We Love You Too . . .

Sweet Baby Girl. Looks like Daddy was right once again!

What are YOU thankful for?

Loved this.

The Crew’s Halloween Fun

The Pumpkins

It was Britta’s first year to use the saw!

The Crew are true Homestar Runner fans. We stuck with our annual  theme again this year. . . well, everyone but Freja, that is. I guess she has carved Marzipan one too many times.

I must say that pumpkin carving goes quite smoothly at our house these days as everyone, but Britta,  is pretty self-sufficient. My regular job is to sift through the pumpkin goop for all the seeds so that we can roast them . . . yum!

 

Hermione Hair

Freja wanted authentic ‘Hermione Hair’ for Halloween.  “Hermione hair like the movie, not the book.” She insisted that rag curls would do the trick . . . we couldn’t stop laughing at the initial result. Her hair was so curly! It looked more like Hermione’s hair though as it relaxed throughout the day.

     

 

The Garb

 

Check out that cute stinger! It was especially cute when she walked.

Sisters!

This was Leif’s last year of trick-or-treating—next year he will be twelve and he’ll move on to new ways to celebrate. He was recovering from an illness, so unfortunately he didn’t go out with a bang like he had hoped.

Hans and David both had parties to attend . . . Hans’s was a costume party and David’s wasn’t. David helped pass out candy until it was time for his party.

This Mama couldn’t get enough of her little Bumblebee . . .

 

Trick-or-Treating in the Northwest

Mostly it just drizzled but at one point it started raining hard enough that the use of an umbrella became  necessary to keep my little Bee warm and dry. Britta insisted on carrying the umbrella herself, along with her bucket-full of treats. It was quite the challenge for her but she was determined (and stubborn). After a long, and very slow walk up the hill, we called it a night.

The Most Heartwarming “Boo” Ever . . .

Around these parts, maybe around most parts, there is a little tradition connected with Halloween called “Boo-ing.” It goes something like this:  A friendly, and completely unknown spook , or group of spooks, mischievously deposits Halloween goodies on a dear one’s front porch before they ding-dong-ditch their home. When the folks living inside unknowingly answer the door they are pleasantly surprised with the found sweeties and the thoughtfulness of the spooks who delivered them. Because they are so appreciative they return the trick to two of their favorite friends and so it goes until Halloween arrives. The spooks who left the treats also leave their calling card (a photocopy of a “Boo”) that the recipients hang on their door to alert other spooks that may come to call  that their home has already been visited this season.

As Halloween approached my younger children mentioned how they “couldn’t wait to be Boo-ed.” I didn’t think much about it as I had other pressing things on my mind. Soon we were merely days away from Halloween and still, the spooks had not come-a-calling. I didn’t realize how sad this had made my children until one day after school it happened. We got that exciting, doorbell-ditching-ring and this is what we found.

This was a “Boo-ing” of the home-made, very best, hand-crafted kind. Some considerate and empathic young neighborhood spook or spooks of the male-variety (we’re nearly certain) overheard my wee ones on the school bus, earlier that day, expressing their grief that we had not yet been “Boo-ed” and they took matters into their own hands. They crafted their calling card, raided their family’s pantry for fruit snacks, and used profuse amounts of tape to secure their offering—they sensed a need and they met it with enthusiasm. I’ve never felt more proud to display my “Boo” sign. Children’s kindness . . . you can’t beat it. It warmed the heart of this Mama—and that is just what my heart needed. I suppose this is evidence that even Halloween can inspire goodness and giving. Some parents somewhere should feel very proud of their special little spooks . . . I certainly do.

Award-Winning

If there were an award for the saddest, most neglected fuchsia in the neighborhood . . . I would get it.

I’m sorry little fuchsia, I don’t know how I let this happen to you . . .

Look who’s not a BABY anymore!

Britta, kicking back with a book in her bouncy seat . . . reminiscing about the good ol’ days of babyhood. Funny girl.

It’s that time of year . . . again . . . already

School started last week and it’s a bittersweet time. Sweet in that I am truly grateful our children love school and learning and that they were so excited to begin a new year. Bitter in that not only is it hard for me to turn over my children to another’s care day after day but  the beginning of each new school year serves as a painful reminder that our children are each one year closer to being out of the nest . . . my nest. And this, my friends, is the saddest of sad thoughts for this Mama Bird. Each year I take photos, give hugs, smile, tell them I love them, wish them a happy day, smile again, and then head for the door *quickly* before the tears come. It’s always a long walk back to the car.

