let's help...pass it on.

I know that many of you already know about Nie (Stephanie Nielson) and her husband, Christian, of the NieNieDialogues. Nearly two weeks ago, they survived a terrible plan crash. (news story link here.) They are both severely burned and their recovery will be months, if not years. (family updates here.)

I am happy to support and promote Nie Nie Day - as so designated by DesignMom. NieNie Day has been set aside for auctions to raise funds that will go directly to the Nielson Family to offset the mounting medical and household expenses after their terrible airplane crash. Molly and I have submitted a few Susie Baby items to the A Room Somewhere auction and hope that our contribution will bring at least a few dollars to help in any way we can. Please, if you are so inclined, check it out and see if any of the items featured on this list of auctions appeal to you. (I have seen some previews and there are some great goodies from some very talented people!) If shopping is not your thing, but you would like to contribute to the family, click on the blue button on my sidebar - this takes you to a paypal account. If you don't use PayPal, you can contribute at any Bank of America (Christian and Stephanie Nielson Rehab Fund) or Wells Fargo Bank (Stephanie Nielson Fund). 100% of all proceeds will go to the family.

I feel helpless but every small donation matters and makes a difference. Can't donate? Offer a prayer (or several) on their behalf, for their 4 small children who have gone to Utah to live with Aunts and Uncles, for their parents at their bedside, for the surgeons and staff who will be caring for them for the next several months, for the family of Doug Kinneard who passed away shortly after the crash. Take time to kiss and squeeze the ones you love. Pass along links of auctions to your friends. Add the donate button to your own sidebar. Click here to get the html code for the button.

Baby Kate enjoying her new Minkie & Satin tiny tag blankie. So cheerful & soft & cuddly & fun to snuggle!
Like it? Does a baby girl in your life need one too?
Check out A Room Somewhere silent auction to bid on one of your own! (Lot # 41).

Thank you.

Moments

A Happy Saturday. Really, it was so happy. Usually, I hate Saturdays because we never get enough done. This past Saturday wasn't about an incomplete to-do list, it was about creating family moments. p.s. it's apple juice.

I am not usually one for long philosophical blog entries, mostly just family fluff. So, hang on. This one is long. Several weeks ago, my dear friend Marty asked me to help with her Sunday Relief Society lesson and talk for a few minutes about savoring the moments with our family and taking the time to bond and create special memories with them. I knew I could definitely improve in this area and was up to the challenge. She asked me to keep a mental list of the times I chose to "live in the moment" with my children and share during her lesson. I couldn't possibly share all my thoughts in "3 minutes max" but I had written so many notes that I didn't want to just delete it all so I am keeping it with my family blog journal.

Last week, I happened upon this description of a class that I am planning on attending:

Sometimes the role of "mother" can seem thankless and overwhelming. But our attitude can make all the difference. We are raising important people who will be all grown up before we know it. Making great memories with our kids and building great relationships now will affect our relationships for a lifetime.

I find that often, as a mom, I feel like I am just tolerating the hours from 6:30am until 8:30pm and not savoring and soaking up my children's personalities and providing rewarding experiences and silly memorable fun and not just leaving them to their own devices all day. Sure, they need unstructured play, but what children desperately crave is special time with you.

I have asked myself - Are the activities I/we participate in bringing us joy or are they just filling time? Are there things I/we could be doing better/more of/less of/ that would create more harmony in our home?

I have figured out that while it is a nice idea to say “the laundry will be there tomorrow – skip it for now and do something fun” this does not work for me. I find that if I have 5 loads of laundry in my family room waiting to be folded and a sink full of dirty dishes and assorted other mundane tasks waiting for me, I have a hard time getting on the floor and playing a game of Candyland. I just don't have blinders for those things and they drive me crazy and keep me from being able to have fun.

So, that is when I took a look at the other things taking up my time – for everyone these things are different. For some, it is getting wrapped up in Vampire love story novels (you know who you are, wink, wink) for others it is reading online, but we each have some “thing” that we choose to take us away from something else, whether it is fun with the family or keeping up on the laundry so you can use your “spare time” as family fun time. It is not that we don't have enough time, it is that we don't use our time to our best advantage.

I realized for me there are 3 R’s to making the most of moments or creating more opportunities for moments: (And I thought these up myself and didn't read them in a parenting book because I don't read parenting books...and maybe therein is the problem...)

