This last weekend I drove myself down to Southern UT, St. George to be exact. On Thursday, May 20, 2010 we received word that my grandmother was back in the hospital. Her kidneys were shutting down and her body was filling with fluid which was effecting her already bad heart. She had gone in to a check up with her doctor and was told that she was being emitted to the hospital. I'm not sure how anyone else may feel but my grandmother is a huge role in my family. She is the glue to each of us and seriously the reason why grandpa continues to get up everyday in the morning, he lives for her and her for him. With that said, I was rather scared, nervous and sad to hear the news. I decided that there was no time like the present and that I was going to go down. On Friday, May 21, 2010 after my morning conference call at work I called my supervisor to ask for permission to take a half day. With the "ok" from my office I was out the door.
After a quick packing session, texting to my older brother Thomas to see if I could crash with him and his family at their hotel I was on the road to St. George. I stopped in American Fork, UT to have my tires rotated & oil changed. Yes... I seriously stopped to do that... It was due and I would much rather be safe than sorry later, especially since I was driving by myself.
4 hours alone in a vehicle really provides a great outlet to think and reflect on life. I had plenty of time to sit and be grateful for my life, the people in my life, my job, my blessings, and the gospel. I did a lot of praying while I drove, a lot of time to sit and ponder. I ponder things from my family & friends, to the in's & out's of my job. I thought long and hard on the foundation of the gospel and how blessed I am to know such great hope there is in such a dark place at times. And in the mist of all the thinking, pondering, and reflecting I found great peace. I know with out any doubt in my mind that no matter what happens the Lord will take care of us. After finding the peace that I needed I knew that by going down and being with my family I was right where I needed to be. I was given strength and I knew that my grandmother was being provided for and the Lord was with her and still is.
I sang out loud till my little voice couldn't take it and even than I kept singing! Train, Katy Perry, Fergie, Dashoboard, Jason Mraz, Michael Jackson, Staind, Panic at the Disco... etc These were the peeps that came along for the road trip with me. They rocked out with me till I hit St. George. Once I arrived in St. George I made my way to the hospital where my older brother was with my grandfather and of course his little family. My grandma was on the second floor in the OR at the time that I arrived. She was in surgery and had been for about an hour or so when I arrived. My grandpa, bless his heart shot me a smile and give me hug. What an amazing man he is. He is the greatest example of how a man should love his wife. I was than greeted by 2 pairs of little hands & arms wrapping their way around my legs, my nephews where front and center to welcome me to St. George. We waited in the waiting room till the doctor arrived to speak with my grandpa. He let him that the surgery took longer than accepted but he felt good about the result. He said that they were going to keep my grandma in the ICU over night, they wanted to watch her and get her to rest. She was very tired. We walked my grandpa to the ICU waiting room and said goodnight.
That evening... After leaving the hospital we all said a prayer in our hearts that she would be okay and to watch over our grandpa as well. Again, I was given peace to remain hopeful and to know that no matter what the Lord was with us. We checked in to the hotel and from there my sister-in-law Jennifer & I head to the store and to pick up dinner which my brother had ordered from The Pizza Factory. We arrived back at the hotel to find my brother & his two adorable sons, my nephews watching Disney movies. It's moments like that when you realize how great life truly is. The small things like watching Disney movies together as family... What a great moment.
The next morning we woke up, had our free breakfast... It was pretty yummy! I was able to make my own waffle! Sooo good! After breakfast, I dropped my brother off to play tennis with our Uncle Clint while Jennifer got ready for the day. Once back at the hotel I was able to get ready and from there we picked up Thomas, he showered and than we did some shopping & had lunch at the local Iggy's. From there we dropped the boys off with our little cousins to play and hit the hospital. My grandmother at that time was finishing up her first run of Hemodialysis and was being moved into her own room out of ICU. We were able to see her and visit for a short time. She was very tired and needed to rest. She was in great spirits which in turn gave us some relief. We left the hospital & went back to our uncle's house. From there our entire family met at the local Chuck-a-Rama for dinner. My parents had driven in by that time and met us there. Like I said that evening.. "A family that eats together loves each other but a family that eats at Chuck-a-Rams stays togheter.." You can always count on the Harris clan to hit up the Chuck-a-Rama. It was nice to sit and visit with our family and to join together in support of our amazing grandmother, mother, friend, wife. We all love her so much.
