Sarah loves to dance. But, before she can begin to dance she must first put on her princess dress. Either she is Snow White or she's Princess Aurora. It's quite adorable. She loves to spin around so her dress twirls and sparkles in the light. Anytime Sarah hears music playing, she runs into her room, grabs a dress, and begins to entertain. Below is a video of her showing off her dance moves.
Sarah plays with her dresses so much they are in need of some mending. Another thing to add to my list of motherly duties. One day I'll surely get to it...hopefully before she gets too big to wear the dresses.
Well, we're almost done! The painting, minus the touch ups, baseboard, casing, and crown molding are all done!!! It seems like this has literally taken forever. Coming home every day after work just to work really stinks! I mean, I can handle the laundry, dinner, dishes, and Sarah's messes, but adding the basement on top has really been the kicker. But, I must admit it looks really good. And also Jordan spends more time down there than I do. After all, someone has to cook and play with Sarah. Here are some photos.
The first photo is looking back (to the North) at the kitchenette/pantry area. Second photo is looking South to our movie room. Jordan and my dad were discussing something technical I decided to ignore. I've been dealing with the basement so long now I just phase out whenever I hear the word. You can see our fireplace as well. We have tile work to do around the fireplace, kitchenette, pantry, and bathroom, but we have till Feb. 26th (carpets coming in that day!!!).
The third picture is looking down the hallway. The other lights weren't turned on/connected yet so I didn't take any pictures of the bedrooms or bathroom. Next time though, I'll be sure to add them in.
Poor Sarah was sick over the weekend. She had a fever of 102.9 and looked simply miserable with a gunky cough. I wouldn't let her go to church, despite her protests. She kept both Jordan and I up on Saturday night so I got a total of 2 hours of sleep. I tried to find a sub to sit in with my Sunbeams, since I didn't have the lesson, but everyone else was either sick or already subbing. So, I got dressed and made myself go. I didn't feel good at all, but was blessed with having only 4 out of the 9 kids show up to class. I can handle 4 kids, especially when I don't feel good. We had a Superbowl party at my house, even though Sarah was sick. Lynette, Robert, Karina, and my dad joined us this year. It was great fun. Sunday night I began to feel the effects of a cold coming on...oh joy. So I went to bed as early has possible while trying to be a good hostess and zonked out.
Come Monday morning I had the same gunky cough and burn in my throat. Tuesday is now here, I'm at work, but feel yucky. My cough is worse. Now I'm waiting for the high fever, or at least some sort of a fever. No fun. But, what mother doesn't catch what their kids have? My philosophy is if you did a good job taking care of your sick kido, chances are you're going to get sick as well.
Well, finally Jordan and I are headed to Logan!! I haven't been there since Christmas and I'm in desperate need of some family time. I'm looking forward on taking a break from the basement as well. We've been working so hard all the time I'm looking forward to a 3 day break. Jordan might not admit it, but I think he's excited as well.
I'll post pictures of the basement soon. We've finished all the painting, baseboard, and casting. Now we have crown molding and tile work left before carpet comes. A lot of work, but we're getting there.
2009 brought many things to our family. First, Sarah has developed like crazy. Gone are the days I can call her a baby—she’s now a full blown 2 year old talking machine. At the beginning of 2009 Sarah was just learning how to crawl up things, like on the piano bench. Now she can move a chair, climb onto it, and play the piano anytime her little heart desires. She is so tall, she doesn’t even need to stand on her tippy toes to see what is on the table and if she wants something on the counter, then by all means she reaches up and grabs it.
Jordan and I have learned it is unwise to buy glass cups. Sarah is Mommy’s little helper and puts all dishes in the sink when she finds them, full, used, or otherwise. Glass and hard, porcelain sinks don’t match. One shatters, and it’s not the sink. For Christmas Jordan tried to surprise me with new cups, but I already knew that’s what I would be getting. I can’t complain, we were running low!!
