Merry Christmas

These pictures are a take 'em or leave 'em type... if I could cut and paste each kid I might have one good picture... so like me after 5 pictures you will have to take'em or leave'em...:) Merry Christmas...

Okay so Jaden is out of the hospital and doing well, tearing up the house and making laundry for her poor over worked mother... :)

Christmas this year is not what we imagined it would be last year. Of course life is never what one plans it to be at least mine isn't.

Quint has a new job, since most of you who follow know this I will not get into detail except to say that he is VERY content with it, and while we are not rolling in dough we are keeping up and paying off... all good :) We have enjoyed Idaho for almost a year now. both Quint and myself being near a sister, that has been great, lots of fun stuff including rafting, hiking, movies, dinners, and video game parties.

James has been getting ready for his mission, he is taller than me, thinks himself a comedian dangling things out of my reach and such... I have learned to bruise his shins :) All in all not bad, lol. Really though he is a great kid, and I know he will do such a great job on his mission. He has seen a lot of his biological family the last few years, this year especially. He has enjoyed getting to know them all better and being adored by extra family never hurt anyone :)

Rannon has been enjoying School. He is his science teachers best student, and he looks forward to advanced sciences. Rannon has been writing a book lately, I am impressed that he has stayed with it for so long. We wait to see what comes of it. He has grown 4 inches in the last year, his feet are like giant triple E oars flapping through the water, he is taller than me now I am pretty sure, about 5'7- 8. He loves his new glasses that are tinted in the sun... his pride and joy wearing sunglasses everywhere :)

Sicily is growing into a beauty much to her Fathers concern. He has already begun the threats to lock her in an attic until she is 30 but since we don't have one she has managed to maintain a normal life style for now :) She is doing really well in school, loves Art, and playing her Clarinet. She is very clothes savvy, and is developing a healthy shoe fetish collecting as many as she can winkle out of family who want to spoil her.

Jonah turned 8 this year and is thrilled to become a full member of the church... we are postponing his dunking until March so he can have his Grandparents come to witness the near drowning, all very important rite of passage for one who is 8 going on 50. Jonah knows everything, if you don't know something he will be happy to tell you, he too is doing well in school as one would expect of one so knowledgeable and he has grown 4 inches as well, proudly he stands about 5-6 inches above Calvin's head... now this glory has been a long time time coming, we are supportive of his joy. :)

Calvin, our 5 year old boy... I have a story about this happened yesterday. I was primping in my bathroom getting ready for a night of good food and laughter with the husband and his co workers :) Calvin came into my room holding a hot dog. (this is not uncommon, we go through many around here, he like them cold hence the reason our are ALWAYS precooked) "Mom" he says in a five year old boy voice... very cute :) "I'm so sorry, I wash my hot dowg" and proceeds to turn on the tap water and rinse it. Now I am still unfazed, aren't you entitled to wash a dog that falls to the floor, well certainly you are! I continue my primp.

He is back several seconds later, spitting his hot dog in the trash, and turning on the water again... this gives me pause, what could cause such a reaction? "What are you doing Calvin?" I ask him waiting for his answer.

"I wash my hot dog," now I was given the 'are you feeling alright' look (a relatively new thing to our experience...) and he carries on undeterred, but now he is mumbling something. So I lean down slowly to not appear to nosy, :) to hear...

"It is hot, hot, hot dog." He is very serious, and attempting to wash away the hotness of the dog in his hand. puzzled I walk out of my bathroom.

"Did someone heat Calvin's hot dog" this got me the same 'are you feeling alright' look from two more of my children, of course fearless now I carry on. "you know he likes them cold." I walk into the kitchen and look at the bag he took them out of, then laughed. It seems in my hurry to get out of Walmart with all of my body parts still intact I managed to grab HOT SPICY hot dogs instead of our plain and normal hot dog fare. My dear son the 'hot dog gourmet' noticed this slight problem in my shopping and attempted to wash away the 'hot' bless his heart... so after I told him I WAS SORRY for this gross error I explained the finer points of drinking milk and using ketchup with the offending HOT dog and all was well in his universe.

I think that says it all about Calvin, he walks to the beat of his own drum, and that is good around here :)

Jaden many have already heard about, but she is doing well in her school as well, she has a teacher that comes to the house three times a week and along with her nurse she is slightly spoiled in attention. but I am of the firm opinion that if anyone should be spoiled she is. :)

Myself... well most of you follow, I am officially a writer now :) It is selling already beyond what I imagined and I have my first book signing next month, so far the list gathers of people who plan to attend, I am beginning to wonder if I should throw a party instead and just sign what ever books pass by me... well you get the idea, :) Take care everyone, and know that we are always thinking of you. The Nelson Family.

