The Month of February

February!  It was an interesting month.  We had a lot going on with deciding on the house, dealing with contractors in Denison, cleaning up our house, playing outside on nice days, and going from sweet baby girl to hitting the terrible 2's a little early!

This is how she tells you she heard something.  

Hand to ear, head cocked to the side, and a funny "huh?".  

Harper is starting to understand and explain herself better these days.  She is able to hear or see something and know what it is, where it came from, or why it is.  When I vacuum the living room, she immediately goes to her room because she knows I do that room next.  When Cody gets out the salsa from the fridge, she gets the chips out of the pantry.  She has definitely learned our routine around this house.  She also understands a lot more.  Now she can understand even Cody and I's conversations.  Guess we have to really start watching what we say.

She has progressed in her vocabulary too.  Her new words include outside, baby, run, and blow.  Her words that only we understand are Maggie (she calls her "B") and Come Here (she says "Ese" while waving you forward).  Harper also adds a Y to most words that start with H.  So hott is yhott, and hi is yhi.  And everything is always in her sweet, singsong voice.  Pretty cute.  She has also decided that she wants to always hold two people's hands - one person just isn't enough.

A morning playing with MMC stickers and sitting on her fav window ledge.  

Her favorite thing to do right now is to play with her baby.  She always tells us "bebe" so we don't forget to get Baby.  She likes to feed her, give her a paci, and cover her with the blanket.  She is going to be such a good big sister someday.  She is loving her golf clubs but usually plays more hockey than golf.  She still love to read and can sit and "read" 10 books at a time.  We still watch MMC everyday after nap but she is starting to enjoy Sophia and Jake a little too.  

She is still a super happy toddler.  She plays so great, loves people, can play outside for hours.  A dance party is always on the agenda and running naked after bath is a must.  However, as each day passes, she gets a little more stubborn.  Somehow, when I say No, it doesn't make much impact anymore.  She just does it anyways, sometimes as quickly as possible if she sees me coming for her.  We tried swatting her butt or her hand, but that didn't work.  She would swat herself right after and laugh because it didn't hurt or she didn't care.  So at my wit's end, I have started time out in the crib, no toys/paci, with the door shut.  It seems to be the only thing that is working right now because she doesn't like being apart from us.  She had a bad day a few weeks ago, was melting down, screaming on the floor, throwing toys across the room, so I put her in her first time out.  She was ticked.  But we made up at the end and I explained what happened and that I still loved her.  Afterwards, she wouldn't let go of me for hours.  I don't think she likes it.  

I made homemade breakfast muffins with yogurt and oats.  I put blueberries in them and I guess she didn't like that.  She sucked each bite until she had eaten all of the muffin except the blueberries.  

One good thing that has changed this month is that we are hopefully over the dairy issue.  She is eating yogurt and cheese, which she loves.  It seems to be going well, she seems to be acting normal.  She is still eating only Real food, nothing processed, but she is still such a good eater.  One night my stepmom made a sweet potato and carrot soup and no one would eat it except Harper.  

This day, Harper kept wanting me to put more and more pairs of pants on her.  I was talking to my sister and she heard me say "No ma'am Harper, you don't need anymore pants."  Then, about 3 minutes later, I told my sister, "Guess what I'm doing right now, putting 4 pairs of pants on Harper."  I can't ever say no to that kid.  

 Cody has been hanging out, watching DD, doing yard work, etc.  His schedule this semester has him alone all day so he has some guys he hangs out with on Tuesday mornings over coffee.  I have been enjoying our playgroup and seeing some friends from high school.  Plus, we have a new home group that has lots of kids Harper's age, so she has lots of new friends.   

Cody had open house this past week and was gone at bedtime.  Harper and I read books (which is usually his job) and sent pictures to him so he could say good night.  We miss him when he isn't here...

I have not been sewing lately because of the house stuff.  But we had a thing a Mom's Inc (my moms group at church) called a Pinterest Party where we could create something we had pinned for a contest. I made Harper a nap mat and she loves it.  

