Harmons Summer Update

I always say this. I am a horrible blogger - I'm trying to get better at it...excuses, excuses.
Here is what is going on with us this summer.

Kristin: I started working 2 days during the week so that I am able to have weekends free to do fun things with the family instead of working during the weekend! I have a great sitter - the boys and Laurel love her!! :)

Jeff: He is still working away hard being an Instructor for the newly promoted Captains. He is doing great things! He is implementing new teaching modules and running things smoothly on his team! He is also doing more mini-triathlons! Go Jeff!! :)

Ian: He finished Kindergarten and is now a 1st grader! He is getting so big. He is reading at a 1st grade level, able to do addition and subtraction, count money and do money math, and write very well. We are so proud of him. He has accomplished lots during this past school year.

Blake: He is doing fun things. He is enrolled in a summer Pre-K program and is getting better at writing his letters. We are working on the A,B,C's and counting. He will join his brother at St Anne for the 4 year old Pre-K Program! He is excited to be going to a big boy school!!

Laurel: She is now 10 months old and into EVERYTHING! She is crawling, pulling up, eating everything and signing. She will do baby sign for milk, eat and kiss. We are working on more, and water. She is a joy. She loves her brothers very much tries so hard to keep up with them.

Gotta love fluff (cloth diapers) butt. She fell asleep like this after going to the pool

Us at a wedding in May

Laurel 7 months old





Blake an the airshow

Ian at the airshow

Im a horrible Blogger!

So its the new year, 2011 and my new years resolution are to loose weight, and blog more, and keep the family updated more with pictures, phone calls etc.

You would think that after 5 months - this family of 5 would have it together. I think we do, however, my personal time is - well - what personal time? Who am I joking?? I will try to keep you updated in our adventures of the Harmon Five!

I have to get better at posting!

Wow, been a month since I have last posted. We have been doing a lot. I just have been super bad about posting and keeping up with this blog. I will try to do better. So sorry family and friends! :)

Well we had Easter.

The Easter Bunny came that morning and the boys had fun outside hunting the eggs. First time they were able to hunt outside since we have been in Alaska for most of the Easters they have been here on earth! :) It was fun coloring eggs in the driveway a few days before and then finding them outside!!

Coloring eggs with our good friend Reagan.

Looking for eggs

This is the first time that I didn't cook! The whole plan was that we were going to go to Church as a family. First time ever! The church may have fallen down if this did indeed happen! However; Ian had a bad ear infection and was battling a 102 fever, so that didn't happen. Also, our friend down here that we meet- their son was going to get Baptised and they were having a reception afterwards. So Blake and I just went to the reception and ate. While Jeff and Ian sat at home. :( We did bring them home some eggs and some cake.

With my best bud Reagan

Walking with mom

Been a while...we are here.

So. We have been super busy. I feel bad for not updating the blog! Here is what is new that is going on. I am charging the batteries to the camera and will be able to download some more pictures to the blog. I will get better about posting! :)


* I am 18 weeks pregnant! ITS A GIRL!! I got an ultrasound done at this fancy place at 16 weeks. I have my big anatomy ultrasound here on April 1st so we will double check. The place I went to says they are 100% on gender identification....better be because I have bought some pink! I start the Progesterone shot once a week next week until 36 weeks. This will help lower the risks of me going into preterm labor. We all know my history with Ian & Blake. We want to keep this baby girl in the oven as long as we can!

* Ian is playing T-Ball. His first game is April 10th. That is opening day. He does pretty well running the bases, and hitting. We have to work on his aim. He enjoys hitting his baseball set that he got from Grandma for Christmas. It is nice to be able to play outside in the sun in a fenced in back yard and not have to worry about the kids!! :)

* Ian will be attending St Anne's Catholic School in the fall for Kindergarten. The schools are the best down here in the south and with Jeff and I both working in Ga - there is no after school program here in the elementary school down the road that would suit our schedules. So off to private school he goes. We will be taking donations for his education - please make payable to Jeff or Kristin Harmon. :) Also, the donations will go toward his uniform funds! haha.

