Underwater Phone Case

Another post by Christian:

If you don't already have a Lifeproof case, get one.

 My favorite part is that they are waterproof.

 So you can see how nerdy you look underwater.

Are you ready for Stephanie to come home yet?  I am.

Sorry, my blog posts are boring.

Back It Up

So, Stephanie is at girls camp with Clane 

and a bunch of young ladies from our neighborhood this week.

Her biggest concern was being able to back up the trailer

at the camp spot in the mountains.

She's a very capable woman, though.

I wanted to balance encouraging her "capable-ness" 

with helping her feel "taken-care-of" too.

I'm proud she can do stuff like back up a big trailer.

Also, I'm chatting today from 10-noon MDT.
http://chat.mormon.org/MrNielson

Taking Over For My Lady

So my lady is gone to girls camp this week and I'm taking over.

Yesterday was her birthday, and I tried to make it special for her.

We began with a morning hike up Rock Canyon, followed by breakfast at Jamba.

Then she opened her presents with the kidlets, and we had a family swim.

Next was lunch at Zupa's...

(these are wierd names...Stephanie picked places to eat all day)

...and a visit with Umi and Grandpa.

Then Stephanie and I went to see a movie (The Shallows)...good summer thriller.

And finally we picked up her ice-cream birthday cake at Baskin Robins.

She hasn't had one of those since she was 6 years old.

I even ordered the cotton candy flavored one...not my favorite, but it's hers.

 I hope you felt special today...I love you!

Also, I'm going to be on chat Wednesday from 10-noon MDT.

Here's my chat handle to reach me:

http://chat.mormon.org/MrNielson

A Whole Week

Today is my birthday, and I turn 35!!!

Tomorrow, Claire, Jane, and I will be away at girl's camp

with hundreds of girls and leaders in our neighborhood.

We will eat tinfoil dinners, sing songs about love, God and nature,
and probably get about zero hours of sleep.

And also, ALL of us will be media-free!
So, farewell for a   w h o l e   week.

If you want to see a little about what Girls camp is like,
check out my sister-in-law Lisa star as
the camp director in "Once I Was a Beehive."

-Nie signing off...

for a week.

PS. Say a prayer for me; I don't do well with community bathrooms.

Write this down:

It's that magical, wonderful time of the year when

we celebrate America's Independence Day!!!!!

It's a big deal here in my city of Provo.  

There is so much going on, so much fun, and so much patriotism.

So, get a pen and paper so you can write this down:

First, did you hear that Mr. Tim McGraw 

will be here serenading our city with

his fantastic voice? On July 2nd,

 you can join the rest of us in singing

"Southern Girl" while the fireworks blaze overhead.

It's going to be epic, and 

Mr. Nielson and I are excited to take

all the Little Nies.  

Second, another wonderful tradition is the Freedom Awards Gala,

where we celebrate and honor men and women 

who have amazing stories

of patriotism, freedom, and commitment to God and country.

It's really a fantastic night, 

one that Mr. Nielson and I truly look forward to. 

Third, another exciting event that you wouldn't want to miss is the 

Patriotic Service happening on June 26th at 7:00 PM. 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the 

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

will be the keynote speaker. It's a great opportunity to 

witness his speech, and I highly recommend you attend this event.

Lastly, I'm plugging the deliciousness of beet hummus.

Go eat some.

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Spiritual Enlightenment: 

Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Work among You.

One Summer Day at Lunch

Today, I treated my daughters to lunch, and we had a lovely time discussing

 our summer plans, like baking, swimming, and sewing. 

And we even discussed their future wedding dresses. 

Claire and Jane both have very classic tastes, but they differ in many ways, too.

While we talked, Lottie was playfully pulling Claire's hair 

and whispering silly things in Jane's ear. 

Having my big girl's love and mug on Lottie is adorable.

Charlotte reminds me of Claire when she was 

her age - animated, inquisitive, and curious. 

On the other hand, Lottie looks so much like Jane, 

with wispy orange hair, freckled arms, and tiny hands. 

When the heat outside becomes unbearable, we move inside 

to watch the old family videos we had

digitized. (Thanks, Martha!)

It's always fun to see how The Little Nies have grown over the years. 

We have recordings of each child's first few moments in the world, 

and my expressions of joy and relief after their birth. 

We have also watched Mr. Nielson graduating from college and then us buying our first car. 

We have videos of our first house in the Pioneer House

and our life in Arizona. We have captured clips of our wedding day,

 our dog Jimmy, and many adventures living in New Jersey. 

Before long, we will be filming the girls in their beautiful wedding dresses

that we talked about that one summer day at lunch.

God Always Wins

In summer, I let the Little Nies sleep until around 9:00, 

and then I get them up for our daily study scripture together. 

 I want them to be alert,

 awake, and ready to take their turn reading 

aloud downstairs at the breakfast table.

This proves to be much harder when school

 is in session and we wake up at 7:00,

but reading together is bliss since we are on summer break.

I know there is safety when we follow the words of the Lord.

