Mother’s Day / Treasure Your Season

I’m certain your joy was unfurled
When they said, “It’s a Boy!” or “a Girl!”
Now dream sweetly of
Grown or Little One’s love,
And today, know that YOU are their pearl.

That’s the cheesy limerick I wrote in the notes I gave to all my friends and clients for Mother’s Day (well, only the mothers). Except I accidentally wrote “know that you are their world” in a few of them, which I actually like better. I don’t know what it means to be someone’s pearl, but it sounded like something pretty that you treasure, and it rhymed. I don’t know why I didn’t think of “world.” Maybe I’d rather be a pearl. Sounds like a lot less pressure.

Anyways, I’ll come back to that.

Lyle and I are a part of this absolutely amazing church called itown. Had the church-planters been Indianapolis natives, they probably would have known we call this place Naptown instead, but nonetheless, itown it is, and it’s a body of God’s kids who are seeking Him and striving to mold their lives to His Will and Word. Like, they really are. Isn’t that a novel idea…

This weekend at itown church, we learned about Hannah, who desired children more than anything else. Her husband, Elkanah thought that having him should satisfy her; it was “better than having ten sons.” (What a man.)  Elkanah’s other wife was a fertile Myrtle who teased Hannah endlessly.

As our pastor spoke, he reminded me of so much I already knew deep down, like I should trust what God has promised and I should give grace to people when they act like stupid idiots. (I think the message notes actually say “give grace when you are misunderstood…”). But there was another tidbit tucked away in this story that I needed, and I needed it right now.

Treasure each season of life.

Hannah did it in her own way – you can hear about it here and/or read about it in 1 Samuel chapter 1. And you will need to do it in your own way as well.

Enter my creative writing.

Do you “dream sweetly of Grown or Little One’s love”? Or are your dreams more that Little One would be Grown One already? Maybe they’re not dreams, but nightmares. Maybe they’re neither because your teething infant hasn’t let you sleep in 86 straight hours… Do you wish Grown One would SLOW DOWN and Middle One would be as mature as Oldest One? Do you crave the time that Grown One will finally settle down and make new Little Ones? Maybe all you want is a Little One to dream of in the first place.

Should I go on? If you insist. You might be thinking…

When I get promoted, I’ll be happy.When I own a home, I’ll be happy.
When I find someone who wants to marry me, I’ll be happy.
When I move to the big city, I’ll be happy.
When I graduate, I’ll be happy.
When I find a publisher for my book, I’ll be happy.
When the adoption goes through, I’ll be happy.
When my kids move out, I’ll be happy.
If I can just make it to the weekend, I’ll be happy.

When fill-in-your-own-blank happens, you’ll be happy.

What is that really saying? “Until ____________ happens, I’ll just go ahead and be miserable.”

You know what? Yes, you should dream of the future, and imagine the big things God has in store! See yourself in New York! See yourself with a family of 15! (Too much?) See yourself in your new career! You were made to thrive and grow and BECOME!

But don’t be deceived. You’re wasting time. Don’t you know this is a season you will never experience again? Don’t you know you’re gaining wisdom and perspective? Don’t you know there are people who need you where you are right in this moment? Stop wallowing, wishing for a different season. You may want to fast forward your life, but some things cannot be skipped – like the disciplined work it takes to become successful, or those awkward middle school years.  Treasure each season of life.

Do you want to know what mine has been?

When I can be a full-time Mom, I’ll be happy.

(Photos of Charlie I missed while I was at work).

There. I said it.  I never wanted to be a working mother. I have wrestled that disgusting monster that shouts, “but it’s not fair!” for just about a year now. And I’m ready to kick him through a bedroom door to Siberia (that is a Disney Pixar “Monsters, Inc.” reference for all you who didn’t catch it…) A mentor of mine always says, “If everyone you know wrote down their worst problem and threw it in a hat, and we all drew out a slip of paper, you would probably be asking if you could have your problem back.”

And he’s right. I know that my family is a blessing. I know that my job is a blessing. And I refuse to accept that my blessings are stressing me out. This is the Season of the Working Mom. It won’t last forever. While I’m in it, I’m going to enjoy encouraging my co-workers. I’m going to enjoy the walking trail on my lunch hour. I’m going to appreciate that someone else changes a few diapers for me everyday. And I’m going to embrace that for 50 hours a week, absence is making my heart grow fonder of my family.

Look to the future. Imagine it. Work for your dreams. But don’t be miserable about them. Misery makes today drag on longer and pushes your dreams farther off.  So don’t wish away your Little Ones or any other challenge you face. Treasure your season.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

What season are you in? How will you treasure it?

My Superpower

Did you know I’m a superhero with secret powers?

Ok, maybe just a few.

Well… ok I have one superpower.

