So Long 2009 Welcome 2010!

Okay, can I just say how happy I am to welcome 2010! I mean, I dont think I have ever been happier to start a new year. I mean, I am the kind of person who loves, I mean LOVES starting a new year! I absolutely love the feeling of putting away all of my Christmas decorations and taking down my tree because it just marks the beginning of something new. A new start, new resolutions, new memories, new adventures, new dreams, and new goals! Yay! But, this year in particular I am espeically ready for a new year. 2009 was quite an adventure in so many ways. "It's been the BEST of times and the WORST of times."

We started out the year with me quitting my "2 1/2 year long all consuming job" for School Specialty and Mike in Utah working for his Dad which he started doing in November of 2008. He ended up being there for about 9 months total. Michael recieved his mission call in early February and then joined Mike in Utah around March and they worked side by side for a couple of months. I think that was a great experience for both of them. Shortly after Michael had recieved his call he went to the temple and recieved his endowments and so he and Mike made it a weekly visit to one of the many temples that are there in Utah including going thru the newly dedicated Draper Temple. That was probably the highlight for both of them while there in Utah. While I was home with Stephen and Bryce playing Mom and Dad and taxi driver and peace maker and everything else that was needed. I also found it necessary and extremely helpful visiting the temple on a weekly, sometimes bi-weekly basis myself. To make a long story short, I will just say that due to the fact that so many changes were taking place in our lives at this time including, but not limited to having our first missionary leave for his mission, this year afforded me many, many growing and learning opportunities. Honestly, I found myself crying most of the time on and off for a few months. This is where the temple was most helpful as it brought much peace and also personal revelation into my life.

Mike's visit's home were about once a month and I found that they proved to be so short lived that I basically felt like a single parent. Well, after a while the spirit prompted me that my husband needed to come home...for good. And that did happen in September... Halelluia! It's been so nice to have my husband back home again. 2009 also marked 20 years of marriage for us. That sounds like such a long time but really does'nt feel like it at all. I am convinced that something magical happens after 20 years of marriage. It is truly a lifetime and yet, it has been like a rebirth for both of us.

Very personally, I have found myself reflecting on my life's journey much of the time over the past several months. You know how sometimes you have these experiences in your life that just sort of shake you up and you go..."wow, I didn't realize how blessed I was until now". I think much of the time I go about my life thinking," I have to do this" or, "I dont have time to think about that" and then suddenly something happens that makes you have to stop and think about those things...well, that is what 2009 was all about for me.  And I have discovered that I am extremely blessed in my life!

Here's to a great 2010!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010!

Family is the best Christmas Gift

I have a Family here on Earth

( Mom was shocked to see us at the door!)

They are so good to me

I want to share my life with them through all Eternity

Families can be together Forever

Through Heavenly Father's Plan

I always want to be with my own Family

And the Lord has shown me how I can

The Lord has shown me how I can

Families can be together Forever

Through Heavenly Father's Plan

I always want to be with my own Family

And The Lord has shown me how I can

The Lord has shown me how I can

(Mom and Dad Nelson were also surprised)

It's all about Family!

(We had a great Christmas)

Elder Nelson Chritmas Eve

I recieved these pictures from a sister from the Missionary Mom's email group that I am a part of.  She lives in the neighboring Ward where Michael is serving and the Elders from her ward asked if they could bring the  Elders from the Harbord Ward to their Christmas Eve

She says she invites a bunch of people over every Christmas Eve and she usually has the Elders take part in their Nativity story. She said she would try to send me some pictures and ....She did!

Elder Nelson still entertaining people even on his mission!  We also had a great chat with Michael and his companion on Christmas Day.  He is doing fantastic and this picture sure proves that!  Sister Biddle said..."you're right he sure does like acting and singing"  This was a great Christmas gift!

