Going down Alice Lane #1

{Its not too bad, but the space was not being utilized, and I wanted different shelving }

I am the very lucky recipient of a downstairs makeover.
My little basement was awkward in space and design.
Alice Lane came to my rescue.
They took pictures of my basement and then Suzanne sketched out a dream.

It would be perfect.

But, it would take work.
Incoming- Mark and brother Chad Magleby.
Chad who is the president of the ultra amazing Maglebys Construction and his brother, Mark who has a Real Estate business came to the Nielson home to begin the dirty work.

For the rest of the week, you will see my basement turn into a beautiful new art/play room.
I am so thrilled to share this journey with you.

Check out Alice Lane's blog and the journey from their perspective..

Nie asks on Blogher:
What is your favorite winter activity?



I love to SKI! (picture taken at Sundance ski resort)
Tell me here!

Nie skis

This video is for all of my doctors, nurses, therapists, family
and friends who got me where I am today.

I just want those of you struggling and feeling trapped to know, there is HOPE.
I know.
I was in coma burned 80% and weighed like 50 pounds, and now I am living life to the fullest.
This movie is a testament to that.

Behold: Nie Skis!




Special thanks to AC productions (my cool brother Andrew) and company.
and
Sundance Ski Resort.

Breakfast with Mitt

{I tried to use the fur to help contain my swollen face}

My clan arrived into the driveway around midnight from our Arizona trip.
Everyone asleep-except Nicholas who was not only awake, but wide awake. Like chirping awake.
Our familygator looked like a gigantic snowball rolling into Provo.
The snow piled up 100 miles out before our exit, and never stopped. It was scary at times-
(just kidding Mom, it was a breeze!)

After getting the family settled and asleep, we were up and on the go again.
This time we were going to have breakfast with Mr. Mitt Romney.
Or, as I like to call him: "Mitt the Man" (because he is).
My favorite part about Mitt the Man is, that he truly wants the best for America.
He will educate us all on what he believes to be the best for our current affairs.
Then let us all decide for ourselves
what is right and good and fair; to us as a country and as individuals.
His disposition is fair and respectful, and I admire that.

This time, I got to meet Ann, Mitt's wife. She is lovely and kind and she even knew who I was before I even introduced myself. I was pretty excited about that- no, scratch that-really excited.
And Mitt even came up to me and said
"Nie Nie is here!"
{Just so you all know, I am going to do whatever I can do to get this man in charge}

Sadly, I looked horrible. If you will remember, I had laser therapy the day before,
so I didn't look so hot. My scars are pretty bad on their own, but this time-well,
it looked 1 gabillion times worse.
I mean that.
My scars are red and my face is swollen.
In fact, as Mr. Nielson and I were walking out of the building we ran into an old friend.
He told me that my face looked "swollen".

That was awesome.

{Just hours before treatment #2- yep, I'm a little frightened}

laser beams

If you will remember, that I had laser treatment done whilst in Arizona.
Sweet Dr. Maffi {in his new establishment} had us in for another go with the laser beam.

It was certainly a romantic 2 hours of my life.
Mr. Nielson and I both getting laser beamed in the face while wearing gigantic
and attractive eye protective glasses.

Life goes on.
I have looked worse- hard to believe, {or is it?} but we carry on.
As for now, my skin is blotchy and super swollen.
At the end of the week it will be peeling, but hopefully
I will notice a difference in my complexion.
Just another step in my journey.

Happy birthday sister Lucy! I love you.


Hey check me out at my cooking blog-"CuisineNie"-do you like salmon?
also,
Have you visited "Nie and You"? Its been a fun journey from
South Africa and Utah!!

Oranges a-plenty/Vintage Peal beauty/new sidebar ad

I think everyone in a cooler climate MUST visit Arizona at this time of the year.
It smells good, feels good, and looks like Spring (as opposed to winter in UT).
We are having a much needed break from life at home.
We picked at least 100 oranges off the tree out back.
And GrandMary made us all orange juice.

And then, Claire tripped at the Phoenix Zoo.
She scraped her knee.
She never cried, but complained pretty much the whole day.

Until I told her that the scrape turned into a nice looking heart shape.
{The incident happened on Valentines Day after all, it was luck!}

We visited with Nadine, she is doing much better. She is up and talking and re-learning to walk.
She looks beautiful in her new skin. She is amazing. I am so proud of her.
Nadine is on her way to a happy new life. Thank you for your prayers!

Erin from The Vintage Pearl made me the most delicate and adorable bracelet.
It has diffrent silver shapes with each of my children's names on it.
{in diffrent font}

Get one for your babies!!

Check out my new sidebar ad------------->
Me doing a public safety ad for the Maricopa Burn Unit in Phoenix!

Oh, and the good news? I updates CuisineNie! Check it out!

I heart Lover's Holiday, Matthew Mead, and when I ask question on BlogHer.

