Adventures in Our Home & Hearts: Cherishing Christ's Resurrection & Skiing in a Surprise Snowstorm

Giving God Glory

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! - ...then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 We praise and thank God for demonstrating His love for us as sinners through sending His only Son to live a perfect life, to die a wretched death, and to conquer sin and death by rising from the dead. What sweet victory Jesus Christ secured for those who believe in Him! The Lord is risen! Amen!

Click on this link for a powerful song about Christ's death, burial, & resurrection -

Glorious Day - by Casting Crowns

Seeking to Strengthen Our Love for Jesus Christ & Gratefulness for His Death, Burial, & Resurrection -

as well as to teach & solidify these truths in Noah's heart

We continued our "Christmas" tradition of all of us singing a worship song each evening while I played the piano, & Noah played along with one of his instruments. We all enjoyed singing songs about Christ's death & resurrection together throughout the month! We also watched a movie this month about Christ's death, burial, & resurrection that really impacted Noah since it helped him see what awful trials Christ went through to die for our sins.

EvangeCube

This is a cube about the gospel that unfolds in 7 different visuals and is very easy for Noah to manipulate. You'll notice I wasn't able to get the cube to lay completely flat for some of the photos.

#1 - Man in Sin & Separated from God - Romans 3:23

#2 - Christ on the Cross - Romans 5:8

#3 - Tomb - Mark 15:46

#4 - Risen Christ - Mark 16:4-6

#5 - Cross Bridge (Jesus is the only way to Father by grace through faith) - John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9

#6 - Heaven or Hell - Must make a choice to repent of sins & turn to God - Acts 26:20

#7 - Growing in Relationship with Christ & Love for Him Demonstrated through Obedience to Him:

* Heart = Love God & people - Matthew 22:37-39

* Bible = study the Bible - 1 Peter 2:2

* Person Praying = pray to God - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

* Hands = meet regularly with other Christians - Hebrews 10:25

* World = tell others the gospel, which is the good news about Jesus Christ's gift of salvation - Matthew 28:19-20

Resurrection Eggs

Each egg has an item that goes along with the Passion week (week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion & resurrection) & also included is a booklet with corresponding Bible passages * Wes discussing a Bible passage w/ Noah

Crafts Noah made in Cubbies - Empty tomb w/ empty linen cloth & sign "He has risen!" * Tissue paper cross

Making Resurrection Rolls with Papa & Nana

Dough = linen cloth

Butter & cinnamon sugar = spices used for burial

Marshmallow = Jesus body, pure & innocent

After baking... the marshmallow is gone = Jesus' resurrection :)

Enjoying our Easter meal - Josiah was napping

Papa & Nana with the boys * Wendy & Bobo

What's on the Harrisons' Hearts
Alzheimer's... - We have a loved one, who is very near and dear to us, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's while in her late 40's. Therefore, Alzheimer's is often on our hearts and minds, and our loved ones effected by its impacts are often in our prayers. This month it was even more so as several of our close family and a couple good family friends went to the annual - A Reason to Hope - breakfast here in CO Springs.

It was eye-opening and sobering to hear some of the following information about Alzheimer's...

Statistics about Alzheimer's disease (info from Alzheimer's Association's link below):

More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease today.
Someone develops Alzheimer's every 68 seconds.
By 2050, the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease could triple.
In 2013, Alzheimer's will cost the nation $203 billion.
This number ($203 billion) is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050.
Alzheimer's disease is fatal... it is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
In 2013, an estimated 450,000 people in the U. S. will die with Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's is the only cause of death among the top 10 in the U. S. that CANNOT be prevented, cured, or even slowed.
Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer's disease have risen 68%, while deaths from other major diseases (heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, HIV) have decreased.

Click on this link for a well done 2 minute slideshow version of these stats - Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures 2013

Also, a book that many recommended to read and that I found very helpful in understanding and empathizing with people who have Alzheimer's is Still Alice. It does have some blunt language and content but was helpful and insightful. However, it was also difficult to read in light of knowing a dear loved one who is facing this kind of a journey.

