"FUN=FREE"

As a mom- I am constantly looking for fun &

inexpensive entertainment for my kiddos. I have started
to look ahead more & make the most of practically
everything! It can be so fun being creative on a budget...

these plates came from Disney World with
nearly every meal (the coasters came in the room under the glasses-
fresh everyday). I know that I must have looked CRAZY packing these trays up after meals, but OH the fun that they just keep having with them!!!
(I think we have complete place settings for 6)
FREE & FUN!!!

this book came from Ashton's

check-up. They let you pick one &
it is his absolute favorite book right now..
"I Love You Through & Through"
FREE & FUN!!!

I feel a little guilty sometimes- making
dresses for Priss & her babies so today
I decided to try out my boy skills???

1. I started with a piece of cardboard..

2. drew a fun pirate sword & cut it out-
I think every little boy needs @ least 1!!

3. then added some aluminum foil & paint!
FREE & ADORED
by my little A-man
(I'm sure that it won't last forever, but who
cares @ this price? & now he knows that
I love him just a much as her!!!!)

PRAISE REPORT- Cooner is headed out of the ICU this morning- praise JESUS!!!! She will stay in the hospital 1 more day- just for observation, then she gets to go home. Please pray that she has a fast recovery & that she does EVERYTHING that she is suppose to......

"icing=quiet"

I just got off of the phone with Dr Pitman (Cooner's precious MD) & Katie (her nurse today)- both are an answered prayer- I'm sure that they have NO idea how much Cooner is adored, but they are giving her the royal treatment!!! He says her levels are "non critical" at this point but she must remain in the ICU until she is off of the insulin drip- probably late tonight or in the a.m. Her K levels are therapeutic but will continue being replaced until the key tones are gone. "She had a very close call & now has a 2nd chance for BETTER compliance"- were his words. Her kidneys are operating by themselves now & her blood pressure is stable. I was able to talk to her for a minute this morning- she was not herself, but I didn't care. I just needed to hear her voice. THANK YOU for all the the sweet prayers & well wishes. "Blessed" seems hardly the word to use for what our family feels @ this point! Please keep her in your prayers. I will update again later..

(taken while on the phone with Dr. Pitman-
he has zero self control- what can I say?
baking=stress relief for me
& icing=quiet for him)

"I need your prayers.."

Cooner has been admitted into the hospital for diabetic complications. She is waiting for transportation to a larger hospital & into an ICU. Please keep her lifted up in your prayers. Pray for guidance for her physicians, sweet nurses to care for her, & no permanent damage to her major organs! I stand in faith believing in my GOD who hears prayers & heals his people. I will update as soon as I know. I am sorry to just leave this and not call family & friends- daddy will make some calls when things get settled....

"they called upon the Lord and he answered them.."
~Psalms 99:6~

"everyone needs Compassion.."

this is our oldest daughter Tigist-

she lives in Ethiopia & will be 16 in October. However
she lives a very different life than our other 2. We
adopted her through the Compassion International
Children's Fund about 12 years ago. I can remember Joey
asking me (when we were dating) if I thought it was a good idea.
I had NO idea then what it would mean to me now. We
are able to correspond with her about every 3 months. She writes
with school updates & news about her family. Josey now loves to
draw pictures for her & see her writing & hear about
how she prays to the same God that we do! It is amazing
to see God's work there- what an opportunity to show
the love of Jesus. If you have ever thought about joining
Compassion- I pray that you consider it again!

"whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me..."
~Mark 9:37~

"happy Sunday"

Priss getting baby Anna all ready for church!

A-man getting ready for church
(he did manage to stay clean!!)

Josey helping us with nursery duty today...
(ALL the 2 yr olds LOVED her & followed
her around the entire time- 1 little boy in particular!!)

A-man in the tunnel...

BIG sisters=BIG help today
Josey & Sami Grace
(both named after their dads-
Joey & Sam)

little siblings=precious
Ashton & Anna Lou
(loving snack time!!)

Joey passing out
2nds & 3rds to his table..
(he is such a push over- no wonder they
loved him so...)

hanging out after church @
Camelot Park!!!

we had a blast with an alfresco lunch
& a very long over due park date!!!

