Tiffany Harper

Changes and Loving Summer

We have been a busy bunch over  here. Summer is finally here and let me tell you that I absolutely, positively love this season.

Experiencing a couple of changes here. Nothing major.  But still, change is fun and can be really exciting:

Like getting a new haircut

Anticipating this little guy's second birthday on the 4th of July

A change in the weather (finally the sun is out!) means spending tons of time in the pool

In the summer I absolutely adore the heat.  Call me crazy, but I love 80 degree and above temperatures.  I know. I'm nuts.

But I can't help it! Plus, summer to me means:

*Farmers Markets

*Strawberries, blueberries, Raspberries, Watermelon

*Beaches and sunblock

*Pretty maxi dresses with wedges

*Frappucinos

*Family Vacations

Yes, this season is pure heaven for me.

What do you love about summer?

Tiff~

Get It Right

I watch Glee. And the song that Rachel Berry sings "Get It Right" hit me square in the heart.  

Because it completely goes with my post yesterday.  

I am not sad or frustrated.  Just learning.  

But this song inspired me.

Sometimes I try so hard to fix things around me.  My best intentions often make things worse instead of making them better.

And that hurts.  And then I hurt everyone else. And I want to start all over.  

I think we all try to do things right.  And I think we see how often we fail and it is humbling.  

But again, we are human. And growing.

And that's okay.

Blessings,

Tiff~

I Don't Always Feel Spiritual

There are days when I truly don't want to get out of bed.

When I would much prefer stuffing my face with cupcakes then watching what I eat.

Sometimes I get lost in all my "activities" and fail to spend time in God's Word. Or I spend too much time in front of the tv to crack open the bible or utter a prayer.

Sometimes I lose my patience with my husband, my children and those in my path.

Sometimes, I really do wish I were perfect.
And that my memory was as good as it used to be.

Sometimes I am too critical.

I am human. It doesn't excuse my behavior. I have to work on my relations with God, with my family. Just like everyone else.

I envy those who seem to always have it together. I know deep down they don't and that is just my insecurity speaking.

But I still wish I had it together.

Yes, somedays I don't feel very spiritual.

But I think we all feel this way at some point or another.

How about you?

Tiff~

If I Could Write A Letter To Me

On Sunday I heard the song by Brad Paisley, "Letter To Me".  

It got me thinking.  A lot.  I would write one to me.

To the girl I was at age 14.

When I began to crush and crumble under the weight of adolescence, peer pressure and puberty.

When the opinions of those around me mattered so much that I allowed them to define my actions, my thoughts and my behavior.

I would tell that little girl, because she was very much still a little girl in the eyes of her mommy and daddy, to have confidence.

That love exists whether she has a boyfriend or not. 

That sex doesn't mean he loves her.

That girls can be your best friends. And that the mean girls are just as insecure as you are. 

I would ask myself to not seek perfection.  To not worry about the opinions of others. 

That magazines, porn and the internet are not real or accurate judges of beauty or love.

That to dream big dreams and go after them is okay, even though she may be ridiculed and teased because they don't understand.

I would tell her that the heart is a liar, but to trust her gut. 

To have real convictions and standards does not make her weird or foolish, but allows her to stand above the rest and not get lost among those drowning themselves in the crowded, yet lonely pools of "popularity".

That she is far above rubies. She is loved tremendously.

That her adult life, while not exactly what she desired or dreamed, will be far more fulfilling and exciting than she could possibly imagine.  

That her teenage freckles she dreads and hates so much, she will love one day because they add to her beauty. 

That she is beautiful.  She doesn't need to be a supermodel to see that or believe that. 

She will marry a man who is gaga for her.

She will have beautiful children.  A boy and a girl. Babies that stop people in their tracks because they are a joy to be around.

And the mean girls who cause her so much pain and heartache would one day be her friends. 

And the hearts of women she swears she will never ever deal with will one day become her greatest passion.  She will love women and embrace femininity.

That God is good. God is love. And that God has a purpose for her.

If you could write a letter to yourself, what would you say?