Jaden in the Hospital

So Jaden is in the hospital. She is waiting for a study to be done tonight sometime. Her body appears to be working now, but wasn't for about a week. :) She has a handy bag attached to her belly for catching the very messy stuff. :)

James enjoyed a visit from Michael, they went out shopping to dinner and caught a movie. They visited some family as well. Good times...

The rest of the kids are trying to maintain some sort of focus on their school work when all they really want to do is unwrap presents. (they each have one under the tree, I keep telling them they are only lumps of coal and to not get excited)

We just got some exciting news, Quint's mother will be coming to Idaho for Christmas this year :)

More news... (drum roll please) My first book signing will be Jan 31, 2009. It will be at Hastings here in Boise from 1-4 for anyone who wants to come :) I am not sure what I am going to do just yet... right now I am just excited... and busy with kids and writing. 2nd book is nearly ready for professional edit, and 3rd is falling nicely together :)

Just as a reminder, anyone who has read the book would you please leave a review on Amazon, Barnes + Noble, or Good Reads, then let me know? I would really love to add them all to my website (the more I have on the two big ones the better it will sell) :) Maybe while you are there you could tag the book as well? I try to tag it so it shows up with books that are similar...:) Thanks everyone! you are all the best! S

CPR Class

So yesterday I took Jaden to the ER because she was not doing so hot, but wouldn't you know it she started looking better by the time we got there, even so it was a quick trip really. 4 hours... :) She is home and no worse for the wear, but something is definitely brewing up... My goal is to make it through Christmas without admit... Say it will me Jaden WILL be home for Christmas :)

Today Quint and I went to CPR Classes with Arron and Kyersten (+fam) I could not believe how different it was, and am here to tell you that if you haven't gone recently (within 2 years) you could have some old information. Quint and the boys will be going back next month, to get them certified. It is good to know so much of that stuff, not to mention the bodies you use now are easier, compared to the last time I did this (oh about 20 years ago... does that make me sound old? lol)

Anyway worth thinking about, friends and family, really worth the time :)

S

Jaden's I.Q. test

Well hello everyone, Jaden took her I.Q. test last night, and scored at 3 years 8 months!, Yippee! That is up since her last one (about 5 years ago) from 18 months... We are showing PROGRESS people! SIGH, one little step at a time :) Take care and thanks for stopping by my website, it makes me feel good that you have all supported me so well, :) S

surviving Black Friday

I thought I would post and let everyone know that we were out... like the crazy people at 3:30am in the morning like all the other crazy people we have made fun of in the past... though not as bad as the people camping at the mall's and stores we were out freezing out butts off for a token of our devotion. I got a 5 dollar card that I proptly spent on warmer socks and Quint won 10 dollar card that he promptly spent on my warm sweatshirt... so all in all it turned out to be great since I got sore feet and warm socks and an extra jacket out of the deal... :)I saw on the news that several other people were not so lucky, 3 for sure died and it made me wonder what is wrong with people? What compels us to become people so crazied with the want to save a dollar or two that we loose sleep or time with our families to trample over strangers? (rest assured there was no trampling where we were... just police cars every three minutes which led me to believe it was a problem spot in times past...)

I did manage to get some great buys for the kids and Christmas... however it was not from the place that I risked freezing to death... next year I may get up early but you will find me still sleeping until well after 5am :)

At any rate Thanksgiving was wonderful both times, we actually had three counting the turkey we cooked as well... :) We all had a great time, the kids didn't even want to go home when the day was over so that is a clear indicator that good times were had :)

Today we are going to try our luck at fixing our poor old van and our poor worn out washing machine :) Take care and keep in touch, :) pictures with santa should be coming soon, s

I thought this was cute so I thought I would pass it along... still waiting to hear back about the books. s

Breaking News! I got my Author copies TODAY! Yippe! Everyone should get theirs soon, s

Sewing

So I broke out the sewing machine the other day and started some new projects for the girls. I will have to add some pictures again soon, I do take them, just don't add them all the time. I have been feeling better, but I think I am doing to much again and need to take it easy. I still wonder how to do that when I have 6 kids and million things I want to do.

One thing at a time right? deep breath....

Quint took us out to a movie the other night, it was Ghost Town, I laughed until I cried, it was a good clean movie (compaired to most that have come out lately). It was hilarious. I hope everyone enjoys it.

