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We did some traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday. On the way home, in the car, the kids were complaining about being squished, and uncomfortable, or (gasp!) arguing about what to watch on the portable DVD player. My first reaction was to turn around and spread a little holiday cheer of my own, by scolding them. Thankfully, this time I had a better solution.
I started to tell them about how the pioneers crossed the plains. I told them about the conditions, and the cold, and the hardships they faced. The kiddies actually listened and figured out on their own (with a little prompting) that they had a very comfortable way to travel.

That moment in time has really stayed with me and I've spent a lot of time thinking what comforts I take for granted, especially around the Holiday season. Let me share some...

I love to climb into bed every night, snuggle under warm blankets, and lay my head on a comfy pillow. I do it every night, but do I stop to think about how lucky I am? I have a roof over my head, a wonderful bed to climb into, a heated home, warm blankets, etc. safe and secure in my home.

I love hot chocolate! It is one of my holiday comforts! When I want some, I grab a mug, warm the water in the microwave, stir in the hot chocolate mix, and then stir in the marshmallows (I MUST have marshmallows!) How easy, right? I have running water in my home, a microwave, can afford to buy my hot chocolate mix, and those little pillowy yummies called marshmallows. How lucky I am!

I find it very comforting to sit in front of the Christmas tree, with the Christmas lights on, the room lights off, and listening to Christmas music. It's a wonderful moment to really think about this season and everything it means to me. You know where I'm going with this... warm home, electricity, beautiful tree, the gift of music.

I love this season! I love the fun, and the sparkle, the shopping, the sharing. I love the baking and the eating! It is filled with so many wonderful moments, so much comfort. I love my family, my friends and all you friends I haven't met yet.

This season feels a little more special to me, even more comforting, because I'm starting to get it. How truly blessed I am, how wonderful life is, how special this season is. How comforting it really is to sit sipping my hot chocolate by the Christmas tree, and what a blessing this simple act is.

My wish this Holiday season is for your life to be filled with comfort, joy, and gratitude for the amazing blessings all around us.

Now, I'm going to go do some baking while listening to Christmas music, using my stove, food staples, electricity, my fridge, and marshmallows... yumm! Ain't life grand!


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Yes, it's true!  I'm finally back!  Where was I, you ask?

I had a little health setback for awhile but I'm on the mend.  To sum up the last three months... Viral Pneumonia, Bacterial Pneumonia, UTI, Kidney Infection, Sepsis.  That all equals three hospitalizations, two stays in the ICU and two surgeries.  The good news in all this is the doctors discovered a huge mass in my abdomen that was causing all this trouble.

So now after five hours of surgery the mass is gone, the uterus is gone, a few other minor parts are gone, and I'm on the road to recovery!

I'm excited to get back to the world of blogging!

So what lessons have I learned through all of this?  Mostly gratitude.  I've been very blessed in my life with all the important things, great family, great friends, a testimony of my Savior.  But I've had the opportunity to be even more grateful for all of the above.  I had my prayers answered, had friends drop and do whatever they could to help (including meals, calls, driving my kids everywhere, flowers, notes, etc), my family being there for me one hundred percent.  Yes, I am an incredibly blessed woman to be surrounded by such love.

So, has it been hard?  Yes!  Has it been worth it?  Oh, yes!

Parenting my son is... let's call it an adventure.  It is never dull, and needs all my attention, knowledge, wisdom, and sense of humor that I possess.  Let me share a glimpse....

We're are driving in the car and my daughter is applying mascara using the car mirror.  My son says, "Don't you have any common sense?  You shouldn't put on makeup in the car."  (He has a point, I myself have had a mascara mishap in the past while driving in the car.)  While my daughter is bristling at his comment, he turns his attention to the other passenger in the car, one of my daughter's friends.  He starts to tell her the ending of a movie that she hasn't seen yet.

Of course, my daughter jumps right in with "Don't you have any common sense?  You don't tell the ending of the movie to people!"  To which my son replies, "Of course I have common sense.  I just choose not to use it sometimes."  Truer words were never spoken!

Most of us have been blessed with a healthy dose of common sense.  Yet, we've met a lot of people in our lives that choose not to use it.  Yes, I've even been one of those people in my younger years.  (Okay, I admit it, there have been a few times lately too!)  Common sense tells you to go the speed limit.  Common sense tells you not to stick your hand in a dark hole, there might be something lurking in there.  Common sense tells you to stop, take a breath, and count to ten before you reply back to a stinging comment.

