Tag...you're it!

I was tagged by Dallas, http://www.henderson-happenings.blogspot.com/ , so here's 7 random/weird things about myself:

1) When I was in Kindergarten, I got sent out in the hall for spitting on a boy. (But, know this, it was in response to his spitting on me first. I was just the one who got busted.) Moving on, one of the boys who was notorious for getting sent to the principal's office saw me in the hall and told me that if our principal came by and saw me in the hall, that I would get paddled. So, I left. Yep, 5 years old, I took off in the fall weather, without my jacket, BY MYSELF and actually found my way home in our huge neighborhood by the school. However, my mom wasn't there. So, I found my friend's house, and her mom let me in. She called the school. I knew I was in trouble when I kept seeing a cop car drive by. They had sent police to look for me and apparently the whole school was up in arms over the fiasco. Police and chaos. This is what my poor mother drove up to when coming to pick me up from school. They told her I wasn't there. After getting the call from my friend's mother they eventually told her where I was and she came to get me. Needless to say, I was in worlds of trouble. After my mother got finished explaining everything, I said "Should I just quit?" (referring to Kindergarten) and my mom says she remembers that getting a laugh from my Nonna, who was with her at the time. The next day, I had to go apologize to the teacher (who was a substitute, bless her heart.) A Kindergarten legend.

2) I got called on stage, along with 2 of my other friends, at The Judd's concert at Harding University's Benson Auditorium when I was around 13/14 years old. I even got to belt out "Baby, baby, have mercy on me" into the microphone once.

3) I was on The Bozo Show when I was 6 or 7 years old. I was a HUGE tomboy. Now, being on TV, my mom dressed me up all fancy in my dress and tights. During the show, my name was picked to play "Kick the Balloon" game-I don't know if you are familiar with this, but you get X amount of time to, yes, that's right, kick the balloon, into a barrell. Thanks to my short dress and my self conciousness about it, I couldn't really kick very well, so I lost. And, I let my mom know I wasn't happy about it.

4) I first met Jordan when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade at his brother Jacob's birthday party. I came home and told my Mom that Jacob had the cutest baby brother. I spent my time at the party chasing Jordan and trying to hold him. And, he spent his time running away from me.

5) I got to meet and take a picture with Ty Pennington from Trading Spaces, when they were shooting in Louisville, Kentucky, where I lived at the time. The news was there filming, and me and my cousin (Jodie) made the news.

6) I'm happiest when my fridge/pantry is full and orderly after grocery shopping, the house is clean, and everything is put in it's place & organized.

7) My birthday is on St. Patrick's Day.


Okay, this was fun. I tag:
http://www.cjcpurple.blogspot.com/ Jodie
http://www.ramseyfive.blogspot.com/ Danna
http://www.watsonfamilyfour.blogspot.com/ April
http://www.shannonsspiel.blogspot.com/ Shannon
http://www.johnandemilymann.blogspot.com/ Emily
http://www.mom2twoboys.blogspot.com/ Raegan
http://www.sandiwr.blogspot.com/ Sandi
(I don't know how to-hyperlink, is it??) Oh well.

Pay it Forward

*********CONGRATULATIONS to Pep, Danna & Whitney! Email your addresses to me at kimberlyharr@hotmail.com . I'll get your prize in the mail next week! Have fun paying it forward to your lucky 3!************


This is a fun game that I played AND WON on Dallas's blog-now it's my turn to "pay it forward!" This is copied from:
http://www.henderson-happenings.blogspot.com/
THE RULES: The main focus is doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward.I will send a small, fun gift to the first 3 bloggers who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and then the game will continue!!If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment!! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found, anything you want!! Just a gift that will make the person's day!!You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link back to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. Doesn't this sound like fun!!??

Happy Adoption Day, Kennedy!

Adoption Day, September 24, 2004

September 24, 2008

Although we've had Kennedy from the time she was 2 days old, Kennedy's adoption was final on September 24, 2004. Every year we celebrate this very special day, Adoption Day, just like we do her birthday.

Kennedy asked for a Hannah Montana party. After pigs in a blanket for dinner, she opened her presents and then we had banana split waffle bowls for desert. To celebrate for the party, we had Hannah Montana plates, cups, napkins, tambourines, ring pops and microphone headsets!

Kennedy got a Barbie Peek-A-Boo from Jackson and Chandler Grace, a Hannah Montana wig, flavored lip gloss, and a Bratz Chloe's Room from Daddy and Mama, and Gigi sent an outfit!

She had calls from Gigi, Kyle, Katy and Grandma!

This is such a wonderful day for Kennedy, well, probably because she gets presents, but for me and Jordan as well. This was the day that it became legal what we already knew in our hearts to be true and believed God's plan to be: that Kennedy was our daughter and we were her parents.

