Yay!

I MADE IT!!!

In an earlier post I mentioned how badly I wanted to get to the temple, and I am very happy to say that, while I was in Vegas I was able to go!!! After getting the boys good and tired, fed and down for naps, I left for the temple and my mom watched the boys. I got to do a whole hour of initiatory!!! I was the only one there, and they were hoping someone would show up. So, it was totally meant to be. Heavenly Father really wanted me and needed me to be at the temple that day, and gave me a big window of opportunity to do service!

I got home and the boys were still sleeping. I had tons of time to spare. It felt great getting to the temple. I can't tell you how happy I am. Now, it's your turn people --we're needed! ;D

Body Art!

What started out as fun finger painting turned into paint from head to toe. Ben had the best time painting his entire body. All Grandma and I could do was laugh and film. I think kids should have chances to get as dirty as they want....and, I think they should do it at Grandma's house. ;D

Kade Explainin' Things.

Today we went to the museum with Grandma Lana. The boys a lot of fun. I figured Kade summed up the day the best, so I posted this: his summation.

I Love to See the Temple.

My Two Favorite Temples.
Lately---well, more than lately, for months now the temple has been calling to me. I haven't gone since I was 8 months pregnant with Kade.....so, it's been about 6 months. I have been actually aching to go, but haven't had the freedom enough to get there. I haven't trained Kade to take a bottle very well, so he won't. And, so that limits my time away from him to 2-3 hours.(Drive to St. George + changing + the length of the whole session + the time I'd like to sit and pray afterwards + changing + the drive back to Cedar = not enough time.)

It all makes going to a session pretty hard. I am going to Vegas soon and am bound and determined to go and at least do initiatory. (There the drive isn't an hour just to get to the temple, so it could be possible. I know I shouldn't even complain about an hour drive. Many have it far worse.) And, initiatory doesn't take as long as a session. Cross your fingers for me. I really want to get there.

I have a real testimony of temples. I love them and want to be there. I know how much better my life is when I get to one often. What a blessing they are. I can't say enough. For all you who can get there regularly, GO! And, soon enough I'll be there too. (Twice a month is my dream!)

More Pics of the Boys?! I Know...I'm Addicted.

Here's more random pics of the boys. I am addicted to taking pictures and posting them. I have a million pictures that never get posted, but I love taking their picture.

Ben loves his new soccer/t-ball field. He spends the majority of his days outside now. He loves running around and playing his sports. He is too funny to watch. (I'll post a clip some day.)

Kader-bum is becoming quite the loud babbler. He will "yell babble" all day. It's cute. He is so easy to make laugh and he smiles all the time. Fun times here at the Harris house. It's a great start to a great summer.

"See Ya Later Jake."

My cousin Jake, who has been living with us for the last year, moved out this past week. He's now a cool college kid in his own apartment....instead of living with some old fogies like me and Joe. :)

Jake has been one of Ben's best buddies. Ben LOVED hangin' out with him. Ben would sit forever and watch Jake play Nintendo. He would run to Jake when he got home, give him huge hugs and would always say, "See ya later Jake." whenever Jake would leave for work or school.

When Jake finally left for the last time Ben said, "See ya later Jake." and I know he didn't get that Jake wouldn't be coming home, here, to stay again. I almost wanted to cry for Ben, 'cause he doesn't know that one of his best friends won't be around as often.

Granted, we'll visit Jake in town, and he'll be out to our place every now and then. So, it really is just "see ya later Jake." It was fun having you stay with us.

Yay, the Osborns came to visit.

Future boyfriend and girlfriend?...they are already holding hands. :D
What dolls. I love their faces! Note the hair --she has a lot; he has a little.
The funny two year olds! Again, note the difference in hair -my kid, again, has none.

Yesterday, I finally got to see my best friend Brittany and her family! She was due to visit in July -and be around for a while. But, due to an unfortunate and sad situation, she had to hurry to Utah earlier than planned, and wasn't able to visit as long. (I drove out to her in-laws house to see her.) Though I only got to see her for about five hours, it was great to see her and her family. I just love how comfortable things are with her. She is just the best friend I think I've had, outside my family, 'cause she feels like family to me.

Kade and Libby were just to cute. I am so glad we got to meet each others' babies. Libby has the chubbiest thighs I have ever seen, on a four month old. The pictures don't do them justice! She was funny and would smile at her auntie Holly. I loved it. What a doll. I covet her hair for my boys!!

Malachi and Ben got along so well! A year ago, the last time they played, they weren't too sure if they liked each other. But, this time, they had a blast for the most part. They wrestled and chased each other. They shared toys -kinda- and just were awesome.