How much better would this old world be if we just chose to use our common sense more often.  Thanks, son for that bit of wisdom.  Now, please stop edging closer and closer to that mud puddle.  Common sense says.... sigh.... too late!

One of our New Year's Resolutions is to spend more time as a family having fun!  (How sad, that we let ourselves get so busy, that this has to be a New Year's Resolution)  With my daughter's diabetes and my son's special needs, going anywhere can be an adventure in itself, and take some planning.  So with that said, off we went!

The kids and my sweet hubby wanted to go to Cabelas.  I said "sure", though next time we're going to an Antique Store (yea, picture that... my son let loose in an Antique store.... shudder)  We actually had a great time and made some wonderful memories!


Then we set out for the Fighter Museum, but we got there after it closed so we just goofed around outside.  I guess we'll save that for another time (the fighter museum, not the goofing... that happens continually)!

 Do you remember playing a game as a kid, and when you needed a break or a clarification on the rules, or you were about to be tagged, you could call out "Time Out"!  What about tag team wrestling... when you're tired or worn out, or your competition is getting the best of you, you can tag your team mate and they'll take over for you.
 Why can't we have an adult "Time Out"?  When we're tired, or the burdens are heavy, or we just need a break, we can just stop and say, "Time Out"!  Or, "tag - you take it for a minute, while I catch my breath".

As a child, we didn't stop forever when we called "Time Out", we didn't quit the game, we just took a breather.  I think that's the secret.  It's okay to call "Time Out" and go take a quick nap, or take 10 minutes and have a chocolate break, or stop and feel the sunshine on your face.  I think we would handle life's stressers alot better. 

Just remember, call "Time In" as soon as you can, and get back in the game!  Think of all the fun you'll have!

Okay, you know from previous posts that I'm not a big fan of snakes.  Now, I know that they're useful (some of them) and I know that most of them are harmless, but... still not a fan.  They give me the willies, they really do.  Side note.... I wonder if seeing a human gives them the willies?  Hmmm....

So, last night I'm on the run trying to fit 100 things into 99 minutes worth.  I learned that trick from my mom!  I open the garage door and load the passenger seat with all the things I need to do, part of a meal into a friend, returning a paint tray, book for another friend, a thank you gift for someone else, well... you get the picture.  I slam the door and start to head around the front of the car when what do I spy?  Oh yes, a snake.  Not just a little baby snake. A great big 4 foot king snake!  Do you know why that snake is 4 feet?  I'm sure it's the same king snake that was feasting on a gopher snake mentioned in a previous post.

We come face to face, I let out quite a squeal and freeze in my tracks (okay, I admit it, I jumped back a little!).  Then I realize my garage door is wide open and that's the direction the humongous snake is heading.  So I glare at said snake and tell it to "Shoo"!  It didn't like to be told to "Shoo" so it reared back like it was going to strike.  So, what to do?  Back away and let it go in my garage where I will never be able to set foot in again knowing the snake is hiding in there, or stand my ground.  I chose to stand my ground!  (Which consisted of turning around and running as fast as I could in the house, hollering for my husband to save me from the snake and then gingerly running back to confront said snake and stop it from going in the garage.  Whew....  are you exhausted from the mental picture?

Thankfully, snakey decided my retreat was a good time to retreat himself.  When I came back out he was heading into the nearest gopher hole.  My husband was thrilled because he knows that means less gophers.  Me, not so thrilled because that means said snakey is still lurking somewhere in my front yard.

All day I have gingerly gotten into and out of the car always vigilant, always watchful.  Do you think snakey is doing the same thing, watching out for the crazy redhead?

Oh, you thought I was going to talk about Fall, or the cooler weather, or Halloween.... nope!  It's that time of year where I want to fix, paint or replace just about everything in my house.  I do this every year, the weather starts to cool and I'm in the mood!  Well, my current project I want to tackle is my kitchen table and my rickety old chairs.  Do I fix them, sand them and paint them?  Or do I shop for dining room chairs ?  Decisions, decisions....
These are cute:

My parents were such a wonderful example of service and giving.  They were always quietly helping their neighbors, friends, and on many occasions, strangers.  If someone dropped by, no matter how meager or simple the meal was, Mom had a gift of extending that food so all were welcome at the table.  My goal has always been to live up to and continue that legacy.

