Chrtistmas Eve 2014

Christmas Eve at the Nielson home consisted of four things

1. Skiing at Sundance

2. Dinner 

3. Movie

4. New Christmas PJ's/ BED

Dinner at Cafe Rio is always welcomed after a full day of skiing.

 Then on to the movie.

Lottie watched maybe 30 minutes and

 then wiggled around the theater.

Mr. Nielson was a sweetheart to hang out with her in the car while 

I finished off the popcorn and the movie with the Little Nies.

 Then we came home and opened Christmas jammies.

(Lottie was long gone in her bed dreaming of sugar plums 

when all these photos went down).

Before we set our cookies for Santa we prayed to God and thanked

 Him for everything our family has been given.

We didn't ask for anything, we just thanked Him for 

Jesus Christ, our safety, our health, for each other, and for this time of year.

  Perhaps the best part of the whole night was when

 it began to snow around 3:00 am.  

(yes we were still up, helping Santa, of course.)

It was a Christmas miracle, seriously.  

We haven't had any snow all year until tonight when we got dumped on.  

About 6 inches fell while we slept.

 Santa came!   And Mr. Nielson still in his skiing thermals.

 I got a photo of the children crammed together asleep.

Sometimes I think that Christmas Eve is more fun than Christmas day.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight.

Christmas Photos 2014

A few weeks ago, we had our Christmas photos done at 

Justin Hackworth's studio in Provo. 

Choosing "the one" for our Christmas cards was hard, but it had to be done.

Next week, I will post it along with my Christmas testimony. I love you.

In the meantime, check out how dang cute my Little Nies are:

 Charlotte

 Nicholas

Claire

Oliver

 Jane

 Us.

The Burn Foundation Gala 2014

One of the reasons Mr. Nielson and I brought the Little Nies down to 

Arizona for a week was so we could attend the annual 

Burn Foundation Festival of Trees Gala.

The gala raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for families who are 

affected by burns and trauma.  

The foundation was so helpful to my little family in my time of need.  

It's really a fabulous organization and 

the generosity of others is really very inspiring.

Dr. L and his beautiful wife Sara invited us, 

and we were so grateful to go with them!

Next year, I hope Dr. L and Mr. Nielson wear tuxes.  

I'd really like to see that.

This has really been a wonderful trip and the weather nailed it.

I am a lucky gal because I have such a wonderful family, doctors,

and amazing friends who live here in the 'Valley of the Sun'.

 Spiritual Enlightenment: Christmas is Christlike Love

A Burn Center Visit.

Today I told the Little Nies we were all going on a field trip.

Mr. Nielson and I drove to the Arizona Burn Center in Phoenix.

The same burn center where Mr. Nielson and I spent months 

hanging on to dear life and months recovering and learning to live again.

The Little Nies spent the afternoon in the hospital

 gardens walking Lottie around in the stroller. 

They also scored some fun coloring books and crayons to enjoy while

Mr. Nielson and I chatted with some fellow 

burn survivors who are still bedridden. 

It needs to be said that burns are horrible and painful.  

They are the worst.

I know that we can overcome anything with the help of God.

That is my message, and that is my story.

I am where I am today because I fought hard to improve.

It was hard, frustrating, sad, and painful, but possible.

It's possible because God loves me and puts people in my life like Deb

(one of my very, VERY favorite nurses),

who encouraged and supported me in my time of need.

I want to do that for others.

After we met up with the children, Deb made

Ollie's dreams come true when she gives him a burn gown, gloves, and goggles

to take home.  He is an inspiring burn surgeon, and he was in heaven.