Harmon's Haven

Meet amazing dad Robbie, mother-in-training Jesika, 7 year old best big sister Bree, 5 year old boy in every way Gabe, 3 year old who thinks he's 10 years old who makes us all laugh McKay,
and 9 month old sweetest Quinn Marie...the Harmon Family!

Monday, March 23, 2009

March catch-up

Hello! After a month of thinking every day, "Oh I should post about this!" I am finally here! Here is an update on each of us:

BREE: Oh so cute! This month she moved into a "big girl bed". The first few days she was so excited and slept great, but then she started doing what she did before (this is our second move in the bed) sleeping on the ground by the door. So Robbie had the idea of making a little chart. The week before we had gone out for ice-cream and she loved it! So he told her that if she got five stickers we would go out for ice-cream again. It worked like a charm! (The days it looks like she missed were a consequence for not obeying.) Ever since she has slept in her bed! A couple weeks ago I got together with some of my girlfriends whose husbands were all doing their final examinations for dental school and were out of town in VA for the weekend. I was invited because Robbie volunteered to be a patient for one of them (and get a free filling! It was a great $ saver, except that the poor guy had to sit with his mouth open for 6 hours!! Jacob just wanted to do it right for the test, but didn't realize it would take that long! Was it worth it honey?) The kids played dress up and we had a blast! You'll notice though, Bree has on a different dress in each picture... every time she put one on she would notice one a friend was wearing and want that one! Funny, she's never even liked dressing up until that night?! Also this month we have had some warm days!! Oh I can't wait until every day is warm and sunny!! Bree's new favorite thing is making sand castles. Also Bree is just talking up a storm. She is so polite and is really just the sweetest thing! Here are a couple examples of things she is saying...

  • While Gabe is sitting in the swing and I am cooking dinner... Bree- "Mom! Gabe say cracker!" Me- "Oh really? I didn't hear him say cracker?" Bree- "Mom! Gabe say cracker like this... " and she does the sign for cracker :) Me- "Oh, he did the sign for cracker!" Bree- "Ya!"
  • Robbie asks Bree to say the prayer for dinner... Bree-"Heavenly Father, thank you day, food, mommy, daddy, baby Gabe, Bree Elizabeth Harmon, missionaries, President Monsont (she always adds a "t" to his name?), my chair..." Robbie- "Please bless the..." Bree- "food..." Robbie- "Please help us to be..." Bree- "happy..." Robbie- "And please help me to feel..." (Bree has been really sick these past few days so we expected her to say "better"). Bree- "My Savior's love..." It was the cutest!
  • Me- "Bree that is a beautiful dress!" Bree- "Thanks!"

And this one is my favorite...

  • Robbie had turned on one of my dance videos from college while she was getting on her pjs. He pointed me out and she was just fixated watching the dancing. Then suddenly she turned to me and said, "Beautiful dancing mommy!"

Gabe just lights up when Bree is around and always smiles at her! She loves him so much and I can't wait for her to feel better so that they can interact again! She is the BEST big sister!

GABE: He is just growing too fast! One thing I love about having a second child is I feel like I am enjoying it so much more! Robbie and I are just more relaxed about things and it's just so fun! He is sleeping so well and is just so happy! He is already a tar-heel fan and is cheering them on to what we think will be a big win this month! And the beginning of the month was his baby blessing! We had some dear friends, the Ashidas and the Lopezs, come visit our church for the occasion. Robbie did such a great job, he included everything that I would have thought of and I know it will bless Gabe as he looks back on it!

ROBBIE: Oh what a wonderful month this has been for my wonderful husband! He secured summer work with a health-care consulting company out of Glendale, AZ. He'll be able to work here and just travel a little bit. It should be good experience! Also, the biggest miracle (of our married life probably!) is that we were finally granted residency! We have been denied for the past 2 1/2 years, and have been praying (along with our families) that this time it would work out. The reason being that it cuts tuition in HALF!! So such a blessing! AND our last bit of exciting news is still in the works but I am so excited I can't contain myself...we may be doing a semester abroad in Costa Rica! We'll hear for sure on Friday, but we've applied and our chances are really good they say. We would go for Robbie's last semester of his MBA from January-April 2010. (They have the top Business School in Latin America and it was actually started by Harvard.) So be looking for news in the next couple of days! (Well, let's be honest, it may be in next month's post :)
ME: Really I am just SO happy to be back exercising! Though it's harder to find the time with two children and a busy husband, oh it's so worth it! It makes me feel normal again!
Happy March to anyone reading this!

10 comments:

Matt and Shari Bailey said...

Wow! Sounds like life is keeping you all busy! I am sooo praying you guys get to go to Costa Rica! What an experience that would be for the four of you! You're such a beautiful family and I always love to read your blogs as they are so fun, uplifting and honestly.... i just feel the Spirit... So thanks for each of your posts!

Kelly said...

I can't wait to hear if you get to go to Costa Rica! That's where me and Casey fell in love :) (or after over a year of dating, that's where we finally realized what we had was something special.) You would so love it!

Thanks for the update - you guys are adorable!

Melissa said...

Oh I am so happy you posted! I was thinking today that I needed to get on your blog and request one :) Your kids are getting so big! And they are so cute! What a cool experience Costa Rica would be! WOW! Can't wait to find out!

Carrie Woolley said...

What a fun update! Bree is adorable (I love that prayer) and Gabe is so cute. Congrats on being N.C. residents finally, on Robbie's job in Glendale (we're going to be in Scottsdale!) and on the potential semester in Costa Rica! So many exciting things. We miss you guys!

Arbon Family said...

I am so glad the transition from 1 to two is going good! Bree is the sweetest! I cannot believe what she said about "Feel my saviors love" OH SO CUTE! Thanks for sharing that, I was dying.

Phyllis Bestor said...

Jesika, Thanks for the great update. the pictures are precious to those of us who can't see the real thing. Good news for you all with Bree talking; Robbie doing well and you a mother of two just cruising along.

Natalie said...

So fun to see what your fam has been up to. A semester abroad would be so much fun! I hope you get to. And your kids are too cute!

Shane and Lauren said...

Your little kids are SO cute and I especially loved reading all of Bree's hilarious/sweet comments. I can never get enough of the cute things kids say. Lydia's been talking (well just saying more and more new words) all the time these last few months and it is so much fun! Congrats with getting residency and I can't believe you may get to spend a semester in Costa Rica. I hope you guys get it! I may have already told you this, but guess what (if not)? Shane and I are going with his mom and grandma to HUNGARY in a month! I can't wait...although it doesn't feel real yet. My heart starts pounding every time I think about it! As always, I wish we lived closer. Szeretlek!

melissa said...

Jes everything is wonderful! So much fun to read about everything. I can't wait to talk to ya, and ps I'm so glad you can exercise again, i don't know what I would do without exercise. :)

leslie said...

i'm so glad you posted! i've wanted to see how gabe has grown. what a cute little guy! your mom said you are going to be here for the month of may while robbie has an internship. is that true? if so, we have got to get together! let me know.