Easter 2025

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Having Jane home to help me was THE BEST!  
It's going to be a great summer!


On the menu:
-Cheese potatoes
-Maple Glazed Carrots
-Hardboiled Colorful Eggs (compliments of the Nielson Hens)

-Fruit Platter

-Green Salad with Radishes and Pistachios

-Lemon Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese

-Jane's Dinner Rolls

Dessert:

Chocolate Nutella Cookies with Crushed Cadbury Eggs

After dinner, we took a walk around the pasture together, 

along with Gump, Gigs' favorite goat, in the beautiful evening.

Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe 

itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. 

We all will experience those broken times when it 

seems we can never be put together again. 

We will all have our Fridays.

But I testify to you in the name of the 

One who conquered death—Sunday will come. 

In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. 

In this life or the next, Sunday will come.

I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a fable. 

We have the personal testimonies of those who saw Him. 

Thousands in the Old and New Worlds witnessed the risen Savior. 

They felt the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. 

They shed tears of unrestrained joy as they embraced Him.

-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

And That's OK

 Early, early this morning, Christian and I left the hotel for the airport. 

 We had a layover in Salt Lake where of course 

(even though it was 9:30 am), we got Cafe Rio.  

We finally flew into Raleigh around 6:30, where Gigs picked us up.
Jane's flight arrived at 8:30, so I had Gigs drive me to 

Trader Joe's so I could get food for Easter Sunday.  

During the flight home, I planned our Easter dinner. 

Usually, I'm a little more prepared with family dinners.

I ran into the store, and when I got back to the car 

both boys were sound asleep.

Seeing Jane running towards me at the airport was the best!

She's home!

Her tight embrace lingered longer than usual, 

and spoke volumes as tears of emotion flowed.

It was clear that she felt a deep sense of relief to be home. 

But her tears were more than relief; I learned that she had read my book

for the first time on the flight home.

 Her heart was filled with overwhelming emotions.

It's a lot to take.

Claire read my book for the first time two years ago. 

The other Nies haven't read my book, nor do I think they want to or will.

And that's OK.

It's there when they are ready.

Claire sent me this preview of the engagement photos:

Last Full Day

 Today is our last full day here in beautiful Portland!  

The highlight today was taking class this morning with Andrew

and some of my new barre3 besties.

Today, after our training, we were so exhausted we skipped going out

to dinner downtown Portland and instead used DoorDash

and ordered Chipotle right to our hotel room. 

That was the best choice we've made all trip.

!News from home!

-The goats escaped to the neighbor's pasture

-Chickens are hiding their eggs (and NOT in the coop)

-Jane is still trying to sell her apartment 

Busy & Wonderful!

Most of the day was spent discussing retail and studio setup.

I loved today's training; it was interesting and fun.

These days are flying by, and my notebook

is full of notes and reminders.  

Claire and Nate are driving to Utah today to have their

engagement photos done by the incredible Justin Hackworth.

Justin has been our family photographer for years!

(Claire, by Justin Hackworth, 2012)

It would only be natural for him to be Claire's wedding photographer! 

She sent me a text of her fingernail colors, asking me to pick my favorite.

 She and Nate will also help Jane pack up her apartment

since she is MOVING HOME FOR THE SUMMER

Her plane will arrive a few hours after Christian and I fly in from Portland

and just in time for Easter!

Everything is so busy and wonderful all at the same time!

(Happy birthday, mom!)

Barre3 With The GOATS

Each morning, before we dig into training work, we take a class from

one of the Barre3 GOATS in one of the 

five beautiful Portland studios 

 It's really been such a highlight for me.

After another long day of work, Christian and I joined the 

home office operations team for dinner.

Our brains are still in the Eastern time zone, so when 7:00 rolls

around, we start turning into Zombies

After, Christian and I found a dessert shop where we

got a treat, then went back to our hotel and went to bed.

And it was still light outside.

Full

 

Today, after taking an awesome class in the studio from instructor 

(and studio manager) Gretchen, we spent the rest of the day shadowing her

 and watching her connect with clients, sign people in, sell retail, 

manage the play lounge and everything 

else that has to do with the studio operations.  

We ended our day exhausted but full- in every way.

The Mothership In Portland

 This morning, Christian and I flew to Portland, Oregon, for Barre3 training.

 Portland is the mothership for Barre3.  

We'll get trained on how to manage our studio and a week's worth

of stuff that goes with all of that.  

I always hate leaving home, even though I am leaving three very able

 and capable children, I still worry about EVERYTHING. 

 That's pretty par for the course for moms.  

But it's nice to spend a whole week just with Christian.

And eating out is a favorite pastime. So there's that.

 I am so thankful we are in this together.  

We make a good team; he remembers the numbers, and I remember names.  

Our hotel room has a beautiful view of the Columbia River.

 We are staying on the Vancouver, Washington side, and it takes us just

 15 minutes to reach the Home Office in downtown Portland.

It's going to be a good week.  

And probably a little overwhelming, too.

After Church Hunt

 Today, after church, we had a little Easter egg hunt 

in our friend's backyard with their little boys.  

I miss having little kids, especially when the holidays roll around.

You know who is the best with kids?  Gigs.  All kids love Gigs.  

He's fun, he's interesting, and kids are just drawn to him.

We finished the afternoon with Christian sharing an impromptu 

Easter message about Jesus Christ and His glorious Resurrection

and the reason we celebrate this beautiful holiday.

I am so thankful for good friends and the Savior,

Jesus Christ who unites and connects us as family.