I Love Families!

Today, I am speaking in Salt Lake City at the

  World Congress of Families conference in Salt Lake City.

You can read my interview about speaking at the event HERE. 

I love my family, and I love this photo of Mr. Nielson 

snuggled up in front of the fan, napping with Lottie!

Have a happy Halloween; it's going to be a good one!!!

Spiritual Enlightenment: I got my tickets, did you?

Claire Elizabeth is 14

But today, my firstborn turns 14.  FOURTEEN!

Can you believe that?  Neither can I!!!!!

Claire is one of a kind.  She is the perfect mix of Snow White 

(calm, kind, good with people and animals), and part 

Belle (smart, creative, and steady). 

She likes it when I tell her that because she likes princesses.

She has always loved this quote from the classic book:

 "Little Princess" by Frances-Hodgson-Burnett.

"I am a princess.

All girls are.

Even if they live in tiny old attics.

Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty,

or smart or young.

They're still princesses."

You, my dear 14-year-old Claire Elizabeth, are my princess. 

Happy Birthday, sweet Toad.

Fantastic

 When I asked the Little Nies what they wanted to be for 

Halloween this year, they threw out several ideas.

 I am learning that Halloween with teenagers 

is very different than when they were younger and in elementary school.

It's a different kind of fun.

Today, after school, we're spending the rest of the day gluing and creating. 

Lottie was pretty simple because every time we asked her what she wants

to be for Halloween, she tells us a different answer, so I just ended up

deciding for her and hope and pray she will be happy on Halloween day 

when we get our costumes on.

My boys, on the other hand were much different.  

They couldn't decide on what they wanted to be.

They kept asking if they could repeat previous Halloween costumes and

I am sorry, but that doesn't fly here at Fox Hill.

We can do better than that!

I helped them come up with a few ideas which they were excited about,

until three days ago when the Bingham boys revealed their plans.

The boys decided they wanted to be the same thing as their best friends, so 

I scrambled at the last minute to order a few must-haves for the costumes and am

 praying everything comes in time for our favorite holiday of the year.

Initially, the boys wanted to be characters from Roald Dahl's 

"Fantastic Mr. Fox".

And since I already ordered the boy's masks and they were already delivered,

 Mr. Nielson and I decided to try them out. Duh.

It certainly was fantastic.

 (Video posted on Instagram)

Ideal

 The weather here in Provo is beautiful!  Ideal autumn weather.

Last week, I took Lottie to the park.  

She rode her scooter around the park, and I walked behind her.

 I often wonder where I'd be if the accident had not happened.  

I'd probably be at a park in Arizona doing the same thing, but maybe with 

a few more children.  I don't know.  

I don't look back in sadness all the time...but I do wonder.

This week, I am preparing for Halloween, festive parties, Claire's birthday,

and speaking at the World Congress of Families on Friday.  

It will be a busy week, but busy for me is usually good.

And tonight, we will take the Little Nies to pick out their

pumpkins!  It's a night that we all (maybe me the most) look forward to!

This time of year makes me so happy to be alive.

Atomic Moms

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by the fabulous duo Bianca Kajlich

and Ellie Knaus on their podcast Atomic Moms.

It was such a joy, especially talking to Bianca.  

She and I have been pen pals for years.

I don't know how we started our online relationship, but we connected.

Bianca came into my life when I was going through a tough time.

I was in Arizona enduring painful hunchie treatments at the burn center.

From the moment I met her, I felt a strong connection that made

 it seem like we had known each other for years. 

Despite our different backgrounds and lifestyles, 

we found common ground that made us feel like sisters.

Bianca is an actress and stars in "Undateable" on NBC (along with 

Bridgit Mendler, who you might know as Teddy on "Good Luck Charlie").

Bianca is also a mother and wife, and I really love her.

We would like to collaborate one of these days on something fantastic.  

I don't know what yet, 

You can listen to the interview HERE, where I talk about motherhood,

my accident, Mr Nielson, and my faith.

* * * * * * *

Mr. Nielson has been at the ranch since Monday fixing fences and chasing cows, 

and I have missed him so much and will be extremely excited to see him tonight.

I have our weekend all planned out.

We are going to watch Just Let Go, a movie directed by our

 friends Patrick and Christopher.

Good work, guys!  (Also, great work getting Desmond 

from Lost to be the main part...I heart Desmond!!!!!)

Have a wonderful week.

Spiritual Enlightenment: Am I a good guy?

Dr J....Thank You

 Since October is breast cancer awareness month, 

I was honored to be invited by Dr. Mark Jensen 

to speak at his annual luncheon for breast cancer survivors.

It was great getting to speak alongside the amazing Mia Love.

Dr. J holds a luncheon every October for the many women he has

helped and who have undergone surgeries and overcome breast cancer. 

It was quite a sight to see so many beautiful women 

who are surviving and thriving.  

Dr. J and I have been "seeing each other" for nearly 6 years.  

He has helped my quality of life and has performed 

quite a few of my burn reconstructive surgeries.

I began my message to the audience by sharing a bit of information:

Dr. J is probably the only other man besides Mr. Nielson 

who has seen me completely naked

(I say probably because I'm not sure what other doctors have seen me

in my birthday suit... Dr. L? Yes, probably him too...)

I thought that was funny.

Dr. J,

You are a fantastic man. Thank you for what you do for

the hundreds of women and the many thousands more you will one day help.

Thank you for what you do for me.

You have been present for some of the happiest and most epic moments 

of my life, and I love you for it.

Like here, when you took photos for me 

minutes after Lottie was born:

And then hanging out with the Little Nies in 

the hospital hallway while they bathed Lottie:

  

XOXO 

-Stephanie

PS...This is my favorite photo of you:

You can read about the luncheon HERE.