* Blake is liking his K3 class at the Growing Room. He is learning a lot and enjoying his friends. They have a summer camp for his grade as well. He is enrolled and should have tons of fun. Once the pool opens up here at our housing complex he will be enrolled in swimming lessons! (As well as Ian)

* I have started working on the Pediatric Floor. I have enjoyed working there. A different adjustment to AK, but its fun! I have even worked in the PICU a few days which I hope to get more experience in. I am full time right now until the middle of April and then I will be part time/ PRN.

* Jeff has started teaching his students at the MCCC. He is enjoying his class and sculpting the minds of all these young CPTS. Also, some good news is that Jeff will pin on Major here in the next few months. More to come on formal pin ceremony and the promotion party in our backyard with great food and tons of beer for all.

Important Dates if you would like to come visit:

(of course everyone is welcome anytime!)

April 10th: Ian's opening day and 1st game of T-Ball
May 20th : Ian's preschool graduation 7pm.
June 19th: Kristin 30th BBQ Party!
July 17th: Blakes 3rd Bday Party!
Aug 14th: Ian's 5th Bday Party & celebration of 1st week in Kindergarten! (This is pending the birth of baby girl Harmon...not sure when she is going to come!)

Ok Wrap Up...

So I haven't been the best of updating the blog. So here in a nut shell is what has happened in a month.

* I'm pregnant! (Ian says there are 2 babies in my belly, one girl and one boy)
* I am hating Tricare!
* Going to do cloth diapers and breast feed this baby. (Ian & Blake were breastfed, but not cloth diapers)
* Jeff left me Atlanta when we were picking up his car at the military car place. He drove off with my keys...long story short and after a cab ride to the ATL airport to rent a car and he realizing he left me and a cab ride back to car place...he came and got me!
* Ian is signed up for T-Ball
* Ian went to Atlanta for neurosurgeon visit. Very nice office, MRI scheduled in May - everything looks fine. No problems.
* We traded in Jeff's Wrangler for a Land Rover (third row seating)... Love it!
* Both boys have started school. (Well daycare, but I like this school!)
* I'm waiting for my GA RN license so I can start working!
* Jeff will be teaching at the Captains Career Course.
* Blake and potty training are not going so well. I'm frustrated.
* We are going to grow our own veggies this summer.

I thinks that's about it. I will post pictures of our house very soon!!

We've been busy!

We are still alive! I promise. We have been going non stop since before Halloween. Right now we are getting ready to leave Alaska on Dec 13th which is coming up so very soon. In between then and now we are trying to catch up on winterizing the Jeep because we are taking the ferry and driving to Georgia, do all our dr check ups, dental check ups, dog check ups, car check ups so that when we arrive in GA we can sit back and relax and enjoy the nice temperatures. Here are some pictures of what the boys have been doing! Enjoy!

Update on us!

Holy cow it has been a crazy fest ever since Jeff has returned home from his Deployment.

It all started with Blake getting a fever for 48 hours that wouldn't' come down. It was as high as 104, and with his runny nose and cough, and the increase of H1N1 at the Pediatric floor I was nervous it was flu....HOWEVER, Jeff was due in that night! So Kyle stayed home with the kids while they were sleeping because Jeff couldn't come home at a reasonable time - it was 3am Sunday when the buses pulled it. It was great to see him! We come home, Blake sleeps thru the night - we wake up Jeff surprises the boys with breakfast! Ian was so excited. Blake on the other hand felt like crap and couldn't care less who Jeff was -so after breakfast off to the ER we go. 5 hours later we return home . Blake has an ear infection and upper respiratory infection.

Ok whew, glad thats over with - we all take a nap. So much for family time on Sunday.

Jeff reports to work on Monday. He comes home we eat lunch - I leave for work to work 3-7. He watches the boys. Just remember we are still reintegrating. Boys weren't so nice for Jeff.

I come home from work - boys in bed, Jeff in bed. Blake has been fever free for 24 hrs! Hes better! Thank goodness.

Jeff goes to work on Tuesday, as do I. Im totally loving the family time!! NONE!

Wednesday comes. I have off, Jeff has part day home by 1030! Finally we can have time as a family!

Thursday, Friday are great.

Now to Saturday the day of my big race. Im on a team for the Equinox Marathon Relay. Im running the last leg 9.2 miles - all of which is pretty much downhill starting on top of a mountain with an elevation of about 2200 feet! Im getting ready, Jeff and the kids are playing in the room. Then I hear this big boom and then crying !! Ian slipped on his socks while dancing and then landed right on his arm. After much debating, Ian seems to be fine and I make it to my hand off station just in time to complete the race. 2 hours and 7 min later I finish my 9.2 miles with Jeff, Ian, Blake and Kyle cheering me on at the finish line. It was such a great experience! I loved every step I took running thru the trails in the birch trees.

