Closing This Chapter

Early this morning, Christian and I flew to sunny Arizona to attend 

the wedding of our best friends, Lindsay and Spencer's daughter, Alivia.

It's crazy to think our children are old enough to get married.

It seems like just yesterday, our kids were playing

all together at the beach, getting treats together,

date nights, or our epic 4th of July week trips.

It's sad to think that that chapter is over in our lives.

Gosh, even typing that gave me a big limp in my throat.

But these next chapters are beautiful and necessary for growth

and progression; we always knew these days would come.

Jonesons FOREVER!

Before the wedding, Christian and I spent a few nights at the 

Castle Hot Springs.  

This resort is the most stunning spa retreat in the middle of the desert ever.

I'm sure of it.

Wow.

It was an amazing experience for us.

 In the heart of the resort are several gorgeous natural hot springs.

We had our own little house on site, secluded with a hot tub in the back 

with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, 24-hour service, and transportation to

go wherever you want on the resort property.

We enjoyed delicious meals, including 5-course dinners, 

with ingredients from the on-site gardens. 

I took around 40 photos of each dish during our three-day stay.

Then I realized: NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOUR FOOD!

I never wanted to leave.

Plus, the Harvest Moon was killing it!

Homestead Beef

This afternoon, I walked outside in the pastures and found Christian checking
on the herd.  They love this cooler weather we're having.

(I DO TOOOOO!).
We are actively marketing high-quality beef for sale.
These cows are very special, and while I don't eat them, 

I am thrilled that you will!  

Christian is such a good farmer.  He's so good to "his ladies."

They are well cared for and loved (with names, even!).

I think all this extra love makes them taste even better.

That sounded kind of weird.  And sad.

But, a good farmer (Christian) understands the needs of his crop (the cows)

 and how to tend to them, respect and care for them 

from birth to the finishing process, and in return, 

they thrive and provide for him.

It's a beautiful process!

On The Job

Well, we've made the choice to homeschool Lottie.  

We made this decision for several reasons, but immediately afterward, 

Lottie was so much happier and hopeful!

You could immediately see it on her face.

We spent the day making a schedule with expectations, responsibilities, and plans.  

 I would have THRIVED in a homeschooled environment 

when I was younger.  Mostly because I hated leaving home, and because 

my confidence was at its best at home.  

I sense that in Lottie, too.

Plus, there is SO MUCH more to learn and experience

with hands-on OTJ training.  

That's the type of academic experience I want her to have.

Go, Lod, Go!

That's Life

 

Today was a beautiful Sabbath day.

Church was amazing, as usual.

I teach the 10-year-old kids, and I love that job so much.

They are so insightful and good.  

But today, they were silly and loud.

Even though I wanted to wring some necks, 

I mostly just hope they feel loved and accepted by me.

I genuinely adore and pray for these sweet souls.

The day after Hurricane Helene moved out, I went outside and

  inspected my flowers and my 

Dahlias and my Zinnias made it through the storm.

Truth is, they look better, having weathered the storm.

That's life.

We're all better off when we can overcome and weather

our own personal storms.

Today, Christian was assigned a new church calling

as the Branch President.  

Christian loves our branch family so deeply.

He is so in tune with the Lord and will do an amazing work

serving alongside our congregation. 

I'm so proud of the man he is.

Witch Hazel

 Early this morning, yet again, another baby calf was born!  

This time, a little girl!
I named her Hazel.  You know, like Witch Hazel.  

Another nod at October and this Halloween month.

Our new babies are the cutest little things

and they hide in the tall grass or escape under the fence

and wander off into the woods to stay cool,

which makes it a bit of a game to find them.

Finally, tonight, we went out to dinner for Gig's birthday.  

I still need to buy him donuts and candles to complete

his 18 birthday tradition.

So, we're extending the celebration.

I don't think he cares at all.

An October Toby

Early this morning, Christian shared the exciting news

that one of our mama's had a baby boy calf.

I named him Toby (after this most amazing month of October). 

It wasn't until later this evening, after dinner, that we drove out to the

pastures to check on Mama and Baby.

Toby is adorable. And so very tiny!

Lottie and I rode on the tailgate on the way home 

listening to spooky Halloween music 

and singing at the top of our lungs!

Core memory.

My Zinnia's are dying with the weather.

It's getting really chilly in the evenings.  I love it.

I've been picking them and putting them in my Skull vases.

Once they die and wilt, they look spooky but oddly beautiful.

Next week, I will clean out my garden in preparation

for my tulip bulbs (which came in the mail yesterday!).

Soon Enough!

 News!  
I am that much closer to my big announcement, and I can't wait to share.

Soon enough!

Gigs Day Two

 Today, Gigs has been 18 for two days, 
and for the last three, I haven't been able to get out of bed.
I don't know what I have, but I ache so bad I think I might die.

On Friday, I spent almost the entire day taking Advil 

and DayQuil, and watching all seasons 1-2 (again!) of Poldark.