Still playing in Utah

Well, here we are in Utah still.  We had planned to leave this morning but we found out last night that the weather conditions were not going to be suitable to drive home in so we decided to stay another day. Good thing I made sure we packed our sunday clothes just in case.  We are staying here in West Jordan at Mike's brother Mark's home with their family.  We always have a blast with them.

Here's my favorite neice Devyn showing us a good time!  She is a crazy girl and always gives the boys a run for their money....what little money they have anyway lol!. (she just added the "favorite")

For some reason whenever we get together with the Mark Nelson gang we always end up in a pile up of some kind.  Here's one for this time.

And me and my sister in law Coleen like to talk about everything we've missed out on over the past few whatever time there has been between our visits....we enjoy playing together!

And here are Jordan and Taylor with Bryce an Stephen this morning all ready to leave for church.....We just love them, arent they cute?  So, for now we are here and planning to stay the night and leave first thing in the morning for home.

We have had a great time here in Utah.  I took lots of great pictures over the past few days but then I did a really stupid thing and deleted them ALL! I of course had a major melt down about it and then Stephen suggested we have a prayer to help me deal and after that I felt a lot more calm and peaceful about it.  I know it may sound silly to some but pictures capture memories and this was our Christmas and those pictures were everything to me.  So, at least we were able to stay another today and make up for some of the lost pics. I was able to enrole  our family members here who took some of the same shots to send me their pics.  I still have more pics to post and will do that when I get back.  It's been a great Christmas.

Sneaking away for a White Christmas

So, I think I am safe now in saying that we are sneaking away and surprising our families in Utah for Christmas.  It's just not the same this year without Michael here and since we didnt have a lot planned anyway we thought it would be fun to surprise both our families out in Utah and drive out for Christmas.  I know you might think it is rude to just spring it on them and show up but, if you knew our families you would know that they will love this!  They are always begging us to come out for everything.  So, we are excited to show up in Springville on Mike's folks doorstep tomorrow night.  I did tell my little sister so that she will kinda know what to expect.  My Mom knows nothing and neither does my sister Regina, so this is gonna be fun to see the looks on their faces when we show up at their doors.  Then with Mikes' brother Mark and his family....they have always wanted us to come out for Christmas. We always have a blast with them so, they are gonna be surprised, happily I hope.  So, we plan to leave first thing in the morning and just show up.  The kids are so excited!  They have never had a White Christmas so this is their chance!  Well, wish us luck and I'll let you know how it goes.

P.S.  We get to talk to Michael on Christmas Day too!! Yay!!!

Elders Nelson and Modlik from Dee Why Beach Australia

Mum, I'm glad you got the pictures! I bought my calling card already. It was 10 bucks and the poster about it said I have 1000 minutes to the US so I hope thats true because I dont know how to check. I dont really know when I will be calling. Okay, I just tried to figure it out in my head and I think I will most likely be calling before noon your time. So, that would be afternoon for me. So expect it in the morning on Christmas. I got the package from Gma Rose and I havent opened it because I'm waiting for christmas but I got another package and I dont know who it was from because the tag was ripped off but I'm guessing it was from Gma and Gpa Nelson? It was full of all sorts of candy..I mean...oops....lol! Well, you'll be happy to know that I didnt eat it all in one sitting.  I am still waiting to open my gifts from you. Elder Modlik got heaps of candy too. NZ candy is so good. Oh and I'll probably be calling from our mobile. So glad to hear the job is going well. I do know who Nick Roberts is. He looks like Sylvester Stallone eh? He's an awesome guy and a stud so they'll make a great couple! crazy business. How's "The sing off"???? Tell me everything! I'm so jealous you got to see Katie and Courtney tell them I love them heaps and miss them! How did the singing go? Tell Bryce I love him so much and I miss him and to write me whenever he gets bored or lonely and I promise I will write back. I dont really need much excpet for pictures! Pictures are gold out here! and most of the pics you sent me before are ruined remember? Well gotta go. Love you HEAPS! HAVE A GOOD CHRISTMAS! CANT WAIT TO CALL YOU! CHEERS!