After dinner my parents with my grandpa went to the hospital and the rest of us to my uncle's house for more family visiting. I seriously have been blessed with one amazing family! I'm so eternally grateful for the amazing people that I have in my life, my family is wonderful!
I drove home the next morning again, by myself. My grandmother is still in the hospital at this time but I just received word from my daddy that she just finished her 3rd round of Hemodialysis today and depending on results she may be able to go home tomorrow. She is very tired and really just wants to go home, but she is in great spirits! She was up telling stories for 3 hours. I love my grandmother! She is a fighter!
Please keep her your prayers and please... Tell your love ones you love them every chance you get! I love you all!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
..my 2 cents on dating..
I truly am amazed at the lack of response men give when it comes to manning up and being present when needed. Further more... It is just down right annoying when you have to sit and listen to one, and when I say "one" I mean a "man" talk about how lame their friends are to women yet they are JUST LIKE their brainless buddies who think "HANGING OUT" is considered dating and get freaked when a girl calls them out on it! Heaven for bid that a girl could possible be right or even worse... On to your stupid attempt to appear as a "good guy". Ha! The gig is up Mr., time to really MAN up. News flash fellows... Just because a girl is over the whole "hanging out" or "watching movies" doesn't make her crazy, makes her wise! She finally has woken up to realize she deserves better.
Now... Not to sound like some irate woman who is man bashing & to be fair here... Ladies... We have some room for improvement as well. When a guy opens your door, it's not because he doesn't think you can't do it but because he is trying to show you some respect by doing the respectful thing... Opening your door! So, the next time some poor soul of man chooses to man up and open your door be gracious, grateful and thank him for doing so. Also... Ladies, say what you mean and do what you say. It doesn't make things easy when you are constantly playing guessing games with the dude. If you like a guy, like the guy... Why can't he know that? Not saying you have to throw yourself at him but you don't have to always play over the top hard to get either. Guys may like a chase but the doesn't mean they want to spend the next 6months trying to catch you. And girls... Dumb is out! Be the smart, beautiful women I know you all to be. Don't down play yourself and act dumb because honestly... That just means you are DUMB!
Let's think about this....
Sometimes the best relationships are based off friendships.... How many have heard this time & time again? And how many actually believe that? For those of you who have heard this and agree you are one step a head of the game where the rest of you who rolled your eyes at such an idea... I'm afraid you still have lots to learn. Any long lasting and great relationship between two people only work because the two are friends. How do you expect to love and be with someone if you aren't friends? There really is no answer for that question other than you can't. A key functional component to any working relationship is friendship.
Aside from friendship you MUST have COMMUNICATION!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably the most valuable part of a relationship is being able to look at someone and express yourself fully, openly and honestly to each other. Being able to talk about the good... AMAZING but being able to talk about the bad, work through it and over coming it... WORTH IT. To open yourself up to another individual is probably one of the HARDEST things any of us can do, but 9 times out of 10 it's the most rewarding and beautiful thing we'll ever do. To connect with someone on a deeper level than what is just on the surface is not only another key functional component but it's #1 to any working relationship.
Relationships aren't just about the work that is put in them but they are also about the fun you should be having along the way. If you aren't having fun with who you are with than I think it's time to get REAL with yourself and ask... "Am I with the right person? Do they really make me happy?" If you can't sit down and ask yourself real questions such as those than we have another problem... You should be looking at yourself and asking.. "Am I happy with me?" I pose this question and insight due to the very fact that I have watched to many of my friends, female & male go into a relationship under the silly mentality that this relationship is going to make them "HAPPY". How do you expect to be happy and have fun if you aren't happy to begin with?