Moving to the Country

So our big news right now, if you haven't heard, is that we are moving.  To the country.  To cows.  To no neighbors.  To small town life.  And we are going willingly, just so you know.  :)

We are moving to Denison, where Cody grew up.  It's just over an hour north from here, about 5 miles south of the Oklahoma border.  It's a nice town, everybody knows everybody.  His parents will live across the street (I know, but it won't be like Everybody Loves Raymond), and his Aunt and Uncle and Cousins live nearby too.  It's right next to Sherman, which has more shopping and such, but it has everything you need (not want, mind you, but need).  It'll give us a nice, quiet life.  A slower pace.  A life that feels more in tune with the old days.  If you know my husband, you know this is who he is and what he wants.

Cody's grandmother passed away in November.  Her house is from the 70's so it's small and needs just a wee bit of help.  But it's on 10 acres with tons of trees, a creek, a pond, a shed and a barn (which is 4 times bigger than the house - go figure).  So we are going to remodel the house, which I am excited about.  I'll finally get to put my hours of pinterest to good use.

It's a lot to process, even for us.  But we are excited.  I love my house and where we live.  I love our friends, our playgroups, our day to day routine.  I love that my parents are close, my sister and my niece and nephew are always around, and my sisters come over for Duck Dynasty marathons and trips to the thrift store.  I love our little life right now.  But I like change and adventure so I am excited to see what the future holds for us.

Cody will try to get a job teaching at Denison High School.  There aren't as many positions and a lot less turnover, so we'll see what happens.  Thankfully, our new next door neighbor (next door being a few acres away, but still) is the Superintendent so maybe Cody will have an in.

We have been working hard getting our house ready to sell.  It's crazy how clean my house is now that I'm about to leave it.  We are selling it by owner since I have time and energy and why not?  My mom will help when we need it and I'll buy her an extra special mother's day gift this year.  But since we are selling it ourselves, if you know of anyone looking for a house in Highland Village, send them our way, would ya?

So, that's that.  Life is about to change.  It's already gotten a little stressful.  But it's all just a part of life and God's plan.  When Cody first asked me to go, my answer was NO.  But as we prayed about it, I knew God was telling me that we were going.  I don't know why, but I know God wants us up there for something.

So pray for us, pray for guidance as all of this unfolds, and pray for our future ministry up in Denison.  Thanks friends!

A Beautiful Day with the Aunties

It had been almost 3 weeks since we had hung out with my sisters due to traveling and valentine's day.  It doesn't sound long, but they bring a lot of joy into our family and we missed them!  They came over last Sunday after church and spent the day hanging out and playing with Harper.

 Don't take funny pictures on someone else's phone unless you want them posted...

Cody's gift from my sisters, just because they love him, and because they all love Si.

Spending the afternoon at Kids Kastle

Being creepy adults at a park

Finally learned to slide on her own

Feeding the ducks

I swear they love him more than me

Following tradition, we had dinner at Ihop since there was no school on Monday. 

Taylor posted this picture on her instagram with the following caption.  

This is why they bring me joy.  I love them!  It was a great day!

home is wherever i'm with you.  

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is very fun in our house.  There isn't a ton of money spent but we love having a special day to love on each other around here.

In Hempkins' Valentine tradition, we had donuts for breakfast with Cody before school.  Harper LOVES donuts.  She scarfed down 4 donut holes and then ate a good chunk of each of ours.  I love her enough to even share my chocolate sprinkle with her.

We had a playdate with our friends, the Rode's.  Harper likes Breken and Bane.  Breken is always teaching her new things because he's a little older and Bane always likes to play the same as her because he's just a little younger.  I'm not sure who she'll pick when she gets older or even at what age she'll be allowed to date, but they got to be her pretend valentine's this year.

For dinner we had a nice dinner of steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.  Cody is such a good cook and a fabulous griller, that everytime we eat steak at a restaurant, we wish we had stayed home and eaten his.  So we did that tonight and enjoyed every bite.  I was going to make dessert but we were both so full that we couldn't even eat it.

Cody knows me well and got me chocolate and girl scout cookies.  He also found the first wine we drank together as newlyweds that is our absolute favorite but not easy to find.  And of course Harper and I got flowers.  She isn't sure what they are but she likes to tell you there are "two" vases of them.  I did good on Cody's gift - a triple threat Duck Commander duck call.  He wanted to get one before DD got so famous that those boys aren't able to make all the duck calls themselves.  I didn't do good on Harper's gift, because I didn't get her one.  I know, mom fail.  I just never figured out what to get so I never did.  Thankfully she doesn't know and I am in the clear this year.  

