My stroller

My childhood in 1980's rural Utah was safe. I don't remember having any rules other than, "come home for dinner." Chad and I played in ditches, rode our bikes, and ran through fields to our hearts content.

America in 2008 doesn't seem safe at all. I regularly receive e-mails with terrible stories of how children are being exploited, abused, and well much, much worse.

In our little neighborhood, there is some type of safety net. I can see our courtyard, and playground right out my window. I can pretty much hear every noise the kids make out there too. I also have great neighbors who look after each other, none of us would let another child fall off of the climbing playground toys or go unswung if we could help it.

Just this past Saturday I noticed that my stroller was missing, and strangely, my first reaction was, "Someone stole my stroller!"

I have a squirrels memory, if I lose something it really is because the kids took it, and it's gone forever. I do run out of gas about once a year, but that's a different matter altogether. So I started retracing my steps.

I remember using the double stroller at the park just a few days ago, we used it at Joe's school performance, yep I had it then. I went on a walk the other day, it was lovely I remember. Where could it have gone?

I used it at Dalton's year end review at his school, parked it behind the van so I could easily put it in the trunk, unloaded the girls to their car seats, yep I remember that. But wait, the van was full of groceries, and I don't remember moving them, or crushing them... did I really leave my nice double stroller behind the van in the middle of the parking area across from Dalton's school? Was I really so wrapped up in the fact that I had a pull through parking spot that I drove straight ahead and left my super-nice-double stroller behind me?

Yep. That's the last place I saw it, and Dalton's performance was 2 days ago, my lovely-super-nice-double stroller is long gone.

We had a busy Saturday with birthday parties, scouts, cleaning the house for Mothers Day, shopping, chauffeuring car-less friends, and our neighborhood spring BASH, so I didn't have time to even check the schools parking area till 8pm. As we drove up, I wasn't at all hopeful. Dalton saw it first, and I just couldn't believe my eyes! My oh-so-lovely-super-nice-double stroller had been discretely moved to a grassy area just a few steps away from where I'm sure I left it. It had only been touched by some nice elementary kid or parent, and apparently a careless bird.

This world can be a scary place sometimes, very scary actually, I'm just grateful that there is evidence of good all around me. I'll be cautious with my children, and then do my best to extend my trust to the many people who deserve it in this world. I love where I live, we're going to miss it when we move.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Mothers Matter

"Every little girl knows that Mothers matter." ~Jane Clayson Johnson

My Great Grandma, Annie mothered 3 daughters. She taught them to be strong and independent, all the while embodying the nurturing mother role to perfection. You couldn't walk into her home without being offered her love food, and feeling loved. Grandma Lucero's oldest daughter is my Grandma Martha she knew that her mother mattered.

Grandma Martha was a single mom for the first 10 years of my moms life in an era of very little support, and even less understanding. She worked hard, and did her best to provide for my mother. She carried on her mothers legacy of strength and independence. Grandma Martha's oldest daughter is my mother Shirley she knew that her mother mattered.

My mother Shirley had 4 children by the time she was 22 years old, and two more before she was finished! She raised us in an era where expectations were high, in the home, at school, and in the work place. Understanding was at an all time low. She knew that in this changing world, her children didn't have a chance without some type of support. She sought out and quickly embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has passed down the same legacy of strength and independence of her mother and grandmother, but has added the ever more valuable life of Christ to our legacy. I am my mothers fifth child and second daughter, I know that my mother matters.

I am now mothering my four children. I am doing my best like my mother and grandmothers before me. I am working hard to pass on the same legacy of strength, independence and, I love that my own mother, added Christ. I hope and pray that my children will appreciate the legacy that has been passed from the mothers in our heritage. In my experience it is obvious that from birth we all know that mothers matter. I matter. I am a mother.

Jennie is 7 months old

This picture is right side up. She does this scoot-all-the-way-across-a-room thing while on her back, it's starting to give her another bald spot, but she loves the mobility.

Jennie eats a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains. The red spots around her mouth are from pears we think.

I find Sophia in Jennie's crib more often than I find her in her own room. They're great playmates already.

Joseph loves the attention Jennie gives her, she's quick to giggle and stick out her tongue.

Dalt is the perfect older brother, willing to help her, gentle while teaching her, babbling, cooing and cuddling her right when she needs it.

Not pictured is her first tooth! It's about the size and fierceness of a grain of sand, but it's finally here. You may have noticed that most of her pictures of late involve a cute little pointy tongue. That's why I can't capture her tooth on film, and also why Lisa noticed her little speck of a tooth before I did. Lisa has sharp eyes anyway.