Dating is messy... And sometimes... Overwhelming. But, when you come to find that one person who in the most insane way understands you, sees you for you and loves you with out expectations it's the greatest thing we can do to past the time. We have to remember something... Love is simple, it's not messy and it's not complicated... If we can remember that and keep in mind that there is joy in the bad chances are we'll find just what we are looking for.
I'm far from a dating professional or expert but I have learned a few lessons in my life that helped me to realize that there could be more things that I should be doing when dating and a few things I should be doing less of. Hopefully... We all can stand and say that we have learned those lessons from our journeys of dating but if you are one who seems to lack basic comprehending skills... I don't just feel bad for you but I feel bad for the poor souls you attempt to date...
Signing out..
Now... Not to sound like some irate woman who is man bashing & to be fair here... Ladies... We have some room for improvement as well. When a guy opens your door, it's not because he doesn't think you can't do it but because he is trying to show you some respect by doing the respectful thing... Opening your door! So, the next time some poor soul of man chooses to man up and open your door be gracious, grateful and thank him for doing so. Also... Ladies, say what you mean and do what you say. It doesn't make things easy when you are constantly playing guessing games with the dude. If you like a guy, like the guy... Why can't he know that? Not saying you have to throw yourself at him but you don't have to always play over the top hard to get either. Guys may like a chase but the doesn't mean they want to spend the next 6months trying to catch you. And girls... Dumb is out! Be the smart, beautiful women I know you all to be. Don't down play yourself and act dumb because honestly... That just means you are DUMB!
Let's think about this....
Sometimes the best relationships are based off friendships.... How many have heard this time & time again? And how many actually believe that? For those of you who have heard this and agree you are one step a head of the game where the rest of you who rolled your eyes at such an idea... I'm afraid you still have lots to learn. Any long lasting and great relationship between two people only work because the two are friends. How do you expect to love and be with someone if you aren't friends? There really is no answer for that question other than you can't. A key functional component to any working relationship is friendship.
Aside from friendship you MUST have COMMUNICATION!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably the most valuable part of a relationship is being able to look at someone and express yourself fully, openly and honestly to each other. Being able to talk about the good... AMAZING but being able to talk about the bad, work through it and over coming it... WORTH IT. To open yourself up to another individual is probably one of the HARDEST things any of us can do, but 9 times out of 10 it's the most rewarding and beautiful thing we'll ever do. To connect with someone on a deeper level than what is just on the surface is not only another key functional component but it's #1 to any working relationship.
Relationships aren't just about the work that is put in them but they are also about the fun you should be having along the way. If you aren't having fun with who you are with than I think it's time to get REAL with yourself and ask... "Am I with the right person? Do they really make me happy?" If you can't sit down and ask yourself real questions such as those than we have another problem... You should be looking at yourself and asking.. "Am I happy with me?" I pose this question and insight due to the very fact that I have watched to many of my friends, female & male go into a relationship under the silly mentality that this relationship is going to make them "HAPPY". How do you expect to be happy and have fun if you aren't happy to begin with?
Dating is messy... And sometimes... Overwhelming. But, when you come to find that one person who in the most insane way understands you, sees you for you and loves you with out expectations it's the greatest thing we can do to past the time. We have to remember something... Love is simple, it's not messy and it's not complicated... If we can remember that and keep in mind that there is joy in the bad chances are we'll find just what we are looking for.
I'm far from a dating professional or expert but I have learned a few lessons in my life that helped me to realize that there could be more things that I should be doing when dating and a few things I should be doing less of. Hopefully... We all can stand and say that we have learned those lessons from our journeys of dating but if you are one who seems to lack basic comprehending skills... I don't just feel bad for you but I feel bad for the poor souls you attempt to date...
Signing out..
Monday, May 3, 2010
..inspiration from within..
