Blog friends... are you still out there?
I am still here, dusting off the keys of my keyboard, ready to start again.
But where?
So much to blog.
It is coming. I will be back... I promise. Pictures of cute boys coming. Stories of cute boys coming. Stories of not-so-cute boys coming. Lots to share.... when I have another moment.
So please don't give up on me... I will be back shortly!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Thanksgiving Fun
On Thanksgiving morning, we packed up and headed to Oates to spend the day with Ganny's family. We took the boys' little 4-wheeler out with us, along with Jason's big one, so we could explore the farm that way. It was a beautiful day, and we all had a blast riding.
Gracie, Pa's dog, was in need of some love, and Harris was thrilled to love her up.
Jason's cousin, David, puts up lots of fun decorations for Christmas, and Jackson and Harris loved checking them out...
especially the manger scene. Jackson talked all about the Christmas pageant at school and who all of the characters are, excited that Harris was going to be a part of it. 
Their favorite part was definitely Baby Jesus, especially Harris. He kept going back to Him and checking Him out. 
It was an incredibly beautiful day, and we had such a nice time with family that we don't get to see often. We were so thankful to be there and to have had such special family time.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Heartbroken
Courtney Ann Harbaugh passed away on November 28 from injuries sustained in her fall. I am incredibly sad that such a good friend, great teacher, and bright light is gone. The whole thing is still so surreal to me, and I am still in disbelief that she will not be around tomorrow.The boys are doing well, each of them understanding on their own level, each of them sad she is gone. I think Harris's grasp of it tops any of us, though. The other day in the car on the way to school, I told them that their teachers were going to need extra love and hugs that day, because we were all going to be extra sad about Courtney's death. Harris said, "Not me. I'm happy." I said, "You're happy Miss Courtney is gone?", not sure he really understood what had happened. He responded, "I'm happy for Lucky." Lucky, our cat, died in February. He is happy for Lucky that Miss Courtney is there to take care of him. Sobbing, I realized, Harris gets it.
I always want to remember Courtney like this, big huge smile on her face. This is how I saw her most often. This is who she was. Always laughing, always having a good time, always making others feel like they were loved. She will always be young, she will always be smiling, and I know that God has chosen the best teacher and babysitter in the world for His baby angels.Courtney Ann Harbaugh
9 October 1984 - 28 November 2008
Rest peacefully, Sweet Courtney.
We will miss you dearly.
"But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Some Happy News!
Yay, Tracey and Chris... you made my week!!Congratulations on your engagement!
Can't wait for the big day!
Lots of love,
Amanda & the boys
Monday, November 24, 2008
Farewell
William B. Howell
"Pa"
Ganny's Daddy
3 October 1924 - 21 November 2008
"Pa"
Ganny's Daddy
3 October 1924 - 21 November 2008
"But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."Matthew 6:33
Goodbye for now, Pa. You lived your life according to this Scripture, and you were an amazing role model to many because of it. You were dearly loved and will be just as dearly missed. We know that Heaven is one angel stronger today.
Love,
Jason, Amanda, Jackson & Harris
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Keeping Courtney in Your Prayers
I have been debating about writing this post, struggling with it in many ways. However, we are in need of an incredible miracle, and if I can recruit more prayer warriors, it is worth every word.
On Saturday afternoon, Courtney Harbaugh was sweeping her porch at her second-story apartment. As she leaned over the balcony to welcome a neighbor home, the balcony railing gave way. She plummeted over twenty feet and landed on her head on the concrete below. It is all over the news here in Charleston, as many, many people have been affected by this.
Courtney is 24 years old and is fighting for her life at MUSC. My facts may not be 100% correct as they are coming from several sources, but from what we have heard, she has a cracked skull, a broken jaw and collar bone, a collapsed lung, and two contusions on her brain. She is in an induced coma to help allow her brain to heal, and they are telling us the next four days are critical as they begin to try to bring her out of the coma.
This isn't just another human interest story for us. Courtney is a coworker of mine at Little School. She has been our birthday cake-baker. She is one of our babysitters. She is Harris's teacher. Most importantly, she is my friend. I am incredibly sad about all of this. It is so unreal to think that she is lying still in a hospital bed today when Friday we were talking on the phone about our weekend plans and her plans for her class on Monday.
