Tribute to Dad

To My Dad
Ray Pack Nielson
June 14, 1931 - January 14, 2011
Thank you for leaving me a legacy of hard work, integrity, humor, and faithfulness to God. You endured to the end and I know you are now experiencing the joy that comes from life well lived.

It was a wonderful and spiritual experience to be with my dad as he passed away. I couldn't see but I could definitely feel the presence of other people in the room with us. I didn't know who they were but it seemed that they were patiently waiting to help my dad transition to the other side.
My dad had a heart attack about a year before and his health declined steadily from there. He lost the ability to walk in the Fall. A week before his death he was put in a care center. Then it was decided that there was nothing that could be done to give him any quality of life. His IV's and oxygen were removed Friday. My mom and 4 of us 6 siblings were able to be with him for those final hours. We took turns holding his hand and sharing our favorite memories of him --like wrestling on the living room floor and shooting guns at the family ranch. Over the next few hours his heart beat slower and slower. His breaths became more labored and fewer. Then, he didn't take another and then he was gone.
I had the immediate sweet feeling of relief come over me. I embraced the thought of him flying up to heaven with angels, not as an old man, but as the handsome youthful athletic man that my mom married, and SMILING. I can count only a handful of times I saw my dad smiling, growing up. I think by the time I came a long he had endured a lot of hardships, especially financially, and his life didn't turn out the way he probably hoped. But, I picture him now smiling, and realizing that he stayed true and faithful despite the ups and downs of life. I feel like he's watching over me. In a way it neat to realize I have an ally on the other side, pulling for me. I know I had them before, but now I can put that smiling face with the idea. It makes me want to live a little better, be a little kinder, and live up to the example he set for me.My dad's viewing and funeral went really well. It was a happy friend and family reunion. Have you ever had refreshments at a viewing. Only my mom would make a bazillion batches of fudge and insist that everyone take a piece on their way out. During the funeral program we all learned a whole lot about the man that was our Dad. I think my siblings would agree that we were SHOCKED to hear stories from his childhood friend. How come Dad didn't tell us he was expelled from school 4 times? And that he led the cops on a car chase through the country roads of the Uintah Basin? We had to laugh at the description of my dad standing in the back of pick up truck, shooting out the insulators of the telephone poles, while the truck was moving, and hitting every one of his targets. Even though my dad rebelled against Man's Laws, he never rebelled against God's. His best friend testified to all of us kids that he never knew my father to ever take a drink or smoke, be immoral, or even swear. He served a mission to Texas/Louisiana, went to BYU, graduated in Finance, and married my mom in the Salt Lake Temple.
Brandon and I played a violin cello duet, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." Looking back I'm glad that I was able to participate in the program in that way. A few days before, I had sliced my finger on an apple cutter and Brandon had re-dislocated his pinky. Luckily his pinky wasn't super necessary for his playing but my sliced first finger was. I almost bowed out but decided to put on lots of neosporin and hope for the best. It worked out and I'm so glad it did.

Being with my brothers and sisters made me realize how awesome each of them are. We don't get together very often because everyone is spread out from coast to coast. We know now where our rebellious streak comes from-- not just our mom!This is me, Auntie Laura, with my nephews and nieces. They're actually more like my brothers and sisters. I guess I lucked out that way, being the WAY youngest of the family.
Leave it to the little ones to show us how to cope with the death of a loved one--lots of hugs and life goes on.
I'll miss you Dad and think of you when I see all the flags waving in honor of your birthday on Flag Day.

Couch Potatoes

The big event around here is that we got a couch for the basement. The first thing the kids do after school is run downstairs to sit on it. We've all been spending a lot more time down there, playing Wii on it, reading on it, or just sitting and running our hands over it. It has sure spawned a lot more movie nights. I'm afraid we're turning into a family of couch potatoes.

In other news, the kids are now all in music lessons. Brynn is keeping up with violin. Kate has tried everything to get out piano (or any other instrument) but we finally found the right match.

WANTED: Therapist/Musician to teach emotional 9-yr old to make peace with the piano.

We found our man in Brandon, who will also be able to add the fatherly love and fear factor. He got the inspiration for his first lesson from Larry H. Miller's biography. In it there is a story called "The Five-Dollar Job, " where this boy goes to do some yardwork for an old lady and she explains to him that nobody has ever done a five dollar job. This, of course, sets him off for the challenge and through hard work, diligence, and numerous attempts, he finally achieves the 5-dollar job. Kate and Brandon have talked about he story and now have some plan worked out where Kate can earn money according to how well she practices. If there is any kicking or screaming, gnashing of teeth etc. she will owe us! This could fund our early retirement.

