Pizza Pleasure

You know what tonight is, right?  

It's the Nielson pizza night.

Sometimes we order it, sometimes we sit down at a restaurant and eat it, 

and sometimes, we make it.

The Little Nies like it best when I/we make it.

They love picking the toppings, swirling around the sauce on the dough,

 and watching them come to life in the oven.

Lottie loves snapping fresh basil off the kitchen plant to put on her pie.

I love the weekends, and pizza night just adds to the pleasure.

I am excited to see Mr. Nielson this weekend, too!  

He will be home from another week-long ranch trip.

It's cattle season right now.

The cows require special care, including nutrient mixing, immunizations, 

and branding, which keeps Mr. Nielson busy during April and May. 

A vegetarian cowboy- weird.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Spiritual Enlightenment: What Shall We Do?

Just Say Yes!

These faces, these people all have something extraordinary in common.  

Do you know what?

They've saved lives.

 

 

Through their tragedies, they have graciously left this world and donated

eyes, organs, and tissues at the time of their unexpected deaths.

They are heroes, and their legacy will continue forever 

because of their generous offering.

Because of their choice, they have given others a second chance at life.

 

Did you know that April is National Donate Life Month?  

Did you know that over 100,000 people are waiting for transplants?

Organ donation gives hope and renewed life to others- strangers.

I am proud and honored to be an organ donor.  

Despite my health issues, I was worried

 I wouldn't be a candidate as a donor.

But I was told otherwise, and I have gladly signed up.

While Mr. Nielson and I were in the hospital with life-threatening

burns all over our bodies, we received skin from 

deceased donors that covered our burns until our skin was 

healthy enough to be grafted on. 

 I am so thankful and humbled that someone chose to do that.

Please talk to your children, loved ones, and family about becoming a donor.  

Utah, you can register HERE.

You smooth things over.

Dear Mr. Nielson (at the ranch),

These days are long and exhausting without you.

Remember how much fun we have when we are together,

how we joke and laugh about almost everything?

YOU are the only one who knows everything about me;

what I am thinking, who I am, what I want to become, my dreams and goals,

and you are the one who pushes me and pulls me at the same time.

I am me because of you.

I found a poem you wrote for me on my 24th birthday

when we were living in New Jersey.

I was sick and pregnant with Oliver and so very homesick. 

Along with your poem you gave me a card which read:

"I know we've been through some crazy times together and we will

probably have some more, but there is no one I'd rather do it with than you!

(we had no idea what crazy was, did we?)

Look at what we've built

Look how far we've come

A thousand miles or more

Our tread by only some.

Hard as rocks on beaches

The life we know; we go

I kiss your hand, turn rocks to sand

My heart for you is full.

Wrapped up in arms we take it

However life demands

Sometimes we just fake it

Until we see we can.

Smooth things over baby

Smooth like you are

That's what you do, that's how you do it

You smooth things over when you're around.

 

Lets chat today!

Let's Do This

Another week has begun, and I will devote my time to organizing the garage.

I am so happy to report that I donated over 30 sacks of 

clothes, toys, and other home goods.

I have had family members and neighbors visit me at Fox Hill 

to collect furniture and other items that I wasn't using. 

Recently, my nephew Van and his wife Amy, along with their adorable Great Dane, Dre, 

have been preparing for the arrival of their first baby girl this summer. 

I was happy to donate some of my baby items to them. 

It was a bittersweet feeling as I handed off things like the swing, baby tub, 

and Bjorn carrier. 

The thought of whether I am done having more children 

of my own is something I cannot confront at the moment. 

I will think about it tomorrow.

Another plus to my hard work is seeing the Little Nies utilize 

and love the empty (clean) space in the basement.

Indoor soccer, riding bikes, and scooters have opened up a 

lovely space for the girls to dance in their fancy dresses in the basement.

Let's do this.

Table For One

Sundays are my favorite days of the week, and this is why: 

Sunday dinner with family.

