Around my neck

I was so lucky when Erin sent me this adorable necklace.
They look like my children's 'dog-tags' (but way more darling)
and I think every mother should have one.

You can check out Erin here at her beautiful website.
If it were me, (and it was) I think this is a perfect gift.

Moments.

There are moments in my life when I feel like my spirit is tapping my heart to remind me just why I still mortally exist.

Today I had more of those 'tapping' moments.

It was in the deep brown eyes of Nicholas laughing and tackling Jimmy over and over and over again.

It was in Claire's desire to do help me with anything. Today it was groceries. She carried them in while her mother rest on the couch. Then she climbed on the couch near me and read 'Ivy and Bean'. And her cute little hairy legs dangled below.

It was Oliver dressed up as Indiana Jones with his white church shirt buttoned half-way down, his rope coiled up in his belt loop, and his carrier bag over his shoulder (containing Mr. Nielson's pocket knife he got when he was 8. It also had a mini sized hymnal with his own maps and drawings inside)

It was Mr. Nielson who I watched outside my window early this morning ride his bike to school with the girls. Their faces beamed like they were the luckiest girls ever.
And they are. (Including me.)

And...

It was when Jane climbed on my lap and mugged on me. Then she asked for pinealoupe. Then I asked her if she meant cantaloupe or pineapple. And she squealed at herself until tears ran down her eyes.

She meant cantaloupe.



PS..I should say, that Nicholas took this photo.

Morning smoothie

Its 9:47.
Mr. Nielson made his banana-strawberry-raspberry-peach-flax seed smoothie.
Nicholas has had two cups (and counting).

Good morning!

Accident Anniversary 8-16

Christian reads from the scriptures. His faith has increased 10 fold.

Layton and Page produce the musical number.

The family.

The cupcakes from Sweet Tooth Fairy.

Pre- fireside activities:

Harriet Marion


Owen, Jesse, Seth



Vivian, Emma, Mery


Clark and Layton

Loli and Max and Hariett above.

Critical Condition

(my family at our sunday family fireside on my accident anniversary)

Today I woke up.
That was an accomplishment.
But folks, that's not all!
I woke up at 7:00 am to get my girlie's lunches made, laundry done and breakfasts. I also wrote list of goals to complete...

Including:
organizing tools
garage
new front door
paint cupboards
hang up and frame paintings
weed/lawn

and that list was just for Mr. Nielson alone.

Here were my goals:
organize cupboards

That looks a little off balance.

It was just like the old times getting excited about accomplishing something. And boy how that has been therapy for me.
The old times...those were great, and some of it I want to continue, but lots of it I am not looking back. I am looking forward and it feels so good.

Thank you all for coming to my Dads weenie roast. Good times had there. (My brother Matt looked like the candidate all dressed up in his nice suit...looking good matty).

I then dragged Mr. Nielson with me to the burn unit and to my very wonderful, very honored surprise, Doctor Peck who was on my "life-saving team" in AZ was there. It was such a delightful meeting and I was giddy with joy. Mr. Nielson and I shed tears of gratitude for his handy work in our preservation on this planet.
I had never officially "met" him since I was in a coma, so it was very special.

Tonight I overheard the news on TV at my parents house. The anchor was explaining a accident in Salt Lake. Then she ended with "...and now she is in critical condition in the hospital.....Did you hear about Dennis the special monkey who gets carried around on a leash?...bla bla blablaaa bla......"

And that was that.
And I thought, wow.
For that woman in critical condition she is still in critical condition with doctors and nurses trying to save her life...her LIFE! She has a family who is in critical condition too emotionally strained with the news. And we are in a moment saddened by her heart-breaking news but then it disappears as we listen about Dennis the special monkey.
It was painful.

Do you get what I mean?

I guess one has to go through an ordeal where a loved one is slipping away and nothing else in the world matters. Nothing. You don't watch TV, listen to music. Movies are too much and even reading is hard. I know because my family has told me.

So to you sweet woman and her family in critical condition.
You may have months and months of hospital visits, desperate prayers and heartache, but never forget who will always remain in critical condition with you.
The Savior.
He will be there until everything is stable and then forever after.
I know that and so does my family.
When the world forgets He will remain.