I cannot fly faster than a speeding bullet or zap instant doors into the wall with my laser-beam eyes, but let me tell you what’s even better…

I can make my baby stop crying, with a single song. That’s right, my voice is my superpower. I call it super-instant-hypnotic-infant-vocalizer. Yeah baby.

Singing. “Lame” says you. You may be happy with a pacifier {and I have no bad bubby vibes, trust me}. But here’s a little history  about my Glory Days. We all have Glory Days, don’t we?

Once upon a time, I was a musician. In high school, my passion was show choir, marching band (where I met Mr. Nelson), performing in churches across the town, and tickling the ivory keys of any piano around. I played the flute, alto sax, tenor sax, percussion, and even tried my hand at acoustic guitar. I traveled with a group in college across the Midwest that gave pastors a break for a weekend by being their “guest church servers.” Music was my greatest fun and represents a huge investment of my time.

And then I grew up. And I got a job. And other things began to fill my life. And I missed music. If I had time to play you the tiniest violin right now, I would do it in a heartbeat.

But God gave me a gift in 2012 – a little baby boy. My Charlie.

And Charlie is my new favorite audience. He loves it when I sing “Cheer Up Charlie” from the old Willy Wonka film, or a favorite of mine, “Count Your Blessings” from Bing Crosby’s White Christmas movie. Before Charlie was even born, I was singing him the song my Momma taught me growing up, “May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You.”

And he becomes peaceful. He quiets to my voice.

This private performance is just as satisfying as any song I ever sang to a crowded sanctuary or concert hall.

My superpower is a gift from my God. He knew what I missed and what I needed that puts life in my spirit. He made it a blessing to my boy and to me. I’m so grateful.

Two notes here –

1) There are Glory Days in my future as well. I hate it when people live for the past. When you pursue your dreams, you always get them back. They may look different than they did before, but I’ve heard you should make your dreams bigger than your memories (thanks Terri Savelle Foy) and my dreams are within my grasp because I refuse to quit on them. When I grasp them, maybe I’ll invite you to my home or my church where I will be playing my piano and singing about God’s love, because I’ll have created the time in my life to pursue that passion.

2) My super-instant-hypnotic-infant-vocalizer superpower is awesome. But there is a kryptonite. It’s called teething. Ahhhh!!!!! Ain’t nobody got time fo dat.

What’s your superpower?

Hi Ho Apple-O!

After a brief blogging hiatus, I had hoped my return to your eyeballs would be profound and revelational {Lyle says that if you can spell it, then it’s a word… and I can spell revelational}.

Good idea. I’ll have to use that one another time.

Instead, how about an apple-icious anecdote!

Set the scene: It’s dinner time. Baby Charlie boy is not interested in green bean puree tonight, so Mom and Dad occupy him with those little cheerio-shaped apple snacks that dissolve in your mouth {or stick to your chin, cheeks, and fingers}. Charlie is making the most of his edible entertainment, and we draw it out by retrieving lost apple-o’s from the crevices of the high chair again and again.

Fast forward: Charlie and I have just gone through our nightly bedtime ritual. I changed his diaper {I’m getting better at doing this when he’s rolling over and crawling across the changing table}, we got into the footie jammies, I reminded him that God has plans to give him hope and a future while we nursed, and he laid down in his crib snuggling a little lamb and sucking on a bubby. Zonk. He’s out. Zzzzzzz….

However, a some point during this process I discover a foreign object in the nursery… an apple-o! I head downstairs to show Lyle.

“You’ll never guess where I found this!”

And pop! Into hubby’s mouth it goes. I think he thought he was being funny — til he saw the laughter on my face.

Lyle asks hopefully, “Not in his diaper, right?“

Yes… that’s exactly where I found it.

Hi Ho Apple-O!  And….. I’m back!

***Disclaimer: Names have not been changed to protect the parties involved, nor was permission requested to divulge apple-icious anecdotes noted above.

The Life of Jesus: Starring Charlie (2012)

I have some shocking news you may never have heard anywhere else, ever.

Parenthood changes your perspective.

Ha! Revolutionary. Today I have in mind an altered perspective on Jesus. Even up to last Christmas, I imagined him wrapped up all snuggle-y and stuffed into a trough, surrounded by curious mammals {producing various barnyard noises}. Sure, I related to Mary differently in 2011 being pregnant for the first time, but I always envisioned Jesus as a still, delicate newborn under an endless midnight sky.

That’s my vision at Christmas. But from January to November each year, Jesus is in his early thirties. With a beard.

Right?

My sweet fun Charlie is teaching me that Jesus didn’t go from zero to thirty in 6.2 seconds. He was a little boy. At 6 months old, Charlie is still a baby, but he’s starkly different from the infant I delivered in June. He’s growing up – just like Jesus, you know? Or did you know? I somehow missed that until now.

