Men will never understand it, but every once in a while women need a good cry. It often comes from a touching commercial, a sad news story, a chick flick, or a good book. Well my good cry occurs everytime I click on a particular blog...I should say blogs.
So I bet many of you already know these blog but I have only been following them for a month or so since my sister Amy passed them onto me.
The first entitled the Nie Nie Dialogues was a blog written by Stephanie Nielson, a mother of 4 from Arizona, highlighting her life as a mother and her love of her family. She had many, many readers (I wish I had been reading then). On August 16th, 2008 Stephanie and her husband were in a plane crash in AZ. Stephanie and her husband were severely burned. So now her sister manages her blog re-posting favorite posts and updating us on her condition.
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
That same sister, Courtney Jane, has her own blog in which she details the events of Stephanie's healing as she cares for three of her children.
http://blog.cjanerun.com/
This last blog has a great video detailing everything.
http://welovethenielsons.blogspot.com/
So if you want a good cry, something to remind you how blessed you are, an inspirational story or all three...check out these blogs!
Love You All!
-Michelle
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tagged!
I've been tagged. I don't know if that's good for me or bad for you...I feel like I have gone overboard with the blogging lately...so everyone bear with me as I tell you
7 Random/Weird Facts About Myself
1.)I don’t have a middle name. My parents thought it was proper to not to give me or my two sisters middle names so we could use our maiden names as our middle names when we got married. I have yet to use my maiden name as my middle name and I have been married for seven years. (Side note: My three younger sisters have us older two-namers to thank for their middle names, we were old enough when they were born to give input!)
2. I once got stuck in a gutter. Believe it or not when I was like 6 (can't really remember how old I was, but I couldn't have been that old...or big) I was "swimming" in the gutter. Yes we were poor and didn't have passes to a pool and apparently it was nice and slippery from moss and we live on the corner where the gutter goes down and under the street. I don't know how it happened but suddenly I was down in the part that slopes down to go under, my head was under the street and my hands were grabbing on to weeds that were growing on the sides. I was kept from going under because my leg got bent back and was touching my back. My sister Laura saw my fingers and ran to get my mom and at the same moment an older gentleman from across the street came and got me out. I have no idea how he did it without breaking my leg!
3.)I’ve never been to a concert. I am insanely deprived. I have been to plays and even an opera in junior high but never a concert. Now that I'm this old there is so much pressure to choose the right concert and I feel like I will be too old to enjoy one properly. I keep hinting to Kody that would make a great anniversary, mother's day, birthday, christmas, hannukah, veteran's day, etc., etc., present but he hasn't gotten the hint. So if you are reading this please give him the message!
4.)I have had stitches twice, but have never broken a bone. Both cuts are on my face and were received before the age of 5. I have one on my chin from falling on a wagon handle (yes in the olden days they were made of steel) and the other on my cheek from a swing set. My sister was teaching me how to "pump" and I did it improperly flipping over and cut my cheek on a screw (were there no safety standards on toys back then?!!!!) I am quite proud of the fact that I have never broken and bone or twisted anything. This is amazing considering the fact that I played volleyball, basketball, softball, and track all through middle school and high school.
5.)I don’t wear contacts or glasses. Eagle Eyes...that's what I have! No really I have to credit good genes! I come from a family of eight and none of us have had to get glasses. Which is good because our teeth alone were enough to put our parents in the poor house!
6.)I worked on a dude ranch in Wyoming. This is both random and weird. It was supposed to be this amazing adventure...instead it was one of the most miserable experiences of my life. I'll some it up this way: waitressed in a horrible dress, lived in old logging cabin that you could literally see the stars out of, had to square dance every week, never rode a horse, and got kicked off with about 10 other kids for being LDS! But on the plus side I know all the word to "Happy Trails."
7.)I am a reality TV Junkie. Admittance is the first step right. I have been a lot better these past months, but I love to watch The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race, Survivor, America's Next Top Model, Kitchen Nightmares, Super Nanny, Baby Borrowers, and I even get into American Idol. Strangely enough I haven't gotten into So You Think you Can Dance? or Dancing With the Stars, or Big Brother. AND I just can't bring myself to endure America's Got Talent. But mostly I game for anything involving reality apparently. That's not to say I don't have "my shows" but that's a whole 'nother addiction! :)
So am I random/weird? Anyone want to stop being my friend?
Well I want to see how random/weird you all are. So start spilling it.
TAG! YOU'RE IT!
7 Random/Weird Facts About Myself
1.)I don’t have a middle name. My parents thought it was proper to not to give me or my two sisters middle names so we could use our maiden names as our middle names when we got married. I have yet to use my maiden name as my middle name and I have been married for seven years. (Side note: My three younger sisters have us older two-namers to thank for their middle names, we were old enough when they were born to give input!)