 

 

These two will be in the same class this year. We’ll see how that goes!

These two, being in high school and all, do not fancy their Mama following them to the bus stop with the camera, or to school for that perfect desk shot. So I had to restrain myself. Next week they’ll be starting early morning seminary—which means an earlier start for all of us!

On the upside . . . we’ve been blessed with great schools and wonderful teachers and the beginning of the new school year means that I will get to spend even more one-on-one time with this Cutie-Patootie . . . and that is definitely something to look forward to.

The “Pants Incident” (as referred to by Freja)

This is what happens when you have a cheeky brother named Leif . . .

Points to anyone who could tell that she is wearing her brothers’ underwear . . . several pair of them!

Where in the heck are The Jorgensens?

Last year at this time we had just begun our family trek to the Southwest. It was a fabulous time visiting friends and relatives and enjoying nature’s beauty as we drove across the western states. I remember our trip with such fondness and wish we could do it every year. Dance with me down memory lane . . .

Bonus points awarded to anyone who noticed Eric getting bitten on his backside!

Click  here for our inspiration . . . for both the  impressive dance moves and the shameless conceptual rip-off.  :)  Imitation (no matter how bad) is the ultimate form of flattery, so I am told . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

David . . . The Unpaid Intern

Lately around our home—usually during chore time—we’ve been hearing the phrase “YOU’RE the Unpaid Intern . . . YOU do the work!” quite often . For some reason it always makes me chuckle .

David has landed an internship, albeit unpaid, this summer with the Snohomish School District ,working on their websites. It’s been challenging and rewarding and he really seems to enjoy it.

I finally asked my kids where this funny phrase came from anyway. They explained to me that it came from a Sponge Bob episode and proceeded to relay it in the best character voices they could muster. “That’s MISTER Dr. Professor Patrick to YOOOOUUUU!!! . . . YOU’RE the Unpaid Intern! YOU do the work!” I REALLY don’t know why I think this is so funny—but  I do.

The scary thing is . . . we don’t even have cable. What would it be like around here if we did!

Mario Kart Love Song

My boys showed me this song weeks ago and I still find myself humming the tune. I, personally, don’t know much at all  about video games but I guess I know enough about Mario Kart to appreciate this clever singer/songwriter. It’s quite sweet, really.  Yes, that IS yarn taped to his face.

My very own Mario Bros.—Mario and Luigi . . . Halloween 2004. Fun Times. 

Yes, we were just a tad bit excited . . .

So the new Harry Potter movie is out. We were beyond excited that it was rated PG and we were able to take our family to the theater to see it. We are big fans of the series . . . we read each book aloud as a family as soon as we can get our hands on it. It usually takes a week or two—during which time we have to hide the book so no one, Eric and I included, will read ahead! It’s been a fun family tradition and something we all enjoy.

The movie was a hit with our crew.

To make it extra special we decided to make some “Muggle” tees to wear to the show. It was David’s idea and we had a great time making them together and wearing them as a family—a very fun and unifying experience for us all.

Freja decided to dress like a Muggle-born—like her dear friend Hermione.

Our Baby Muggle got to stay home with Mackenzie, our cute babysitter, having lots of fun playing dress-up. Mama Muggle got to focus on the movie. Win-win, I say.

So Glad I Gave Up . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs5PjSn1-iI

This ‘Queen of What Ifs’ is ever so grateful I decided to give up . . . thirteen years ago today, in fact. Happy Anniversary Dear.

p.s. I am still working on those “half-empty glasses.”

Have you seen the hand of God in your family’s life today? If so, write it down!

I was blessed to teach the combined Young Women in our ward again this month. The topic was Personal Records. My favorite part of the lesson was the story and quotes from President Eyering. I just love him.

In the November 2007 Conference President Henry B, Eyering gave a talk entitled “O Remember, Remember.” He described an experience he had in which he felt inspired to begin writing down daily family experiences. He was feeling particularly blessed by the service of a family member and as he was pondering on the service provided for them he heard in his mind—not in his own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.” He immediately went inside and although he was very tired he didn’t go to bed but instead followed the prompting and began to write. He said, “And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, (someday when they would need it), how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family.”

He went on to say, “I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: ‘How have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?’ As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done. More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened.”

I have a testimony of this.