Ben has been asking for Malachi and Brittany all day today. I can't wait for the next time we'll get to visit. We'll have to make it a week long event or something! Good times.

Too Funny!

Nothing needs to be said.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Halleluuuuuuuujah!!!!

We are now the proud owners of a front yard!!! We've been wanting it for a long time. (It's kinda hard for the hubby to do yard stuff when summer comes early and he's out on fires.) This year we got to it! And, all I can say is Hallelujah. I hear that song in my head when I look at the grass.

Joe started out laying the sod by himself....then I came out to help, then a kid showed up, then another (they were boy scouts in our ward, coming to earn more money for camp).....then the Elder Quorum Pres. came, then the Bishop (who is our neighbor) and by the time I left and came back with refreshments...there were six boys total, and five men total. And, then there was Ben throwing rocks in rain puddles and following the scouts around.

We appreciated the service, and gladly paid the boys some moola for their camp. And, only an hour and a half from the time the guy delivered the sod, we had it all finished and were eating donuts. I cannot say how happy I am the have this grass........it's Christmas to me. Ben can now run around outside all day --this yard is like a football field to him. I am soooooo happy.

Thanks Joe for the time and effort put into the whole thing! I know how hard you worked and I appreciate it!!! It looks so awesome. We are now officially old people who sit out and just stare at our yard. (We gotta get some rocking chairs.)

Aw, Our Boys.

My friend Brittany posted pics of her cute kids to see their differences and similarities. I liked the idea -so I stole it. ;D I remembered I had a picture of Ben in this shirt, so when Kade wore it the other day I snapped a picture of him in it. What do you think? They're not the best pictures in the world to compare with, but I thought they looked okay. I cannot believe Ben was ever 4 months--and I can't picture Kade ever being 2 and 1/2.

Our Little Reader.

Ben LOVES to read and I have tried to remember to get he camera out and capture him in the act. He "reads all the time and I love that he loves to read.

We've read to him since day one, and now it's probably his favorite pass time. Also, I am grateful that he sees Joe reading all the time, as an example for him to follow.

It is proving harder to sit and read the same way with Kade....But ,I am working on it, and hopefully he'll develop the same love for reading that Ben has. (P.S. I promise he doesn't always just wear pajamas....he's dressed in pj's in all of these pics. I think I just get the camera out in the morning or evening.....'cause I do dress him. Really :D )

Random Pics of the Boys.

These are just a few recent pictures of the boys. Ben Loves playing in the dirt---that is our front yard. Grass coming soon. And, Kade is just gettin' bigger everyday. They are just cute little guys and are just fun to post about. Hopefully, I'll get posts on here more consistently.

Happy Mother's Day!!

I had a great Mother's Day. Here is a pic of my gifts from Joe and the boys, and from the ward.
Ben gave me a CUTE card that he colored on. He also made the cookie flowers in nursery. They said, "If mothers were flowers, I'd pick you." :D So cute. The ward gave the little potted plant and a little book.
Joe gave me a card and a massage gift certificate --I can't wait to go redeem it. Mmmmm Massage-(say in Homer Simpson voice.)And, Joe gave me the two things of dark chocolate candy. Whoohoo! So, good. The roses were from all the boys. I'm guessing one from each of 'em. (Joe says everything is technically from all of them -except that I got a "wife" card and a "mom" card).

The talks at church were great, lunch was good and easy. The day so far had just been great. I feel very lucky to be a mom. I can't say enough of what I feel. (I'm sure you all know what I mean.) I know I have been blessed and am very lucky to have all that I have.

I just want to say thanks to all you mothers that have influenced my life. My mom, big sister and sisters in-law. My best friend Britt and all the "lunch club" ladies. I have learned so much from all of you women. Thanks, and I hope you all had a great Mother's Day!!

Kade in Action.

Here's Kader-Bum. He is so fat and so cute. He has gotten so big this past month. In the second clip he is tooting, you can kind of hear it, on the camera, over the background noise. He's smiling and just too cute. I can't believe how big he's gotten so fast.

In the first clip he's talking a little, so you can hear his voice. He has become a little chatter box these days. He babbles all day! He is so fun and such a good little baby.

Ben Singing...Again.

This morning Ben was signing as I was getting his breakfast. I asked him if he'd want to sing for the camera. He said, "Sure." No bribing necessary. So here we go. He had just woken up, he has goofy bed-head, his pajamas on, and is still holding his best friend "George" (who he sleeps with every night), so it's as real as it gets. He knows about seven primary songs, or so, so these singing clips could be regular additions. Enjoy.