Conference reminder/Weekend plans

"Now, brothers and sisters, we are anxious to listen to the messages which will be presented to us today and tomorrow. Those who will address us have sought heaven’s help and direction as they have prepared their messages. That we may be filled with the Spirit of the Lord and be uplifted and inspired as we listen and learn is my prayer."
-President Thomas S. Monson.
*********************************************

{Claire and Jane at Sundance pre-dinner}

We had dinner up at my favorite restaurant tonight- Sundance.
Mr. Nielson's parents (Boss Nielson and St. Mary are in town)
I had cheese ravioli, marinated beets, bruschetta, and a lovely salad.
After dinner I walked outside and saw my breath.
Its getting cold.
This was a big deal because it was the first time this year.
I am a big "firsts" gal.
I am so officially excited for fall, winter, skiing, fires
(in fireplaces of course), hot chocolate, warm clothes, etc, etc...

{Scenes from April Conference 2011)

I am so looking forward to this weekend.
I look forward to this weekend every six months.
It is the 181 semiannual General Conference of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This is where I listen intently to the Prophet's voice.
You know we have a prophet today right?
We do! It is amazing, thrilling, blessed, and exciting.
I have many questions and concerns I will be going into this conference with,
and no doubt I will come out of it with answers, revelation,
and advice to lead happy, faith filled days
(until at least the next 6 months until we get to do it again.)
I hope the same for you.
You don't have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Mormon) to watch or listen.
I welcome anyone and everyone, in fact I encourage it!
For times and listings of the conference; go here.
to watch here.
to listen here.
I PROMISE you will be happy you did...promise!
To learn more about General Conference, go here.
For now, happy weekend and a little teaser of what conference is like, go here.

**Other weekend plans:**
Get out Halloween decorations.
Sister's dinner at Courtney's home (while the men go to the Priesthood session of conference)
Dinner with the in-laws and other in-law siblings
Weed
Buy pumpkins for home decorations
Make German pancakes
BYU football game
Take summer clothes out of closets (and children's)
Write thank you notes and catch up on e-mails.

Afternoon out.

{On Mr. Nielson's honda}

I was in some pain last night.
My skin is so tight and it feels like huge red ants are crawling up and
down my legs and arms all night long keeping me awake.
Its awful.
Its a funny thing about sleep and then not getting it.
It so devastating and feels so unfair.
The night is so quiet and the cool air blows in our bedroom window
and I must say it is pretty cozy- even if I'm going crazy.
I must have fallen off to sleep at some point because I woke up to light-
{and Mr. Nielson's Coldplay alarm}.

I usually feel stagnant around 3:00, and so today I asked my Mr. Nielson
to fire up his Motee and take me for a spin around town.
The Autumn air feels so nice, and I love to be so close to him.

{Did you know Mr. Nielson loved {and loves} INXS. I make him sing
this song to me at night sometimes, its super attractive}

Where I turn for peace

{On our latest fall color ride up Midway, Utah}

Since trials are part of our existence, we might as well
figure out how to deal with them as soon as possible.
Of course they are not easy, nor will they ever be.
But if I have learned (and learning) anything it is:

1. Never be ashamed of my faith, who I am, and what I can share. I can't deny that my faith in Jesus Christ has saved my life, blessed my family,
and carried me through my struggles along the way.
You wont find me hiding that from anyone-I don't care if you believe in God or not.

2. Own the trial. We each come with our own personal trials. God trusts us with them, he knows us and knows what we are capable of. He hopes we can learn and teach others from our own experience. It's hard enough going through it, but what if we went through the trail{s} with an attitude that "this too shall pass"? Everyone struggles, God has faith in me, I have faith in myself and I can do this. What a difference your struggle could be.

3. Read the Book of Mormon. You don't have to be a Mormon to read this book.
The principles taught inside the inspired words will give hope, meaning to life and happiness that can only be felt through Jesus Christ.
I am so relieved and blessed to understand that through these trials and struggles that if I pray to my Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ, my family will be blessed and strengthened. (3 Nephi 18:21)
If you want to read this inspired book I will send you one free, no strings attached. Promise.
{ for more information, go here} I want you to find out for yourself the truth and beauty in these words. The faith I gather in hard times can only come through Christ's tender
words found through The Book of Mormon.
God still speaks to us today. I promise.

I dont write this post because I have in anyway mastered these, in fact I still struggle, but I have the tools to figure them out and face them though and I am so grateful.