Sarah’s vocabulary went from about ten words at the beginning of 2009 to around 400 words and growing. She can speak in complete sentences, sometimes connecting 4-5 words in one sentence. Recently Sarah has begun singing. One day she just stopped listening to Mommy sing and joined her! Let me tell you what a surprise that was. I was utterly shocked since Sarah was singing most of the words correctly, on key, and up to tempo. Wow, I was stunned. She also will match any note a singer holds out in a song and she’ll match pitch almost perfectly. Not many 2 year olds can do that…well, that I know of. My hopes of Sarah being musically inclined just may be realized in the coming years.
The Stake Musical Anna and I worked so hard on came to life in March 2009. It was a lot of work, a lot of stress, and a lot of time spent on this project, but it was well worth it. The youth are constantly asking Anna and me when the next Musical will be. Of course we don’t know when. I wish I could say soon, or next month we’ll be starting, but we haven’t heard back from the Stake Presidency yet on when they wish to begin the next Musical. When we began this, they all said this would be something we did annually. Now, I don’t know what they meant by annually, but I’m glad I was able to do this Musical and look forward to do another whenever they are ready for it. The script is written, the music is already altered for cleaner language, and we’re ready to roll…whenever the word is said.
Since the Musical, many of the youth have joined choirs, theater groups, and have done extracurricular activities based on theater or music. It really makes me feel as if I did something good for these youth, and the adults who felt they had been forgotten in the wards and stake. I believe had we not done the Musical, many of the younger kids and youth wouldn’t have had the courage or desire to participate in other music/theater things. Many have told us had we not done the Musical, they would’ve never had the courage to audition in front of their friends. Or, they’ve said they would’ve never thought they’d be prepared to audition for a lead role and have confidence or experience they’d need to actually get the part they wanted. I’m so glad to have brought something good to my stake and to others who enjoyed watching the Musical as much as others enjoyed being in it.
In April of last year, Sarah began swimming lessons. She was apprehensive at first, but soon grew a love and warmth for the water just as her mother has. Sarah loves, repeat, loves to swim! Whenever we went to Bear Lake, Sarah wanted to plunge right into the water, despite the cold. She even wanted to jump off the boat in the summer whenever she could. But, Mommy wouldn’t allow her do to that…yet. When she’s older and a more advanced swimmer, I won’t mind one bit at all. Until then, however, she will remain safely in the boat unless I’m in the water with her. Jordan is afraid of water, so he won’t be getting in with her any time soon—or ever for that fact.
Jordan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary in January last year. To celebrate, we went on an Alaskan Cruise in May. It was so much fun! We left Sarah with Nana and Bompa for a week, which was the hardest thing to do, and left for a vacation for two. We spent a day in Seattle, visited the sites there, and then got on our cruise the next day. We stopped in Ketichan, Juneau, Skagway, and then Victoria, Canada. It was a blast and I hope to one day do it again. What a trip and so many memories made.
We had many fun camping trips this year. We first went to Smith and Morehouse near Kamas, UT. It was beautiful there and I can’t wait to go back again. Daisy Mae also had a fun time playing in the river. Sarah didn’t like that it rained (as it did on every vacation after we got back from Alaska save 2) and didn’t fall asleep the first night. I got her to sleep in a sleeping bag next to me, but I was kept awake all night by a little 2 year old trying to push me out of my own sleeping bag and off my own mattress. Thank goodness the next camping trip, which we took to Cottonwood so Anna and Karina could see where my book took place, Sarah slept much better. It did rain, but it was spotty rain. We were lucky enough we could take Daisy with us since we camped on the opposite side of the lake. She loved fishing, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors with us. I almost think Daisy had more fun than we did. Especially drying off by the fire.
Sarah learned how to drive boats this year as well (with the help of an adult that is). She loves driving the big boat with Nana and Bompa. She’s not too keen on sharing the steering wheel, since she wanted to do everything by herself, but relented. She also helped Daddy drive the small fishing boat on our little fishing trips together. Of course it was much harder for her to stay going slow. She wanted to rev the engine and go fast, fast, fast. Is this a sign? Should I be worried?...For now I’ll embrace the fact she loves the water, unlike her Daddy, and loves boats, unlike her Mommy.
