Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Hold On


I needed this today.
Whoever wrote this... thank you!

Hold On

What you've got to do is
Finish what you have begun,
I don't know just how,
But it's not over 'til you've won!

When you see the storm is coming,
See the lightning part the skies,
It's too late to run-
There's terror in your eyes!
What you do then is remember
This old thing you heard me say:
"It's the storm, not you,
That's bound to blow away."

Hold on,
Hold on to someone standing by.
Hold on.
Don't even ask how long or why!
Child, hold on to what you know is true,
Hold on 'til you get through.
Child, oh child!
Hold on!

When you feel your heart is poundin',
Fear a devil's at your door.
There's no place to hide-
You're frozen to the floor!
What you do then is you force yourself
To wake up, and you say:
"It's this dream, not me,
that's bound to go away."

Hold on,
Hold on, the night will soon be by.
Hold on,
Until there's nothing left to try.
Child, hold on, There's angels on their way!
Hold on and hear them say,
"Child, oh child!"

And it doesn't even matter
If the danger and the doom
Come from up above or down below,
Or just come flying
At you from across the room!

When you see a man who's raging,
And he's jealous and he fears
That you've walked through walls
He's hid behind for years.
What you do then is you tell yourself to wait it out
And say it's this day, not me,
That's bound to go away.

Child, oh hold on.
It's this day, not you,
That's bound to go away!




Learning to love myself... a challenge

I am going to admit something to the world..
I do not love myself.
In fact, a lot of the times, I can barely stand myself. I may show on the outside that I got it together but inside, I'm beating myself up over every word I say and every choice I make!

And because I realize this and it's affecting who I am trying to become, I found a challenge.
I'm going to learn to love myself one day at a time through this 10day/step process.
Begins tomorrow. I'll let ya'll know how it goes!

DAY ONE

~ ~ STOP ALL CRITICISM ~ ~

CRITICISM NEVER CHANGES A THING.
REFUSE TO CRITICIZE YOURSELF.
ACCEPT YOURSELF EXACTLY AS YOU ARE.
EVERYBODY CHANGES.
WHEN YOU CRITICIZE YOURSELF,
YOUR CHANGES ARE NEGATIVE.
WHEN YOU APPROVE OF YOURSELF,
YOUR CHANGES ARE POSITIVE



DAY TWO

~ ~ DON'T SCARE YOURSELF ~ ~

DON'T SCARE YOURSELF.
STOP TERRORIZING YOURSELF
WITH YOUR THOUGHTS.
IT'S A DREADFUL WAY TO LIVE!
FIND A MENTAL IMAGE THAT GIVES YOU PLEASURE
( MINE IS A WATERFALL),
AND IMMEDIATLEY SWITCH YOUR SCARY THOUGHT
TO A PLEASURABLE THOUGHT.



DAY THREE

~ ~ BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT ~ ~

BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF.
BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF
AS YOU LEARN THE NEW WAYS OF THINKING.
TREAT YOURSELF AS YOU WOULD
SOMEONE YOU REALLY, REALLY LOVED.



DAY FOUR

~ ~ BE KIND TO YOUR MIND ~ ~

SELF HATRED IS ONLY HATING
YOUR OWN THOUGHTS.
DON'T HATE YOURSELF
FOR HAVING BAD THOUGHTS.
GENTLY CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS.



DAY FIVE

~ ~ PRAISE YOURSELF~ ~

CRITICISM BREAKS DOWN THE INNER SPIRIT.
PRAISE BUILDS IT UP.
PRAISE YOURSELF AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.
TELL YOURSELF HOW WELL YOU ARE DOING
WITH EACH AND EVERY LITTLE THING.



DAY SIX

~ ~ SUPPORT YOURSELF ~ ~

FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT YOURSELF.
REACH OUT TO FRIENDS AND
ALLOW THEM TO HELP YOU.
IT IS BEING STRONG
TO ASK FOR HELP
WHEN YOU NEED IT.



DAY SEVEN

~ ~ BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES ~ ~

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
YOU CREATED THEM
TO FULFILL A NEED.
NOW YOU ARE FINDING NEW,
POSITIVE WAYS
TO FULFILL THOSE NEEDS.
SO, LOVINGLY RELEASE
THE OLD NEGATIVE PATTERNS.