2. I once got stuck in a gutter. Believe it or not when I was like 6 (can't really remember how old I was, but I couldn't have been that old...or big) I was "swimming" in the gutter. Yes we were poor and didn't have passes to a pool and apparently it was nice and slippery from moss and we live on the corner where the gutter goes down and under the street. I don't know how it happened but suddenly I was down in the part that slopes down to go under, my head was under the street and my hands were grabbing on to weeds that were growing on the sides. I was kept from going under because my leg got bent back and was touching my back. My sister Laura saw my fingers and ran to get my mom and at the same moment an older gentleman from across the street came and got me out. I have no idea how he did it without breaking my leg!
3.)I’ve never been to a concert. I am insanely deprived. I have been to plays and even an opera in junior high but never a concert. Now that I'm this old there is so much pressure to choose the right concert and I feel like I will be too old to enjoy one properly. I keep hinting to Kody that would make a great anniversary, mother's day, birthday, christmas, hannukah, veteran's day, etc., etc., present but he hasn't gotten the hint. So if you are reading this please give him the message!
4.)I have had stitches twice, but have never broken a bone. Both cuts are on my face and were received before the age of 5. I have one on my chin from falling on a wagon handle (yes in the olden days they were made of steel) and the other on my cheek from a swing set. My sister was teaching me how to "pump" and I did it improperly flipping over and cut my cheek on a screw (were there no safety standards on toys back then?!!!!) I am quite proud of the fact that I have never broken and bone or twisted anything. This is amazing considering the fact that I played volleyball, basketball, softball, and track all through middle school and high school.
5.)I don’t wear contacts or glasses. Eagle Eyes...that's what I have! No really I have to credit good genes! I come from a family of eight and none of us have had to get glasses. Which is good because our teeth alone were enough to put our parents in the poor house!
6.)I worked on a dude ranch in Wyoming. This is both random and weird. It was supposed to be this amazing adventure...instead it was one of the most miserable experiences of my life. I'll some it up this way: waitressed in a horrible dress, lived in old logging cabin that you could literally see the stars out of, had to square dance every week, never rode a horse, and got kicked off with about 10 other kids for being LDS! But on the plus side I know all the word to "Happy Trails."
7.)I am a reality TV Junkie. Admittance is the first step right. I have been a lot better these past months, but I love to watch The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race, Survivor, America's Next Top Model, Kitchen Nightmares, Super Nanny, Baby Borrowers, and I even get into American Idol. Strangely enough I haven't gotten into So You Think you Can Dance? or Dancing With the Stars, or Big Brother. AND I just can't bring myself to endure America's Got Talent. But mostly I game for anything involving reality apparently. That's not to say I don't have "my shows" but that's a whole 'nother addiction! :)
So am I random/weird? Anyone want to stop being my friend?
Well I want to see how random/weird you all are. So start spilling it.
TAG! YOU'RE IT!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Whatever the Weather...
Usually I love living in Utah. I do like experiencing the seasons, but sometimes I wish they would stay in order. We had been experiencing unusually high temperatures for October thus far with temperatures in the 80’s. As you can see in these pictures we are in short sleeves and sandals as we pick our pumpkins. We grew 17 of them in our garden. 5 looked like actual pumpkins and the rest were some gourd hybrids that I call “teardrop pumpkins” because of their shape.
All that changed overnight. We woke up to snow today and had a high of 39 and a low of 29! It was a little depressing, but at least Kylie got to make her first “snow monster!”
All that changed overnight. We woke up to snow today and had a high of 39 and a low of 29! It was a little depressing, but at least Kylie got to make her first “snow monster!”
Friday, October 10, 2008
Pumpkin Pie Play Dough
I thought I would share with you all one of my favorite play dough recipes:
3 c flour
1 1/2 c salt
1 tbsp cream of tartar
3 tbsp pumpkin pie spice*
* (optional)I also add a little cinnamon and clove
3 c water
2 tbsp oil
(optional) red and yellow food coloring
Directions: I mix all the dry ingredients in a pot and then add all the wet ingredients. I mix it well before ever turning on the burner because the flour can really clump. When it is really smooth and runny I add my food coloring at a ratio of 2 red drops for every 3 yellow (so if you want it darker 4 red, 6 yellow, etc.)
It should look pretty runny and you'll think this should be play dough? But trust me.
Get large metal spoon and turn the burner on medium high and stir. Some of the play dough will start clumping to the spoon and sticking to the bottom...keep stirring. The parts that stick will have almost a "plasticy" texture...KEEP STIRRING!!
It will start to cook and come away from the sides into a big clump. When it doesn't have that wet, runny look to it any more (or you can't stir anymore) turn of the burner, and move it over to a different burner to cool. Let it cool for 10 minutes or so and then remove it from the pan and knead it like bread on the counter.
