Where to begin!! We have had quite the past couple of months in the Harmon family.
Tonight Bree, Gabe and I were eating dinner (well, Gabe was technically pulling the place-mat and sucking on a toy) and Bree looked at me and said, "Mommy, I love you." I looked at her and said, "Wow. Thank you so much Bree! I love you too!" That was the first time she had ever really said that. Whenever Robbie or I say it to her she just nods her head and says "Uh-hu". Then a little bit later I said, "Bree I sure love you." She said, "Thank you so much mom!" and then she said, "I'm going to tell my daddy that tonight when I see him." It was like you could see her thinking about it in her head, like she really knew what it meant. I LOVE seeing my children discover things for themselves. I think that is probably how our Father in Heaven feels when we figure something out, or even learn from a mistake. I've been doing a lot of learning lately...How can you not with two children :) But the only sad thing about her comment was that her daddy is out of town! That has been our last four out of five weeks...without daddy!! It's been awful...much harder than I thought to be honest. BUT, we were all able to make some great memories, even though they would have been better if we were together!! First, my amazing husband was in Nairobi, Kenya for three weeks in May. He was chosen to go with four other students from the Business school here at UNC to redesign a business training curriculum for a micro-credit organization (in other words helping those who teach the people from the slums how to start successful businesses once they get micro-credit loans, teach better...so helping the teachers be more effective). It was really successful and he did amazing work, it was just TOO LONG to be apart!! AND the hardest part was that we could hardly communicate either. He didn't have much internet access, and when he did skype wouldn't even work very well. But he was good to post up pictures so we could see what was going on. I would look through them with 
Bree every time we saw new ones and it was so cute, one day she saw this picture 
and then this one of the three boys after, and she said, "Those boys are smiling because they're with my daddy!" It was the sweetest. She really missed him and was SO excited when we finally reunited! And this third picture is my favorite...
yes, that is Robbie dancing in the middle of the group :) He had a good experience but the poor guy worked so hard, but only slept and ate little.
Bree every time we saw new ones and it was so cute, one day she saw this picture 
and then this one of the three boys after, and she said, "Those boys are smiling because they're with my daddy!" It was the sweetest. She really missed him and was SO excited when we finally reunited! And this third picture is my favorite...
yes, that is Robbie dancing in the middle of the group :) He had a good experience but the poor guy worked so hard, but only slept and ate little. (I think cause he missed us so badly!)
While he was in Africa the kids and I went out to Utah. Yes, me flying with two kids. Fun. Well, maybe a more accurate description is, survival. Actually the whole trip I just felt like I was in survival mode. Don't get me wrong, it was so fun being with our families, but I think that having the kids away from home, off their schedules, without their daddy, was a little too much for me. And really I was just crazy being without Robbie. Honestly it was like my brain didn't work! Half of me was missing and it was awful. But I saw more clearly than ever before how perfect God's plan is. A father, mother, children, all learning and growing and helping together...it just works better than anything else and is the best way to live life! I just LOVE my life with Robbie Harmon! I thought that so many times while we were apart. Yes we were having fun with our families, but I just LOVE being with our little family more than anything else! And the fun just wasn't complete without Robbie there. Our reunion was so sweet in the Raleigh/Durham Airport! As I hugged my wonderful husband I couldn't help but hit him too...Don't you ever do that to me again!
Here are a few of the fun things we did in Utah: Gabe got to meet everyone! 
Grandpa Mark had been waiting for four months! And Gabe loved him right away!
Our favorite thing: The ranch!! It was a little bittersweet being there because it's Robbie favorite place in the whole world...but we tried to enjoy it for him. This was Bree's first time on Buddy. And Gabe's too :) 
Bree loved "super dog" from Uncle Tanner (also known as under dog) and loved petting her first goat.
I got to see my dear friend and mission companion Lauren Starr, and her husband Shane and daughter Lydia. She is just SO amazing and taught me everything about being the best missionary! I STILL want to be just like her!