The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Psalm 118:23

Happy Birthday, Jordan!

Jordan turned 31 on Monday!

To kick off the celebration, we hid, jumped up and yelled "Surprise!" when he walked in after work. He seemed just as excited about that as the kids!
He requested Chicken Divine for dinner (Amanda Thornton's mom's recipe!) After dinner he played tee ball in the backyard with the kids while I made the brownies. Then he opened his presents and we had Brownie Sundaes. I got a 3 picture frame and had each kid finger paint for it. He loved it. Today, he took it with him to hang in his office. It was a low key birthday, but lots of fun.

Jordan is our hero and he is adored beyond measure. We laugh that EVERYDAY when he gets home from work there seems to be a battle over his attention. He can hardly get through the door and the kids come running, yelling, "Daddy's home!" and of course, I'm right behind them! It is one of the best parts of our day. It gets insanely loud and chaotic with everyone (including me) trying to talk to him. He is such a blessing to this family and I hope and pray this will be his best year yet!

Hard to believe I have loved this man for over half of his life! One of the blessings of finding your match at 15!

Jordan's 5K

On the sidewalk by the starting line (check out the adoring little brother-aww!)
Before the race
And they're off!
A wave to the kids!
Waiting for Daddy!
Here he comes!
Jordan crosses the finish line
With 2 of his biggest fans after the race
Sharing water with his little lady
Walking in step with Daddy

Being a good sport and humoring his wife for this picture!

This morning, Jordan ran his first 5K! He is an avid runner and finally decided to go for it! He managed to finish in 27 minutes and 27 seconds! Me and the kids were there to see him off, cheer him on and greet him at the finish line. What an accomplishment-I mean, I was worn out from just pushing the stroller all around and sharing the responsibility of holding Jackson's hands with Kennedy. I always admire Jordan's ambition and excitement to participate in new things as well as his dedication to train for them. I'm also thankful for the example it sets for our children.
It was a very neat experience for all of us and we are so proud of our Jordan and Daddy!!

Way To Go Jordan!!!!

After the race, it was off to Kennedy's soccer game. A very eventful day!

The Misadventures of Kennedy Harr

It's gonna be a long year.

I received a phone call from school on Wednesday. It was Kennedy's teacher. Mrs. Settlemyre told me that she was hoping I would talk to Kennedy because for the 2nd day in a row, Kennedy was looking under the stalls in the bathroom. (Yeah, that's right! All you mother's out there-jealous much?) Then, she handed the phone to Kennedy. Dreading what I knew would come next, I began to speak. And there it was, Kennedy crying upon hearing my voice. My heart broke. Putting that aside-that and my frustration about the call-I began to explain to Kennedy that they can not have a bathroom for every student at school, so they have stalls and she has to give the kids privacy just as if they were in the bathroom. With Kennedy still crying, I reassured her I wasn't angry and tried the whole "take a deep breath and blow it away"-to just start over, mind the rules and have a great day. She was still crying when the teacher took the phone, thanked me, and hung up. Then I cried. Not because she was in trouble. Not even because of the phone call. It was because I knew she was upset and embarrassed. More than that because she was there and I was here. Thankfully, we both recovered.

The first 2 weeks of school have included:

1. Kennedy telling her teacher that I forgot to send her lunch (although, I DID NOT), so that she could get a tray and eat in the cafeteria. Of course, she was later busted when her teacher was putting her folder in her back pack and saw her lunch bag.

2. Kennedy having to sit with her head down for talking in the hall.

3. Kennedy having to sit with her head down for running in a circle with 2 other children, yelling, in the classroom.

4. Kennedy having to sit with her head down for not coming in with her class when recess ended, forcing her to knock on the locked door and be let in by another teacher (who happened to hear her). Why? Because Kennedy wasn't ready to come in and just wanted to play more.

5. Kennedy having to call me Wednesday morning from school as a result of looking under the bathroom stalls-and apparently for the 2nd day. Which I knew nothing of AT ALL until the phone rang. According to Kennedy, the first time she couldn't get her stall door open, so she was trying to crawl out and for the second time she was just wanting to talk to her friend.

6. Kennedy in trouble UPON LEAVING THE OFFICE FROM CALLING HOME because Mrs. Settlemyre said, "Let's see if you can find the classroom all by yourself" And she did. She went to the room No further. When Mrs. Settlemyre showed up behind her, she saw Kennedy looking through the window into the classroom watching the kids and having a magnificent time. So, she was in trouble for not going INTO the classroom. (That'll teach her to be more specific when instructing Kennedy to do anything. Rookie.)

What can I say? Buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

From the Mouth of Kennedy...

Here are a few things that cracked me up this past week.

