Meet Our Girl Neelam....

This absolutely precious little girl is what we lovingly refer to as "Our Girl". She is Neelam, she is 9 years old and lives in India. She is beautiful and loved so much!

For those of you who have seen the Compassion Bloggers India button, I hope you have clicked on it and read the stories of each of the bloggers. Their stories are amazing. Their journeys are incredible and the Lord is doing mighty, mighty things in India. But, there are so many more children and so much more to be done...a lot of you already sponsor a child through Compassion. But, for those of you who don't, go read what has been happening in India, you will be changed. It will give a name and a face to what we hear about and allow our heart to ponder on for only a quick second. A hungry child, an uneducated child, a child who could not possibly understand the hope found only in Christ. For only $32 month - less than one trip out to eat for our family per month, a child's life will forever be impacted. For those of you who may doubt, and wonder about money distribution...Compassion - The Real Deal. There is proof all over the blogs.

I dare you to go here and look at the faces of these children and try not to sponsor one....I am not a betting woman, but, if I were, I'd bet you all of my Milk Duds and Junior Mints that you couldn't help but sponsor one of these sweet children. In fact, I'd even throw in my tub of Blue Bell Cookies N Cream...are you getting the feelin' I'm serious? :)

Lastly, if you are still not convinced...would you at least humor me and go before the Lord with it...see what He would have you do. I have a slight inclination what He might say :)

BEAUTIFUL BELOVED TREASURE

Everything is Better with Bluebonnets On It...

On the road trip to and from the soccer fields we could see this beautiful field of bluebonnets. Well, you know me...camera in hand, photo op...I am all over it! After Faith's Championship game, I had Big Daddy stop. And, yes, I forced asked Faith to take a photo too. Can you tell in the photo with both little girls that Big Daddy was behind me? Like they say - monkey see...monkey do :)

We Are The....

CHAMPIONS!!!!

This weekend was all about soccer. Faith had a tournament out of town with 8 teams in her age bracket. She played 3 games on Saturday and then we returned today for the Semi Finals and Finals. We totally shut them out in the Semis and then went into overtime in the Finals...we totally WON!! The sweetest part was the team we beat in the Finals is our hometown rival...who usually beats us by one. They actually beat us on Saturday 2-1 and they were undefeated the entire tournament until they met back up with us. Victory is suh-weet!! Yep, we are the Champions...at least for today :) Tomorrow back to being 7th and 8th graders facing TAKS tests - that will humble one fairly quickly.

The Big Harris Kiddos

Some Bonds Were Meant to Last.....

(Big Daddy and His Two Sisters)

And Some Things NEVER Change!!! :)

Pretty Day...Pretty Girls

Today was gorgeous...a wee bit hot (99 according to my thermometer).

The girls had some fun climbing and sliding at a local park.

I couldn't help but think while taking their picture...these two are truly beautiful.

Spring Program...

Hope's Spring Program was tonight. I ended up charging an old mini dv tape camcorder. I couldn't find our newest camcorder. So, needless to say, I can't share any of the program with you. But I did have Hope repeat the most impressive part of the evening. Her class memorized Psalm 23...I can truly say she knows it...I love hearing her reciting such a beautiful scripture! Four years old and she committed these verses to memory before her father or I did. However, we have since learned it from hearing her belt it out all over the house.

Click the HQ button on the bottom of the video box on the right once you start the video...it helps the quality :)

I so wish you could see it bigger...her expressions are lost on the poor quality of the upload. She was on a DQ high...her favorite, of course, is the orange and vanilla diet bars. Just in case you don't catch all that she says...

Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Amazing Job Hope!!

Hope Highlight...

Another great game for Hope. If you ask her how she did she'll tell you real nonchalantly...I scored 4 or 5 goals. The poor team on the other side took it pretty good. It was a bit one sided. Hope's team mates have gone goal crazy.

My favorite picture from Hope's game Saturday.

The little girl in front of her gave her a big 'ole belly bop as Hope

ran out of the tunnel of parents. It caught her off guard.

I don't think she's ever been belly bopped before.

But, as you can see, it was well received.

That just cracked me up!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the most fantastic Mom ever!

We All Love you Mi Mi (well, BiBi from Love)!

Hope your day is fabulous :)

My Mother In Law...the Artist

The photo she used as a model

Mwah! Finito! A Family Treasure!
(Bambi in my imaginiation in a white jacket, beret and large paint brush in hand ;)
This painting was a gift from my mother in law for my birthday...she knows how to get to me.

Fast...

Hope is absolutely determined to get these training wheels off. She kept backing up and then she would ride as fast as she could toward me. Then she would slam on her brakes and wobble to a quick stop...with a smile so big I could hardly stand it!
Love is much more content just pushing or pulling her big wheel. She can ride this thing pretty darn quick but not quick enough to keep up with Hope...which is her number one priority. Just too cute seeing those little legs move those wheels.

For the Love of Lipstick...

Our very own Hot Lips...well, Hot Pink Lips anyway

This little gal loves her some lipstick :)

Easter...

All ready for early service Easter morningHunter and his basket...can you say sugar overload...or overboard..

Sweet sisters

Caught tasting the cotton candy

MiMi and Hunter

MaMa and Baby Jace

And this little white ball on TV at the Masters...well, it totally consumed Grumpy...even in the age of Tivo. He did cook a great brisket though.

Times they are a changing. This year for Easter my sister and nephews were visiting baby Jace's family most of the day. While we still had a nice lunch and a good time and my kids did still hunt eggs that Faith hid, we missed out on the cousins getting to play and the excitement that usually builds up before the hunt with ALL the kids. I get it. I don't like it, but I get it. We all have choices to make. And yes...I'll have some cheese with my whine.

Easter is a day in remembrance of the most incredible day of life changing love. It was a choice made by the One and Only Savior. A choice that allows us to spend eternity in heaven with a God that loves us far more than we deserve. Choice is relevant with salvation. We, as people in general, either choose to accept the free gift of salvation after hearing the Good News or we choose not to. We can't truly ever say we are undecided. Because, by simply not deciding to accept Christ as our Savior...we have already made the choice.

He Is Risen!

Easter at Bambi and Paw Paw's

Love helped Paw Paw blow out his candles.

Aunt Jan trying to beat Hunter into the playhouse for the prize eggs.

And she totally won...look at that flexibility...impressive.

And she led some praise and worship after that.
She let Love and Hope "play" at the same time. Look at the joy on Love's face...she ate this up!

Artist in the making

Bambie and Paw Paw with our 4 kiddos :)

What a great day! The little kids liked the Easter egg hunt with all the candy and goodies. The big kids enjoyed the Easter egg hunt but preferred the quarters to the candy. Then came the playing and singing. Aunt Jan can play just about anything...there was a whole lotta jiving going on. Why we had our very own praise team in da house! Aunt Jan had lead piano and lead vocals, Bambi and Aunt Kay had support vocals, Love and Hope helped tickle (or pound) the ivories and sung what they knew. Y'all...Love plum ate it up! I think I may have had a glimpse into one of her talents!! The girl has got her some rhythm. She has Aunt Jan's gift. This girl would throw her head back and sing and shake her head up and down as if she were feeling the music. Kind of Stevie Wonder / Ray Charles style. Too precious!! Hope had herself making all kinds of request and believe it or not...Aunt Jan could play all of 'em...and there was a Lot!

After leaving Bambi's around 7 we ended up heading to Kohl's and guess who we ran into? Yep, sure was. The Easter Bunny...and dern if it didn't 'bout spoil my family. All I've got to say is in old M&M commercial fashion...."Thank you Easter Bunny - Bawk...Bawk!"