Inspiration...

My friend Stacey was quite the crafty person and because of her and her inspirational blog I decided to try some things I have never done before or things I haven't done in a long time. It's been a fun couple of weeks and I feel so proud that I accomplished everything I set out to do. I still have a few projects in progress and plan on doing more. It's been really fun. Check out what I've been up to:

Made Skirt and Apron for this years youth conference trek

I didn't want to spend $40 on a watch like this so I decided to make my own. I've made three so far. I copied these from one I saw at a craft store. The one on the left is now hanging from my front door. My mom taught me how to crochet, it's been a long time since I've done it. These are washrags I gave as a gift.

Apricots were a plenty on my parents tree this year so now we have our bounty of Apricot jam. Oh yum...anyone want any? We made over 80 jars this year.

And I had to include Awesome. He's always an inspiration! This is him swinging for the first time.

More teeth. You can't see the top. He actually has 6 with two more coming through.

And now he's drinking water from a cup. Oh, how they grow.

Hope you've been inspired to try something new. It's so fun and it feels so great! Happy Crafting!

One of life's twists

This past week has been life changing. When someone you love and care about leaves this earth it feels like a piece of you goes with them. Like a piece of your heart is missing. I received a call early Monday morning with the sad news that one of my oldest and dearest friends had passed away at the tender age of 31. Stacey Lynn Lambert Wolfely had just delivered her fourth child fourteen days earlier and passed away from complications from preeclampsia.
Stacey's obituary:
http://obit.nelsonfuneralhome.com/obitdisplay.html?id=688940&listing=Current

Growing up we had some really great times. We even kept in touch and did stuff together with our families even after all these years. This is my tribute to Stacey:

We, (Mindy Nichols Hendrix, Emily Schoenfeld Norman, and Tyra Stoker Swensen) were asked to sing at her funeral. It was an extremley hard thing to do but we were also honored that Mitch thought of us. (We knew Stacey was looking down on us and laughing).

Stacey was an amazing and talented person. She shared her gifts well and even spent time teaching others what she knew. She did it well and on a budget. Check out her amazing blog at http://www.thethriftychick.blogspot.com/

My prayers and thoughts are with Stacey's family at this time. Especially Mitch and the kids. Forever families are real and it's so uplifting to know that we will get to see Stacey again. I'll miss you my dear friend.

Love, Shawna

Life

Life is definitely a journey. Lots of twists and turns, and along the way there can be bumps, pot holes and sometimes you have to just stop and take a detour because there's no other way to go. Today I was sitting down to post some of the best news of my life when I suddenly got a call about a dear friend who is in critical condition in the hospital and suddenly life took a turn. I made a few calls, cried a lot, and thought a lot about how precious and beautiful life is when later that night I got a call from a client who wanted to set up a hair appointment. My first thought, who calls on Sunday to make an appointment, and doesn't she understand that I have just received and am trying to deal with some pretty emotional news......No, she has no clue. Like most of us, we have really no clue what's going on in other people's lives at that very moment. We are just making a phone call for an appointment or calling a friend not knowing we've interrupted their night for some trivial information. I was thinking about all the emotions that go on simultaneously throughout the world with each human being and for a small, very minuscule moment I could see how our Heavenly Father really has his work cut out for him.

The moment my precious son was being placed into my arms by his birth mom as we left the hospital was one of the most emotional moments of my life.....somewhere someone else was celebrating their 16th Birthday. The day my brother passed away, someone somewhere else was booking a flight to surprise their sister for Thanksgiving. The day my son was finally Sealed to us forever, someone somewhere else was finding out their spouse was in a car accident. One thing that's certain and one thing that's constant....LIFE! And each of us have our own individual trials and opportunities and we learn so much, find out something new, and find strength in even the darkest of times......I want to now focus on one of the most happiest, most joyful times in my life, my son, finalizing his adoption, and being Sealed to him forever!

The day we finally brought Awesome home, after he was born, everyone was so excited to finally meet him. Everyone was instantly drawn to him and knew he was a very special spirit. The one who was smitten by Awesome the most...my dad! It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. So, for father's day, we had to take pictures of them in their matching suits and hats. This pic is my favorite!

So of course we had to take more pics of our cutie little man!The month of June was nothing but rain, which Scott and I loved. It reminded us a lot of Oregon, but then July hit and we realized we hadn't been out in the mountains so we took a picnic up the canyon.