Re-Direct: Sometimes all it takes is a shift in gears to turn a potential ugly moment into a moment to remember. Some examples:

Homework: Homework can be pure drudgery. Lindsay is at an accelerated school and the homework can be quite daunting. Especially when your 4 year old sister climbs all over you and on the table and scribbles on it. Again, hollering to get off her sister’s stuff made homework time miserable for everyone. I finally realized she wanted to feel important too and so I whipped up a homework packet for her and we sat and worked on it together and she instantly shown with pride and confidence, a moment I will treasure.

Sandwich press: Caroline was pitching a fit about what I was making her for lunch and I had resolved to look for solutions with her and not just scream back – it kept coming to this with her. So, I remembered I had this circle sandwich crimper that I never used and called to Caroline to come and help make a circle sandwich and lets together pick what goes inside it. I instantly diffused an ugly situation and made it a fun and memorable moment, making a peanut butter honey and banana circle sandwich.

Re-Vamp: if it's not working, fix it.

I find that many opportunities for moments are lost in the struggle to take care of business like picking up bathrooms and art supplies and toys. I know my kids (and probably most) have a hard time picking up after themselves and I decided to eliminate some of the problems, like systems of organization that are too hard for them to manage and so I changed it up...a lot. I re-did their bathroom so it is WAY easier for everyone to put away the masses of hair accessories and brushes and lip gloss and all the pretties in the bathroom of a house full of girls. I re-did their every day art supplies so they are readily available but neatly contained without being an eyesore. This has eliminated much of our battles so clean up time takes less time and leaves more time for fun moments.

Recognize Opportunities for Moments (like to play in the rain...)

I remember once that I heard a talk with Sister Hinckley and her daughters and it was mentioned that she tried not to say no and tried to say YES whenever she could. I have often wondered how that was possible. There are a lot of times where NO is the appropriate answer…when it is a safety concern or something. But how many times do we say NO just because it is inconvenient or would take too long or be too messy or what have you.

On Saturday, Lindsay went with me bright and early to pick up our produce co-op order and often, we go and buy a dozen donuts and bring them home to the family. Lindsay asked if we could get donuts and I realized I left without my wallet. So, newly reformed quick thinking moment seeking mom that I am, I suggested we go home and make donuts for the whole family. We have never done this before and she was intrigued. So, we got home and got Caroline out of bed, got out a can of refrigerated biscuit dough and started frying and making glaze and shaking them in sugar. Daddy was sure surprised when we went in to get him up yelling “Happy Saturday” and he came out to a fully set table complete with fancy dishes and stem glasses for juice.

Imagine a mother:

Who turns off the TV and makes origami airplanes - Who slips an extra scoop of ice cream into the bowl – where even the smallest triumphs are celebrated with sparkles and bubbly and balloons – who runs out to jump in the puddles of a rare rainstorm with her children – who uses hot pink duct tape to create a hopscotch game on the bedroom carpet. I truly believe this mother recognizes the joy of motherhood comes in moments and not over indulgence in material things but knowing they are loved by their mother and worthy of her time.

The following is from the September visiting teaching message. I LOVE these messages. They are always inspired and chosen for us, that we might know who we are and who we truly can be.

"Oh, that every girl and woman would have a testimony of her potential for eternal motherhood...Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end her. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth, will treasures motherhood in the world to come, and where her treasure is, there will her heart be also." -Julie B. Beck-Relief Society Gen. Pres.

Of course I am not perfect in this. I only just started realizing I needed to do better and hope for a lifetime of trying harder. But, I have truly noticed a change in me and my children, especially Caroline. She acts out in ways that I have not known how to handle and now, I have really been able unwind her tense snarliness, if that is even a word. I have TV loving kids and I have seen them playing more and not asking to turn it on as much. I didn't make a big deal about "going without TV" but just found other things to do together. It probably goes without saying that I gained additional inspiration from Nie Nie. I hope to be able to create memories and moments that we will always treasure, continuing to live, love and nurture each other.

I love you ladies!

