Happy Almost Birthday Little B!

Once upon a time, there was this family of four.  They had a happy life.  It seemed full with a Dad, Mom, and two brothers.

This family made a plan.  God laughed.  (stop me if you heard this...)

In the very same weekend that the family decided to  make this decision permanent...God had something else planned.  

And approximately seven months later, this family received an early Halloween gift.  They (according to the sonogram) had planned on a Thanksgiving baby.  Again...God laughed.  

On October 25th, 2006...this woman was in labor at the local hospital.  The sweet nurses tried to tell her otherwise, but she knew.  When the Dr. and nurse decided this woman was too early to have her baby, they gave her medicine and sent them home.  I believe the woman could be heard yelling from the door the famous line from Tombstone...

"I'll see you soon.  I'll see you REAL soon."

Five hours later, her husband who was lacking in sleep, raced to the hospital.  Upon arrival, this woman gave a stare down, glare down to the nurse who had sent her home, and then continued on in labor.  One hour and 43 minutes later...

God smiled.  

We all smiled.

 

 And we've been smiling ever since.

We had no idea what a blessing our Little would be in our lives.  He brings laughter and tears to this Momma  all of the time.  I am so grateful for the Lord's plan.  He knew exactly what he was doing when he gave this Little to us.

Happy Happy 6th Birthday Tomorrow Little...WE LOVE YOU!

Referee of 3

Please join us in prayer for Taylor Heersche as she continues to battle her cancer.  She is an amazing example of faith and love.  Taylor...we are praying for you!

Pumpkin Patch 2012

Something's Got to Give

Does anyone else ever feel like a clown on a unicycle juggling breakable decorations and small animals?

Or is it just me?

In talking with some family and friends...it seems to be a consensus.

We are all struggling.

With what?

Oh life in general.

"Are you complaining?"  You ask...

Well, sort of.  And I am sort of just thinking out loud.

Our life is insanely busy.  Self inflicted...I know.  We are a family of five.  All five of us are now involved in daily activities such as school, work, and practices.  There are tests to study for...story books to read...dinners to make...and homework to do.  In this family alone, we have 14 practices a week.

A WEEK.  (Ok...12.  I am being over dramatic here.)

We have five nights of studying/homework between the boys and I.  We have five games a week to attend to and cheer for.  (between high school, middle school, Jr. league, and flag football)

We have one night of class and occasionally a night of dinner with friends or bunco.

We have dinner...at five different times.  We very rarely eat at the table because it is covered with mail, a hanger, a baby gift, a book for my Praxis exam at the end of the month, and my homework.

Just this morning, Coach and I had a fight and both of our bigger boys did poorly on a test at school.

Why?  Well...I would imagine it is because the clown on the unicycle juggling breakable decorations and small animals...crashed.  And everything came tumbling down.

DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL LIKE THIS?

I have decided that all this is happening as a series of bad choices.  We say yes too often when we really mean no.  We spend many moments trying to "fit" things into our schedule while those who we love suffer and wait for our attention.  We sign up for every available activity to keep up with other families and their athletes or whatever else it is we are trying to get our kids to be.  We work hard and spend every dime trying to pay bills and provide all the extras that "everyone else has"...so our kids don't have to hear us say..."we can't afford that right now."

My name is Amy Nelson and I can't say no to people.  I spend time fostering friendships that are more time than I can keep up with.  I over schedule my kids.  I feed them five minute dinners and forget to help them study for their tests.  I am the cause of the wrecked unicycle.

We as parents try to keep up with everything going on in our lives.  And we can't.  When we don't...we feel like failures.  And that is how I felt today.  When I got a call from my dear friends who are dealing with a possible brain tumor...I realized...

"It had to happen."

Sometimes we try so hard to keep all the things in the air.  We juggle and juggle our lives trying not to drop the ball.  But sometimes...we have to drop something to realize...we need to slow down.

Life is too short to stress out about all of the above.  Life is too precious to miss the moments we are missing.  Life is too fragile to worry about what everyone else is doing with their time, their children, and their money.  Those who truly love us...will love us for who we are.  Even when our unicycle goes down.

And so...if you are in this boat with me.  It's time to jump ship.  Figure out what really matters in life...and swim towards it.  Everything else...the "stuff" of life...that weighs us down...will sink.

