Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life to be needed. Fear less, hope more, whine less, breathe more, talk less, say more; love more, and all good things will be yours.
Are you happy?
I can honestly say......I TRULY AM!
So, I guess we are going to mount it!
I am so glad Jared is home safe and sound! He had a great time! Maybe sometime he will take me!
Jared has left me!!!! Left me for a few days to go hunting! I miss him so much already but I hope he is having a ball! He loves to hunt, so along with a couple of his "dudes", he headed to Washington state to hunt ducks and geese! I just hope his birthday parka is keeping him warm and dry! Oh look....he just sent me a picture (literally as I am typing)
Ok......I am sure my last post was too random.....I didn't even think about an intro....Well, here you go...Have you ever noticed that a certain color makes you feel good? Is there a color out there that you just feel drawn to? GREEN is that color for me! So, I started thinking....What is it about green that makes me happy? What is the healing power of green? So, I looked it up! Ergo....the weird and random post! So, now you know!
Do you have one?????
Well, today was a rough "Mom" day! I'm sure you moms out there know what I mean.....it was one of those days when I just felt like I have failed as a mother! It was a day when I just didn't get things right when it came to my kids. Frustration led to lots of reaction and very little action. As the day went on, I just felt worse and worse. Finding a smile was really hard and wasn't really happening.....then when least expected, Jared finds a way!
Picture this: We are at a birthday party at Classic Skate (in Sandy). The kids are having a ball skating, roller blading, and scootering around the rink. The 80's party music is blasting and the disco ball is spraying flickers of light in all directions. When all of the sudden......"Forever Young" starts to play....And above the music I hear the words "this song is dedicated to Emily Johnson!" In a few short seconds, all the self pity blew out of my mind! Did it change the situation? Not really. Did it change my perspective? Oh Yeah! How does he know how to make me smile??? It is a mystery to me!
If it isn't obvious at first glance.....I have changed the name of my blog. I want it to reflect our new life and family. I am going to try on "Blended Joy" for a while and see how it fits! You never know.....I may change again!
I know, I know.....I am always having days of reflection but here we are again! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have so much for which to be thankful! Here are just a "few" things:
1. Jared!!!
2. My kids-they know how to drive me crazy sometimes, but they are great! What would I do without them?
3. Jared's kids-they are so loving and accepting! I am so glad to have them too!
4. My family-My parents are home safe and sound! And tomorrow ALL of the Nielsen's will be together!
5. My job (Jared's job too) and great people to work with! With the ecomony so unsteady right now, it is great to have a job that is more secure than a lot of others out there!
6. A home to live in and food to eat.
7. My health and a healthy family....but let's add a little Airborne so we don't get sick this holiday season!
8. Lower gas prices.....it is sure nice not to have to pay so much at the pump.
9. Pumpkin pie!
10. Nice warm sweaters and hot chocolate!
11. Kisses from my husband (that sounds so nice, doesn't it?)!
12. Slow days at work
13. Jared's family.....I am glad to be the "new" Emily Johnson (yes, there is another)!
14. Great friends who love and support me!
15. Wanting to be home more than anywhere else!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 21, 2008....
....What more can I say???
Jared has started a project.....We are short a bedroom and the kitchen is a little tight. So......if we are going to all live in the same house, we need more room. So, we are under construction! 
The kitchen is extended into what used to be the garage. A bedroom will be built off the back of the house. If you want to help out, come on over!!! More to come, so stay tuned........
I just can't wait any longer to share my own fabulous news......The M's and the J's are becoming the MJ's (or the JM's if you like that better)! You guessed it! Jared and I are officially getting married! I am so happy I am just about ready to burst!!! We don't know for sure "when" it will happen but it will be soon! I'm not sure how long I can wait! Jared is so awesome! I hate to be away from him! There are so many reasons why I fell in love with him....too bad it's against the blogging rules to share them.....
Well, I am a blogging LOSER! I am so behind! I will post updated news soon! But very quickly....
HALLOWEEN....Awesome! Mal's costume....Awesome! Lots of fun pics of the Nielsens and Johnsons.
Return of the parents.....AWESOME! We had a little mix up and were in the wrong terminal but the kids were so patient! Happy to see Mom and Dad! They love the cold weather! It is great to have their spirit back with us!
News not shared before....Blaine and Sani are getting married! Welcome to the fam Sani! We are all so excited and happy for you both!
Watch for updates....coming soon!
Tyler, Morgan, and Mack watching a teammate race!
Getting ready to race...
"Can you see me? ....Um, not really... but i know you are there somewhere!"
There you are!
Mack swims several races and he is pretty good. He swims the 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle relay, 100 yard medly relay, 500 yard freestyle (20 laps!) But I think for the most part, the boys like to hang out by the pool in their tight little suits....
Well, it's official.....my baby boy is gone! 17 short years ago, I held in my arms the most beautiful boy I have ever seen! It is hard to believe that my chubby, bald headed bundle of love is 17 years old!!!! Why does 17 sound so much older than 16? He is now a man! He is my boy, he is my joy!
