The Beach/Take 2

Telling the kids they could only get their feet wet on their first visit to the ocean was like taking them to Baskin-Robbins and saying they could only get vanilla. Reluctantly I conceded to letting them dive in, properly dressed this time around.

Sammy, in his "surfer dude" pose



My darling niece Sophia joined in the fun. Isn't she adorable!



Victorious!

Once the sun had begun to set and everyone was shivering from mild cases of frostbite, we packed up our picnics and headed out. All 23 of us gathered at the home of Jody's cousin as we hurriedly rotated kids in and out of showers while Moni, Marisa and I cooked up a Mexican feast.

Kids were jumping off furniture, Matthew found the his way to the piano while others begged to know how much longer 'til dinner. Comfy chaos was at it's peak, and all was well with the world.

Found this picture on Katherine's camera. I didn't know she'd even made this. Summed up the day perfectly.

A day in Newport

The first few days of our Christmas break were spent on the coast. It was so green and lush. While I am grateful for all four seasons, it is a far cry from the snow I see sitting on my window sill at this very moment.

While Sarah and Katherine had visited the ocean a year ago, this was a first for Analisa and the boys. Analisa insists that hanging out at Lighthouse beach for three years of her life in Evanston, IL does not count.

My Mr. Nielson in his ever famous, "I Am Nephi" pose. Some things never change. Love the images of Joseph skipping benches and Analisa and Samuel holding hands in the background.

As we walked towards the ocean. I told the kids they could only get their feet wet.

"It's way to cold, and I don't want you getting sick while we're on vacation!" I said in my firm mommy voice.

Yeah right. Who was I talking to? The pigeons? At least they listened.

Can't you just see the coldness on his red feet?

Something about the sound of the waves makes Miss Kate dance for joy!

Within 20 minutes every bit of Samuel's clothes were soaked.

"The waves just sucked me in!" he cried.

About 20 minutes later, the next victim came shivering over. Joseph said to Brett as they were walking towards the van, "Mom's gonna be furious. But I don't care, it was worth it." Little stinker!

And of course, you can't visit Newport without a visit to the one place that put cupcakes on the map. Ah, yes. Worth it indeed.

causing a Ruckus

The kids got a new game for Christmas. They were gathered around Kristen's family room table stealing cards from each other when Katherine shouted out, "Hey, don't touch my..."

All three boys blurted out in unison..."BOOTY!" (As in shake, shake, shake...) The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Cute, crazy kids. Gotta love 'em.

The Dream

I teach art on Wednesdays to Samuel's kindergarten class. I'm not much of an artist myself, but I can finger paint a blue night sky and chalk up stars in my own interpretation of Van Gogh's Starry Night with the best of them. It has been a joy watching the children create and dive into new ways of looking at things.



This last Wednesday, after recess and snack time were all taken care of, the teacher proceeded to share a story with the kids about why we celebrate Martin Luther King day.


The kids were most attentive. She showed a picture of separate water fountains, a picture of where they had to sit on the bus and so forth. One little boy interjected, "I think it would have been hard to be a black boy back then." The story went on to tell about Rosa Parks and Dr. King's dream. Another little voice piped up, "I think being white looks better than black." How interesting, I thought. Surely this was just a innocent child's observation. I don't think many of us in this day and age teach our children to think of ourselves as "prettier" or superior to those with a different skin color.

It reminded me of a part of the amazingly written book entitled, The Help where a black maid named Abilene repeated over and over to the white child she tended the words, "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." After all she could do, those words were the gift she left to the child in hopes that: 1. She would internalize them and believe them. And 2. She could change the future knowing she was of worth.

In the end, I suppose that's about all we can really teach these little ones. Be it through art, music, literature, or just plain daily interaction, the sentiment: You are kind. You are smart. You are important. As is your neighbor, are words we can all live by.

The Boyfriend

Miss Sarah and a few of her friends have been hard at work preparing for their upcoming production of The Boyfriend. It is a musical spoof set in the 20's that will surely leave you smiling and wanting to do the Charleston.

Don't ask me how but somehow I got roped in to heading up the costume committee. (As well as the advertising, concession, and program committees. But more on that another day!) When I heard that the cast consisted of 18 kids I thought it would be no big deal to offer some help here and there. Little did I know that there were 3 separate acts with total costume changes in each and act 2 consisting of full on swimsuits set from the 20's!

With my full entourage of help consisting of a lone twelve year old girl named Katherine, I set out to do the impossible and commenced outfitting this lovely cast of 18 x 3 acts.

Very long story condensed, and thanks to the generous help of two local high schools, I have been able to rent, borrow and salvage almost all of the costumes for act 1 & 3. Act 2 took a little more creativity, and well, you'll just have to come to the show to see for yourself. While pictures will inevitably make their way to this humble blog, nothing compares to seeing it live. We are still short 7 cloche hats and long pearls if any one out there has any ideas???

Many small miracles have happened along the way and I have grown close to the kids I have been helping along the way. Watching their faces light up when they try on something that fits and that looks good on them has made it all worth the effort. They are really terrific individuals and it's been fun to be a small part of the magic.

Sooo, if you are in the Salt Lake area the first weekend of February and would like to come and be thoroughly entertained, please join us. You will be glad you did. Promise.

Happy Birthday Sarah

My baby girl turned 17 today.