I love this recipe because although it is arm breaking the cooking process helps the play dough stay firmer. At the end of it you should have orange play dough that smells terrific!
I make it for preschool every year and just remind the kids that it's just to smell. It is made it natural ingredients, but I tell them it will make them sick. Some of the more daring ones will sneak a lick (lesson learned) but I've never had a child eat it!
Finally, give your kids some Halloween cookie cutters (walmart has some for cheap) and let them enjoy this holiday season.
This recipe will make probably 4-5 large handfuls of play dough. It is easy to double and you can divide it and put some in a Halloween cellophane bag, attach a cookie cutter, and give it as gifts to neighbors!
3 c flour
1 1/2 c salt
1 tbsp cream of tartar
3 tbsp pumpkin pie spice*
* (optional)I also add a little cinnamon and clove
3 c water
2 tbsp oil
(optional) red and yellow food coloring
Directions: I mix all the dry ingredients in a pot and then add all the wet ingredients. I mix it well before ever turning on the burner because the flour can really clump. When it is really smooth and runny I add my food coloring at a ratio of 2 red drops for every 3 yellow (so if you want it darker 4 red, 6 yellow, etc.)
It should look pretty runny and you'll think this should be play dough? But trust me.
Get large metal spoon and turn the burner on medium high and stir. Some of the play dough will start clumping to the spoon and sticking to the bottom...keep stirring. The parts that stick will have almost a "plasticy" texture...KEEP STIRRING!!
It will start to cook and come away from the sides into a big clump. When it doesn't have that wet, runny look to it any more (or you can't stir anymore) turn of the burner, and move it over to a different burner to cool. Let it cool for 10 minutes or so and then remove it from the pan and knead it like bread on the counter.
I love this recipe because although it is arm breaking the cooking process helps the play dough stay firmer. At the end of it you should have orange play dough that smells terrific!
I make it for preschool every year and just remind the kids that it's just to smell. It is made it natural ingredients, but I tell them it will make them sick. Some of the more daring ones will sneak a lick (lesson learned) but I've never had a child eat it!
Finally, give your kids some Halloween cookie cutters (walmart has some for cheap) and let them enjoy this holiday season.
This recipe will make probably 4-5 large handfuls of play dough. It is easy to double and you can divide it and put some in a Halloween cellophane bag, attach a cookie cutter, and give it as gifts to neighbors!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
We Love October
We have the best grandma ever!
She is always coming up with ways for us to get together and have fun.
We decided to try the corn maze at Pack’s Pumpkin Patch. It was a maze in the shape of a Scarecrow with 6 stations to find.
At each station there is a different hole punch to punch a card and when the card is full you get a prize at the end.
We did quite well navigating the maze and all received our prizes at the end. Then we went back to the car for hot chocolate and fall cupcakes.
It was a little too warm for the hot chocolate (it’s still in the high 80’s/low 90’s) but the kids loved the cupcakes!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
You Make Me Laugh!
All parents have them. Those times when your child says and does the funniest things and then you remember why you wanted to be a parent in the first place!
Heard
Kylie as she tried to pick up Tessa, “she’s heavier than she looks.”
Heard
Kylie’s new catch phrase, “What in de world….?”
Seen
I wish you had all been there to see it when Kylie, Tess, and I were watching Sleeping Beauty, and Kylie covers my eyes when Rose is about to prick her finger on the spinning wheel. While covering my eyes she is yelling, “ROSE, DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING!”*
*Kylie is a great person to watch movies with. Even if she has seen the movie a thousand times she still laughs at the funny parts, and gasps at the sacry ones!
Heard
Kylie as she tried to pick up Tessa, “she’s heavier than she looks.”
Heard
Kylie’s new catch phrase, “What in de world….?”
Seen
I wish you had all been there to see it when Kylie, Tess, and I were watching Sleeping Beauty, and Kylie covers my eyes when Rose is about to prick her finger on the spinning wheel. While covering my eyes she is yelling, “ROSE, DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING!”*
*Kylie is a great person to watch movies with. Even if she has seen the movie a thousand times she still laughs at the funny parts, and gasps at the sacry ones!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Husband Tag
So I thought it would be nice to let you know about the one person that doesn't get much face time on our blog... our Daddy and Husband...Kody!
1. Where did you first meet? Old Farm Apartments at Utah State University (well-known apartment complex for perpetuating matrimony among its tenants). His cousin was my roommate.
