Tiffany Harper

A New Adventure Awaits Her.

It is the first day of school for the Harper's.

Madi begins Kindergarten

She is ready to spread her wings, make new friends and learn new things.  To learn to read and write sentences and act grown up.

Okay and still be silly ;).

I could tell she was a little nervous, so before she went into her classroom we recited a simple motto to help ease her nerves:

"Be yourself, Be Kind and remember that God is always with you." 

It seemed to help my sweet girl as she gave me a radiant smile and then she was off to her new adventure.

Have fun today Madi! We love you so much.

Mommy, Daddy and Sean

Something For Your Daughters

Every night Dan and I have taken turns to read Madi a devotional or Bible Story before she goes to bed.  We have both honestly tried to make the task of instructing and teaching of our children in the Lord a priority.  

We aren't perfect at it. To be honest, sometimes we just want them to go to bed! But Madi has now become so accustomed to this schedule and to her Bible readings, that she absolutely looks forward to the stories and she DEMANDS that we read them.

I would rather have it this way than any other way.

Lately we have been reading a devotional that we absolutely love and Madi seems to really resonate with its teachings. 

I had heard Sheri Rose Shepherd at our Women's Retreat a couple of years ago and loved her. And I loved that she wrote a devotional for little girls and regarded them as princesses of the King. In fact, these devotionals are written in the form of a letter from our loving God.

Madi loves them and she understands the lessons very well. If you have a little girl, I highly recommend it.  

Blessings,

Tiff~
 

She's Not A Baby Anymore

On Thursday, we officially entered into a new stage with Madi.

Madi here with her teacher.

Madi graduated from PreSchool.  To be perfectly honest, I was sad and excited for her.

But I guess that is the emotion most parents feel towards their children.

Next year Madi will be entering into Kindergarten. She will begin a brand new adventure with new teachers, new friends and a new environment.

My biggest fear for her is her heart.  She loves deeply and I don't want to see that innocence shattered by a few heartless individuals.

But I can't shelter  her forever.  

At some point my baby will have to learn how to navigate these waters.

At the same time, Dan and I will be teaching her God's word. (She was slightly appalled that her new school would NOT be teaching bible verses.)

As Parents we will still be highly involved in her education and life.

But it is just hard letting your little ones grow up. 

This is a big milestone for us Harpers.

How about you?

Hit any milestones recently?

Blessings,

Tiff~

To my Daughter Madison

Today...you are five.

You are charming, sensitive, sweet, smart.

You use big words and never seem to miss a beat when it comes to telling a joke.  

You have the biggest laugh, the prettiest smile.

Your Auntie Sheena told me the other day that the older you get, the prettier you seem to be getting.

It scares me for when you will be 16.  

You have such a big heart. I love that you constantly want to pray for those in Japan, whenever you see a car accident or something scary or sad you immediately want to pray.  To be honest, sometimes that isn't always Mommy's first instinct, but I am so glad that it is yours.  

I hope you always stay that way.

I love that you love Jesus. He loves you.

I love that you love your baby brother. That you put up with him beating you up.  

I am so thankful that God allowed me to have a little girl.  I was so sure I was going to be a mommy of all  boys. 

But God gave me you.

You are one of my greatest accomplishments.  

Happy birthday Madison. I love you.  

Love,

Mommy

Meeting Their Hero's

A couple of weeks ago Dan and I took Madi and Sean to Disneyland.

I was really excited for Sean to meet Mickey Mouse.  He says Mickey about 7979236934567890 times a day.  No really.

So we went to Toon Town, walked happily together to Mickey's "House" and Mickey was right there. 

And Sean couldn't take his eyes off of him.  It was so precious.

And Madi got to meet Aladdin and Jasmine.

It was a great day at Disneyland.

Have a great weekend friends!

Tiff~

A Girly Day Out

Today I got to hang out with a bunch of girls.

Madi, my sister Sheena and I headed out to Old Towne Orange to check out The Perfect Circle Cupcakery. Their adorable, Breakfast at Tiffany's themed bake shop was on Food Network's Cupcake Wars this past week and they won!

So of course there was a line for their cupcakes. And oh my gosh was it so worth the wait. The cupcakes were delicious!!!!! Check them out if you are ever in Orange County.

Madi was so excited to meet the girl she rooted for on the show. Her reason for the owner being her favorite?

