Our new challenge...

We sent an email to our friends and families to share that Kari was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

We're going to use this site to provide updates on Kari, the kids and Team H in general.

It was less than one week from finding something wrong to the diagnosis that it is cancer. We're still reeling from this and digesting it. The next few weeks for us will be a vague, uncertain, frustrating time trying to understand the next steps. We have a lot more to learn and people to meet.

We were happy to meet Dr. Constantine Godellas at Loyola. He will be doing Kari's surgery. He was recommended to us by several people and he seems very knowledgeable and compassionate. We feel like we're in good hands. The up coming week is full of tests including bone scans, CT's and more MRI's. After Kari finishes these, we meet again with the Cancer team to finalize the plan of action and schedule the surgery.

Kari had some lab work done and chest x-rays taken today. The good news is that the chest x-rays are clear. That is a relief to hear.

We're encouraged by the messages of hope and the success stories that we have heard over this short time. It is amazing the number of lives that breast cancer effects. More amazing to us are the number of people who fight and survive. Kari will be one of them.

We have done our best to personally reach out to as many of you as possible before we made this post. We have had lots of well wishes and offers of support from our friends and family.

Our families have set up a few different ways that people can help Team H. Check out the calendar at Lotsa Helping Hands. For those who have offered to make meals, check out the calendar there. Additionally, an account has been set up at Perfect Dinner. Check out the link in the sidebar for more information.

We know that we are blessed to have our marriage, two beautiful children, strong families and great friends. There is no other option outside of beating this and moving on with our lives. We thank you all for being there for us.

Sincerely,

Kari, Jay, James & Katie
The Harris Family.

Katie in the park...

We took the kids to Blythe Park in Riverside last week. Katie was being particularly photogenic. James was too busy playing to slow down for pictures. Look Ma. No Hands!

James' Chalkings

James' chalkings!  He loves his babysitter Jessica, who is very fashionable- as you can see by the pink handbag she is holding!  He is holding her hand and then he is holding mama lynn and then mama diane's hand.  Mama diane is then holding katie's hand, who is holding my hand who is holding daddy's hand.  Very cute! 

Katie being a Girlie-Girl!

Katie being cute! 

Easter Story

So my dear sweet Katie unintentionally made her first communion on Easter Sunday.  We were asked to bring up the gifts at church and I said yes!  Then, when we got up there, we realized there were 4 things to carry.  A little daunting with a family of 4, two who are under 5. So.... Jay picked up Katie and I handed him a big container of host, we gave James a small container of host and I carried two pitchers of wine.  After explaining to James that those were not chippies, and he could not eat one, we proceeded up the aisle.  I was very nervous invisioning James spilling the entire container of host.  All eyes were on James and we were SO RELIEVED when we reached the end of the aisle and safely handed everything over to Father.  I grabbed James' hand and we walked down the aisle back to our seats and I was proud of my little family.  After church we were walking to our car and this woman I never met before says to us "so, did your daughter enjoy her First Communion?"  To which I looked at Jay and he said, "I was watching James and didn't notice that Katie picked a host out of the container and was nibbling on it as we made our way up the aisle."  But it's all ok, as it was not yet concecrated, it wasn't REALLY her First Communion.  But now we have a good story to tell at her real First Communion! 

more Easter fun with Papa Bede!

James enjoyed coloring Easter eggs with Papa Bede!

Easter Weekend

Mama Diane and Papa Bede came over for an early Easter Brunch. James and Katie enjoyed their easter baskets from mama and papa and Katie, as you can see from her face, loved her chocolate bunny!

Train Ride & Milennium Park...

We took the Green line into Chicago today. Both Katie and James really liked the train ride. We stopped at Marshall Fields for lunch and to look at their spring flower exhibit. From there we treked to Milennium Park to run around and check out the big Bean. Katie liked looking at the people. Katie & Mommy hanging out. Katie hanging out. Katie liked her reflection in the polished surface of the bean. Katie running with determination.