Devestating story of a family in need of your prayers

Quite by accident, a came across an old friend's blog and was reading about her family and her latest and greatest adventures. She mentioned teaching a class at a local studio in a couple of weeks and I was very interested in the concept of the class so I went to the studio website to learn more. There, I read the studio's blog and learned that one of their other instructors was in a small plane crash over the weekend. She and her husband were flying with a flight instructor and had stopped to refuel in Eastern Arizona. The instructor died shortly afterward but the husband and wife, Stephanie and Christian, survived the plane crash and subsequent tragic fire. The fact that they survived at all is a miracle, I am sure. Let me just clarify I don't know her or her husband, I just know what I have read, they are an LDS family, have 4 small children, 2 grade school age. I have just felt so drawn to following their story and subsequent updates by her sister.

I was telling my girls a little bit about what happened and that I wanted us to pray for their family and told them what some people were doing to help. I asked if there was something we could do and Lindsay went right to her birthday money she received in the mail. Caroline went to her bucket of coins and brought me a handful. I was moved to tears by there caring about someone we really don't even know. (Bank of America and Wells Fargo have accounts for them.) They were quite concerned about who would take care of the girls after school and the younger kids while their parents spent months in the hospital. I reassured them that this family has lots of people that love them, friends, neighbors, ward members, etc. who are all going to help get through this difficult time. As a mother, I cannot comprehend the the difficult road that this family will have to endure, forever. Recovery will take months, if not years, cost millions, and their lives will never again be the same. I am grateful for the testimonies shared by the family on the blog, on the news, etc. Below are links to the various places you can read about Stephanie and Christian.

Blissful Living Studio Blog

Family Updates via blog

Story on local news

Stephanie's (Nie Nie's) Blog

The reasons why I share this story are many. First, they are truly in need of your prayers. Second, Nie Nie's zest for life is inspiring. I have had a lot of thoughts on mothering weighing heavily on my mind lately and stumbling upon Nie Nie's story and her blog have truly given me thoughts to ponder. (I am sure I will blog more about that later...after this coming Sunday.) Do I truly love life or just get through the day? Am I enjoying my children, not just tolerating them? Are the activities we participate in bringing us joy or are they just filling time? Are there things I/we could be doing better/more of/less of/ that would create more harmony in our home? Anyway, reading about Nie Nie and her life was been serendipitous considering the thoughts that have been on my mind and I find it truly to be a blessing that I stumbled upon her story.

11 years ago today...

Portland, Oregon LDS Temple

Steve and I were married 11 years ago, August 15, 1997. We met in September of 1996 the week school was back in session. I had resolved to make this new school year really about school (and not about boys) and was studying on a Saturday afternoon. (I know..if you knew me then, you how really weird that was.) I dozed off on my bed and woke up to a conversation in the living room. I went out there, kinda sleepy to see who was there. My roommate Tasha was perched on a bar stool having a very animated conversation with these two guys sitting on my couch that I had never seen before. Steve and Michael had come to invite my roommate Elasha out for a group date (they were getting together the young adult crowd from their stake in South Carolina) but she was unavailable. So, being the resourceful guys that they were, Steve and Michael asked if we wanted to go instead. A dollar movie (Twister) sounded good for a Saturday night!

We got ready and went to meet them at their apartment. Steve drove us and in true Steve fashion, was all about impressing the ladies and had cleaned his car out and had gone full force with a tree deodorizer, removing all the plastic wrapper - it was quite the pine smelling Buick! We were a little late getting to the movie so, being Provo, Movies 8, cheap weekend entertainment, it was of course packed so we sat in the front row. That was a whole lot up close and personal of tornado action! Well, we then spent a little more time together. Steve came with me and a couple of friends to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple open house and I remember catching Steve's reflection in the mirror in the bride's room and thinking he was quite a handsome guy and I could maybe see myself spending more time with him! We then went out for a first official date a week or so later (he went out with some other girl the night previous...that was the last time THAT happened!) Steve was keeping a journal at the time and wrote, "Met Meredith. The most I have ever liked a girl with short hair!"

The next Sunday we went together to a fireside at UVSC and came back and were sitting on the sofa talking and stuff (hehe) and he leaned in real close and said "You have really beautiful eyes" and tried to kiss me. OK, I let him.