* * * 

Mr. Nielson and I are hosting a one-on-one 

private chat today from 10 to noon MDT.  

Come talk about the Mormon faith and any other questions you may have.  

These chats are private, and anyone is welcome!

Let's chat Here.

Bride of Frankenstein

 

Topher (my brother) has directed the very spooky 'Bride of Frankenstein' 

which is showing in Salt Lake City until Halloween.

 The dialogue is prerecorded and played in the background 

while the actors are shown mouthing their lines from the 

Bride of Frankenstein's 1935 version,

It's spooky and unique!  Just like my creative brother, Topher!

I'm OK with mildly scary things, but I don't like blood, gore, or haunted houses.

I hate haunted houses.

Once, in high school, I went on a date to a haunted house

and made my date take me home mid-experience.

That experience still haunts me.

Literally.

I hate caves too...blahhhhhhhhhhhh.  I'd rather die.

Also, back at home, I have been so preoccupied with other projects,

 that I think my house blew up.

* * * *

Deer Camp 2015

Each October, the boys in my family get together for the deer hunt.

Except, they don't all hunt deer; some of the guys (like my guys) 

just love to be in the mountains

with other guys hiking and camping.

This afternoon, the girls and I dropped the boys off for the weekend.  

They began their long 5-hour hike with blue skies and nice weather.

I picked them up later that week in the pouring rain.

The little boys were sure happy to get in the warm car.

The whole ride home, they talked about getting the hot tub and 

watching a movie on the couch.

Sounded perfect to me.

I teased Mr. Nielson that he reminded me of

 Johnny in Hotel Transylvania. (see below)

Meanwhile, at home, I let the girls sleep with me.

And when I say "sleep with me," I really mean: "take over my bed."

FYI:

Flying With Faith, Not Fear

Yesterday, I did something I never thought I would do. 

I flew again (in a small plane)

for the first time since my accident in a small airplane! 

It took me seven years to gather the courage to face that fear.

A good friend offered his airplane and his pilot to fly us to Rexburg, Idaho,

 to speak at the student forum at Brigham Young University Idaho.

I didn't sleep a wink the night before.  

I was worried and anxious- not to speak at the conference,

 but to fly in an airplane!

  But I did it.

And it was no problem, really.

Our pilot, Scott, was amazing.  He gave me a warm hug as I entered the hanger 

where the airplane sat waiting for me.

He knew I was worried about the flight and made me feel at ease and safe.

He offered a prayer before we took off, which was most welcomed- 

especially from the pilot!

I sat back as the plane took off, took a few deep breaths, and focused on 

the gorgeous mountains that we flew past and that I love so dearly.

The fall colors were amazing, and we flew near the trail I hike every morning, 

and honestly, I felt calm and peaceful. 

We even spotted Fox Hill below!

Sure, I was uncomfortable at times during the fight, 

and sure, I thought about my horrible accident.

I remembered the fear and everything that went with it.

But I am learning and teaching my children that we have faith, not fear.

 I want to confidently overcome my fears and  

 conquer my most challenging moments with faith and courage.

Like flying again.

I'm learning this takes time.

Lots of time.

"Remove any of your fear with faith, 

and trust in the power of God to guide you."

-M. Russell Ballard

Happy Weekend!  

Spiritual Enlightenment: That the Lost May Be Found

Change

Taking selfie-style photos with my girlies is common for us.

I feel grateful that I have gained the courage to recapture memories

 with my children without fear or hesitation. 

There was a time when I would look at photographs of myself before my accident, 

and an overwhelming sense of sadness would consume me, 

and I would cry.

Although I don't cry as often anymore, 

I had a moment of weakness last night and broke down a little.

It happens.

My life just changed so abruptly.  

I often feel like my accident was like a dear friend who died suddenly. 

I've used this analogy before, but so much just died on August 16, 2008.  

I miss the day-to-day, I miss my life in AZ, 

I miss my little children, I miss my schedule, 

the way my house smelled or even watering the plants on my porch 

at exactly 12:35, right before Claire's school bus pulled up to 

the Lazona house and dropped her off from Kindergarten.

 I miss hearing Mr. Nielson drive his motorcycle

down our street on his way home from work, 

I miss teaching yoga, and I miss Lindsay Jones.

But whether the accident happened or not, we were bound to grow and change.  

It was just faster and harder than usual, which sometimes makes me sad.

Today, I am addressing the students at BYUI.  

I hope my message of the healing power of Christ and seeing the good in change

even when it's hard, will come across in my thoughts.

I want them to know they have much potential, strength, and passion.

And that can carry them far on the most difficult days-

as it has for me in my darkest hours.

Pop-up

Mr. Nielson and I have some pretty great friends
who have started an amazing line 

of men's activewear called Rhone.  When I say amazing, 

I mean, Mr. Nielson could live and die in these clothes.

They are comfy, handsome, comfy, and very handsome.

If you ever run into him, chances are, he'll be in his Rhone.

Like when I took this photo of him last night
with Jane at her first-ever violin concert.  (Go, Jane!)

Or when we visited my brother Topher on
the set of his new play, The Bride of Frankenstein.

I am happy to announce that Rhone is launching a pop-up store in NYC

set to open on October 15th! 

(This is especially exciting if you live in NYC!!)

Green Cake For My Birthday Boy

 

Yesterday, I baked a green birthday cake with chocolate frosting for Nicholas,

 as he had requested. Unfortunately, his actual birthday was a super busy day, but

 I made it for him today, and he was happy about that.

It's better late than never, after all.

After dinner, I caught Lottie on the table licking the frosting

off the cake. Truth is, I'd do that, too!

That sunset, tho!