I always try to see the need and be the one to fill it.  If a friend needs a shoulder to cry on, I'm honored it's mine.  If someone needs a meal brought in, I'm happy to do it.  Need a ride somewhere, hop in and I'll take you.  I truly enjoy these moments of service.  It changes the whole outlook on my day! 

But here's the funny thing about helping your fellow men.  In the end, it's not them that you've helped... it's yourself.  Your own problems are put in perspective, your own burden seems lighter, people are always there when you yourself need the help.  You are a better person by spending time with these wonderful people who pass through your life. 

At my dad's funeral person after person stopped and shared with me something Dad had done to help them through their life.  A kind word, fixing a car, a listening ear, the sweet stories touched my heart.  So here's that funny thing again, in the little acts of service that my Dad did through his life, those same people served me in my time of need.  They lifted my burden, and lightened my heavy heart.  And here's that funny thing again... as people were comforting my mother, in fact, my mother was comforting them.  Her arms were constantly hugging and her soft words were constantly comforting... on the day she buried her husband her heart turned outward instead of inward.

I'm always amazed how it works like that.  In giving, so much comes back.  Thank you to all my dear friends, neighbors, and even strangers, who have made my life so much better, so much richer, by being a part of it.  I am in your debt.... let me know what I can do to help.....

ADOT (Arizona Dept of Transportation) is famous for their road construction.... and not in a good way.  One minute the road is fine, the next minute the road is torn to smithereens and practically impassable as they fix the road.  No warning, no nothing, just BAM a big Detour sign right in front of you.  Sorry... detour...  Maybe a 'heads up' a little sooner would help us navigate the roads around here.  I'm out running errands this morning and all of a sudden, BAM, detour.  Did I know it was coming?  No.  Did it take me longer to get to my destination? Yes.  Was I irritated at the sight of that sign?  Oh, yes. 

While detouring onto another road, I ran into (not literally - hee-hee!) an old friend of mine out riding her bike.  I hadn't seen her in ages!  What a wonderful surprise!  We stopped, we chatted, and my day was better and brighter by that encounter!

Isn't life like that?  When I was fresh out of high school I knew where I was headed.  I had my destination squarely set in my mind and roadmap in hand, as I headed out on the road of life.  BAM!  Detour.... no warnings, no nothing.  Just a great big barrier.  Or so I thought.  As I traveled on this detour, this new path, I learned, and saw, and became a much better me. 

All through life I've hit detours, BAM!  Did I know it was coming?  No.  Did it take me longer to get to my destination?  Yes.  Was I irritated at that detour?  Oh, yes.  But those detours have made me who I am today.  I have discovered talents and abilities I never knew were in me.  I've discovered wonderful friends, that would never have crossed my path without those detours.  I've discovered an inner strength that I never knew I had.  I've traveled roads I never knew existed. 

So, do detours BAM! still irritate me?  Yes....    Are they worth it?  Oh, yes!

My sweet son has Sensory Processing Disorder.  "What?" You say...." I've never heard of that."  Here is a wonderful link from another blog that explains it very well!

http://www.hartleysboys.com/2010/08/what-is-sensory-processing-disorder.html

My son attends a school for kids with special needs. It's a great school that "gets" my son, and understands that it really is his disorder causing the behavior.  It's not bad parenting, or a naughty kid, it's a neurological disorder.  Every day he heads off to school and every day I hold my breath for the next six hours waiting for "the call".  The phone rings and the caller ID announces that it's my son's school.  What will it be this time?  Is he in recovery from a meltdown, did he try to run out of the school, did he tip a desk over in frustration?  Those are the ones I have the courage to mention.  My heart breaks a little with each phone call. 

My son is an incredible young man, with a gentleness and love about him that draws people in.  He geniunely loves everyone and can't really understand when people are unkind.  Yet he can throw the most amazing tantrums, and say the most unkind things, all because the world is a hard place for him.  It's painful for him.  The world is too loud, too bright, to busy for him.  He can't figure out where his body is in relation to objects around him.  His sense of balance is different than ours.  He has to touch things constantly to get enough sensory feedback to function.

I understand this, yet it is still hard, and frustrating, and painful, and heartbreaking.  And then there are "The Looks".  The "don't you know how to parent" looks, or the "Can't you control your child" looks. Or the comments like "He's a prime example of why I'm in favor of abortion"  Yes, someone actually said that... out loud!