She is also learning her ABC’s and can count to ten. Sarah loves to spend her days coloring and telling Mommy, Daddy, and Anna what letters to write on her works of art. Most of the time she asks for the letters B and S. B for BYU, and S because her name begins with S. But I must admit it is a little embarrassing in church when Sarah is coloring and loudly requests us to write the letters B-S on her paper.
Jordan was released from being a Scout Master over the 12 and 13 year old boys this summer and was called to be an advisor to the Priests. So now he’s working with 16-18 year old boys. He really likes it a lot, especially since these boys were the first boys he taught as Deacons. He is looking forward to camping trips, special activities, and spending time helping them each prepare for their missions. I know Jordan will do a fantastic job helping these youth reach their goals and full potentials. I’m glad to support him 100% in his calling, as always, and I’m glad he gets his “guy time” too. Being in a house full of women can be overwhelming, I do admit.
I was released as Ward Historian and called to be a Sunbeam teacher in May. At first I was really intimidated by the calling. I feel I work much better with older, more mature kids. I don’t like speaking down to anyone because of their age and sometimes I feel I lose little kids in explanations. But, I thought the Lord must be prepping me for when Sarah is that age. I accepted the calling and began teaching 3-4 year olds about the gospel. I can honestly say I really enjoy the calling. It’s had its ups and downs, but it is really fun teaching little kids about prophets, Heavenly Father and Jesus, and our church. All I can say is…the things kids say. I’ve learneda lot about other families in the ward.
Sarah accomplished another large feat after her 2nd birthday. Potty training 101 was enforced in full right after Sarah turned 2. I was completely devoted and dedicated to train Sarah. She was in Nursery in church, hated diapers, and I believed was mature enough to be trained. After Anna and I sat with her for 45 minutes one night, she finally went on her little singing toilet. That very night I went out and bought poster board, stickers, and poster putty. I hung the potty chart in the bathroom and each and every time Sarah went on the toilet, she got a sticker. Once she went enough times, she got a prize. Sarah’s very first prize was a Hannah Montana purse. She loves her little purse and carries it with her as often as she remembers to bring it with her when she goes shopping with Mommy and Auntie Anna. Now she’s potty trained and in her very own big girl bed (she has my old daybed I had as a little girl).
Officially I have finished my Life Saga books. Book one, An Unforeseen Life, was completed last year. In the mean time, I’ve written A Forsaken Life (book 2), A Provisional Life (book 3), and the fourth and final book An Enduring Life. Many youth in my ward have read the books and thoroughly enjoy them. I have yet to find a literary agent, but my thoughts are now turning towards self publishing. With as many youth who are reading the books now enjoy them, I think it just may be my ticket in. However, I’m currently writing another series, a sci-fi I began many years ago before the Life Saga, and plan on finishing book 1 first. Anna believes this book is my ticket into the publishing world and insists I must finish that book and seek representation before I jump to self publishing. With her enthusiasm and encouragement, I’m going to wait…for now. We’ll see what my loyal and faithful readers have to say once they read my book about Elementals.
Jordan and I made it a goal this last year to finish our basement. We’re really close to making that goal. In fact, by the end of January, we’ll have carpet put in the basement. We’re painting and tiling in the coming weeks, so hopefully come February Anna will move into the basement. Then come Valentine’s Day we’re hoping to have a full working bathroom and kitchenette.We’ll see…I really hope we’ll have things done by then!!
Sarah has worked hard all year and has learned to say prayers every night before she goes to bed, has a prayer over every meal, and has family prayer every night. In fact, when I mention it’s bedtime she will sometimes remind me (before I can remind everyone else) that we need to say a prayer and brush our teeth. What a good little angel, when I was young I would’ve done anything to not have to brush my teeth. I suppose, however, that it does postpone bedtime by ten minutes or so. No complaints here.
Now I have a 2 ½ year old running around my home, a gimp dog (Daisy tore her ACL and had it replaced) who is recovering each and every day, a busy husband who is always working on the basement, and all the love I have ever needed surrounding me at all times. I’m grateful for all I have been given and continue to receive. I’m grateful Jordan and I both have jobs during this economic downfall and that we’re able to support our family when so many others are struggling right now. I’m eternally grateful for the gospel in my life and for the knowledge I have about a Heavenly Father who loves me, cares for me, and knows all my trials, feelings, and struggles. This year has taught me much and has given me much. I hope 2010 brings morememories, joys, and love into my life just as 2009 did.