{my chin is not so hot in this picture}

I love you I love you I love you I love you

My Lover's Holiday included:

7:00 am....shower {together... (I wanted my brother Andrew to know that)}

8:00 am...Record Burn Unit public commercial

{Me at Lambchops record studio}

9:30 am...Breakfast at LGO in Scottsdale- Strawberry and creme crepes.

11:00 am...Visit the Maricopa Burn unit, kiss my old nurses and Doctors.

12:20 am...Visit with Dr. L. He even gave me - {are you ready for this?} a hug. Yep, twice actually. And he also gave me a very L O N G explanation to give to those of you who e-mail me inquiring if my you-know-what's are real. Andyestheyarethankyouverymuch.

I love that Dr. L!

1:30 pm...Picked up personalized heart-shaped sugar cookies from my favorite bakery in Mesa. And a few of my favorite oreo's to bring home to sisters.

{I think this kid only ate the frosting...that's my boy!}

1:45 pm...Doorbell ditch children with the cookies and Valentines. I almost tinkled my pants I was laughing so hard hiding with Mr. Nielson behind a tree.

2:00 pm...Nap!

4:30 pm...Shower up for my big Lover's Day date with Mr. Nielson.

{Mr. Nielson pre-date...hot stuff}

5:00 pm...Order heart shaped pizza for Children.

6:00 pm...Mr. Nielson and I decide on Chippies for dinner. No one else in the joint. Eating at a nice place on a busy night is totally overrated. A big pile of guac and chips is kind of dinner anyway! We played the "would you rather" game...{example: would you rather burp in your dates mouth on your first kiss, or do a flartie in the movie theater sitting next to your first date} Crude, yes. Funny, double yes.

{Me preparing for the "would you rather game" whilst Mr. Nielson orders dinner}

7:30 pm...Mr. Nielson buys me Ree's book and few magazines while strolling around Borders.

{Ree's love story on my lap...oh, and look! I am wearing a seat belt!}

9:15 pm...Movie. Mr. Nielson rented out the whole theater. It was so awesome. We practically made out the whole time. Yeah, I don't even know what movie was playing.

{Awwh, Mr. Nielson and I sharing popcorn and vanilla coke.}

Midnight...None 'yo buizness!

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

Check out Matthew Mead's newest magazine!!

I will be joining the team again to bring you the coolest and most beautiful magazine around.

Go here to preview Matthews video. Oh, and buy yours today!!

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

Nie asks on Blogher

Speaking of magazines, what is your favorite Magazine?

I love any home magazines- but wait!! Do I spy ME?
Tell me here.

To my precious Jane/Justin Hackworth giveaway revealed!

{the adorable skirt found here}

Dear Jane Bronwyn,

I love to remind you each birthday how you were almost born in the back seat of our white Mitsubishi Montero.
You were.
You came so fast and it was so intense, I was certainly NOT prepared for the pain and just how fast you wanted to come to earth.

I love re-telling you of how a police man pulled daddy over because he was going something like 100 miles an hour in a 35 mile per hour zone to get me to the hospital.
I screamed profanities to the officer as I pushed {and held you in} in the most excruciating moments of my life. He decided {like a good boy} to let the screaming lady {me} and her hyper husband {daddy} to move on-as fast as we could.

You were born in the ER about 3 minutes after we pulled up. At 3:45 am.
After I held you on my chest and we watched Family Ties together and daddy slept next to us in a rocking chair. I tried nursing you.
You were brilliant.
You had red...strike that, orange hair. Bright orange hair.

Jane, you are such a delight. As intense as they come, and feisty too. I love that about you.
I love that you laugh at just about anything, and cry at just about anything too.
You are a very unique soul in which God thought we'd be perfect for each other. We are.
We have climbed hurdles together in the mere 8 years you have lived on this amazing planet Earth with me.

I am just honored to be someone in your life you call Mother.
Happy eighth birthday my Janey!

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

Congrats to:

Ashley Witt and Anthony Armijo
for winning the Wedding photo session with the amazing Justin Hackworth.
I hope you are screaming right now.
You should, you are inviting a photographer genius to be at your wedding.
You will have the best photographs ever. I promise.

Out of the sun into the snow

{Oliver and Nicholas make fresh orange juice with GrandMary, from the out back}

We are driving home from the land where the sun belongs.
Full report due tomorrow {including my romantic Lovers Holiday with Mr. Nielson.

Treatment 2

{I love Christian. Shirt found here}

I had laser work, treatment # 2 this evening at Dr. M's office.
He is a sweetheart, and is very very good, and talented at what he does.
It hurts like the dickens. My face is swollen and puffy and I hurt.
I need to go to bed, {Even if it is only 6:00}. I can't keep my peepers open!

{Dr. M. doing his magic on the Mr.}


{Me with numbing cream on my nose. I am next...yikes}

A special hello to Nurse Pearl...you know who you are. Carry ON!