Little School is in a state of shock and grief. We as staff are trying to carry on normally, but Courtney's absence is noticed everywhere. Every time I walk into her classroom I want to see her hugging on the kids or teaching them in circle time. I expect to see her when I pick up the boys from their after school activities. Our kids are expecting to see her when they walk into the classroom each day. It is just so unreal that she is not there. The parents just don't know what to do. Everyone wants to help, but there is nothing we can do now but wait and pray. We are all confused about how to handle this with our children, and we are all broken-hearted that they have to deal with this in their little lives.
I can't imagine what her family is going through right now. The waiting, seeing her like she is, not knowing what tomorrow will hold... I am unable to think about it for long.
I have always listened and agreed that we need to enjoy life to the fullest now and appreciate our friends and family to the fullest each and every day, but I don't think it really sank in until now. It is amazing how life can change in the blink of an eye.
Courtney has never met a stranger. She is incredibly outgoing and full of life, loves people, and especially loves children. She loves to have a good time, is extremely creative, and is up for trying anything once. We have both laughed about and agreed that she and Harris get along so well because they are both such social beings! Harris tells us all the time that Courtney is his best friend, and he is planning on having her come spend the night in his tent with him on his birthday. She is a strong, strong woman, she is well loved, and if anyone can pull through this, it is Courtney.
What I ask of you reading is to please pray for Courtney, to please pray for a miracle. I KNOW that God works miracles, and I know that he can work one in Courtney's life. Courtney is an incredible teacher, and I truly believe the world has so much still to learn from her.
(If you have a Facebook account, there is a group set up for daily updates on her condition called Keeping Courtney in Your Prayers. You can also check out the most recent Post & Courier article here. If you don't have a Facebook account, a new Caring Bridge site has been set up: http://caringbridge.org/. In the “Visit a Caring Bridge Website” field, enter Courtneyharbaugh (All one word, no spaces).
On Saturday afternoon, Courtney Harbaugh was sweeping her porch at her second-story apartment. As she leaned over the balcony to welcome a neighbor home, the balcony railing gave way. She plummeted over twenty feet and landed on her head on the concrete below. It is all over the news here in Charleston, as many, many people have been affected by this.
Courtney is 24 years old and is fighting for her life at MUSC. My facts may not be 100% correct as they are coming from several sources, but from what we have heard, she has a cracked skull, a broken jaw and collar bone, a collapsed lung, and two contusions on her brain. She is in an induced coma to help allow her brain to heal, and they are telling us the next four days are critical as they begin to try to bring her out of the coma.
This isn't just another human interest story for us. Courtney is a coworker of mine at Little School. She has been our birthday cake-baker. She is one of our babysitters. She is Harris's teacher. Most importantly, she is my friend. I am incredibly sad about all of this. It is so unreal to think that she is lying still in a hospital bed today when Friday we were talking on the phone about our weekend plans and her plans for her class on Monday.
Little School is in a state of shock and grief. We as staff are trying to carry on normally, but Courtney's absence is noticed everywhere. Every time I walk into her classroom I want to see her hugging on the kids or teaching them in circle time. I expect to see her when I pick up the boys from their after school activities. Our kids are expecting to see her when they walk into the classroom each day. It is just so unreal that she is not there. The parents just don't know what to do. Everyone wants to help, but there is nothing we can do now but wait and pray. We are all confused about how to handle this with our children, and we are all broken-hearted that they have to deal with this in their little lives.
I can't imagine what her family is going through right now. The waiting, seeing her like she is, not knowing what tomorrow will hold... I am unable to think about it for long.
I have always listened and agreed that we need to enjoy life to the fullest now and appreciate our friends and family to the fullest each and every day, but I don't think it really sank in until now. It is amazing how life can change in the blink of an eye.
Courtney has never met a stranger. She is incredibly outgoing and full of life, loves people, and especially loves children. She loves to have a good time, is extremely creative, and is up for trying anything once. We have both laughed about and agreed that she and Harris get along so well because they are both such social beings! Harris tells us all the time that Courtney is his best friend, and he is planning on having her come spend the night in his tent with him on his birthday. She is a strong, strong woman, she is well loved, and if anyone can pull through this, it is Courtney.