We began celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve with Jordan's family. We had a yummy dinner at Grandma Resch's home and then opened presents. Sarah got a aquadoodle from Grandma Resch and Great-Grandma Opal and she also got a stocking full of goodies! Jordan and I got money for our basement, Anna got a bedspread set for her new full size bed she's taking once her new bedroom is done, and Robert gave Jordan Jazz tickets. It was a great Christmas Eve spending time with each other.
When we got home, Sarah left a plate of cookies out for Santa and a glass of milk. She was so excited to leave something for Santa that on her last sleepy breath, she whispered to me, "Cookies and Milk for Santa, Momma." It was so cute!!
Christmas morning came and I was up at 6:30am. Normally I'm up and about at 4am or so, but I contained myself this year. I got ready, forced Jordan to get up, packed for Logan, made breakfast, and then decided to get Sarah up at 7:30am to begin opening presents and to see what Santa brought her.
Sarah walked out of her room, down the hallway, and into the living room. Her tired little eyes were still drooping, and she could hardly pick up her feet. But, she managed to walk into the room and see a toy kitchen Santa had brought her. It took her a minute to realize what it was, but once she did, there was no going back!!
Santa also brought her a bedspread (she got a big girl bed too), a toy laptop, a play tent, books, and some more toys and chapstick in her stocking. Sarah made out like a bandit. She was especially excited about the chapstick. She loves to put on makeup like mommy, only problem is she's 2 and has a severe lack of coordination. But, it's cute to watch her do everything mommy does. After Santa presents we quickly ate breakfast while it was hot. After which, we finished opening presents. We didn't do much this year since our main gift is our basement. Jordan, however, got me a new fishing pole since Daisy snapped mine in two this summer. Let's just say I was so mad I contemplated donating Daisy to the pound for a while. But, I simmered down long enough to realize it was an accident. I would just have to wait for a new pole...and wait....and wait some more. But, I finally got one!! Jordan got some clothes from me and some movies as well. Anna got a Twlight Game, lotions, and MS Office 2007 from Jordan and me.
After presents, we hurried and finished packing and headed to Logan for Christmas Day. Once we got there, we hurried off to Grandma Thorne's to visit her. I always make sure to get a gift for Grandma to give Sarah and this year Grandma gave her a Mr. Potato Head and friends toys. Sarah loved mixing up the pieces so the dog was half cat and the cat was half dog. She can be so silly at times.
Then we rushed back to Nana's and Bompa's, fed Sarah, and then put her down for her nap. Since Sarah was sleeping, Jordan and I decided to visit Grandma and Grandpa Harris. We gave them a beautiful picture of Sarah Marie and they gave me a food saver vacuum machine and Jordan got a neat little backpacking stove called a pocket rocket. He's excited to try it out on the next camping adventure with his priests.
After visiting them, we went back to my parent's home and had a nice Christmas Dinner with a Honey-Baked Ham Lindsey brought with her from Arizona. She just quit her job, so this was the very last Honey-Baked ham we'll have...for probably ever. It was very, very yummy. After dinner, we assembled in the living room and exchanged gifts to each other. It was great fun getting together with all my siblings, save Jon who is in the Philippines.
Then came 7pm and Jon called us. We got the video on Skype to work and we actually got to see Jon!! It was so neat to see how well he's doing and how happy he is serving the Lord. We only got to speak to him for about 30 minutes, but that is better than not at all. We're also lucky that we got to see him as well, not just hear his voice. Jon was pretty funny with some of his words, which happens once you've become fluent in another language, and said it was giving him a headache to speak English. His English was pretty good, only a few times did I have to fill in the blanks with him.
After letting the kids play with their gifts for a while, it was time to put Sarah down for bed. I quickly gave her a bath, put her in her jammies, and sent her off to bed in Jon's room. The next morning we got up, ate breakfast, got ready for the day, and caught some after Christmas sales. We went to Sam's Club and got wrapping paper for next year and some solar Christmas lights for my front yard. After that, Jordan and I went back to Nana's while the rest of them continued to shop.