"laughin' & cryin'.."

well week #3 of 1st grade is nearly over & what fun is to be had! She is making salt & flour maps of NC in history, acting out verses in bible class (her only hang-up is that they don't wear costumes), & playing "tennis kick n ball" (she gets her athletic abilities from me- unfortunately) in PE. The first day she had PE, she was telling me about playing "tennis kick n ball" (you might know this sport as kick ball- what can I say?) she said "& Momma guess what- one time I even actually did kick it!" "fantastic Love- I bet you were great!" I said. "No mam I really wasn't, but I bet they can't make a ribbon rose can they Momma?" "I bet not, we all have different talents!" I said smiling. "Sports are not our thing Momma, crafts are right?" "RIGHT Priss!" I said laughing. Then I heard my own thoughts coming out of her tiny mouth- "maybe we should make some fun shirts to wear while we play tennis kick n ball Momma?"

p.s. I went to see "The Time Traveler's Wife" last night with the BUNCO girls- I am sorry to report that I have NO pictures! We were in NO shape for driving afterwards- much less pictures & smiling! I cried SO hard that I totally annihilated 5 concession stand napkins & had to resort to my DRY CLEAN ONLY sweater for the rest! It was fun getting out girls, but I am reading the previews first next time -ha ha!!!!!!! Can't wait until next month though- you girls are precious to me!!!!!

"me & my MITs.."

well.. Ashton & I are just now back from my

MIT (Moms IN Touch) meeting. I KNOW that is
the sweetest hour that I spend each week! I get together
with other praying moms to just plain pray for our little
ones. Today we prayed that our children
would know God as Jehovah-jireh

"Lord may Josey know you as the God who meets all her
needs according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
~Phil 4:19~

I prayed for our teachers to not grow weary!

"Lord let Mrs. White not grow weary in doing good,
for at the proper time she will reap the harvest if she
does not give up."
~Gal 6:9~

p.s. Ashton was good as gold (that is an answered prayer from last night)- he is learning the importance of prayer & he got to walk his sister into school today- what a treat!!!!!

"the deed is done.."

so.. after 4 years with pink chairs in

my gold & blue dining room-
TA DA!!!!!
they are BLUE!
(however it took me 4 & 1/2 hrs, I have
multiple third degree burns from my glue gun, &
I now REALLY understand why it costs so much
to get quality upholstery done).
PLEASE lie to me & tell me that it was
worth the effort- I guess that anything
is better than before... right???

before:

now after:


my boys giving me their-
"I can't believe you did it to me look?"
(after I combed A-mans hair into
a little 1800's-do. He would make
such a precious little drummer boy!!!)

p.s. Priss noticed right away that the chairs were new!!! Joey still has NO idea what color they were to begin with. & Ashton- well a chair is a chair to him!!!!

"do they hear me?"

I OFTEN ask myself if they hear my teachings?

Do they remember them when I am not with them?

Do they really get the important stuff that we talk about?
Last night @ dinner- we started to eat (it was a late dinner &
we were ALL very ready & hungry)! Josey started to eat without
saying a blessing- Ashton QUICKLY jumped out of his seat to push
her tiny hands together in his... "bess bess" (meaning blessing).
We all prayed & he finished with a BIG "MIN" (amen). I am starting
to see Jesus in him more & more everyday!!!!

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
~Proverbs 3:1-6

"while the cat's away.."

alright so one of us (Ashton) is adjusting

nicely to his new found freedom with his
sister's things....

I am just thankful that Polly Pockets are
VERY durable & forgiving to little brother's
need to shape them into guns & rockets...


I found this little guy in the toothpaste drawer-
(look close & you can see why he was there...)
Ashton was brushing his teeth with Prissy's toothbrush
& her toothpaste- it will be our little secret!

Hurry home to us PRISS!!!!!
(I'm not sure how long I can hold
him back from the dress-up jewelry???)

"it's Friday & it's memory verse day.."

well... day #9 & all is well in the world of my little
1st grader!!! She is blossoming already this year. I can see her
quiet spirit rising up & actually answering questions (I hear) this year- PRAISE GOD!!

meanwhile.. this little warrior has NO fear!!

"mee gooo" was his response to his Priss leaving...
thankfully his "Mommy & Me" music class begins
in a few weeks- he will finally have somewhere to go!!!

"as for me & my house.."

I have been really bogged down lately; partly from family demands, but mostly from the enemy! I am determined to NOT let him get much blog time so... I have adopted a new motto & whenever I start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, lonely (without Priss), or just plain cross. I say this out loud- it is powerful!

"YOU are good & YOU always & only do what is right!"

I can feel my worries melt around me. Thank you Lord that YOU are faithful to me whenever I call. Father when my children cry out to you, hear their prayers. Pour out your blessings on them for YOUR glory!!!
& ALL the Harris' say "AMEN!"

I believe that faith is the currency of heaven... Hold fast to this & know
that "He that is in you, is greater than this world.."