We survived the 1st week of school

and celebrated with some of these baby's ...


Six kids at five different schools left my head spinning just a little. Mounds and mounds of forms and repetitive paperwork makes me wonder if they might not benefit from some sort of computer data base. Save a few trees in the process for goodness sakes!

Everyone is off to good start though and we are slowly but surely getting into a routine. We've had lots of big changes around here and are anticipating many more. In the meantime we are savoring every minute of our weekend and enjoying some of the simple joys of life, one of which is a little beauty called a cupcake.

Joseph

This last Monday, along with the first day of school, my sweet boy Joseph (the one on the right) celebrated his 8th birthday. From the moment we laid eyes on him we were completely and utterly smitten.

On Sunday night we held a special family night where each of the children were given a father's blessing. After a lengthy discussion about our family motto for the year, we started with the blessings from oldest to youngest. When it finally came time for the youngest two boys I was worried that they'd run out of reverence. To my amazement this was completely opposite of how they felt. They could hardly wait to have their turn to hear what blessings would be pronounced on them. As a mom, you listen and acknowledge the heartfelt words and sneak a peak at the little bowed head to see if they heard it too. Joseph's eyes were tightly shut as he concentrated with a sweet little smile glued on his face just like in the picture above. He was blessed to be a leader among among his peers... things that I've always known him to be. After the blessing he gave his Dad a huge hug and went back to sit in his spot. I was overcome as a watched him hug a pillow while tears of joy spilled onto his cheeks. While all of the kids are special and unique in their own way, on this, Joseph's birthday week, I celebrate his giant, tender spirit and give thanks for the privilege of claiming this sweet, beautiful boy as one of my own.

Anticipation

My baby girl starts junior high next Monday. It seems like just yesterday we moved into our little cottage down the street and my big girls began their uphill pilgrimage to our neighborhood school. It was during this time that my dear friend Leslie, who could also be characterized as the worlds best grandma, took a liking to my sweet little Kate. Because she knew I had my hands full with two baby boys, Leslie would pick up Katherine and take her to Costco where even the sample givers knew her by name. Along with birthday outings and one on one time, she and Katherine began a tradition of going to see the plays at Wasatch Junior High each and every spring. They just went to there 9th play, Peter Pan, last April. Leslie was always sure to find an aisle seat towards the back so that Katherine could stand up and dance and mimic the dancers on stage. "Someday it will be my turn and you will have to sit on the front row to come see me", Katherine would say. Well that time has come. She's off to the big school, ready and eager to begin her own adventure.


(She waited in the driveway for hours for the mail-man to deliver her highly anticipated schedule. It finally came!)

20 years ago...

I met a boy who changed my world forever. Nineteen years ago today, I took a leap of faith and became his wife. I've officially been with this guy longer than I've been alive without him.



Through thick and thin, highs and lows, darkness and sunshine he has been my rock. I am so grateful to what we have become together. Here's to countless years more! Love you, babe.

birthday boy

My baby turned 5 today! I can hardly believe the baby stage of my life is moving farther and farther out of sight (Denise says it perfectly here). I gave away a couple of bags full of baby clothes to a much needed new mommy yesterday. Although it nearly broke my heart to part with my precious tiny onesies, it felt good to give them to someone who needed them more than me. My Sammy boy is growing up. He starts kindergarten in a week. I can't help but look back and mourn (with great big alligator tears) the days of my little helpless baby relying so heavily on me. Yet here is, ready to cross the street looking both ways without me holding his hand. I still stand close though, watching and protecting, encouraging him on. I love that he still sits on my lap for hugs now and then and still lets me shower him with kisses when I feel so inclined, which is all the time really. One of my favorite things he does right now is when he wraps his little hand on the fat part of my arm, squeezes it as if taking my blood pressure and says, "Yep, you're a really good mama."

I love you more than more Sammy. At 5 or 55 you'll always be my baby!

sunday treat

It ain't no joke that us Nielson's have quite the sweet tooth. It's also a fact that out of pure delight I visit my local, most favorite bakeries 3+ times a week for little bites of my favorite home-made tasting treats. (More on that another day.) I try however, to compensate for my little indulgences by eating healthy at home and limiting any and all "junk food" that enters my door. I try to buy organic whenever possible and read every label in efforts to stick with all natural ingredients. A couple years ago I bought a Vita-mix that I have absolutely loved. During the school year when the kids are rushing around getting ready I sneak the good stuff into smoothies which they down on their way out the door. It's been a great investment! I was recently reminded of a very simple recipe found on my friend Lisa's blog that I hadn't made for quite sometime. I forgot how delicious it was.

The recipe call's for:
1 cup yogurt ( I love Mountain High brand because of it's high probiotic cultures)
2 cups fresh strawberries (or you can use frozen and omit the ice)
2 cups crushed ice
1/3 C sugar



Blend til smooth. Our recipe made enough to fill 8 of these cute little cups recently purchase at IKEA.


Sorry, taste tester not included ;)

7th heaven

I was laying on the couch (still recovering) when my little Matthew walked into the room looking like he just stepped out of the shower.

"Whoa, what happened to you?" I said in shock.

"First day of football practice mom and it was awesome! What's for dinner? I'm starved!" he replied all red faced and sweaty.

Here we go down a road of uncharted territory. He is loving it so far, as is his proud papa.

Red-eye

(Brett snapped this picture of me quite some time ago while on a  layover waiting for a red-eye flight. It captures so well how I feel these days. Sleep deprived, neither here nor there, waiting for a return flight of good health!)

August is here and I feel like summer has just slipped right through my fingers. We lost an entire week and a half due to the dreaded H1N1 virus which hit our home hard and with domino effect. One by one we suffered fever, chills, body aches and a terrible cold that has left us feeling weak and miserable. One afternoon after our little Sammy boy finally got back on his feet, he tip toed into my room where I lay exhausted, kissed me on my arm and said, "Don't worry mama, you'll feel better soon, at least we're not dead yet." 

A few blessings which must be noted have come by way of this dreaded virus. Firstly, almost every inch of our humble abode has been sprayed with Lysol, bleached and disinfected. You really could eat off my kitchen floor and be okay. Secondly, I finally found time to reconnect with my good friend JK Rowling and finished the 7th Harry Potter book. My heads been swimming with thoughts of good verses evil, patronuses, destiny and a mother's love. I enjoyed every minute of my time in Potterville. And last but not least, I have repented for all the times I've taken my good health for granted and thank the Lord above for Motrin, penicillin and the hope of better days ahead.