Ode to Harper

Batman Harper - clearly very secure in his own skin.

As we celebrate Harper's third birthday, it's hard not to feel blessed by this little man.  Once again, God knew what He was doing.  He gave us straight-laced, structured, rule follower Warren, and then He gave us Harper! 

Aside from hearing that Harper looks just like his momma, the second most popular comment we hear about him is "That kid is hysterical!"  And, they are not kidding.  Anyone who knows Harper, knows he is destined to be the class clown.  He is a straight shooter, tell it like it is, cut to the chase kinda kid.  He has more personality than most his age.  And his expressions....oh, his expressions!  So, while I don't have many funny stories to tell (rather, I have too many funny stories to tell), I thought these pictures would serve as a glimpse into our lives with hilarious Harper.

Grrr!  Go Naughts!

  

Super Harper!

 

And, finally, what is a show without an encore....so, may I present Harper singing Hakuna Matata!  There is not a song that would be more appropriate for him.

Pastor David

When you're married to a high school band instructor, Friday nights typically involve football games. When you're married to a Lakeland High School band instructor, they involve crazy hometown fans. And though it's taken awhile, we've learned to make football games a family time for us. Warren was introduced to Lakeland football at an early age and continues to go to most home games. Harper just made his debut last week, and already walks around like he owns the field.

Knowing that the two boys and crazy fans and busy stadiums make for difficult nights, we are lucky enough to have mothers who don't mind tagging along to the games. When the boys tire (normally before half time), Mimi or Gigi are there to take them home. (Did I mention that they are troopers? And we are very lucky? Some may say spoiled.) Tonight, Gigi was on duty. As the night went on, the boys decided they were ready to go (although Warren wanted to be sure and get his sour Skittles before leaving). So, Gigi drove them home. Below is the conversation from their car ride:

Warren: Gigi, you know that Dr. Waite and Pastor David live near my house!

Gigi: I know that Warren, right near you!

Harper: You know that Pastor David lives in the church?

Gigi: I don't think he lives in the church Harper. I think he lives in a house near you and Warren.

Harper: No Gigi. Pastor David lives at the church and carries his Bible.

Plans...Glorious Plans

If there is one thing I have learned this summer, it's that I am not in control.  And, for those of you who know me well, that might come as a shock to you, as I am a planner.  I like to be in control; I like to have a schedule (in 15 minute intervals); I like to know what's going to happen and when.  This summer, however, I was "gently" reminded that I am not in control.  God has shown me this summer, time and time again, that He is in control.  I have listened as he has told me, "Kim, I've got this.  Things don't always go according to your plan.  But, trust me....mine is better!"

It started with potty training.  I had every intention of conquering potty training with Harper this summer.  Summer began and we attempted; however, Harper showed no interest.  We tried every trick in the book.  We took him to the store and let him pick out some cool Cars underwear.  We bought Skittles and stickers and tried to bribe him.  We let him run around naked.  You see, it was my plan to have him potty trained.  I went back to work last week defeated.  Because the boys' preschool was closed on Friday, they spent the day at my mom's house.  And, lo and behold....Harper came back potty trained (and, with a new appreciation for his "male parts").  As the boys sat playing a game in the family room, Harper sat up, pulled his underwear down and we heard:

Harper:  "Warren, do you see my penis in there?"
Warren:  looks up from the game
Harper:  "Yup, that's it."

Yup, that was it.  We conquered potty training.  Rather, my mom conquered potty training....in one day, no less.  After I spent all summer fighting it.  That's ok though....mission still accomplished.  Amen! 

Our next "life lesson" came when the boys got sick.  About three weeks before summer's end, Harper came home from school with a stomach bug.  He threw up one night and that was it.  So, the next night when Warren had an upset stomach, we naturally assumed it would run it's course like it did with Harper.  I should've known better.  Long story, short....Warren went seven days without eating, but puking every day.  Yes, you read that correctly.  We spent a lot of time answering lots of questions from family and friends.  "Have you taken him in to see the doctor?"  "What does the doctor say?"  "How much does he weigh now?"  "Has he thrown up anymore?"  "Does he have a fever?"  And, while we are so thankful for the concern, the truth is....we trust our pediatrician.  But, more importantly, we trust our God even more.  We know that if God gave us another chance with Warren after his very first illness, then He has big things in store for him.  All that to say, that from before Warren was here on Earth with us, God had a plan for him (not necessarily my plan, but one so much greater).

So, fast forward a week or so....both boys recovered from their stomach bugs and we started to anxiously get ready for Warren's first day of Kindergarten.  Little did we know, again, God had something different planned for us.  As I headed back to work, Warren started developing a high fever.  For four days, his fever ran between 101-103.  We stayed in close contact with our pediatrcian, trusted his judgement and trusted that Warren was in God's great care.

As Saturday crept up on us, and his fever remained high, we started preparing ourselves for the fact that he probably wasn't going to make his first day of Kindergarten.  I would be lying if I said I didn't shed tears because we wouldn't get to experience the "planned" (my planned) first day of Kindergarten.  While all of our Lincoln friends were posting first day of school pictures in cute uniforms, we sat in our pajamas.  While they enjoyed their Jaguar Jamboree Breakfast, we sat forcing down disgusting medicine.  And, while it wasn't exactly as we had planned, we know that it's His plan...and that's good enough for us! 

Afterword....rather than writing a completely new post, I thought I would give you "The Rest of the Story."  Warren made it to his first day of Kindergarten, complete with our own "Jaguar Jamboree Breakfast" which consisted of a run through Dunkin Donuts drive-through.  He had a great day with his teacher, Mrs. Gieger.  Like Esther from the Bible, we really feel like God has placed her in our lives "for such a time as this."  Amazing how He does that?  But, the funniest part (everything is relative by now) of this story of "plans" is that as I went about my planned day, I literally counted the minutes until I could leave to go pick Warren up.  I couldn't wait to find out about his day.  Little did I know, that I would walk out to find my rear tire completely flat.  Lucky for us, Chris works about two minutes from my school.  He was able to scoot over, change the tire and get back to work.  Not quite the ending I had planned to my day.  But....that's par for the course at this point and I think I can honestly say that I am not only learning to accept it, but appreciate it "for such a time as this."