Lottie seemed to enjoy dining alone as she requested a table for one. 

Throughout the meal, she made sure her glass was always

 filled with sparkling water. 

Diva?

Wishing you all a happy Monday.

Paint Away

Lottie has been incredibly patient with me over the past few days 

as I have spent the entire day sorting and organizing in the dark basement. 

She is pretty content anywhere as long as she has a table, paints, paper, and markers.

 I arranged a small area near the window where she's been painting all day. 

She must have completed fifty pictures today.

I love them all so much.

They are colorful, happy, and creative.

Just like her!

I just can't bring myself to throw any of them away, 

so I keep them all in a pile in the kitchen. 

The best ones are kept in her room, and she tapes them all by herself. 

Her room is awesome, filled with her best drawings. 

They're mostly of flowers, baby chicks, pigs, and me.

Happy Weekend!

Spiritual Enlightenment: Do I Believe?

Family Photos

 Today, I took a break from my basement organizing project

becuase my doorbell rang.

On my front step was a HUGE box.  Inside the box was a 

beautiful canvas of our latest 

family photo session in the mountains last fall. 

The colors match the paint scheme of Fox Hill perfectly!

 Family photos are my absolute favorite!

Thank you, Blue Lilly!

Beautiful Girl

Mr. Nielson has been at the ranch since Monday, and while he's gone, I've

decided to deep clean my basement.

I am getting rid of things, organizing papers, and going through files.

I've come across love letters Mr. Nielson has written me over the years.

I also found this photo tucked away in his old scriptures, which showed

me wearing my new engagement ring.

When I began dating Mr. Nielson, several people told me I was

not the type of girl he usually dates, so they didn't take me seriously.

Like his past girlfriends, I wasn't blonde, I didn't have long hair,

I wasn't tan, nor did I have a solid career path.

I also didn't know that in High School, his favorite band was INXS

which was a huge part of his identity back then.

During the early days of our relationship, Mr. Nielson took me 

to his apartment's kitchen, where I met one of his roommates. 

Mr. Nielson introduced me as his girlfriend.

The roommate looked at Mr. Nielson with a smirk and 

laughed as if he had heard a hilarious joke. 

I felt angry and wished I had punched him in the face.

The roommate then turned to Mr. Nielson and asked, 

"Wait...that's the girl you're dating?" 

Mr. Nielson replied, "No, that's the girl I am going to marry."

I smiled happily at the thought of a happy future with Mr. Nielson.

Mr. Nielson knew I was hurt by his roommate's comments and walked over 

to me where I was sitting (on his stinky couch) and 

began singing in my ear, "Beautiful Girl" in a fantastic Michael Hutchence voice.

That night, when I got home from his apartment, I noticed

 he had sent me an e-mail:

"Beautiful Girl,

I've never felt this way in my whole life-

I spend every moment thinking about you.

My greatest desire in life is to make you happy.

 I can't get enough of you. 

I love you more than you will ever ever know.

-Christian

9/12/00 

 

 I never saw that roommate again, and we were engaged a few weeks later,

AND I've been hooked on INXS ever since.

* * * *

(Chatting today)

Spring driving.

 Sometimes Mr. Nielson, the Little Nies, and I just hop in the car and drive.  

We don't have anywhere to go; we just drive around our gorgeous 

(growing) city and look out the window.

The weather has really been nailing it lately, and we can drive around

 with our windows down.

I love looking at homes, old and new-in fact when Mr. Nielson and

 I was dating; that was one of our favorite past-times together.

I think it always will be.

Then we encountered this magical scene, and I made Mr. Nielson stop.

A midget pony in a green field with blossoms raining from the tree above.

It was pretty gorgeous.

Once we stopped the car, Lottie popped out, and the little pony

 (who looks like it just trotted out of the movie Willow) 

came right up to her. It was pretty adorable.

(Thanks to the residents of the gorgeous property for making

 barefoot Lottie so very, very happy).