What I ask of you reading is to please pray for Courtney, to please pray for a miracle. I KNOW that God works miracles, and I know that he can work one in Courtney's life. Courtney is an incredible teacher, and I truly believe the world has so much still to learn from her.
(If you have a Facebook account, there is a group set up for daily updates on her condition called Keeping Courtney in Your Prayers. You can also check out the most recent Post & Courier article here. If you don't have a Facebook account, a new Caring Bridge site has been set up: http://caringbridge.org/. In the “Visit a Caring Bridge Website” field, enter Courtneyharbaugh (All one word, no spaces).
Friday, November 14, 2008
Apple Cheesecake
My mom made an incredible apple cheesecake for the Lobster Party, and she got numerous requests for the recipe. She promised that I would put it on the blog, so here it is. Sooo yummy... enjoy!!
Crust
1 cup graham crackers, crumbled
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Combine all.
Press into bottom of 9 inch springform pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Filling
3 (8 oz.) pkg. Philadelphia cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups thin, peeled apple slices
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Combine cream cheese and sugar mixing at medium speed until well-blended.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Blend in vanilla.
Pour over crust.
Toss apples, sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
Spoon apple mix over cream cheese layer.
Sprinkle with pecans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Loosen cake from rim of pan.
Cool thoroughly before removing cake from pan.
Crust
1 cup graham crackers, crumbled
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Combine all.
Press into bottom of 9 inch springform pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Filling
3 (8 oz.) pkg. Philadelphia cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups thin, peeled apple slices
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Combine cream cheese and sugar mixing at medium speed until well-blended.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Blend in vanilla.
Pour over crust.
Toss apples, sugar, and cinnamon until combined.
Spoon apple mix over cream cheese layer.
Sprinkle with pecans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Loosen cake from rim of pan.
Cool thoroughly before removing cake from pan.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Harris Says...
"I'm not tired! I no have any yawns in my mouth."
"Nana is taking me to see NamaNASCAR 2 (Madagascar 2)!"
"Mommy, please get out of this traffic jail (jam)."
"No, I wasn't in a doctor costume, I was in a doctor outfit."
Mom: "Harris, please no more 'Why's'!"
Harris: "Why???"
"Mommy, can we make pupcakes?"
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Lobster Fest 2008
Little School had their annual Lobster Sale during the month of October. Each year, we sell our lobsters by having a party with the Lancasters. It is probably one of my most favorite parties of the year... lots of friends, lots of lobsters and good food, a chilly night with a fire pit, and lots of good times. This year was the same, and we had a blast. Thanks, Gregg and Dorothy, for all of the hard work... we enjoyed all of it!
I have to give kudos to Dorothy, too, for her fantastic job as Head Lobster Lady. Under her guidance, Little School sold 1400 lobsters!! Up from about 1000 last year and about 900 the year before. That is amazing, and it made lots of money for our little school. Way to go, Doro!
As you might remember, I have won the lobster sales in the past (2 or 3, I think). This year, although I sold 91 lobsters, I was beat out by a family selling 94 lobsters. Soooo close! It is always hard to lose (so competitive!), but it isn't hard when I think of all of the good things that will come about because of those 94 lobsters.
Yay, Little School... we are so proud of another successful Lobster Fest!
I have to give kudos to Dorothy, too, for her fantastic job as Head Lobster Lady. Under her guidance, Little School sold 1400 lobsters!! Up from about 1000 last year and about 900 the year before. That is amazing, and it made lots of money for our little school. Way to go, Doro!
As you might remember, I have won the lobster sales in the past (2 or 3, I think). This year, although I sold 91 lobsters, I was beat out by a family selling 94 lobsters. Soooo close! It is always hard to lose (so competitive!), but it isn't hard when I think of all of the good things that will come about because of those 94 lobsters.
Yay, Little School... we are so proud of another successful Lobster Fest!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Fall Waterhouse Trip
On Saturday morning after Halloween, Jackson, Harris and I piled into a rented car and headed to Myrtle Beach to meet Papa on his Waterhouse. Papa was on his final leg of the Progress' Fall 2008 Migration south, and the three of us decided to jump on while Daddy was hunting.
