Hanging around

Have a fantastic weekend.

Happy Halloween

Spiritual enlightenment here.

8 is great

I will never forget when Claire was born.
They were the most unique moments of my life.
One that I will never forget.
Never.
I am reminded each day that our sweet children are on "loan" to us from our Heavenly Father.
I am reminded becuase of Claire's dear, sensitive spirit in our home.
Claire sees the world in rich and deep color.
Her choices are thought out.
She is particular and cautious.
Claire is shy, and yet daring.
Once Claire faked a stomach ache at church during Sunday school. Her teacher brought her to me where I was teaching Sunday school. I was concerned and had her come in my class and sit in. Then Claire sat down and made a huge paper airplane which she launched.
From across the room it landed on my knee.
It was so disrupting.
I was shocked and embarrassed and she giggled.
Re-telling the story to Mr. Nielson later that day,
I couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably.

That's my Claire.
That is what she does to me.

She will teach me more lessons about life than anyone.

I love you toadie!
Happy Birthday!

Also, congrats to Ms. Jones today is a special day for her too.

And so it goes...

Yesterday we lost Gigs.
At Costco.
It was however, strangely amusing.
Imagining Nicholas walking around looking at everything he could without any "hurry up" or "come here" or "don't touch that"...nothing like that at all.
The world was his for 4 minutes.
And he wasn't scared a bit.
I found him in the book section with earphones on.
He was listing to the best of Nat King Cole.

I took Claire to the fabric store to get fabric for her Halloween costume.
She needed to go to the bathroom.
I pointed to where it was, not far from where we were.
She wouldn't go.
I walked her to the bathroom and said "I'll wait out here"
She still wouldn't go.
Scared.
Scared the automatic flush would flush her down.
So, I waited in the teeny tiny stall with her.


Oliver had a meltdown at Costco.
All the Christmas toys were out on display.
And he wanted all of it.
Then he wanted his own berry smoothie, when I only bought one.
Then I found myself inhaling Costco cheese pizza with my boys.
I couldn't tell if I was really hungry-or just annoyed.


Then Jane,
Jane just yells and talks really loud.

I was downstairs and overheard Mr. Nielson upstairs
attending to two screaming girls in the shower.
Then he said:
"Oh girls, guess what? The devil called and said you guys were doing awesome."

I laughed and was glad the day was over.

Brigham said "Downtown Provo is the Place!"

Steve speaks: Letter number 1

Just today I asked my father, mayor hopeful Steve Clark what I could do for his campaign.
He told me he would get back to me.
Then it came to me, a letter, for me to offer those of you
living in our beautiful city of Provo from him.
You know, Voting day is in ONE WEEK!!!
I urge you to write on your calender, blackberry, iphone, Franklin planner, piece of paper....whatever it takes. Please write on November 3rd:
"Vote"
and then below "vote", write
"For Steve Clark"

Thank you.

Now here is the letter to you (addressed to me of course)

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

Stephanie and the city of Provo,

If I become mayor I am going to work with our City Council and good county commissioners to make Provo a "happening place." As you know, the county has committed to building a new convention center in downtown Provo. I hail this decision and want to commit my efforts to upgrading our "Historic Downtown" This concept is not new - it has been done all over the United States in cities like Provo that have lost their draw because of obsolescence and competition for the dollar elsewhere.

I want Provo to find a development partner that has a proven record in these kinds of projects and move quickly to provide services to visitors attending conferences and seminars at our convention center. We need additional first-class hotel rooms, more first-class restaurants and unique retail shopping. Downtown needs more entertainment to offer its visitors. We will have UTA's Bus Rapid Transit operating to get people all over the city from downtown.

We want open space, a walking plaza, fountains, beautiful and unique lighting scheme, fun shops and cozy restaurants. We want some night life at the Covey Center and in the new studios and theaters. We want concerts, musicians and artists displaying their talents. We want people to live downtown where they are in the middle of all the activity. We want things "happening" downtown so when our friends visit Provo the first thing out of their mouth is:
let's go to that "happening downtown" of yours!!!

Brigham said "Downtown Provo is the Place!"

Love Steve (or Dad)

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

That being said, who else do you know who uses the word "first-class"? STEVE CLARK DOES!
I want a mayor who says that.
Seriously though, I truly believe my Dad will do what he says. He is a good and honest man.

Now, what are you waiting for? Go write "Vote for STEVE CLARK" on your calenders (November 3rd)

Football and parades.

The weekend was a success. And here is why:

The family gathers on 9th East for the annual BYU Homecoming parade
(along with Page's cute exchange student Kenta,
who was probably in awe from the festivities)
And right there in the pic is the cameraman from KSL-filming
ME for a story they are airing in November.
I am such a super star.


Court and I photograph eachother.



The kids watch the dancing. So BYU classic.
I love the guy smiling really big at Jane.
I am sure she felt silly.
Wouldn't you?


Jesse and Maria LOVE parades.


Mayor hopeful STEVE CLARK and Bets

Mr. Nielson pretends he is a cowboy.
and Gigs pretends he is Mr. Bones.

Andrew, Jesse, and Van play a little football in the court.

Two Blondie's in the Bucket Bike.
Gigs and cousin Maria



notes:
Check me out at BlogHer here
where I ask you a question.

hiking the Y with dirt on my bum

Justin Hackworth is a fantastically creative photographer.
He and I are doing a project together.
He is photographing my recovery in a series of pictures.
Each week he takes photos of me doing stuff at home or
out and about or whatever I am doing.