So I’d like to start a Christmas tradition of personal reflection. Each December I’ll chronicle my kids’ milestones, habits, development, interests…

…and imagine my Savior doing those things too.

Charlie experienced so much and developed in so many ways in 2012. Imagine Jesus here. Imagine Mary and Joseph interacting. What did this look like 2,000 years ago?

Met his grandparents. Nursed around the clock. Baby acne. Made poopy messes. Peely skin. Clogged tear ducts/gunky eyes. Smiled in his sleep for weeks before he could do it awake.

One of many faces Charlie made within 10 seconds of newborn sleep.

Stared deep in my eyes. Peed on Grandma. Nighttime fussiness. His first bottle. Got danced around the kitchen. Talked to us in the brilliant new language he developed {ooh ahh ngah}.

Chatting with Dad, photo by Jessica Johnston Photography

Sucked on anything he could reach. Cluster fed. Cried til it hurt. Stayed with a babysitter. Road trip. Gained a pound a week for 3 weeks straight.

Charlie with an early weight record. Gaining like a champ!

Kiss-ups with Dad. Pulled my hair. Scratched his legs and face. Tummy time. Cracked up laughing when his clothes were being changed. Pulled a handful of our cat’s fur out. Rolled over, but only one direction.

I can lift my head!

Showed off for company. Bore his own weight.  Grabbed toys and faces. Quieted to Mommy’s singing. Slumped and slid before he was ready to sit. Chewed on everything.

What could this blanket taste like?

Fought sleep to play with new people. Dressed up for a special occasion. Feet always in his mouth. Squealed. Screamed. Splashed in the tub. Laughed every time getting towel-wrapped {my Carlito Burrito}. Blew raspberries. Silly gummy smile.

Happy Baby.

Spit up as soon as his clothes were on. Doubled in size. Played peekaboo.  Sat upright. Laughed uncontrollably at the oddest things. Started growing hair. Rolled onto his tummy while I was changing his diaper.  Rolled off the bed {just once!}. Got up on all fours and hopped his legs forward.

First time on all fours happened to be during his 6 month photo shoot. Photo by Jessica Johnston Photography.

“Irish Stepdanced” when we held him up with his feet touching a surface. Tried to throw himself off the changing table. Ate banana mash.

Are you sure about this banana stuff, Mom?

There’s something more human about Jesus when you insert the years between Christmas and Easter. There’s something more impactful about God’s love when you realize he came to be “God With Us” and experienced the same kind of weakness, challenges, and emotion you’ve been through.

I wonder today if Mary ever wondered, “Really Jesus? You just spit up on the Magi that traveled for weeks to see you, and brought you a million dollars worth of shower presents. Are you sure you’re the Savior of the World?

Yes, he was and is the Savior of the World. He’s really my Savior. Now, as you ponder what Jesus was like growing up, this may be the perfect moment to have an honest, human conversation with him about being your Savior.

What are the kids in your life doing this year? Do you think Jesus did something similar? I hope you’ll comment. Thank you for sharing this Christmas moment with me!

Love,
Carolyn {like singin’ at Christmas!}

Between Two Worlds / My Grampa Died Today

My sweetheart of a Grampa split between Two Worlds this morning.

His 82 year old figure is in his little home on a dirt road in Michigan. The home where, together with his wife of over 60 years, he raised up nine wonderful children in the way they should go. His ageless spirit is with his Maker in Paradise.

Two Worlds.

A little over two years ago, some doctors told our family about what they thought was leukemia in Grampa’s body. “Think in days or weeks now, not months or years.” We celebrated his 80th birthday – acorns made of Hershey kisses framed his photo on the cake. A couple months later the whole family gathered for what was supposed to be his “last Christmas” in 2010.

My Grandparents and their 9 awesome kids together in one photo! My Sweet Mom is the third pretty girl from the left.

There were up days and there were down days. There were weak days and strong ones. Often Grampa did what he loved (usually pack up his dogs and go hunt – he’s kind of a legend in that arena), but sometimes he could not. He carried on. In 2011 he went into hospice care, and came right back out again. We celebrated his 81st birthday. Another Christmas together, complete with our annual family “concert” and traditional polka-dancing.

{S} family annual Christmas Party / Concert

After our Charlie was born this summer, we took him “up north” to meet Gramma and Grampa {S}. Grampa was too unsturdy to snuggle the baby, but they played and laughed and made funny faces together.

I will never forget it.

