Adventures in Our Home & Hearts: Our Extra Miracle Baby Turned 1 ! ~ March 2016

Giving God Glory
God of Earthly & Eternal Life! ~ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

A sweet family in our church encountered a trial of great magnitude in which their seemingly healthy son was enjoying earthly life and then called home to heaven and eternal life in less than 3 weeks! Talk about devastating!!! However, this family was and continues to be an amazing testimony of proven faith in the Lord's character and promises (1 Peter 1:3-9), regardless of the Lord's plan for their precious boy. They openly shared their struggles, hopes, fears, joys, and sorrow as they sought to trust the Lord throughout the emotional roller coaster of ups of Ethan showing evidence of progress and downs of his body showing signs of shutting down. Here are a few of the posts they shared on Facebook and Caringbridge because I want to remember how their testimony magnified God's sustaining grace in their faith to our family and so many others in the midst of immense loss.

March 1 ~ ...our four year old son, Ethan, has been in ICU since last Thursday [February 25th] due to a massive infection and meningitis brought on by the onset of leukemia. He is in critical condition, with multiple body systems affected and being supported artificially. We were transferred to Children's Hospital in Denver last night and he will be going on dialysis sometime today to help with his kidney function. We have been in the depths of despair and the heights of hope and everywhere in between. We know people all over the world are praying for him and we covet those prayers for his life and health more than anything. We put our trust in the One in whom all things hold together, and know He is mighty to save.

March 11 ~ Today the doctor told us that we are getting close to the point where they won't be able to do anything more to help Ethan. We have known this to be true as we have watched his body struggle to function over the past 24 hours. Of course, the tumult of thoughts and emotions is too much to be able to share here. One thing we know is certain - that with Ethan's last breath he will be completely healed and whole, and in the presence of his Creator who loves him far more than we do. A year ago this month, a godly young mother in our town [Colorado Springs] passed away after a long struggle with cancer. Her story of grace and hope in the face of death, shared through her blog, touched lives not only in our town but also around the country. Before Kara died, a friend of hers wrote about how she and Kara had been dreaming about heaven and what it would be like. That friend recently revisited that particular post on the upcoming anniversary of Kara's death. This morning we were reminded through reading it of the amazing, mind boggling truth of heaven and what that will mean for Ethan. We humbly share this post: Dreaming of Heaven

March 13 ~ Ethan Kendall Clasbey peacefully ran into the arms of Jesus this morning. Our hearts ache so much as we stumble through the grieving process. However, we have hope and that hope is an eternal one that is accomplished through Jesus' shed blood on the cross. We know we will see Ethan again one day and most importantly will also see our Savior face to face. We appreciate the outpouring of support and prayers as we walked through the past several weeks. The hard journey continues for us. We still covet and need continued prayers and support in the times ahead.

What's on the Harrisons' Hearts

Trusting the Lord to guide & provide in Wes' job search ~ Wes is continuing to pursue a career change from firefighting to camping ministry, and our gameplan has expanded from Colorado only to also Wisconsin (where Wes' family lives). Wes applied for a position at a camp 1 hour away from family, and it was a position ~ Adventure Program Staff ~ that seemed liked a great fit for Wes. However, we later found out that it was only an internship position, which was a very clear "no" from the Lord for that position. Since we exhausted researching camping ministry jobs in CO and WI, we began opening the search to states further away from family. So, we'll see what the Lord has in store.

(*Present update as of mid-May ~ Wes has 1 application in Texas and 1 application in Ohio.)

We are encouraged to remember that the Lord will teach us what job is best for Wes and will direct us in the way we should go!