DAY EIGHT

~ ~ TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY ~ ~

LEARN ABOUT NUTRITION.
WHAT KIND OF FUEL DOES
YOUR BODY NEED TO HAVE FOR
OPTIMUM ENERGY AND VITALITY?
LEARN ABOUT EXERCISE.
WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE CAN YOU ENJOY
AND TOLERATE ACCORDING TO YOUR ILLNESS?
CHERISH AND REVERE THE TEMPLE YOU LIVE IN.



DAY NINE

~ ~ MIRROR WORK ~ ~

LOOK INTO YOUR EYES OFTEN.
EXPRESS THIS GROWING SENSE OF LOVE
YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF.
FORGIVE YOURSELF,
LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR.
TALK TO YOUR PARENTS AND LOVED ONES,
LOOKING INTO THE MIRROR.
FORGIVE THEM TOO.
AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SAY:
"I LOVE YOU.
I REALLY LOVE YOU"



DAY TEN

~ ~ LOVE YOURSELF ~ ~

DO IT NOW!
DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU GET WELL,
OR LOSE THE WEIGHT,
OR GET THE NEW JOB,
OR THE NEW RELATIONSHIP.
BEGIN NOW....
AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN!







Friday, April 15, 2011

I did it... I'm a Heritage Makers consultant!!!

If you didn't get the email I sent out, it's just cuz I didn't have your email address handy or I don't even know you and you're reading my blog anyways. But since you are reading, I'm going to copy my intro email here. Basically this is my plea for you all to check out this company! And if you do end up joining, please do it under me!

Hey my friends!!! As most of you know, I've been a paper crafter for years! And those that have been to my house also know I have accumulated literally TONS of supplies and tools of every shape and size in the hopes of getting my memories preserved. Not only that but I had it in my head that I would always be up to date with my scrapbooking.

But stepping out of a perfect world, that just isn't happening. But what was is happening instead is life! And in my life I'm a mom, a wife, a school volunteer, a homemaker, a facebook stalker, a couponer, a church goer, etc.... and sadly what was getting forgotten was preserving these precious memories I'm making in my life! In fact, my scrapbook room just became a source of stress because I did get so behind.

And then I found Heritage Makers. I'm a cheapo... and all I could think of when I was first debating about joining was that I have everything to make my own albums! But sitting on that thought was only going to cause me to do just that.. sit on it! And with ClubHM, I'd be getting way more than I'm paying for.

So I took the jump and joined ClubHM and let me tell you friends- I'm never looking back! I have been able to make awesome album pages in no time at all while I'm sitting watching whatever I dvr'd the night before! And I'm saving money already by not having to print out a zillion pictures. I still have my room of goodies because I'm a card maker but now I can have my cards and scrapbooks too!!! PLUS it's not just scrapbooks! It's canvas pictures, cards, invites, a deck of cards, etc!! All custom made by YOU!

Because I love this company, I decided to be a consultant so I can share this with you! I've been a consultant of another company before and it wasn't my thing.. but I'm extremely passionate about the importance of preserving and sharing my families memories. I'm not doing it for money or recognition. I'm doing it because I am wow'd by what I can now create!

There are many options when joining Heritage Makers.

You can start out by creating a free account and still make some great albums. BUT you don't have access to everything HM offers.

That's when the premiere account comes in. For $20/mo, you then have unlimited photo storage and thousands of templates and embellishments! And then you buy what you want to print- same as the free acct.

However, here's an even better deal! Join Club HM!!! For just $10 more/mo (so $30), you get the premiere account AND 40 publishing points each month which is equivalent to $40..each month! And you can stack your points because they don't expire for 2yrs! Basically you're saving $30 by doing that.

And it goes on from there.

If you already use Heritage Makers, you then already know how awesome it is so go log on and create some works of art! If you're unsure about it, you have nothing to loose by creating your own account for free and checking it out! There's something for everyone and I'm sure you will love it like I do!

Head on over to www.heritagemakers.com/522355 (that'll be changed to something cooler soon) and cruise around.

The template gallery has some amazing stuff that other people have designed and you can use to change their pictures to yours!

Thanks for reading and if nothing else, I made you all think of me for a few minutes!!

Much love!

Shannon Harris

PS- forward this on to friends and family that you may think would be interested. It'll help me get my business up and running and good karma for you!

Ensign Article on Infertility

We finally got a subscription to the Ensign and I think that was definately inspired.

In it was an article on Infertility.