If I had a chance to do it all over, would I?  ABSOLUTELY!  What a privilege it is to be his Mom.  He is so loving, and so kind, and gives the most amazing hugs.  He has a wisdom far beyond his years.  He truly loves all, and has an innate sense of who you are, and loves you because of it or in spite of it.  He finds such wonder in the world.  His conversations with you are insightful, hilarious, and priceless.  Every day with him is an adventure! 

Is it hard?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  Oh, Yes!!

Life is settling back to normal after a tumultuous couple of weeks. But it doesn't feel quite "normal". I'm calling it the new normal. The new normal consists of worrying a bit more about my daughter's diabetes cuz we got a glimpse of what the future may entail with her disease. It consists of not being able to call my Dad when I need advice on anything mechanical, technical, or just because I need my Dad. The new normal involves getting teary-eyed at little things that remind me of Dad... like Dr. Pepper and school buses. It consists of a "refined" outlook on life. I feel like my priorities are where they should be, but I've refined them. For example, I've always known how important family is, but now I know that they're essential. That it's the every day, day in, day out moments in life that define who we are... and the things we miss the most when a loved one is gone. The new normal is filled with the love of dear friends. It was always there, I just recognize it more now.

So I guess I'll settle in to this new normal... until something happens to once again, redefine what "normal" is.

Life definitely tilted this last week. Last Saturday my Dad was killed in a motorcycle accident. The next day, my daughter was admitted to the ICU in DKA ( a life-threatening illness related to her type 1 Diabetes). I spent the week camping out in ICU, and keeping in touch with my family through phone calls as they planned the funeral.

While it was an incredibly stressful and emotional week, I learned some important life lessons. I learned how vital family is. I absolutely would not have made it through without the loving support of my family. I learned that love is eternal, and can be felt just as strong even when your loved one has returned home. I learned that friends are your strength and your joy in life. Their love, prayers, and encouragement were like rays of sunshine during a stormy week. I learned to not sweat the small stuff, because most of it is just small stuff. And most importantly, I learned how incredibly blessed I am because I have family, love, faith, and friends in abundance in my life!

My daughter starts school in about one week. My son starts school in about two weeks. What mixed emotions those thoughts bring. I love my kids! I love being with them! I love their spontaneity! I love their larger than life personalities!

But I also love a clean house, a bit of a routine, and yes... dare I say it? sometimes Quiet! Summer vacation does not lend itself to any of these things.

When the school year is winding to a close, I yearn for summer vacation. When summer vacation is winding to a close, I'm ready for school to start. I guess I'm glad I get to experience both... the crazyness and lazyness of summer, and the routine and regimen of school.

The constant in all this is my kids. I love spending summers with them, and I love watching them head off to school, and even more, walking through the door at the end of the school day. And one day, I'll even miss the mess and chaos... I think.

My son has the most vivid imagination! Because of his special needs he has a lot of trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. Well, right now he is on a space kick. Can I just toot my horn a little? Last night he was bouncing off the walls (literally) instead of going to sleep. So I came up with a brilliant idea! I went into his room and informed him that I was turning his bed into a hyper sleep chamber. He thought that sounded very cool! So we folded up some blankets and I had him lay down. He told me how many hours he needed of hyper sleep and I "programmed" it into his sleep chamber with an older remote control I had. I then snuggled him in, did a quick medical scan (same remote control!) and then hit the hyper sleep button. Can you believe, it worked?! My son was asleep in minutes and actually for the first time in years slept through the night! Wahoo for the hyper sleep chamber! We'll ride this idea as long as we can, then I guess we'd better invent something else.... any ideas?

Sorry, for the long absence on the blog. I had an Ovarian Cyst rupture and it definately took me awhile to get back on my feet. Today is the first day I feel like me again. I really enjoy the feeling! This illness has turned my thoughts to so many of my dear friends who deal with chronic illness and pain on a daily basis. I so admire their strength of character, and their tenacity. Pain can change your personality, can alter the way you view life. Yet, my dear friends get through every day with their personality intact, their bright outlook on life intact, and their room-brightening smiles intact.

To you amazing friends, thank you for being such a shining example to me, of who I want to become. I love you, and I'm here when you need me!

