Tanner's Tribute

Today is a new day. Yesterday was kind of tough. Maybe a little tougher for me. Tanner did call from school but not to have me pick him up, he need permission for KSL News television and the Herold Journal to interview him. Last night he was on the news and the link is below. This morning his article was in the paper and that link is below also. Tanner told me after school that he wanted to write Mrs. Alleman a letter to let her know how much he appreciated her husband. It was so sweet and I told him it was a great idea. We found out that they are having a 5k race in April to raise money for the family so please anyone who wants to run this with Tanner, Tyler and I let us know it will be for a great cause.

http://hjnews.townnews.com/articles/2009/02/26/news/news01-02-26-09.txt

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5696795

Mr. Alleman

Today is a sad day in the Nielsen household. Last night on the news they talked about a teacher from Cache Valley, who joined the Army last year, was killed in Iraq this week. Well that was Tanner's favorite 5Th grade teacher Mr. Alleman. I tossed and turned all night trying to figure out how I was going to tell him about this. I didn't want him to go to school and find out from others. So I got up early and went in his room when he woke up. I told him who it was and he took it pretty hard. It was hard for me as a mother to deliver the news to him. He really looked up to this teacher and loved him too. Tanner has had to deal with death at such a early age and he takes it OK. I am so glad he understands the Lords plan for us and that he will see Mr. Alleman and his brother Jamieson again. I sent him to school but told him to call me if he needed me to come and get him. My heart is breaking. I don't like seeing him like this. I know he is strong but the mother in me just wants to make everything better. As for Mr. Alleman I am truly grateful for his service for my country. I enjoy my freedom and I owe it to all those who fight for it. I am grateful for the opportunity to live on this great land!

Baby Malakai

This was my favorite day of this week. It was Friday the 13 of February, two days after my new nephew was born. I got up early and drove 1 & 1/2 hours to SLC and visited with my brother, Ryan, his wife, Heather, and my new little nephew, Malakai. It was great weather. I arrived at 10:30am and did not leave until 7pm. I am sure I over stayed my welcome but it was so peaceful there. He is such a beautiful baby. He has a ton of hair and boy is it thick. He looks just like his dad but, he has long arms and legs like his mom.

Another reason I feel really special with this little guy is his special spirit. See my son Jamieson was born on a Friday the 13Th. And my brother and his wife named their precious little boy after my son. Malakai Jamieson Babinsky. I feel very honored that they would choose a name like that for their little one. This day was a good healing day for me. I felt very close to my son this day. When I left the hospital to go home I stopped at my favorite store Kohl's in Centerville. A mother with a young child was behind me in line. Her boy was staring at the tiles on the floor. His mother said "Jamieson, how many tiles are on the floor?" The little boy was no more than 4 and he thought about counting them. But I turned around and smiled. It seems like my little boy was with me that day.

This is proud dad and Malakai! Thanks for sharing the day with me. I will always cherish it.

Valentines Locker

Do you remember Valentines as a little kid? I sure do. We would have to bring a shoe box from home and then we would spend the day at school decorating it. Putting little pink and red hearts all over it that said "I love you" or "be mine". Well now that my children have grown this was the last year to do the valentines box. Of course the teacher had them make them at home so it fell on the moms. I knew that Tyler would not have the cute little hearts or puppy dogs or hey I would have settled for just a plain mailbox kind of like pretending he was his dad for the day. But no it had to be something not cute but way cool. So this is what I found.

We made a locker. Covered a box with silver paper used buttons for the lock and made a school flag with of course footballs. I thought it turned out pretty cute or should I say cool. But I least I have the memories of the last valentines day with Tyler. Next year in Middle school they do no such thing. So I am enjoying it one last time. They grow up way to fast.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!

Primary Breakfast

Last Saturday was our Teacher meet and greet primary breakfast. It was very well attended. We had 13o people and ran out of food.

After breakfast we divided into classes and played M&M games and Bingo. Then back to the Gym where there was a dance off. After a few songs everyone really got into it.

This little boy did not want to join

us for breakfast but did join us for

the games. The reason I have

this picture is because he reminds

me of my little brother Ryan when

he was little.

My brother Weston and his girlfriend Chelsey was there to lend a helping hand. I could not have done it without them. The boys really like her. She is a keeper!

This is our Presidency. Erin, Nikki, Richelle and I. These guys are awesome. This activity was fantastic because of them.

SuperBowl Sunday

What a great Superbowl game!!!! We had a great time. We did not have a party but we had enough food for one. I thought we were all cheering for the same team until late in the 3rd quarter when the Cardinals pulled ahead and Wayne started cheering. We could not believe what a traitor he was. He says he just wanted to see a good game but I think he was cheering for the underdog. Now you all know I am a Eagles fan and since the Cardinals beat us I have to cheer for the Steelers and they are from PA. so there you go.

Now one things that surprised me was at church when someone told me they could not believe I came. Our church was at 1 and went till 4 and she said I thought you would have got a sub. Well I had sharing time so I needed to be there. Although my husband who claims had a headache did leave church 20 minutes early. But the kick off was at 4:15 and the game did not really get going until the 3rd quarter. It was such a good game and I loved it. Now I am so sad cause football is over until August and I don't really watch basketball or baseball so I will have to get another hobby. Any suggestions?

We Almost Made It.....

One of our family goal this year was to not use our medical insurance until February and we almost made it. Let me explain. Last year was not our year. Well not Wayne's year. Last March he had his shoulder redone and that took 6 weeks of staying home watching March madness. We spent a week in the hospital because he does not do well with narcotics and needed to be on oxygen. It was very scary for me at the time. Later in the year at a family reunion we were on a hike and Wayne fell down the mountain and broke his leg and ankle in two places. He had to be carried down the mountain. He ended up having surgery and getting plates and screws places. He was out of work for 8 weeks. Still he did not do well and had to be on oxygen for a few weeks. So our medical bills were crazy. So that is why we tried to make it to February.

We almost made it. We got to January 30Th. Tanner went to the ENT and had to have is nose cauterized. And Tyler will be spotting some new shades this week. I will post pics when I get them. So lets hope this is a better year for us and we all stay well. Good luck to you all also.