2009 Hightlights

2009 in Review

In February we finally got the basement finished. We moved all of us downstairs.

Around the end of March we found out we were having another baby. Very unexpected but a WONDERFUL surprise we wouldn't trade for anything.

In May we took a family camping trip to our stakes property. It rained the whole time. But it was one of our most FUN and memorable camping trips.

Mattix turned 2 on July 23 and we threw the biggest backyard party ever. Fully equipped with a blowup water slide and green frosting.

Also in July Matt put his name in the race for West Valley City Council for our district. That was the begging of a fun and exciting journey. We were right by his side through the whole Campaign.

In August the boys got to go on the Father Sons camp out. Our family was rocked by a scary accident that left us with a STRONGER testimony and because of FAITH and prayer no long term physical scars. We were truly BLESSED.

In September Matt made it through the Primary Campaign and moved on to the "BIG Election."

Mason started Preschool in September he attends Ms. Sandy's preschool. He is learning so much and loves it. I am PROUD to say he can sing in alphabetical order up to Kentucky

October we had a fun time celebrating HALLOWEEN. Mason was a vampire and Mattix was a tiger. Because they were sick the whole week leading up to Halloween we had limited trick or treating but somehow managed to acquire QUITE a bit of candy.

November was a BIG month for us. All the hard work we had put into Matt's campaign came to an end at the general election. I have never been so PROUD of my husband. He put so much hard work and dedication in to this. He may not of won but he put up a DANG good fight.

I spent 3/4 of 2009 prego. November. 22, we welcomed Manning Austin Harris into our FAMILY.

December brought many BLESSINGS to our family. We were blessed with a wonderful Christmas and the opportunity to spend the holidays with the ones we LOVE.

Now as 2009 comes to an end and at MIDNIGHT tonight we will ring in the new year. I have to say that despite the economy and the stressful effect it has taken on my family this year. I DO have to say we have had a VERY successful year. We have learned so much. We have grown every way possible. I AM proud of my family. I am excited for 2010. I am anxious to see what's in store for us. It's time to look ahead and as my good friend Nakia would say, no resolutions this year, I am going to set goals. So here's to a GREAT 2010!!

I can't get the pictures to upload. I will post them as soon as I figure it out.

Happy Birthday Mason!!

Having fun in the bath while camping.

Mason's 1st birthday. What a mess and he looks like he's had to much to eat or drink.

From the beginning he was Daddy's boy. And Daddy is still his favorite.

He was our little fighter. After a scary emergency C-section delivery. 3 days after he was born he stopped breathing and had to stay in the NICU for another week. We got to take him home and he's been healthy and kicking ever since.

Mason Alexander Harris

12/13/05 2:32 p.m.

5 lb. 2 oz 18 in.

I can't believe 4 years has gone by so stinking fast. 4 years and 3 kids later. Here we are.

Sleep is for the weak!

One of the joys that comes with being a new mom is the gift of no sleep. Or for some (the lucky ones) very little sleep.
When I was younger I was not a very good sleeper. It took me forever to fall asleep and quite often I would end up in my parents bed. Hence the reason my children have such wonderful sleeping habits. My mom in desperation once I started to understand time, taught me to count the hours I would be sleeping if I were to fall asleep at such and such time. The idea came after reading or seeing some article about how much sleep should you child be getting. Well I knew that I should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep. As I would lay there and look at the clock I would count over and over in my head and calculate how much sleep I wasn't going to be getting. It worked when I was very young but once I got into my teen years and I liked sleep it would haunt me because I knew I would be tired the next day if I didn't go to sleep soon.
So to make a long story short. I am the kind of person that values my sleep. I have always been this way. But being a mom has caused me to get used to living on as little sleep as I can possibly get.
I made the mistake when Mason was a baby of letting him sleep in our bed. Well he's very rarely goes a night without ending up in my bed to this day. And with Mattix I felt bad making him sleep in his room by himself so he is now worse than Mason. Now poor Manning doesn't stand a chance I would like to keep him in his own bed as long as possible. As a result it causes our house to experience some very long nights. I have gotten to the point over the past 2 and a half weeks of being able to sleep in any position. I have gone as far as falling asleep sitting straight up with my legs crossed. (I am going to have some severe back and neck issues soon)
I've been watching many episodes of SuperNanny in hopes that I can pick up some pointers and when I start feeling up to it. I am planning an attack with my new found knowlege. Wish me luck. We'll see how it goes. I'd like to get my bed back one day, maybe a little more sleep, and the opportuntiy to lay next to my husband and not have little feet in my back or someone pulling my hair on the other side of me. Maybe for Christmas I'll ask Santa for my own SuperNanny.

Happy 1 week birthday!

In light of his one week birthday, here is the picture of when I first set eyes on my little Man.

"My Gooey Baby"

And baby makes 3!!

I'd like to welcome to the my blog, the newest "Harris Boy"

Manning Austin Harris.....

Pictures compliment's of BellaPhotography.

I may be his mom but, I do have to say I think I make some dang cute babies.

