Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year's Eve! I figured I needed to do one last post of 2010. I finished Michael Scott's The Sorceress and found it interesting. I've been studying the arch of books and am amazed and how many story lines are in Scott's books. It's interesting to see the rise and fall in each one. I like the characters and the storyline but it's starting to be the same. We'll see how the next one does.

Anyway, enjoying the nice cold Arizona evening, set some wonderful, obtainable goals and get ready for the new year!

Merry Christmas 2010

Harris Family, December 2010

This year has been one of additions and subtractions for us. We began the year with 4 tanks full of fish, one bird (Crash-a miniature Noble Macaw), one dog (Honey-our 95 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback who decided to say, “Hi” to another dog early in the year, was hit by a truck, spent the night in the emergency room and wanted to run and play the next day even with her leg stitched up. Thankfully the only side effect is a scare on her right foreleg.), 2 Hermit Crabs, one

tortoise (Digger-An African

Desert Tortoise who likes to bark and chase Honey around the yard. Yes, you read that correctly, bark. We wouldn’t have believed it if we hadn’t heard it ourselves and recorded on our camera.) and 8 chickens. Now closing out the year we are surrounded by

2 fish tanks not quite as full as before (due to sickness that seemed to plague the tanks), 7 chickens (one got sick and was found dead in the corner of the coop), 1 Hermit Crab (the other didn’t make it through its molt), Crash, Honey, Kumba (An African Gray Parrot who is quite pleasant until he begins beeping like a fire alarm) and our new little one, Reed Andrus Harris.

As for us . . . Jentry is serving as the Scout Master and 2nd Counselor in the Young Men’s Presidency in our ward. Although the calling is time consuming, he’s loving the chance to work with the boys in the ward. He has been given the opportunity to work with some new clientele at The Mahoney Group and is doing a little bit more traveling as a result. Unfortunately, his bike riding has not happened this year. Instead he’s taken to working hard with Honey and she’s a delight to everyone who knows her. Sometimes this entails riding, well more like racing his bike with her. He’s clocked her running between 20-25 miles an hour at times. It is quite a sight to see.

Bonnie is still managing to stay busy. In addition to teaching cello three days a week and playing in a community orchestra, she has completed two books in a trilogy and is halfway through the third. No, they are not published yet but she’s in the process of getting them there, which takes awhile. However, if you’d like a sneak peek at some of the book, she will be starting a Work In Progress (WIP) on Wednesdays on her blog in January. So stop on by and let her know what you think. www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com

Our little Reed bounced into the world on Sunday December 5th at 1:15 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long with some help from the doctor’s. He is a joy minus the sleepless nights. He already has a cocky half grin that seems to say, “I did something but you’ll never find out what!” We think we might be in trouble. We have been overwhelmed at the outpouring of love, generosity and kindness from all of our family and friends. Thank you to everyone.

It’s been quite a roller-coaster of a year and we’re sure the next will be more so. We wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year. May it bring much joy and happiness. Remember to Enjoy the Ride and Have Fun!

Love,

The Harris Family

Christmas

24 bananas, 8 batches of banana bread, presents divided and wrapped, Christmas cards mailed, house fairly put together. I think Christmas can come. Not bad for realizing just last week that Christmas was this week! :)

Book Buzzin'

I had the privilege to critique Meg's Melody before it went to press sometime ago. It was a wonderful read then and I'm anxious to see what and if there were changes. Kaylee Baldwin does such a wonderful job weaving the story. I'm excited the book is finally out. Here's the back cover blurb. It would be a wonderful gift for an avid reader.

She paced the small confines of her bathroom as she waited the obligatory two minutes for the result. Yet, part of her sensed the truth. Not only did Austin take her self-esteem and plans for happiness, but he also took her get-out-of-this-marriage-free card.

The plus sign glared at Meg from the white plastic frame of the pregnancy test. The test fell from her hands and clattered into the bathtub as Meg’s back slid against the wall until she reached the floor.

“I’m pregnant,” she said into the quiet.

Meg never imagined she'd end up like this. With nowhere else to turn, she's forced to rely on the family she pushed away, the church she abandoned, and an unexpected friendship to help her find her forgotten melody. Meanwhile Matt is still mourning the loss of his wife. But determined to keep things together for his daughter's sake, he decides starting over in a new place might be just what his family needs.

This touching story combines romance with redemption and real conflict to remind you it's never too late to find joy. Kaylee Baldwin's capable hand renders a sincere, heartfelt story of rediscovery and hope. Perfect for romantics of all ages, this book will captivate your heart and rekindle your belief in the magic of music.

Available for preorder at Amazon or Barnes&Noble.com.

Baby Pictures

Here are a few pictures of our sweet little one. Born last Sunday at 1:15 pm, Reed Andrus Harris weighed in at8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long. All is well with everyone (besides the fact that we are sleepdeprived) and we love our little miracle. I never thought I'd get attached to someone so quickly, but he has sure stolen my heart. What a blessing he is.

Book Buzzin', Reviews, Contests and more

Alright, this is going to be an info filled post. First-no baby. He's stubborn and we'll probably need help to convince him to join the outside world. So hopefully things will go well this weekend.

Two-There are so many incredible book giveaways going on right now that I just have to share. (You'll probably hear more about them as time goes on too!) The first one is Tristi Pinkston's Merry Month of Miracles. It's in celebration of her upcoming release of Dearly Departed in January. There's a new giveaway each day. Pretty exciting. Hop on over and take a look.

Another contest that will start (or kind of has started) on Dec 6th is the Best I've Read 2010. There have been a few teaser giveaways already. Take a look there too.

Three-Here's a fabulous book I've heard about that would be a great Christmas gift, The Star Prophecy by Joan Sowards. This is the back cover blurb along with some reviews.

“You are crazy. No Nephite has ever returned.”   

Most people laugh when they hear of Enoch’s dream of returning to Jerusalem to find the

infant Messiah. Even Enoch's future father-in-law mocks him when he asks for a postponement of the long-awaited wedding to his beloved Rebekah.  A few take Enoch seriously—the shipbuilder Omnihah, Enoch's teacher David, and Nephi the prophet.    

Five years previously, a Lamanite named Samuel had stood on the wall of Zarahemla and prophesied that “five years more cometh” and the Christ would be born in Jerusalem. Time is running out! Enoch knows he must set sail across the great waters in search of his dream—to see the face of the Messiah.  The Star Prophecy is a surprising story of courage and love, faith and fortitude. Sail with Enoch and friends across the sea through hardship and adventure in search of the Christ Child.  

"I love Joan Sowards' inventive mind. She begins this adventurous tale with 'what if?' and tells it so well that the reader closes the book thinking 'why not?' The Star Prophecy adds a surprising new dimension to the Christmas story." --Liz Adair, author of Counting the Cost  

"Action-adventure, romance, inspirational, and historical fiction all rolled into one make the Star Prophecy and exciting page turner." --Margaret L. Turley, author of Save the Child

Fourth-I just finished reading Rick Riordan's The Lost Hero. (Here's Riordan's blog if you'd like it.) Fabulous book. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment. I thought I would be disappointed without having Percy Jackson and Annabeth as the main characters, but I loved Piper, Jason and Leo. They make a great trio. It's full of action and adventure and I'm learning more about Greek mythology than I thought possible. I highly recommend it for anyone.

Fifth- I know I need to get on it and do some more reviews of the books I've finished lately but . . . I don't know if that will happen. I have them all listed on My Pages and can't think of one I wouldn't recommend. If you'd like more details on a particular one, let me know and I'll for sure get a review posted.