I am sure Dennis is a really special monkey,
but sometimes some situations feel too sacred to just announce.

Those are my thoughts tonight.
All is well.

"special news"


and PS...I love this photo!

A Feast fit for 2 Queens

Introducing:
The Family Back to School Feast.
Theme:
"Listen and Obey"

Menu:
American baked potatoes with sharp tillamook cheese
Green salad with homegrown cherry tomatoes, blue cheese and champagne dressing
Late summer fruit
Garlic and parmesan couscous
Peach bubblie

and
Fresh French vanilla ice cream topped with homemade chocolate sauce.

The 2009-2010 crowns

The girls both got their ears pierced for the new year.

(I need more children to fill my chairs.)


It was a beautiful night.
After dinner came the annual fashion show, where the girls displayed their new school skirts.
And we ended after Mr. Nielson blessed each daughter with
strength and courage to begin a new year.

PS...
Dad Clark for Mayor
check out this. I invite you to come! See you there!

P.S.S...
Your husband will like this:
Free Hot Dogs

Just thinking...

Tonight Mr. Nielson and I lay in our bed each armed with a laptop. We are such nerds. Both of us are worn-out. And somehow opening the windows and listening to the crickets and each others keyboards relaxes us.

I prepared all day doing last minute shopping for school supplies.
I got all the food for tonight's Back to school feast.
I chatted with old friends.
Met new friends.
I kissed babies.
Answered e-mails.
Didn't clean my house.
Didn't make lunch.
Helped pick out first day of school outfits.
Made back to school crowns.
Made dinner.
Biked to back to school night.
Ate dinner.
put kids to bed.

And now my feet are swollen.

I was thinking about my post about the hiking the Y. What was I thinking. I said "I did it"-true of course, but I didn't just do it alone. You all did it with me. I couldn't have even possibly thought about it if it weren't for you.
I owe you an apology.
I also owe you my heart-felt gratitude.
Thank you.

I also was thinking about my new life. My new outlook. My overwhelming love I have for my family. My unconditional love for Mr. Nielson (who now is packing up the bucket bike with garbage bags that we can't fit in our can. He is going to evenly distribute our garbage to other people cans along the street. That is rude, but why is that rude? I mean, would you care? It's just garage...but anyway...)

I am thinking about our past trip to Seattle. I remember driving down the freeway and out of nowhere among the majestic pines was the Temple. I frantically announced to all the children to look out their windows and I happened to glance at Ollie who, desperately wanted to see. He poked his head out the window and in my rear view mirror, I caught a glimpse of his excitement and honest thrill when he saw the glorious temple. It was as if he urged to be there where all peace is restored. It was a beautiful moment, one I will remind him of for years to come.

I was thinking about Nicholas' new love to say "poopie-head". I guess I need to get my "flipper" out and oiled up. (right mom?!)

I was thinking about the amazing e-mails and letters from people who love me.
Specifically one from Candace.

I was thinking of Claire's absolute love for Monkey bars, and Jane's new love for her bike.

I was thinking about my achievement in hiking the Y. That was awesome.

And now my friends, I am thinking about going to bed.

At the top.

I did it.
and,
all is well.

Me.

There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire,
which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which
kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

-Washington Irving

My milestone.

I am hiking the Y mountain at 7:00 pm tonight (rain or shine) in honor of our
1 year anniversary since the accident.
If you want to join me, I would be honored and happy to have you along.
This will be a big milestone in my life since last years life-changing events.
I would love to thank you personally, from the bottom of my little heart.

Kisses!


Also in the paper here.

Pike Place Market... (and an announcement)

Our trip to Seattle ended.
I am home now with piles and piles of laundry...and lots of sand.

****
This Saturday (15th...which is tomorrow) I am hiking the Y mountian at 7:00 pm in honor of our 1 year anniversary since the accident. If you want to join me, I would be honored and happy to have you along.
This will be a big milestone in my life since last years life-changing events.
I would love to thank you personally, from the bottom of my little heart.

Kisses!