She was blonde. Easy enough right?

Sheena and I loved the vintage feel of the shops. I think next time we will go with just the two of us to get our shop on. Hehe.

I think I need more girly dates in my life. I adore being a girl ;).

What did you do this Saturday?

Tiff~

It's About My Family (Photo Heavy)

A couple of weeks ago, my SIL Carrie rounded the entire Harper clan together to capture us in photo.  We have expanded over the years with little ones and she noticed that the last family photo we had together was for our (Dan and Tiff) wedding!  

That was six years ago.  So much has changed since then.

This is just a small portion of my family, Dan's side.  As you can see, there are quite a few of us.   

Introducing the Harper's (all photography by Amy Salessi Photography)

Mom and Dad Harper with their boys:

Mom and Dad H. with all the grandkids:

And here are a few photos that I just love of my little family:

The best part about all of these photos?  They were a gift for Mom and Dad H.  Two large prints of their grandkids and of their boys. And then a 16 x 20 canvas that will be arriving soon.

Mom was in tears.  *smile* 

I hope you had a beautiful Christmas with your family!

Tiff~

Tangled-Reliving My Childhood

Yesterday Dan, Madi and I went to see  the Disney movie Tangled. 

Madison had been literally asking for the last couple of weeks to see this movie. And to be perfectly honest, I really wanted to see  it too.  I grew up on the Disney princesses so naturally I love that she adores the Princesses as  well.

And I also felt some satisfaction in the fact that Rapunzel was a blonde hair, green eyed princess with freckles.

Oh yes ladies....I had been waiting a long time for  her! Ha!

Tangled was fantastic.  I loved all of  the characters and the music.  The music was especially important to me because, again, as a little girl my favorite past time was getting the soundtrack to the movie and playing it over and over in my room, singing along to Ariel, Belle and Pocahontas.

Just ask my parents. It drove them nuts. Probably because the music was so loud coming from my bedroom. 

I think in Madi's stocking she may just find a Tangled soundtrack in there.  And I may or may not borrow it. *ahem*

Did you grow up watching and loving the Disney Princesses? If not, what did you cherish love as a child?

Adventures in Parenting.

Parenting is not for the faint of heart.  

God has blessed me with two beautiful munchkins. I love them to pieces.  I can't imagine my life without them.  They bring me much joy and happiness and laughter.  

But let's be real and say that sometimes they make me want to stick needles in my eyes and go bald because I pulled out all of my hair.

*ahem*

Like when one refuses to go down the escalator and let's go of your hand at the last minute and you find yourself going down without your daughter and she is screaming bloody murder in public?

Or when you are trying to take a lovely family photo for the Holidays and one certain toddler refuses to behave unless food is involved and even then it is questionable?

Or when one asks 369749749875 different questions within 15 minutes and the answers you give her are not to her satisfaction?  

*sigh*

Ah, adventures in parenting ;).

Yes, my kids may look sweet and innocent, but don't be fooled. =)

In all seriousness, we all have days where parenting can be hard. Feel free to share your stories.  I love reading them. I love experiencing community with other mommies!

 

Tiff~

Fashion According to Madison

The past few days I have been taking pictures of Madi and her fashion choices.  I think it is absolutely hilarious that she loves to put together her own outfits.  She has some rules too and she doesn't believe in always matching or even coordinating.  Funky is definitely the way to go sometimes. 

This is today's outfit.  She wanted to wear the scarf and her purple dress today.  I told her she had to layer since it was kind of chilly.  I think she looks adorable.  Even with her pink scarf.  But hey purple and pink go together in our world.

This was a few days ago while out with the family.  Polka dot dress, skull and cross bone (the girly ones) baby legs and black shoes.  Dan raised his eyebrows at this outfit and wasn't sure he wanted to be seen with such a thrown together outfit.  But hey...when you are four, sometimes you have to experiment!

You remember this outfit.  The winter-esque boots  and hat with her shorts and t-shirt. She loves this outfit.  I have no idea why. But she still looks cute.

Here are Madi's fashion rules:

*Any color goes together.  They are all a part of the rainbow right?

*Accessories are a must. No outfit is really complete without a little something special.

*There is really no need to do too much with your hair especially if it is curly.  Wild hair is cool.

=). Enjoy your weekend friends! I hope this made you giggle!  I wish I was as brave as Madi in her fashion choices.

Tiff~