Are you trying to tell us something, Jacob?

Danny and Jacob argue over who gets to say the prayer at meal times. It's to the point where the girls have probably forgotten how to pray over a meal because it's been so long since any of them have had the opportunity. Usually Jacob's prayers are kind of mumbly and hard to understand but today I could clearly make out what he was praying for. It didn't have much to do with the food in front of him and it made me wonder about the quality of life in our home! He specifically asked that nobody in our house would get owies, throw up, take medicine, cry, fight or scream. Doesn't that make you want to visit the Nielson family real soon?!

Middle School Drama

We are on the roller coaster ride that is middle school - Amber is in 8th grade and Haley is in 6th. I've had the opportunity to relive this stage of life vicariously a bit as they come home with their struggles and triumphs and I have decided that I could not be PAID to go back to my middle school years! Seriously. No amount whatsoever.

Amber's BFF moved away over the summer and she is really grieving that now that school has begun. I feel so bad for her.

Haley had been enjoying middle school...emphasis on 'had been'. Today they had their pictures taken for their student ID cards and - horror of horrors - her bra strap was showing in her picture. Oh, the mortification! She came home completely distraught at having been mocked all day long. And to add insult to injury, the first reaction of each of her parents upon hearing of her humiliation was to chuckle! Bad form, I know.

It's hard enough to have to go through the drastic ups and downs of these years personally...but I am finding that it's equally painful (if not moreso!) to have to watch your child go through them. One day they are on cloud nine and the next day they are miserable. If I'm ever in charge I'm going to have kids skip from age 10 to 16 and bypass it altogether! Although, I have to admit that some of my funniest memories as a child are from those awkward years...but they aren't funny until about 10 years have passed. And now that I think about it, they're all funny at MY expense!

Cute Kid Comment

This morning over breakfast Jacob told us, "I miss my Heavenly Jesus." After the older kids had finished "oohing" and "ahhing" over that cute statement, I reminded Jacob that he can talk to his Heavenly Father every time he prays and he said, "But doesn't He have a cell phone?"

I AM

My friend's little boy wrote a very sweet poem at school. I liked it so much that I used the format and had Danny and Alyssa write their own.

I AM, by Danny Nielson
I am a good boy,
I wonder about my dog, Mabel,
I want to be a wrestler,
I am a good boy.
I pretend to play soccer games at home,
I feel happy when mom and dad give me hugs,
I worry about Haley when she is sick,
I am a good boy.
I say "I love you",
I dream about Lyssie and I getting eaten by a big T-Rex,
I try to help with things,
I am a good boy.

I AM, by Alyssa Nielson
I am awesome,
I wonder about what's going to happen,
I want to be famous,
I am awesome.
I pretend to be a fairy,
I feel happy when I get cake,
I worry about monsters,
I am awesome.
I say, "Please" and "Thank You",
I dream about the Jonas Brothers,
I try to be good,
I am awesome.

Haley's First Day of School

Haley likes to be distinctive so it is only fitting that she be fashionably late to Middle School :)

So really she has had pneumonia and missed the first 2-1/2 weeks of 6th grade. She hasn't been happy about having to start school late because it's her first year at middle school and she doesn't really like to be that distinctive. Like most 11-year-olds, she'd have preferred to start this new venture the same day all of her friends did.

We tried to help her see the bright side of this whole experience...then we realized that there isn't much of a bright side so we had to get creative. We figured everybody at school would want to sit by the girl who flew on a special jet with a pediatric pulmonary team to Seattle. She'll probably have instant middle school popularity while everyone gets in line to hear her exciting story! So she's got that going for her.

I added "No PE" as a bright side, but Haley loves sports so that wasn't as much of a plus for her as it would have been for me. Would have been a big plus for me.

In the end, she went to school this morning feeling pretty nervous. Amber was in protective-big-sister mode, which was great. She gave Haley numerous middle school pep talks this morning. And when we pulled up to the school there was a big group of Haley's friends waiting for her on the curb. They all squealed when they saw our car and ran over to hug her and say hello. I don't think I even got a "Goodbye Mom" out of her she was so overwhelmed with her reception committee!

She's hoping to make it all day, but still gets fatigued pretty easily so she'll just play it by ear. And in the meantime, I am home alone all day long with just Jacob. I wanted very much to put an exclamation point or two after that sentence, but I feel too guilty about how excited I am to just have one child home all day long so I left it a simple period. Don't be fooled. This is awesome.

My Sister Is Engaged!

My sister, Lisa, called last night to let us know that she is engaged! She has been dating Lee for about a year and a half and he is totally perfect for her and for our family. We couldn't be happier!


Here's her gorgeous ring! Like the manicure? We all got our nails done for Scott and Erica's wedding and Lee had the foresight to propose while her nails still looked good. Okay, I doubt Lisa's manicure was a factor for him, but it definitely worked out well for the pictures!

Scott and Erica

My brother, Scott, got married this past weekend to his absolute perfect match - Erica. I just have to say that my brothers have done a phenomenal job of choosing their wives. They are both very happily matched and what's even better is that they have each chosen girls who I absolutely love and would want in my life anyway! Wasn't that considerate of them?! :)

It was such a beautiful wedding - a perfect day. The venue was gorgeous - right at the foot of Mt. Hood in Oregon. And Erica has such a talent for knowing what will look nice and making things pretty. Everything looked so great and she was a stunning bride. We feel so lucky to have Erica join our family. She is warm and kind and fun - we love her. Scott is happier than I've ever seen him - that brings us all a lot of joy.

Now the happy couple is honeymooning in Maui.
Congratulations, Scott and Erica!

Better Late Than Never

Amber and Alyssa had their first day of school a week ago Tuesday. We were slightly preoccupied (Haley had been transferred from our local hospital to Seattle Childrens' the night before) so hats off to Nana Jo who remembered to take the traditional 'first day of school' picture! Here they are on their way out the door. Amber is starting 8th grade and Alyssa is starting 2nd. They are both delighted with their teachers and their classes and excited to have the new school year under way.

Danny had his first day of kindergarten on Tuesday. Kindergarten in Walla Walla is full-day, but they start out with a couple of half-days to help ease the kids into it. Here he is outside his classroom. He had such a great time and is very ready for kindergarten. Hopefully kindergarten is ready for him, too :)

To Be Continued...as Haley's first day of school will probably be in another week or two.

Haley's Home!

Haley was discharged from the hospital yesterday and we got home last night. It is SO good to be back home and all together as a family under one roof! That said, she's still pretty miserable and her doctors say it'll be a while before she is 100% She not supposed to go to school this week (she's on bed rest) and next week is iffy. We'll have to see what her pediatrician says. She'll be seeing him weekly (with weekly x-rays) for a while.

In the meantime she is resting and watching DVDs (thanks, Susie!), working on regaining her appetite, and taking lots and lots of huge pills :) She is such a trooper and we are very proud of how strong she has been (emotionally and physically) throughout all of this.

Many thanks to all those who have been so very supportive. We are blessed with great family and friends.