A few final thoughts... When we or loved ones encounter trying journeys such as Alzheimer's, I am remembered how hard it can be to embrace God's sovereignty but also how crucial it is to trust our loving, good, and wise heavenly Father and to come to a place of resting in His sovereignty. I think Job (in the Bible), who encountered several devastating trials, had a solid grasp of the importance of God's sovereignty which was demonstrated by his response -

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshipped.

He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:20-22

The Lord gives blessings, and the Lord gives trials. He is worthy of praise, blessing, and worship - no matter whether we are being blessed or tried by Him. We thank the Lord for how we see Him at work in the lives of our loved ones as they have a perspective and attitude of faith, peace, and love in the midst of this trial, which is a testimony to the Lord's grace and strength as our loved ones seek to trust in Him.

Praises & Prayers
Various Loved Ones - Continued prayer for wisdom and for Christ's strength and perspective as they are in the midst of various trials (James 1:2-5).
Tami - Continued prayers for the Lord to give my dad and other loved ones His perspective and that God would heal Tami, but ultimately that His will would be done.
Our Family - Praise for there being continued postponements of the sequester (which would impact our family).
Wes - Praise for the Lord helping Wes to complete and learn a lot from another quarter of classes - 2 quarters to go! Continued prayer of Matthew 5:13-16 that the Lord would help Wes to continue to be a strong light and witness for Christ at work in the midst of a very spiritually dark environment and also for spiritual protection (Ephesians 6:10-20). Also continued prayer for the Lord to grow Wes and impact his heart through his classes.
Christina - Praise for the Lord answering prayers for wisdom and discernment for teaching the TNT girls. Continued prayer of James 1:5 for wisdom and discernment for teaching TNT girls (3rd-6th graders in AWANAs) every Sunday and 2 Timothy 2:15 that I would accurately handle & teach God's Word to them as well as to Noah & Josiah.
Noah - God would graciously save him at a young age and lead him to walk with the Lord all of his days, if that be the Lord's will. Praise for the Lord helping Noah to grow in communicating in ways that honor Him. Continued prayer of Ephesians 6:1-2 that God would help Noah to communicate in ways of asking rather than "telling us what to do" when he wants something.
Josiah - God would graciously save him at a young age and lead him to walk with the Lord all of his days, if that be the Lord's will. Prayer for the Lord to grow Josiah in his gross motor skills (ex. progressions involved with crawling & walking) in His perfect timing, and prayer of James 1:5 for wisdom with our response to how God has made Josiah but also with our role in helping him grow & develop.

Marriage Memories

We enjoyed a wonderful time at the FamilyLife - Weekend to Remember - here in CO Springs!

The Lord blessed us with an opportunity to attend for almost free.

We highly recommend this retreat! They cover the following topics in a God-exalting and biblical way (plus with a good dose of humor):

Why marriages fail
Can we talk? - communication
Unlocking the mystery of marriage - God's purpose for oneness = mirror God's image, companionship, & multiply a godly legacy
From how to wow - God's plan for oneness = leaving, cleaving, & becoming one flesh
What every marriage needs - God's power for oneness = gospel
We fight too - resolving conflict
Marriage after dark - intimacy from God's perspective
Woman to Woman / Man to Man - breakout session about fulfilling God-given roles
How marriages thrive - 3 essential elements = extravagant love, generous forgiveness, & enthusiastic encouragement
Leaving a legacy

There were so many gems of truth and insight that blessed Wes and me throughout the Weekend to Remember and have continued to bless our marriage. The "big picture" principle that impacted us the most as a couple and continues to come up in our conversations:

the goal of marriage is oneness and the enemy of marriage is isolation.

Even though it's a simple truth, it impacted us in a meaningful way because our culture tends to breed and even promote isolation. The speakers stated, "If couples are not intentionally moving toward oneness, their marriages will drift toward isolation." This principle is also true in one's relationship with the Lord. We must intentionally (involving thought, effort, time, energy, and most of all love) seek our spouse and the Lord, or we will drift apart, whether we are aware of it or not. Wes and I are grateful for God's grace that empowers us to intentionally seek Him and each other!