Family was starting to arrive in town to celebrate Awesome's Sealing and blessing so we decided to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house.

July 1, 2009... the day we finalized our adoption. We had been anticipating this day for so long yet it was amazing how fast time had flown by. All our months of planning for this particular weekend was finally here and flying by. Another thing about life, it goes by so fast.
We arrived at the court house at 7:45 am with both our parents. We met up with our caseworker, Rachel, and from there after meeting up with our Bishop (Bishop Oldroyd) and our attorney (Les England) we were summoned into the court room where Judge Robert Faust was presiding (he's Pres. Faust's son which we thought was pretty cool) From there they went through the court procedure which took a matter of five minutes and then it was all hugs, tears of joy and pictures. It was a wonderful experience and Awesome took it all in great stride.

July 3 was the event we had been anticipating the most. Our Sealing to our son...the key to making this a forever thing! All of our family and friends came from all around. They sacrificed money, time, other family events, and I'm sure other things I haven't mentioned to be with us on our special day. It really meant more then words can say. It truly was an amazing and spiritual event. Awesome, again, was so good. His spirit was definitely calm during this time. We knew that he knew that something miraculous had happened. Kristen was awesome with Awesome during our pictures on the Temple grounds. With her around we got some great pictures of Awesome smiling and laughing. We then spent the rest of the weekend eating well and visiting with our beloved family and friends! We enjoyed the 4th taking family pics, having fun at the pool and ending the night with fireworks. The next morning, Sunday, everyone was up early and ready to go to church where we were finally able to give Awesome a name and a blessing. Again, he was so good. We then took over the meeting by having our own Harmon/Sanderson testimony meeting (it was a holiday weekend, hardly anyone was there) which was really special.

The Harmon Family The Sanderson Family
July 1st through the 5th was five great days. Life was frozen in fantastic mode for that time. From here on out life will keep sending us curve balls, good or bad, and it's up to us to keep our eye on the ball and make sure we just keep hittin that ball out of the park!

p.s

Stacey, I love you. You and your family are in our prayers!

Awesome's first pearly whites

The Booger

Scott went into Awesome's room this afternoon to get him up from his nap. Awesome had a wet diaper and Scott put him on the changing table when he noticed a nice white booger hanging out of his nose. (White means they're healthy.)

Me: You probably want to get that.
Scott: No, he can sneeze it out.

by this point the booger was flapping in and out of his nose and quite large. It was close to coming out on it's own but attached pretty good to the wall of his nose too.....what to do, what to do.
So, I picked it out! (That's what you do as a mom.) Scott about freaked. To make it worse, and because he was being such a Pansy about it all, I wiped it on his sleeve. As you can tell, I'm truly the adult in our relationship! I do know that Awesome was relieved that darn "flapper" was gone.

I never imagined

Can you love an adopted child as much as your own flesh and blood? This was a question I never thought I would ever have to think about. One I never thought I would have to answer.

* * * * * * * *

I never imagined it ever being hard for me to start a family. You do all the right things, or at least you try to, you get married to a wonderful man, and then you start having a family. That's just how it's supposed to be, right? Then, after years of no answers and heartache you decide to venture into the world of adoption. A place you and those you know have never been before. You wait, and you cry, and you pray that a birth mom will contact you.

* * * * * * * *

I can't believe it's been five months. Five months our son has been on this earth and with us in our family. What was my life like before? I can't even imagine what my life would be without him. I look back on our time in Illinois and it is now one of my most precious memories. I look into the eyes of my son and a flood of emotion starts welling up inside. I have never loved anyone this way before. I would do anything for him and no one will ever love him more then I do. Words will never begin to describe. I look back on all my heartache and trials and realize I was being prepared for this profound joy!

So the answer is a resounding YES!!! This beautiful spirit I have the privilege to take care of is without a doubt my child. He may have come to us in a unique way. In a way I never dreamt, yet, in a way I would never change!

****************

Then

and now

Pure Joy!!!

Scott Harmon Photography

Scott has been doing professinal photography since 2005. His specialty is weddings but he does family, outdoor, event, and individual portrait sessions. He's been every where from Oregon to Vegas taking pictures. He's been working on his website and has most of it done. He posted wedding events but will be adding more to the site as time allows. Check out the website and if you have any questions or would like to have Scott take pics for you, you can contact him through his website on his contact page. Check it out!

www.scottharmonphotography.com

Grandma, Easter, and a visit from my sister's!