We met him at the marina at Barefoot Landing mid-afternoon, so we had lots of time to explore Barefoot Landing and see all of the exciting things there. We stopped at the Teddy Bear Circus where the boys each made a new friend: Jackson made a giraffe named Ios, and Harris made a teddy bear named Tot Tot. The whole experience was an interesting one.
They had to jump on these circles in order for the machine to fill the friend with stuffing... neither boy liked the sound that the machine made. 
However, they were thrilled with the end result, and each of them is sleeping with their new friend at night.
Harris checking out the super-huge carp down below.
The next morning was a beautiful one, and we headed out refreshed and ready to go.
Fall is definitely here, and the leaves were incredible on the northern portion of our leg.
Harris loved driving and was way more interested in it than Jackson.
Jackson was sure to document our trip by drawing pictures of what he saw... his favorite was drawing pictures of all of the sailboats that we passed.
We got to Georgetown Sunday afternoon with lots of time to play. Papa bought a kite in Myrtle Beach, and since it was such a beautiful day, he and Jackson put it to use.
After awhile, it was obvious that I needed to get them on solid ground to run off some energy, and what more perfect place than this compass. We played a long game of "Run the Direction Mommy Tells You". Jackson knows his direction, so if I said "Go southwest", he would run to that point on the compass. Harris would run to the letters that I told him. This was, by far, one of the highlights of the trip for them... they are both still talking about it!
This is the largest Marlin caught in South Carolina history.
Since it was Sunday, nothing was open, so Papa grilled chicken and steak on the back of the boat for a yummy dinner. Both boys fell asleep extremely quickly after a long day in the fresh air.
It was raining and foggy when we woke up on Monday morning (nice and early thanks to Daylight Savings... 5:30am). While there was no sun, it was still a beautiful morning in its own way.
The trip changed from swamp the day before to pine forest and finally salt marsh as we made our way home.
Harris wanted to help me drive on the way across the harbor, but the lack of sleep caught up to him! I think we were all a little droopy as we arrived and docked at Progress' new home. 
It was another great adventure, Dad, and we all appreciated it greatly... thank you so much. Looking forward to more adventures this winter... hopefully south!!
We met him at the marina at Barefoot Landing mid-afternoon, so we had lots of time to explore Barefoot Landing and see all of the exciting things there. We stopped at the Teddy Bear Circus where the boys each made a new friend: Jackson made a giraffe named Ios, and Harris made a teddy bear named Tot Tot. The whole experience was an interesting one.
They had to jump on these circles in order for the machine to fill the friend with stuffing... neither boy liked the sound that the machine made. However, they were thrilled with the end result, and each of them is sleeping with their new friend at night.Harris checking out the super-huge carp down below.
The next morning was a beautiful one, and we headed out refreshed and ready to go.
Fall is definitely here, and the leaves were incredible on the northern portion of our leg.
Harris loved driving and was way more interested in it than Jackson.
Jackson was sure to document our trip by drawing pictures of what he saw... his favorite was drawing pictures of all of the sailboats that we passed.
We got to Georgetown Sunday afternoon with lots of time to play. Papa bought a kite in Myrtle Beach, and since it was such a beautiful day, he and Jackson put it to use.
After awhile, it was obvious that I needed to get them on solid ground to run off some energy, and what more perfect place than this compass. We played a long game of "Run the Direction Mommy Tells You". Jackson knows his direction, so if I said "Go southwest", he would run to that point on the compass. Harris would run to the letters that I told him. This was, by far, one of the highlights of the trip for them... they are both still talking about it!This is the largest Marlin caught in South Carolina history.Since it was Sunday, nothing was open, so Papa grilled chicken and steak on the back of the boat for a yummy dinner. Both boys fell asleep extremely quickly after a long day in the fresh air.It was raining and foggy when we woke up on Monday morning (nice and early thanks to Daylight Savings... 5:30am). While there was no sun, it was still a beautiful morning in its own way.The trip changed from swamp the day before to pine forest and finally salt marsh as we made our way home.
Harris wanted to help me drive on the way across the harbor, but the lack of sleep caught up to him! I think we were all a little droopy as we arrived and docked at Progress' new home. It was another great adventure, Dad, and we all appreciated it greatly... thank you so much. Looking forward to more adventures this winter... hopefully south!!
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