Our 2007

We look back at the blessings of 2007 with such a thankful heart.
Of course, our greatest blessing was the birth of our youngest daughter, Chandler Grace, who we are all in love with! Our oldest child and daughter, Kennedy turned 4, and started preschool. She also took ballet and tap for the first time. And our only son, and second child, Jackson, turned 1! Jackson and Chandler had a lot of "firsts" this year. As for me, I have had the privilege of learning to juggle 3 children. Jordan, over the past 5 months, has lost over 40 pounds with hard work and dedication to exercising and eating healthy. We are so proud of him getting healthy to hang around and take care of all of us!
Jordan and I had the milestone of celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary. I've said it before-best decision I've ever made!

The thing Jordan and I are most thankful for this year is our big family-one we have always dreamed of. It took a long time to get here! Our road consisted of 7 years of trying to have a baby, 2 failed IUI's, many procedures, a miscarriage scare and 4 surgeries. Now, looking back, we see how everything worked together to make sure we got our Kennedy, then had our Jackson and now our Chandler! These children are our everything and mean the world to us. They are our heart and make our days and year better because they are here. 2007 was a great year and we are so thankful for all of the blessings God has granted us!

Harr Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family history

Well, I'm not sure how accurate this is, but we've had a lot of fun doing it-thanks, Jodie! It has Chandler looking more like me, Jackson looking a little more like Jordan. So we put it to the test and Kennedy looking equally like us!! Jordan, Kennedy and I got such a kick out of that! We thought that was so funny! We should have known something was off when it had Jackson only looking 4% more like Jordan-I was waiting for the 100% to pop up! Still, tons of fun! Below are Kennedy and Jackson's meters.

Harr Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Vintage photos

Harr Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Jackson 19 Months

Another special thing about Christmas this year was that Jackson was 19 months old! He is just doing so much! He is very independent and is very much a little boy! There is something about having a son! It is so neat-and so different than having little girls. He is the comedian of the family. Always cracking us up with the funny things he does-and he knows they are funny! And quite the dare devil. He's not afraid of anything. Kind of hard on Mama, but I'm getting better at it. He's also the most sensitive, sweet and loving little boy. Of course, he has all of our hearts. He adds such a unique dimension to our family and we cannot imagine it without him. Like the other 2 he was definitely meant to be! Jordan took him to get his 18 month shots yesterday (12/28) and he was a champ. He cried only a little during the shot, but Jordan said he quit right after. Jackson weighs 29 pounds! Jordan said he did great and was so excited and seemed so proud that he got to take him for a change. He adores his daddy and his daddy adores him! They are buddies. These girls adore him, too. Kennedy gets such a kick out of the things he does and says. She laughs at him all of the time. And Chandler gets so excited everytime she she's him. Of course, she gets LOTS of hugs from him! And as for me, well, I have the little boy I have always dreamed of. He's everything I wanted in a son. Happy 19 months, Jackson!

Merry Christmas!!!

We have been so excited for Christmas this year! It's extra fun with 3 little ones-especially when it's the first Christmas for 1 of them!
Christmas Eve morning, we started our Waffle House breakfast tradition! And who would've guessed that parked right next to us and coming out of Waffle House as we were heading in was Dale Earnhardt, JR!! One of the neat surprises one might get living in Nascar's Mooresville, North Carolina!! Christmas Eve night, Kennedy and I kept our tradition of baking chocolate chip cookies for Santa. Then, Kennedy got a surprise call from Santa! She was so excited! Then, we got the kids ready for bed.
The next morning we were ready to go! Christmas day was here! They came down the stairs, and Jordan captured their sweet faces on video and camera-it was priceless. Kennedy and Jackson lit up when they saw what Santa had brought for them. Baby Chandler didn't understand, but definitely enjoyed her gifts! She got the hand-me-down spring horse first gifted by Papa for Kennedy. She loved it! She also got Peek-a-boo blocks, phone, and a teether. So they each got one main gift-Kennedy got her Disney Princess cash register and Jackson got an air-tivity ball popper! Both a big hit!! Kennedy and Jackson each got giant stockings stuffed with small gifts, toys and candy. They loved it. Chandler will get hers next year!
We instituted the first Annual Silly String War that took place after all of the gifts were opened. Everyone got a can in their stockings! Kennedy was declared the winner but, Jackson may give her a run for her money next year! Then they had 2 "shared" gifts from Santa-a bean bag and one more.....After opening all of the gifts, Daddy said he heard Santa upstairs last night, so the kids ran up to the playroom and there was a Castle Bouncer just waiting for them!! They had a ball.
After settling down (a little!) we had Grandma's sticky rolls for breakfast. We had a big Christmas lunch and had my family's traditional finger foods for desert. It was nice to bring a little from each of our families traditions and incorporate them into ours.
We asked Kennedy what her favorite thing was for Christmas, and she said "My whole family". She has such a sweet heart and she melts ours all of the time with the things she says.
We enjoyed this Christmas so much. We've had a new baby for Christmas the past 2 years and that has been a blast. These kids make everything more special and definitely bring the magic to our Christmas!