Awesome was born on Dec. 27th and at that time my grandma Ewell was spending the winter season in Idaho with my Aunt. She was very anxious to meet Awesome so just before Easter, she came home and was able to hold and feed, and visit with Awesome for the first time. She fell in love with him instantly!

Of course with Easter, there has to be easter eggs. Here was our array of beauty!Just before church using Scott's camera phone. Doesn't our little man look so dapper!Awesome and his first dollar. We found it in an egg we got while hunting for eggs.This is how I usually get to see my sister's. One lives in Alabama and the other in Ohio. They have never held Awesome either. I miss them.But wait, what is this....a picture of Kristy with Awesome, how can that be? On April 16th both Kristy and Kelly flew in late to surprise me. Man was it a GREAT surprise. We were able to spend the whole weekend together. They even surprised my mom for her birthday. It took all four of them to get Awesome dressed for the day. :)Taking a mini hike up Butterfield Canyon with the fam. Kristy being a deer!Thanks Kris and Kell, Last weekend was great! Love ya!

I DO HAIR!

I graduated in 2001 with a license in Cosmetology and have been doing hair ever since. Mostly as a traveling cosmetologist. It's been fun getting to know people and to help them fit in their hair needs out of the convenience of their own homes. Be it a stay at home mom, a grandma who can't quite get out as much as she would like, or a guy in a hurry to get a haircut before a hot date, I do it all! Because I don't actually work out of a salon my prices are extremely competitive and low. I'm current on all new styles and products. I've attend Hair World twice. And continue attending workshops and classes to make sure I'm up on the current trends.
Prices are as follows:

Haircut- Adult: $10 (includes blow dry)

Children: $ 5

Color- All-over, one color: $40 (any length)
Weave, any color : Long $65, Short $50
Color combo: Starting at $45

Perm - Short hair: $45
Long hair: $60

Formal do's - $25 (any length)

If you're interested in making an appointment. I'm available from 3-9 pm M,W,Th,F and 10 am-1 pm on Saturday's. I'll come to you, or you come to me. Convenience is the key!

Contact info:
Shawna Harmon
801-694-3763
or shawnaharmon@gmail.com

*With your help I should have my own Salon by Fall of 2010!

Family

Today I was sitting across from Scott eating a hot dog at Costco. To the left of me in my shopping basket sat my beautiful son who was cooing and making all kinds of happy noises. This moment was pretty normal and that's when it hit me! Life is good! Family is what makes life so good! When I was driving home from having a not so delicious hot dog with Scott I was listening to the new All American Rejects song: "Hope it gives you hell" and I literally started to cry...CRY..., for crying out loud you say! Why was I crying? because it made me think of my sister Kelly who loves the AAR and she is in Alabama and I miss her. Last Sunday I was making rolls for dinner and called my sister Kristy because the rolls reminded me of her and when I got her on the phone I started to cry. Pathetic you say...ok, that's fair, but man I love my family. On both sides if you can believe it. It's very TRUE. The other day I saw Spencer (Scott's brother, and also the black sheep of the family -he calls himself that people!) and we both went in for a bear hug because we hadn't seen each other in a while. (I guess that's also what happens when you have family live with you for a while like Spencer did. You get to know them real well!!) My mother in law has been so great to take Awesome here and there for me while I go to appointments or run errands. My mom and dad are always hanging around because they are so in love with their grandson they cannot get enough cheek kissn in. My sister in law sends me stuff in the mail like formula and coupons along with helpful hits through emails for FHE or tricks for shopping. I get calls from others in the family who just want to see how I'm doing. Through thick and thin family is there and that's what matters most. And now I have my own little family I get to share my love with. I'm excited to pass that on. I really hope all of you out there have a family as wonderful as I do. If not, that great family feeling can start with you. Wow, is this turning into a commercial for families, it sure sounds like it!!! (Remember when we'd record commercials on the tape recorder Edith? I still have those..."juicy fruit, it gonna move ya"....) anyway, I just thought I'd leave you with some of my thoughts for the day. Family rocks and I love mine!!! oh, and I thought I'd share some more fun pics and video of my cute little family since I last posted. Enjoy!

Just after bath time. Loves to gum his hand!

Just after our walk! It was a beautiful day. Just before we went back in the house. Awesome was not too excited.

Look how adorable this little man is!!

Loves bath time!

Wow dad, you're tall!!

He was making all kinds of noise before the camera was rollin. I tell ya, they know when they are on film!!