While looking through my pictures and videos,I had a hard time deciding on what exactly I wanted to share about this little lady of mine. I settled on this short one minute video of her playing her cello at last months Christmas concert. There's really nothing fancy to this simple book 2 song, but there's a moment in the clip where she looks at me and smiles and gives me that oh so familiar, "there you go again, mom" look that somehow just melts me every time.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

(Here is a pic of Topher hiding out from the paparazzi.)

This post is dedicated to those questions I've received via e-mail, facebook, meetings at church, grocery stores and cupcake establishments.

Question #1
When and where are you moving and have you found a house yet?
As of today, our buyers are still looking for someone to buy their home before they can purchase ours. They have many, many lookers and feel confident it will happen this spring which means we hopefully have until the end of school before we have to move. We won't be doing much looking until they sell. In the mean while, I have a little more time to really de-junk and get organized before a probable move this spring or summer. Ah, the joy of New Year resolutions.

Question #2
How is Brett's job going?
Things are looking really positive. Hallelujah. 2010 promises to be a good year!

Question #3
What ever happened to your car?
Our beloved mini-van was pronounced totaled. The insurance money covered the price of a look a like only without a few of the bells and whistles. I was one spoiled chick driving around this town with a navigation system. I am now forced to ask directions and sad to say, have made one to many u-turns to places I really should know how to get to by now, including my sisters house in Provo!

Miss Sarah is still annoyed about the accident. She has a small permanent seat belt burn on her chest but has enjoyed a few quality hours with a massage therapist to work on her shoulders and neck. She is a more cautious driver even though she was not at fault, which is a blessing in the long run.

Question#4
Where's my Christmas Card?
Due to the happenings in my life when I wrote about adventure we decided to forgo our annual Christmas card and focus on preparing ourselves for an eminent move. As the mailbox overflowed with cards and holiday wishes from so many friends near and far I started to feel really bad about not reciprocating their sentiments and decided at the last minute that I could not in good conscience skip out on something I get so much joy in doing. The next day at church I ran into my friend Michelle and challenged her to a fierce battle of arm wrestling in hopes of getting her to snap a few photos of my crew. So right there in the foyer, between Sacrament meeting and Young Women, I took her down and won a ten minute photo shoot at an undisclosed location. Thanks for going easy on me, M. It was totally worth it, wouldn't you say?

If you are on our Christmas card list, look for a card from our bunch coming with much love and well wishes to you sometime before Valentine's Day! If you'd like one and I don't have your address shoot me an e-mail and I'll see what I can do.

And finally! Question # 5
Edward or Jacob?
Edward of course. It was always Edward;)

Thanks to all for your kind words and prayers. They have been felt and are much appreciated.

Celebrate Matthew

My millennium baby turns a whole decade today!

His inquisitive nature and need to create never cease to amaze me. A couple weeks ago as the rest of the family slumbered we could hear someone playing the theme song from UP downstairs on the piano. A tune we don't even own the music to. Brett's and my eyes opened at the same time as we stared at each other and said, "Matthew".

If you asked him today what he wants to be when he grows up he might say, "A Disney architect who makes roller coasters and puts it all to music." When asked what he wanted for his birthday, "Sheet music and a journal." Yep, that's my boy.

Who knows what the next couple decades hold for him. For now, it's nothing short of fascinating going along this journey with him.

Happy birthday little man! It sure is awesome being your mama.

Christmas Morning

After our traditional photo on the stairs and my forcing them to eat piping hot cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven, (am I the only person who forces my kids to eat before presents??) we scurry into the living room and pull back a blanket to see what Santa dropped by. Since Santa has so many gifts to get for all the good boys and girls around the world, we keep our list short & sweet. The bigger gifts come from Mom and Dad who would never want to be out done by some guy in a red suit.

After they exchanged the gifts they got for each other, (my favorite part of the morning), we lined the kids up just so and handed them small bags containing their gifts from us.

The various bags contained disposable cameras, sunscreen, water goggles, and such, and a card that looked like this:

The card explained what we'd be doing over the break. As you can see below, the kids were totally surprised and ecstatic about our plans. It was not easy keeping this a secret from them but after watching their responses, I'm so glad we did!

A BIG thank you to my friend Kristen for offering her home in California thereby making this whole trip possible!! Pics of the trip coming soon...

A recap of what we've been up to beginning with: Christmas Eve

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we drove...

Here is our lovely Lisey showing off her snow baby ornament on Grandma's tree. There is one for every grandchild. The kids love looking at them and telling which one belongs to whom.

There was the traditional reading of the nativity featuring our very own...


Mary and Joseph


an Angel


a very cute but dangerous Shepard (his long staff was flying everywhere)


and Kings and Wise Men who traveled afar.

There were angel voices singing

and the quite successful playing of the bells thanks to our highly experienced conductor.


Ring out wild bells!

There was fierce competitive gift grabbing with our 2nd annual "Left, Right Gift Exchange"

Christmas cheer abounded

and fun was had by all.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for making our night so joyous!

Miracles

D& C 84:88

We, living at the residence of Comfy Chaos, have witnessed some mighty miracles this last year!

Here are a few things I've learned that I wish to share:

1.There are blessings to paying tithing. Of this I have no doubt. They are not always financial but come with the peace of knowing that if you've faithfully done your part, the Lord will take care of you.

2. Sincere prayer- written, thought or spoken has power beyond all comprehension.

3. There is no one single person insignificant to the Lord. We are all his children and he is mindful of you and even little o' me in East Millcreek.

Happy New Year to you all!

(Thanks for the angel, M. It will find a little spot in my home to remind me of the constant miracles I encounter each and every day.)