10 Year Wedding Anniversary

December 19, 1997

December 19, 2007

Ten years ago, December 19th, we were married at sunset on Kapalua Bay Beach in Maui, Hawaii. I was 21 and Jordan was 20. Very young, but very sure. The day of the wedding, we went to a boutique, Women who Run with Wolves, and found 2 infinity bands. One was a size 12, Jordan's size, and the other a size 6, my size. And since we always used the infinity sign on our notes we took it as a sign. The ceremony was very romantic-barefoot on the beach in December-our fairy tale! Just what we wanted. We were still on our honeymoon and went to our first luau on Christmas Eve and spent our first Christmas together in Hawaii! We love our memory of our wedding. We always dreamed of returning with our family to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, but since that was not realistic for us at this time, instead for our 10 year anniversary, we each took $10 to get something that reminded us of being in Hawaii for our wedding. It was bizarre that we both did the same thing!! We each wrote 10 of our favorite memories. And even more bizarre was that they were the same memories-almost word for word! We both agreed that validates the 10 years! Jordan put his in a photo album-he did his on the computer with different things he copied from the internet that went along with each memory. I wrote my 10 things and put them in a Christmas tin, since, traditionally aluminum/tin is the 10th wedding anniversary gift. We ate a lite dinner that night, and when the kids went to bed, Jordan went and picked up Chinese food and we ate together, exchanged our gifts, and looked at our wedding photo album and reminisced. Even though it wasn't a trip back to Hawaii, it was nice to "re-visit" it together. We were so thankful for the opportunity to reflect on one of the best times of our life together. We couldn't be more thankful to be together, and to have our three precious children. We are truly blessed!

Santa Clause

So, we took the traditional "Go see Santa" trip December 14th! We went to Northlake mall Friday night, had Chandler's 6 month pictures taken, and then went to see Santa! It is a sad looking bunch of kids to see Santa, but here's why. Kennedy sat next to Santa to leave his lap open for the babies. But, Jackson would not sit on Santa's lap. Jackson cried at first, but then quit when they handed him a stuffed penguin. So, he was content to sit NEXT to him. In his shaky-after-crying voice he looked up at Santa immediately and blurted out "TOY!" We had been "coaching" him to be excited for Santa and to tell him he wanted a toy! It was hilarious. Of course, Chandler had no idea what was going on, so she was fine. And Kennedy, our old pro, was very prepared to tell Santa exactly what she wanted-a Disney Princess cash register. So, we considered it a success to have all 3 in the picture and looking at the camera!

Kennedy's Christmas Program

Kennedy's preschool had their Christmas Program, Thursday, December 14th at 9:30AM. I had to have Kennedy there by their regular 9:00 time. Jordan left work to met me, Jackson, and Chandler Grace there around 9:15. We got our seats in the back-to be safe with the babies! They did great, though. Jordan stood the whole time to video the program. Kennedy kept mouthing for him to "sit down"! During one of the songs, Jackson yelled out "Hey Kennedy!" twice-it was so funny!It was so sweet and of course, I did my motherly duty of shedding a few tears. I was so proud of my baby up there singing her heart out about Christmas and the birth of Jesus! The kids were surprised when Santa Clause came in-Kennedy finished the song slowly, eyes HUGE, and then goes "OH..Wow"! We got it on video-it's priceless! Following the program we all went to the Fellowship Room for refreshments and the kids got to sit on Santa's lap!
The teacher's also had our surprise present from the kids-a "Santa's Cookies" plate with Rudolph the red nose reigndeer on it made out of their foot and hand prints! So precious! Kennedy sat on Santa's lap and told him she wants a Disney Princess cash register. Jackson didn't want any part of sitting on his lap, but he did give him five! We all had a great time! These kind of things are just one of the MANY that makes being a parent WONDERFUL! Kennedy will be on break until January 3rd. We are excited to have her home the 3 hours/3 days a week she is normally at school!