Last week was great - bought the boys bunk beds, which are being delivered this week, and got a big screen TV! Now all I need are mattresses!

Biggest news... We found a house to rent and possibly buy in Alabama! Its a 5 bedroom 3.5 bath 2 car garage - this house is huge (over 3000 sq ft)- it has a dining room, living room, formal living room & an eat in kitchen- and a loft! Not to mention the HUGE fenced in backyard! My friend lives in the neighborhood and she loves her house and there was one for rent on her street, a smaller house (4 bedroom, 1900 sq ft) - so I inquired about that... well she then said there was a house for sale (5 bedroom) and maybe that I should contact the realtor about renting since its been on the market for a while. So I did - and within three hours I got the house for rent cheaper than the 4 bedroom on the same block!!!! We have plenty of room come visit!

Now, since Jeff has a job....all I need is one and daycare....start praying people!! :)

Nothing really going on...

Just waiting on Jeff to come home!

He should be home sometime in the middle of Sept. Time is going so slow for me. As the FRG (Family Readiness Group) Leader I am in charge of making phone calls (read: I delegate) to my group of wives to let them know that their loved one is one his way home. We have had three flights come in and which I have made calls - and one more flight before my loved one comes home. Just a little bit different this time. Oh well, my excitement will come. Whats a few more weeks when its been close to a year anyways...right?!

The house is still on the market. 8 people have looked at it, but it hasn't been the "one" for them. It has to sell and I know it will (it better) Im just ready to move on...we have orders so we are just waiting our time out here in AK. As I will miss this place dearly, I am ready to move on with our lives....

Ok, well. ....nothing to exciting going on - Ian has an ear infection, Kyle has landed a great job, Blake and I have colds and its been rainy and cold this past week. Don't I sound happy... haha

Here are me and the boys tonight, goofing off

Back from Seattle

Hello there.

Time flies since I left for Seattle and then we are back and back to the grind. I have been so busy since I have gotten back. So here is the update from Seattle.

First of all - even though I just had a 4 hour flight from AK to Seattle - traveling by yourself with 2 kids SUCKS! I caught the famous red eye out of AK and was lucky that it wasn't a full flight and Blake was able to get his own seat (this will come to haunt me later...you'll see). And all in all was a pretty good flight. We left ontime right at 0130 am (WOW a first for me) and the boys didn't fall asleep until 345 am. We then landed around 6. Not to much sleep.

Getting a rental car was a nightmare and the car seats they gave me were hideous. I said I am not putting my children in those and you need to find me some other ones! That took forever. To the Westin we went and slept on that nice heavenly bed! It was super nice to take a nap for about 3 hours before I had to travel back to the airport to pick up my brother. The kids were both asleep when we picked up him and woke up when we got back to the hotel. Ian was so excited to see him. Ran right up to him and said "unlce Kyle is here" and gave him a big hug. Blake (who was just a few months old when Kyle left AK) doesn't know him, but seeing Ian so excited screamed and ran right up to him as well. If Big Brother Ian is excited, well so should he I guess! :)

We arrived Sunday and enjoyed the warm weather outside after some power naps. We went to Seattle center and went to the Childrens Meusem. The boys LOVED it. They could run around and explore and just have a super duper time!

Playing at the Childrens Museum

Ian loved this water thing. You pushed the buttons and could squirt high powered water to move a ping pong ball.

Blake loved this thing. You pushed the button and a gust of air would shoot up and blow the beach ball.

Monday we drove to FT Lewis. To see the Neurologist which everything turned out ok. :) He checked out fine. Then we ate at Olive Garden. Oh my... how I miss eating out! Also, we went shopping at the mall. Very exciting. I hit up a HUGE sale at Eddie Bower and added some nice things for my birthday. Then ate out. yummy!