My children need the protection that the scriptures provide.

I need the protection and inspiration that the scriptures provide.

I get discouraged sometimes as I browse social media or watch the news.

People make bad choices that hurt others and take away rights and freedoms.

People of all ages act inappropriately for popularity's sake.

People try to gain "followers" by saying or doing things to shock.

I know I can't entirely stop bad things or evil from touching my children,

but I can undoubtedly arm them with God's commandments and words

given to us in the scriptures.

I feel like I am constantly reminding my children:

 Bad will never be cool, and God always wins.

* * * * *

Today, Mr. Nielson and I will be chatting from the 

Missionary Training Center (MTC) here in Provo.

Please come and join us!

Steady Process

Maturing as a mother is a gradual and steady process. 

I understand that my best effort is what truly counts. 

Every day is an opportunity for me to start again, 

try harder, and be more intentional in the way I interact with my children,

and with Christian.

Prayer is an essential part of my daily routine. 

It's the key to determining whether my day is successful or not. 

Even if the day doesn't go as planned, I take comfort in knowing

 that God is always with me. This knowledge changes 

my attitude and helps me stay positive. 

With God on our side, we cannot fail.

I have memorized this saying over and over:
Challenges are, at times, and indication of the Lord's trust in you.
-D. Todd Christofferson

Dear Lord, you can trust me.

Father's Day 2016

Hey Christian, Happy Father's Day! 

We wanted your day to be extra special today, so we made your favorite foods. 

In the morning, the girls and I teamed up to make some 

delicious buttermilk pancakes with fresh cream and berries 

for your breakfast in bed. 

For lunch, the boys' made you your favorite salmon lox with arugula. 

And for dinner, I made the classic 

mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, salad, rolls, etc

and we invited The Beasley family over.

 Jane spent all day yesterday browsing Martha Stewart 

magazines and came across 

a great idea to make darling paper shirts as cards

and each Nie decorated one for you.

We attended church minus Nicholas, who was home sick. 

 I think the combination of too much last night

and too much sugar put him over the edge.

I let him stay home and sleep it off.  

Poor little dude.

The Little Nies couldn't wait to get home from church, so they 

could watch Christian open his gifts.

This year, we got him a nice, sturdy pair of overalls for the ranch.

We made your favorite dessert, peach cobbler, 

and Ollie helped me peel the potatoes while you took a three-hour nap. 

My dear Mr. Nielson, 

Thank you for being a wonderful father to our five children. 

Your patience, love, and teachings are greatly appreciated. 

We are grateful to have you in our lives. 

Also, don't you agree that we make wonderful and beautiful children together?!

Then we went to visit my father. My namesake! 

We sat on the lawn, and one by one, other siblings 

and their families came to visit.

We each shared funny memories we had of Dad growing up. 

We laughed so hard. 

 Then Lucy and I attempted to take a few photos with

 Dad and not one single image turned out.  

Awesome!

I am thankful for the good men in my life.  

Men who protect, provide, support, and love.

Not sure what's going on here:

"For men, fatherhood exposes us to our own weaknesses 

and our need to improve. Fatherhood requires sacrifice, 

but it is a source of incomparable satisfaction, even joy. 

Again, the ultimate model is our Heavenly Father, 

who so loved us, His spirit children, 

that He gave us His Only Begotten Son for our salvation and exaltation. 

Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends."

 Fathers manifest that love as 

they lay down their lives day by day, 

laboring in the service and support of their families." 

D. Todd Christofferson

 Fathers Day 2015

Christopher

Months ago, my dad called a family council on a Sunday evening.

In my parents, living room, all nine of us siblings and spouses 

listened as my dad began saying that the last time we had a family council

similar to this was when

 "Cubby was in her accident almost eight years ago."  

I then knew that whatever my dad was going to say was going to be bad.

We knew my brother Topher was having health problems; 

his back hurt all the time, and it was beginning to be hard for him to walk.  

Occasionally, he'd text us siblings and request our faith 

and prayers since he was in a lot of pain and 

unsure of what was happening.  

My little family began fasting for him every month.

Topher sat at the head of the room with his wife Lisa

 beside him and began talking about tests, doctors, and hospital visits,

 and then my mind started spinning. I felt sick.  

I felt hot but was freezing, and mostly, I just wanted this 

moment to stop- especially before he told us 

what he had discovered about his health.

Christopher had been diagnosed with ALS.

ALS is a terminal disease with no cure. 

Topher and his wife Lisa had known about his diagnosis for some weeks 

and had already begun processing what this meant for them for

their family, and for the rest of their lives.

As Toph talked more and more about what ALS meant

 I wanted to get up and run away.

I had similar feelings when I was bound and intubated in the hospital.  

People would talk to me and about me while I just lay there 

frozen, unable to move or speak.  

I often imagined myself getting 

up in a hulk-like frenzy, ripping all the tubes

out and away from me so I could run far. 

So far away that my painful and disappointing reality magically disappeared.  

I felt like the faster I could run, the more I'd get better and stronger.

