We are buying a house.

At long last, after a little scrimping and saving we are finely about to buy a house. I will post a few pictures later, I just wanted everyone to know, since we are thrilled.

More to come, later all. S

Thankful

I am thankful for each kiss that lingers with the mornings goodbyes

I am thankful for the way sunlight reveals the twinkle in your eyes

I am thankful for the little texts and phone calls when we are apart

I am thankful for your smiles, and the way you lift my heart

I am thankful for the way I feel around you; loved, cherished, and of worth

I am thankful for our family; for the joy we felt with each birth

I am thankful for your big heart, and your warm embrace

I am thankful for your time; for your easy pace

I am thankful for your tolerance, and acceptance of my ways

I am thankful for your leadership, understanding, and guidance each day

I am thankful for a safe place to hide my deepest fears

I am thankful for your loyalty and devotion through the years

I am thankful for all that you provide, thankful, My Love, for each moment at your side.

Stacey Nelson 10/20/10

Happy Birthday, Quint, here's to many more. Love ya, S

I think I almost have things figured out...

There are times I have to question my sanity. (I have been told that real crazy people stop asking so I remain hopeful that I, am in fact, sane) It must come as no surprise to most of you that this happens more often than not. After all I do have 6 children, a husband, 3 dogs, and a cat, not to mention a series of suicidal fish. Those things in and of themselves seem rather harmless, sedate even... but you add in the tiny house, the driving urge to write all day long, doctor appointments, kids activities and the fact that I home school my little darlings- a maze of crazy starts to draw itself all over my day. It feels a little like Harold and the Purple Crayon... without structure.

So here I am my kids in various stages of education, a young man about to leave on his mission, a change in the guard is coming... I am losing my right arm, and thankfully a few pounds, but maybe not in that order...

Rannon is almost graduated from High School. Since he isn't 17 yet, I think that is amazing. I can't believe that he is the same little guy that used to walk into walls, bless his heart he couldn't see until he got his first pair of glasses.

Sicily is budding into a little writer, I am impressed with everything she tries, she does well. Such a quick learner. She is great person, kind, thoughtful, and capable.

Jaden is thriving in her new school, and therapies, she is enjoying more independence, and speaking out for what she wants, James is still her favorite person in the world, I know it will be hard on her when he leaves, really hard. She won't be able to call him like she can Gg. I think that having Teri here to spoil her rotten will help a lot though.

Jonah is my shining star, you know today we finally had the breakthrough we have been waiting for in fractions... at last we are ready to move on... but at least I have relearned them, I am a pro!

Calvin... my sweet boy has decided that he can channel lightning. He has a very clever stance and concept for the entire process that could make for an interesting story line down the road for me... in the meantime I try so hard not to crack a smile, it is so important that I know what his plans are before he can try them out, you know? (Prevented one of my boys from leaping off a roof once because he had to make his 'webs' work. He had to prove they worked first after all, it's a moms job to check on these things...)

Which brings me back to 'I think I almost have things figured out' because I think, maybe, I do, even before the holidays begin. It might be a record for me, and that does open up the question about the calm before the storm... but it isn't raining now... so I should enjoy it right?

See I knew you would understand. ;) S

Funeral

I had a nice weekend with the Nelson Family, at least part of it. Grandma Gen passed away. In every family, I think, there is a Jewel in the Crown, for this family it was Grandma Gen. Never in my life have I met anyone so unconditional with their love. To know you was to love you.

I am not sure what sort of mother I would have been without her influence. For a few weeks I stayed in her home, I knew nothing about her or Grandpa Calvin. Yet there I was and they loved me, and my little son as if he were their own.

They told me stories, and showed me pictures. I was little more than a twit of a girl, and they included me into their family and their lives. Not all families are like that... but theirs was.

After the funeral, when the house was quiet, I thanked my Father In Heaven for the chance to have her in my life. I heard her sweet voice in my mind... "I love you. I love you, I love you."

This morning when I stood over her grave, watching Kyersten (her granddaughter, and my sister-in-law) clean the dirt off her headstone, I remembered her again. I love you, whispered through my heart. Grandma was like that, I love you, was always spoken through out our time together, and phone calls.

She probably said it a hundred times as we tried to leave her house, or hang up the phone, asking if we could stay just a little longer, or talk a few more minutes. There were times I wanted to stay forever, and those moments remind me of my Father in Heaven. One woman's heart opened my eyes to the possibility of Eternal Love, a love that lingers in your heart, and guides your actions even from a distance, the sort of love, you never want to let down, the kind that you endeavor to be.

Gen was a little piece of Heaven on Earth, bless her heart, I wish her every happiness on the other side, and rest easy with the knowledge that she is happy with her family there. Until we meet again, I love you, I love you Darling, I love you.

S

Lydia's kids 1

Day 1 In which Owen and Lylian learn about their cousins.