There are things that arise in our lives that some times prevent us from seeing the bigger picture, from healing from heartache, from moving forward, or even from doing what makes us happy. These very things that seem to keep us captive in time where life seems to be moving with out us are the very things that sometimes help us to get where we are going. …I use to think this, I use to believe that, and I still see the truth in all of that but the only difference now is that in those moments where I felt like hope was lost, the people in my life in those moments where the ones who helped me to see the bigger picture, heal from heartache, move forward, and do what makes me happy.
If I could paint a picture for you of how inspiration has touched my life I would, but since my drawing skills are underdeveloped at this time let me try using words…
Picture if you well… Have you ever met someone who screams passion, integrity, honor, and devotion for all that is creative? Have you ever met someone who has the ability to clam a room by simple grace and a caring smile or someone who carries the world on their back with no complaints and strives to love all the same no matter how hard? ...Lucky for me I have.
Sometimes you just need someone to tell you and reassure you that no matter what happens in life everything will always be okay... Sometimes in life there is only one thing, one person who can always make you feel better, clam your nerves and read you like a book. My mother is the the key to all that is wonderful. She gives with out thinking and cares with out bounds. She is constantly providing to those around her and being the purest example of all that is right. When feeling the pressures of this world my mother has been my reminder that there is always light to be found and nothing is ever as bad as it may seem. She is the strength, peace, joy, and constant wave of love that fuses our family together. My mother is who I hope to become more like every day. Roberta Jean Harris... The most beautiful part of my amazing family.
My mommy!
Only a handful of people can honestly stand before others and say they have hit rock bottom, walked the path of heartache, and found their way back. Only a handful of people can see a person, look past their faults and find the truth with in. Only a handful of people understand how to help someone see their mistakes and know show them the hope that still lies with in sight. Only a handful of people can be a giant of understanding, but most of all… Love. I have been so blessed to know such a person all my life, my daddy. He has been the finest example of how to overcome struggle and find the good things in life. He has been the finest example what a worthy priesthood holder looks like, not just a man who can pray… But a man who can love, honor, and respect his family, friends and all those that he encounters on his walk of life. He is protector of our family and the supporting hand to each of us. My father is the rock of which we all stand firmly with, he is the man who has seen the bad and found the good with in. My father… The humble voice of reason and the most amazing man I have come to know.
Simeon Lawrence
A man with grace, clamming appeal, and truthful rhymes; he tends to those with love and carefully unfolds his world before you with his heart in music and passion that can never be contained. He is strength in his family and a rock to his friends, his quite nature is louder than any man’s crying yells and he stands taller than he appears to himself. He writes what he feels, raps what he says and opens his world to know no bounds. I once told him that he reminded me of Jay-Z, a rhythmic giant who in his own right took on the world, never stopping and never giving up; my friend, my brother.. Simeon does the same. He would shake his head in disagreement to all that I have to say about him but that would only cause me to continue. Simeon Lawrence… The gentle soul with big dreams and never ending care; he rocks each of us by his poetic nature and clamming effect. He has seriously inspired me to want to be more than I am by his care and effort as he takes on his passion, love and drive for music. He does this all with such humility and such love for his savior, he is a gift. He will be the next Jay-Z, the next idol to inspire the world to be great again.
She is a rock star, a gem of light, and a powerful wave of emotion. She embodies all that is real and all that is pure; she cares for everyone around her with such depth and continues to care even when her strength has been exerted. I have never know someone who looks at the world around her the way that she does, she sees the dark for what it is and finds the light even when it pains her to look for it. She is everything that I hope to be like and everything that I’m so grateful to have a part of my life. By her drive, creative skill and passion to live life I have found strength to not be scared, to live fully and to enjoy every person that passes through my life. Skye Elizabeth Dahlstrom… The gracious beauty who rocks your world every time you see her, the glue for her family and the saving grace for those that are lost. She truly is an angle sent by God and with that I say Amen.
Skye Elizabeth Dahlstorm
Although I may have only spotlighted a few dear people that have turely touched my life in more than one way, there are so many more in my life that I have yet to mention. With some time and care I hope to one day graciously thank each person in my life who has been with me and for me every step of the way. There is only so much one person can do on their own but so much more one person can do with the help of others.