One night, I attempted this and was subsequently given a babysitter 

to sit in the corner of my room for the rest of my hospital stay

because I was a danger to myself.

Running away played over and over in my head as all of us siblings took in

Tophers new challenges and limitations.

I wanted to run away right then, and I wanted to take Christopher along with me.  

I wanted to throw his cane away, grab his hand, and run out the door faster 

and further away from the situation we were in.

"Christopher, run!" I'd yell, 

"Faster, Topher! Faster, hang on to me; 

your legs will work again, and soon, 

your body won't stop; just keep running with me." 

After the meeting, everyone went home except

 me, Christian, Topher, Lisa, and my parents, 

I was crying and attempting to explain to Topher 

how I felt about running away. 

The use of my dramatic imagery was hard to understand.

But it made sense to me.

We talk and read about Christ breaking the bands (or chains) of death and 

"rising with healing in His wings." 

I know that one day, our failing bodies will be perfect again.

 Christopher and I both believe this because we have faith

 and hope and believe in Christ.

The scripture in Matthew 28:6 has come to mind several times 

since our family counsel.

"He is not here: for He has risen."

Christ has overcome the sting of death through the Resurrection.

I believe this and know through His miracle that Christopher won't suffer

from ALS forever. It will not be the end. 

Christopher will be made whole again.

"(Our) loved ones whom we knew to have disabilities in mortality will stand

before us glorified and grand, breathtakingly perfect in body and mind.

What a thrilling moment that will be! I do not know whether we will

 be happier for ourselves that we have witnessed such a miracle 

or happier for them that they are fully perfect and finally 

'free at last".

-Jeffery R. Holland

Now, Christopher is a creative genius.  

He acts (Paul in the Bible videos) and has directed 

some of the most creative plays I've ever seen.

A few years ago, he directed "Xanadu" (please tell me you know what Xanadu is). 

As a benefit for Topher and his family, Xanadu is coming back!!

Most of the original cast are flying in from all over to help raise money.

 To get tickets or see how you can help, please go HERE!

Happy Weekend!

Lobsters

Today, we celebrated the start of summer by

 opening our pool and throwing a party for Lucy's son, Hal, 

who turned three. 

Later that night, I put my children to bed

 looking like lobsters from staying out in the sun too long.

Being sunburned over my burns is THE WORST!  

My wide-brimmed hat was a lifesaver.

You can't officially start summer without a little sunburn, right?  

I lathered the kids with aloe and sent them to bed even though it was

still light outside. No one complained.

Good night.

Father Rhone

 Christian rarely wants for much; he's a pretty content guy

 but I ALWAYS score when I get him anything from Rhone.  

I have blogged about Rhone several times before because I

believe in this company.  They make fantastic clothing,

   and Christian would wear Rhone 24/7 if he could.

I guess he kind of does.

Rhone has put together Father's Day kits for the man in your life.  

Whatever HE does in life, Rhone has a kit for that. 

Mr. Nielson's favorites:

Ranger Short

Lakota Hoodie

Yama Jogger

Also, today, for LNPL (little nie project lunch), 

Nicholas successfully cooked
veggie dogs for us for lunch today and nailed it.

* * * *

Chatting today at Mormon.org...come join me!

Further Still

The Little Nies have set a goal to hike Sqaw Peak this summer. 

It is a beautiful but lengthy hike that passes through one of 

Provo's most beautiful canyons. 

Today, we started our training. Some of the Little Nies 

enjoy hiking more than others, so I try to be considerate 

and hike fairly slowly to accommodate everyone. 

To be honest, I was worried about Nicholas making the hike. 

However, he surprised me with his performance. 

If he lagged behind the rest of us, it was because he was 

busy studying rocks, trees, and the nearby river for 

any bugs and creatures. 

He is obsessed with nature.

(I love this picture of Nicholas in the back of the Nies
picking up potato bugs and rolling them down the hill)

At the top of our hike, Nicholas's hands were filled with small bugs,

worms and snails still stuck to mossy rocks.

Tomorrow, we will go a little further than today,

and so on, until we get to the top. I know we can do it!

On the way home, we talked about the world we live in and the 

hardships we are faced with daily.  

We talked about politics and what God must be thinking about His children.

I couldn't answer all of their questions.  

I don't know the reasons for hardship, pain, trials, and tragedies.  

But I can confidently tell them to hold fast to the commandments,

live by the morals and standards God has set, and keep the lines 

of communication open with Him, and they will be OK.

 I absolutely know that to be true.

P-DAY

Monday is basically my prep day (P-DAY).

I prepare the week's worth of meals and groceries among my other Monday jobs.

Since we are in the summer, we begin The Little Nie Lunch Project. 

Each Little Nie picks a day of the week where they plan, prepare, 

cook, and clean up lunch for everyone.

In the past, lunch has been as elaborate as making homemade bread for cheese 

sandwiches to simple lunches of chips, 

hummus, yummy juices, cheese sticks, and fruit.

I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Happy Monday!