Lottie turned my nightstand into a medical station.

The only two things I managed to do were wrap a few gifts for Gigs

and text Jane a photo of how I think she looks like Demelza.

And that was it.

On Saturday, I was still bed-ridden but got up to take a few birthday photos

of Gigs opening a few of his gifts.

With Gigs' birthdays, I only managed to get about 20% of

what he wanted. (Remember the sweaters from last year?)

I can't explain it; I don't even know what happened again,

he just never likes the things I give, PLUS I felt so sick

I didn't even make him a cake.

Things he did like;

New brakes for his car.

Spiderman ski mask.

2-pack Batman socks.

Costco shirt.

After I send back the bulk of the gifts I got him,

we'll get donuts to celebrate.

Probably on Thursday.  Probably.  

If I make a full recovery.

(Finger crossed).

Then I was back in bed watching conference.

IT WAS THE BEST.

The best.

Every talk was about peace, unity, and having a relationship with Christ

who is our foundation for truth and right.

HE and He alone can unite our hearts, make the wrongs right, 

and heal. I trust Him, and I trust in the words of His servants, 

the Prophet, and Church leaders.

I am completely, 100% all in.

This year, Gigs watched conference 

with Kitty snuggled up on his lap.

I told him that at the next October conference, he'll be in a suit and tie

somewhere on his mission.

Wow.

Weary Wings

This morning, after I had dropped Lottie off at school, I rounded

the corner to our long driveway and was greeted by my

spooky ghosts in the famous North Carolina fog.

Then, I parked and walked to my garden, where my Zinnia's

are slowly dying with the season as the nights get chilly.

But my Dahlia's are thriving!

On closer look, I noticed giant bumble bees sleeping peacefully

in the delicate folds of the Dahlia petals.

What a sweet scene to see.

I mean, if I were a bee, I'd probably pick a beautiful

flower to nestle in for sleep, too.

God is so creative, colorful, and meticulous.

When I saw this, I felt it was a love note from Him

and I realized that He not only sees me

when I pray and in my needs and struggles, but

He also created a plan for the adorable bumblebees who,

after a busy work day need

a warm, comfy place to rest their weary wings at night.

I love Him so much!

 

Midnight Snack

 So there we were, dead asleep (me still sick) in our bed 

when the door violently opened, and Gigs walked in.

"Dad, Dad, Dad, are you awake?

I need your help!"

And almost instantly, we both woke up to find Gigs, 

who had now flipped our light on with Candace 

(his Ball Python snake) wrapped delicately around his necklaces

around his neck!

Squeezing tighter and tighter with each minute.

He also had blood dripping down his neck from his ear.

He looked like that photo of Trump after getting shot in Pennsylvania.

I didn't even know where to begin.

What is going on?

Why is it 1:00 in the morning, and you're holding Candace?

Why are you bleeding?

He explained that he had removed Candy from her cage and then

she slithered around his neck, getting tangled in his necklaces, 

and then she bit his ear, probably out of frustration.

Christian carefully helped him untangle her from his necklace,

had a little chuckle, and we sent Gigs on his way back to bed

making him promise us that he'll really, REALLY go to bed.

I swear, once it's midnight, Gigs is like,

"Hey, what can I do? I know!  I'll feed and clean my snake's cage, 

yes, great idea, even though I have to wake up for seminary in 4 hours."

I think he's a vampire.

Happy Birthday, Gigs! 18 Reasons

 Well, Gigs is officially an adult!

Happy 18th birthday, Gigs! 

Congratulations to my (once chubby) brown-eyed boy!

As our recent birthday tradition goes, we recreate 

an old photo of us together:

2009:

2024:

Here are 18 things I love about my Nicholas Jones Nielson:

1. He is funny.  So funny.  Sarcastically funny- my kinda funny.

2. He has a compassionate heart- mostly for critters, 

but still, he has a big heart.

3. He has remarkable eyes that are almost superhuman.

He can spot a caterpillar 40 feet away camouflaged on a flower.

4. He is good with children and anyone who has special needs.

5. The way he calls me "Steph".

6. His bedroom is a mix of mess, clutter, and beauty, 

with flowers and plants growing in toilet paper rolls and old jam jars.

7. The way he can talk his way out of everything.

8. His long legs, cute hands, and wispy blonde hair.

9. His phone wallpaper is of us together, and he has a photo

of me in my softball uniform hanging on his bathroom mirror.

10. The fact that he owns 57 t-shirts

11. He is smart and learns quickly.

12. He is a creator, fidgeter, and collector 

13. That he has a personalized license plate.

14. He knows how to work.

15. Honors God and the Priesthood power he holds.

16. He knows Jesus Christ and lives up to his privileges.

17. He loves to snuggle with his 'ol mom.  Still.

18. He has a plan, a vision, a future, and I can't wait to watch

him go.  GO, Gigs, GO!

Happy birthday, sweet boy!