Have any of you recieved your books yet? I am waiting to get mine in the mail myself but wondered if any of you would consider doing a review for me? Well let me know on one of the sites I get feed back from all of it, thanks for the support everyone, really. It really helps. s

Hallowed Moon is going onto the radio

Hello friends, thought I would tell you that I have been invited to do a reading of my book! I have added a connection to my website. Here it is if you are interested. :)


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/AuthorsRead/2008/12/22/Stacey-Nelson-Hallowed-Moon

Hallowed Moon

So everyone else beat me to add my cover but that is great too! I just talked with the powers that be and the book is not even officially released until Dec 27th, 2008. So you guys are really getting it out there really fast and I am so thrilled. I need all the help I can get. Thanks to everyone who has already bought a book and to everyone that plans too in the near future! My website is also becoming very popular according to freewebs! Who knew right? Anyway have to run, kids, school, house work... unfortunately it doesn't care if I am going to be famous... lol. Anyway thanks for the support family and friends. It means a lot to me and my family. :)

My book is finally for sale! Hallowed Moon

So you can click on the link (not the greatest one ever made... I will fix that soon) and then type it in on the books for sale page. The cost and order information is all there, also a postcard that is free to mail to everyone you know. Feel free to spread the news :) and yes I will sign them if you want. :)

Punkin' Patch

Well our trip to the "farm" was full of adventure, Calvin was thrilled when he saw it from the road. "We are at a Farm Mom!" we rode a on a hay ride, walked through certain danger within a corn maze, (Calvin added "we made it" apparently it was uncertain for some time...) followed by our trip through the punkin' patch to find the great pumpkin, or at least the one we could carry ourselves (the rule of the punkin' pickers) Then a snack and off home. All in all a roaring success!

pictures as promised

pink is the grape juice, 3 deep... peaches... 3 deep also. a few tomatoes. we have salsa too, but the picture didn't work. Jonah was sad because that was the one he took. ")
Juicer and berries, we did lots of juice. Mostly grapes, could've started out own winery...Canning, the kids wanted everyone to see our jars, and here they are. Cherry, Rasberry and Mixed berry jellies.
Jaden has been taking interesting pictures this is one of them... it is interesting to me that she sees things so differently then we do, she really is interesting to watch. The light coming through is nice...
My Girl

Jaden and Sicily

Calvin and Jonah

Older boys would rather not be photo graphed at this time....sorry. s

Six random things

The rules are:

* Link to the person who tagged you
* Post the rules on your blog
* Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself
* Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them
* Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog
* Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

Weird things about myself, in no particular order:

1. I can never think of anything about myself if someone asks "so what can you do?" to broad, I have to have a better question. same problem the other way, "is there anything you can't do?" blank! but give me an hour and I am full of ideas... oh well right? i can either do everything or nothing depending on who you talk to...
2. I stopped eating sugar over a year ago. It isn't all that strange to me, I just simply wrote it out of my life, but everyone else I know seems to think it is weird or strange at the very least...
3. I think most people are odd, which proves that I am odd I suppose for the simple reason that so many others are instead of myself...
4. I want two more children... yeah I know I can hear it now, but I do. two little girls, then I will have 4 of each. I don't care what color or nationality they are, just want two more. That might not count people say that I am crazy about that one...
5. I have discovered that I scream in the movies... I never did before last year, but now, I am the old lady in the back of the theater squealing and freaking out half the group in the rows in front of me. If I get it just right the whole row will seize. I think I may have started just to watch and now I can't stop... addiction is bad...
6. Sometimes I have these weird dreams about movie stars taking me out to dinner and falling madly in love with me, and I have to break their hearts and go home to my husband... still not sure what that is about, but you said weird and strange I figured that covered it. ")

TAG!!! You're IT!

1 Teri
2 Danica
3 Vickie
4 Rebecca
5 Tammy
6 Lydia

broken toes, and grapes

Yes well I imagine that the title has confused some... okay fine I will tell you, twist my arm...

A few days ago I was sitting on the couch after a long day, my dog beside me when Jonah decided he had to sit next to me. Normal right? So the kid climbs onto the couch head first, then pivots on his foot and mine unfortunately, in an attempt to tear off my pinkie toe. laugh it up people but it still hurts. So after taking in lots of breaths I ask him what he was doing, and he was just trying be closer to me. I told him I thought he managed it, and made him run to get me the tape. Sigh. toes are a lot of trouble around here.

