Analisa

Today is Analisa's 14th birthday! In honor of her we'd like spend some time bragging and limiting ourselves to sharing 14 things we LOVE about this gorgeous girl.

1.All my kids have have had funny nick-names given to them mainly by their Dad. At about 6 months Analisa inherited the name, "bundt cake" cause of her cute round face and body. At 5'6 and climbing she is now anything but round! We still call her bundt for fun. Sammy calls her Lisa, I call her Lisey, and to Grampy and her dad she is known as, "Tower Of Beauty".




2. Analisa has a great sense of humor. She cracks us up with her unique voice imitations. She can imitate voices from Beyonce to Harry Potter characters better than anyone I know. It's hilarious. If you're ever feeling blue ask her to do her made up Mr. Poco character, it'll be sure to put a smile on your face.


3. Analisa can be out in the blazing sun for 3 hours and lose in a 3 set tie breaker and still leave the court ready for the next match. Her resilient, positive attitude will carry her far in life.


4. She is also quite the boogie machine. With her long legs, and flowing curls she is a sight to behold. Her energy is magnetic. Analisa loves to dance and isn't shy about showing off her cool moves.


5. Analisa knows all about hard core practice. She will sit at the piano faithfully each day for about an hour and pound her little heart out. We have heard hours upon hours of scales, arpeggios and cadences. Her siblings have to close the doors sometimes to smoother the sound. She plays with great passion and has won numerous piano competitions around Utah. She has various Federation gold cups in Ensemble, Solo & Concerto Piano Performance as well as Superior ratings in Viola. Music- classical to mainstream is definitely a passion for Lisey.


6. A couple months ago as she was sitting in church, she realized that her name was on the program as the youth speaker for the day. "Oh my goodness, I totally forgot," she whispered to her Dad. "What should I do?" she asked. "Just bear your testimony," he said. And that she did. When her name was called just a few minutes later, she stood up with all the confidence in the world, explained her situation and bore a beautiful, heart-felt testimony. Don't know to many 13 year old teenagers who could get up to speak, spur of the moment in front of 300-400 people and share something deep and sacred.


7. Analisa is a loyal friend. She cares deeply for her friends and is most often the life of the party.


8. She is sweet.


9. She LOVES sweets!


10. She LIVES for sweets!!! I blame it all on Grandpa David, for introducing her to ice-cream at 6 months old. We lived in Ohio, birthplace to our precious one, where we'd frequently meet Grandma and Grandpa for ice-cream at Graeters. This love affair with sweets has remained strong & steady ever since.


11. If we could bottle up her giggly, hyper energy and sell it in pill form we'd be rich! Life is not quite the same around here when she's away.


12. She is a great big sister. Last week Sarah, Katherine, Matthew and I spent the week at Suzuki Institute while Analisa held down the fort at home. She tended Joseph and Samuel, cooked for them, played with them and made sure they had fun. She did a great job. We couldn't have done it without her. When you have a big family like ours, everyone has to carry some weight. Lisey is no exception. She does so beautifully.


13. Analisa can't go to bed without giving her mom a good night hug and kiss. If she forgets she'll get up and come find me. She is a tender girl with a close relationship to her momma. I pray we will always be close.


14. Analisa is a huge lover of family. Immediate and extended. She is often heard saying things like, "I love Grandma Martha", "Aren't Grandma and Grampy the cutest couple?" "I just love Papi", "I love Tia Moni, Tia Crystal... Aunt Lindsay" She loves them all, each and everyone. And we all love and adore her.


Happy Birthday sweet-pea! Your are truly amazing and our family wouldn't be complete without you and your beautiful soul. You help make our circle complete.


Love,


Mom, Dad, Sarah, Katherine, Matthew, Joseph And Samuel

The Dad Jackpot

Growing up, I had a quote given to me by a dear young women leader, it said: "The most important thing that any Latter Day Saint does in this world is to marry the right person, in the right place, by the right authority..." Bruce R. McConkie. This little token hung on my bedside next to a picture of the temple most of my adolescent years. While I knew it was true, I had no idea just how important that decision would be. Nor did I realize the profound impact this person would have on the lives of my children. I can't imagine my girls having to make that kind of decision in a few short years. I can see now why my Dad was so unhappy when I announced I was bringing someone home for the family to meet. I remember when I was about 14, 15 crying to my Dad that growing up was taking way too long. My heart longed for the future family I knew was destined to be my very own. "Todo tiene su tiempo, mija" he would say. Everything has it's time.



Fast forward 18 years later. I look back now and say, WOW was I blessed! I truly hit the jackpot. Not only is Brett an amazing companion and spiritual mentor but he is an outstanding Dad to our 6 kids. I remember how gently he'd take each of our newborn babies and whisper to them, "Do you remember what heaven was like? Will you teach me everything you know?" Brett is patient when I'm not. He is calm, when I just want to scream. He is funny and nurturing with the kids and knows exactly what to say when I'm at a loss for words. I can't imagine doing this parenting thing with anyone but him.



Heavenly Father also blessed me with an incredible Papi. He is forever the optimist. Someday I will have to write more about where he came from and the story of amazing sacrifice he and my mom gave for me and my sisters to have a better life. Dad was forced to quit school and work to support the family at about 4th grade. It wasn't until 1993 that he went back to school in Houston and got his G.E.D. On Sarah's blessing day he gave me a hand written copy of an essay he wrote for his English class. The essay asked the question of why people want children. Here is a little part of what he wrote, "One reason is that children are a link to the future. They will probably be here after the parents are gone. A deeper reason for wanting children, perhaps, is that the more fulfilled our lives can be. By giving to a child, people enrich their own lives. In the end, we live not for ourselves, but for others."