Kennedy: (Very frustrated tone) Mom, now Garrett says Carley is his girlfriend.
Me: Oh. Well, you never said Garrett was your boyfriend. He's just your friend, right? (Remember she has pledged her undying love to one, Corbin Bleu.)
Kennedy: Right. But, ugh!! I told him, Garrett, you said I was your girlfriend at your birthday party and now you're saying Carley is your girlfriend. Huh, huh, HUH?!!


Jordan: Let's eat our dinner if we're gonna watch The Tortoise VS The Hare.
Kennedy: Daddy, I know why you're saying that.
Jordan: Oh yeah? Why is that?
Kennedy: We need to hurry and eat our dinner so we can have time to watch the movie before it's bedtime.
Jordan: That's right, sugar! You're so smart.
Kennedy: (Very matter-of-fact, one palm up in the air) Well, I have took science class before!


Kennedy: (From the backseat) Ow! Chandler pinched me! Chandler's a monster. She used to be a little rainbow, but now, she's a monster.

Kennedy: (Bedtime prayer, most sincere voice, eyes closed tightly) Dear God, ...... and thank you for my mom, she's so trustword.

Our Bus Rider

Kennedy has joined the ranks of bus riders everywhere!

She was very excited, of course, so much so, in fact, that we were outside waiting at 6:50! The bus picked her up at 7:10- at our driveway, which was nice. She wanted all of us to be there, so there we all were. It was exciting watching and waiting for the bus. And to watch her get on? Well, it was just about the cutest thing ever! She stomped up those stairs like an old pro. The nice bus driver even told her to turn around so that I could get a picture. I didn't ask to see her driving record, but I did cry as I watched that big bus drive away with my little girl.

The 3 of us will be waiting at 2:20 for bus #63 to pull up and bring our girl home!

Home Is Where The Heart Is...

and our hearts are in Arkansas. Go Hogs!!!

Soccer Saturdays

Kennedy Scores a Goal!

8/30/08
Last Saturday, August 30, our Silver team played the Navy Blue team AND Kennedy scored her very first soccer goal! It was so exciting. Jordan and I were jumping up and down, yelling and giving each other five (yep, we're those parents!) Her coach ran up to her and held her arms up as they ran back up the field!! She was all smiles! We are so proud of our baby girl. After the game, Kennedy, with red cheeks, ran off the field and declared, "I'm not gonna play soccer games anymore, just soccer practice." I realized she said this because it was SO hot and the practices are in the evening when it's cooler. I can't say I blame her. Anyway, it was a great day. Days like those are hard to top-despite the heat.

9/6/08
Today, September 6, our Silver team played the Orange team. It was another hot day, and Kennedy was not her normal "ball of energy" self. She asked to sit out most of the game and finally said she didn't feel well and was too hot. The heat can be dangerous, so we just gave her water and cheered the team on. Jackson and Chandler Grace's favorite thing to do at the soccer games is play in the rocks on the walking trail that circles the fields, and we enjoy visiting with the other parents who we feel so fortunate to have met-we even met some fellow Arkansans! It's always a lot of fun for the entire family.

Our "Twins"

I've had so much to post about Kennedy lately, that I thought I'd post some of my favorite pictures from the summer of Jackson and Chandler Grace together.
These back to back babies are 12 and 1/2 months apart-our version of twins!
They are completely precious to watch together. They are buddies. They love on each other, play great together, and are very close.
It's so sweet to watch Jack "baby" Chandler Grace when he, too, is so small. He's very much the big brother by putting her paci in, feeding her or helping her up when she falls. He even baby-talks to her. One of our favorite things is how he calls her Baby. When we ask what's baby's name, he answers Chandler Grace, but he calls her Baby. When Chandler Grace hugs him, he says "Baby love me!" Very sweet.
I pray that they will always be close in their relationship. I attribute the fact that they are now to their closeness in age which I am so thankful for and has been such a blessing.
What icing on the cake to be blessed with these 2 after being blessed with Kennedy. It is more than I could've ever imagined and certainly more than I deserve. I'm truly blessed and truly thankful.

From the Mouth of Kennedy

When I picked Kennedy up from school this afternoon, the first thing she reported:

"I told Mrs. Settlemyre that I hurt my leg on the slide. She has a First Day Kit."

I just treasure these precious things that are said.

The Innocence of a Child

The other day on television, there was a Backyardigans commercial teaching a dance. There were 2 people instructing: a Caucasian man and an African American woman wearing shorts.

Jackson: I like chocolate leg.

Me: What?

Jackson: I like chocolate leg.

Me: (After a pause) OH! Chocolate leg-her leg? You mean like Kennedy's?

Jackson: (Huge smile on his face) Yeah, Mama!!

What a beautiful expression of innocence!