PS...here is the link to 'The Religious Test' film I mentioned earlier.

Blood and Mitt Romney

First things first:
My boys. They are really funny. Really funny.
They dressed themselves up in army gear and went for a walk-
but not far because I could hear them talking,
laughing and making gun sounds out my window.
Then they went quiet.
They came in about 15 minutes later and looking like this:
{I have no idea who's blueberry patch they raided for blood, but thanks!}

{"Blueberries that look like real life blood!!"}

Then, I watched this awesome documentary looking into why
1 in 5 Americans say they wouldn't vote for a Mormon for President.
Obviously that goes against the constitution
and is an important thing for our democracy to consider.
Check it out, help it out, and pass it along.
I don't think us Mormon's are that bad. Really.

My favorite part?:
When a man on this documentary says he'd rather
"vote for Bugs Bunny than a Mormon"
Duh, doesn't he know Bugs Bunny is not real??? Sheesh.
Check out more here.

I am so excited for October! Its coming...Its coming!

Farewell Summer hello Uchtdorf

I don't think I ever blogged about the lovely summer evening dinner with the Bagleys.
I wanted to post this because usually I host a delightful
End of Autumn dinner with good friends.
It is so not happening this year...Lil peanut would rather die than assist me
in making salmon with vegetables. Yuck.
So I posted this delightful dinner we had in June.
It seems so far away.
Previous Farewell Summer party here
I will have to plan on having my Welcome Autumn Dinner party
...when Lil Peanut will allow.

Last night I joined my sweet sisters to another glorious General Relief Society Conference.
Here is what I LOVED and so appreciated :

Sister Julie B. Beck- "I am grateful that one of the Lord’s primary purposes in organizing Relief Society was to give the women the responsibility to help prepare “for the greater blessings of the priesthood found in the ordinances and covenants of the temple.”

Sister Silvia H. Allred- "The scriptural declaration “Charity never faileth” became the motto of Relief Society because it embraces these teachings and the charge that the Prophet Joseph Smith had given the Relief Society sisters to “relieve the poor” and to “save souls.”

Sister Barbara Thompson- "Once again, “Lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.” Keeping covenants is true joy and happiness. This is comfort and peace. This is protection from the evils of the world. Keeping our covenants will help us in times of trial."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf- "Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love."

To watch the conference, go here.
Oh, and check this very handsome photo of my hero Dieter Uchtdorf...oh yeah.

To read about the awesome photo, go here.

Nie asks on Blogher

**Nie asks on Blogher**
Are you excited and ready for Halloween? Why?


I AM!!!! So excited to decorate!
Tell me here.

In the Bleak Mid-Winter.

Last night I lay in my bed and listened to Shawn Colvin's beautiful album
"Holiday songs and Lullabies". I listen to this CD year-round.
It makes me happy and since not all the songs are holiday I justify it.

I listened to a particular song on her album "In The Bleak Mid-Winter" .
With tears in my eyes, I remembered simpler days.
In those "simpler" days, like 10 years ago,
I lived in a small 100 year old home while Mr. Nielson went to school and worked.
Claire was just a 2 month old chubby baby.

My days consisted of:
1. Nursing Claire
2. Reading magazines
3. Visiting my Mom
{yep, pretty much.}

I saw myself sitting in my white rocking chair that I found at a second hand store.
It was bedtime and I was putting Claire down for the night.
The lights were off and the door cracked open.
I was listening to Shawn Colvin sing and Mr. Nielson type on his computer outside the door.
I was content and wishful. I had no idea where my life would go.
I guess that is why we live each day with faith so when and if something happens to us,
we are prepared. Ready to take it on. It's not easy, its actually a huge challenge;
to take life on with faith and resolve-everyday.
But it is possible and a much easier and happier way to live.
Listening to this song reminded me of that.

You should buy this album...its beautiful, hopeful and it will make you cry...probably.
{Claire's cute pants here.}

Who's Gonna Drive You Home

{Jane in the car on one of our many drives around town}

This pregnancy is much different than the others.
My body is sore and my skin feels like it is spread so thin-
because of the burns-and because I am not on anymore medicine
to help and assist in my pain and aches.

The best cure?
Drives. Driving. Moving in a car.

