My Kids

 

Two years ago today, Christian, Claire and I went to the temple

with Oliver for the first time.

What a wonderful memory to ponder.

I sat in church today thinking about my children and how 

grateful I am for them and how proud 

I am of the choices they've made in their lives. 

I am so grateful that they are mine.

Serving alongside them in the temple is a 

cherished and beautiful experience

that I will remember forever, and

I'm looking forward to doing this with Gigs in a few months.

Winter Wonderland At Stillestead

 We were in a glowing winter wonderland when we woke up this morning!

Everything was glittering and bright. 

It was one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen at Stillestead!

The snow didn't last very long, but it was sure beautiful!

Take Warning

 For the last few days, the big news here in NC has been about the big

snowstorm that will dump over the weekend.

I don't think anyone was more excited than ME!

When I woke up this morning, the sky was ablaze! 

Bright pink filled our rooms; I knew it was a good omen. 

I remembered the saying my mom told me when I was a little girl:

Red sky at night, sailors' delight.

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning!

Around 5:00 the sky was cloudy and the 

temperature dropped significantly.

We had plenty of food to Hygge it on over the weekend,

firewood stacked on the porch, and before it began snowing,

Claire, Gigs, and Lottie picked up dinner and brought it home.

And then, it happened.  It started to snow!

And it stuck!

I was so excited!

*Update on Jane:

She made it back to Utah safe and sound.

And, she has reconnected with a dear friend, Ella, who 

just returned home from her mission.

I'm so happy for them to be together!

Puss In Boots

This is why I LOVE having super creative and funny children:

 

Annnnnd, We're Back

 

Woof, we have the holiday blues at our house.  
It was hard waking up, especially since it's been

 dark and dreary (and cozy).

Jane's connecting flight from Dallas to Utah last night

was delayed, and she missed her flight.

We received a call from her around midnight, and she was in tears, 

stuck at the Dallas airport. This is where I want to express how

 much I appreciate Christian. He helped calm her down, 

arranged an Uber for her to a hotel, and rescheduled 

her flight for the following day. I love him so much; 

he takes such good care of us.

In the morning, Nicholas had a doctor's appointment

 for his missionary application. He has been dreading this

 since he heard that giving blood was a requirement for the

 application when he was 10 years old.

Well, he was a big boy, and HE DID IT!!

Goodbye, Jane

 It was a foggy, wet, and cold evening when we dropped Jane 

off at the airport headed back to Utah for school.

I was worried the plane would be delayed because of the weather.

And it was, but only about 30 minutes.

Saying goodbye was so sad, even though I know she'll 

be back in just one month when Oliver comes home. 

(I can't tell you just how excited I am for that!!!!!) 

Having her at home has been such a joy, and I'm really going to miss her.

 Now I understand a little better how my mom felt every time

 I visited her and then had to leave. It’s so sad. (I'm sorry, Mom!)

BooOOOoOOOo!

Fufilling

 Jane has been so generous with her break time, and today she helped

 Christian fulfill orders for Homestead Beef.

You know, she's studying business at BYU, and it shows.

She is so efficient, thorough, and organized.

Christian and I have both expressed that we wish that she was

living at home so she could help with all our endeavors;

 Barre3, Homestead Beef, Bov-IQ, and to make delicious food

while she's at it.

Don't go back, Jane!

Later, we took the girls 

(Gigs was out serving with missionaries!  Go, Gigs, Go!)

 out to eat one last time before Jane heads back to Utah.

And So It Begins

 This evening, Gigs and I sat down at the kitchen bar

 and started his mission application!

In the past five years, I have had a child on a mission abroad, 

and as we approach 2025, it's Gigs' turn.

I couldn't be prouder!

I'm SO SO excited for us to all be together 

when Ollie comes home in February!!

It's been almost FOUR YEARS!

Tidy

 Today, I finally cleaned up the glitter and confetti 

on the table and the floor from our New Year's party.
It was sad, but I always love my house after I clean up from Christmas

 because everything is clean, fresh, and tidy.

Later in the evening, 

 I held a few auditions to recruit instructors for my Barre3 studio.

I still can't believe I'm doing this!

I'm so scared but in love at the same time!

Starting Out Right

 

We're soaking in the last few days we have, left with Jane and Claire

on this most beautiful Christmas break.

Today we went on a a little hike and exploration.

Jane told me about the botany class and the amazing

things she's learning.  Then, she began to tell me the most remarkable

facts about trees and roots.

I admired her beautiful orange hair coming out of her

beautiful, brilliant brain.

I will miss her so much when she goes back to school.

The new year is starting out right!

 

Happy 20th Birthday Elder Nielson!

 My sweetest little big boy, Ollie, is turning magical 

TWENTY YEARS OLD today!

I am incredibly proud of this boy.  

He got to call me today since it was his birthday and talk for 20 minutes.

He told me the most incredible story about

 a friend he met today at a random house.

He discovered that his new friend had also

served a mission a few years ago.

 Then he got out his mission book to show him photos of his experience

and the first photo he showed Ollie was this one:

Ollie said he almost died because, in the photo, he's standing next to 

one of Ollie's favorite cousins, Matthew, on his mission

in the Dominican Republic.

I love how God works in mysterious ways to help strengthen

our faith, our hope, and, on occasion, homesickness.

Elder Rasband said:

"I begin by reminding you that you are a son or daughter of a 

loving Father in Heaven and that His love remains constant.

 I know that such reassuring feelings of love are difficult to recall 

when you are in the midst of personal struggles or trials, 

disappointments, or broken dreams.

Jesus Christ knows about fierce struggles and trials. He gave His life for us. 

His final hours were brutal, beyond anything we can even comprehend,

 but His sacrifice for each one of us was the ultimate expression of His pure love.

Ollie recreated the photo:

Then we laughed about the birthday he turned two when he got 

a remote control snake, and I don't think the

remote left the clutches of his little hands

until it ran out of batteries months later.

Happy birthday, handsome boy!

2025...Taking My Breath Away

 

Another Nielson family polar plunge in the books!!

It was a chilly 39 outside, and the lake we jumped into felt like

it was -39 degrees.  I actually thought I was going to die.

These really low-quality screenshots of the video we took will have to do for

our documentation of this epic moment.

This year, I bought each of us girls a fancy, sparkly wraparound to 

wear over our suits to celebrate this epic New Year tradition.

It was a hit!

I was the first to jump in, and the water literally took my breath away,

it was so frigid!

I hope this year will take my breath away with personal

goodness, progress, spiritual growth, health, love, and beauty!

WELCOME 2025!!