The grapes started with Quint's sister, calling me up for pickers, so I dutifully sent out my best workers, and now I have grapes, grape juice, grape jelly (coming soon) and grape messes everywhere. It has been an experience, I miss my big kitchen I tell you right now I miss it something terrible. So after canning about 40 jars and getting enough to make jelly all day, I am wimping out and giving the rest to Teri, to her great joy. :)

I keep telling myself 'next year' I have a better kitchen. If it doesn't happen I will never believe anything I tell myself again so it has to work out, just for that reason alone.... hehehe.

I have to say that so far Mom is winning the super hero name contest... no more tries? later S.

New stuff

Well let's see, an update....
Calvin woke up yesterday and told us a dream he had. (I will have to use a bit of creative lisence since he talks off and on in actions not so many words.) the gist of it was that after much struggle he got hurt and that made him turn into the hulk and kill darth vader. the end. :) I really need a good video recorder for you to feel the whole thing... sorry.

Jonah is cruising right along through school. he is smart and board usually doing more than the daily requirement, Rannon is doing that as well.

Sicily is content dragging her feet lately until it drags into her saturday of course. so we are working through it, hehehe got to love the challenge.

James is helping me out and looking for work. He is very board with housework so I imagine he will find work soon.

Quint is getting older this month and so is Jaden, who is enjoying her new nurse Lynn. She is a happy huggable person. Jaden adores her.

My book has now been sent to the art department to get the front cover, so a week or two more I think. Who knew everything could be so drawn out and nerve wracking. :)

I stayed up until four last night reading through the book one more time, sending off the suggestions and so on, I think Jaden knew I was up and created something else for me to do...Lets hear it for diaper patrol! somedays people I believe Mom's needs action heros named after them... something like super wipper, the boo-boo mender, or super human needs no sleep mom could be called the energizer, who knows, how about everyone types in a name that mom's should have in the comment box and the one that i like best wins.

this should be fun, no fighting now... :) enter as many as you would like. hey the prize can be a signed copy of my book...lol...unless that is not thrilling enough, lol, s

All about the day

Good morning family. We are finding ourselves in a happy place this morning. It is a lazy morning I am getting things settled for school and comforting children who feel the need to eat toast rather than cereal, eggs, or anything else breakfast like. Seems that toast is the food of choice and since they have eaten all I had over the weekend I feed very unsympathetic toward my young brood. At any rate, we are all fine, Quint is still doing well, he loves work and school is evening out, we are fitting everything into our lives. My book is in one of many editing stages and it can be a few more weeks before I heard from them, sadly I must wait, and wait and wait. Other than waiting life is good. Keep in touch with us, later all. s

More pictures of Guy and Lucy's kids

Lucina takes these with her camera phone and then sends me twenty of the same thing...well not really twenty of the same thing...anyway she wants a blog but I am not sure if she already has one or if a friend is trying to help her make one? I will have to talk to her some more. Anyway she sends them through her cell and since I called her thrilled to see them she sent me several more. Enjoy.

The one of Haskel on the cover of Man magazine is interesting, he looks so much like Jonah to me. Amazing what bloodlines can do. s

Guy and Lucy's new pictures

Anderson
Guy, Haskel, Anderson (Clockwise) Too Cute. S.

Quint follow up

Quint went to the eye doctor yesterday. He is still not out of the woods. He is thrilled how ever to not have to dilate his eye anymore. He still needs medication all the time but not every hour... he has 6 more weeks of treatment to go. If he stops before then he will have to start all over and it will get worse withing 48 hours. So still very real problem but life feels more normal. s

Rain, Rain, Rain...

We have had rain all night here.

Just a quick hello and to tell everyone that Quint's eye is much improved, while he still looks strange with one eye dilated all the time and the other not we are used to it most of the time now. He is a real trouper getting his medication in on time, and taking care of himself.

All is well just settling int the routine of school here, I am writing when ever I can and some days it just isn't enough and I get growly but for the most part I think we are working it all out.

Later all, and pictures are still coming another day, later, s

Quint's eye

Quint has been interesting this week. His eye started with an itch last Friday then turned red, he was convinced that it was pink eye and prepared to ignore it until it went away on it's own. Monday the entire eye became red, not anything at all like pink eye the tissues themselves were deep red. (He looked a little like the Sith in star wars if you ask me.)

Plenty people have had questions and so to answer them as best I can I will add a link to the website and allow you all to view what you will. They have no idea why it happened but Quint's body was literally rejecting his own eye. after 3 days of medication his eye is nearly normal in appearance and he is less grumpy.... we all like that much better.