Adrie, on the other hand, is so excited to learn the violin, she has been begging us every day to teach her something new. She has learned the proper handling of the bow and the violin and has just worked up to running the bow across the strings. Screech!
I love her enthusiasm and hope it lasts forever.

Great Cuts, Great Reads

Cannon went in for a haircut the other day and while he was admiring his new look in the mirror, the stylist asked me a great question, "Read any good books lately?" She probably didn't know what she was getting into. Okay so, Cannon only had a little bit of hair and I had a lot to talk about. I only mentioned a couple of picks to her but then I remembered-- I have a blog! YOU readers are going to get the full account. Here are my favorite reads of the last few months:

1. Jane Eyre
Loved this book! Thanks to Ms. Bronte for a decades worth of romantic quotes to use inside my Valentines cards, and some of them in French!
Reading that inspired my next pick...



2. The Berlitz Self Teacher: French
I thought learning French would be easy; Isn't it just like Spanish except with way more letters and completely different pronunciation? Yah!--Exactly why it's not easy at all! I'm only on "Lecon 5" so don't expect me to have any conversations with you. But I'm going to keep at it because I just read...

3. Do Hard Things
This is written by teens for teens and I think for everyone, on not succumbing to the cultural plague of low expectations. We can do better! Learn more! Overcome our fears! Live the life that God wants us to live! Have I inspired you? The book inspired me. This next 2 books are about people that overcame HARD things...

4. Joan of Arc
Mark Twain considered this his finest work. I agree! (if it's out of this or Huck Finn) 12 years of research make this an outstanding resource for learning about one of the most amazing characters in history. It is beautifully written.

5. The Glass Castle
This is the true story of a girl who overcame a childhood with some very "eccentric and nomadic" parents (to quote amazon's review) Oddly compelling...I would recommend it to those who are curious about how other people live and the social worky types. (you know who you are.)
After that you might need some therapy of your own so here's the next book.


6. The Anatomy of Peace also The Bonds that Make Us Free
These were life changing books for me. The first is more succinct, in a nutshell, while the other one has a lot of stories of people to illustrate the point. " They both really gets into the science of relationships and how to make PEACE with everyone in your life-- from the guy who just butt in front of you to the guy that you married, even world peace--it hopes. Just a caution--don't read it at the same time as your spouse unless you want him to quote it against you, "So honey, it's sounds like you are in the 'better-than' box today?

7. The Richest Man in Babylon
If the above book is the best book on relationships then this is the best book on Money and Finances! It takes place in Ancient Babylon and through some cool parables and stories it shows you some common sense approaches to living well. But what are riches without health to enjoy them...hence the next couple books...

8. The Seven Pillars of Health; the natural way to feel better for life
Life Changing, seriously. This book is packed with info. from drinking water, to supplements, to coping with stress, living foods vs dead foods, chemicals and food additives to avoid. You'll definitely be checking labels after reading this.

9. Word of Wisdom; a Modern Interpretation
Another life changing book for me.
I'm obviously on a health kick lately, going to classes, etc. But during all of it I decided to check with the ultimate health code: the word of wisdom as found in the scriptures. After reading, I had to ask myself and Brandon who happened to be nearby, "Are we really living this?" There is more to it than just avoiding beer?! BD kindly deferred all my questions to this resource. The book is out of print so you'll have to check your grandma's bookshelves or find it online. The whole version is available for download if you google it. In case you think I'm going a little crazy in the health dept. I am. I also just ordered In Defense of Food. Now, are we ready to kick back with some good old fiction or what?!!!

10. Hunger Games
Looks like my photo disappeared but you know what it looks like. You've probably read it already and wasn't it such a thrill of a read?! If I'd had my way I would have finished the whole series in 3 days. But, as it was, I was constantly interrupted by requests for food, clean clothes, and other mommy duties.

11. Pilgrim's Progress
This one has been around forever--and not just on my bookshelf. I have my book club to thank for suggesting we tackle this one together.
Here is the whole gospel plan of happiness put together in a fun to read allegory. It was probably more entertaining to the pilgrims who didn't have TV to compete with. Brandon would tease me while he sat watching Alias, "How's it going with that Pilgrim's Progress? he he he" Well, I'm proud to say that I finished it AND enjoyed it. Actually I think it would make a great musical. And-- if I want to apply what I learned in Do Hard Things, I might just write one! In French!