Praises & Petitions
Friend - Continued prayers for a friend who has left the gospel and is in a journey of agnosticism. I am praying John 8:32 for her that she would know the truth, and the truth would set her free.
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. Please pray Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruit of the Spirit would abound in Dad's & Tami's lives during this trial. Also, prayer of James 1:5 for wisdom with this trial.
Our Family - Please continue to pray Proverbs 3:5-6 for the Lord to guide and provide a new job for Wes in His perfect timing and that He would grow our trust in Him.
Wes - Please continue to pray James 1:5 for wisdom in the job search and also with challenging aspects at work.
Christina - Praise for the Lord faithfully refining me in this challenging season. Please pray that the Lord would grow me in my love for Jesus and help me seek Him above all in this journey (Matthew 22:37 & 6:33-34).
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. Continued praise for the Lord growing Noah in loving his brothers, especially Josiah since Noah will sometimes provoke him. I asked Noah what he would like loved ones to pray for him, and he said, "That I would love Jesus as I get older and older."
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. Continued praise for the Lord helping Josiah grow in communicating with words rather than screaming. Please continue to pray for the Lord to grow him in self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) since his disappointment when he doesn't get what he wants is manifesting in other ways such as throwing himself or objects on the ground, stomping, wailing, etc.
Samuel - 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 blessing him with one year of life! :) Please pray for the the Lord to give us wisdom in comforting him when he is experiencing teething pain (James 1:5).

Marriage Memories

Due to a couple of family and friends options not working out for watching our boys due to sickness and schedule full of plans, we decided to make an official "date" at our gym this month. Though we often workout together, Wes and I sought to be intentional about connecting on our "date" workout. We enjoyed some quality relational heart-to-heart conversation as we worked out our physical hearts by lifting weights.

Family Fun

Easter ~ Samuel says, "He is risen!"

Our sweet & handsome boys :)

Noah News

Age - 7 years old

Cute Communication
*One day Noah asked Wes, "Is heaven real?" Wes enjoyed getting to share again with Noah how heaven is real and how those who trust in Jesus Christ to save them from their sins can look forward to joining Jesus in heaven some day.

*Calling an aunt ~ "Mrs. Aunt Wendy" ~ A little mixup in titles... at least Noah was extra respectful :)

*Sharing about his struggle with a specific temptation ~ "I asked myself, 'What is the right thing to do?' and then I prayed." It is a joy to see glimpses of the Lord at work in Noah's life.

Latest Likes
Picking up Samuel :)
Playing basketball in the "new" neighborhood b-ball goal
Wearing his Greenbay Packer hat backwards

Noah's 1st "selfies" ;)

*Video ~ Noah doing some skilled skateboard circles in our basement :)

Josiah Joys

Age - 3 years old

Cute Communication
*At breakfast one morning, Josiah was sharing about how he had been scared last night before bed ~ "I started singing, 'In peace I will both lie down and sleep. For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8' and asked Jesus to help me, and He did!" So precious to see Josiah turning to the Lord on his own!

*Often when we ask Josiah, "How are you doing?" Josiah will respond, "Goodie." :)

*Josiah - "I need some privates going to the bathroom." ~ privates instead of privacy ;)

Latest Likes
Dribbling his basketball when the older neighborhood boys are playing b-ball

Riding his bike & scooter

Putting his socks on his hands

Cruising on his scooter

*Video ~ Showing off his b-ball dribbling skills :)

Samuel Sentiments

Age - 1 Year Old!!!

1 Year Old Stats:
Weight - 17.5 lbs. 4%
Height - 28 in. 2%
Head circumference - 18.5 in. 76%

# of Teeth - 2 on bottom

1sts - birthday!, pointing, climbing up slides/ladders, pulling up on flat surfaces, letting go / "no hands"

Latest Likes
Interacting - Reading books, singing, smiling, laughing, dancing
Balloons & balls
Cruising with his walker/cart

No more nursing... I was shooting for weaning Samuel when he turned 1, and he almost quit cold turkey the day before! I was able to enjoy a last "sentimental nursing" and a few special pics. :)

Hammin' it up ;)

Trying to climb up the slide

Noah having fun putting his hat on lil bro

Sweet boy sacked out

Pulling up up flat surfaces * "No hands!"

Little climber!

Little helper! ~ helping me unload the dishwasher

*Video ~ Samuel all excited about his birthday balloon! :)

Bro Bonding

All 3 boys have been enjoying sitting by each other in the middle row of the "Blue Lightning"

Samuel's attempt at playing with his big bros ;)

Noah & Josiah having fun outdoors together!