It's time to take our lives back.  Who's with me?

Referee of 3

Please join me in praying for the Thome family as they face some challenging days ahead.  Jordan and Lacie...we love you.

Ode to my SISTA

There's nothing like a sister...
Of this I can be sure...
We are the very best of friends
She couldn't love me more  :)

There's nothing like a sister...
who is born while you are taking your first step
Sorry mom and dad missed it...
I'm sure you did your best

There's nothing like a sister...
to push you down the stairs
In your walker because she loves you
I know the motive was there

There's nothing like a sister...
who talks to you through your closet wall
when you're sent to your room to "think about your choices"
for fighting, screaming, and all

There's nothing like a sister...
to sleep with in your bed
when the thunder and lightning come crashing
and you get all scared in the head

There's nothing like a sister...
who gets angry when you borrow her clothes
you return them all wadded up in a ball
and she snarls and wants to punch your nose

There's nothing like a sister...
when your heart is broken in two
you eat candy and watch 90210 together
until your heart starts to be less blue

There's nothing like a sister...
who stands beside you through thick and thin
so she drank too much at your wedding...
it happens every now and again  (sorry!  eeek!!!)

There's nothing like a sister...
that makes you wear yellow on her special day
I know you were 8 months pregnant
But we were going to do that MY WAY (sorry again...eeek!  Love, Bridezilla)

There's nothing like a sister...
who is with you through the seasons of life
football, basketball, baseball...
you get what I'm saying...right?

Happy birthday to my sister...
my best friend since the beginning of our time
you are an amazing wife, mother, and friend
And I'm so glad you are mine

Love My SISTA! <3

It's Our Anniversary

All this....
because two people fell in love...
rushed into getting married, got a dog, had a baby within a year, changed jobs, had another baby, started coaching, went back to teaching, opened a daycare, HAD ANOTHER BABY, lost our sweet Haley dog, got our new Baily dog, quit daycare, got a job, went back to school...and HERE WE ARE. Steve Nelson, I love you...I love our life...and I wouldn't change a thing. Well...maybe the refrigerator and carpet. But other than that...not a thing. I love you. Happy 14th Anniversary Babe! Thanks for loving me and all my crazy ways! ♥

This is the post I put on facebook this morning.  I thought I would elaborate a little on my blog.  

We've been married for fourteen years.  In that time, we've had our ups and our downs.  We've had some really good fights.  We've had some really good moments too.  I can't tell you how much I love this man.  I just do.  He still gives me butterflies in my stomach when I see him.  (If you need to gag or stop reading...I understand).  He is kind, considerate, patient, understanding, and loving.  He can also be cranky and irrational.  (But that's only when we argue and I'm right...okay fine.  When he's right.)  I can say that because I too am cranky, irrational, and flat out ugly sometimes.  But he loves me anyway.  When we took our vows, we said we'd love each other no matter what.  (paraphrase)  We said we'd love each other and be thankful that God made us for one another.  And even though we got off to a rocky start (meaning we were young and had a brand new baby)...we learned to love each other the way God intends.  Unconditionally.  Meaning that we love one another no matter what.  No matter what happens...we know that the love we have won't go away.  It also means nurturing that love with encouragement, kindness, and compassion.  We are complete opposites.  If you know us...it is obvious.  

I like to be in the spotlight.  He hates it.
I like musicals, shows, sappy movies...he likes sports.  
I like romantic comedies, he likes mystery type movies...or westerns.
I like black Friday.  Let me rephrase that.  I LOVE black Friday.  He'd rather have his toenails pulled out than shop with all the crazies in Wichita the day after Thanksgiving.  (I hope you all know I mean crazies in the most loving way as I am one of the craziest)

My point is that we are not one in the same.  But our hearts are.  I love him and he loves me.  Together we love our children.  Even when they roll their eyes or their heads fall back and their mouth opens to the biggest, widest, cry you've ever seen.  Together, we made it through two colicky babies.  We made it through one emergency room trip and SEVERAL stitches.  We made it through many goose eggs, heartaches, and disappointments.  And dare I say, this is just the beginning.  

And so...Coach...I love you with all of my heart and soul.  I love you for who you are and what you've been to me and to our boys.  Now....let's talk about that new carpet... :)

Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3