{bed night stories...}

Before I went to Africa, I taped this for my kiddos. It is two of our very VERY favorites! Since then- they have wanted to watch it again & again. I decided to put in on blog so they can get to it easily.

ENJOY!

{a mother's love...}

When Cooner left last time... she left this card for me. One day {many many years from now}, when the kiddos are reading this- I want them to know how blessed they are to have her. And maybe..... just maybe they'll know why I adore her so!!!!!!

"When you were a little girl, you followed me around,

watching every move I made,

and tried to be just like me.

No matter what I did, you were my little shadow.

I never quite felt worthy of the honor,

but it made me smile all over.

I guess it's one of the rights of parenthood,

and I loved every minute of it.

But now, as I see the incredible woman you have become,

it's clear how great you turned out, in spite of my example!

It's not suppose to happen that way.

There definitely was an unseen hand in your life,

for which I will always be grateful.

You have grown into an amazing woman,

exceeded all my expectations,

and have left me in the dust.

Now the tables are turned...

and I wish I could be just like you.

I love you, my daughter... with all my heart."

~Cooner

"London... at last!}

{this is just a castle along the streets in London.... I mean really- if this doesn't make you want to go... read on!!}

Finally Mates! I get to show you part of our Europe trip {sorry it took so long}. A few of you have joked about how I said "it was wonderful... then on to Prissy's party details". Well.... what can I say, it's who I am! But if you think we had an amazingly splendid time... you are bang on {correct} & we want to go back {in another 10 yrs}!!!!!!!

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Joey just after we got to London

{after an 8 hr flight through the night- I now know where they get the term "red eye"!}

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"Big Ben"

{amazingly BIG- I know that sounds silly. But you can't imagine how huge it really is!}

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I have NEVER seen such beautiful flower boxes in my life! EVERY little shop & restaurant had the most gorgeous flowers- did I mention that I {heart} London?

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{I'm just gonna let this speak for itself & let y'all decide?}

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I even loved the cabs! Who knew that public transportation could be so chic?

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People were preforming everywhere- from dancing.. to singing... to magic... to you name it!

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And what London trip would be complete without watching the "Changing of the Guard"? It was so classy- they were amazing & stay out there in the rain or shine without even flinching!!!!

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Any guesses as to what this is? Why a Royal Gardening shed of course! YES this is where they keep the unsightly lawn mowers & such!!!! We "lunched" in the park several days- one of my favs! We picked up "Pret & Manger" one of the best "eateries" that we have EVER gone to!!!! SO YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!

{I hear that NYC has one too?}

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This is outside Parliament & the House of Commons. We actually set through a bit of Parliament- it is open to the public daily. They were just in the beginning of the phone tapping scandals with the big London newspapers....

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And... we went to the Queen's Palace Playhouse to see "Phantom of the Opera". Y'all it was the best single most fantastic theater presentation that I have EVER seen! The theater itself was breathtaking- with tufted red velvet & crystal chandeliers EVERYWHERE. The singing... well let's just say I cried..... it was fantastic & all we kept saying was- Prissy would have loved it!!!


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More outside Parliament-

I could show y'all about 100 pics from every angle- it was beautiful!!!

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Westminster Abbey

{the bells were totally fabulous!}

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Me at the "Queens Gardens" flower shop.

Heavenly I tell you!!!!

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I love these!

They are on every corner. The Brits are not the cell phone fanatics we are.

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And... can I tell you how sad I was to have to pick up a few clothing items? The weather was perfect {in the 60-70's} but I was prepared for 90's. Sadly- ha ha, I had to make an appearance in the UK equivalent of our TJ Maxx- TK Maxx! Don't ya love it? I mean really- 5 stories of perfect shopping pleasure!!!!!!!!

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We also shopped at John Lewis- very fancy! I wanted to buy a hat, but thought better of it. However my "Mary Poppins" hat from last summer would have fit right in!!!!! Why don't American's wear hats? I say we should bring them back!!!!!


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Joey outside the "British Museum" - surprisingly the most visited site in London. I'm shocked that it isn't TK Maxx- ha ha!!

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This is a peek right around the Corner from our Hotel.

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The Morgan Hotel- was FANTASTIC- so much so that I would/want to stay there again if we ever go back. They have the BEST tea & toast in London!!!!

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so fun!!!

I have about 100 other pics to share, but I want you to go see it for yourselves. Trust me when I say "we had an absobloodylutely marvelous time"!!!!

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p.s. Paris to come......

{lessons learned...}

I have to share this new family devotional that we have been using. The lessons are about 2-3 pages {about all the A-man's attention span can be held for- ha ha}. And, it's very easy to understand with simple clear examples that children can understand. It is from Amazon & I Highly recommend it!!! Our last lesson was on "humility". We explained how important being humble is & gave the children a few examples like: considering others better than yourself.... Which leads me to Prissy & I's conversation friday afternoon. She immediately busted in with "Momma the WORST thing happened to me today!" "What?" I asked {knowing she is a smidgen of an exaggerator- I told y'all that already though}. "Well Momma everyone was around my desk talking about how pretty my hand writing was. Momma it made my heart smile! " {cue tearing up from moi} "Then one of the girls said, Look at mine, it's way better than Josey's!" I saw the opportunity to use the bible lesson. I reminded her about humility & considering other's better than ourselves & that life is about being humbled sometimes. She quickly chimed in with "Well I hope tonight's lesson is on HUMILIATION, because that what I was today!" I had NO words........never a dull moment around here! I love how God teaches us something right when we need it!!!

