The Signs

Mr. Nielson and I drove into Provo late Sunday night. 

 Actually, I guess it was early Monday.
I couldn't sleep. I was so giddy at the thought of picking up my children.
I hadn't expected a 3-day trip to make me miss them so much!

In the morning, around 9:00, I drove to my brother Andrew's house, 

where they had been staying and picked them up.  

On the way home, they had lots to share - what they did, ate, 

who they played with. They also mentioned that cousin Chickie 

was the best at doing hair, even the boys' hair!

But my favorite part was when they got home and ran for my bedroom,
where Mr. Nielson was sleeping soundly.
They enthusiastically woke him up and proceeded to talk his ear off 

all at the same time.

Nicholas was surprisingly quiet most of the day because 
all he wanted to do was go on a bike ride.
 So, Mr. Nielson pulled out the electric bike, and he and Nicholas 

along with the Little Nies, went on a bike ride

around the neighborhood and onto Old Willow Lane

to pick delicious, wild plums and apricots.

I can feel autumn creeping in.

(Mostly because I want to feel it creeping in!)
The apricot trees are full of ripe fruit, and the gutter is full of water 

and gushing down the lane and the grass on the foothills above me

 is getting longer and fading in color.

As a Utah girl who grew up in this neighborhood,

these are all sure signs of autumn!
Not to mention, the grapes are beginning to pop on the fence vines

behind the house.
And I heard the BYU marching band today.
They are practicing for football season.
I love that sound.

Beautiful people

I woke up with Nicholas’ big brown eyes staring into mine this morning.
Our noses touching. He wanted Nachos for breakfast.
Mr. Nielson made us eggs, yogurt, and 8-grain oatmeal cereal instead.

****
When I finally rolled out of bed, I saw a trail of cheerios on the floor

leading into the bathroom. 

The toilet seat was left up, and toilet paper was hanging across 

the seat and onto the floor. Cheerios and a baggie were on the ground nearby.

A baggie with a name on it.
“Ollie,” it read in Ollie's handwriting.

 Of course, it is Ollie.
Toothpaste is dried up on the sides of the sink,
and Mr. Nielson's hairbrush is full of doll hair.

The girls must have been playing dolls this morning.

****
Moving onward down the hall, I step on one of Ollie’s new spurs 

he got to adorn his new cowboy boots. 

The kids are getting ready for Ranch Days in New Mexico in a few days.
The living room is a toy bomb. 

 I see three piles; a Lego pile, a train pile, and a bunch of 

books lying around on every couch and on the floor.
The kitchen sits with last night's salmon and salad.
It’s a good thing I am not pregnant, or I would have died already.
****
I awe at my Mr. Nielson. He is certainly something extraordinary.
He fed the children breakfast while I read the newspaper. 

 Then, he took them all to Home Depot during lunchtime.
During that time, I slowly picked up the house 

and talked to myself. (It's therapy).

I sorted out some things in my head and felt productive, too.

****
Mr. Nielson came inside at 7:30 and found me sleeping.

I've been so down lately.

 He made dinner, and then he gathered us all in for FHE.
We watched this.
He gave my feet a squeeze throughout the whole message.
The spiritual message combined with Mr. Nielson

 right near me felt so pure and beautiful.

I can't help but wonder when I will be normal again.
****
We also listened to Mr. Nielson sing, "I am a child of God."
It was touching and so beautiful.
Happy people are beautiful.

And, Mr. Nielson is so beautiful to me.