Out to Eat

Ian loves his Uncle Kyle

Tuesday we had no appointments to go to so went to Pikes Market. LOVED that place. There were so many yummy fresh foods and veggies and milk and eggs and flowers. I ate the most juiciest peach there ever! I gave Ian 5 dollars and he and Kyle picked out a huge bouquet of flowers for only $5! It was the best. If I totally lived downtown Seattle i would be down there every day I had off. Then we went to the Aquarium. They boys enjoyed the fish and wondering around and checking things out. They loved the penguins. Then back to the hotel to nap then out to dinner and off to the Space Needle. They loved the Needle, we were "High in the sky" according to Ian. :)

Pikes Market

Store called Ian on the way to Pikes Market
Flowers!

My $5 Flowers Ian picked out. LOVE them.
High in the sky!

Very cool!
Wednesday was my birthday and Ians big day at Seattle Childrens Hospital. We checked in and off we were to the pre-op area. Things run much differently then they do here in Fairbanks. More, smoothly. Ian was able to pick out the flavor of his "laughing gas" mask. I walked with him to this gurney and held his hand while they put the "laughing gas" on and he went to sleep. Gave him a kiss and walked away. They pulled the curtain and before I could get to the room I heard the nurse say IV in and they wheeled him to the MRI. I got breakfast and came back and shortly after he came too. They also recover differently. He came back to me still sedated while in AK they go to PACU and wake up there and come back awake. They used this certain anesthesia which was awesome and I need to call them to find out because Ian was asleep for 30 min and woke up pulled his oxygen off his nose and sat up and said I want a Popsicle. IV came out, then we were off. I was like wow, I don't have to sit here for an hour and you take vitals. (they were taking them frequently while we were in the room and Ian was sleeping). Then off the neurologist office where they told me the tumor is still there. Hasn't grown. Its just sat there for the past 9 months. And that is just we want it to do. Big sigh of relief. Now we go to MRI's every 6 months for 3 times and then go yearly. Every 6 months I will start to get stressed out has it moved, what is next. I hate not knowing if this tumor is going to grow, I want to control it and hit the button and say DELETE. But that is not how things go. So we just wait...

Ian snoozing away. Sleeps like his Daddy with his eyes open!

After the MRI we came back for another power nap (Kyle was watching Blake) we hit up the pool and then the Zoo & out to our last dinner. The Zoo was ok. Tacoma Zoo is much more nicer and has more animals. (We went there last time we were in Seattle) To bad I didn't the know the B 52's were playing. I totally would have gotten tickets! Then we to Cheesecake Factory and Ian told the waiter it was my birthday and they came and brought cake and sang to me. He was so very proud that he told the waiter! :) It was the best food I have had in a while. YUMMM! Can't wait to move to the lower 48 and eat some yummy food.

Ohh Penguins


Huge Octopus

Then off to catch a plane the next day and off to work on Friday...

Update on the Harmons

So I used to be so good at Blogging. Lately I really haven't' felt like sitting down and typing, however; I do a lot of surfing on the Internet and a whole lot of nothing.

What is going on.... My trees are gone that were down from a rotten birch, and the people that took my tree actually cut down quite a few dead ones in my yard. Now I don't have to worry about them collapsing due to all the earthquakes we were having or just falling down because they were super dead. (and very close to my house I may add!)

I have a landscaping crew coming out tomorrow to give me an estimate on how much it would be to fix my yard. Just needs some touch up this summer that Jeff isn't here to do and then I can take pictures all pretty because we plan to move out of here around January 2010. So seeing that it snows first week in October I need pictures of what our yard looks like in the winter. :) SO in the next few weeks I will be planting potted flowers and things to make our yard have "curb appeal".

Exciting news, since I had mentioned that we were moving probably around January 2010 - we will finally be heading to the "Lower 48". Returning to Fort Benning, GA. Jeff got the job as a Small Group Instructor. He will be teaching Infantry men that have recently been promoted to Captain. Basically its a class on how to be a good Captain in the Army and have a command. This is exciting to us because it will be a non-deployable duty station. We should be here for about 3 years I am thinking and will be nice to have Jeff home for three years. Now that I think of it, I will have a full-time husband. I haven't lived with Jeff longer than 6 months without him doing any field time so this should be interesting to have a semi-normal life!! haha. I will keep everyone posted as to when we leave!