Visiting the Family in Kansas

We went to visit my grandparents and family in Kansas for the week.  We were supposed to go at the beginning of January but everyone seemed to be sick with the flu, a cold, or something.  So we went up the 2nd week of February instead and I'm grateful because it was much warmer and everyone was healthy and well.  

Harper still flies for free so we flew up Tuesday morning.  Cody dropped us off before school and I knew that it would be hard for all of us.  He looked pretty sad as he rushed off to work.  But we pulled the "Please help us, life is hard when you have a baby and luggage and no help" look and everyone was extremely helpful.  The plane was only 1/3 full so Harper got to play around in her own row in the back.  She loved looking out the windows and seeing all the planes.  We talked about riding on the airplane for days and she was so excited.  She did amazing on the plane: ate breakfast, played on Kristen's ipad, and watched Mickey Mouse.  It was a great flight.

My Aunt Pat picked us up at the airport on Tuesday and we just spent the day hanging out at the house.  My grandparents love Harper and think that she is some kind of perfect child.  They just sit and watch her play, or watch her eat breakfast, or watch her cartoons with her.  They are enamored with her.  And Harper loves them too!  She loves their house and all the cool stuff in it - a walker, a cane, stairs, a walk-in pantry, and tons of windows to watch the birds.  

We did the normal while we were up there.  Ate waffles for breakfast, took a 2 hour nap every day, visited with Aunts and Uncles, played cards, walked around the mall, and watched KU basketball.  It was a typical week for the Klusman's.  Harper enjoyed every day.  She slept good, ate a ton of food, and had everyone's undivided attention.  

Grandpa saw a squirrel eating his bird feed and immediately went for his gun (on the table).  I was a little concerned.  But not so concerned that I didn't immediately text the picture to my dad.  

Since their house isn't exactly child proofed, Harper got into a lot of things.  We ended up having to make a list of all the things that she hid or we took away and forgot where we put them.  We found the remote and grandma's favorite playing cards, but we never found her address book.  Thankfully, they didn't get mad!  It was sad to leave, but we had a great time.  After a very full and long flight, we were glad to be home with Cody!  

Since their house isn't exactly child proofed, Harper got into a lot of things.  We ended up having to make a list of all the things that she hid or we took away and forgot where we put them.  We found the remote and grandma's favorite playing cards, but we never found her address book.  Thankfully, they didn't get mad!  It was sad to leave, but we had a great time.  After a very full and long flight, we were glad to be home with Cody!

This is Grandma's cabinet of scrapbooks.  Each one is 1 year, and she has 

from the 60's through the 90's.  That's A LOT.

January Comings and Goings

January has been a fun month.  We took some time to rest from Christmas and New Years.  Cody started a new semester with new students, and Harper and I have been doing lots of fun things.  Baking goodies, playing with new toys, enjoying the outdoors when it's nice, and spending lots of time with friends and family.  

Getting so big!  18 month clothes are finally starting to fit (at 20 months)

Harper is becoming such a little person.  She is saying a few new words.  She says most family members names, but calls Reese "Eese" and Krissy "Sissy".  She says Banana "Nana" and her Bathrobe "Ro".  She even repeated "Love you Mama" the other day - bless her sweet little heart!

Playing at Mimi and Pops 

I need to learn to bring a 2nd set of clothes because 

she always plays and gets them dirty.

This Sunday morning I found Harper wearing Cody's shirt.  She had 

peed through her diaper and pajamas, so sweet husband of 

mine gave her his shirt and covered himself with a blanket (it was cold).

Cody and I are in a superb rhythm.  I think we finally have this parenting thing down.  He sleeps in on Saturday and I sleep in on Sunday.  We seem to do a really good job at night and on weekends of splitting Harper duties.  Harper has grown up a lot in just the last month.  She seems to be able to do more of what we ask and understand more of what we are wanting.  She can go get a diaper, pick up toys, get the remote, open the back door, and feed Maggie.  She doesn't however like when we say no.  She has definitely hit the 2's early!  She has a fantastic stink eye and she can throw a fit when she wants to.  And she loves to say NO.  

Harper and Maggie playing castle

Cody's new ipad mini he got for Christmas.  It's all his!