Chandler Grace-6 Months

I cannot believe this baby girl was born to us just 6 months ago!! June 11th seems so far away!!Life has only been better having her with us and we are looking forward to her first Christmas!
She got a good report today from Dr. Little and 4 shots-ouch! Not a happy girl! We looked like a comedy "The Harrs go to Town" by starting the visit off to my opening the door and nailing my son right in the face with it, then no sooner getting inside having to change his poopy diaper, once back in the room Jackson shutting the drawer on his thumb, of course this was right before the nurse enetered to give Chandler her shots, so he was screaming and crying "Hold me, Mommy" while I'm trying to hold Chandler's hands like the nurse asked me to, then she's crying from the shots, then I have to put him down to dress her-both of them screaming, Kennedy asking me in the midst of this to read her a book instead of picking up all of the blocks and puzzles she and Jackson have strewn across the room like I'd asked her to, all of this to be followed with Kennedy turning off the light in the main office while I'm trying to pay, and Jackson running off down the hall to an open room. I vowed never to return with all 3 for an appointment again!! Yikes.
Okay. Chandler Grace at 6 months:
Weighs 17.9 pounds, 27 inches long
Rolling-everywhere!!
Sitting up
Eating rice cereal with spoon
Starts baby food-graduates from eating rice cereal to green beans-doesn't like AT ALL-pushes out with tongue, makes horrible faces and gags!
LOVES oatmeal, though-sucks it up!
"Talking" & cooing
Loves to make "motor boat" sound!
Rolls to get something she wants
Gets in Crawl position
"Knows" her name
Gets agitated when she can't do what she's trying to do while playing
Reaches and grabs anything in sight
Takes and hits table and floor with toys
Loves watching Baby Einstein DVD
Rubs my face while I feed her a bottle
Rubs Jordan's chin when he feeds her a bottle
Jumps in exersaucer
Can "stand" when you hold her up by her hands-strong legs
Pats my back when I carry her around! (Jackson did this, too!)
I love every milestone with my babies. I love that I am blessed to get to go through them a third time. Each has been amazing and unique to each one of them. I'm really trying to soak up each thing and not rush them because they go so quickly. But, nothing's better than going through it at the time!!

When I figure out how to post the link, you can view her 6 month pictures we had taken until I can get ours scanned!
mailto:%22Session12/14/07%22@Zazzle.com

Summer in December?

It's hard to believe me and the kids played outside barefoot today with Christmas just around the corner! Very strange having all of the windows raised and a Christmas tree in the room!
It was HOT today! I mean like a summer day. The kids loved getting to play outside-even Chandler enjoyed herself!
We can't wait for tomorrow night when Jordan/Daddy gets home! I don't know who is more excited.

Jordan is in Arkansas for a few days, so it is just the 4 of us until Tuesday. He is staying at Grandpa and Grandma's and is getting to see everyone, so we really wish we could be there with him!
Today I took some pictures of the kids. Kennedy is so excited to go see Santa when Jordan gets back. Jackson doesn't understand this, but he can say "Ho Ho Ho"!!! This will be Chandler's first time to see Santa so we'll see if we can get a photo with 3 happy kids!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We traditionally put up our Christmas tree Thanksgiving night, but we celebrated it with Papa and Gigi here the Saturday after Thanksgiving. And since we didn't want to take away time with them to do it, we put it up this Saturday. It was qutie an event! We had our traditional finger foods, Christmas music and/or Christmas movies playing while decorating the tree. We even took an intermission for hot chocolate at Kennedy's request and each had our own personalized mug! Of course, Chandler's is waiting for her next year! Jackson was so excited, but kept confusing the ornaments for balls and throwing them. Now that the new has worn off, he leaves it alone! We put up our dancing/singing Santa Papa and Gigi got us 2 years ago and the kids love it! Each year we get the kids an ornament and this year has been the year of the princess for Kennedy, so she got a Princess ornament. Jackson LOVES dogs-it was even one of his first words, so it was only fitting to get him a dog ornament. Chandler Grace got a pink 2007 ornament and a baby girl ornament. Kennedy and Jackson have their own little tree so now we have to get one for Miss Chandler Grace. This is such a magical time of year. Even more so with the kids.