On the Monday before we had Manning I had my last "prenatal checkup." It felt good to know that I was almost to the end. Dr. Barney asked if I had any last minute questions or any concerns. I've had this dream of the doctor pulling the baby out and holding him up so I can see him right away. (they do it on t.v.) I've never seen any of my kids "gooey." How else can you prove that he came out of me if I don't see the mess I'd made? I asked him if it were possible if everything looked good if he could hold Manning up and let me see him semi first. He laughed at me and promised I would see a dripping gooey baby. I wasn't to sure he'd remember.

On "D" day (delivery day) I couldn't believe how nervous I was. By the time I walked into the O.R. in my beautiful gown. I was litterally shaking. I was so scared. I don't mean to sound dramatic but I felt like my whole life was about to change and than there was the fact that I was about to endure a huge needle along with a surge of what feels like electricity going through my back and the obvious fact that I was about to have my stomache cut open and my guts strung out across my stomache. I was scared.

As I layed there getting the play by play from everyone. I waited. Than sure enough I hear everyone start ewwing and awwing his head was out and he was so cute, than they all started counting one, two, three, four as the doctor unwrapped the cord from around his neck the doctor held him up over the curtain and I saw him. Dr. Barney asked if that was what I was looking for and I was trying not to cry so I didn't answer. He brought this gooey baby around the side of the curtain and gave me a good look. I was very happy. How do you explain that first look at your tiny baby? It's very overwelming to even repicture it in my head. It is one of the best feelings I think Heavenly Father can bless anyone with.

So now he's here he's what everyone would call a "good baby." I love him. He's beautiful. I am in aw at how wonderful his little spirit is.

Thankful I am a Mom!

For as long as I can remember the #1 thing on top of my "what do I want to be when I grow up list" was to be a mom. I always wanted babies. Everyone keeps posting their things they are thankful for and I thought with our big day approaching it's fitting to say, I am thankful Heavenly Father has blessed with the gift of being a mom.
I remember the night I found out I was pregnant with Mason. I had so many emotions flooding through me. I was excited and extremely scared. Than when he was born and I held him for the very first time, I knew what "mommy love" really was. I had this immediate urge to teach him, protect him and love him. That same feeling came when we had Mattix and I am already feeling that love with this soon to be new little Man.
I made the decision the day before I was supposed to go back to work to stay home and raise my family. It has not been easy. In fact I have often toyed with the idea of going back to work outside our home. It has been emotionally draining, physically draining and very draining on our wallets. I have tried quite a few things to try and bring money in. I babysit, I've taught preschool, sold MaryKay and Discovery Toys. And when all that failed or it got rough I just have to look at my boys and I know what I need to do. Just keep chugging along. We are blessed and have been blessed things seem to work out.
One of the biggest blessings that comes from being a mom is knowing that you are doing something right. I love watching my kids grow and learn new things. My favorite thing in the world is the hugs and kisses they spontaneously spring on me.
So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for my family and the major responsiblity that has been giving to me to raise valiant young men that will one day hold the Priesthood and have thier own families to love and teach. I pray that I will be able to teach them all that I can to help them be the best they can be.

Does money grow on trees?

We run into another parenting stumble or what I like to call a milestone. We have discovered that Mason is growing up. I know that sounds like a DUH kind of thing to say but it's hard when you are the parent and you see your kids everyday. Him being the oldest he's kind of had to grow up faster than most 3 year olds. He's creeping up on his 4th birthday and the kids is to smart for his own britches.
We have been noticing lately that when we take our boys anywhere they have begun to throw fits and beg for things. It has really become quite a problem. They expect to get whatever they want. Well that wasn't so bad when they are younger and you can devert thier attention to something else. But Mason the other night demonstrated that he's wants what he wants and that's the way he's going to get it.
We took the boys to Barnes and Noble to find something that Matt has been looking for. The second we walked into the store the boys wanted this and that. I took the boys back to the kids section and Mason walked right over to the Pokemon stuff. I told him we could look at the books. That worked until Matt was ready to go. There were two books he particularly wanted one was $10 and the other was $15. Yeah right. (I am a super frugal shopper. If you can't find it on clearance or at the DI I will usually not buy it.) We told him no. The melt down began. Matt was at the check out and I was trying to get my two massive fit throwing children out the door. (Mattix does what Mason does.) I left Mason for Matt and took off with Mattix out the door. He was making the biggest mess and the most noise.
We got into the car. After a big wrestle between dad and son. Mason proceeded to yell at us that "my mommy and daddy are so mean," "I don't love them," "They are not fair," and than I turned around for some reason that struck me. How does he know what "fair" is. So I asked him.
And his response. (which totally shocked me) "Everytime we go to the store you and dad get whatever you want to buy. I don't. If you want something you just get to buy it." What!!! He's is 3 almost 4. Where the heck is this coming from.
Let's just say that Matt and I sat down and had to reevaluate how we "spoil" our children. We had a talk with him and sat down and told him that he's now big enough to buy his own stuff and will need to start saving his own money and earning money. I don't know if we are doing what we are supposed to do. I hope that we are doing what's right and our kids don't grow up being greedy spoiled rotten adults.
Any one have any ideas?