Car drives around town make me feel comfortable and at ease.
The weather is perfect for windows down with the wind directly on my face.
This morning Mr. Nielson was out and about and I texted him asking him to come
to pick me up and drive me around. {He even bought me a slushie}
I was in my robe and uggs and couldn't have been happier.
The leaves are changing faster and faster everyday, and I am worried I will miss them.
I know I wont miss a thing driving around.

I love Sirius XM 80's on 8-the best music ever-ever.
I listened to The Cars sing "Who's Gonna Drive You Home?"
It was so nostalgic and so perfect.
Mr. Nielson is gonna drive me home, and around and to the gas station
for a slushie.

As luck would have it, Mr. Nielson had to pick up our winter wood for burning.
That took us to Heber, up Provo Canyon.
The drive was beautiful and I felt happy.

Now, where can I go tomorrow?!

If its your birthday today, Happy Birthday!!

This belongs to...

Check out this adorable Emilie Friday stamp I ordered.
I probably stamped 50 of my books today.

I sure love cute things.
I love things that make me happy, like this adorable stamp.
My children are cute little things too, who make me happy as well.

Did I mention that I ate pizza from Costco today for lunch?
I did.
Now I wish I hadn't. I feel so sick.
I am off all my meds.
I did it.
It is a day to celebrate.

Today I....

On a typical Monday I...

7:30: wake up to Mr. Nielson's alarm (Bono)
8:20: kiss my babies goodbye for school.
9:00: Gigs wakes me up to watch Condorman. {one of Mr. Nielson's childhood favorites}
9:15: eat steal cut oats topped with my backyard peaches.
10:00: watch the end of Condorman with Gigs.
10:45: we get in the shower. I consider throwing up, but don't.
11:15: Mr. Nielson, Gigs and I run errands.
12:15: lunch at Cafe Rio
12:45: Costco
1:30: Mr. Nielson and I roll the windows down, listening to "Wind beneath my wings" on the freeway.
3:20: meet the children at home from school.
3:30: homework with the children.
4:00: I drive Gigs and Ollie to play with favorite cousin Van, who is going on a mission in a few months.

4:30: Jane and I make peach jam for gifts.
4:45: Claire helps.
4:50: I taste the jam, it is good, but really sweet.
5:00: I make Jane go to the garage to bring me up a grape gatorade, I'm running on low.
5:20: Mr. Nielson takes Claire for a motorcycle ride.
5:40: Mr. Nielson takes Jane on a motie ride.
6:00: I clean up my mess so Mr. Nielson can make dinner. I still can't touch food.
6:15: Mr. Nielson takes me on a motie ride, we ride around my beautiful neighborhood.
6:30: Mr. Nielson makes dinner. The kids snub the garden burgers.
6:35: Ollie makes himself yogurt with granola..
7:45: finally we have FHE.
7:46: we tell Ollie to be quiet
7:47: we ask Nicholas to take off Mr. Nielson's uggs.
7:48: we ask Ollie to stop touching his toys.
7:49: we ask Nicholas to stop hitting Ollie with the pillow.
7:50: we ask Ollie to take off Mr. Nielson's uggs too.
7:51: we ask Ollie to put his legos away, he is losing it.
7:52: we ask Ollie to be quite
7:45: I bribe the children with treats.
7:46: It's quite, the lesson begins.
7:48: I ask Claire to take away Ollie's Luke Skywalker guy
7:49: I tell the children I change my mind about the treats...good thing since I don't have anything planned anyway.
7:55: lesson ends.
7:58: Ollie cries because we don't have treats.
8:00: The children are thrown in the shower.
8:45: The children are putting Pj's on.
8:56: Ollie slips on the wet floor while Gigs is peeing on the toliet.
8:57: Gigs slips while peeing.
8:57: the girls laugh, I make them go to BED.
9:00: the drama ends.
9:15; I excuse myself to bed. I am nauseated.
9:15: Mr. Nielson puts on a brave face and puts the babies to bed.
10:50: Mr. Nielson straggles upstairs to bed. He fell asleep on the boys bed.
11:15: Mr. Nielson and I are in bed. I snuggle him and tell him how much I love him.
11:15: Dreamland.

...but at least I made peach jam, I am just really proud of myself for doing that.

Fall colors ride begins: and a shout out:

It began, just like that.
Our annual Fall Colors Ride.
It began today since I noticed that the tips of the mountains out my window
were turning glorious colors.
Reds, oranges, browns, and bright yellows.
I am so happy!
After church, I piled the children in the familygator and we rode up
beautiful Provo Canyon to Midway- the same place that Mr. Nielson and I had our
wedding luncheon.
The autumn colors do something to me. Something indescribable.
It makes me happy, energized, and competently content- even when I feel so awful.