Papa and Gigi come for Thanksgiving!

Papa and Gigi came for Thanksgiving! We celebrated "The Giving Dinner" (as Kennedy calls it) on Saturday. It was wonderful to have family here to share the holiday with. The day they traveled here, we were busy cooking and baking! Kennedy and Jackson helped Mama make Party Mix and Kennedy was in charge of making the banana pudding. Aside from my cutting up the bananas for her, she did it all by herself!! That night, Kennedy got to stay up late to wait for Papa and Gigi to arrive. She was sooo excited! She also thought it was pretty cool that the babies had to go to sleep and she didn't!
On Thanksgiving morning, we had Grandma's cinammon rolls for breakfast. Kennedy helped me make Nonna's dressing, and Jackson helped Daddy make Grandma Dickson's mashed potatoes for lunch! Aunt Amy's corn casserole was also among the dishes we had for The Giving Dinner. It was special to have some of our favorite family recipes for the special occasion!
The kids had so much fun playing with Papa and Gigi-and Hoover! Of course, they spoiled the kids with a trip to the Dollar Tree and lots of snacks. We had family pictures taken at the park-thanks Gigi, you did a great job! Our last night together we had a pizza party and watched Santa Clause 3 for family night. We all enjoyed the visit and time together. We have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for family. Most of all, I am thankful to be Jordan's wife and Kennedy, Jackson, and Chandler Grace's Mama!

Jackson 18 Months

11/25

Jackson is such a joy to our family. He has such a sense of humor-even now, and is so much fun. We all enjoy him and can't imagine him not being a part of our family.

*He weighs 27 pounds

*He is now saying "Mommy and Daddy" instead of "Mama and Da Da"

*He can go up and down the stairs independently

*He can say whatever he wants to say-sometimes surprising us with what he knows

*Repeats ANYTHING

*He knows animal sounds

*Finishes Jackson Kyle-with "Harr" sounding like "Hore" (Gonna have to work on that, huh!)

*Sings "Twinkle, twinkle, little star"

*Says "1, 2, 3"

*Says "Ho Ho Ho"

*Says "Oh, no" and puts his hand on his forehead!

*Total dare devil!

*Good eater

*Can climb into his car seat

*LOVES the Wiggles

*Imitates the Wiggles dance to the song "Bears are now asleep" (Kennedy's first "imitation", too!!!) He just did it one day while the song was on-we were stunned just as we were with Kennedy!

*Loves to talk on the phone

*Fusses with Kennedy at times (gifted, huh-I thought this came way later)

*ADORES Chandler-cannot keep from hugging and kissing her-still calls her "Baby"

*Idolizes Kennedy and will do anything she does or asks him to do!

*Loves to play "where's Jackson" and will say "there he are" when he jumps out or comes running back into the room-will actually say that when asked where anyone/anything is

*Loves outside

*Says "NO" and "Hey!" to Kennedy when he's unhappy-wonder where he picked that up?!!!

*Still flips out if Jordan leaves for even a second once he comes in from work by falling face-down on the floor and crying

*Will say "sorry" when we tell him to if he hits will give a hug-usually happens with Kennedy

*Will say "yes, mam" usually after telling me "no" and getting in trouble for it

*Says "hug" or "kiss" when he wants one!

Fall Day

The weather was amazing yesterday, so we spent most of the afternoon outside! Very unexpected since it's been cold latetly. The kids were so excited to go out and play. Kennedy picked leaves so that she could do a "Leaf Rub" for Show and Tell today. She and Jackson rode the tricycle, played in their playhouse, went on the slide-Kennedy even went belly first and, being the dare devil that he is, Jackson did, too! They played with the hoola hoop and the frisbee. Miss Chandler stayed on the swing and with Mama and held -tried to eat-the leaves Kennedy would bring her!

Future Razorback!

Jordan has taught Jackson to get down in a stance, run, and tackle him! I don't know who has more fun playing this game, but it is so cute to watch them do it. These 2 not only look alike, they are just alike. They are big buds. They have to stick together since they are out numbered by the girls!!