Where, where, where?

Last Friday was graduation day. I loved watching all of the people in their cap and gowns walking through campus and around our neighborhood. The sense of optimism, accomplishment, and excitement for the next phase was palpable. The first question out of my mouth to almost any graduate is "So, what's next?".

My friend Elise had this fun website linked to her blog to help us, and you, determine where your ideal place might be. My #1 place to live ended up being Albuquerque, New Mexico, Doug's #1 was Bellingham, Washington. Who knows where we'll end up? If you check out this site, leave a comment on my blog and let me know where your #1 spot is.

These are addictive

bacon, cream cheese, and jalapenos... must click this link!

Happy Anniversary

If it were up to me, Dalton would marry Lindsay, or Addie, or Valen. Joe can marry Bryn or Chloe. Soph can marry Mark or Van. Jennie can marry Avery or Austin. Yep, if it were up to me I would be happy to choose for my kids.

It's not up to me.

My friend Cassy has this perfect saying up on her wall, (she might have taken in down, seeing that they're moving soon, but it used to be there, I swear.)

"Choose your love,
Love your choice"

She has it surrounded by wedding and other family photos, and it's just lovely. She got it from one of her husbands relatives (I can't remember if it was mother-in-law or aunt or sister...) as a wedding gift. I think it's such a great hint of a gift. Hint: I love my son/daughter, and I hope you love them as much or more and make it for eternity while you're at it.

I chose Doug. I love Doug.

My mom would have chosen Doug for me, so that's good. Papa on the other hand would have given me away to any old shmoe... he was a little too eager to see off his 21 year old "old maid". My mom likes, no, LOVES every one of her children-in-law. Papa would have loved anyone (remember when he tried to hook me up with Brad Funk? Bleh. No offense, he just wasn't for me.)

Life has brought challenges, and from what I've noticed in other peoples lives, the challenges don't slow down. So much of what makes life rich lies in our choices. Even when things have been rough, we have both chosen to see the green grass on our own side. Marriage isn't a fairy tale, mine at least has been more like an action adventure/tragedy/romance/comedy... maybe that is a fairy tale actually, a good one has little bit of everything. Right?

My parents have the happiest ending of all, and it's not even the end for them. It's only the beginning really, all six Nelsons have continued in the "righteous traditions of our fathers". We all attend church regularly, and are all temple worthy. Because of my moms scarcity mentality, they are set financially too, or at least that's in the works. They really have it all.

My Mama and Papa are celebrating another anniversary tomorrow (is it really 46 years?), and I'm grateful that they have shown me the value in choosing their love, and the sweetness involved in loving their choice. I love you mom and dad. Happy Anniversary!

Parties!

Sophia went to Megan's 4th birthday party.


Yea for tea sets, and head band party favors.


Joe had fun at Gerome's 6th birthday party.


Dottie's miniature golf course was kid friendly, and a dive. I'd go back any day.

Science Spectacular

The end of the school year is approaching. These 2nd graders spent the whole week testing, and their reward was "Ms. Hunters Science Spectacular". Three contests were held, everyone participated, and it was grand fun all around. Because of the relaxed environment, Sophia and Jennie were able to attend with me (I was an official judge, red pen and all)

First, the "Egg Drop". Dalton and Tasia were partners.


Every child was given the same number of straws, cotton balls, tape, a piece of card stock, a piece of string, and a paper bag. Serious engineering was involved.


But... KER SPLAT!


Next was the "Tower Building Contest". Same number of straws and tape to everyone, but it had to stand unaided. Dalton and Tasia made it 45 1/2 inches high, but it bent half rainbow style, and it's high point was just over 20 inches. Dalt was, at least, pleased that it was taller than Ms. Hunters.


Last, the "Paper Airplane Toss"


His went high and fast, but took a last minute dive straight down.


They used their 2nd grade skills, worked together, and all demonstrated great showmanship. The "Science Spectacular" really was spectacular!

Snowed in

I wish I were as confident and beautiful as these tulips in the snow. It's May gosh darnit.

Nope, we hibernated today. Plenty of time for trying out the sponge curlers.

Not a success in 2008... 1978, maybe.

The girls played with my Love-a-lot bear, Wish-a-lot bear, and Lamby.

We had Rachel and Megan over for tea (cold tap water).

I got several loads of laundry done, that always lends a stamp of success to any day.