Tiffany Harper

What Does Family look like to you?

Photo by Pam Booher

So tell me...when you think of your family what comes to mind?

When you think of your family, whether you have one or not, what did you dream about. What did it look like in your head?

Yesterday, I read a very convicting post over at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee . She had a guest blogger named Laura who shared her story regarding her family.  When they hit a crisis, they quit...but not in the way you would think.

They quit being distracted

Quit watching too much TV

Going to bed at different times

And so on and so on. 

Can I just share with you all that the Lord has been knocking on my heart about this very issue? About my family?  While we are not dealing with a crisis right now (we are actually in a very good place....besides the fact that we are still looking for a place to live but that is for another post on another day).  Lately I have felt as if my little family, the people whom I love deeply and would give my very life for, has been pulled at all different directions due to committments, time stealers and other such nonsense. 

Last night I approached Dan telling him that I really needed to get something off my chest.  For some reason it was really hard to just speak my mind.  I have never been very good at sharing my true feelings with people.  This is mostly due to my fear of letting the person down or hurting them unintentionally with my words.  I also fear rejection and I was afraid my words wouldn't be taken seriously.

But thankfully Dan agree.  He envisioned something completely different for his family than what we were currently experiencing.  Praise be to God we are in the process of having those expectations become reality. 

*More quality time together

*Turn off the TV

*I will be at home with the kids...PERIOD

*Spend just as much time being a student of God's word as we are teachers of it.  

*Date nights every week.  Dan and I NEED this.

My list could go on.  I want a close knit family.  A family so close that when the storms come, and they will, nothing will pull us apart.  We will still be together and as close as ever.  That we surrender this family to the Lord and let Him move and shape us as He sees fit.  

Will we have to make sacrifices? Yes, and we already are.  It will be hard to live on one income, to not turn on the TV to see our favorite shows and be on facebook to catch up on all of our friends statuses 24-7.  But really...I only have one family.  I need to spend as much time with them as I can. We are never promised another day with the ones we love. 

What do you envision for your family, whether in the present or future?

Tiff~

Jillian Michaels Kicks My Butt

So basically, this DVD has become my best friend the last couple of weeks.  I had purchased this awhile ago and I started it the week of my sister's wedding. 

You know, because I totally thought I would get ripped in 5 days.  Didn't happen.

Anyway, I am completely committed to working out and getting back into shape now that Sean is out of my body.  I am not trying to lose 20 pounds...but mostly just tone up my flabby self and have enough strength to carry both Madi and Sean.  They are kind of needy.  LOL!

I don't necessarily work out everyday, but generally every other day.  As long as I get in 3 to 4 days a week where I can work out I am happy.  And Dan has been amazing at being my cheerleader throughout this.  He knows how important it is to take care of the one body we have.  I want to be around for a long time, Lord willing. 

I do have to warn you though.....it is REALLY HARD.  Level 1 had me exhausted. I can't even imagine what Levels 2 and 3 are like.  I mean, she makes you do push-ups. The last time I did a push-up people was in the 7th grade! 

And I totally do the girly ones too. Not ready to go military style yet. Heeeee!

What are you doing right now to nurture yourself?

Tiff~

So Sweet

So my friend Danielle sent me these photos of Madi during my sister's wedding on Sunday. 

Isn't she just absolutely angelic looking?  She and the other flowergirl did such an amazing job tossing the petals for Sheena to walk on, as well as staying close to the Bride and Groom as they said their vows.  I was overjoyed at how obedient and patient Madi was throughout the whole day.  This does not happen often! LOL!

This last photo makes me giggle.  My husband was just about to pronounce Sheena and Jeremy as husband and wife.  Madi chose that moment to stand right in front of them, smile and say "HI!" As you can see in this photo, Sheen and Jer smiled down on their niece.  Madi was so excited for her Aunty and Uncle.  And so were we!

Again, Congrats Sheena and Jeremy! Enjoy your honeymoon!

Dan, Tiff, Madi and Sean

September Already?

I cannot believe how fast the summer flew by.  We are already into September and before you know it, Christmas will be here.

I am so not ready.

Tomorrow Sean will be 2 months old.  I feel as if I just gave birth to the little guy. (Speaking of birth.....did I ever tell his birth story? I don't think I did. Will have to do that.)

My sister is getting married on September 20th and I have so much to do before then.  I am the Matron of Honor so I will have to prepare a speech for the toast.  Have I ever mentioned that I am absolutely terrified of public speaking?  It totally freaks me out.  I leave speaking up to my husband since his is the "professional".  *wink*

Sheena's bridal shower is next Sunday and I still have to get things organized for that as well.  I love parties.  I love planning them, decorating them, hosting them.  I get a big kick out of creating something beautiful and fun for my guests and the guest of honor.  It will be so fun and I hope Sheena gets wonderful things for her new life as a wife. 

