The package that came from an Angel

Yesterday was like any other ordinary day. Stopped off at the dr's, slipped into work at 9:00 a.m., took off for home at 5:00 p.m., stopped and picked up the mail, started dinner, and put in a load of laundry....WAIT, back up a little. reeeeeeeeeeeee (my rewind noise) Ok, STOP!, there, at the part where I pick up the mail. This part was the NOT ordinary part of my day.
Background on the mail: We are the only cul de sac in our neighborhood, or street for that matter, that doesn't have mailboxes outside our home. We have a nice little community mail box right on the corner of our street. I love this set up, which I'm sure most of you are used to, it helps out with the whole "identity fraud" situation. Anyhow, next to the conglomeration of mailboxes there are two larger mail boxes designed to hold larger packages. If a key is left in your personal mailbox, this means you have received a package.
This such thing happened to me. There in my small, personal mailbox lay a "package key". Great, did Scott order something from e-bay and not tell me, did I order something and forgot. These were the thoughts running through my mind. Then I thought, this must be a mistake, the mailman must have put this in the wrong box. We never get packages unless it's a birthday, or a holiday. These thoughts were all going through my mind, all before I even had the chance to open the other mail box. With the key in my hand I proceeded to open the "package box".
The package was larger then I expected. I pulled it out and there on the front it read, "To: Shawna Harmon". Well all be darn! It was for me, and when I read who it was from I actually got tears in my eyes! I had no idea what could be inside, but I knew it would be special!
When I finally got inside, I ripped the package open, all while crying of course, and found a very sweet, very personal array of goodies and remedies! The Angel who had sent me this package had put in a lot of time and thought. It was the nicest thing I have had done for me in a while. It was a package full of love and I was very grateful and touched!
The contents of the package was full of remedies and comforts to help combat my blasted shingles. Later that night I used my new bath pillow and soaked in a warm bath that consisted of a combination of colloidal oatmeal, and lavender all while savoring a box of " Junior mints."

What's up? Well, let's see.......

It's funny how we always have our weird bouts of different things to deal with. Lately, Shott's been having allergic reactions to all pain relievers. About 4 weeks ago, Shott was experiencing a headache and so he went and took an excedrine, like he would normally do for a headache. Two hours later, BAM, he had swollen eyes, and his eyes were itching.We were right in the middle of sacrament mtg. He had to leave to take some benedryl. The next Sunday the same thing occurred, then the next. We thought he was allergic to church, but then we got to thinking, was it the excedrine he was taking. He finally (like having a headache is a good thing)got a headache during the week and took some aspirin this time, the same thing. So, he wasn't allergic to Sunday's! He's taken almost everything and what seems to have been the magic charm is tylenol. Wahoo! No more swollen eyes. At least we hope!Oh so swollen, and this was just the beginning.

Last weekend, my sister and her husband came to visit. My sister Kristy just got engaged. Kelly and Andrew didn't have to start their fall school term until the 25th so they came in to visit and to get to know Ryan, Kristy's fiance'. While they were here, we celebrated Kristy's birthday on the 20th, went to a huge family engagement party to get to know Ryan's family, went to the BYU game, and attended the General Women's conference at the conference center. It was a very nice week and it flew by. I love it when I can be with my sister's. When Kristy gets married, she'll be moving out of state too. I'm really going to be lonely then. It's during these times where you wish you could go back in time. I love my sister's!!

Here we are at the BYU football game. It was pretty chilly when we first arrived, but by the end of the 1st quarter we all had our sweat shirts off.

Here's some more of the fam. At the football game.

Ryan & Kristy Jones. That's what their invitation will read. Ryan was a hard kid to get to know. He was never talkative, rather shy, and never stuck around during family events. We thought he was a little stuck up. Now that we know him, we admire him. His parents were divorced when he was only 3, He lived with his sister during his high school years, his sister is 8yrs older then him and pretty much was his mom. He had great friends in high school and joined the church. He served a full time mission, was such an example to his sister that she and her husband joined the church. Currently, he is going to school to be a dentist. With all his family troubles we realized we were the ones who were being snobs. Of course that quickly changed and Ryan is adjusting well to all the hugs, especially the ones from Shott and Andrew. We are so excited to have Ryan a part of the family.