Fit Christmas

Christmas started at 2:00 a.m. for us. Anybody else beat that?
Okay, it wasn't present opening time. It was flooded basement time. Brandon had to move the furniture out of Kate's room, rip up the carpet and pad, and then go outside and bail buckets of melted snow out of the window well. (Thanks hun, for letting the rest of us sleep through all that.) Kate did wake up but was allowed a 30 second view of the goods Santa brought. It was enough time for her to count up how many each person had and figure out which box might contain her new hot pink cell-phone...

Present-opening actually began when the sun came up. (What a blessing when you can make it that late in the day huh?!) There were clothes, and shoes, stockings full of treats and jewels. The box that was supposed to contain a cell phone? Flannel sheets.
When all the presents were opened from under the tree, I observed out loud that none of them were from Santa? We knew he must have come because he ate the cookies and left stockings?! Curious. Dad chimed in that the only reason there wouldn't be presents from Santa is if someone didn't believe in him....everyone's eyes went immediately to Kate.
OR maybe Santa put the presents somewhere else??! The girls immediately went tearing through the house from top to bottom. I had to remind them of the garage because there they were. Three brand new girl bikes all in a row.
A derby started outside on the street. Our girls with their bikes racing against the neighbor girls with their new skates.
Between riding bikes and playing Wii I'd say the kids had a pretty fit Christmas!
I on the other hand, made caramel sticky buns and ate them. Brandon took a nap.

Cannon slept through all the present opening. So when he did wake up it was like having his own special Christmas. He spent a day of bliss roaming from his new ride 'em cowboy horse to his new collection of Cars. He packed them around all day, to dinner, to the bathroom, upstairs, downstairs. He had to recruit help each time because that is sure more than he can carry!

We spent a couple of days before in Salt Lake City! Great place to be at Christmas even if the snow was mysteriously all melted away. We saw and loved the movie Tangled, went out to eat, visited my Dad in the hospital (he's there with pneumonia but recovering well.) Also got to spend time with my mom and played games with family. We shopped at Barnes and Noble, which Adrie declared, "The BEST BOOK STORE EVER!!!" Was it the enormous amount of fun books , the escalators, or both? Brandon picked a book called, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living!" He explained it was to help some of his clients but I think he means to highlight the best parts and pass it on to me. As for me, I couldn't decide out of the Field Guide to Birds or Atlas of the Human Body. I ended up with a map of the world.

Adrie got a book that came with a necklace, Cannon got one that came with trains. Maybe my map should have come with a plane ticket. Brynn and Kate chose to share a boxed set of "Candy Apple Girls" chapter books. Thanks to Grandma and

Grandpa for the wonderful gift of book shopping!

Entertained the whole drive home!

Favorite Products of 2010

1. COCONUT OIL--extra virgin, organic, cold-pressed only. This is an all natural, whole body moisturizer, and it smells lovely. I put it on after the shower and it makes me feel like the tropical princess I was born to be! Plus I can lick my fingers after-ha! Amazing health benefits when eaten as well. Eat it plain, fry with it, add it to smoothies. It's one of those SUPERFOODS.

2. DEE'S CEREAL: I think this is the "pulse" that Daniel in the Bible ate to make him so amazingly healthy. It's made of ground up wheat, brown rice, oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins, flax seed, corn, cranberries, bananas, oat groats, barley, oat bran, garbanzo beans, and spices. A little goes a long way with this stuff; it is very filling. I like to mix in a tablespoon of coconut oil and some honey with it.

3. REDMOND CLAY: This is a local company that harvests and packages this as a natural cleanser and detoxifier. It can be used internally and externally for myriad purposes. Sprinkled on dry it can heal bad cases of diaper rash. It can be mixed with water to treat hives and bites. Taken internally in a glass of water, it can help with digestive problems. When Cannon had rotavirus this was the only kind of water he could keep down.

4.. REAL SALT--Same local company. It was voted #1 best tasting salt in the taster's choice awards. Unlike the stuff at the store, it's not been bleached or stripped of it's natural nutrients--it's real salt!

5. BOUNTIFUL BASKETS: So glad to have this food co-op in our area. It's like Christmas in the form of produce every week at our house when we pick up our order. You never know what you are going to get except that it will be a variety of half fruits, half veggies. That is the fun of it. We've tried and liked stuff I never would have bought at the store: eggplant, spaghetti squash, persimmons, plantains. And some things we didn't like: brussell sprouts. We've had the most deliciously ripe pineapples, mangoes, pears, and grapes we thought we were eating dessert first.

I always order the nine-grain bread in addition. It makes delicious toast and sandwiches. We have pretty much entirely converted to this bread and I don't think we'll ever be able to eat white again!