We were officially engaged later in the spring/early summer of 1997 and were married just 2 months later in August. Steve proposed with a goofy bubblegum machine ring - true story - he went to Albertson's with a pocket full of quarters and got the perfect fake ring on the first try! We then went shopping for my real ring which was a lot of fun - who doesn't love shopping for diamonds?

Engagement Portrait Sundance, Utah June 1997

The Happy Couple

Reception at my Grandparent's home. bridesmaids: My sisters Meghan and Molly. Groomsman: Steve's brother Brad and best friend Russ. My wedding colors: Sage Green, Dusty Rose, and Periwinkle. Ahhh......

My family - Meghan, Molly, Me, My mom Sue & my dad Mike - I had to include one with my mom! Sorry, some of these scans are not fantastic because I cannot easily get the photos out of the album so they aren't scanning well.

Bridal Portrait (I LOVE this portrait, by the way.) My gown was Indian silk custom made by a dressmaker in Provo - she was amazing and did everything I wanted. My veil was made by one of my mom's dear friends, Lynna. The flowers? Leftover bridesmaid flowers from Adrienne's wedding which was the same weekend I had my portraits done!

December 2007

What a difference 11 years make. I love you so much Steve. You are my best friend and I have more fun with you than anyone. Thank you for moving beyond 99% sure and deciding 100% that I was the one for you. (I already knew it but I am glad you figured it out too!) Our life isn't always perfect but there is no one I would rather share my life with. Thank you for being my partner in raising our beautiful eternal family. I love you dearly.

Happy 7th Birthday Lindsay!!!

Big girl turns 7 today and I can hardly believe where the time has gone. She is such a grown up girl and we are so proud of her. Special day deserves some special treats! For breakfast, Lindsay was treated to fresh raspberry stuffed crepes with a candle no less. (read: family favorite roll-up pancakes and oops! We are out of syrup! But we have fresh berries and powdered sugar...) After school we went to Baskin Robbins for her free ice cream scoop and we upgraded to a double - that was quite a treat! Off to gymnastics and to meet daddy for dinner at Red Robin - gotta love bottomless steak fries. We love you Lindsay!!!

Lindsay doesn't like cupcakes (it's the frosting, you know) and since they don't allow Mommy's homemade chocolate chip cookies at school, she has a hard time coming up with something to bring for school birthday treats. We are glad they do still allow such a frivolous thing, but, it must be store-bought. This year, she picked rice krispie treats. So, we did a birthday tag since they don't exactly scream "Happy Birthday!"

Invitation to Lindsay's family party this past Saturday...we are on an "every other year" plan for family/kiddo parties. This year was the family party, but of course we included Ellie's family. (They are "like cousins" as we always say!) The year of the family party is supposed to save money - no elaborate theming or expense on decorations or excessive gift receiving and whatnot. Well, Lindsay asked for her family party to be a Beach Party at grandpa's house. So, a little theming was involved but it was fun though...they only have a birthday once a year, right?

(click collage above to enlarge if you wish!)

We had such a fun time at Grandpa Mike's house for a pool/beach inspired party. The kids and parents alike enjoyed themselves in the pool, though it was almost a hot tub with the water temp. reading 94 degrees! These kids are all little fish and impress me more and more with their swimming skills. The big blue slide was a big hit as was jumping off the waterfall. We had a yummy dinner complete with fruit kabobs and fancy umbrella drinks. Yum! Everyone had fun taking a whack at the totally awesome pinata that seemed to be made of steel. Grandpa took care of it though! Lindsay received lots fun gifts including several sets of earrings, a make-up "caboodle" (for all the lip glosses and nail polishes that seem to multiply exponentially) some jeans and a shirt, a gift card to Old Navy (which is such a grown up gift and she is SO excited to use!) a gift certificate for a GNO (Girl's Night Out, of course) with Ellie and Maddy, and a Hannah Montana T-shirt and Hannah Montana Beach Towel. The latter was the ONLY gift of the night to incite screams of delight! Thanks Auntie Molly! Lindsay loves ice cream and not cake so much so we got a beach cake from Baskin Robbins - it was so yummy - chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and white cake and was decorated to look like a beach scene with sand, umbrellas, beach towel and even flip flops. It was darling.

Caroline's first day of Mrs. Packer Preschool!

