Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas
2009
I am late writing my annual Christmas letter. I like to have it written and sent well before the first week of December. So here, I am writing one week before Christmas hoping that everyone will forgive me and my lazy hide. 
For our overall updates, I will say that we are doing really well. We are house shopping and I have found the perfect house for me. Now I just have to buy it. There is the rub right?
Quint is working hard, and loving his work. It isn’t everyone who can really enjoy what they do. Quint Loves working for Method Works. He enjoys riding his motor bike to work as often as possible but is fine with taking the car on snowy, rainy, days  He has enjoyed taking out his dirt bike at every opportunity as well as spoil me whenever possible 

I am writing still, the first book has taught me so much and the second and third should be perfect… Well that is the idea anyway.  I am still homeschooling, and drawing sometimes. I have been sewing lately, and enjoying the Christmas season all the more because of it. There is just something about Christmas presents that you make by hand, or machine,  (I am not crazy after all) I am enjoying living in Nampa, and being so near both sides of our families.

James is 19 and getting ready for his mission. I have not dabbled too much into the emotional side of myself for weeks; I have no intention to cry about him leaving until after he is gone. The entire family will miss him terribly though. He has a good job that pays him well and he is having a great time shopping for his last Christmas at home. He is really trying to get each person something special. He is so great; I know that if you could meet him you would know I am not even bragging 

Rannon is 15 and almost finished with High School. Rannon is thrilled to be just about done. One of his goals is to be finished with College before he leaves on his mission. He also wants to buy a dirt bike as soon as possible. Rannon loves to invent things and draw out inventions all over in his notebook. He makes killer fudge and loves to create new types of food from old ways of making it. He is funny, strong, and full of life. Rannon is interested in so many things and has so many plans I can’t wait to see where he goes in life.

Jaden is 14 and sweet as whipped cream. I really enjoy her smiles. Jaden loves her power wheelchair and enjoys therapy. She loves her hospital bed that she received not long ago and her babies fill her heart with gladness. Jaden has about 10 babies and has named them all. She loves music and singing. Jaden received her young women medallion this year. That was such a sweet experience between her and the young women of your church. Jaden is a bright light in a world consumed with darkness.


Sicily is 11 and so excited about moving up into young women’s next year. She is a wonderful help around the house and she has learned how to sew. She still plays the Clarinet and loves to sing. Sicily loves to cook and she is a good one. Sicily is always happy to share a hug and smile. She is saving her money to buy a horse and can’t wait for the day she has to shovel out the stall. She wants to experience the whole deal.

Jonah is 9 and delighted to be the proud owner of a sweet little puppy named Emily. Jonah is smart and mature for his age, while is not afraid to act his age he is capable of so much. Jonah loves to cook, and build things with his brothers. Jonah is planning on being a doctor and in the last two years has climbed to 6th grade in school. Jonah is VERY smart. I have a hard time keeping him busy since he learns so much faster than I do. Jonah literally learns one thing and moves past what you are teaching in a matter of a few short weeks. I am always amazed by what he can do. I admit to feeling a little slow around him when he is nine and already zips around me in math. Of course, I remind myself that he is doing that to all of us now, so I am not alone. Jonah wants to be a doctor and he thinks he might be able to get done with all of his college before he leaves on his mission. I am absolutely for it.  I hope he can, I hope he will I know he would be a great Doctor. Maybe even invent the cure for something, who knows.

Calvin is 6 and so excited for Christmas we have to put all our presents on a decorative ledge to keep the temptation at bay. Calvin is talking so well this year I can’t explain my gratitude. He is such a sweet kindhearted boy. I just enjoy him so much. Calvin is up early each morning and ready for a hug and a snuggle. He loves books, and is smart about numbers. Calvin understands numbers well, similar to Jonah in that way he zips by with everything that he learns. He loves to count and to sort colors shapes and puzzles. Puzzles are fantastic to watch him play with. Calvin puts puzzles together so many times that he turns them over and pieces them together from the back as well. Each shape and section perfectly placed.

Maybe you can tell that my kids are great to me, I love them to pieces. Life isn’t worth living without kids.
Merry Christmas from all of us.
May your Christmas be filled with joy and laughter and your heart carry the spirit of the season all year.
The Nelson’s

Funny things kids say

This morning I was folding laundry like I always do just before someone comes to visit, laundry has a way of taking over my couch most of the time...

Anyway I asked Jonah to put his clothes away and while he was doing this he was singing "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"

I gave it little attention since I can think of a million more distracting things he could be doing... anyway Calvin looks up from his book and says "Jonah is mean huh."

"Why do you say that Calvin?"

"Because he makes me listen to him sing."

Ya, I lost it. So much for Christmas spirit and spreading the love, lol. Talk later, I have a school to run :) S

Our Santa Visit

A nice lady at the mall did our hair up for us :)

Sees candy is a traditional stop, as you can see it is very rewarding. :) We had a great time shopping and checking out the sights.

Jonah's Puppy

As most of you know, Jonah's birthday is the 13th of this month. A sweet little puppy fell into my lap and I got this great idea. :) Jonah has been praying for his own dog everyday for almost 3 years now. The time felt right and seeing how thrilled he was I am so happy we chose to do this. Thank you T for the puppy :) Love ya. S.

Enjoy Jonah as he met 'Emily Snap Nelson' or Leelee for short :)

I have another one, I will add it tommorrow. S

Sicily

Sicily working hard at her sewing project. She made a skirt too, we will get them both on here in a few days. She is very pleased, in fact she is asking for her own sweing machine. Anyone have an old sewing machine laying around that can be donated for the cause?

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING. s

Pumkin Pie

While some of us maybe gulity of murdering our pumpkins, I have learned their is a more human way of doing things. lol.

Jaden

Jaden holding her apron, her journal, and eating. She has her necklace on :)
Most of the girls :)
Some of the girls involved in the service project.
Jaden was so excited.
Jaden received her young woman's medallion tonight.

The young woman leaders called me a few weeks ago and asked me if it was okay for the young women of our church to help Jaden earn her medallion. Jaden could never have done the 20+ hours of service and projects that are required to earn one.

The evening was nice, each girl spoke about what it meant to earn her medallion and I kept thinking to myself, boy how will they get anything out of Jaden? Right, err, they didn't even ask her, it was me. I was glad it didn't occur to me that I would have to speak. I would have gotten nervous or something. Instead I just showed up as the only person in jeans... and stood up there and told the girls how impressed I was that they took the time to do this project for my daughter.

I am sure I sounded more spiritual or something, and Quint said I did good. I can't remember a word.

Jaden is thrilled to have a room full of friends. S