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 help me with anything. 

Today it was groceries. She carried them in while I rested 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 halfway down, his rope coiled up in his belt loop,

 and his carrier bag over his shoulder (containing Mr. Nielson's pocket knife 

that 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, riding his bike to school with the girls. 

Their faces beamed like they were the luckiest girls ever.
And they are. (Me too!).

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.

Critical Condition

(The family Sunday fireside on my accident anniversary last week.)

Today I woke up. That was an accomplishment. 

But folks, that's not all! I woke up at 7:00 so I could 

get my girlie's lunches made, laundry is done, and breakfast started.

Then I also wrote a list of goals to complete.

Organize tools, garage, paint the front door, paint cupboards, 

hang up and frame paintings, weed/lawn. That list was just for Mr. Nielson alone.

Here were my goals: organize cupboards

That looks a little off balance. I can barely do much these days.

Writing lists were just like the old times, and I love that I'm getting excited about accomplishing something. It's been a long time since I've felt that way.

That's been really good therapy for me. 

Oh man, the old times...those were great, and some of it I want to continue, but lots of it I am not looking back. Just looking forward and it feels so good. 

 Thank you all for coming to my Dad's weenie roast. Good times had there!

In the afternoon, Mr. Nielson with me to the burn unit, and to our very wonderful surprise,

 Doctor Peck who was on my life-saving team in AZ was there visiting!!!

 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, and the anchor was talking 

about a horrible accident in Salt Lake. 

 Then she ended with  "...and now she is in critical condition in the hospital"

followed quickly with ".....Have you heard about Dennis the special monkey who gets carried around on a leash?...bla bla blablaaa bla......" 

 And that was that. 

And I thought, about that poor woman who is in critical condition.

I thought about her "team" of doctors and nurses who are trying to save her life...her LIFE! 

 She has a family who is in critical condition, too!  They are emotionally strained and really heartbroken.  I thought about her husband and children.

Then in almost the same breath, we hear about Dennis the special monkey?!

 It was painful!  when a loved one is slipping away 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 wish I could tell this sweet family in critical condition to hang in there.

They are in for months and months of recovery, hospital visits, desperate prayers, and heartache, 

but to never forget who will always remain in critical condition with them:

 The Savior.

 He will be there until everything is stable and then forever after. 

When the world forgets He will remain.

I am sure Dennis is a really special monkey,

 but sometimes some situations feel too sacred, too emotional,

and even too special to just announce.

Those are my thoughts tonight. 

Here is the special news report on our accident.

A Feast fit for 2 Queens/ Back to School Feast #2

Introducing the Nielson Familt

 Back to School Feast Theme:

  "Listen and Obey"

Menu: baked potatoes with sharp Tillamook cheese

 Green salad with homegrown cherry tomatoes 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'd like more children to fill my chairs.)

 

It was a beautiful night!

After dinner came the new school clothes fashion show!

 We ended our evening with Mr. Nielson

giving beautiful Priesthood blessings to Caire and Jane.

He blessed them with strength and courage, and God's power

as they begin a new year.

(I received one, too!).

This year was much different than last year, 

It wasn't as fancy as I'd have liked it to be,

but with my limited energy and the dang never-ending pain, 

this was all I could muster.

I fully intend on each year being stronger and better,

but I am so grateful that I am alive and able to share 

this special tradition with my children!!!

Words can't express my gratitude!!

hiking the Y with Mr. Nielson in skinny jeans

Justin Hackworth is a fantastically creative photographer. 

He is going to be photographing my recovery in photos.

Each week he takes photos of me doing stuff at home,

out and about, or whatever I am doing, and today we hiked the Y.

Thanks, Justin for taking the photo of the sunflowers, 

(I asked him to.  They were so beautiful).

 And, spiritual Enlightenment

Just thinking...

Tonight Mr. Nielson and I lay in our bed each armed with laptops.

We are such nerds. Both of us are worn-out. 

 And somehow opening the windows and listening to the 

crickets and each other's keyboards is relaxing.

 I prepared all day doing last-minute shopping for school supplies and 

for all the food for our annual Back to school feast. 

I chatted with old friends. Met a few new ones, too.

I kissed babies, answered e-mails, didn't clean my house,  didn't make lunch,

helped pick out the first day of school outfits.

