While I was "sleeping" in the burn unit in Arizona, preparations were
being made to secure a home for our family in Provo, Utah.
A little white home on Briar Avenue in the tree streets where I grew up was
bought and prepared for us when I was released from the hospital.
My parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and friends
were all close by, along with loads of familiar neighbors.
As I got better, family, friends, and strangers volunteered to help
fix up the Briar house for us to move in.
Even my 5th-grade teacher at Wasatch Elementary came to help
get the house ready and comfortable
for my family in this new chapter of our lives.
The Briar house was a labor of love and service because
of all the hands that helped get me there.
In January of 2009, our family moved in.
We loved it!
It was a perfect size, with two fireplaces and a
delicious peach tree in the backyard.
Mr. Nielson added a long tree swing in the Birch tree in the front yard,
and a fantastic tree house for the Little Nies in the backyard.
I brought Lottie home from the hospital to that house,
we lost Jimmy at that house, held parties and friend get-togethers there, too.
We lived there until 2014 when we moved to Fox Hill just up the street.
This year I asked my talented friend, Courtney, to make a mini
Briar House to add to our Christmas village.
Last year Courtney made The White House.
This has been one of our favorite wedding anniversary traditions
for Christian and me.
This house was my healing house.
I came home there and found myself again.
