Stepping out in faith & seeing the Lord faithfully provide - The Lord arranged for our court date to finalize our adoption to be in 2012, which means we will qualify for the adoption tax credit that expires this year. Since our court date had to be at least 6 months from when Josiah came home from the hospital with us, it had been an extremely slim possibility that our adoption would be finalized in 2012. Our only possible court date this year is December 28th (which is right in the middle of Christmas and New Years), but the Lord made it happen. This is a huge financial blessing and answer to prayer because we had wanted to be wise stewards with our adoption. We had hoped and prayed that we would be adoption debt free by the time our adoption process was complete. The Lord has provided in a variety of ways -Wes: working overtime, pursuing other extra income opportunities
Christina: tutoring, providing childcare, teaching piano lessons
Additional ways: garage sale; financial support of family & friends; other random extra income occurring in our budget; monthly budgeted saving; and now the tax credit, which should finish off the cost of our adoption that ended up totaling around $22,000. Praise the Lord for His provision! Philippians 4:19-20 - And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
What's on the Harrisons' Hearts
On a funny note, here's an example of one of my sleep deprived slip ups... one night I was getting ready for one of Josiah's middle of the night feedings, and I made a bottle for him but forgot to put the lid on. Josiah got drenched and couldn't gulp quick enough. Poor guy! He didn't know what hit him, and it took me a moment to realize what happened. Oops! ;)
Praises & Prayers
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.
Dad (Christina's) - Praise for the Lord helping his elbow to heal after having an infection occurring in it and that he did not need to have surgery.
Our Family - Praise for the Lord faithfully sanctifying and refining us during this season (Philippians 1:6). Praise for the Lord's financial provision for our adoption by allowing us the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 adoption tax credit.
Wes - Praise for the Lord continuing to grow Wes through his Bible classes as he finishes up one that was postponed. Continued prayer of 2 Timothy 1:7 for the Lord to continue to give Wes discipline and perseverance in completing the work for this class and to impact Wes' heart through his studies. Also, we thank the Lord that the theater shooting in CO did not occur at the theater Wes was at since he went to the midnight showing of Dark Knight with some friends that same night/morning...our hearts are heavy for those who lost loved ones.
Christina - Praise for the Lord growing me in focusing on the joys and blessings of this season (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Prayer that the Lord would continue to grow me in walking in the Spirit and not my flesh (Galatians 5:16), especially during this season of sleep deprivation.
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 Noah welcoming Josiah so warmly into our family and transitioning so well to being a big brother. Prayer for Psalm 34:13 for the Lord to grow Noah in telling the truth the first time (rather than going back and forth with his words). One of the verses Noah memorized this past month was Psalm 34:13 which went with the letter "K" - Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. We say it together and talk about how God wants us to tell the truth when these teachable moments involving wishy washy words occur.
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. Praise for Josiah passing his hearing screening - 3rd time is the charm. ;) Prayer for 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that the Lord would comfort Josiah and give us wisdom in comforting him (James 1:5) during his times of gas/pain/fussiness in the late evenings.
Marriage Memories
Persevering in pursuing each other - Wes and I have concluded that so far the newborn season has been the season of parenting with the most challenging impact on our marriage. Wes and I are both big quality time people, and the newborn season has a big impact on the amount of 1-on-1 time we are able to enjoy together. Plus, my dad told me when I was a teenager that I did not do well on less than 7-8 hours of sleep, which is still true as an adult! My flesh is a lot stronger when I am sleep deprived! In addition, one of Wes' classes got postponed into the summer, so he has been meeting with his professor for several hours on his days off. The Lord has helped us to get creative in pursuing each other and loving each other during this season, and He has reminded me that His grace is sufficient when I am weak (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Wes and I so thankful for Josiah and are seeking to soak up the sweetness of this newborn season, but we are also thankful the newborn phase is a short one.
Family Fun
Our fam enjoying cheering for Daddy at a USAFA firefighters vs. golf course crew softball game
Noah watching Daddy in action * Looking good in outfield :) * Winding up for a grand slam
Daddy showing son the ropes * Noah ready to hit a home run
The other children wanted to play too :)
4th of July
Noah * Brothers * Josiah
Mommy & sons
Our annual 4th of July block party
The men of CSW - Wes was working :( * CSW ladies
Bounce house fun * Showing off his Spiderman face paint
Noah taking a swing at the pinata * The children eagerly awaiting some candy
Snugglin'
We've been enjoying a lot more snuggle time with Noah after Josiah's arrival because Noah sees us snugglin' with Josiah and slows down long enough to give us a little snuggle time with him too ;)
Noah News
Age - 3 years oldCute Communication - Noah's language continues to grow exponentially, and he is doing great carrying on conversations now. :)
*There is a little girl Noah's age (Ashley) who lives behind us. Noah and Ashley often talk to each other through the fence and call each other "friend." Noah will go outside sometimes and call - "Friend...friend?...Are you out here...friend?..." Too cute! One day she had to go inside and Noah said, "Friend...come back outside." She said, "Why?" Noah responded, "Because I want to talk with you."
*Laundry day - Noah - "I help Mommy by putting my underwear away." Me - "Do you like when Mommy cleans your clothes?" Noah - "Thanks Mommy for doing that." :)
*After we arrived home from the grocery store, Noah saw his friends playing outside and said, "Hey friends! I just got back!"
*In the midst of a family water fight - "Mommy, have I got something for YOU!"
*Noah has politely begun making it clear when he wants our undivided attention - "Daddy (or Mommy)... look this way." or "Daddy...Daddy!...talk to me please."
