Waking up

I woke up to this:



I love my Mr. Nielson. He makes me happy and supports me.
My skin is super sore, I get in the tub about two times a day- sometimes more.
It feels soothing, so excuse me I am going to get in the tub now.

Jane turns NINE

Jane Bronwyn turns nine.
February 18, 2012
Welcome to her party recap:

Jane turned nine last Saturday.
She described to me the party she wanted, and I tried my best to deliver.
Of course the morning began as usual, presents on the dining room
table with her birthday girl crown.


This year I made a awesome "J" similar to the Valentine heart made of tissue paper.

Jane wanted a piggy bank this year, a ginormous stuffed whale, and a Chinese jump-rope.
That is what I love about Jane. She always knows what she wants.

I used The Sweet Tooth Fairy for the delicious treats and Pinhole Press for the darling invitations and adorable labels for the drinks.

{The girls crowd around, and Lydia drinks from bottle with labels from Pinhole Press}



Of course the party would not be complete without the traditional balloon release
and wishes. I used extra drink labels to stick on the balloon
for the darling girls to write Jane a birthday wish.

{The girls wait to release their balloons}

{Claire, Jane and Lydia}

{Me and my girl}

I asked Jane if this was her favorite birthday yet, and she said no.
She told me that having her birthday party at Smeeks for her 7th was the best.
Not for me, I was released from the hospital just hours prior after hunchie gone bad.
It was an awful day. But I am so glad Jane didn't notice!

I love you Jane Bronwyn! You are mine and will always be mine.
I just wish you'd STOP growing.

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

{ Pinhole Press birthday cards, similar to Jane's}

Are you up for an essay contest?

{Me and Amy Hackworth working on my book one fine summer day last year}

Attention you mothers {any shape or form},
I am hosting a Mothers Day Essay Contest on my blog.
The theme:
"Motherhood is..."
You are welcome to submit your essay on that subject to me anytime
between March 1st and March 31st.
Five finalists will be selected by judges {me and my book editors}
and will be posted on my blog every Tuesday for five weeks, starting April 10^th.
The winner will be announced and your essay posted on my blog May 8^th.
I will sign one of my books "Heaven is Here" and send it to you,
along with a Happy Mother's Day phone call.
{if you want me to call and wish you Happy Mothers Day, that is.}

Send your essays to: motherhoodisessay@gmail.com
{maximum of 500 words}

Happy Presidents Day!

Nie asks on Blogher

What do you love to see?


I am a little crazy about photographing "just married" cars around town.
I have quite a collection- you?
Tell me here.

At the Doc's

{photos by Justin Hackworth}

I am pretty used to being seen at doctor's offices.
I have a whole slew of them on speed dial on my phone.
Lately, I have been seeing a lot of this guy- Dr. JD. {Dr. Judd}
We had a chat this week on pregnancy week 33.






{This is the awesome truffle I look forward to after every visit}

Have a good weekend!
My plans include:
Nothing.
Nothing.
Jane's birthday party.
Pretty eventful.

Spiritual Enlightenment here.
{Everything you need to know about Mormon Missionaries}
They are not that scary or weird, I promise.

I see you.

I noticed Nicholas looking at me during breakfast and then
while we were on the couch watching a little morning cartoons together.
After I got into the shower and dressed, I was filling up his water bottle
and noticed his peculiar look again.
The thing about this look is the familiarity of it.
This is the same look I got when I was in the hospital after my accident.

I was worried because this is the look of worry, disgust, horror, and curiosity.
It is also the same look that the other children have
given me at one point or another during my recovery.
{or after any reconstruction surgery}

I looked into his eyes and gently asked him why he was looking at me
'that' way.
Then he told me I looked 'different'.
I asked why and he said my scars looked different, like they were going away.
It was so precious. I was so pleased and of course mugged on him and told him
I was glad he told me that, and that he could see the progress that a
wonderful and loving Father in Heaven was blessing me with daily.

I know my scars are not going away- but maybe Nicholas sees me different.
Maybe he just doesn't recognize them anymore because to him
I am his mother and nothing more.

After, I went into my room, knelt down and thanked God for another
tender mercy. He is always mindful of me and my children, and for
that I am so thankful.

Post-Valentines Day wrap

The children and I decorated Valentines this year with
help from Blickenstaff's candy selection.
I used templates from BHG.com and Martha Stewart
to create the fun.
{Check out the photos below.}
It was a very romantic, happy day and then at 3:30, I was all done.
I lay on the couch and Mr. Nielson made cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.
Although I did pick up the delicious cookies The Sweet Tooth Fairy made for the children,
delivered them on the doorstop and ran (or tried).
Its a tradition, and I didn't want to disappoint!

Prayers for the Rhineer Family-
thinking of you.