November...

I sit here listening to my favorite old-time Christmas songs... and it's not even Thanksgiving! This is very naughty, I know. But Nicholas and I decided that we need to grasp every part of the Christmas season because the next two months are going to fly past us!!

We spent an incredible weekend with family - my side, who we hadn't seen since the 4th of July. :o We put about 1000 miles on the car in three days but we BOTH agreed it was well worth it.

Caleb "graduated" from Basic Training at ALERT. I won't go all into it, but he did insanely well. We were all very proud of our little brother who has become SUCH a man in the last couple of years. He is gearing up for a semester of college next January. During his break I think he's also planning on growing back his beard. YAY! :) I'll have to update with new pictures in a couple of weeks.

Here's a picture of us all together right before we left for our 7 hour trip home last Sunday...



This weekend we have a Sunday school S'more get-together... then Nicholas' sister, Melissa, and brother, Matt, will be coming into town. So I'm sure we'll be making a couple of trips to Round Rock. Yay for a busy season of family and friends!!

Only 5 weeks until my brother, Noah's, wedding to Heather Lee. I'm VERY excited about getting to see a lot of family in Missouri so close to Christmas.

For our first Christmas together, we have the whole week off!! YAY!!!! We'll be in Missouri the week before and then drive back... stopping to shop in Dallas then home for a couple days. We plan to celebrate our own Christmas on the 23rd. We're planning on going out to eat at a Chinese Buffet as that's a tradition in MY family. Then on Christmas eve and Christmas day we will be with the big Harris clan...

Wow! I'm excited!!!

Nick and I got to help my mom in a very busy church nursery this last weekend in Oklahoma. We just loved getting to soothe and coddle the little screaming babes... :) We would be thrilled to start a little family soon, but we are also really, REALLY enjoying the opportunities we have to spend together by ourselves :D

God continues to bless us more than we could have hoped!! We have a wonderful relationship with one another... marriage has been a very smooth transition and we just adore spending so much time together!!!

Until later...
the S.Austin Harris clan

Weekends and Homework

Nothing terribly exciting going on over here. We are going to try to stay around homebase this weekend so we can both get caught up on homework. Nick's Behavioral Management class is a little bit less fun and more difficult than expected. I have a pretty big exam next week and a following exam to take before Christmas. Hopefully I'll do pretty well on both...

I would rather spend my time on sewing projects (nothing started yet... just fantasies at this point). I am in LOVE with Anthropologie's aprons... I purchased my first one as a gift for a cousin and have a couple other people in mind to buy for as well. I don't necessarily need an apron right now but once things calm down here I would like to try to make a copycat version.

La_La_La... more to come later. But nothing too exciting... :)

10.13.08 @ 84*F :(

Well... it's Monday afternoon. I have the day off due to it being Columbus Day. I also have tomorrow off... typical Tuesday.

Nicholas and I both need to be studying. He is taking two classes this semester. One computer class and one on behavioral management (he says he took that one so he can train me better... ya right!). I'm taking only one class this semester: Bible Intro. But I'm also studying to CLEP out of 24 hours worth of general ed stuff.

The CLEP tests I can take are: Intro to English/Intro to Psych/Human Growth & Development/College Mathematics/Natural Sciences/Biology/English Literature/Information Systems & Computer Applications.

Whew. Right now... I'm cleaning/doing laundry and Nicholas is taking a nap.

And tonight we're having chicken of somesorts. It's just another day... :)

Nothing New on This Ship

...we have no real news to add today. We were hoping to spend time with my family this month, but Hurricane Ike screwed up our plans. So we're hoping to meet up with them sometime in early October in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area.

I am trying to work on my wifey skills more - specifically in the area of the kitchen. Trying to find good deals, yummo recipes, and staying within the budget. Yikes! I'm also collecting recipes for my sister, Michal, and soon-to-be sister-in-law, Heather, as they're both going to be "setting up house" as new wives real soon.

So... yeah, along with that... I've been helping Michal with a wedding theme. It'd sure be a whole lot easier if we could meet up in real life from time to time. I haven't seen her since June *slight sobbing*

Nicholas and I are doing WELL, though. We need to come up with some more hobbies to do together. We would LOVE to go camping more often. And hopefully we will once the weather stays below 90*.

In the next month or so maybe we'll have something more substantial to post. For now, it's just the same ol' thing :D

too fun! ;)

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker. Choose 3 columns with 4 rows.

The Questions:
1. What is your first name? Becca
2. What is your favorite food? Banana Pudding
3. What high school did you go to? Homeschool
4. What is your favorite color? Pink and Orange
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Kirsten Dunst :)
6. Favorite drink? Hand's Down - Green Tea Frap!
7. Dream vacation? Camping in Huvskul, Mongolia
8. Favorite dessert? Tiramisu
9. What you want to be when you grow up? a Mommy
10. What do you love most in life? my hubband!
11. One Word to describe you. I asked Nicholas. His response: "Random"
12. Your favorite animal. Cheetahs!!

I was going to blog... but then I got distracted.