Family picture up Big Cottonwood Cyn. It was a beautiful Sunday, we had to take advantage!

Hello Autumn

I hear the songs, of autumn singing,
The wind, it hurries through the trees.
The air is getting crisper daily,
A chilly nip, is in the breeze.

The katydids, in raspy chorus,
and crickets too, join in the song.
Reminder that, there comes upon us,
another season, won't be long.

The birds now gather, for their journey,
they gossip loudly, as they fly.
Their destination, still uncertain,
just heading south, to warmer skies.

And even butterflies, are going,
their darting seems, to have no plan.
But if we study them, more closely,
they're headed south, to warmer land.

The forest dressed, in all its splendor,
intoxicating, views abound.
All up and down, our lovely valley,
and mountain sides, of country towns.

The leaves are searching, for a new home,
they flutter down, on wings of gold.
The trees they left, are looking lonesome.
abandoned soon, to winters cold.

The pumpkins waiting, for the kitchen,
with shocks of corn, in fields once green.
The season soon, will call together,
our friends and kin, so long unseen.

Boots and mittens, make their showing,
with Christmas things, on shelves in stores.
Lawn mowers now, go on vacation,
snow shovels soon, prepare for chores.

There seems to be, a certain sadness,
another year, has come and gone.
The next one waits, around the corner,
adventures new, and memories born.
~ Unknown

Autumn is here!(it starts at exactly 10:03 p.m.) My favorite season! I love the crisp fall evenings, the beautiful colors, the smell of wood burning, football games, memories of hunting with my Dad, and the harvest from our gardens! This time of year also welcomes in all our favorite holidays. I hope you all get to enjoy this beautiful time of year!

Nervous Poo

Nervous Poo: A phenomenon that occurs when you are about to encounter an event that requires you to step out of your comfort zone.

This term has been widely used in our household. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was my dear husband that came up with this very unique, very "to the point" term. We use it to describe exactly how we feel (and what happens) when faced with a situation that would take us out of our comfort zone. Let me elaborate:

My brother-in-law was scheduled to take his MCAT on Aug. 19th. He had been preparing for this test since January. The day before the test, we called to let him know that we were thinking of him and ask if he had the "Nervous Poo". He was still a day away and the realization hadn't hit him yet. One hour before he was to take the test, we got a text message from him that read, "I'm now experiencing the 'Nervous Poo'."

Another example:
Scott was applying for a position at work a couple months back. He's an expert in the field they were hiring for and felt pretty confident that his interview and test would go well. The morning before he left for work I asked him how he was doing. Again, he expressed his confidence and felt that all would be well. At quarter to two that afternoon I get a text from him that read, "I have the 'Nervous Poo'." Even though he had had the "Nervous Poo" he made it through rather well!

All of us, at one time or another has experienced the "Nervous Poo" phenomenon, it plays a big roll in our lives. It's a way for our bodies to release stress (no pun intended) and without it I think we would simply blow up!

I remember when this phenomenon back fired on me. I was 10 yrs. old and learning how to swim. Me and my sister's had been through a 12 week swimming program and the last day was approaching; the day where we would have to prove that we could swim and dive on our own. I remember experiencing the "Nervous Poo" just an hour before the test. When it was finally my turn, my stomach was still swarming with butterflies. My first task was the diving board. I climbed to the top, looked down, closed my eyes, and then just jumped. On my way down the "Nervous Poo" phenomenon hit. As I hit the water I knew my life was over. I was humiliated, and knew that I would be teased and tormented. When I came back up for air, I noticed nothing different in the water. My suit felt fine, and just as I was about to take in a sigh of relief, a "dingle berry" popped up! (I won't get into "dingle berries" but you get the picture)

The reason for bringing this up is because Shott has been experiencing this phenomenon today. Today he gets to go and see the doctor. He gets to go in for a nice, full physical. He hasn't had one of these since his mission. I don't feel bad for him,(I've had my fair share) and I'm not trying to relish in his pain. I'm just expressing how interesting it is that we all go through these type of human things and the only way to help make it light is to admit that we all experience it and that we can laugh.