Also, 3 days until the launch of the Graceland Series at Illuminate.  I am so excited for this.  It will be awesome.  Please keep praying!  I will post an update on how it all went down on Monday. 

Love you all!  Have a great Friday!

Tiff~

This is why I don't model

So the fashion show was last Wednesday and I have to say for the most part it went really well.  But I do have a little story for ya'll because you know that a show can never go off without some sort of drama behind the scenes.

And the drama involved me. Go figure.

So all Wednesday my sister worked on my hair and my makeup so that I would look absolutely perfect for the show.  I was wearing a totally cute tank dress (navy and white stripes) that I had purchased to wear for Sheena's shower in a couple of weeks.  I was super excited about it and so was Sheena.  We wanted my look to be editorial, not necessarily prom which is what the salon wanted.

But we wanted to rebel against orders.......cause we are cool like that.

Back to my story. I am all done up and I am ready to go change into my dress.  I go into the bathroom, start unzipping and slipping the dress over my head when suddenly I hear this:

RIPPPPPPP!

"Ummm what the heck was that?"  I am panicking.  I am praying that it wasn't my dress and that it was just something I ate. I know....totally gross and NOT ladylike but for crying out loud I had to go on a stage in less then 10 minutes.  I look down and I want to cry hysterically.

My dress had ripped. And not in some spot where we could hide it either.  Right in the middle of the dress. 

Oh. My. Gosh. If I were a cursing woman....I probably would have yelled out a few. 

But I tried to keep my cool and I (not so calmly) called (screamed) for my sister.  She looks at my dress in horror. Then she utters these live saving words:

"I have an extra dress"

And then these not lovely words:

"I am not sure it will fit but we can try."

Now let me just clarify something hear before you all think my sister is wretched and cruel for saying something like that to a woman who just gave birth 2 months prior.  My sister is ridiculously skinny.  I mean she wears a size zero for crying out loud.  I wear a 3/4 or 5/6 depending on the manufacturer and if I have had a good day or not.  So she wasn't trying to be mean. She was being very truthful.  I was freaking out because if we did manage to get me into her dress......it was going to look a TAD tight on me. 

So she brings me her dress and Lord have mercy it is the skimpiest thing I have ever seen.  It is her Vegas dress (go figure!) and I had to suck it all in to get it zipped up.  Let's just say that this dress was not something I would go to church in. Okay?

Btw....did you notice there are no pictures on here while I am telling this story?

Yeah.

So after all that I walked out onto the stage feeling completely naked and out of character....and made it alive.  According to my niece, Dan whistled (he must have liked the look for some reason).  My hair and makeup looked amazing thanks to Sheena. She really is very talented and the biggest reason why I allowed myself to continue walking out there in her dress was to show off her work.  She deserves it. The charity that the salon was supporting (Shoes That Fit) raised quite a bit of money. 

So it was all worth it even if my ego was bruised just a tad.  ;)

Have a blessed Tuesday!

Tiff~

P.S. 5 more days until Graceland launches.....

Dora panties and the toilet=drama

Monday came quickly for the Harper household. And I can't say that it was drama free.

Over the weekend I had really begun to take notice of just how clumsy Madi was. I mean a day would not go by without her falling down or dropping something. It was both frustrating and hilarious. I also know that she unfortunately got her clumsiness from me. I feel extremely sorry for her as this ailment will be with her for the rest of her life.

Monday was no exception. Madi has pretty much mastered potty training (woo hoo!) and that morning she really needed to go. I was near her and was just cleaning out Sean's bottles. I go in the bathroom to check on her and I see her trying to flush the toilet while at the same time holding all of her clothes in her hand. (She has to take off all of her clothes to go potty.) I literally can see a pair of her Dora panties hanging perilously over the bowl, about to go in any second.

I tell Madi to put down her clothes and then flush. But just as I am uttering these very words she pulls the lever, the toilet is flushing and her panties fall in.

NOOOOOOO!!!!!

I stick my hand into the toilet trying to save them from going down the toilet so that massive flooding does not take place. Unfortunately, I failed. And my hand was now dirty....not good.

Madi was so upset that her Dora panties went down the toilet. She was crying hysterically and could not be consoled with the other Dora underwear we had in her closet. I felt so bad for her. She wouldn't eat for awhile either. She was that upset. Oh the tears shed over Dora!!!

At least we now know she will probably not attempt to experiment with the toilet. I hope. That was too traumatic for her. And for me.

Oh and the toilet and home are fine. I believe there is a fish out there now wearing some really cute underwear. ;)

Tiff

Making the most of the day

Nothing like spending part of Saturday afternoon at the park.

Lunch with Grand Burger goodness.

Sean napping

Madi playing on the playground with Daddy.

Life is perfect.

