Deathway

Provo experienced a beautiful snowstorm a few days ago. 

The snowfall continued all night and into the next day;

it was a glorious sight and perfect for the Christmas spirit!

However, the snow also caused some serious inconvenience. 

I had to run an errand quickly to the store and leave my house. 

When I returned, I found that the snow had accumulated 

so much that it covered my driveway.

I often refer to my driveway as the "deathway" because, well,

for one thing, it's super steep and not paved.

When it snows, I hold my breath 

and pray really hard that I'll make it down and up alive.

We have plans to pave Fox Hill in the near future,

making the commute up and down the hill a lot easier. 

When we built Fox Hill, we designed it with an ice melt into the driveway.

That will make going up and down a breeze.

But for now, I'll just keep saying my prayers.

 As I tried to drive up the driveway today, I suddenly lost control of the car. 

It skidded down the hill uncontrollably, and in that moment, 

my life flashed before my eyes. 

Fortunately, I managed to keep the car on the road, and by sheer luck, 

I missed the fire hydrant at the bottom of the hill by inches. 

Feeling frustrated, I got Lottie out of her car seat, and we started

 walking up the driveway, leaving the car stuck in the snow at the bottom.

On my way up to Fox Hill, I slipped, landing on my tale bone.

Lottie luckily landed on me. It hurt, but all in all, no harm was done.

I got up laughing and maybe crying a little, but I also felt really old.

 I gathered myself and Lottie and started up the hill once more.

Seconds later, I slipped again; this time, I lay in the thick snow, looking up

at the sky. I really hurt and really started to cry.

Mr. Nielson came to my rescue (thank goodness),

 he told me to go inside that there was a fire waiting for us- 

he'd get the car and bring it up for me.

I carefully walked the rest of the way up the hill in pain.

I turned to admire my handsome hero just in time to see him slip

on his back.  

He got up quickly, looking around, hoping I hadn't seen him.

We had a good laugh at that one.

I finished off the afternoon making banana bread with Lottie

with a hot rice pack on my neck.

Ever since that incident, Lottie tells everyone that

"Mama slipped in the snow, fell on her back, and then she cried."

I'm just glad I didn't say a bad word, too.

Happy Monday!

* * * * *

Christmas GIF Advent: Days 21 & 22

Luke 2:16

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, 

and the babe lying in a manger.

Luke 2:16

And they came with haste, and found Mary, 

and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

O Christmas Tree (s)!

Since Yesterday was December 1st, Fox Hill turned into Christmas Fox Hill.

After the Little Nies came home from school, we loaded everyone in the truck,

headed to our favorite Christmas Tree stand, and picked out 

four beautiful Christmas trees.

One is for the dining room window, one is for the family room window,

one is for the girl's room window, and one is for the boy's room window.

It's important they are by windows.

While Mr. Nielson set up the large trees, I prepared dinner,

the Little Nies were upstairs in their cozy rooms, decorating

 and lighting their trees.

Meanwhile, Lottie opened all our Christmas decoration boxes in her Elsa dress.

They were laughing (and teasing) each other and singing along to

the Christmas music we had blasting throughout the house.

 I wish I could adequately describe how beautiful it was.

 I have happy, special memories locked in my head, and I can pull them

 out and think about them when I need a pick-me-up.

I did this many times in the hospital, especially when I was drowning in 

depression, and I didn't think my life would get better.

Memories like when Mr. Nielson and I got married- the day was magical!

Or when each of my children was born, they smelled soooo good!

Or memories at my family's cabin in Wasllburg, Utah.

Or at the ranch in New Mexico.

Holidays, mealtimes, hiking, Summers, snow falling in the dark sky,

and most of my childhood memories.

Today was definitely another memory saved. 

 I am excited to show how the trees turned out. 

Christmas Advent GIF Day Two:

* * * *

Sadly, I will NOT be chatting tomorrow on Mormon.org.

Mr. Nielson and I will return on Wednesday, December 9th next week. 

Come back!!!

 (in the meantime, you can e-mail me at sisternienie@gmail.com)

 * * * *

Weekend At Fox Hill

Yesterday, my dad told me I needed to "put my feet up more."  

Well, Dad, I think I will try to do that this weekend.

My house is decorated, most of my Christmas shopping is done now, 

and we are supposed to get a storm blowing in. 

Perfect conditions for putting my feet up!!

Here is Christmas around Fox Hill this year:

I planted my amaryllises and paperwhites a few days

 ago and hope they'll bloom for Christmas!

Fingers crossed.  I planted them super late this year!

* * * * * * *

 Christmas GIF Advent: Day 11

Luke 2:7

There was no room for them in the inn.