2. How long did you date before you got married? Dated for 5 months, engaged for 6. The engagement was torture.
3. How long have you been married? Seven years.
4. What does he do that surprises you? Two things (1)He’s very handy! He fixes everything around the house, maintains our automobiles, and other things that others would take elsewhere to get fixed and is very prompt in doing so. (2) He's social. Despite the fact that he is an Electrical Engineer he is outgoing and people enjoy talking with him
5. What is your favorite feature of his? His hands and his smile. He has a really nice smile and super soft hands. He doesn’t like it when I tell people that because he thinks it makes him sound like he doesn’t work hard. So, I will say he works very hard but I like it when I get to hold his hand.
6. What is your favorite quality of his? He is super smart and constantly improving…in his work, in our relationship, in his knowledge of things, in his relationship with the girls, etc.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? Chel. I don’t think he has called me “Michelle” since we started seriously dating.
8. What is his favorite color? He would say that he doesn’t know and then shrug and say Blue or Red.
9. What is his favorite food? Meat…any kind, Japanese Food (Tomkatsu) and Chinese.
10. What is his favorite sport? Football! He also enjoys watching basketball and he is a good tennis player.
11. When and where was your first kiss? Our second date!!! In his apartment after watching a movie. I about died. It was at a weird angel…not very good one, but it was just the beginning.
12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Going out to eat, watching sports, doing things with our girls, and (my favorite) just talking together in bed at the end of the day!
13. Do you have any children? 2 girls: Kylie (4) and Tessa (1)
14. Does he have a hidden talent? He can play the piano. It’s hidden because he doesn’t let anyone know he can ;)
15. How old is he? 29
16. Who said "I love you" first? I did, of course, pretty soon after we started dating. And I told him that he didn’t have to say it back until he meant. All it took was for him to be away from me during Thanksgiving Break, and he said it to me over the phone.
17. What is his favorite type of music? Anything loud! Just kidding. He likes a mix of everything: hard rock, easy listening, R&B, oldies…bust mostly Top 100.
18. How did you know he was The One? He knew before I did. I think it came gradually for me. I thought he was the type of guy who wouldn’t date (or marry) a girl like me. The more time we spent together the more I liked him and then at Christmas we discussed the “M word” which was a big thing for him, from then on I just knew.
19. Do you think he will read this? Probably not.
20. I tag: Kari, Danielle…heck I tag everyone! I want to know about everyone’s husbands!
1. Where did you first meet? Old Farm Apartments at Utah State University (well-known apartment complex for perpetuating matrimony among its tenants). His cousin was my roommate.
2. How long did you date before you got married? Dated for 5 months, engaged for 6. The engagement was torture.
3. How long have you been married? Seven years.
4. What does he do that surprises you? Two things (1)He’s very handy! He fixes everything around the house, maintains our automobiles, and other things that others would take elsewhere to get fixed and is very prompt in doing so. (2) He's social. Despite the fact that he is an Electrical Engineer he is outgoing and people enjoy talking with him
5. What is your favorite feature of his? His hands and his smile. He has a really nice smile and super soft hands. He doesn’t like it when I tell people that because he thinks it makes him sound like he doesn’t work hard. So, I will say he works very hard but I like it when I get to hold his hand.
6. What is your favorite quality of his? He is super smart and constantly improving…in his work, in our relationship, in his knowledge of things, in his relationship with the girls, etc.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? Chel. I don’t think he has called me “Michelle” since we started seriously dating.
8. What is his favorite color? He would say that he doesn’t know and then shrug and say Blue or Red.
9. What is his favorite food? Meat…any kind, Japanese Food (Tomkatsu) and Chinese.
10. What is his favorite sport? Football! He also enjoys watching basketball and he is a good tennis player.
11. When and where was your first kiss? Our second date!!! In his apartment after watching a movie. I about died. It was at a weird angel…not very good one, but it was just the beginning.
12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Going out to eat, watching sports, doing things with our girls, and (my favorite) just talking together in bed at the end of the day!
13. Do you have any children? 2 girls: Kylie (4) and Tessa (1)
14. Does he have a hidden talent? He can play the piano. It’s hidden because he doesn’t let anyone know he can ;)
15. How old is he? 29
16. Who said "I love you" first? I did, of course, pretty soon after we started dating. And I told him that he didn’t have to say it back until he meant. All it took was for him to be away from me during Thanksgiving Break, and he said it to me over the phone.
17. What is his favorite type of music? Anything loud! Just kidding. He likes a mix of everything: hard rock, easy listening, R&B, oldies…bust mostly Top 100.
18. How did you know he was The One? He knew before I did. I think it came gradually for me. I thought he was the type of guy who wouldn’t date (or marry) a girl like me. The more time we spent together the more I liked him and then at Christmas we discussed the “M word” which was a big thing for him, from then on I just knew.
19. Do you think he will read this? Probably not.
20. I tag: Kari, Danielle…heck I tag everyone! I want to know about everyone’s husbands!
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