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These little guys finally got to have another play date. They are SO much alike that it cracks me up- so precious!!!!!!! Don't let the guns, swords, knives, bow & arrows, light sabers, or hand cuffs fool you though- they are harmless!!!!!!!!!

{a few new things & a request...}

I have been saving ALL of our Visa rewards {I think it's positively genius to get free rewards} to redeem for JC Penney gift cards. {FYI- they have the best deal that I've seen so far on curtains if you are looking. These panels were regularly $68/ea & they are now $14.99/ea with free shipping.} The result=new white panels for the living room. I think I love it... what do y'all think?

~the Living Room Diaries~

1. sell sofa & get slip covered one

2. make new pillows

3. replace chest for coffee table

4. new curtains

5. new rug

6. re-paint {builder beige=YUCKY}

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Y'all know how I {love} new products -that work..... Well last weekend @ work a nurse introduced me to this. I absolutely adore the smell, the feel, the look {what can I say- I'm all about presentation & this little jar is precious} & the size {a perfect fit for my bedside table}! Although... Prissy has taken a liking to it too- which means it won't last long!

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And, I have been wanting to start an "Emma" book collection for years. So--- I bought myself my 1st one this weekend at the Maxx. I first saw this particular one at Anthro last fall for $35.00. I found this little beauty for $12.00- let the collection begin!!!!!

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These little guys aren't new, but I couldn't resist sharing what I get to look at this morning. He has become quite the little "momma's shadow" with Prissy away & I couldn't be happier about it!!! {about the shadow part- NOT the Prissy being away part!}

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***And MOST importantly!!!! A daughter of one of my dearest friends needs your prayers today. Miss Christin {5 yrs} is having exploratory surgery to see what can be done to fix her kidneys. Damage began with what seemed like benign kidney infections & UTIs but the damage has proven more severe. PLEASE lift up this family with me today!!!!!***

{I couldn't find a great photo of sweet Christin, but this is Prissy at 5 yrs. It is such a precious stage- far too young to be going through this.}

~Luke 18:1~ ...pray and do not give up.

Have a great weekend!!

{an interview with the A-man}

How old are you? "you member mommy, I'm four" {I love how he says "member" for remember. I'm glad he said it for y'all!}

What is your name? "Ashton Honor Harris"

What is your favorite color? "all boy colors like blue and orange, but not pink! NO goowl (girl) colors"

Who is your best friend? "can't tell you.... but it's Lukey"

What is your favorite animal? "rabbit"

What do you want to be when you grow-up? "a Lego builder mommy... you member that didn't you?"

What is your favorite Movie? "Star Wars & the dittle (little) Cars movie"

What is your favorite book? "Toy Story & Lego Star Wars- the one with the ships from Uncle {Aunt} Michelle"

What makes you happy? "Star Wars stuff"

What makes you sad? "boo boos"

What is your favorite food to eat? "pancakes & bacon & eggs & syrup & biscuits & eggs"- he LOVES eggs!!!

What is your favorite song to sing? "dun. dun. duna dannnna na. duna dannnna na. duna dun na" {cue- him singing the Star Wars theme song}- in which he hums all day long & I LOVE it!!

What games do you like to play? "tick tack toe & Legos & swim & iPad"

PRICELESS!!!

{just when I think....}

#1. I will NOT cry on her 1st day of 3rd grade- I do! I did after all grow her & y'all already know it's like my heart walking around outside my own body when it comes to my kiddos..... Today she braved the doors of school- a little more slowly, a bit more quietly, & sadly taller than she left them last May. My sweet girl was ready though- her backpack packed then repacked 3 times last night. She picked out her uniform last week. And, she has had the hairstyle chosen {bangs braided back with a flat-ironed pony tail on the side with an aqua ribbon :) } since.... well a very long time now! She seamed very mature, yet small to me today. I wonder if the other children prayed for her as she did for them? I wonder who will be the lucky one to get to sit by her @ lunch.... I know a certain little someone who will be long faced when he has to eat without his beloved big sister today! Thank Heavens that I still have another few weeks until the A-man starts school! GOOD GRIEF!!!

OR

#2. that my husband is completely NOT a crafter. I am sorely WRONG {he has been holding out on me}. He let our son stay up late {don't tell Prissy}- to make this: Our their 1st custom Lego guy. I knew it was only a matter of time before we started adding paint to them. I'm just glad that Joey did it & NOT me!!!!!

{this is for you JP}

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First they took one of these yellow "droids"

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Next they added these pieces

{I have NO clue what they are called}

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Then they had the nerve to ask me if I had any black spray paint.... I was a bit put off by that- ha ha. I opted for them to use the chalk board paint because it dries in about 5 minutes & I knew the A-man would be choosing the new guy to come to bed with him!!!!

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~ta da~

{the result= "an assassin droid"}

I asked A-man what the difference between the yellow & the black droids-

"Well... the assassin droids don't have to listen like the yellow droids. They don't say "Roger Roger". They... aren't any better shot than the yellow ones. And they work for Cad Bane. But Mommy they aren't real like Cody or Rex {I do know that Rex & Cody are good clones- I think?}". Quite an answer @ 9:00 p.m.- okay hope that cleared things up for you folks???? However let me put it into our perspective- the real difference is- the assassin droids are like $4.00 + shipping on ebay & they made one for free!!!!!!!!!!!

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3rd grade..... hurry up 3:00!!!!