Well, October was not kind to the Red Sox. They lost last night so the Rays are headed to the World Series. One question......Do I cheer for the team that beat my Sox (because I don't want the team that beat the Sox to get beat) or do I cheer for anyone but the team that beat my Sox?
I did, however, get some memorabilia from Fenway Park!!! A friend from work brought me a treasure.....A paint chip from a seat at Fenway Park! Yep, he peeled it right off of the seat! He also brought me an awesome ball (I don't want to take the plastic off....it might get hurt) Thanks Greg!
All I know is I need a new blog topic!!!
Just a quick note on last nights game.....Boston down 7-0...it is not looking good...but do the Sox give in? NEVER! What a rally! At the bottom of the 7th, it started to come together for the boys of October! They ended up with a 7-8 WIN!!!!
(I guess my clapping and yelling scared Gracie.....She says I'm too loud and she is tired of watching baseball. Sorry, Grace!)
I just need to take a moment to express some frustration with my Red Sox. They are down 2-1 in the ALCS Championship Series. Yesterday was not a proud moment for the Sox! But this morning a thought came to me....There is another game....Don't give up!
How many times do we have moments that we are not proud of? How many times do our throws miss the target or we swing too late? How many times do we miss the fly ball because we didn't want to jump to get it? Maybe we didn't slide because we didn't want to get dirty? How many times do we convince ourselves the other team is better.....having more fun?
What a lesson to learn from baseball! Even when the game seems long and we are getting beat, we must never lose sight of our goal! It is the time to keep our heads up, put on our rally hats, dig deep, and find the courage to just keep trying! We may have to humble ourselves and look to the Coach for help! He will always be there! He will be waiting in the dugout at the end of each inning to offer advice, encourage us, and remind us how strong we really are...then he will send us back out to finish the game! All we can do is take what we have learned, work together as a team, and do our best! We must never give up!
Loren and Maren came out with their kiddies to help get the house/yard ready for Mom and Dad's return...24 DAYS and counting!!! They worked so hard! By the time 9pm came around....
And they are staying the whole weekend! I wonder what time they will drop tonight?
The Red Sox pulled it off last night! They beat the Angels! Now they move on and play the Tampa Bay Rays! The AL Championship Series starts on Friday, October 10, 2008 at 8:30 PM (ET). I can hardly wait!
I know you are just dying for an update....
Game 2-the Red Sox win! And we are on our way to Fenway Park!
Game 3-a tragic loss last night after 12 (yes, 12) innings. Those boys played ball for over 5 hours! I wonder how many people were late to work in Boston today?
Game 4-tonight at 6:30 PM on TBS
Send your good thoughts to Boston....John Lester is on the mound tonight! Let's see a repeat of his win in Game One! Go Sox!
Friday was Moms and Muffins at GES! Go Grizzlies! It is a great activity to encourage reading. All Moms (and anyone else) are invited to come to school and read with their child(ren) for an hour and enjoy a lovely muffin! What a great time! The Nielsen moms met up with the the kiddies and headed to the library for some reading! It was fun to have all of the kids together reading and laughing. And it is always fun to take the kids home a little early....
One of my blogging sisters has thrown out a tag.....How can I not respond? Surprisingly, I did have to think about these a little bit...
5 fears...5 joys...5 obsessions/collections...5 surprising things about me...then tag 5 more people
Fears-
1. This may sound crazy but I am afraid to start the lawnmower! Yes, it's true. I get visions of my feet being sucked into the blades. My logical mind tells me it won't happen but when I go to start one, I truly believe they will. (it makes my heart pound just to think about it)
2. Diabetes...the horrible things this disease does to a body is just overwhelming to me! There is no cure and it affects so many people.
3. That Mack will have to fight in a war someday. Of course I would support him, if the military is his destiny but the thought of losing my son in war is a real fear in my heart.
4. Losing faith, hope, and love. Need I say more?
5. That I will wake up one morning and find that Jared has just been a dream! The peace he brings to my heart and soul is irreplaceable! I can no longer imagine my life without him.
Joys-
1. My kids! I truly have great kids! They can be a challenge but I love them! They are the reason I do the things I do!
2. Kisses! Nothing makes me happier than to come home from work to a kiss from the one I love! Rhett Butler said it best, "You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how." Jared knows....
3. Reading! I love to read! My book list gets longer all the time! I love to be surrounded by words! (see obessions)
4. Giving someone the perfect gift! This doesn't happen as often as I would like but making someone feel special by giving them what they really want/need brings me great joy!
5. Jared, of course! I'm sure I have broken the blogging rules already so let me just tell you...He is the best! He makes me smile like no one else can! He is the sunshine in my soul!
Obsessions/Collections
1. Pajamas! A girl can never have too many pjs! I have a hard time passing them by when I see something new! I think I am due for a new pair...hmmmm
2. Dishes! A vice that Jared has not seen in action yet. But the holidays bring it out it me. I believe that plates we eat on should change with the seasons and the holidays.
3. Reading! It brings me such joy but can get out of hand at times. Once I really get into a book, it is hard for me to put it down. Then I neglect all other responsibilities.
4. Hello!?!? Blogs! I may not always have something profound to post but I love to blog! I love to get updates on people, love to see what other people post. Sometimes my blogging friends write exactly what I need to read!