Since Lydia left to visit with Grandma Gen Sicily and I got to have her adorable kids to ourselves! Lylian made sure our fish stayed in the fish tank, and observed the snails in the bowl for the same reason. (don't ask about the snails...)

The explored our vast back yard and discovered sprinklers, rocks that needed re-arranging, and helped mow the grass. (trucks have to haul something after all.)

Owen met each dog (we have three of the darlings now) and was great at keeping them out of trouble. He and Calvin had a terrific time playing Star Wars. (Which is little more than walking around the yard humming the Star Wars theme song while caring light sabers high above their heads)

Lily enjoyed playing out side for most of the day too, coming inside at random intervals for a new hair style, and snuggles. (My favorite part)

Everyone went to bed without a hitch. I will confess to hearing a few giggles, but over all it was quite. Everything was great until about 2am when I was awakened by an adorable little pixy. Wide awake and wondering where everyone was. Hummm.

We sat in the dark looking around the room. (I confess to nodding off a few times, I am out of practice after all.) Lily just sat there and didn't make a peep. I tried to think of something but I may have been experiencing a brain cloud... (I heard about those once... LOL)

At about 3:30am I decide to throw in the towel... Who am I fooling? I have to get up and take care of kids in the morning... "Ok Lily we are going to have to go to bed."

Tiny "No" squeeks out of her.

I tried, and when we reached my room she was very serious. It was a no go. I asked her if she would like to lay next to Owen. So she crawled in at the end of his bed, I talked to her a few minutes more and told her I would see her in the morning. I hoped she would sleep in... ahh, no.

6am. My eyes spy the same little pixy beside my bed.

By 7am I beg Sicily to wake from her sleeping coma to help me. (as seen here in her PJ's) It was about a half hour later that we realized something was amiss... Vomit has a way of bringing things like that to your attention... Hard to miss. Her PJ's, Sicily's blanket, the couch, the carpet... each had a nice coating.

These are the days that you are thankful for carpet shampooers! Worth every penny ;)

Sicily and I split up. She bathes Lily and I bathe everything else.

Then I figured while I was at it I would do the entire floor, and hallway... then the boys room. To my dismay Jonah's dog had left a gift in there during our excitement we neglected our duties to the dogs... Terrific. It was a few more minutes.

After her bath, and the house was cleaned Lily and I snuggled on the couch. Can I just say that I love having a 12 year old with a solid head on her shoulders? I was out, Lily and I both were. I woke about 2 hours later and got a few snaps of her sleeping on my arm. She is so adorable I had to have a couple.

Owen was a champ! and ready to play outside after it cooled off. (about 5 or 6)He crawled up on Jaden's lap for some snuggles, Jaden was only to happy to hold him, and visit. He talked with her for a few minutes. When he was done he handed Jaden his shoes. I'm not sure which face was more funny to watch at that point. He was waiting for the big person to help him and she was waiting for the little person to explain what she was holding his shoes for. HILARITY.

Can I just say that I Love kids? they crack me up.

Lylian was right as rain after she woke up. She wanted her hair fixed a few times, and they played dominoes and watched a bit of T.V. It was fun to have them.

Calvin Loved having Owen to play with, they have similar playing ideas and they enjoyed Lego's, Truck, Swords, and their Imaginations. He took them on a tour of the house and bless their hearts they couldn't remember how to get back. Sicily and I took turns being tour guides until they figured it out. :)

Recent events...

Trip to Idaho Falls to visit Grandma Gen was just the 'guys' this time.

They goofed off a lot during the 4 hour drive, and seems Jonah honed his gaming skills for a rematch with his brother when they got home ;)

Grandma is the type of Grandma that draws a crowd. Since her heart attack a week ago she has been in functioning with 15% heart function. She is happy that she has been so healthy for 92 years. We would love to keep her around another 92 years.

James took some pics of the drive home.

Visit to Oregon.

Sicily went to Oregon and visited my folks for a few weeks. Well I decided I would travel with my sister Teri to pick her up.

We visited Astoria, we saw the Lighthouse. It was a day of laughter, and discovery for all the kids. We had a picnic lunch, played on the beach, and got covered in sand.

I loved the view from the top of the hill where the lighthouse sat. It felt like I was on top of the world, looking out over Oregon I could see how green and lush it was compared to Idaho. Looking across the water I could see Washington. There are so many places I have never seen, Lewis and Clark must have wondered how they could ever see it all.

I had to have a picture of all 4 of these kids swinging. I was pushing them by myself for a good 20 minutes. All that running back and forth you would think I was skinny. Nope.

I had to show Sicily and her BFF Delia how to run through the waves. There is a skill to this you know, and I knew all the tricks. She is thoroughly educated now.

We found shells, and critters all over the beaches. (We explored three) This jelly fish was captivating.

No trip to Oregon is complete without a visit to Tilimook.

Some pictures capturing the joy of the moment.

Had to throw in the boys and grandpa at the game, they are all so happy, and Sicily being a good cousin to Eli.