We hiked the Y.

Here are the results.



And, I hiked it with dirt on my bum.
And for your information, that dirt is because
Mr. Nielson slapped my behind like he always does.
Just like his father, Boss Nielson does to his wife Mary.
Just like his brothers Peter and Stephen do to their wives.
And Marcus, I am sure you will do it to your wifey too.
Anyway,
I like to hike the Y with Mr. Nielson because he always has his water bottle, except when I take a drink it smells kind of funny, and then he will say:
"I just washed it!"
and I will laugh and drink it anyway.
And who hikes the Y in skinny jeans....Mr. Nielson does.
He also likes to hold my hand.
And that is why I like to hike with Mr. Nielson (that, and the stinky water bottle)

Thanks Justin for taking the photo of the sunflowers,
(I really wanted him to).

Thanks Justin, see you Saturday.
Check out Justin here.
and his blog here.

And if you see him, ask him about the first time he kissed a girl.
Classic.


notes:
Check out this website that is in relation to my father, STEVE CLARK, and some very important facts about his opponent. I believe my dad should be mayor. But you all knew that anyway.

And, for our weekend spiritual inspiration.

Maloy

Dear Maloy,
This is for you, becuase I love you so much.
over 'n out...

Auntie Stephanie

My fall fancy

Mr. Nielson ran in the laundry room where I was folding clothes and said to me:
"Oh Stephanie, you are missing the fall"
I looked at him.
He looked at me and pointed out the window.
Sure enough I was missing the fall.
Our walnut tree was shedding its beautiful yellow leaves.
They fluttered through the air like golden glitter.

I canceled dinner.
Instead we made a fire and ate ginmungus marshmallows
(thanks to a very wonderful person in Mesa.)

The weather was crisp and cozy. Just the way I love it.
The days have been gray and drowsy. Just the way I love it.

notes:
My friend Dave gave me this awesome bike called the A2B. It is such a fun thing to ride. Check it out. This would be a fantastic Christmas idea....he will be at the UVU Green Fair today if you want to see it...plus you can see Mr. Nielson's awesome basket job.
Check out Dave's site at The Scooter Lounge
(and be sure to watch 'scooter tv' ...classic.)

My dad STEVE CLARK will be speaking tonight at Provo City library at 7:30.
The Daily Herald is hosting a 'Meet the Candidates night' Please go and support him. He needs your vote...Do it for me ;)

Thanks guys.

Today I went to my P.O box.

Wow.

I was so happy.
Packages and letters filled half the post office room.
Love letters.
Encouraging thoughts.

Heartfelt and genuine crafts were made...aprons, earrings, dresses, lip gloss, paintings, artwork, head bands, treats, gifts for my children, gifts for Mr. Nielson and gifts for me.
Thank you so much. Thank you ever so much.
It lifts my spirits in ways you can't imagine.
I wish I could thank each of you personally.
I wish I could hug each of you personally.
Thank you to the 'L' family in NV. Your letter was a very sweet surprise.
Thank you Farm Chick Serena!






Reminder to Provo citizens, November 3rd is vast approaching.
Please remember to vote...and preferably for my Father.
Tell your friends and family.

Go Dad....Go Steve Clark!!

baby and mother.

(nicholas on his birth-day. 10.06.06)

Today is another gloomy day.
But, I like it.
I just sent the girls off to school.
They were dreading going back after a delightful little fall holiday.
And yet so excited to be back with friends and for Claire- the monkey bars.

Yesterday I drove past the hospital just in time to see a young mother and her new baby in a wheelchair being pushed to their car by a very happy husband.
It was very endearing and yet so sad.
I want one.

And then I remembered the day when I was in a wheelchair being pushed from the hospital to my car by my very eager husband.

Except all I had in my arms were bandages.

And I felt like a new baby.

Mr. Nielson had a grin bigger than a watermelon slice.
He was bringing his wife home.
Back home where he was going to be the mother more than a husband.
Late nights and crying would be his new life for awhile.

I felt like a new baby going home and a new mother at the same time.
Driving home the next hour was awful. Just like a new mother, I was scared the car would collide with another with her new "precious treasure" in the backseat. Just like a baby, bald and unsure I was scared the car would crash and I couldn't help myself out.
And scared of my new life ahead.

That day last January was so wonderful and horrible at the same time.

But, I know that someday if God allows, I will be in that wheelchair again with a warm baby next to my chest and my husband smiling from ear to ear with our new addition.
And I can hold those thoughts close to my heart.

This time, we will leave the hospital with a baby- not scars.

(nicholas just hours old, 10.06.06)

saying goodbye to the menfolk

(Claire and I hide in the leaves)

This picture was taken almost 8 years ago.
It is taken on a beautiful day in the canyon of South Fork, Utah.
We are saying goodbye to our husbands, fathers, and brothers.
It is the annual deer hunt.
The Menfolk leave for 3 days to partake of their masculine forces.
And the women stay home.
It is delightful.

We women will head to Salt Lake together and then later,
meet at Pages house for dinner and sleep-overs.
Have I mentioned that I love my family and
I love where I live...most of all, I love being a woman.
What joy it brings.
Jane and I plan on making apple pies.
Our tree is overloaded with their tart flavor.
And our grapes are ripe for making juice.
Have a womanly weekend
from my house to yours.

love being a women? read this.

...because i love where i live.

Red hat and his brown eyes