My Beautiful Mama

As is often the case with me, I am behind on things . . . I wanted to share this photo of my mom for Mother’s Day. I love this photo. Isn’t she beautiful! I love my mom so much and am so grateful for her many teachings and years of service to me and our family. It’s hard to fully express the gratitude I have for my dear mama. . .

Thanks Mom! Thanks for teaching me to work hard. Thanks for helping me understand, from the youngest age, that my most important role is that of a mother—that this is where I would find true joy. Thanks for coming to visit and helping out when our own babies arrived, sharing confidence and expertise with me. Thanks for helping me understand that I deserved better and that I had options at a very crucial crossroads in my life. Thanks for teaching me to be kind and to serve others. Thanks for teaching me homemaking skills and for introducing me to Mary Kay. Thanks for praying for me. Thanks for loving me. Thanks for teaching me how to smile. I love your smile and I love you!

Happy Mother’s Day Connie Sue!

Walking the fine line between humility and humiliation . . .

Yep! These are our Christmas cards, from 2008 . . . and I just mailed them out this week, the end of April. That’s got to be our family record of lameness. I must admit I was tempted to just let it go and hope no one noticed but in the end decided it would be a good lesson for me . . . a lesson in humility. A humble, even public admission that I don’t have a complete handle on my life, that, indeed, hard as it is to admit, I can’t do everything.  My dear husband spent so much time writing and printing the letters (back in December—like a good little elf) it just wouldn’t be right for me not to own this, to take responsibility and fully admit that I was the weak link in our Christmas greeting endeavor.  It’s a fine line though and I’m feeling rather wobbly.

My Favorite Piano Guys

Here is an awesome new video from my second favorite Piano Guy! He’s amazing.

. . . and here is a photo of my most favorite Piano Guy this Christmas at his first paying gig. He amazes me too.

A Random, Peaceful, Friday Afternoon

I LOVE our Friday afternoons. The crew gets out of school two hours early, allowing for some relaxing, unscheduled time at home. They are all usually so busy with homework and activities it’s often the only day of the week that they get some free time for themselves.

We can always count on David to fill our house with beautiful music. He’s talented, that guy.

 

Hans, pumping iron. He’s always diligent at putting first things first, getting his exercise and work out of the way before play.

Leif enjoying Hans’s DS. What a generous brother Hans is!

Freja, enjoying the Webkinz or American Girl website.

Last but not least, our sleeping Princess Britta. It’s always a good day when she gets a nap!

 

Funny Freja

Dear Mrs. Nielsen

Dear Mrs. Nielsen—My mom really loves your blog. She appreciates how much you enjoy your life as a wife and mother and she just raves about your darling children. I must admit that Mr. Nicholas, in particular, has caught my eye. I hope to meet the “Little Critter” someday. I will certainly be on the look-out for him in a few years at BYU, provided he chooses that fine institution as his choice for higher learning and growth . . . but I digress. Thank you for inspiring my own dear mother to try to  live her life more fully, more beautifully. We are so very happy that you are recovering and that your beautiful children have been blessed to have their beautiful mother back. You are truly an inspiration. Much Love—Britta Liesl

 

P. S. This little birdie onesie was made just  for you. It’s one of my favorites.

For Eric

I will forever love you for taking me the way I am.

Harvest Time

It was recently ‘Harvest Time’ at our house—time to finally harvest the hair I’ve been farming over the last year so that I could donate it to Locks of Love. This is the fourth time I’ve been able to donate my hair and it’s always a fun and rewarding endeavor. As I’m growing my hair out it inevitably gets to a point where it looks really bad, drives me crazy, and I am so tempted to cut it. Then I try and remember that if I just hold on a little longer I will have enough length to donate. My hair grows fast, it’s the least I can do, right? So when you see my long, heavy hair looking less than it’s best, likely in a ponytail day after day, just know it’s for a good cause. :) That’s my story anyway, and I’m sticking to it!

Our dear Freja has been begging to donate her hair for a year or so now and I finally relented. I felt quite hesitant to say good-bye to her long blonde locks but Eric properly chastened me for not supporting her in her charitable desires and so I agreed. Her hair does NOT grow fast, all the more special that she wanted to give it away I suppose.

This was a memorable mother-daughter bonding experience and we are both thrilled with our lightened do’s. Thanks Shyanne!

I love the very excited and pleased look on Freja’s face.