How are you spending your Saturday?

Tiff

The Great Mommy Escape

Today, I got a total day off from being Mom.  For my birthday, Dan surprised me with a gift card to Peaches And Cream Day Spa and said that I could spend an entire day by myself doing whatever I wanted. 

Ummm...yeah I was really excited.  Wouldn't you be?

So my day started off at 11am with a fabulous and much needed aromatherapy massage.  All of the mommy stress was melted away as the massage therapist rubbed all the right places and removed the knots that wanted to make my back their permanent home.  I could tell I had a lot by the way she had to dig in my upper back.  Oh man.  But after she was done, I felt a billion times better.  I have decided that if I were rich, I would splurge on a massage for myself at least twice a month.  Because massages are pure heaven I tell you.

Afterwards, I decided to drive out to the Brea Mall and do a little shopping.  I picked out some great items from Forever21 and Charlotte Russe, as well as buying a couple of things for Madi and Sean.  I tried to look for something nice for my husband since I am sure he would have loved to receive something too.  At the mall today though it was hit or miss for the men.  I called hubby and told him we would go on a little shopping spree for him since he has been requesting a new wardrobe for fall.  And since he makes all the money.....he gets what he wants. ;) 

Btw...totally random, but my new favorite song of the moment is Brad Paisley's "I thought I Loved You Then". Not sure if that is exactly the title but you country lovers know what song I am talking about.  Everytime I hear it I get tears in my eyes.  Our five year anniversary is coming up in October and I just cannot even imagine how much more I could love a person.  We have been through so much together. He is absolutely my best friend. And like the song says, I thought I was head over heels for him 5 years ago. Who knew where love could take us.  It makes me excited to see where it will take us for the rest of our lives.

After I spent a couple of hours at the mall, I decided that I would head back towards home since I had begun to miss my little family.  I love being by myself...I really do.....but I am finding more and more that being with your family and doing things together is a whole lot more fun than being by yourself.  That being said though, I do need downtime for myself so I need to make sure I incorporate that in at least once a week so I don't get burnt out.  So today was definitely needed and appreciated.  I am so thankful Dan thought to allow me so much time to myself.  I feel like he often knows me better than I know myself.  Whenever I try to fight with him about how much time I need for myself, I often end up finding that he was actually right.  And my pride wishes he weren't right a lot of the time, but I am also thankful that he knows me well enough to speak truth to me.  That is something I completely desire and value in a person, especially a person whom I am sharing the rest of my life with.

The last stop of the day was at Starbucks (naturally).  I mean honestly no outing would be complete without a stop to starbucks or your favorite coffee/tea shop.  I am just speaking truth. I grabbed a Grande Caramel frappucino and tried to sit outside and enjoy the sunny (and humid) day.  That is until someone decided to sit right next to me and smoke a cigarette. *sigh* Oh well, fun while it lasted.  By the way, can I just say that one of my pet peeves has to do with people who smoke? I mean, if you want to smoke a cigarette that is fine, but how about you do it AWAY from people.  Like in your car or by a dumpster where no one else is around to breathe in the toxins.  Second and third hand smoke kills.  Thank you.

Ahem...moving on. 

I hope each of you had a wonderful Friday.  I am really looking forward to the weekend and to Illuminate on Sunday.  Plus, it is nearly 2 weeks til we kick off our Graceland Series.  It.Will.Be.Awesome.

Blessings,

Tiff~

Because I have nothing so say

I thought you would enjoy pics of my adorable son who is smiling so much lately. And also of my daughter who acted very diva-ish and told me NO PICTURES.

And somewhere not too far away I hear my parents laughing and muttering some nonsense about the apple not falling too far from the tree.

Hmmmph.

Tiff

So far 28 is looking good

My birthday flew by on Tuesday but oh man I have to say that it was probably one of the best yet. Every year that I am given I realize just how fortunate I am to have people in my life who genuinly love and care for me.

Tonight Dan and I went out for a date night to celebrate my birthday. We headed out to Jpe's Crab Shack in Newport Beach and chowed down on some delicious crab. However, I am secretly plotting revenge on my husband as he went and told them that we were celebrating my birthday. They had me run around the restaurant dressed like a shark as they sang happy birthday. Not exactly my finest moment. Ha! Don't EVER let your friends do that to you. ;)

I do need ideas however from all of you on how to get him back. And I will get him back.

Be afraid Dan. Be very afraid.

I got some wonderful things for my birthday, but I do believe hubby really came through. He got me a gift card for a massage and said I could take a whole Saturday (8 hours) to do whatever I want to without the kids. Oh yeah. Calling up the gals for sure!

He did good on the gift department. I am still getting him back though. ;)

Have a great night.

Tiff

P.S. The other two pics are of Madi and Sean. I am in awe of how big they are getting.