Light saber bro battles

Samuel cruising around the coffee table to try to get in on Noah's battleship game ;) * Noah just loves his little bro... and picking him up! :)

Josiah & Samuel playing cars together

Homeschool Highlights

Click on these links if interested in seeing more info about the K-8 skills/benchmarks books I use:

Please let me know if you would like to know about the specific curriculum I use. :)

Core Knowledge Sequence: Content guidelines for K-8 (Fyi ~ This is not the same as Common Core.)

What Your Child Needs to Know When: According to the Bible, According to the State: with Evaluation Check Lists for Grades K-8

What Your [Grade-level of Your Child] Needs to Know ~ Core Knowledge books corresponding to grade-level

RMCA (Rocky Mountain Classical Academy) Homeschool Program

Noah participates in a homeschool program through RMCA in which he goes to a school building once a week for a full day ~ 8 am to 3 pm. Noah has a homeroom teacher, Mrs. Campbell, who reiterates reading and writing concepts that Noah is learning at home, and she also teaches some science, critical thinking, and character. In addition, Noah participate in P.E., music, and art each school day, so it is a full day!

Noah enjoys RMCA's homeschool program, and it has been a great fit for our family too!

Reading

We have been enjoying the Book It! reading program this year. Noah likes having a reading goal and working towards his own little pizza reward each month. :)

Swim Lessons

Noah was very excited to pass the "Yellow Otter" class and move up to the "Blue Dolphin" class!

Remembering Jesus Christ's death, burial, & resurrection through Resurrection Eggs

Getting More Creative as the Boys Get More Active! ;)

Noah pulling out addition math facts cards as Samuel pushes them in his walker

Noah reciting a math fact each time he skateboarded by ;) * Passing his 1st timed math facts test

Learning about tallies with chalk on our basement concrete

P.E.

Tossing the football * Noah's starting to get a pretty sweet "spiral"

Shooting hoops with the neighborhood boys

Music

K & 1st Music Concert ~ Nursery Rhymes & Aesop's Fables ~ Kindergarten performing

Fun motions

Noah's favorite song ~ "Itsy Bitsy Spider" * Showing off his spider hat :)

Life Skills

Learning how to clean a toilet

Protecting our home ~ Vacuuming ants up - Noah's idea ;) * Helping Daddy set up a mouse trap to catch "George" in our garage

1st major grocery shopping trip with all 3 boys ~ They did great and were wonderful helpers!

Memorable Moment of the Month
Our "Extra" Miracle Baby Turned 1 ! ~ Every little life is a miracle from God!

I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it full well. Psalm 139:14

This boy is an "extra" miracle baby to us after 4 consecutive miscarriages over 6 years. We didn't know if the Lord would bless us with any more biological children, and we are SO grateful He did!

We thank the Lord for blessing us with 1 year of life with our
adventurous, easy-going, funny, active, and joyful son, Samuel!

Birthday Breakfast ~ Coffee Cake & cuties

Opening gifts

Cute Crocs from his bros

Every time we went to the store, Samuel would "ask" for a balloon, so we let him pick one out for his birthday. It was by far his favorite gift! :)

Samuel took his birthday balloon with him everywhere he went around our home

Bros playing ball

Pointing excitedly at the balloon decorations for his birthday party

Balloon decorations for Samuel's birthday party

Birthday dinner with family - Pizza

Big Birthday Boy! ~ licking his lips :) * One Year Old!

Digging in & getting dirty

Samuel started feeding our dogs ;) * "All done!"

Opening gifts from Papa & Nana and Uncle Adam, Aunt Wendy, & Nathaniel

More Memories

"Sis Date" ~ Wendy, me, Josiah, & Nathaniel

Changes & Celebrations!

Due to safety reasons for my step-mom with Alzheimers, it was time for my parents to move and downsize. We had some great teamwork from a lot of family, and we were able to significantly help my dad in one weekend.