Shott, good luck today!

Lately.....

Over Labor Day weekend we went over to my parents house to help them clean out their basement. It has been extremely messy and un-organized for a long time and we thought we'd go and help them do some cleanin'. We also did some messin' around.

Here we are under the stairs where the food storage is located. Three of us fit under the stairs, one of us doesn't. Can you guess who?

While we were there, I started getting horrible pains in my back and side. I thought I was getting kidney stones, or an appendicitis. The pain was pretty bad. I had a doctor's appointment the following Tuesday and thought I would wait till then. If the pain got worse, I would go and have it checked sooner.

Monday night as I was getting into my PJ's, I noticed a rash on my lower right abdomen, "What the..?" Whatever was going on with my body, it was freakin' me out. My doctor's appointment was the following day. I could wait till then; "unless I don't wake up"......That's one of the thoughts that ran through my morbid mind.

Tuesday finally came and there I was sitting in the exam room. I was in to have a uterine biopsy done. (This is about the time I started to sing primary songs) the Dr. Finally walked in. As he was asking me about my day, I cut to the chase.

"Dr. Bryner, I have this rash on my side. Can you look at it for me. I've had a lot of pain in my back and side and now I have this rash."

"Oh this doesn't look good."

"Doesn't look good, What is it?"

"You have shingles." ( I remember my brother getting this when he was going through chemo. It was very painful for him)

Dr Bryner: "Have you been under a lot of stress lately?"

"I'm coming here more often."

He went on,"Well, shingles is a herpes virus. A cousin of chicken pox. You'll have the rash for about 4 weeks and the pain could last up to a year. You don't want to be around children or pregnant women for about a week and a half. You could give them the chicken pox."

So after all that, we moved on to the procedure.

Fast forward one week:

Dr. Bryner, "We got your results back on your uterine biopsy. It came back abnormal so we'll be putting you on another drug"

"Sounds great doc!"

So, not only am I taking a drug for my shingles but I'm taking over five other pills for my infertility. Work was awesome today. I threw up twice, had the chills for a while, diarrhea became my fast friend, and at one point I thought I would drop to the ground due to exhaustion. I keep telling myself, "This will all be totally worth it."

when I got home from work today, Scott took me for a drive up the canyon. The leaves are turning. My favorite time of year. When we got home Scott made me some cookies to make me feel better. Can you believe it, they did!

So, lately, that's what's been going on!

The Power of Primary Songs

Growing up there never was a car trip that wasn't without primary songs. If we went to Grandma's, we would sing primary songs, when we took a family trip to Yellowstone, we would sing primary songs, when we'd get in the car to go to church, we were singing primary songs. Instead of my parents complaining about all the noise, they would join in. If there was a new song they didn't know, we would spend the travel time teaching them the words. But no matter what, we always sang together!
Primary songs will always be a part of my life. These songs are inspired words that help promote testimony's, bring comfort, and are just plain fun! There were a couple of times growing up where a primary song brought a lot of comfort. In the middle of the night, during a lightning storm I would sing. When I'd go in for my booster shots just before school, I would sing. When my sister fell from her bike and her knee was all scrapped up, we would sing together to keep her from crying.
As I've become an adult I admit that these songs still bring me such joy and comfort. When my brother passed away we sang, "families can be together forever." When a missionary leaves we sing, "Armies of Helaman." When we get together for family home evening we sing, "I am a child of God." Last week when I was perming Jessica and Genevieve's hair, we sang primary songs to help pass the time.
Yesterday I had a Dr's appointment. One that I was not looking forward to. One that I was told would be extremely painful. Of course my nerves were crazy and I could hardly sit still waiting for the doctor to come in. As I sat there with my heart racing and my body chilled with only a small blanket around me I started to sing. I went through all the songs we've been practicing for our primary program. "Scripture Power", "Follow the Prophet", "Did Jesus really live again", and yes, I had to squeeze in the "Popcorn song". While singing these songs it help bring comfort and warmth. I made it through the procedure and I was grateful to my Heavenly Father for the comfort I received from just singing those simple, yet powerful primary songs.