"Infertility is not uncommon—some 15 percent of couples in the United States have difficulty conceiving a child; other countries throughout the world show similar figures. In 40 percent of instances, the wife is infertile. In another 40 percent, the problem rests with the husband. In 10 percent of cases, both are infertile, and in the remaining 10 percent, the cause is unknown. In the context of the Church, where the family is celebrated as the fundamental unit of society, not having children can be an especially difficult challenge."

In our case, not having any more children can be difficult. We definately have truely been blessed with 2 that we fortunately didn't struggle conceiving with and are so in love with them and couldn't imagine life without them.

But as you all know.. secondary infertility has been definately a struggle for us.. more so in the past few months. And lately I've been pretty lonely and subdued because of it. Jon is very supportive but he too is hurting- just doesn't show it in the way I do.

It's hard to talk about it and try to make people see that yes it sucks but it's not a disibility. I'm not an emotionally unstable person unable to function in a world of growing populations. But I don't hide it because it's something I have no control over.

I've also entered a very uncomfortable place in my life that because I don't have young children (under the kindergarten age anyways), that I suddenly don't fit in with those that do. I'm 31yrs old and I'm too old to hang out now with people my age and too young to hang out with people in my position. Why? Because I don't have small children. I don't get invited to anything! Activities and playdates go on around me with people I consider friends but because I'm alone in the day without my children..not by choice, I am completely forgotten about. It's a struggle because even though my kids are now schoolage, I'm still a relatively young mom. And moms-no matter the situation- need support. And I can't help but wonder if part of the reason I don't get included in even lunch get togethers or hang outs at the parks in the afternoons is because people don't think I can handle being around young kids. And don't want to hear my sob story. Again- I'm not a leper! And I don't want to steal children! I just want to have friends!! And I am loosing out on so many friendships because of this.. which sucks for me and for them because I'm pretty cool.

I was told once that people don't say anything to me because they don't know what to say since they have never been there. So not only have I been ostrasized because of my lack to produce anymore but I am also left out of any social gatherings because those that I have produced are no longer of age. And darn it, when I do things at my house during the day, I don't exclude anyone with kids! They are always welcomed. So I just don't get it I guess. Oh well.. just a new season in life I entered into unwillingly and too soon that I need to get used to.

Needless to say, it's been a trying time. But I'll get through it. Round 1 of the fertility treatments failed. So here's to round 2.. more charting and timing and pills and blood tests. But whatever it takes!

The other day, a friend actually asked me how I was doing with the ovulating (because I finally am with the help of clomid- not that it did any good). She didn't try to offer me advise on how to have a baby or say anything to make me feel bad for not being able to- she just listened and said "you know, I don't know what you're going through but I am so sorry you are dealing with this- it has to be so hard". And it was genuine!! Then the subject was changed and I felt so good that even though she doesn't relate, she's not ignoring me or avoiding me because of it.

Another common misconception of those struggling with this is people thinking we don't want to be around babies. For the record, I love babies. I love being around them. Believe it or not, children are healing. Being around them doesn't make me bitter. They make me happy-envious but happy. Pregnancy and children are truely miracles and blessings and if I can't become a mother to any more, I welcome the chance to give that love to other children.

I do get sad about my lot in life right now. And I do get jealous...totally normal. And admittingly, I get extremely angry! But I am still human! And what people forget is that it's so much more common than they know. And if you get tired of hearing about it.. how do you think I feel dealing with it? It gets old! :)

Anyways the purpose of this post was to talk about the article. Not to go off on a tangent of my new outcastness but it's kind of how I roll. I encourage anyone to read this article if you haven't already:)

And here's hopeing next month brings a little baby dust to the Harris family! http://lds.org/ensign/2011/04/faith-and-infertility?lang=eng

Monday, April 11, 2011

Heritage Makers

So in my previous post, I mentioned that my goal for this year from TOFW was to preserve my families memories. This is so so so so important to me... I was talking to a lady recently that said she just wishes her mom would have kept an album or even a journal of her as a kid so she could see how she used to be. I don't want my children growing up wishing the same things. And me regreting that I don't have anything to look back on. Sure we have our memories but you know as we get older, those get more hazy.

And if you know me, you also know I have a room FULL of every scrapbook item available from papers, to stamps, to cutters, to embellishments, etc... so you'd think I'd be on top of this right? Nope! I am about a good 6yrs behind!!!