6. LED OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS TREE: Let me just explain--we believe in Christmas but there is no way we are climbing up our steep roofline of peaks and gables and attaching Christmas tree lights every year. Brandon could fall and injure his body or worse his brain. We rely on his brain to provide for our family. Why not be festive the easy way! I found this online at homedepot.com. It stands over 5 ft. tall and when you plug it in--viola! It puts on an amazing light show. (I think it's the best show on the street--not that I'm competitive or anything :)

7. ESSENTIAL OILS: I have just started learning about these the last couple of years from friends and I have only scratched the surface on some of the incredible benefits of herbs and oils. We have one blend we use to calm crying kids at night. We use another at the onset of colds/ sore throats to prevent further sickness. I like to put orange oil in my water because it's so refreshing and it helps you absorb water better. We use peppermint for headaches and mint brownies.

8. TREE TOUILLE: Do you see the ribbon like netting cascading down the tree? I don't know what to call it except a lovely accessory to any Christmas tree. I found it at a local decorating store. It comes in rolls, in a variety of colors from brownish gold to bright green to this traditional red/green mix. You just start at the top, roll it down, and nip and tuck it around the branches in a haphazard fashion. I think this was the makeover our tree needed this year. With the extra touch of glitz and oomph, she feels ready to walk down the red carpet. Cost? 10 bucks!

9. LE MYSTERE RENAISSANCE BRA: All I can say is, Hallelujah! I feel like a woman again.

Christmas-gram? Sounds yummy. I want one.

It seems like we've been having a lot of fun lately (wouldn't Cannon agree :) Probably you are too. It's Christmas!!

We had a family party where we were able to visit with extended family and sit on Santa's lap.

We had our ward Christmas party at the church. I didn't take pictures but you can imagine Kate and Brynn dressed up as angels and dancing on the stage for baby Jesus, Adrie crawling across the stage on all fours wagging the lamb ears on her head, Brandon singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" in a male a-Capella quartet, me playing some Christmas tunes with my string quartet.

Not all that was going on simultaneously of course. Imagine Cannon, again not having fun with all the hullabaloo.

This weekend we went to the Light Parade on Main Street and had hot chocolate and donuts with Santa after. *Note to self: never drink hot chocolate before bed even if it is super-diluted. I was up all night with a cocoa buzz.

Tonight is our local production of the Messiah and I get to play in the orchestra.

I imagine I'll come crashing down off my cocoa high about that time.

Brandon and I saw Narnia 3 and later this week we'll go the the Forgotten Carols concert.

The girls have watched Elf, Christmas Carol, made gingerbread houses and written their letters to Santa...

• Adria wants a new bed (our kindergartner is still in a toddler bed?) with an Eeyore fuzzy blanket. (Do you think Eeyore is a good role model?)
• Brynn would like her very own bike that was never ridden by a big sister. It would be a mountain bike that's hot pink. Also it would have tires that never go flat.
• Kate would like a cell phone and lots of cash.

Yeah-- how did we go an American Girl doll last year to that?!

And, what does Santa do for the kid who wants to grow up too fast?

Top Ten

Cannon's in that stage where he's figuring out the language. He's got nouns and verbs down and now he's experimenting with adjectives and adverbs: I ate a snack TONIGHT. I put a TINY poo in there (the potty--THANKfully.)
He is in the process of potty training, ahem, himself. At least he started and now I'm supposed to follow through. We bought some Diego unders for him. He doesn't like them at all --too snug? He prefers diapers, fresh ones that have only been worn for a few minutes.

Anyway, his potty training is at about a 60 percent success rate right now and poo and pee and some other things are some of his favorite conversation pieces. Here are some of our favorite quotes from Bud:

10. "Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle run awaaay."

9. "I like pumas and horsies."

8. Everything he sees me do, from buttering toast to peeling an apple is, "AMAZING!" "Good job Mom!"

7. "I SO handsome!"

6. "Daniel was a lion in the Latter Days...follow the prophet, follow the prophet..." (sung of course.)

5. "Mom! I wanna flush your pee!!"

4. "I'm hungry. I need ice cream."

3. "Mom, I'm tiny. You're so BIG!"

2. "I wanna go to worky wif you Dad. " and "I want fifty dollars."

1. "I saw a poop-horse wif Dad!" That's right. We don't know what this means either. Apparently he had a very specific memory of seeing a horse poop? wif Dad? He likes to tell this to anyone who comes over. He also likes to shout it into the intercom so everyone can hear it again again. I guess it's his punchline because he pauses after as if waiting for the roar of laughter from his audience. We did laugh--the first few times...

*Thanks to my talented neighbor for taking these pictures !