Family Fun

Our fam

Road Trippin' to Winter Park, CO

Noah was super excited to watch a movie for the 1st time while on the road for a few hours

YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch - Indian Peak Lodge

Last December, Wes and I saw that the YMCA was doing a deal of 2 nights get the 3rd night free. So, we decided that a winter family getaway was going to be our Christmas gift that year. We set our Christmas gift money for our family aside, and it finally worked out for us to go this month. :) It was a wonderful place for a family getaway, and it ended up being a pretty inexpensive one (if you take out the cost for skiing that we did at Winter Park) since the YMCA provided a free hearty buffet breakfast every morning - which got us through dinner with only needing a few snacks that we brought, and the Y also provided free tubing and other activities. We had a blast!

Skiing

Our little skiier - Showing off his ninja moves ;) * All geared up & ready to go

Mommy & son

Cruising! Noah had a blast skiing with me between my skiis - see video in "Noah News" section

Daddy & son enjoying a little snack on the slopes

Our precious boy crashed on the way back to the lodge

Family Fun at the YMCA Lodge

Pic of the kind of room we stayed in * Coloring

Having fun playing boardgames & putting puzzles together - Construction puzzle * U.S. puzzle - we got a little homeschooling in too ;)

This is one of my favorite pics from our getaway - Lots of laughter! :)

Noah had a blast jumping back & forth from our bed to his bed

Josiah had a lot of fun hanging out & being entertained by Noah :)

Tubing

All ready to hit the tubing hill * Josiah & me

Noah said that tubing was his favorite part of our getaway & skiing was too * Our bundled up little guy

Wes & Noah trekking back up the tubing hill

Josiah crashed in my arms on the way back to the car. He was so tired that I was able to get him out of his snowsuit without waking him up. ;)

Noah News

Age - 4 years old
Height - 37 1/2 in.
Weight - 33 3/4 lbs.

Cute Communication -

*"I like Josiah. He's a good bro!" :)

*"That was so yummy! I tore it up! That was so good." - after eating dinner one night.

*Wes - "What should we plant in our garden?"
Noah - "Donuts."
W - "No. We can't plant donuts silly."
N - "Why not? You just plant the seed in the dirt, and then you have your donuts."

*Favorite prayer lately - "Pray for me to have a good attitude and for our food. Amen."

*Favorite phrases of engagement - "Come see!" "Look!" "Watch this!"

Latest Loves
Playing with Josiah
Playing in the basement
Song - "The Lord Has Risen" (...Yes He did!) - Luke 24:34 Bible verse song
Lego Club
BOB books

Lego Club - Noah wanted to use some of his birthday gift money to participate in Lego Club at our YMCA. He had a blast!

Showing off what he built * Noah's bridge & a few other creations

Dinosaur * Group castle project - the older kids helped the younger kids

Free trial gymnastics class (coupon) - Stretching * Getting ready to do the "monkey" on the bar * Balance beam

Noah had a great time participating in gymnastics too! I asked him afterwards, "So, which do you like best - Lego Club or gymnastics?"

Noah - "Both!"

*Video - Noah & me cruising down the slopes

Josiah Joys

9 months Old Stats
Weight - 20 lbs. 1 oz. 57%
Height - 28 in. 32%
Head - 17 in.

1sts - 2 bottom teeth, tubing, swinging at the park, eating table food, beginning to let us know (beyond crying) when he doesn't want something ex. by pushing it away, sitting up solidly on his own, rolling over multiple times

Latest Loves
Squawking & growling
Clucking
Jewelry, glasses, technology such as cell phones
Truck toys
Rolling over multiple times

Playing at the park - Josiah really likes swinging! * Exploring the wood-chips

Sweet boy * Communicating through squinting * Wes' favorite "do"

Enjoying his 1sts "table food" meal for Easter - ham, cheesy potatoes, & peas

*Video - Josiah crackin' us up with his creative communication... Morse code through eye squinting ;)

Bro Bonding

Cruising at Wal-Mart - Josiah's 1st time sitting up in the shopping cart

Josiah & Noah being able to play with both of them sitting up now * Sweet brothers :)

Homeschool Highlights

This month we did 2 unit studies involving a variety of preschool skills in Math & Music. We had a lot of fun! :)