Chandler- 5 months!

Chandler had her first feeding-1 teaspoon of rice cereal with a spoon!! It was her first time in her high chair that Gigi got her. It was so funny-she would make the most awful faces! I really thought she'd go after it, but she kept sticking her tongue out to block it! She did manage to get some. The kids watched as Jordan and I took turns feeding her!
I can't believe she is 5 months old already! It has been a productive month-here is where we are at 5 months:
*Says Da Da!! (She beats her brother and sister who both said it at 6 months!)
*Teething symptoms (drooling, eating fist, everything goes to the mouth)
*Laughing out loud (the most for Kennedy!)
*Can focus across the room
*Kicks and gets excited when Daddy walks in the door from work
*Can follow us around with her eyes
*Can roll over-back to belly/belly to back
*"Talking" cooing!
*Smiles at Daddy, Mama, Kennedy and Jackson!
*Watches her sister and brother play
*Gripping-hair,toy, whatever!
*Reaches for things
*Had rice added to bottle (4 months)
*Distracted easily (usually from Kennedy and Jackson)while eating her bottle!
*Had 1st Halloween-went as a caterpillar
*Pulls for and "kisses" your face
*Removed infant head support in car seat
*Hangs arm over the side of swing
*Jumping in exersaucer
*Eats rice cereal with spoon

Leaf Collection

Jordan took Kennedy on a "leaf hunt" yesterday after he got home from work. Kennedy's preschool class is learning about leaves this month, so she made a leaf collection for Show and Tell today. Jordan said he had the best time watching Kennedy skip around and pick up leaves! Then after dinner we cleared the table so she could go to work! She would pick out each leaf she wanted to use and would then glue it wherever she wanted it to go! A few leaves needed Daddy's help, but it was mostly done by Miss Kennedy. I cannot believe my baby is 4 years old and doing a project for preschool! We were so proud of the job she did, and she was so excited to take it for Show and Tell today! Mrs. J asked Kennedy if she would leave it for the class to enjoy this month as they continue their study on leaves!!

Chandler Grace

Well, we're ending the 4th month with our little princess. Chandler Grace is enjoying her exersaucer so much! It's so neat to see all of the developmental changes she has made this month from just sitting in it to grabbing for the toys and actually playing with it. The swing has been so great-she loves it and even takes her naps in it!

Chandler Grace loves to hold a soft burp cloth, bib, or a stuffed animal when she's sleepy. So, I got a picture of her with Piggy. This is Chandler Grace's jellycat pig- these are the softest stuffed animals! Kennedy and Jackson also have one-Kennedy's is a blue elephant, Blue, and Jackson has a frog, Mr. Frog. These were gifts from Mama to each of them after they were born. It is special because when we were "waiting" for a baby, I taught at the Westport Road Church of Christ Preschool and there was a little boy who had the blue elephant and I thought it was the softest stuffed animal I'd ever felt! I knew then when I had a baby, I wanted one for him/her. So, I'm glad they all love them, too!

Trick or Treat!!!

Ready for Candy!!

These next two were taken of Kennedy leaving for school on Costume Day last Thursday. We made her add the shirt and tights since it was cool Halloween night.

Finally-Halloween!! Kennedy was so excited all day to get dressed in her costume and go trick- or -treating. She kept asking, "Is it time yet?" After dinner we started getting the kids in their costumes. As you can see, we had a Belle, a pumpkin, and a caterpillar. It was too cute to see them all dressed up. Jordan toted Kennedy and Jackson in the wagon and I pushed Chandler Grace in her stroller.

Jackson had his first Halloween last year, but this was his first time to "trick or treat" He didn't really catch on, but he would run up to the door and always drop his pumpkin on the way. The first 2 or 3 houses he actually went past the candy giver and in the house. It was so funny. Of course, Kennedy was a pro! Chandler Grace stayed comfortable in her stroller all bundled up.

Jordan and I took turns taking the kids up to the door-mainly to keep our son out of people's houses. Kennedy and Jackson were so excited going to and leaving each house. They ran the whole night. We got home and did our traditional "dumping of the candy" and Jackson looked amazed and confused at the candy and after we inspected it they sampled the loot. They had a ball. They even shared some with Daddy and Momma. It was a great night.