A pep talk. A really wordy pep talk.

(The crazy toy /dress-up closet.)

Never tell your kids you will do something, and then don't.
Like, right now for instance I promised Claine (Claire and Jane) that I would go down the cold stairs to their room to say goodnight. I would put on their lullaby music and shut their door.
A nightly ritual that sometimes- depending on my activities for the day never happens.
If, say, I went to the grocery store, took a shower AND made dinner, that calls for bedtime around 7:00 for me. I am done for the day.
But, If I shower,
(which by the way, for someone burned is probably
the worst feeling on this planet....oh I could go on).
and my only other activity for the day is making dinner, then I can do it and I can go to bed at 9:30...with or without kankles.
And I probably could put all the junk back into the toy closet (see above)

*******
I think all my energy was sucked out of me when the plane crashed.
I have to promise myself every morning that I will do anything it takes to get it back. All of it. (even if that means going to yoga at 6:00 am)
I want to do the things I used to do along with the extra things that need to be done now.
I've almost gotten everything else back from that awful day.
I can spend time with my children and nothing stops us.
I get to love my husband and kiss him and more ...(wink*)
I get to decorate my house, scrub the toilet, listen to the crickets out my window
and make school lunches every morning.
Smell the rain, look forward to snow, and go for walks by the mountains.
I can zip up ziplocks, tie my shoes, make a mean chocolate cake, drive and text.
(but certainly NOT together).
Wow, I never thought this day would ever come.
But it has.
There is always hope for something more, something better.
*******

(My grocery list and a lil snack to help with my energy)
I went grocery shopping today then to the nursery (for fall foliage), and made dinner.
We had family home evening, and I even squeezed a shower in.
Oh, and I called my Mom.
But she didn't answer.
She's on a mission. Remember? I wanted to talk post -Emmy awards with her, but I don't think Mission Presidents can watch the Emmy's. Which means, I probably shouldn't either.
(its just that the cast of Mad Men are soo dreamy)
*******
I just got back from kissing my girlie's to sleep.
I can still hear them talking. The conversation just went from Halloween costumes to
Aunt Courtney's unmentionables and then to ultra hip Cousin Lindsay
(who is a varsity cheerleader at her high school).

On my way upstairs, I overheard Mr. Nielson reading to the boys this book.
A family favorite.
His voice is so soothing and think I'll ask him to read me a book tonight.
(Sometimes he reads me bits and pieces of Mitt Romney's new book.)

Tomorrow I will plant my Autumn Glory and then....well then, I'll take it from there.

Pirates and Pancakes

Over the weekend, we got a lovely package from Smeeks.
To our surprise (and to our collection) we received more Fred face plates.
This time we were excited to receive Mrs. Face plate.
She has cute eyelashes and lips.
Maybe we will start using them everyday to see what
different creations we make. (That would make a fantastic blog idea...hmmm)
From pancakes to tacos to pizza, my children can make just about anything
creative on the Mr. and Mrs. Face plate.
They sit as staple plates on our kitchen counter.


**For him here, or her here.**

Today on NieNie asks on BlogHer!
My question today is:
What are you doing today at 10:00 a.m.

...lets, see I will probably be cleaning the kitchen. Oh, and loads of laundry!
And getting the guacamole and chips out for the boys. All 3 of them!
Or just getting ready for lunch on my new face plates.

Send in your pictures today!
I am going to pick a few of my favorites from what you send in.

