Muffins with Mom

Harper's class celebrated their moms today with a fun breakfast. We sat in their (tiny!) chairs and enjoyed eating together. We got some sweet gifts too. Unfortunately at the end, Harper tripped and nailed her forehead on the back of my chair. If you know her, you know her scream let the whole building know something happened to her! Thankfully after an ice pack, she was much better and ready for a fun day at school!



Me and my Harper girl


Her interview about me...cracks me up! We never eat mashed potatoes because Harper HATES them and gags dramatically when she has to try them! And who knew I was so into music?!?


Our last gift was a shrinky-dink of our child's hand print made into a pin...so sweet!


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Angelina Ballerina

On Monday, we went to the mall with my mom and sister. Kay-Kay surprised Harper with the treat of going to Build-a-Bear. My mom had seen a ballerina outfit there and thought it'd be the perfect recital gift. So Harper (thankfully) chose the normal brown bunny....that was after being talked out of the tie dye bear. She had such a fun time! She named the bunny Angelina, after the mouse on her ballet game. Thanks again, Kay-Kay, for such a fun treat!!!


Kissing the heart before putting it in


Stuffing her bunny


Fluffing her bunny with a brush


Pure happiness!!!


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14 weeks!

Harper couldn't be more excited about the fact that she's going to be a big sister! I'll be 14 weeks tomorrow! So far my pregnancy has been identical to my one with Harper....the lack of sickness, chicken aversion, and same cravings! The only difference is the weeks are going by much faster the second time around! We are very thankful for this growing baby!


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Harper the Humble Bumble Bee

Harper had her first dance recital on Saturday. She absolutely LOVED every second of it! She actually did the dance perfectly...I was so surprised! We had practiced a little the day before (Yes, I could probably be on the show "Dance Moms"!), but not very much at all. Her teacher was so proud of her, and obviously we were too! At the end, all of her friends left the stage, but she stayed and enjoyed the continued clapping from the audience. This was something she did not do during the rehearsal! When I picked her up backstage, I asked her why she didn't go with her friends, and her response was, "Everyone was cheering for me!" It cracked me up! Quite the little performer we have on our hands! I wasn't sure if we'd do dance again next year, but our decision was made when we watched her on that stage. We will most definitely be joining the Dancing Angels again in the Fall!

She was the opening act, and the song was called "Bee Humble". It is such a cute dance, and she loved getting to yell, "Mr. Bumble says boastings not allowed!" And even today, she yelled it when we were at Target. I, too, have had the song in my head for days! We weren't allowed to take any during her dance, so we are anxiously awaiting the DVD to be able to watch her again!!! So the pictures we took were after her performance.

A lot of family came in town for the weekend, and Harper loved all of the attention! I loved that fact that my mom and dad took over with cleaning the house and doing the laundry. I had obviously cleaned, but they did things like clean the front glass door... you know, things I NEVER do! It was so nice to have some help around the house! It was also great having everyone's company too! We enjoyed lots of great meals, a fun day of shopping, and a trip to the zoo. Thank you KK, Papa G, Tia, Gama, and Pop-Pop for coming this weekend! We all had a great time!!!

Harper, the bumble bee... holding her new ballerina doll!

Please excuse my hair... it was being unruly!

Harper and Tia

Harper and Kay-Kay 

Harper and Papa G

Harper and Gama and Pop-Pop

Harper from the back... too cute! 

Life Lately

How in the world is it already April 23? The last few weeks have been filled with such deep sorrow, I feel like I've been in such a fog. When you "do life" with people who are going through horrible suffering, you go through that suffering too. So I just haven't felt like it's been necessary or even appropriate to write posts about Harper. Sure, there have been some funny moments and good times together as a family, but I just haven't been up to writing. And honestly, I am still not there. My heart still aches all day long for Mare. I flew to Little Rock last Tuesday for her mom's funeral, and then I went to the beautiful memorial service for the 3 Grandle girls on Saturday. So, yes, she buried her mom and babies all in one week. Every time I think about that, I am filled with shock and disbelief. No person should have to deal with all of that in one lifetime, let alone a week. Yet, Mare and Reid were the most perfect picture of strength on Saturday. I still don't know how they held it together. She has posted about the service, so go read her words... she's such a gifted writer! She also posted pictures of sweet Olivia! Oh my word, get ready... she couldn't be any cuter! In fact, when I showed Harper the pictures today, she said, "Oh momma, she is just so cute!" I love Harper's heart and love for Olivia. Really, it's for all 4 Grandle girls. She continues to ask about them all, in fact, she wanted to see pictures of the other 3. I know it will take time for her to fully understand, but she will tell you that they are in Heaven with Jesus. Last night, her prayer was so precious for Olivia. You could tell that she had listened well to our prayers for her, including different things like "protect her", prayers to get "stronger", and to get "helfy (healthy) every day". These 2 will be such a great friends! We love you, Olivia!!! You may not know it yet, but you seriously have the greatest parents in the world!!!

Happy Easter!

Our Easter weekend was spent here in Dallas...just the 3 of us! We went to an egg hunt on Saturday morning that was much more successful than the neighborhood hunt! They had a bunch of games and activities too...Harper had a blast! Sunday, she opened her Easter basket and then dyed eggs. We enjoyed brunch at a fairly new restaurant in our area and then came home to get lunch ready! We had a couple from our small group over and we enjoyed steaks and twice baked potatoes! It was delicious! Our day ended with going to church...we go in the evenings.

If you've been to my friend Mare's blog then you know she had her babies on Friday. They are such little fighters. It just made having any kind of celebration feel off. So, I don't know...I've just felt like I'm in a bit of a fog. But, we did have a nice day together as family...here are a few pictures!


Excited about her day


She got an Easter egg painted on her face


She decorated a cookie with pink icing and sprinkles...of course!


She got a bunch of eggs this time!


Making a bracelet


Participating in a bunny sack hop!


She didn't drop her egg during the egg walk


We didn't think she'd be able to climb this by herself...obviously we were wrong!


Super excited about her Easter basket!


Harper and her dyed eggs


Wearing her Easter dress before heading to church!


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Neighborhood Egg Hunt

On Saturday, our neighborhood association hosted an Easter egg hunt. The actual hunting of eggs lasted about 90 seconds! We were in the 0-3 section and several parents forgot it was for children...so Harper only got 3 eggs! We consoled her by telling her she'll have her own egg hunt next weekend, and that put a smile on her face...especially when we confirmed that candy will be in the eggs!


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