Every Sunday we will take the children to a new spot to show them
what Autumn does to the trees, mountains, and to my soul.

And now a shout out.

Dear Carlie,
Thank you for making me feel so beautiful.
You are an amazing artist and sooo good at what you do.
Love,
Nie

Carlie: cuts, colors, and styles hair. She can also anything really, why just recently she cut my girls hair short so my pregnant nose could hug them without you-know-what-ing.

Recently, Carlie fixed my eyelashes so they sing.
If you want your eyes to sing too, call Carlie.
You can reach her at:801-362-4314
You will be glad you did.

Did I mention that she travels???

Nie asks on Blogher

Nie asks on Blogher

Post your favorite back to school photo!

Mine? Ollie in class...so excited!
Post yours here.

First glimpse

{That's my gummy bear lil peanut sucking his/her thumb}

Today was so exciting!!

I got to listen and see lil peanut for the first time.
I had so many emotions;
I was so thrilled, excited, relieved, blessed, and then I felt like throwing up.
My doctor is a sweetheart and the more I know him, the more I love his wife.
His wife had 10 children (some of which he delivered).
This is not going to be easy, but Dr. (thinking of a suitable alias)
made me feel like a normal, healthy 30 year old just happened to have a very unlucky day in August of 2008 where I got in a plane crash and burned
...no biggie though.

Oliver's teacher sent me home with this adorable story he wrote.
I felt a little better about myself.
I guess my children don't think I am a sick mom all the time.
They are so resilient and handle things so much better than I think.
I guess I should know that by now,
they have each gone through so much in their little lives.
Amazing.


On a side note:
I have listened to Mindy Gledhill's first album probably 40 times in the last few days.
It always makes me feel hopeful.
This album was with me through Oliver's pregnancy and Nicholas' too.
Its amazing what beautiful music can do.

Full moon

Today was better than the day before.
I still watched about 4 hours worth of PBS kids with
Nicholas before getting dressed and ready for the day.
But, at least I wasn't throwing up.
Some ladies in my ward brought over delicious food for dinner tonight.
I love being a part of a church and community where people are more
than willing to pick up some of the pieces when everything seems to be falling apart.
I truly am a blessed lady.

Tonight Mr. Nielson and I took the Nielson 4 up to Sudance to experience the beautiful full moon on the ski lift. The children were in awe seeing the ground below covered in green green grass and wildflowers. They are used to snow, so this was so magical. The evening grew dark and then out from behind the mountain popped the moon bright and glorious. We all cheered when we saw it, and then I cried.
I cried because it was beautiful.

{Claire, Nicholas, Jane, and Ollie...pretending to shoot something}

I cried because Jane kept saying that tonight was a night she would remember forever.
Claire couldn't wait to write about the experience in her journal at school tomorrow.
And then, what should happen next?
A GINORMICA shooting star shot so far across the sky I thought it would never end.
Then I cried.
God is so good. He created the most beautiful magical things for us to enjoy and all because he loves us and wants us to be happy. Wow. What a tearful thought.

Then I secretly wished that just Mr. Nielson and I were alone on the lift together.
What a romantic 45 minutes that would be.
Instead he was on the lift behind me with the boys drinking hot chocolate, next time-oh yes next time. I have it all planned; blankets, pandora on the iphone, some red vines,
and hopefully we will just end up making out.
You should go next time...see you there? I'll be snuggled up to my Mr.
For times and dates, go here.

Then I saw and talked to this man.
He is a pretty cool dude, just as I suspected.

A refresher on my sidebar and an apology.

***Just a little refresher***
I wanted to tell you about a few things on my sidebar,
in case you ever look.
If you don't look or don't care, skip to the bottom of the page
as I take a large slice of humble pie and lead us all in a rousing rendition
of a very popular saying:

Beacon Beneficial:
Mr. Nielson and I are serious about life insurance. Remember how close we came to dying and leaving nothing? I never want to to that again. Mr. Nielson has begun selling his own life policies. If you are interested, check out the button. If you are really interested, Mr. Nielson will personally call you and talk.

Mitt Romney for President Campaign:
I am serious about getting a President of the United States who honors and understands the role.
I am for Mitt Romney. If you are too, please help by donating. Just something small. $10 bucks helps. Anything. If you are willing to help out, click on the button, then let me know so I can say thank you too.