I laugh when I look at this blog. It has like, count them... two entries. My goodness. :) And to think I used to be a chronic blogger. Priorities change.

So we were slightly wow'ed yesterday when we realized we've almost hit the 4-month mark. Goodness! Time flies when you're not paying attention. :D

On Marriage...
It feels good to be married. We have a very "together" kind of relationship. It's funny because I don't think I could stand living with any ONE other person like I do with Nicholas. Not that we don't ever have quabbles... they just don't last very long and they're few and far between.

A funny: Nicholas and I got to work for Pok-E-Jo's together a couple Saturdays ago. It was fun. We like working together even if we're not side-by-side. I did drinks/he cut meat. It was snazzy. So as he was cutting meat for the customers, a couple college hip chicks came along... and they were giggly and flirtatious types. So one said to the other, "Isn't he just the NICEST guy?! giggle giggle giggle" and he was like, "yeah... well, that's what my wife thinks." Those weren't his exact words but it was to that effect. I laughed when he told me. It totally made my day!! He's so loyal and respectful.

Another funny: Nicholas' work shift has been 5AM-1:30PM requiring him to get up at 4AM. For the most part (especially lately), I get up shortly after he does. While he showers I get his clothes laid out, iron his shirt (if I hadn't done it the day before), fix his breakfast - which mostly consists of cereal, occasionally bacon, eggs, and toast, and I make his lunch (lunchmeat sandwiches, pb&j's, leftovers, salad, etc...). Well, his shift just got CHANGED to 6AM-2:30PM. We weren't sure how we'd adjust but we're LOVING IT!!!! Except that I still keep waking up at 4AM.

Anyway... Nick was talking to one of his co-workers about the new shift. He mentioned that it was just really dragging us down... and then nonchalantly mentioned the above (that I get up and do blah, blah, blah for him) and the guy was like, "Your wife gets up with you?!" And then he was like, "oh, yeah! But you guys are newlyweds... that won't last long!" heh :) We'll see... I kinda feel like I've been challenged :)

While I was nannying the other day, I set out to make a monthly menu. We've been kinda sporatic lately and, although Nicholas never complains, our meals could use a little more attention. It's kind of hard though because he usually eats lunch around 10/10:30AM and is ready for dinner at 4PM. I usually work at least 3-4 afternoons a week so it's usually rush-rush...

Well, I pulled out a cookbook I bought sometime last year called, "Quick Fix Meals by Robin Miller." It's one of my food network lovelies.. :D Anyway... I got some amazing ideas and put together a meal plan. Nicholas was fairly pleased when I told him. So.. we'll see how it goes. I may post some of the recipes. I'm hoping to put together some recipes for my sis, Michal and future-sis-in-law, Heather as they're both going to be newlyweds soon...

One more thing... we have had the camping bug BITE us... :D We've been eager to go camping for a few months. FINALLY, on the Friday before Labor Day we headed down to Mustang Island National Park. It was a good three hour drive. We mostly listened to talk radio which was interesting. I think that was right after they'd announced Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. We missed the hurricane and probably would have had a splendid trip if A) we'd brought something other than blankets to sleep on (like an air mattress would have been much better for our backs).. and B) we'd brought BUG SPRAY. We were nearly eaten up alive by TONS of starving mosquitoes. We didn't have a very restful night, but overall it was pretty nice. We were camped right next to the Gulf and it was a nice view in the morning.

Nicholas is already telling me he's ready to go camping again (probably somewhere closer). We'll take the OFF! and some citronella lamps... oh! and a mattress. This Saturday is REI's semi-annual garage sale, so we'll see what we can find. And we're both working tomorrow... so Life is GOOD!

Here's some pictures from our trip.

*Everyday*Is*Beautiful*

Well, I haven't been as eager to update our little family blog.

Let's see... updates :)

In June...
we celebrated my 23rd birthday. And Christopher's :)


my sister came to visit for about a week.

In July...
we visited Granny and Grandpa Harris in Round Rock while Clay&Dedie, M, J&C were in Boston on a missions trip. We had a fun evening playing Imaniff with the boys and Grandpa. We laughed a lot!! No pictures. Oops...

Then we made a surprise visit to Oklahoma!!! I didn't realize how much I missed my family until we got closer and closer. I was pretty much thrilled to be home for a weekend. :D
James and Michal, Nick and I went to Elk City for a little tiny shopping trip. I was pretty thrilled to get a new NYC skirt for about $2. And a Tommy sweater for about $3. Michal and I love our store, Walls. ;) And Maurices... I was thrilled to find out that Maurices is coming to South Austin soon. ;o
We witnessed some smally superb fireworks by the Mangum Fire Dept. :) And other things... ;X :) It was a good trip! I miss my sibs just thinking about it...

Our trip home was not delightful. We were a little sad to leave, plus our air conditioning was out. It was SO hot and sweaty. We stopped in some town for some DQ blizzards. I had a cotton candy drink. Yummericilous!!!

When we got home we got that car issue fixed for a nice sum of money.

I started a babysitting job (about 10-20 hours a week/varies) so that's helping a lot!!