Caroline started her 2nd year of preschool (MWF 9-11:30am) with my dear friend who has an amazing in home preschool program. We love Mrs. Packer - Lindsay went to two years of preschool with her and I am SOOOO glad she didn't move this summer like was planned - I really wanted Caroline to spend another year with her. She has the most loving, nurturing, creative, & academic preschool. I know kids don't need a lot more than love and fun to thrive but they have so much fun learning, the academics are really secondary. All of the sudden, they just know stuff! Caroline has a truly special relationship with Mrs. Packer - they both share a love, or dare I say obsession, with all things Tinkerbell!
Caroline was so excited last week when she got her preschool bag at preschool open house - "it's a jeans bag Mommy - I wanted a jeans bag!" Every year Mrs. Packer personalizes a tote for the kids to use as their school bag and of course, 4 year olds get the blue denim bag. She picked out her new school outfit today...notice she is head to toe in...BLUE! I couldn't get her to wear her new brown school sandals because they weren't blue like her Tinkerbell flip-flops. Oh well. At least they match!
Clockwise from top left: Hanging out on the couch watching some morning TV with a sucker, carpool with Josh and Emory, more sucker time, with Mrs. Packer, lining up outside to go home, and lunch out after school with Madison and Brynley.

Kate is 3 months old today!

We adore you, Kate!

What did we ever do without you? Now that we have finally endured (and we think mostly passed) the collick/cranky phase and you have (so far) survived your big sister's "tender care," and have been smiling at us and starting to coo, we know you have found a permanent place in our hearts and home. We are so blessed with a great sleeper (8-9 hour overnight stretches) and a baby that deals fairly well with the comings and goings of a busy family. I remember with Lindsay, the world stopped for every nap or feeding. The same was mostly true for Caroline. Now I am working to make Kate's eating/wake/sleep schedule fit into school drop-off and pick-ups, gymnastics classes and playdates. So far, I think it is working!

I now have a new anecdote about her hair...when we get the inevitable comments on her hair, I have now started to say that my kids grow hair before arms and legs! My huge baby is now rather petite which is fine with me - They only stay little for so long. She is getting stronger by the day and holds her head high and has the most alert eyes - she is always checking out the world in wide-eyed wonder. I wonder what is in store for you next?

The week in pictures...

Some random shots... It has been quite a week. A few milestones and fun tidbits listed below and the occasional A/C scare - who would have though that my house climbing to 94 degrees inside would be due to 2 dead AA batteries in the thermostat? That was $75 well spent on a service call! I was car-less much of the week and my dear sister and almost sister Maddy rescued me several times - helping to schlep me or my children places and babysit in a pinch! Thanks - I love you both and owe you big time!!! Yes, it as been quite the week. Phew. I am pooped. (Though I am not the "Poop Bandit" - maybe some day I will get the nerve to blog about that story!)

31 Flavors after the first day of school

Lost tooth number 5 that night (and #6 on Friday!)

Brynley, Hayden, and Caroline "watch" the tooth get yanked.

Kate thinks she is a pin-up girl!

Kate keeps telling the girls "I am not a dolly!"

Caroline got some fancy hair inspired by this blog and others linked to it. (And promptly asked for it to be undone - girly hair is just not her thing.)

Kate got stuck getting into the back of Molly's van. (Rest assured no babies were injured in this incident!)

Playgroup with Hayden at Espee Park splash pad.

Saying goodbye to Daddy's car. (A 1998 Honda Accord we have owned for nearly 8 years.)

Say hello to Daddy's new wheels. The week started shopping for a used 2006 Blue Toyota Corolla and ended with a spankin' new 2008 Black Honda Accord. Thank you Paul!!!

Can Sunday be a day of rest? Oh, yes it can! Last Sunday I was released as the Primary President of our ward (congregation.) I have enjoyed serving the children and families of our ward for 2+ years and will miss being with them every Sunday. My great friend Heather succeeds me - she will be fantastic! I wonder what is in store for me next? First order of business - work on my attention span for "Adult Church!"

First week of school!

I started a tradition of taking a picture each day of the first week of school - it is fun to see how Lindsay has grown up each year! I think we will keep doing this. A lot of people are not a fan of a uniform dress code but look at how dang cute she is in her pleated skirts and polos and shorts and knee socks! We like it - it works for us. (BTW - first grade started on a Tuesday...hence the break in the pattern!)