*Cute little phrases - "It's yummy!" "It's funny!" or "That's funny!" "Uhhhh...huh!" & "Mmmm...hmmm!" with great enthusiasm
Pretend play - picnic, garage sale, car accidents, making tea
Organizing his trucks & other vehicles
Doing things himself - washing hands, putting on underwear & shorts (with a help start)
Climbing / pulling up on things - up on counters, on door handles, on the banister
Snuggling and being held - thank you, Josiah! :)
Lovin' on his lil bro - Noah enjoys giving Josiah kisses, talking to him (and for him - interpreting his baby noises which is quite entertaining), singing to him, reading to him, showing him things, and planning all the things they are going to do when Josiah gets older
Organizing trucks inside *Having fun with construction machines outside
Cool dude in his shades "playing a game" * Climbing on the door handle
Video - Our little slugger hitting away
It's official... Noah is a Daddy's boy! - One morning when Noah was helping me make scrambled eggs, I was about to add some basil cheese, which Noah really likes. The day before Noah had overheard Daddy saying that he didn't like it, so Noah informs me, "I don't like that cheese." I asked him why, to which he replied, "I don't like it because Daddy doesn't like it." Noah also tells us, "When I grow up I want to be a firefighter like Daddy!" Precious!
Night terrors - Noah had a few nights of disturbed sleep for a week or so. We think he was having what is known as night terrors - in which children are upset/crying/hollering/even sometimes flailing but are unresponsive and not aware that you are there or trying to help them. Wes had these from time to time growing up, and they can be hereditary. The most interesting episode was when Noah opened his door and started walking down the hallway. I was in our office and wondered where he was going. I said, "Noah, Mommy is in here." I went to meet him in the hallway, and he walked right past me towards the bathroom. I figured maybe he had to go, but then he turned around and went in the office (all the while completely out of it and oblivious that I am there and trying to talk to him). He goes up to the computer keyboard and starts typing. I almost started laughing because it was so bizarre. I ended up encouraging him that it was time to go to sleep, and I tucked him back in bed. He fell right back asleep and had no recollection the next morning that any of that had happened. We're glad these only lasted a week.
Little musician - Noah loves to sing, and he enjoys making up his own songs. Sometimes they are about Bible stories we read, about his day, about things he likes, or just plain Noah gibberish. One evening when we were doing our little bedtime routine with Josiah, Noah was concerned when Josiah was fussing a little. So, Noah made up a song to comfort him that included some of the following lyrics repeated over and over with a few additions here and there - "God will help you, Josiah... I love you... We will come get you in the morning..." Sweet boy!
1st bee sting on his finger :( - I asked Noah how it happened, and he said, "I tried to pick it up." I'm sure he won't try that again.
Mr. Personality - Noah's personality is beginning to blossom, and he is something else! He definitely has a sense of humor, a silly side, and even gets some of Daddy's jokes/sarcasm, which I didn't know a 3-year-old could. Here's a few pics of him letting that sense of humor and personality shine!
Our spunky son :)
Some of Noah's friends were over to visit, and they brought their snail to show Noah. I thought it would be cute to take a pic of Noah holding the snail. Just as I was snapping the shot, Noah acts (for a second I thought he really was going through with it) like he is going to eat their snail. You can see his friends' expressions of - humor, disbelief, and even some concern about their beloved pet. Our boy was laughing so hard after he saw everyone's reactions. There's no doubt that he's got a sense of humor!
Noah enjoying making Auntie Wendy work * Noah's silly sense of humor in wanting to switch roles ;)
1 Month Old StatsWeight - 9 lbs. 9 oz. 47-48%
Length - 21 1/3 in. 43%
Head - 14 3/4 in. 36%
1sts - "sleeping through the night" = 6 hour stretch at 5 weeks, smile :)
Latest Loves
Snuggling!
Soothes to "Jesus Loves Me"
Snuggling in the Moby Wrap
Enjoyed being swaddled for a few weeks
His big bro! Josiah lights up (or calms down if he is crying) when Noah comes into view. :)
Hanging out in the bouncer
Josiah enjoys the swing for about 10 minutes * Swaddled & sounds asleep
1st smile at 7 weeks :)
Little cutie * Not a fan of tummy time yet
More Memories
Walking with the Whites - Josiah & Noah with Naomi & Oliver * Naomi & Noah holding hands across strollers ;)
Encouragement & Prayer
I invited some of my neighbor friends over for a time of encouragement and prayer while our boys played together. We were all very blessed with our time of sharing praises, encouraging each other with verses from the Bible, sharing prayer requests, and then praying for each other.
I hope to continue this in the future - maybe once a month.
Having fun with his neighbor friends - Josh, Dylan, Caleb, & Noah
CSW Neighborhood BBQ
Food set up * Hanging out - eating & talking while the kids eat & then play
Josiah's 1st bbq ;) * Noah eating with his friends
Fun with Family
Great Tache enjoying her great grandsons
Noah having fun with Great Papa
Playing a game with Papa & Great Papa * Talking with Uncle Papa
Lots of Papas ;)
G-pa & Noah * Auntie Gigi & Josiah * Nana & Josiah
Celebrating Josiah with a Baby Shower
Fun decorations & delicious food
Josiah is very loved! :) - Great Tache * Nana * Auntie Wendy
Sharing a testimony of how Wes & I saw God at work in powerful ways throughout our adoption
Noah having fun with all the gifts! He made one of his "forts" and then rolled around in it. :)
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