(the boys playing "store" in my house at 10:oo)

**Happy birthday Lizzy and Maloy (on Sunday)**

The Tree Room

(The Tree Room entrance)

If you happen to be in Provo, or coming from afar.
(all you Freshman dropper-offers)
I know just the place for you to dine.
It is called The Tree Room. Nestled among the mountains up Provo's breathtaking canyon, The Tree Room is Roberts favorite place to dine at among
his utterly famous baby: Sundance.
His handsome face will greet you in a series of black and white
breathtaking photos all over the dinning room.
(I keep wishing he'd greet me in his white Great Gatsby suit ahhhh)

(Bob's face in photographs on the way to the Tree Room with sister Page and Vance)

The Tree Room (named for a live tree growing inside the dining area) has succulent food.
(And when was the last time you could say that about YOUR favorite restaurant??)
Chef Jesse made us feel right at home with delicious vegetarian dishes. I did however, eye the meat dishes and the quality is superior, the food is mostly grown right here in Utah (we had such delicious tomatoes and watermelon).
The fish freshly caught, herbs freshly picked while all coming to you in a stunning display.

Put on your heels and favorite glittery accessory
(the lighting makes everything glow and sparkle)
and enjoy a night out.

Check out the tree room, and please breathe in every detail once your there,
Its one of those places.
See you there!
Oh, and ask for Greg to wait on you.
And if you are selling a wedding ring, he is looking.
Just a little tid bit to get him to wait on you.

(Page and I chat and dine)

-Nie

Happy weekend!

Bowling day and a letter.

(Mr. Nielson exclaiming to Ollie "ONE pin left!")

Christian and I decided to take the children on their last day of summer break...
bowling!
Yep, you heard me right, I said bowling.

The children thought a few rounds of wii bowling at home prepared
them enough for the real thing.
Not so much.
The kids loved the novelty of the sweet shoes, naming the bowling balls after types of ice cream they looked like, and seeing their name on TV (or the score screen).
I loved the air conditioned alley with no other guests present
(except a couple of my nephews who frequent the game room)
The peanut M&M's and cold water.

Oh, and watching Mr. Nielson.
He actually took a bowling class in college.
And now a letter:
Dear honey, lets encourage our boys not to take bowling in college.
How about math instead? That way, when they get married they will have math under their belt which means less time doing homework away from their wives when their wives really need them. Like when she is pregnant and super sick, or like when she makes dinner and it is ready and hot and they are late or a no-show. Or like when their wives are in labor and they can't even stay awake to see the birth of their firstborn because they are asleep, tired from studying.

I'm just sayin....
Love, Stephanie

Tomorrow I am posting about one of my favorite restaurants in Provo.
Everything is great on Fridays right?

(ps ...honey, I am SO grateful for your college education, thank you! smooooch)

To learn with Joy.

This year, our Family Back to school feast was better than ever.
I was more energetic from last year, and had the desire to cook and make it special.
I really had fun setting the table and preparing the crowns for my children.

Our Family theme comes from my Favorite Book. It is found in Jacob Chapter 4:3
Our favorite part is ...."our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents"

This year I gifted my children with beautiful stained Glass stars.
I had a friend (Ashley K. Baker) make them and engrave the children's full name and grade. Hopefully by the time they graduate from school, they will have quite a collection.
I also had Ashley make a star with "To Lean with Joy".-Our family theme.
Hopefully the star will remind them day by day.

On the Menu:

3 kind heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil.
Fresh corn bake
Herb-rubbed Tilapia
Fresh mini string beans.
Cold Cocoa Cola from Mexico.

The End.

********
To Order Stars:
E-mail my friend Ashley Baker at rashreyk@yahoo.com to get more details.
She serves you for pick-up only.
Or her father, Kurt (who did my flowers for my wedding)
who made this beautiful star, can send them wherever you want.
Check out his Etsy shop here.

The last day of summer break.

(the last summer break day. At least some of us are happy)

Today was the last day of freedom. School begins tomorrow, and that means the house will again be alive at 6:30 am. (OoooOooOoohh)
My goal is be up with the children, make breakfast and pack lunches then smooch them off to "The best school in the Land".
Claire wants me to help her pick out her outfits and give my stamp of approval and my goal with Jane is to fix her hair every morning.

