A Few Weeks of Life with a Family of Four

Before I bombard you with cuteness of new baby, I'll fill you in on other affairs going on in the Harris house.

Me, I've been feeling great and getting out some mornings with Luna for some fresh air (and before the 90+ degree daytime).  Mormon temple in the distance, only a few blocks from our house.

My walking partner.

Tuff, he has been back on the trail.  Yesterday he spoke in South Dakota Shannon County School District to an audience of about 400 faculty and staff.

He also spoke last Sunday at Spirit of Life Lighthouse for the Nations Four Square Church in Crow Agency for The 2014 Conference, sharing his testimony and preaching.  He followed Yaseer Handall of Mexico. For those interested, you can click on the link below and watch (Tuff starts in around minute 36).
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/51217457

Tuff, Hannah (Kens wife), Yas, and Pastor Ken Pretty on Top.

Tuff and Yas another night of the conference.

Helping out at sound booth with Kenny Pretty On Top.

While Yas was in Billings, he stayed with us at our house.  He was such a blessing to us as he and his wife are pursuing Native American ministries in California, and have much wisdom to share.  

We visited Pompey's Pillar Monday (photos are from Yas).  

Grace didn't want to take a family photo.  Can you tell?

Cranky but cute.

California bear shirt from Handall family.  

Yas captured this moment with Liza, just two weeks old.

Ok now on to our new bigger family!  

Visitors

I tried to remember to snap a photo of all that came to see us but failed as usual.  From most present to hospital, below are pictures we accumulated:

Madingers.  They brought their family and a delicious meal on Saturday.

Jessica brought not one, not two but three meals!  Spoiled us rotten.

Rick basking in putting baby to sleep.

Amanda dropped in for company and snuggles.

My mentor and friend Robin brought a meal and love.

Caywoods!

Amara and Grace painting rocks.

Diana dropping in at hospital before we headed for home.  She brought a beautiful outfit for Liza and a "big sister" button and stuffed animal for Grace.

Ma'am loving two day old Liza Love.

Auntie Jeri Lyn showering Liza with more love.

Cuzzies!  Kaydee was a natural nurturer.  The girls picked out some goodies for Liza.

Lyman family.  Addaleigh and Liza share a birthday.  July 26th Addaleigh turned 1.  Maybe next year they will share a party?

Miss Amanda visiting at hospital.  She brought Grace presents and me flowers.  So sweet.

Day one of Liza's life in the world.  Surrounded by family.

Auntie Toni.

Papa and Ma'am.

Uncle Roger and Auntie Darlene.

While Ma'am and Jeri Lyn took care of Grace, Jeri Lyn sent the photo below of everyone.  I love this photo.

Tuff's mom stayed with us a while after Liza was born to help out, mostly with Grace.  It was really nice to have extra hands as Tuff has gone back to working and traveling.

Hospital Moments

Moments before Liza was born.  I felt amazing and just wanted to stand!

View from labor room.

First photo after birth, she came out squeaky clean.

Big Sister, meet Little Sister.

First thoughts from Grace about Liza in video below:



Day Two.

Bella Baby Photography Shoot.

 Day Three

Family Moments

Sister Moments

Comparisons 

Liza Love

She arrived!

This morning at 4:26am I had my first contraction and just a few hours later at 7:05am Liza entered the world.  It was a beautiful birth experience.  I was able to overcome fear and enjoy the labor and delivery.

"His perfect love casts out fear." I John 4:18

Due:  July 20th, 2014
Birthday:  July 26th, 2014
Time:  7:05am
Weight:  7 pounds 8 ounces
Length:  20.25 inches
Name:  Liza Love Harris

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him."  Psalm 127:3

A College Reunion of Sorts

Last weekend we traveled to Missoula for Trisha and Tyler's wedding.  Tuff and Tyler were college football teammates and roommates.  It was an amazing weekend!
Picture of Trisha and Tyler at the Grooms Dinner.

Tuff's college football teammates and roommates at The Canyon Club at Washington Grizzly Stadium for the groom's dinner.  Each one holding his little girl!  Tuff and Grace, Kevin and Mayla, and Chris and Reagan.

Enjoying catching up.  Hard to believe we graduated almost 10 years ago.

Had to go down to the field for old-times sake.

Kids again.

The boys gave us a sprint or hardly a sprint in the video below.  They were worried about pulling a hammy.  Haha.



Fun with the girls.

Our best attempt at a family photo, from the back of the stadium looking toward Mount Sentinel and the Clark Fork River.

More fun on the field.

And now for the wedding.  I love this picture of Tyler waiting for his bride.

Tuff read a bible passage.

The colors and scenery were so beautiful.

The wedding location was the Ranch Club in Missoula, formally Phantom Links Golf Course, where I used to practice for college golf.  Only great memories here.

Luna made the trip!

The colors and mountain backdrop of Missoula made for a gorgeous wedding.

Lindsey, Kevin's wife, who I knew the last few years of college.

Kevin and Lindsey's daughter Mayla and Grace hit it off.  Grace and Mayla were born only one day apart.

Here's little Reagan and Grace at the children's museum in Missoula.

Grace rode the Missoula Carousel, one of the must dos of Missoula.

That thing was fast!

Saying goodbye to the boys Saturday, old teammates/roommates (Kevin, Tuff, Tyler and Brian).

We spent Saturday night at Daniel's house, yet another football teammate/roommate of Tuff's.

Road trip home with movies for dog and child.

And sharing a nap time pillow of course.

The week prior to the wedding Tuff traveled to Glasgow, Montana for a football sports camp.  The Glasgow Courier wrote up a nice article for those who are interested in reading:  http://www.glasgowcourier.com/story/2014/07/09/sports/against-the-odds/1506.html

Day following Glasgow football camp enjoying fishing near the Fort Peck Reservoir.

Shortly after the Glasgow trip Tuff flew to Ohio for an Athletes in Action event, the AIA Pro Athletes Leadership Summit and Golf Classic.  He had an amazing time and got to learn from some powerhouse leaders, like Dr. John Townsend who is most famous for his book Boundaries with Henry Cloud.  Not only that but got to meet some great people and reunite with some great people, including Corwin Anthony, Director of Pro Ministry for AIA and also our pre-marriage counselor more than six years ago!  

And now for the week after the wedding.

Tuff had the opportunity Thursday to last minute fill in for a speaker at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) event here in Billings.  He spoke on his walk with Christ and how sports played a role.  It was awesome to here him speak.  Another speaker for the event was Dr. David Cook who is one of the country's top speakers on peak performance.  He was awesome too.

The next day we played in the FCA golf event in which the winners qualify for a national event at TPC Sawgrass.  We took second by one shot!  Didn't expect to come nearly that close but what a good time!  Also didn't expect to be golfing, thought maybe a baby would hinder that!

Which brings me to today, July 20th, my due date!  No baby yet and I don't mind one bit.

Wednesday I took Grace to a big sister/big brother boot camp class provided by St. Vincent's hospital.  It was too cute.  They learned dos and don'ts around new baby, how to change a diaper, carry baby and wrap them in a blanket.

These pictures were from yesterday, just melted my heart after waking up from an afternoon nap and peaking out the window.

How are you all enjoying your summer?  Beat the heat and get in the water!  We have/had 90's+ for several days, and no end in sight.  Spray parks are our friends.

On a final note, I dropped my phone tonight on our family walk.  Oops.  So if you need to get a hold of me email or facebook will have to do!