Oh, Baby Girl, why haven't you come yet?

This picture pretty much sums up all of my feelings at the moment. I haven't slept at all during the last several nights, my hips, pelvis, and back are screaming, and too many random sessions of false labor contractions have lead me down an emotional roller coaster of excitement, frustration, anticipation, and disappointment. Our baby girl is being incredibly indecisive...oh, my poor, poor husband.

Pink Packages...

My good friends, Mother, and Grandmother offered to throw me (and soon-arriving-baby-girl-Hazel) a shower last weekend. It was wonderful! Except, of course, that opening up all the darling pink gifts made me even more impatient for her to get here! It was so fun to open each item. I am so grateful for supportive friends and family...it is truly a blessing. I wish I could adequately express my gratitude, not only for everything we received, but also for the excitement, friendship, and joy that was shared. Thank you, everybody!

To be 2...

Yes, I had made the bed that morning. Yes, I had dressed him that morning, as well. And yes, he is holding two butter knives and somehow managed to get that enormous umbrella through my bedroom door. Why? Because he's two! I am so happy I was able to catch a few of these "Brodey Boy" moments. Though, we are unbelievably excited about the arrival of Baby Sister Hazel, I have recently noticed a strange sad feeling in my heart when I think about the fact that in the weeks to come, it will no longer just be Brodey and I hanging out together during the day. Things are about to really change! It is very weird to be feeling sad, on occasion, about how grown up my little baby boy is becoming. I'm so proud of him, and love watching him grow and learn...but as he grows, I am finding there are many things I am beginning to miss. I know, without a doubt, that there will be a day when I genuinely miss the messes he makes, the faces he pulls, the hugs and "snuggles" he gives me, the way he talks, the songs he sings, the way his eyes look into mine, etc, etc, etc. It makes me cry. I can't wait for Brodey to assume the responsibilities associated with being a big brother, but at the very same time, I will terribly miss and cherish every memory of Brodey as my first little baby boy. I have never felt such fascination, love, tenderness, fatigue, frustration, and joy until I became a mother. I can only imagine what kind of joy Baby Sister Hazel is going to bring into our family. It is overwhelming to look into the future with such great gratitude, excitement, and anticipation. It's a good thing that it never ends...I love knowing that families are forever!

Take A Tour...

Since receiving many requests, I reluctantly decided to post some pictures of our new home. I wouldn't be so "reluctant" about it if our temporary sheet-blinds weren't still hanging in the windows, and the rest of my pictures weren't still waiting to be hung on the wall, and etc, etc, etc. But, since I have lately been trying to remember that life is about the journey, I've decided to be more compliant. This is just a captured memory of where we are in life, thus far...and frankly, I've decided to be happy about it. But, just so you know, if I had a lot more money, my house would look exactly like an advertisement from Pottery Barn :) Having given my disclaimer, are you ready to take a tour? Here we go...

This is what you would find upon pulling up to our house. Favorite Things: the fact that it's ours, the huge maple tree, the porch, Jared's shorter commute, and the big side yard. I'm hoping that when spring comes we'll be able to finish the fence line, and put a swing in the tree. Fun little 1960's starter home, eh?

Next, is the living room and our beautiful media center...with no media on it :) that's ironic. Favorite Things: the open layout, the brand new paint and carpet, the big window, the recently installed recessed lighting, and enough wall space for my piano.


The kitchen is next! Favorite Things: I love the new tile! (You should have seem the blue linoleum that proceeded it). I also want to jump for joy over the dishwasher and disposal! Yahoo!!! A few other favorites include, the "nook" for our desk, the separate dining room, the "openness" of the layout, the vast amount of storage and counter space, and the sliding door that leads to the back yard. Oh...and the fact that I no longer have a washer and dryer next to my kitchen sink...glorious! After baby Hazel comes, I'll be anxious to finish the baseboards, re-stain the kitchen cabinets, buy a new dining table/chairs, and replace the stylish 1980's light fixtures. As my father would say, "All in due time, my dear!"