When they got home, we went to Bear Lake to check on the cabin and so Justin and Lindsey could see what it looked like now that we've remolded it. It was cold, but I still thought it was warmer there than it was in Logan. We had hot soup for lunch and then decided to go for a short walk on the frozen beach. What we saw when we walked down to the water was really neat. A high wind storm had come through and pushed all the ice off of the lake. It looked like glass shards were lining the beach, frozen solid from the cold winter air. It was beautiful. We had fun throwing the ice shards and walking around the beach. The sand was also frozen and where the water had come up during the windstorm you could see water stalactites and stalagmites. After Bear Lake we went back home to relax. Everyone came back to Mom's for pizza dinner. Jordan and I decided to go to Sherlock Holmes after Sarah went to bed. It was a late movie time, but it was worth it. Sherlock Holmes was a great movie and I really enjoyed it. I wish I had better seats, but I was the one who wanted to wait for popcorn :o).
Sunday came all too fast and it was time to head back home. We left in the morning after packing all of our things up. We hurried and got ready for church, ate some lunch, and were off to church. Jordan took Sarah home since her nursery teacher wasn't there and she would've refused to go. Anna and I had to stay, of course, for our Primary callings.
After dinner, we set Sarah's big girl bed up. Jordan and I hid it from her as much as possible so when she saw the entire bed put together she'd be very surprised. She's been asking for a bed for a while now, so I expected her reaction to be a big, excited surprise. But, what we got was a dull, "what the heck is this and where is my crib?" reaction. All well, she better get used to a bed now.
We didn't give Sarah a night light, so I think she's too afraid to get out of bed right now during the night. She slept well, all through the night, and then come 7:30am Monday, Sarah turned on her light, walked out of her room, and into mine and announced, "Morning Momma!". It was so cute!!! At least it wasn't 6:30am, right?
I had a floating holiday on Monday so I didn't have to go to work. Anna helped me take down Christmas and then we went to the store to get Sarah a waterproof mattress cover and some new pillows of her own. After which we ate lunch, then Sarah went down for her nap. Well, I should say we tried to put her down for her nap. Since she could see everything in her room, all she wanted to do was play. I finally got her to go to bed a quarter to 4pm and then she only got to sleep an hour before I had to wake her up to get ready to see the lights on temple square. We met my family there, toured the lights, and took some really great pictures. I love seeing the lights on temple square. My mom was really excited because this was the first time in a very long time that all of her family was there together on temple square. We were only missing Jon, but he was there in spirit. After seeing the lights, we went to Typhoon restaurant at the Gateway. Since we had a party of 14, it took them nearly 45 minutes to seat us. Poor Aiden was hungry and fussy. But he wasn't too bad once he got some food in him. It was so late for Sarah she didn't want to eat at all. After dinner, we went home. My dad spent the night because he's commuting to SLC for his work right now. We're hoping in February he won't have to do that any more, but we'll see. I'm always glad to have Dad around.
Now it's back to work for two days and then I'm off till the new year. I'm really glad I've got to spend this much time with Sarah. I really miss her when I'm at work and wish every day I could stay home with her. Hopefully one day soon, we'll see what the future brings to my small family.
I hope everyone else had just as great of a Christmas as I have. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by family and loved ones all the time, but especially around Christmas. I love the spirit of the season, the reason for the season, and the feeling of the season. Merry Christmas everyone!
Well, it's official. My honey is 28 YEARS OLD TODAY!! Two more years and we'll really have a party!! Just had to announce it to the world that Jordan was born 28 years ago here in Salt Lake City. Good thing too, otherwise I'd probably be some old dog woman (not cat 'cause I'm really allergic) and living on my own somewhere on a farm being a hermit and reading books all day. Without Jordan my life would really be boring and meaningless (not to mention I wouldn't have the cutest most beautiful daughter ever!!). He's truly my one and only and I'm grateful to have found him before some other girl had a chance to snatch him up. Happy Birthday Honey! Love you much!!