71

 Yesterday we celebrated my Mom's 71st birthday.  

We call Mom "Umi." 

I had my parents up for dinner after church where 

Lottie was kind enough to "share" 

her unicorn and rainbow balloons left over from her birthday.

(But really.  She was mad that I even mentioned it).

After dinner, we met up with all my siblings at my brother's house, and

we went around the room, sharing our favorite things about our Mom.

I said: 

I love Mom because she taught me to love and develop

homemaking skills.  She taught me how to set the table, wash clothes,

and grocery shop.  Most importantly, she taught me the importance of 

teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my home.

I love being a mother and a homemaker because my 

mother instilled that love in me. Thanks, Mom. 

My children and Mr. Nielson are grateful. 

And one day, my grandchildren will thank you.

PS...my foot IS NOT FRACTURED!  Just sprained.  

I totally can walk around now.

My brother said that my injury is called "I need attention-itis." 

Ha.

Honestly, I am so glad for my good health!

Fractured

This morning, while hiking, I rolled and fractured my foot.

Awesome.

It hurts really bad, and I can't walk on it.  

I was in bed all day playing Barbies and ponies with Lottie,

Mr. Nielson helped me with things such as going to the bathroom, 

feeding me, dressing me, and helping me in the tub.

But he's used to doing that for me.

The doctor said to stay off it as much as possible.

That made me cry.  I have so much to do, and just yesterday, I was telling

Mr. Nielson, how thankful I was for such a healthy, happy life.

Life is sure unpredictable and frustrating sometimes.

 Mr. Nielson made dinner tonight and had the Little Nies

 camp on the floor below my bed so we could eat together.  

That was the best part of my day.

I am hoping the weekend will bring healing and health.

I need extra patience and will need to rely on my children, 

especially since so much housework needs to be done.

Here we go.

Spiritual Enlightenment: Opposition in all things

Unicorn Have Teeth, Too

Today, all five of the Litte Nies went to visit the 

dentist for their six month check-ups.

The dentist in general is really depressing. 

It's expensive and reminds mothers that we 

fail in our children's hygiene efforts. 

 

Cavity break-down for the Little Nies:

Claire- 2

Jane- 3

Oliver- 0

Nicholas- 4

Lottie- 1

EVERY TIME I went to the dentist as a child 

I had at least four cavities.

I like to think it's my genes, but really I think

 it had to do with the fact that

 I loved candy and never brushed my teeth.

I definitely think I'm seeing a pattern here.

 

 

1st timer

I woke up this morning, and a unicorn was next to me.

I tell you, that unicorn cape has been the best thing 

I have ever done for Lottie.

Today, Lottie will be joining her fellow Little Nies at the dentist and

last night, Mr. Nielson and I looked at each other with tears in 

our eyes and lamented that our baby was growing up. 

 I can't stand it.  

Tomorrow, I will give the cavity countdown.

(I hope there isn't one...but there always is.)

* * * *

I am chatting today; join me.

Happy Happy Birthday Charlotte Dear...

Today, we celebrated my baby dolly Lottie!

As I have mentioned, she turned four on April 3rd, but we 

celebrated it today. 

A unicorn cape is a must-have for a four-year-old.

Lottie unwrapped the cape, discovered it was a unicorn, 

put on the cape, and didn't take it off pretty much all day.

We visited the grocery store, and she kept that baby on the whole time.  

I asked Lottie where she wanted to eat for her birthday dinner, and she 

told me "chippies," the Nielson nickname for Chipotle.

(Which was a sad disappointment tonight.  They were out of forks

and black beans. BLACK BEANS? What Mexican restaurant runs

out of that staple??) 

Lottie helped me make a double chocolate cake, which apparently 

was way too rich for the 

Little Nies, since they each combined, probably ate one slice. 

Happy birthday, sweet Charlotte, 

you make us all so so happy!

  PS. What is a birthday without balloons-

especially unicorn & rainbow ones.