I made back-to-school crowns for the feast, made dinner, biked to back to school night

at the elementary, we ate dinner, put kids to bed, and now my feet are swollen. 

 I was thinking about when I hiked the Y a few days ago. 

I did it! 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 my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you.

 I also was thinking about my new life, and

 my new outlook, and the overwhelming love I have for my family. 

 Thinking about my unconditional love for Mr. Nielson 

(who now is packing up the bucket bike with our garbage bags that we can't fit in our can.

 He's going to drop a few off in Matt's can, my parent's can, 

and possibly even my aunt Lisa's can.  What is family for?).

 I am thinking about our recent trip to Seattle. I remember driving down the freeway and out of nowhere among the majestic pines was the Temple. 

 I remember frantically announcing to all the children to look out their windows

and then happened to glance at Ollie who desperately wanted to see.

 He poked his head out the window and in my rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse 

of his excitement and honest thrill when he saw the glorious temple.

I could tell he wanted to get closer.

  It was a beautiful moment, and one I will never forget.

 I was thinking about Nicholas and his new word "poopie-head". 

He says it all the time and thinks he is so funny.

(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

and don't even know me.  I am so grateful!

. I was thinking of Claire's absolute love for the monkey bars at school, 

and Jane who loves to ride her bike around the neighborhood.

Ad now I am thinking about going to bed.

My milestone.

I am hiking the Y mountain tonight at 7:00

 (rain or shine) in honor of our 1st anniversary since the accident. 

I would be honored and happy to have you along if you want to join me.

This will be a significant milestone since last year's life-changing events. 

I would love to thank you personally from the bottom of my heart. 

  Kisses! Also, in the paper here.

Pike Place Market... (and an announcement)

Our trip to Seattle has ended. 

I am home now with piles and piles of laundry...and lots of sand, too.

This Saturday (15th...which is tomorrow) I am hiking the Y mountain 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 year's life-changing events.

 I would love to thank you personally, from the bottom of my little heart. 

 Kisses!

99 bottles of beer on the wall.

Mr. Nielson got back from Bluewater with four sleepy children and a new haircut. 

In fact, the whole family got new cuts thanks to Auntie Darin,

 who has been the Nielson family's personal hairstylist since 

Mr. Nielson was in high school.

.

 

They told me that their days were spent at the ranch on the quads and horses,

 while the nights were filled with fireside dinners and star watching. 

 Sunburns, bug bites, and root beer bottles filled with 

orange-colored rocks all greeted me at the door.

That night as Mr. Nielson and I snuggled in bed and I asked him if he

was ready to road trip again.

He told me yes because on this trip I would be joining him.

After a nice restful weekend and lots of wash,  we packed up the navigator and

 headed to Whidbey Island, in the beautiful state of Washington. 

Mr. Nielson pulled the trailer behind the car so we could bring our bikes

 and enough room to bring back fresh salmon and Washington berries. 

 We also invited Umi, and my niece Lindsay Kay. 

After farming out Jimmy and the birds (Michael and Sara) to dear family members, 

We had to make a few stops before heading out of town.

 Somehow Nicholas left his saltwater sandals at the ranch so I made a quick run into

 Nordstrom’s for the last pair of little boy (with chubby feet) navy sandals. Whew! 

And of course, we picked up Café Rio for lunch before departing.

 The drive was pretty smooth sailing until Mr. Nielson got pulled over in Idaho. 

 As we got closer to Le Grand, Oregon we drove parallel to a train.

I rolled down the window and asked Ollie to come to sit on my lap so he

could stick his head out the window to hear and feel the power from the train.

 He was practically in heaven. 

It was a moment of gratitude that I felt to my Heavenly Father that I was still here.

Umi and Lindsay took care of Gigs' every need in the backseat, and Mr. Nielson chewed on his sunflower seeds the whole time occasionally rubbing my neck while singing Sinatra songs.

  Umi suggested we sing "99 bottles of beer on the wall" and so we did and just

as we hit zero bottles we came to our exit where our hotel was.

We all clapped and cheered because it was perfect timing especially for

Jane, who must have told us she needed to go to the bathroom 938,439,0280,48,000 times.

 Tomorrow we will head into Seattle and on to the island.