We are enjoying the free Austin Symphony Orchestra on Sunday nights. We spent last Sunday evening with Melissa, Nick's sister. We had a fun time and are looking forward to more fun evenings doing things like that.

Speaking of Sundays, we have been attending Bannockburn Baptist Church. We both LOVE the Sunday school class. We have been very grateful to find a solid, growing young married couples group. God blesses us abundantly!!

I think tomorrow we are going to try to go to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. It's free for some reason tomorrow. :)

Nick has applied for a part-time job at Seattle's Best Coffee. Praying that comes through.

I miss my Grandma who passed away this past April :( I don't know what is causing that... but I just wish I could be with her again. She was a wonderful Grandma!!

Anyway... I'll try to keep updates flowing more frequently :)

We're doing well. And that's what matters :)

"You, O Lord, will preserve him from this generation forever"

"The godly and faithful have disappeared from the earth. The wicked strut about on every side..." (Ps 12)

"We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people." (Luke 9)

"I know...that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the kings..., whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." (Joshua 2)

"The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. You, O Lord, will preserve him from this generation forever." (Ps 12)

Yesterday we were robbed. It sounds insignificant to explain to someone else, but it hurt us - left us shaken and upset. Someone took our load of laundry from the laundromat. The load included our very favorite clothes - including all three of Nicholas' dive t-shirts... a new pair of jeans... two sets of his dress clothes... and most of my underwear ;o

Our reaction wasn't very sweet... we felt like pounding the person(s) who took our clothes.

This morning when I opened my Bible to Psalm 12 I felt like shouting with the Psalmist, "THE GODLY AND FAITHFUL HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM THE EARTH... THE WICKED STRUT ABOUT ON EVERY SIDE...!" It's true. We live in a fallen and perverted world!

Then the thought occurred to me: it was this world that Christ came to save. Life for me on earth is pretty good. Even living on a tight budget, I have SO MUCH happiness and joy. But that's because I don't know what it's like on the other side... As my former pastor used to say so often, "The best we, as Christians, have on earth is our ONLY hell..." This is as bad as it's gonna get. It will only get better!

But Jesus Christ CHOSE to come to this lowly, wicked world. He loved me that much!

So then when Christ asks me to take up my cross and follow Him, what is my reaction? Most of the time I'm like a little bird in a cage, fluttering and falling, trying to get out... trying to find my wings and fly to my own destination. I'll cry out wimpishly, "Oh Lord! Help me out here!" But it's only when I really let go that He does the impossible.

Watchman Nee stated "We only see what WE can do. We shut our eyes to God and His inexhaustible resources. But God is not to be measured by us. Never mind what we can do or cannot do; He is waiting to show us His miracles."

We will probably never get back our *precious* clothes. ;) That's extremely unfortunate for us, but the thing that I'm stuck on this morning is that the Lord, who preserves His word as silver tried and refined seven times, will preserve my husband and me from this generation. It will only get better.

The Lord will cut off the wicked but He will preserve His own from this generation. In the meantime, we can't shut our eyes to God. Why? Because He's waiting to show us His miracles... :D

There Is A Place By Me

Sometimes life is challenging. Maybe not beyond bearable, but just challenging. As a newly married couple we want to be in the center of God's will but that's much easier said than done. And sometimes we feel like we are doing God's will but it's not always black~and~white.

In times of struggling and reasoning together we have one Rock, one real source of Absolute Strength: Christ.

This morning as Nicholas was at work I sat down at our tiny little table to partake of my english muffin and Nick's left-over coffee. With open Bible and journal I sought God's face. The words that God gave to David in Psalm 11 and to Joshua as he became the leader of Israel spoke comfort and encouragement to me! God is very interested in blessing the one who seeks God's face... and most often His will is not made known to us by a loud voice from heaven. Rather, it is in doing the things He's already commanded us. The every day obedience of seeking His face reveals His day-to-day will in our lives.

When I was finished, I opened up a little book by Amy Carmichael which just captured what I had been praying about and reading in my Bible. It is called "There Is A Place By Me":

His Thoughts Said, "Before me continually is the grief of wounds, confusion, suspense, distress."
His Father Said, "Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock."
Then, as a frightened child on a storm-swept mountain-side would gratefully take his father's hand, and stand on a rock in a place by him, fearing no evil - so it was with the son. For he knew that though the earth be removed and the waters be carried into the midst of the sea, that rock by his Father would never be moved. And he remembered words about things that can be shaken and things that will remain. And though no small tempest lay on him, he said to the multitude of thought whose voices sought to disturb him, "Sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God that it shall be even as it was to me. For as His majesty is, so also is His mercy."

Our Sunday school teacher recently said that faith doesn't grow when life is easy - or words to that affect. I've remembered that truth as Nicholas and I have talked about living in faith. It's never easy to live in faith. We have to continually look to Christ's face and stand with Him upon the rock or we will fall into the abyss of failure.

So each child of God has a choice to make: either try to live on your own and experience mild satisfaction in your own strength or stand in the place by Christ where life is rarely easy, but long-term success is guaranteed.