Click on this link if interested in the FREE preschool skills/benchmarks that I use - Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence of Skills
Click on this link for a corresponding preschool book that I use - Core Knowledge: What Your Preschooler Needs to Know

Music - Various instruments we used for our music skills

Noah's favorite music activities = performing loud & soft sounds and short & long sounds on various instruments

Math - Activtiy Noah enjoyed of putting the correct number of pennies on the corresponding number (he did 1-6 with no help) * BOB math books Noah received from his cousins Abby & Joey for his b-day that he likes reading

Science - extra activity we did for one of Noah's Cubbies additional activities for a concrete visual to help young kids grasp what resurrection means... visual of planting a seed & watching it "resurrect" out of the dirt & grow. It was a joy to incorporate biblical concepts of God as creator and also the sustainer of His creation and to discuss with Noah God's creativity and beautiful design with the lifecycle process.

Wes & Noah got the garden bug after planting Noah's little seeds & started renovating our old strawberry patch to make it into a vegetable garden * Noah digging away with his little shovel from cousins Sawyer & Nora

Life skill - Changing the oil in our vehicles - Daddy & Noah hard at work * Our oily boy having a blast

Memorable Moment of the Month
Spontaneous snowstorm hits while skiing - The forecast for our day out skiing looked great... full of sunshine and decent temps, and there was even a blanket of fresh powder from the night before. The conditions looked very promising for a good experience for our 4-year-old, which was our goal. We enjoyed a couple hours of beautiful conditions, and we had a lot of fun! Then out of nowhere a snowstorm (Wes calls it a blizzard) struck with a vengeance. Cold, snow, & wind... I took a couple pics for the record (see below). You can barely make out the trees and the skiers. For a while, Noah hung in there with the best of them until we hit a long, flat part of the run. Not a good situation! I didn't have poles to helps us move, and Noah informs me - "Mommy, I'm done." So, I picked Noah up and carried him as I tried to "skate ski" (which was extremely slow) with the wind blowing in our faces and snow pelting us. Poor Noah was trying to have a good attitude but had had enough and started crying. Wes and I looked at him, and he had icicles forming on his eyebrows. It was awful to not be able to help our chilled child, to not be able to hardly move, and to not know how much longer we would be stuck in this situation. Praise the Lord! - Wes saw a little warming hut, and we made our way out of the brutal snowstorm.

The snowstorm / blizzard

Warming up & grabbing a bite to eat in the warming hut

Fortunately our story does have a good ending... Wes called for help since there was no way we were going to make Noah ski down the rest of the mountain in the awful conditions - if we could help it. They sent up a snowmobile to the rescue, so Noah got blessed with a FREE snowmobile ride out of the ordeal. He was extremely excited to get to sit in the front and "help steer." We are grateful that Noah did end up having a good experience after all was said and done, and he was back in the lodge drinking a warm cocoa with marshmallows. Noah has already asked multiple times when we are going skiing again - so mission accomplished! Sometimes the worst experiences make the best memories. ;)

Snowmobile ride down to the base of the mountain

More Memories

Gpa, Nana, Great Tache & Great Papa with the boys

Papa & Tache wanted to celebrate Noah's birthday again so they could celebrate with him - Noah thought that was a wonderful idea! :)

The Greats - Gpa, Great Tache, Great Papa, Noah, & Josiah * Excited to dig in!

Nana & Josiah * Great Tache & Josiah * Someone snuck Josiah some frosting

Cousin fun - Maren & Noah at Bonefish Grill for one of our family birthday dinner get togethers

Fun with Shank Cousins

The 2 closest shots I got of all the cousins looking & smiling ;)

Noah - 4, Tyler - 7, Colten - 10, Morgan - 1, & Josiah - 9 months

Toddler Time at the library - Papa & Nana with Noah, Morgan, & Josiah

House of Bounce - Colten found all kinds of creative ways to slide down * Tyler enjoying the ride

Colten showing off his skills of spinning a ball on his finger * Tyler swung multiple times before finally hitting the floating-by-an-airvent ball. Great perseverance Tyler! :) * Bros striking a pose