So Long, Farewell...

A couple of weeks ago- Jason, Keet and I packed our bags, loaded up a Uhaul and took a 9 hr journey from Kansas City to Jonesboro, AR. What a whirlwind weekend.

The 98 degree sun beat down on Jason, his bro Aaron and friend Ty as they went up and down a flight of stairs carrying all of our belongings to a 17 foot truck. While we did have a ton of stuff, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be thanks to all the garage sales we've been having. It pays to get rid of junk. By the end of that day (father's day) we were cooked.

Saying goodbye to our 5th home in less then 5 yrs was tough. It was my favorite apartment by far and it held so many good memories-Jason passing the OAT, getting accepted into School.

9 months of pregnancy and of course, bringing Keet to his FIRST home.

That evening we had a mini Father's day celebration (post to come) and stayed the night at Patti's house. It was great to hang with family that we have grown so close to over the past 2 yrs in KC. Jason has really treasured the time he has been able to spend with his brothers the most and will miss them a lot.

I am so happy to have formed such great bonds with our niece and nephew-Ansley and Ethan. They are such special little ones. From Ethan's charming quirks, big brown eyes and Cheshire grin to Ansley's kind heart and sense of humor they are a bundle of fun! We will surely miss seeing them grow and change.

KC will be missed too. We loved living there. It was such a refreshing place to live after the dirty gray streets of NYC. While I can't say my job was the most glamorous, I did make some great friends that I will keep forever. We Bought our first car.

Saw two friends get married. Discovered the song "Christmas in Kansas City". Jason reconnected with an old pal. Saw Stevie Wonder, Jason Mraz, Martin Sexton and James Taylor in concert. The birth of our niece.

Called 911 while a lady tried to jump from a bridge. Had a wreck. Saw 2 lines on a pregnancy test.

The list goes on and on...

As the tires hit the pavement and the sound of my baby's sleepy breathing filled the car, my heart swelled with thankfulness that we had crossed paths with a place that helped us form such meaningful memories but also graciously propelled us forward to new opportunities.

I am sad to leave but happy to go. So Long, Farewell...Until we meet again.

Cousins part 2

Horsey Ride with Uncle JJ

Ethan- 3 yrs, Ansley- 2 yrs, Keeton- 4.5 mos

Cousins

Greer Hudson Merrill (check out those lips)

Griffin-3 yrs, Keeton-4 mos, Graham-8 yrs and Greer-2 wks

He's Here!

Meet Keeton Levi Harper!
Born 1/14/2010
6:56 pm
8 lbs 10 oz
20 inches

Belated Christmas Post

Since this year I was on the verge of exploding, we spent our Holidays in the KC area. We had a white Christmas that was a doozy to drive through but appropriate for the season! Christmas Eve we spent eating BBQ and opening presents with Jason's fam and then the next morning continued the festivities with brunch and stockings.

We have been pretty exhausted this entire holiday season and consumed with the impending birth of our son. Overall though it was a good Christmas and New Year.

This is my niece Ansley playing with the My little Pony we got her!

Jason and I on Christmas Morning.

My face looks SO swollen in this photo. Also-my feet were total Fred Flintstones all day! Jason was such a good husband to rub them.

I got a big stainless trashcan for Christmas. So pumped. I have wanted this forever!

This is our nephew Ethan enjoying the viewfinder we got him!

The Bros Harper

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year EVERYONE!

About to explode!

Christmas time is here and while I love the songs on the radio and the lights on the houses and Jesus as the reason for the season, I really haven't been overtaken with the Christmas Spirit. There is no tree this year and no decor. I waited till the last minute to buy Christmas gifts and couldn't think of anything that I wanted to put on my Christmas lists. I did not send out Christmas cards. Bah Humbug huh?

My only excuse is that I'm EXHAUSTED! I know all preggos go through this but I just can't shake it. I am waddling and my back hurts and I'm not sleeping and...I know, I know. For some reason I feel like he is going to come early. Like in the next couple of weeks. Maybe it's a little bit of wishful thinking or maybe there is some real intuition. Who knows.

Last weekend my mom and dad came to KC to visit and have a mini Christmas with J and I. It was such a fun time. I miss them so much. It's been hard not having them around being preggo. (Lots of lonely nights and not a lot of help while Jason's been in the throws of school- which is now over, YAY!!!, I have my hubby back)

My mom really stepped up and put the final touches on the baby's nursery. It looks really great and I am so proud of how it turned out. We are just waiting on some prints to be framed before I post pics.

In other news, my sis found out she is having another little boy. I am so excited to have another nephew and for him and Keeton to be best friends! YAY! They will only be about 4 mos apart which is perfect.

Jason officially passed his Optometry Admissions Test and we couldn't be more excited and relieved! It has been a bumpy road but God's timing is sooo perfect. Now we just have to continue our faith and hope that his interviews coming up result in an acceptance to either Memphis or St. Louis.

Things have changed so dramatically in the past two years. From NYC life to KC life and a baby on the way. I wouldn't change a thing. I sometimes miss the old life we had but nothing feels as good as knowing you are walking in the will of God.

Home again Home again Jiggity Jig

This past weekend Jason and I loaded up the car and headed to Jonesboro. We hadn't been to Jtown in what seemed like forever so we were both pretty excited to get away and see our family and friends.

On Saturday, my mom treated my sis and I to pedicures and then we went shopping for maternity clothes for yours truly. I was able to find some cute stuff and it was fun hanging out with them since I don't see them enough. That evening we celebrated my nephew Graham's birthday party at the YMCA. It was a StarWars swim party and lots of kids showed up. I can't believe my very first nephew turned 8 years old. He is becoming such a big boy with such a great sense of humor and lots of compassion. He treats me so delicately now that I am preggo. It's really sweet and funny. He gave my family a round of hillarious massages at a restaurant where all he would do is pinch our neck fat. That's a "guess ya had to be there moment" but one that I won't forget.

After the party we changed clothes and stalled till our dinner reservation where we suprised my dad with a party of his own. He turned 60! Oldie but goodie:) While it was fun celebrating, I almost fell asleep in my Chicken Parmesan. This pregnant gal can hardly stay awake past 9:30 anymore. Sad right?

On Sunday after church (ok you caught me-we didn't go to church), Mom, Darb and I went to one of my best childhood friend Mikcca's baby shower. It was crazy. She had so many people show up and so many gifts to unwrap that I don't think she even had a bite to eat or got to visit at all. I swear she opened over 60 presents. It was nuts! It was so nice to see her and my other good friend Cindie, who is also preggo. There must be something in the water huh?

Although we had tons to do this weekend, we did find some time to relax and just chill with the fam. My 3 yr old nephew Griffin is getting bigger every time I see him. He is such a teaser and so full of personality. He called Jason "Jason Penney" all weekend after a trip to "JC Penney". He's frickin funny. Not only that but he asks "why" about everything. It's exhausting but it makes me so excited for what's to come with little shorty. I can't wait to see what kind of personality he/she will have.

Speaking of HE?SHE?...

We find out the sex of the baby on Sept. 3rd. We are PUMPED! At this point, I think it will be a boy and Jason thinks girl. It's fun to speculate because we have no idea and it really doesn't matter to either of us. We just want a healthy little pudge of love.

Keep us in your prayers that the Sono shows a healthy thriving baby.