Blake, Ian and I are getting ready to make a trip down to Seattle for Ians check up with the Neurologist and Neurosurgeon. He will be getting a repeat MRI and we are planning on having no changes! Hoping for everything to be the same as the other two he has had. So, in spite of having do some tests, we are making a little vacation out of if. My brother from VA is flying to Seattle to meet us (I need help with Blake while at these appts) and we are going to do tons fo fun things. We are staying at the Westin downtown Seattle for three days where we will explore the Space Needle, Aquarium and Zoo. I have all these plans but traveling with toddlers can be stressful so we will see how they fair on the trip. Then we move to the Westin in Bellvue just north of Seattle for the lats 2 nights. I couldn't stay at one hotel for the entire trip because there is some Conference going on. I wanted a Spa hotel that also had room service, kid friendly and a pool! We will be there for Jeff & mine 7 year wedding anniversary and also my 29th birthday. The Army will cover the cost of the room.... I got a $450 room for $160!!Thanks to military discount! The Westin gives great discounts. So while I'm there i plan to get a massage... Kyle, (my bro) is there to babysit!! Happy Birthday to me!

Then Kyle will be returning with us to Fairbanks! He wants to get away from Va again and will be getting a job and helping me around the house until Jeff gets home. It will be great company. I miss him tons. Ian is extremely happy that Uncle Kyle is coming to play with him!

So that is whats up with us. I will update while we are in Seattle!

Enjoy some pictures of the boys the past few weeks.

Bought the boys some squirt guns to have fun with. They are trying to get me!

A trip to Pioneer Park with our good friend Reagan. Ian was pulling them around!
Jungle Safari Ian

Jungle Safari Blake
(yes I know I have to tighten his straps)

We toured the Large Animal Research Center
and learned all about Muskox- don't the boys look thrilled?

Working & Playing

I have to say I am glad to be back into domestic world. This past week was super busy for me. I usually only work two days a week - but after working three 12 hour shifts in a row- it reminds of how I enjoy just my 2 days - spread out! I felt like I didn't see the boys any during that time. We would wake up at 530, eat a small breakfast, pack them in the car. I would then pick them up at 8pm and do a quick wipe down and put on pajamas and then in bed...only to follow that same routine for 2 more days. I enjoy my job, but also enjoy my time home as a parent. I give props to those woman who are a SAHM. I couldn't do it. I need my two days in the job world. Great for those of you who do it! I wish I had the patience to do it. Also, I make a bad housewife...thats another post. Im a bad cook (I bake well though!) - and trying to get better at cleaning and organizing..with age I progress! haha...Anyways...I just don't know how those families with both parents working 80+ hours a week do it. When do they spend time with the kids, and have family time?

On the days off before & after my three days - we enjoyed doing tons of activities. We played in the snow for about 2 hrs one day. The weather has been consistently above 10 for the most part. A few mornings it was below freezing, but quickly warms up. The sun is now up around 630 till around 9pm. This is posing a problem for Ian because he is quick to tell me. "Mom the sun is still up- its not bedtime. When the sun will go down I will go to sleep!" Ummm not in Alaska Kiddo - time for the Black out shades to appear again! All this sunlight means one thing...spring is coming!

We also painted some eggs. I cut out construction paper eggs and then went to town. We will do the "real eggs" for the Easter bunny to hide soon. I think I may go to the store and try to grow a flower inside. Ian's classroom is doing that and he is so excited about it that he wants to grow one at home!

Well here are some pictures from this past week. Enjoy!

Blake LOVES to sit on the potty - but nothing comes out yet...slowly it'll happen!

Covered in snow!

Showing off the artwork on his body!

Craft time!

Brotherly Love!

Lots going on.

Long story short. Army sucks, Tricare sucks, getting approval for an MRI sucks! After much calling, and spoon feeding the idiots on the other end of the phone, and me about to hyperventilate - Ians MRI scheduled for the 22nd DID not happen. It will be happening on the 29th. I hope to have good news as I update you all on his results. We are hoping for no change/no growth. If there is any change at all we will be going to Seattle to talk to the Neurosurgeon to see what our options are at this point in time.

ON a happier note here are some silly pictures of the kids this week!

We have success standing up!! Woo Hoo! Only a accident here and there.

Brotherly love

Aren't they adorable?

Hmmm who am I going to call. Blake loves to wear his boots EVERYWHERE

Mom and her boys!

Crazy Hair Ian.

Ians New Trick. He did this while I was in the shower. He thinks hes part kangaroo!