Bree also loved mowing the lawns with Grandpa Lon, doing dress ups with Aunt Sarah (don't be embarrassed by this picture Sarah :) 
And meeting soon-to-be Aunt Rachel! (We can't wait to have her in the family - Good job Mike!! AND, if any of you St. George girls think she looks like someone you know...she is Melissa Petersen's cousin! Their dads are twins too!)
Grandpa Mark had been waiting for four months! And Gabe loved him right away!
Our favorite thing: The ranch!! It was a little bittersweet being there because it's Robbie favorite place in the whole world...but we tried to enjoy it for him. This was Bree's first time on Buddy. And Gabe's too :) 
Bree loved "super dog" from Uncle Tanner (also known as under dog) and loved petting her first goat.
I got to see my dear friend and mission companion Lauren Starr, and her husband Shane and daughter Lydia. She is just SO amazing and taught me everything about being the best missionary! I STILL want to be just like her!
Bree also loved mowing the lawns with Grandpa Lon, doing dress ups with Aunt Sarah (don't be embarrassed by this picture Sarah :) 
And meeting soon-to-be Aunt Rachel! (We can't wait to have her in the family - Good job Mike!! AND, if any of you St. George girls think she looks like someone you know...she is Melissa Petersen's cousin! Their dads are twins too!) And Gabe was just pretty much smiles the whole time :) 
Oh and I have to include a picture of the Mother's Day breakfast we made...
I tried them out on Robbie before he left and got good reviews... though nothing could do justice for my amazing mother who deserves the best of everything!And now Robbie has been in Minnesota on business for the week...he was supposed to be home already, but his plane was delayed twice out of Atlanta :( And I don't want to go to sleep one more night without him! With him being gone so much Bree is getting confused I think...her prayers for the past week have been, "And please bless my daddy in Minnesota, and Africa, and Kenya..." Poor thing. He'll be home soon Bree!! I can't wait!
11 comments:
That picture of Gabe on the horse is so stinkin cute!! What amazing adventures you guys get to go on :)
Wow, what a long time to be apart! I'm very glad Robbie is home. I can't wait to hear more about Kenya! Looks like a fun trip to Utah also. Your kids are absolutely adorable- hope we see you soon!
Kenya sounds like an awesome opportunitiy for Robbie. I bet he had fun even though he missed you guys. You know my dad lived there for a few years right? And Gabe is so precious! I just want to squeeze those cheeks!
Oh man...you are my hero. If Todd is gone more than a night I go crazy:) How do you pass up the opportunities though? You'll be blessed! Hopefully time together soon is the best that you'll ever have! Love ya
Oh Jess, your little boy is so handsome. He looks a lot like Bree which is really fun! You and Robbie look so great and how neat for him to go over and work with those people! Keep in touch...
Ash
Gabe is so adorable! I wish we lived closer so Courtney could play with Bree...I think they would get along so great. Isn't spending the night alone so sad? I am just getting used to Jaxon working night shifts at the hospital, but I don't think I will EVER learn to like it.
Absence makes the heart go fonder. Appreciation for each other is also doubled. Great pictures, Jesika
Dang! I missed you in Utah! Mitch and I (and our girls) may be coming out to NC over Thanksgiving to visit and would love to see you! Will you guys still be there? You are quite a trooper. I seriously DIE when Mitch is gone for even a night. Funny thing is, last time we were gone (I took Marin down to my mom's for a week) Mitch said he couldn't sleep very well without us. Although that's too bad they lose sleep, at least it makes you feel loved :) Congrats to Mike, it's so fun having new people in your family! And what a cool experience for Robbie. Hope he's home by now!
these blogs are great journal entries. loved you comments, Jesika, and I feel as though we aren't so far apart. your children will some day love to read about themselves as well.
Man, I miss you, Jes! We really need to get together again, or at least Skype again soon. By the way, I just looked at your pictures on that photographer friend's site. Adorable! Love you!
i'm sad we couldn't hook up:( maybe next time. your kids are adorable!
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