Spiritual Enlightenment: The Purpose of a Savior

Christmas Morning 2016

I've decided to break up my Christmas day into two posts 

since the day was so full.

We woke up to 7" of snow on Christmas morning.  

I know we joke about

 "Christmas miracles," but that seriously was a Christmas miracle! 

The Little Nies woke up at 6:30, walked down the stairs with 

a blanket over their heads 

(since they have to pass through the living room,

where all their gifts are to get to our room).

Mr. Nielson and I left the Little Nies on our bed while

 we went into the living room to make a cozy fire 

and put on some Christmas music.  

After we gave them permission, The Little Nies rushed into 

the living room to check out their gifts from Santa. 

We spent the rest of the morning relaxing, exchanging presents, 

and watching the snow fall harder and faster.

Church began at 11:00, so we all went outside and

 made a good family effort to shovel the Fox Hill driveway.

What a job.  We quickly realized that we were going to be late for church, so

we decided that I would help the Little Nies shower and get dressed while

Mr. Nielson finished shoveling our long driveway.

And he did!

We jumped in our car and said a prayer that 

we'd safely get down the driveway.

And we did!

Talk about a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE...and we got to church on time!

What a gorgeous service we attended.

We sang songs of praise to honor Christ and His birth.

Despite what others said, I liked having Christmas fall on a Sunday. 

It was peaceful and worshipful.

I couldn't get enough of the gorgeous snowy scenes 

out my window.  

 Christmas 2015 or Christmas 2007

2003-2017 Photos

One of my very favorite blog Christmas traditions is to post

 Nielson Christmas photos through the years.  

Starting with our very first card in 2003 

(with a few cards missing along the way, i.e., 2008).

Introducing the Nielson family Christmas photos through the years:

2003:

The 4 of us lived in Provo's cute Kiwanis Park neighborhood.

This photo was taken by our good friend on our porch.

2005:

We were living in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

This photo was taken by a self-timer in Times Square.

2006:

We found ourselves in sunny Mesa, Arizona, where we had added 

another new little man, Gigs, to our clan.

2007:

I let my hair grow out, and Mr. Nielson was training for

an Ironman. Our friend, Andrew Bagley, took this photo near Tempe Town Lake in Arizona.

2009:

Change. 

This photo represents so much change and 

triumph all at the same time.

 Taken in an apple orchard in Provo.

  

2010:

This photo was taken by our dear friends

in the gorgeous mountains of our favorite spot in Provo: Sundance.

2011:

With the hope of a new baby (I was six months pregnant!),

this photo was taken on our new empty lot that

would soon be Fox Hill in the foothills of Provo.

2012:

Taken in a Christmas tree lot, this photo was a delicious

memory, especially with Charlotte added to the family.

2013:

This photo represents our family life with Mr. Nielson

as our protector and each child doing something they love.

Then there is me in the middle enjoying every bit of it...

with a fancy green dress on.

Revisiting Sundance, this photo is taken in a large lodge

on the property.

2014:

Taken in one of our very favorite photographer's studios in Provo

with pops of pinks, reds, golds, and oranges.

2015:

Taken in the fall in the glorious mountains near Park City, Utah.

This is one of my favorite family photos.

2016:

With all the girls in sparkles and sequins in front of

sparkly Christmas lights, we snapped 

this photo was taken in downtown Salt Lake City.

2017:

Our most recent Christmas photo was taken in Midway, Utah

with the newest edition to the family: Angus.

Merry Christmas!

The Briar House Christmas Village Addition

While I was "sleeping" in the burn unit in Arizona, preparations were

being made to secure a home for our family in Provo, Utah.

A little white home on Briar Avenue in the tree streets where I grew up was

 bought and prepared for us when I was released from the hospital.

My parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and friends

 were all close by, along with loads of familiar neighbors.

As I got better, family, friends, and strangers volunteered to help 

fix up the Briar house for us to move in.

Even my 5th-grade teacher at Wasatch Elementary came to help

get the house ready and comfortable 

for my family in this new chapter of our lives.

The Briar house was a labor of love and service because

of all the hands that helped get me there.

In January of 2009, our family moved in.

We loved it!

It was a perfect size, with two fireplaces and a

 delicious peach tree in the backyard.

Mr. Nielson added a long tree swing in the Birch tree in the front yard,

and a fantastic tree house for the Little Nies in the backyard.

I brought Lottie home from the hospital to that house,

we lost Jimmy at that house, held parties and friend get-togethers there, too. 

We lived there until 2014 when we moved to Fox Hill just up the street.

This year I asked my talented friend, Courtney, to make a mini

Briar House to add to our Christmas village.

Last year Courtney made The White House.

This has been one of our favorite wedding anniversary traditions

 for Christian and me.

This house was my healing house.

I came home there and found myself again.