I belong to this really cool site called bzzagent.com They send you out free products to try, and then ask you to spread the buzz, whether good or bad. It's completely free, and I have the opportunity to share my opinion, and you all know how I like to do that! Well, my newest Bzzz is Cover Girl Completely Ageless makeup. I'm approaching that age where "ageless" becomes more important. Some makeup now actually makes me look a little older because it settles into my wrinkles (gasp! I actually have wrinkles! When did that happen?)

The Completely Ageless Makeup actually hides the wrinkles and it stays on and looks great a long time! I actually put it on in the morning, went through my whole day, including a sweaty play practice, and I was still looking great by 10 pm that night! I've never had makeup last like that! I really do love this product! I thought I'd pass that on for what it's worth since I know some of you are also approaching that age when "ageless" is much more appealing!

I love Nature, I really do.... just not this close! Last night we head into the garage and find a nasty scorpion! Have I mentioned I don't do scorpions? Have I mentioned I've been stung seven times by two of the little critters? Have I mentioned I really don't like scorpions! Needless to say, that specimen was quickly dispatched before he/she/it could produce other scorpions. So is that it, with the whole nature thing? Oh no.. it couldn't be that easy.....

My wonderful hubby comes in from work tonight and invites me outside to see what's in my flowers. A snake.... a big king snake... that's what's in my flowers. But wait... there's more. This king snake is dining on another snake. That means there WERE TWO SNAKES in my flowers! Thankfully there is only one now (that I know of) but that's still one to many in my flowers. Now, I understand they serve a purpose, but perhaps they can serve a purpose some place other than in my flower beds.

So after bravely snapping a picture of above said snake, I quickly retired inside for the rest of the evening. Yes, I've had a little too much nature for one day!

I am thrilled to announce that I have the opportunity to play the Cowardly Lion in our Community Theatre's production of "The Wizard of Oz"! Yes, we are having a girl lion, and yes, I can roar with the best of them! We had our first rehearsal last night and it was tons of fun! We did a read-through to get a feel for the script and we were already laughing upROARiously just from the read-through. (I can't help myself, there will be lots of lion puns for the next month or so!)

I have also discovered a life-saver in my quest onward and downward. Burger King has a Smoky Cheddar Steakhouse Burger that is really quite good! I take the bun off, (full of nasty carbs) and I'm in Burger heaven! Not many fast food burgers can stand on their own without the warm embrace of the bun, but this big guy can! Here's the good news, I am now 70 lbs thinner. Woo hoo! Doing the happy dance! Hakuna Matata! (Oh wait, that's another lion story... sorry!)

Now for the trials... it has been a rough couple of weeks for the Nielson clan. We've made a decision after much praying to follow a new path the Lord wants us on. Of course, once we started down this path we have been absolutely bombarded with trials and tribulations (I like the word, "tribulations". Don't like going through them, but they do have a great name! Ü) These tribulations have given me a heavy heart and have driven me to my knees. I guess, right where I should be. I am truly grateful for the Lord's hand in my life and truly grateful for the knowledge that He is always there for me. All I have to do is ask. I have much to be thankful for, and these bumps in the road are just that.... bumps, not obstacles, not barriers. Now, I just have to remember that, when I'm in the day-to-day trenches dealing with these trials and tribulations. Thank goodness for a great family, great friends, and the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father!

Well, it's off to bed since I have to be up in 5 hours. I ain't "lion"... get it? Get it? Okay, it's a stretch, I know.

So, I'm in Walmart alternately shopping and people-gawking, oops... I mean people watching (hey, sometimes you have to gawk at Walmart!) I hear an announcement over the loudspeaker asking us all to evacuate the store as a precaution. I'm thinking, "Okay, April Fools!" Nope, here comes a walmart employee making sure we leave the building. It turns out that they had a bat flying around inside the Walmart. At this point I'm sure it is an April Fools Joke so I'm smiling brightly for the candid cameras that I'm sure are filming this. Nope.... they are really evacuating the store because there is a bat inside.

So, what's the deal? Too many Twilight movies? Dracula on the brain? Rabid bats? We really had to evacuate for a bat. At this point, I'm worrying that the bat is going after my Easter chocolate (it's for the kids.... really!) I waited patiently outside, all the while humming the Batman Theme (na na na na na na na na, Batman, Batman, Batman). Holy Easter Bunny Batman! We'll she ever get her chocolate back?

Sadly I had to abandon my chocolate to the bat. I was out of time.

You've won this round, bat.....