New Year 2013

Wow, I can't believe 2012 has already come to a close.  It has been exactly 1 year since I found out that we would be expecting a new addition, and that new addition is just 4 days shy of 4 months.  2012 brought us a lot of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, but one thing remained constant-God's love.  He has blessed us beyond measure and continued to be there with us every step of our journey.

We have come so far this year as a family, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.  I have watched my children grow and learn, embrace change and thrive from it, and I have watched my son gain so much confidence and take charge over his emotions.

Joshua has always been my sensitive one. From the time he was an infant loud noise, crowded places and over stimulation would send him into a tizzy.  When he was 3 these 'fears' presented themselves in the form of hives and anaphylaxtic reactions that had us racing to Children's hospital often and we kept a large stash of epi-pens on hand.  Then came 2012 and I am happy to announce that it has been a SOLID YEAR of NO HOSPITAL TRIPS for Joshua!!!  He still battles with hives and fears, but they have gotten SO MUCH BETTER now that he is able to communicate and work through his emotions better. It has been such a joy to watch Joshua emerge from his shell and embrace change, new environments, crowds and people.  He even got up in front of every Harrison family member on Christmas Eve and played the piano-a HUGE step!! In 2012, Joshua learned all of his letters, capital and lowercase, the sound the made, learned simple math, a few simple sight words and learned how to color inside the lines.  He can now take showers by himself, can assist in putting together legos and learned how to ride a 2 wheeler briefly. He is now 38lbs and wears size 5 clothing.  Joshua goes out of his way to pray for family members and friends when they are sick or hurt and is always good about reminding us to pray before we eat.  He wants to be a drummer when he grows up and his prayer for 2013 is that Jesus will take him to Heaven again in this dreams. He loves star wars, legos, skylanders, books, fighter pods, the color green and playing rough with the boys.

Madelynn has also grown and changed so much in 2012.  She went from sleeping in a crib/side car crib to sleeping in her own bed (bunk bed that she shares with Joshua) and is now fully potty trained day and night.  Madelynn started 2012 with a 5day stay in Children's hospital for RSV but has kicked butt this year and other than a bought of bronchitis just before Christmas she has been pretty healthy.  Like her brother, though, she now battles with hives but we have not found a link for her. She's a tough cookie about it though, she is a true fighter!!  Madelynn is a sweet heart but very stubborn, Dan jokes that she is a lot like me :)  She is now 26lbs and wears size 3T/4T clothing.  She loves her babies, books, dress up, princesses, the color purple, dragons and snuggles.  She also still craves a ton of skin to skin contact.  When she grows up she wants to work at the zoo with dragons and her prayer for 2013 is that Jesus will make her a real princess.

Emma Lou has changed our world in so many ways.  She is a pure joy, always happy, and a delight to all who see her. We get stopped often from people passing us by who tell us how cute she is and then they completely melt when she smiles at them.  She is now nearly 4m old and weighs 17lbs and now wears 9m clothing.  She has rolled over a handful of times from her belly to her back, sleeps 10-12hrs straight a night and takes 3 2hr naps daily.  She sucks her middle and ring finger on her left hand when she is tired, looks for any and all chances to nurse, loves her bath and loves to be carried or worn in the Ergo.  My prayer for Emma in 2013 is that she will grow, thrive and enjoy the new adventures and milestones ahead and that she will continue to be a joy to others, a light in the darkness.

As I end this last blog post of 2012 I pray that you find delight in the Lord this coming year. That you break through the confines of religion and find a true relationship with Jesus Christ.  I pray that you reach out to those who are hurting around your and find ways to bless them, even in the smallest and simplest of ways.  I pray that you find time to get on your knees before your God.

Jeremiah 29:11 

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."