I have been blessed with so many inpirational people in my life from family and friends, I think you all from the bottom my heart for your love & care. Thank you.
If I could paint a picture for you of how inspiration has touched my life I would, but since my drawing skills are underdeveloped at this time let me try using words…
Picture if you well… Have you ever met someone who screams passion, integrity, honor, and devotion for all that is creative? Have you ever met someone who has the ability to clam a room by simple grace and a caring smile or someone who carries the world on their back with no complaints and strives to love all the same no matter how hard? ...Lucky for me I have.
Sometimes you just need someone to tell you and reassure you that no matter what happens in life everything will always be okay... Sometimes in life there is only one thing, one person who can always make you feel better, clam your nerves and read you like a book. My mother is the the key to all that is wonderful. She gives with out thinking and cares with out bounds. She is constantly providing to those around her and being the purest example of all that is right. When feeling the pressures of this world my mother has been my reminder that there is always light to be found and nothing is ever as bad as it may seem. She is the strength, peace, joy, and constant wave of love that fuses our family together. My mother is who I hope to become more like every day. Roberta Jean Harris... The most beautiful part of my amazing family.
Only a handful of people can honestly stand before others and say they have hit rock bottom, walked the path of heartache, and found their way back. Only a handful of people can see a person, look past their faults and find the truth with in. Only a handful of people understand how to help someone see their mistakes and know show them the hope that still lies with in sight. Only a handful of people can be a giant of understanding, but most of all… Love. I have been so blessed to know such a person all my life, my daddy. He has been the finest example of how to overcome struggle and find the good things in life. He has been the finest example what a worthy priesthood holder looks like, not just a man who can pray… But a man who can love, honor, and respect his family, friends and all those that he encounters on his walk of life. He is protector of our family and the supporting hand to each of us. My father is the rock of which we all stand firmly with, he is the man who has seen the bad and found the good with in. My father… The humble voice of reason and the most amazing man I have come to know.
My daddy!
A man with grace, clamming appeal, and truthful rhymes; he tends to those with love and carefully unfolds his world before you with his heart in music and passion that can never be contained. He is strength in his family and a rock to his friends, his quite nature is louder than any man’s crying yells and he stands taller than he appears to himself. He writes what he feels, raps what he says and opens his world to know no bounds. I once told him that he reminded me of Jay-Z, a rhythmic giant who in his own right took on the world, never stopping and never giving up; my friend, my brother.. Simeon does the same. He would shake his head in disagreement to all that I have to say about him but that would only cause me to continue. Simeon Lawrence… The gentle soul with big dreams and never ending care; he rocks each of us by his poetic nature and clamming effect. He has seriously inspired me to want to be more than I am by his care and effort as he takes on his passion, love and drive for music. He does this all with such humility and such love for his savior, he is a gift. He will be the next Jay-Z, the next idol to inspire the world to be great again.
She is a rock star, a gem of light, and a powerful wave of emotion. She embodies all that is real and all that is pure; she cares for everyone around her with such depth and continues to care even when her strength has been exerted. I have never know someone who looks at the world around her the way that she does, she sees the dark for what it is and finds the light even when it pains her to look for it. She is everything that I hope to be like and everything that I’m so grateful to have a part of my life. By her drive, creative skill and passion to live life I have found strength to not be scared, to live fully and to enjoy every person that passes through my life. Skye Elizabeth Dahlstrom… The gracious beauty who rocks your world every time you see her, the glue for her family and the saving grace for those that are lost. She truly is an angle sent by God and with that I say Amen.
Although I may have only spotlighted a few dear people that have turely touched my life in more than one way, there are so many more in my life that I have yet to mention. With some time and care I hope to one day graciously thank each person in my life who has been with me and for me every step of the way. There is only so much one person can do on their own but so much more one person can do with the help of others.
I have been blessed with so many inpirational people in my life from family and friends, I think you all from the bottom my heart for your love & care. Thank you.
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