This morning my mom, Tayler and I drove to Goldendale and spent the day with my grandparents. We hadn't seen them since the day after our wedding, and decided it would be niec to go up and spend some time with them. Plus, my grandma mentioned to Tayler that she'd picked up two dresses for her while she was visiting Tennesee last week, so of course, we had to make the trip. We did the normal stuff......a pedicure and facial for grandpa. And we went on a "nature walk" through the acres and acres of land my grandparents own and us kids have loving named "the compound". We saw deer tracks, wasps nest, TONS of acorns, and all of the land turning over itself to the beauty of autumn. It was a wonderful day. I can't think of a better way to spend time with your grandparents.
I've had a rough couple of days. Being a girl, if you know what I mean, isn't easy. Being a step mom, although I love it, isn't easy either. My husband knows that from time to time, I get a little teary and probably over-emotional about things that could possibly seem minor to the naked eye. But even though he may not totally understand what goes on in his wife's crazy head, he's still there for me. Today, knowing that I'd been a little down, he suprised me with one of the sweetest cards I've ever gotten, AND a gorgeous Kenneth Cole watch. Just a little something to let me know he loves me. I'm so lucky. And what's even cooler than the fact that he bought me a watch is that he picked one out that the face of matches the watch I gave him on our wedding day....so we have matching ones. I know....I know. Some of you wanna vomit now...but I love it. Every weepy second of it.
Twenty five years ago today, my world became a better place. At 7:27pm in Pasco, Washington at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, my baby sister Ashlee Varonika Harris was born. Since that glorious day, she's not only turned into one of the most beautiful people (inside and out) that I know...she's also become my very best friend in the world.
When we were young, I teased her mercilessly. Sometimes it's a wonder to me that she even still wants to be my friend. I've seriously struggled with some honest-to-goodness guilt about mean things I used to do to my baby sis. (i.e. telling her that all of my Halloween candy was gone, when it was really hidden, so she'd share hers with me is one that has eaten at me for years) But I have some of the best memories with her as well. Times when we were FORCED (against our will...child abuse really) to pick weeds on Saturday mornings while our dad was doing yard work and we'd mess around until we were threatened within an inch of our lives. Or times we'd drive to our dad's house in Seattle while we were in high school...making the most of the weekly trip we'd have to make. We were together, and that's all we needed to enjoy ourselves.
She's a total knock out, she's got the softest heart of anyone I know (hello...halloween candy) she's hilarious, and she is the only person on this earth that has been down the same road that I've traveled. Her and I together. Through the good times, and the bad times, have always had each other. I honestly can not imagine my world without her. I'd lie, I'd cheat, I'd steal, and I'd die....all for this girl. She's my heart and soul, and I thank my lucky stars every day that's she's a part of my life.
Slowly but surely we're getting photos from guests at our wedding who were so kind as to catch our special day on film. The following photos were sent to me by my Aunt Noell. I think she got some pretty good shots. Look out Ansel Adams.
Soo, as the old saying goes, "the honeymoon is over"....but not in the bad sense....we're just home from Maui. It was awesome! We swam, walked on the beautiful beaches, went to a Luau, drank too many mai tais and pina coladas (lava flow style!), ate tons of delicious sea food, spent far to much money, and got waq\y to much sun but all in all it was wonderful. And, as a special treat, becuase we were beat and our flight was going to go all night long, my husband changed our tickets to first class on the flight home! Pure bliss! We had an amazing time, but we're glad to be back, attempting to organize our lifes into whatever state of "normal" they were pre-wedding planning. And just like the wedding ones, more photos to follow...but for now...... And for the record, per the Washington State Department of Licensing, and the Benton County Auditors Office, I'm officially a Schienbein!
This weekend has been one of the most wonderful and memorable of my entire life. Brian and I were married on Saturday. It was a joyous and special day! Also, the days leading to our wedding were wonderful. We haven't gotten many wedding photos from our friends and family (and we won't get any from our photographer for a few weeks), but I wanted to post a few that we do have from the weekend. We leave for beautiful Maui in the morning, and I'm sure upon our return, I'll have many more pictures to post. But for now, these will have to do!
Yesterday was Tayler's first day of pre-school! She had a great time meeting new friends, meeting her teachers, making something special with finger paints, getting her first book order, and just plain getting used to school life! I think this is going to be a great year!
This morning my mom, Tayler and I drove to Goldendale and spent the day with my grandparents. We hadn't seen them since the day after our wedding, and decided it would be niec to go up and spend some time with them. Plus, my grandma mentioned to Tayler that she'd picked up two dresses for her while she was visiting Tennesee last week, so of course, we had to make the trip. We did the normal stuff......a pedicure and facial for grandpa. And we went on a "nature walk" through the acres and acres of land my grandparents own and us kids have loving named "the compound". We saw deer tracks, wasps nest, TONS of acorns, and all of the land turning over itself to the beauty of autumn. It was a wonderful day. I can't think of a better way to spend time with your grandparents. 