I am not sure if my body feels change, but I am sure achy lately.
It's hard to wake up and move. I wake up, lie in bed look out my window
and tell myself "I can do it" over and over again.
We took the kids bowling today. The last hurrah before school.
We came home and I took a nap which lasted about 4 hours.
That's a long nap.

Then, I made dinner. Garden tomato soup.
We sat down.
The children ate one bite then gave me the classic "yuck" face.
Mr. Nielson took a bite and smiled out the side of his mouth.
The dinner was awful. Even I didn't dare take a bite.
Its not that I am that bad of a cook, its just I didn't give it my all,
and I substituted some food for other ingredients.
Never do that.
Then I told the children to pretend like we were really poor
and I used everything we had in the cupboards.
Then I told them that should make it taste better.
Not so much.

Then I painted the girls fingernails instead.
Claire= ruby red
Jane= neon pink.

Tomorrow I will post the Back to School Feast photos. I am really excited to share.

True hearts/NieNie asks

(Nicholas jumps off my bed after a hot summer evening of cleaning and playing)

I love writing my thoughts down at night with my windows flung open.
I love it even more when it is windy and I can hear the chimes out my window.
But tonight was the ultimate. It rained while the wind blew.
And, today was such a day.
I was a little tired today at church because I had stayed up late watching Michelle Duggar deliver her 19th child. Is that even possible. Gotta hand it to her. Having children obviously makes her happy, and you can see it on her face.
She is calm and loving in a way only a Mother Heart has to give.

After church I prepared the family Back to School Feast which was a hit.
My dear friend Justin Hackworth came to snap a few photos to remember the evening by.
I will write about it tomorrow and reveal our Family Theme to you.
I will also show you the gifts Mr. Nielson and I presented the children
to kick off the school year.

For now, my ankles are the size of softballs and I need to rest my weary bones down.
It's odd to think that three years ago I was going strong being a superwoman of a Mom.
I was making 3 meals everyday, packing lunches, snacks, doing housework,
wife work, cleaning, ironing etc etc.
And it was so enjoyable and my body could accomplish just about anything I wanted.
Two years ago I was in a hospital unresponsive and in a coma.
I had no idea what I had ahead of me and my family didn't think I'd pull through.
One year ago I was weak and tired and I could barley get myself dressed. Showers were difficult and sleeping was worse. I hardly had energy to finish the day.
Now I am two years out and stronger still.
I should never underestimate the power of prayer and with a true heart, faith and the Savior, anything is possible.

Remember that when you are getting up at 6:00 am for school.
You can do it!
************************
Themed question and picture for the week at NieNie asks for BlogHer.com.
Go here to start.
Post your kid's classic "Back to School" photos.
(you know the one with their new clothes, huge backpacks, clean shoes
in front of the front door)
Send your pictures in I wanna see them!

(Claire going to kindergarten August '07
Arizona)

Hold on.

(Ollie lives in a different world most of the time, and yes, those are fat crayons strapped
(or taped) to his little hands)

Wait, just a minute!

This is happening way too fast!

When did I say you could go to Kindergarten?
When did I say your feet could grow 1/2 size bigger?
When did I say you could eat so much food to help?
Stop.
Stop growing.
And for you, Nicholas:
Stop wanting for your birthday to "come tomorrow" because it is NOT.
I refuse to let you grow up. I declare that all birthday's are canceled this year.
Nicholas assured me today that all the food he eats is not making him bigger.
Whew that's a relief.
If only it were true.

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

Capture your cute children by "clicking out" (kind of like checking out but clicking instead. I am so technology-hip. You heard it from me first...) Ashley Madsen photography. She is a very charming photographer who works in Arizona. But, a little birdie told me that she travels.
Give her a call and see for yourself.
She is pretty amazing, and the best part, she is a "natural light photographer"
That means she is seriously good people.

And, this is where the Mr. and I will be on Saturday. Come- I'll see you there.

AND, congrats to my brother Jesse and his beautiful wife Lindsay!
Baby # 5 arrived today gorgeous and healthy.