I adore this man and have learned so much from his example.



The final great Dad in my life is my dear father-in-law, David. From day one he has made me feel loved, accepted and one of his own. He has a zest for life that is contagious. He also has a fascinating story that Brett will have to share in the future. He has a strong work ethic and a strong enduring testimony that is manifest by the way he lives his life. My kids and I think he's pretty great and love it when he takes us for rides on his motorcycle.


Thank You Brett, Papi and David for enriching my life and the lives of my children and sharing your goodness with everyone around you. A girl couldn't ask for anything more!

a week in May

I've heard it said that May is the new December due to all of the running around one does! When you have 6 little people in three different schools it certainly feels that way. Wrapping up the school year means lots of recitals, end of term projects, and of course season finales. (Lost anyone?) Here are a few pictures that highlight our busy week in May.

Last Sunday was spent visiting Grandpa & Grandma Brown's grave. We shared thoughts and remembrances of these amazing people whom we miss dearly. On Monday, we got together with most of the Nielson cousins, aunts and uncles to remember and celebrate Grandma Mary and Grandpa Marlo. I think they must have been thrilled to look down upon their posterity sharing a great time in their very home for hours and hours.

Tuesday was an exciting day for Matthew and his baseball team The Rockies, who after having lost most every game this season came out and won two tough games in the finals. Matthew had some great plays on third base and scored a few runs for the team. Papi would have been so proud of you Matthew! Baseball pictures coming soon.

Wednesday was the 5Th grade annual Upland Terrace State Fair. Katherine was thrilled to do her report on Texas: birthplace of her Grandma Martha, her tias (aka aunts), her brother Matthew, and her Mama. While reading up on this Lone-Star State she came up to me just beaming and said, "Mom, did you know that the state motto is friendship!" She looked at me with her angel eyes and said, "Isn't that the neatest thing." Yes it is sweetie, yes it is.

Earlier that same day I had the joy of having a birthday lunch with one of my dearest friends, Jen. We met back in Chicago about 12 years ago and have been kindred ever since. If anyone reading this doesn't know this girl all I can say is YOU'RE MISSING OUT! She is caring, funny, artistic and genuine. She has a laugh that I'd recognize in a busy airport. She's big into birthdays and drives from Timbuktu just to deliver a casserole or give one her famous bear hugs. I love you Jen. Thanks for never giving up on our friendship. Can't imagine life without you.

Two other noteworthy things happened on Wednesday. At around 6:30 that evening Analisa ran down the stairs looking gorgeous as usual, especially for just having returned from tennis 1/2 hour earlier, and shouts, "Hey Mom, have you seen my recommend?" I walk over to her file of important papers and hand her the little white paper that serves as her entrance ticket to the temple. She kisses me on the cheek, runs out the door, jumps in her YW leaders car and waves goodbye as I watch them zoom off towards downtown Salt Lake. I am so grateful to have worthy girls who are willing to live the standards of the church.

As typical, I send Sarah a text now and then when she's out hanging with her friends, to check in and see how things are going. Sarah replied with a text that said, "Everthing's good, don't worry Mom, I will stand for truth and righteousness..." I'm holding you to it, girly!

Still on Wednesday, was the 9TH grade awards assembly. Sorry the picture is blurry, but it shows how excited Sarah was to receive an award from the beloved, Paul Watson, her orchestra/band teacher, for "Outstanding Performance in Jazz Band & Orchestra". She also received her third consecutive "Drama Award" from Ms. Dodge. Hey, we don't call her drama queen for nothing. Way to go, Sarah!

Thursday was another fun filled day of baseball, music practice, and watching "So You Think You Can Dance" with my gal pals Cristy and Amy. We have treats and critique the good, the bad, the ugly, like we know what we're talking about. Which we do, really! When the show gets past the silly part of auditions, we have a top 10 contest where we guess who will win biggest diva, most improved, etc... my kids look forward to this every year, there are prizes and everything.


Friday was Samuel's last day of preschool. Whaaa-whaaa! He has had the greatest time at Holiday. I'll have to do another entry to summarize my affection for this place. Here he is with fellow "pups" Spencer and Hopey.

Friday night was the big Promotion Luau for Sarah and her posse. I got in on the action by helping with the dinner and photography. Here she is with her best friends Nick, Alex, Meagan, Zach, Zoe and Victoria. They danced the night away and had a blast. It's so interesting to watch Sarah interact with her peers. Zoe commented to her, "Sarah, you are friends with the most random people."

"I know. I just love people," she replied.

It was obvious. The Poly's, the Asians, the Goths, the nerds, the cool and everyone in between have a genuine affection for her and her for them. She is a people lover just like her Grandma Martha and Grandpa David.



Saturday was all about fun in the sun. The boys had a blast at the SLSTC. Brett and AL played tennis to their hearts content while the rest of us hung out at the pool. Looking forward to many more days like that this summer.

We topped off our fun filled week with a gorgeous voice recital Saturday evening. Here she is with some of her most loyal fans, Grandma Judith, Grandma Martha and Grampy David. I will try to get a little video clip of the evening up here soon.

May has been a busy, fun packed month. Every week has been much like the one just described. Thanks to a wonderful family and fabulous friends the love keeps marching on.