Tiff~

Runner's High

Lately, I have been incorporating a routine of exercise in my week.

It is all part of living with Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for this body that I have. A body that has all four working limbs.

Arms to wrap around my husband and rock babies to sleep.

Legs to chase running rascals all around the house.

Eyes that can see, ears that can listen, a heart that beats life blood and a mouth that can speak gracious and loving words.

I downloaded this app to my iPhone a couple of weeks ago. 

I have come to enjoy running.  30 minutes for me to pound out the stress of the day on the pavement. To think.

To pray.

To express my gratitude.

And to be honest, to just get away for a little bit. 

I am experiencing a sort of runner's high.

And I am thankful.

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~

Got The Grumps?

I do.

I had a really nice post all put together in my head.  Something sweet and spiritual.

But then I got the grumps. 

Would you like to know why? Of course you do.  And of course I will tell you.

Last night, I got NO SLEEP because Sean somehow convinced himself that  nighttime is for playtime.  Please someone help me correct that child and remind him that nighttime is for sleeping. 

This morning, due to lack of sleep, woke up later than I wanted and was rushing around the house snapping at everyone to hurry it up so we wouldn't be late for school (Madi) and work (Dan).

Then upon coming home from dropping off Madi and Dan, I come to find I can't get in the house. Because the deadbolt is broken. And I  can't open the door. Even though I have keys. 

Head back over to church to see Dan and  come to find myself in traffic for 35 minutes due to  a traffic collision.  We only live about 10 minutes from the church.

Pick up Madi and Dan, come home,  try to open door again. Nope...still jammed. Call Locksmith (who by the way looked kind of ghetto) and now  we are $200 poorer.

And we need to get a new deadbolt. 

And it is only 2:16 PM on Thursday.

*sigh*

Pray for my grumpy spirit today. Ha!

Tiff~

P.S. Hoping for a  MUCH nicer blog post tomorrow!

The Familiar Places

Sometimes you long for the familiar.  

I experienced that today as I headed out to my hometown, Diamond Bar, for a baby shower of a good friend.  Seeing the trees and the streets and the places where I used to play brought back a flood of memories for me. 

While there are moments in my past that I wish I could erase, not all of it was bad.  

My family still lives here. It is my old stomping grounds.

I spent many evenings at Diamond Bar High School rehearsing for show choir competitions.

I was crowned Miss Diamond Bar in 2003.

My best friends, whom I still talk to today, are from here.

Sometimes the familiar is just what you need to remember all that you have been given.  The familiar reminds you of where you have come from.  

And it reminds you of where you are now.  

We shouldn't dwell in the past.  I choose not to dwell on everything that  I have ever been through.  But I do like to look back not because I want to revisit for pleasure,  but because I want to  see the beauty of God where I couldn't see it before.  To see how God's hand nurtured and pursued me in the moments when I felt so lost and alone.  

I was a different girl in Diamond Bar.  

But driving through my old hometown I realized that I am still that different girl. 

Just a redeemed one.

Tiff~

 

I'm Ready For Fall

 

I'm ready:

*For crisp, sweater and scarf wearing weather.

*For Madi to start preschool next week.

*For amazing things to happen at Illuminate.

*For coffee dates with my girls and Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

*To celebrate six years of marriage with the love of my life in San Diego.

*For the launch of the Women's community at Illuminate. It is going to be amazing!

*To visit Apple orchards and Pumpkin patches with the family.

*For fall inspired baked goods.

*Decorating my home with the warm hues inspired by nature.

*To start blogging again next week.

*And finally....because it is oh so much closer to Christmas!!!!

What excites you about Fall?

Tiff~

I've Been Away

I have purposely not blogged the last few days because I need the break.  I haven't felt like writing and I think it is time for me to just take some time to refocus.

To collect myself. My thoughts. Some sanity (is that possible with two kids under 4)?

I have been busy with some house repairs, new ministry opportunities (which I will share really soon) and my family.  

I will be back soon. I promise =).

But for now, I am going to be a little selfish and focus on me. 

Blessings to you all!

Tiff~