BUT I found the answer to my problems.

Heritage Makers!!!!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!

I love love love love love this company!

It's a total online digital scrapbooking company that you create your stuff and they print it and mail it to you. And it's not just scrapbooks. It's canvas prints and cards and invitations and playing cards and posters, etc-- all custom made by you!

So I joined Club HM. I pay $30/mo (there's other price plans also) and I have access to thousands of templates and I get 40 publishing pts each month (each point=$1). And those points add up so I can save them and use them for big stuff! Right now I am making pages for 2010 as well as a mini album from our trip to Nauvoo where I'm taking our pictures but instead of writing about what we did, I'm using church history for the places we went. I'm excited to get that done and the kids can have a book to read in church.

The greatest thing I'm finding it that the templates are all drag and drop. SO you find one you like, you replace your pictures with theirs, do a little writing about it if you want and you're done! SO EASY!!!

I'm even thinking about being a consultant for them. You all know how crazy cheap I am right? Well I am. CRAZY CHEAP! But do you also know how much I have spent in the last several years in scrapbook supplies? Don't do what I did if you want to start scrapping. This is the best deal I've seen! I haven't signed up yet because I don't know if there's an interest out there but if there is, let me know! That may help my decision making.

Anywho- I wanted to share a few pages I created.

Time Out For Women

If you EVER get a chance to go to one of these events, please please PLEASE don't pass it up! It was 2 days of complete upliftment! Every woman no matter who you are, what your situation is in life or whatever NEEDS to have some time where you can be lifted up and encouraged to see who you really are and your potential to be who you want to be! I loved it! The cool thing was my little sister Peggy flew in from Florida to go with me and that was a great experience! She brought her little baby Becca and we had a great weekend with them! Check out our weekend events here The theme was 'Choose to Become' All things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23. We were encouraged to make a goal to work on this year that will help us see who we can become. My goal is to do more to preserve our family memories (aka get caught up with scrapbooking). Here's a few pics from the event:


Hilary Weeks was one of the big music performers. She is amazing.. so darn funny!!!


Peggy and I in front of the Cumberland River downtown during our lunch break


Julia S, me, Kristy B and Peggy with Rebecca


Me and my good friend Kristy when it was all over.


It was good times my friends... good times!


And with that I will leave you with the one thing I took from the conference that I will never EVER forget...


We will know our children as adults for eternity-- but only as children right now.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Girls Night Downtown

Back in Feb when my family came down for Reeses baptism, my mom, grandma, sister and I decided to go downtown for a girls night! They had never been there before so I figured what better way to experience Nashville then to actually go down on a weekend night! I personally LOVE it... the people, the music, the excitement, the drunks, etc.. love every party of Nashville! Even the homeless guys are super friendly! So after trying to get to park which included driving the wrong way down a one way street and then not being able to find the garage we were to park in, we finally made it and were on our way. It was pretty cold (according to the Az folks) but we were able to take a horse and carriage ride, eat some super yummy ice cream and wander around souvenier shops for a few hrs. The great thing about downtown is that it's really not very big. Easily walkable in a short time. And so much history! Even if you don't love country music, I think everyone would enjoy a little bit of Nashville! Love this pic.. they had no idea I was taking a picture of them by Hooters...

Another catchup.. a little OPRY!

Yup.. I'm still alive! Took like a month to decide to start blogging again- crazy month! But for Valentines Day, Jon bought us tickets to the Grand Ol Opry to see Rodney Adkins, Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood. It was surreal!!! Just to be there was so awe inspiring! And heartbreaking to see what happened to it during the flood. It was pretty much destroyed. But it was restored to it's origional beauty after a lot of dedication and hard work. The greatest thing was the circle. This piece of floor was in the origional Opry which is the Ryman downtown where it all began. When they built the Opry House, they cut out the circle where all the stars stood to sing and put it in the middle stage at the Opry. They were able to remove the circle, restore it and put it back it it's rightful place. Anywho, I finally was able to fulfill a dream of mine by going to the Opry to see a real show. We went at Christmas to see the Rockettes but this was SO much different! I know Jon wasn't to thrilled about going but he knew how important it was to me so he endured and I'm sure even though he won't admit it, he had a good time too!

Carrie Underwood
Blake Shelton Little Jimmy Dickins Rodney Adkins **YUM**


Have a great day!