Ready for the bathroom? Favorite Things: the easy-to-clean-counter, the adjustable shower head, and newly installed soft-water system which makes cleaning the bathroom feel like heaven.

Here's the master "suite". Favorite Thing: I didn't have to squeeze our desk into it...it's just the bed, the dresser, and the night stand. It feels good to go to sleep at night knowing that the claustrophobic clutter isn't going to fall-in for an attack (I just sighed with relief). Next on the list for this room, is a bed frame and new bed spread. The lovely bed spread currently on display has been mine since my sophomore year of High School. Anybody have a match? Jared would never know.

Next is the Nursery. Favorite Things: the fact that each kid has their own closet, and that Grandma Tiffany is making matching bed spreads for both Hazel and Brodey. I've seen the fabric...they are going to be darling! Thanks mom :) I'll have to post another picture of this room after I have made all the "final touches".


At the far end of the house, you'll find the laundry room. Yes, there is a separate room for my laundry. Whoever designed such a thing, should get a big gold star. Favorite Things: I almost cried when I realized I could shut the laundry room door and the dryer noises would go away during dinner time. I also love all the shelves and cabinet space...it almost felt weird to have so much room to organize with. Someday, this laundry room will also serve as my glorified craft room. Jared is going to build a counter-top for me...I'm sure he can hardly wait :)


Last, but definitely not least, is the garage. Favorite things: it stores all the clutter that I don't want in my house, the scraping-the-snow-off-the-car-days are now over, it provides for easy grocery unloading, and my car is warm when I get into it. Somebody pinch me.

Well, there you have it; a full tour without even having to drive all the way to Salt Lake to see it. You are welcome :)

Yes, we are alive...

Our friends and family have expressed concern, asking us why we haven't posted anything on the Harper Family Blog since July. Well, the good news is that we haven't died! Yahoo! We are still alive and well :) But to answer their questions, let's see if I can summarize a good "excuse" for not posting regularly in one single sentence: we were busy deciding whether or not to buy house, applying for a mortgage, walking through lots of houses, finishing up Jared's school semester, finding out the gender of our soon-arriving baby girl, completing 60 clinical hours, teaching voice lessons, preparing voice recitals, putting an offer down on a house, signing our closing contract, packing up all of our junk, relentlessly cleaning our apartment to assure a full deposit refund, remodeling our new house with new tile, interior paint, dishwasher, disposal, lighting fixtures, carpet, etc, making time to eat a few bites of Thanksgiving dinner, hooking up our cable, phone, and internet, transferring utility services, loading the moving truck, unpacking and settling into our new home, fixing the plumbing and heating issues we discovered shortly after moving into our new home, sending out Christmas Cards, celebrating Christmas, savoring every minute of the short and wonderful break, starting a new school semester, and frantically preparing for our baby girl to arrive! I missed several details, but I think you get the idea :) I am sorry for not posting updates more regularly. All in all...we are happy, healthy, and have much to be grateful for. I love our new house and Jared's shorter commute; I am grateful for such a wonderful, hard working husband, love being a mom, and can't wait to deliver this baby in a few weeks. Expect more pictures soon!

Camping Trip Over the 24th

Can you tell my little Brodey is "all boy"? He had so much fun playing in the dirt while we were camping. He came home with bruises, scratches, and burns all over his legs. I couldn't figure out the burn mark. I have no idea where it came from because he never cried about it. Crazy boy! The Pattens were a blast to hang with! We loved the good company :) Brodey, especially loved playing with Avanlee. Not to mention, the food was awesome! Jared makes mean dutch oven. You should beg him to make you some! It's good stuff.

Jared's Father's Day Gift

I'm pretty sure the word is out, but if you haven't heard the big news...listen up! I gave Jared a positive pregnancy test for Father's Day. He was really surprised and excited. So was I!