My New life:
A video that was produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. {The Mormon church}. I agreed to making this video because I want to show anyone who maybe having a hard life, ruff day, or sadness to know that we have a loving Father in Heaven who is aware of us and our trials. If you haven't viewed it I hope you get a chance. It really shows how I overcame some of my darkest hours.

Nie Sails:
A cute video produced by Blue Lily photography, on our family sailboat at the Utah Lake.
Warning: If you get easily offended don't watch. The children don't wear life jackets the whole time.

Nie Skis:
My brother Andrew and I ski again first time after my accident. The resort is the breathtaking Sundance Ski Resort 15 minutes from my home. It was such a blast. {I wonder if lil peanut is OK with me doing that again this year? I don't know what I will do if I can't ski...} And a little fyi, I wear my helmet- as do my children...the whole time.

Blue Lily photo shoot:
Another adorable video taken close to Sundance {up near the Alpine loop}. My family has a massive pillow fight and it was filmed to Mindy Gledhills soothing voice. Very genius.

Holiday with Matthew Mead
This is a button for one of the most creative magazines ever printed.
I even get to be a part of it! I am a contributing editor.
This issue, I write about my annual "Back to School Feast".
I write and take photographs about this fun tradition and
I even share some delightful recipes. (Grandpa Clark's famous beets anyone?!}
I am soooo looking forward to the Winter issue!

Vintage Pearl
My go-to jewelry site for anything and everything you can think up.
Precious, vintage, adorable, sweet, and makes-me-cry jewelry.
{I felt that way before I was pregnant!}

Would you like a FREE copy of my favorite book? Button
This book is The Book of Mormon, of course!
Just ask. Nothing more. It wont cost you a penny.
I wont ask you for any information {unless you want the cutest 19-21 year old
young men or women knocking on your door to share with you the
best news you will ever hear- then maybe I'll need something.}

I am a Mormon button:
As if you didn't know already!! Just proud and grateful of it, that's all.

Contact information:
...and you should know, I am not very good at
"getting back to you", I try though.

In my archives:
If you ever have the time to go back and read-

My other blogs:
...that I don't keep up, sweet!

My Twitter account:
...which I don't do much. Just being honest.
Tweet tweet!

A Button from Nie to You:
If anyone still out there adds buttons to personal blogs, here is mine.

Public announcement for the AZ Burn Center
I am proud to say I once "belonged" to the burn center in AZ.
It was a crap, but they helped me get better and I love them- all of them.
Including Mario (Dr. Caruso) and of course my Dr. L!
This is just a short 30 second clip I did for a radio spot.

Conversations:
This was another neat opportunity for me to talk about my accident
with Mr. Nielson, in a beautiful setting where I could share my love of Jesus Christ. Conversations is a Mormon channel that is played all over the world to anyone
who is interested in hearing faith promoting stories and others
testimonies of the power of the Lord.
Its very inspiring. I was honored to be a part of it.
{and besides, I got to talk to Ruth Todd, I love that lady}

The end.


PS... dear you know who you are...N.C,
I am sorry for calling you out publicly on my blog
That wasn't cool of me.
I wont ever use real full names on my blog again.
I admit it, was pretty low of me to do that, I just snapped-
sorry it was directed to you sister.

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me.
(again)

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me
(Everybody now)

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me.
(last time)

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me.

{I feel better, don't you?}

Attention:

{This was taken in August of 2000, Mr, Nielson and I weren't engaged yet...but soon
I just think its a sweet photo, maybe tomorrow I will show the photo of Mr. Nielson in high school.
The one where is girlfriend is slapping him because of good ol' fashioned jealousy.
Something like Mr. Nielson didn't ask her to the dance...young love.}

Attention California,
I will be speaking on September 16th, 6:00 pm
If you near the Sacramento area and are free, I think you'd enjoy this.
To buy tickets for the event, please go here.
I'd love to meet you!
To view the flyer for this event, please go here.


Attention Alaska,
Mr. Josh Romney {Mitt's son} will be in your great state to talk all things Mitt.
Are you interested in meeting Josh, helping out Mitt, and are hopeful for a good President??
GO!
If you are planning to attend, will you let me know?
I'd love to personally thank you.
{ Submitting a donation online will complete an RSVP to the event.}

To donate go here.

Someday I'd love to visit your beautiful state!