School is still going, I have two out of the 5's school books, and am working at getting myself used to their way of doing things. I feel like a puppy being house trained, you can interpret that how you will and I am sure you can figure out how things have gone more then once around here. lol.

Take care family and friends, oh and for those keeping tabs I finished everything as far as I understand and will submit the final work today to the publisher. So I am pretty excited. I will have a website later this weekend and I will add a link to it here so you can visit if you want, thanks for the support. love s.


http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic587.htm

hello

Hello to all the Nelson fan's....well visitors.....Okay people that are bored and just checking us out....gee you just dragged that out of me.

We are doing well. canning, and getting rid of things, anything, everything. We have been getting school issues hashed out. Very crazy and among other things in life Jonah has started telling people that he is adopted....ya, I thought something along those lines myself. so very exciting stuff here, later everyone. s.

School

Okay for the record yes my children are all enrolled in (shall I say the word) PUBLIC school. It is a virtual academy so they stay home and I still have to run the show but now instead of spending hours figuring out what to teach them or gathering their things together I just make sure it is getting done. Rannon is already pretty far ahead (about a week) the younger kids have a more laid back system and I am still doing my regular homeschool with them until their book arrive.

Just Rannon alone saves me 2 hours a day though and so I have been getting plenty of writing done on my second book. Hallowed Moon is still not for sale but if I haven't drove everyone crazy by then with it, I will let you all know.

The kids and I are off to watch Indiana Jones at the dollar movie.... oh it is things like this that reminds me that God loves me...my whole family for less than 20 bucks (including popcorn) life is good. :) s

Back to School

Well we are keeping busy getting everyone in K12 this year. I figured it would free up much of my free time, and give them the education they deserve while I am busier with my writing. I can't remember if I mentioned Jaden has a nurse now to tend her in the day. I have to tell you all how wonderful that it is. Well today she through her first serious tantrum! Her nurse not here at her beck and call. She went into a rage, over what time she got her bath. Well after we all laughed really hard, we realized that she was really maturing with a schedule and enjoyed knowing she was in a form of control knowing that schedule.

All is well, I will add some school pictures soon, S.

House shopping

So today I went to look at the house I want to buy. It was wonderful, just like I thought it would be, now for the real test, waiting. yeah, well. waiting.

Teri and I have been hanging out lots lately, I can't say how nice it has been to have her around.

Lydia came to visit, and I am ashamed to say I did not take one picture. I know, that is unheard of for me, and I failed ..... I hope she will see fit to add some new pictures to her blog to help me feel better about life. hehehe.

Nothing more to report, already sent off emails about the book so no news there.

Well thanks for keeping up with us, all is well, Jaden loves her nurse, and so do I! Just today she had 3 diapers and I was required for Zero.....that is right the big OHH! Joy truly is mine. s

Day at the lake

My small blanket island



Teri
Jaden Kira Kookookachou

Calvin swimming
James and Rannon doing the monkey
Sicily So we went to the lake again , this time with Teri, and Ameilia, ( sorry if I have spelled it wrong...) and all the children that the three of us tote everywhere. It was warm and nice. We had a great time, s.

A funny story

Well everyone, I am getting ready for bed but thought I would tell you all a funny story about Calvin, you know the kind you can taunt him with when he is 14.

Quint: What are you doing Calvin?

Calvin: Oh no, (this is very mournful without whining...)

Quint: What's wrong Cal?

Calvin: (child is holding left hand outstretched in front of him, while wearing his spider man costume. They are year round attire at our house.) Dad, I don't have powers. (sighs) I'm, just Calvin.(Child forlorn and mournful as if it were the first time he knew the fact)

Quint: Oh, no powers huh? Let me see. (the man had to toy with him)

Calvin: (pushing his hand out in front of him a few times, whimpered.) See? It's broken.

Quint: (eyes watering, curiously serious face.) I see that. How about a hug?

Calvin: okay, Dad (the small broken spider man whispers looking at the ceiling and to the right) Don't tell anybody.


Lol, you just can't make stuff like that up :) later, stacey

water fight

so here is our water fight, Rannon missed out since he was still at camp, but me mannaged to have a good time. as you can see Dad got a little wet, lol. we had lots of fun, sorry again that the video is silent, one of these days....especaily since the publishers want to take my book under contract!!!!! yeah! some time next year I can honestly say "I am a writer" how about that for a mother of 6? not bad......hehehe, later all, s