Well, Christmas is almost here. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by this year. We started off the day going to visit Grandma Thorne at Sunshine Terrace. I forgot my camera, silly me, so I'll have to bring it with me on Christmas. While we were there, Larry and Nola met Sarah Marie for the first time. It was a great meeting and Sarah wrapped Uncle Larry around her little fingers so quickly he was even surprised himself! It was great seeing them again and I hope to meet up with them more often.
After that, we got ready for church. Sarah has a beautiful dress Nana gave her this year for Christmas. It is a deep purple and looks so beautiful on Sarah Marie. I simply cound't resist taking pictures.
Church was wonderful, filled with a lot of music and special messages. We were only able to stay for Sacrament Meeting because Sarah needed a nap if we wanted her to be the sweet little thing we know her to be. She gets cranky when her nap is missed and I wanted her to enjoy the evening with her cousins and second-cousins.
Before the Harris Christmas Party, we had a little one for Jordan. Jordan turns the big 2-8 this year. I know, I know. He's 28 and I'm 26 and we've only got 1 kid. Well, we feel blessed to have the one that we do and when more decide to come, well, we'll gladly welcome them in our home.
Jordan got a new sweater, church shirt, tool set, and fishing flies. Now that he has some flies of his own, because mine don't like to get lost or snagged, he can go fly fishing on Strawberry and at Cottonwood. Now all he needs is to find his dad's old fly fishing rod and get a reel. He has been waiting a while to show me his "crazy-mad fly fishing skills". I bet he's good. Jordan tends to master whatever he puts his mind to.
Sarah this year was selected to be a manger animal. The first year she was a sheep. Second year she was a bunny. This year she was the cattle that gave Christ her bed for the night. Isn't Sarah the nicest cow ever to live? The cutest too, I would say.We all had fun dressing our little kids up for the nativity story. Abby this year was Mary. I sang a solo this year in the nativity, "I wonder as I wander". Since it was all last minute and I didn't have time to think or worry about singing in front of anyone, I was completely calm. Last minute deals really calm me down--odd enough.
I would list all the other kidos, but there are too many!! My grandma and grandpa sure love them all. In fact, when Santa came this year to the party, Grandpa asked for more great-grandchildren. Well, I have plenty of cousins who could do all the hard work :o).
When Santa came down the elevator, all the kids were so excited. They were squealing and screaming Santa's name. It was great fun. It's so neat to see their little faces light up each time they see Santa. It reminds me of how I used to be when I saw Santa Clause. Santa was special this year, just like last year, and gave each of the kids presents. (Sarah saw Santa at Sam's Club on Saturday and she was so excited to see him. When I took her up to him, however, she started to cry. She told me later it was because she was scared. But she was really good the second go around. Nana helped her get her present from him, even though she was apprehensive, and then Sarah was generous enough to give him a hug and tell him thank you. Isn't she a sweet little girl?! I couldn't have asked for better.)
Santa then had all the adults sit on his lap and tell them what they wanted for Christmas. Well, of course Jordan and I asked for a finished basement. We're getting there, slowly but surely. Becca and Adam asked for a cruise, which they are taking in January. Liz and Mike asked for more time....Who wouldn't want that? Somehow Nana and Bompa escaped sitting on Santa's lap this year. I wonder what they would've asked for? Probably more grandkids, to see Jonny-Boy, and to have Justin and Lindsey with us that night :o). Well, Justin and Lindsey will be with us on Christmas Day. Jon still has another 10 months in the mission field before he's back home. And we're all looking forward to that day. After Santa came, Grandma and Grandpa Harris gave gifts to all the little great-grandkids. Sarah got an adorable outfit! Since Jordan and I had to leave, the hour was getting late and we had to drive back home, we left and promised to visit Grandma and Grandpa come Christmas Day. With everyone there, it was hectic (as you can imagine) and noisy. But, the Harris Party has always been about getting together, sharing time with one another, and having a blast doing it.
I live in the rural community of Hyde Park, Utah. Born and raised in this farming community, I was surrounded by agriculture and farming. I grew up on a sod farm, which I admit sounds sort of funny, but learned to work hard as well as play hard.