5. I realize that I must be obsessed with Jared too! I am afraid to lose him, he brings me joy...my obsession! He is the first thing in my mind in the morning, I think about what he is doing all day long, and he is the last thing I pray for at night. He never really actually leaves my mind. He is always there and it makes me happy! And I can't seem to get enough. (Sorry if I broke the rules Babe, you can blame Lacey)
Suprising Facts about Me
1. It is no surprise to anyone who knows me that I love to shop! The surprise is I am learning how to manage my money better. More surprising....it isn't so bad. I may blunder once in a while but I am learning that if I focus on needs and not wants, with a little sacrifice, I can still get some of the wants. Jared is such a good teacher, cheerleader, partner.
2. I wish I could play the piano. My mom told me not to quit lessons, that I would regret it later. She was right!
3. I wish I liked to cook. It is one of those necessities in life that I just don't get! My life would be a lot easier if I liked to cook. Then I could do it better. My poor family.
4. This is a surprising fact to me....I still need my Mom and Dad. They are the best parents in the world. Even though I am 30 something, they are still there when I need them. They are a resource for advice, a shoulder to cry on, a kick in the butt when I need it!
5. And, this is true, sometimes I wish I worked at home. Sometimes I wish I didn't miss out on so much because I am at work. I love my job and need it to care for my family. But there is a little part of me that wishes I was home when my kids got home from school. Ah well, maybe in the next life.
So, Melissa, Maren, Angie, and Deb.....You've been TAGGED!
Well, the American League Division Playoff Series started this week! Last night was Game 1 of the Boston Red Sox vs. the Anaheim Angels series. And I am happy to say that now my Sox lead the series 1-0, with a 4-1 win against the Angels! Way to go Sox! For those of you who need the schedule.....
Take a quick look to your left....the countdown for Mom and Dad's return is at 1 month and 5 days today! I am so excited for them to get home! I know they have had some great experiences in Mexico and will miss their new friends (or should I say family?) but I am ready to have them back! Everyone is ready to have them back! But before they get home there are a few things that need to be done....Only a few, you ask? Well, okay, a lot of things need to be done! I have been living the high life on good 'ol Clark Street and now it is time to get down to business, serious business! So, Jared and I made a list of all the things I want to get accomplished before the end of the month. It is long and I will need to stay focused but I think it can be done. And we will definitely have lots of help....The sibs agreed to come help with some outdoor projects. They are the best! So, Mom and Dad....WE CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!! The party begins in 1 month and 5 days!
Well, it was a weekend of body fluids.....GROSS! I have a new philosophy, "keep your fluids to yourself!" Why would one have to proclaim such a profound philosophy you ask??? On Saturday morning Mals went and played volleyball. The high school team conducts a workshop each year and Mals thought is would be fun....back to the body fluids. So.....during a break Mals came over and had some juice. Oops....a spill! And there was no way she was going to go back to play with juice on her shirt. So, she turns to good 'ol Mom...."trade me shirts". Um...NO! But, I didn't want her to be embarrassed so after a moment of thought, I stripped off my t-shirt and swapped her. BAD IDEA! Did it even cross my mind that she had been playing volleyball for an hour in the hot gym? Um...NO! Sharing pit sweat is not FUN and I just couldn't take it. So I took my arms back out of the sleeves and just left the shirt over my shoulders (thank goodness I had a tank on underneath my t-shirt. Still gross, gross, gross! If that is not bad enough....
On Sunday....more fluids!!! I went to church and faithfully completed my primary duties (as hard as they may feel). A little girl decided to wander the room (it was quite distracting). So, good 'ol me takes her by the hand, sits on a chair, and puts her on my lap...M-I-S-T-A-K-E!!! When the little bugger jumps off....there it is!!!! A wet spot!!! Yes, it's true, she had an accident and left some of it on my skirt!!! Gross, gross, double gross! I would have left immediately but I had to present sharing time for the senior primary! So, I stayed and did my duty....smelling little girl pee the whole time!!! At one time, I threw up a little in my mouth! It was totally sick!
So......KEEP YOUR BODY FLUIDS TO YOURSELF!!! And I will do the same!
Little Kamille had to have her appendix out earlier this week (9/15/2008). She was such a trooper! She was so sick all weekend, spent the whole day on Monday in the hospital (before surgery), and is still there! But her spirits are still high! She was all smiles even though she has had no solid food since Monday! She is such a sweetheart! Last night a bunch of us went in to see her.
I don't think I have ever seen Kamille sit in one place for so long....but it didn't last....she had to go for a walk with the kids. A lot of the little ones were pulled around in wagons instead of in wheelchairs. But a wagon would hurt the tummy....And Kamille is too big for that, right? So, down the hall we went, big sister pushing her along.
And her wonderful Mom has not left her side! What a good Mom! It's just a good thing she has a great sister to bring her a change of clothes...Three days in the same clothes can't be fun! Now that's what I call L-O-V-E!
Kamille is feeling better everyday and we hope she is home soon! I am sure she will be back to bouncing off the walls very soon!