Harper hasn't been too sick this winter.  She had an ear infection and a virus.  She ran a 104 temp which was super scary but was completely better after a big dose of tylenol.  And the next week she got the flu which was horrible, but didn't last too long.  She threw up for about 6 hours solid, slept for a few hours, and then we watched MMC, Einsteins, and Sofia for two days straight.  Thankfully she was better quickly and we spent the next two days out of the house.

Harper at the Dr. with a 104 temp.  She barely moved she felt so bad!

We have enjoyed some winter weather this January but it has also had some fabulous days of warm afternoon weather.  We have played outside in the play house, taken walks with Maggie to the park, and visited with friends at the playground.  Being outside is Harper's favorite thing and she could do it for hours (she seriously cries every time we make her come in).  

Eating an oatmeal raisin cookie from our friends, the Hunt's, 

hanging outside on a nice afternoon.

We went to Cody's school to drop off some food and Cody ended up being busy in class.  I had been telling her all morning we were going to see Daddy.  She was so sad that we didn't go up to see him that she stood at the door and cried.  

Being Intentional for Lent

Lent starts this week.  For all you Catholics and Episcopalians, you know what this means.  For some of you who don't, here it is... It's a 40 day period leading up to Easter where we choose to fast or abstain from something in our life so that we can use that time and energy to focus on Jesus and less on ourselves.  Growing up, I always did this.  But I honestly can't tell you a single year that I have actually completed a true Lent season.  Since we've been married, Cody has even started participating in Lent and he has done better than me.

Lately I've been convicted of wanting to be more intentional with my faith, my service, and my life.  I want my life to mean something, to stand for something, to change the world for the better.  I just want to make sure that I'm not floating through life, only focused on the earthly stuff that doesn't last.  I want to make sure that at the end, I have used all that God gave me (cliche! but true) and I have made a difference for His Kingdom.  

So I am going to try.  I have horrible self discipline.  I am always gung-ho about something for a day or so and then I get tired or busy and then I eventually just quit.  Like when you mess up a diet on a Wednesday, you wait until the next Monday to start over, because the whole week must be ruined, right?  

Why am I blogging about it?  I need acountability!  I didn't even tell anyone what I was doing for Lent last year because I just knew I'd quit and be embarassed (and yes, I quit very early on).  But I want this to be a life thing, so I am hoping that it can start here and continue.  I'm trying to get my stubbornness and competitiveness to kick into high gear so I won't quit!

So this year I am going to learn to be intentional.  I want to be intentional with my faith.  I want to make sure that people know where I stand, why I stand for things, and whose I am.  I am God's.  I am here, joyful and grateful, because He chose me, He saved me.  I want to be intentional with my time.  I want to make sure that I don't waste 3 hours a day on the computer (I'm not giving it up, we all know that would never work).  I want to make sure that when I do spend time on FB or my Blog, that it becomes productive time.  I want to tell that world about what God is doing in my life.  What God is doing on earth in other's lives.  I want to spend time each day with my sweet girl and my fabulous husband where I'm not doing three other things at once.  I want them to know that they are my priority.  I want to be intentional with my faith, prayer, and service.  I don't want to just say I'm a Christian.  I want to live my life like it's the only thing that keeps me going.  I want to find ways to show other people that Jesus is the answer.  I want to spend time in true prayer letting go of myself and being filled with more of Him.  I want to serve others even if it's not fun or convenient or easy.  I want to do it because God has asked me to, not because it makes me look good or check off something else on a list.  I want to finally be the person that I have always wanted to be.

I know that I won't be perfect and that I won't be great at all of these things every day for 40 days.  But that's the best part of being intentional in my faith in Christ.  He never expects perfection - He knows I'm a work in progress.  So, I can't fail.  Because I know that God is with me in all things.  

So starting Wednesday, here's to a season of being intentional with myself, my God, and the world.  And here's to being honest about my shortcomings and my progression in the hopes that I can make a difference with someone or something.  

Joel 2:12-14

                                                       Yet even now, says the Lord,

Return to me with all your heart,

With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

Rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Return to the Lord, your God,

for he is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,

and relents from punishing.

Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,

and leave a blessing behind him,

a grain-offering and a drink-offering

       for the Lord, your God?