Other things I will never forget about my Grampa:

• Believing every story he ever told… until he got to his joke’s punchline.
• Looking up at dozens (hundreds?) of hunting trophies because they were taller than I was as a kid. He gave one to me that sat proudly on my dresser. The top was a dog barking up a tree at a raccoon or something.
• The pet mules he let us ride growing up, and all the redbone pups we got to play with. And the dirty bucket he was always mixing dog food in.
• Roll Out the Barrell, at every opportunity. Any excuse to polka.
• Knowing he prayed for me and loved me. That he loved Lyle like any other grandkid, and Charlie as much as his 20 other great-grands.
• Hearing him say “this is the best champagne I’ve ever tasted” after the toast of non-alcoholic sparkling cider at our wedding reception.
• Sitting in the presence of a Hero, who saved a child from a housefire. To risk his life to enter a burning building was the obvious choice to him. As if anyone else would have done the same thing.
• Spending time in G&G’s camper, or over at Clear Lake, or around the talent-show-campfire at “{S} Camp” every 4th of July growing up.
• Tickle monster. Giggles.
• With their beautiful voices, Grampa and Gramma singing to Lyle and I the Christmas before our wedding. “It’s a beautiful day for a wedding in May… the bells are ringing for me and my gal…”
• How he got us laughing and making light when the mood was too serious.
• Overhearing him share with my husband and my sister how important the 10 Commandments have been in his life, and urging them to apply them in their own lives – life is just better that way.
• “Last night at three o’clock this morning…” If you’re family, you know the rest.

I don’t think it’s really hit me yet…

Or maybe, as a Christian, the unwavering certainty that I will see Grampa again in Heaven is sustaining me. I know, people say “He’s in a better place,” “He’s not in pain anymore,” and “You’ll see him again someday,” and it all seems cliché… but maybe it’s different when you actually believe it.

I do.

Just wanted to get something down while it’s fresh. I have to say, the last two years have been different. What a treasure. My wise husband reminded me that doctors wouldn’t give this time to us – they gave us days.

But our Heavenly Father gives generously.

To God be the glory.

Til we meet again…
I love you Grampa.

Love, Carolyn

Last night at 3 o’clock this morning / Mairzydotes – by Grampa {S} from Nelson Total Life on Vimeo.

Did You Hear About the Time… I Cried at the Gym?

Fall of 2010, in the midst of losing 14 pounds. My pre-prego glory.

I know what you’re thinking. What a pansy.

Admittedly.

Now that we’re past that, I can tell you my story.

In the summer of 2010, my sporty husband and sitting-on-her-bottom-40-hours-a-week wife decided to get on the bandwagon at a local gym. Our membership included three “complimentary” 30-minute personal training sessions.

Great idea! I had no idea what to do at a gym. Besides socialize. I got that part.

The staff set me up with Katy – a very enthusiastic, optimistic young woman with rock hard everything. Katy loved to push, push, push her clients, but she did it with such a bubbly spirit that you just couldn’t hate her the way you want to hate someone who thinks everyone should be able to lift a piano overhead with one hand.

As the end of our first workout approached, my spitfire trainer had me doing squats (which I had never done) and raising dumbbells over my head. My body was not used to this, wasn’t ready for it, and didn’t want to do it.

So it decided I should get emotional.

That’s when, lifting probably the lightest dumbbells the gym had available, I choked up and cried! In fact, I’m embarrassed how not-heavy those dumbbells were. I wasn’t in pain, and I wasn’t upset – it’s just that emotion is how my body reacts to stress and exhaustion. I think my face even squinched up like Charlie’s does when he… well… like Charlie’s did here.

Lyle was a terrible audience. Can you believe he laughed at me??? Poor Katy didn’t know what to do. “No one has ever cried in a session with me before!” Ok, it was pretty funny… but I couldn’t help it! So then I was laughing and crying at the same time.

Then to top off a great experience, my arms were so fatigued as I left that I was unable to steer my car properly. I attribute my current status of ALIVE to the fact there was no cross-traffic as I was pulling out of the lot that day.

As you can imagine, I did not want to repeat this incident.

Two days later, I returned to the gym, but on my way there I swallowed one little bitty supplement from NelsonTotalLife called Nutrilite Rhodiola 110. Among other things, Rhodiola increases your energy, performance, and recovery. In the following weeks I found out that when I supplement with Rhodiola, I can workout harder, longer. What I don’t usually reveal is that it keeps me from driving exclusively in straight lines, and that it relieves my trainer from experiencing awkward outbreaks of unbridled emotion. But, now that I’ve told anyone and everyone right here, I guess I can include that in my product testimony from here on out.

Because I know you are all getting ready to resolve to healthier living in 2013, I want to offer you a chance to get your Nutrilite Rhodiola 110 now, so it’s already on your shelf by the time you make your resolution official. If you purchase one blister pack (30 tablets) of Rhodiola, I will provide a 2nd blister pack at half price. You can take advantage of this offer either by contacting me to get your order placed, or by ordering at full price and receiving a rebate from me later.

And if you’re not really into the working out thing, Rhodiola can still be your friend. Reasons abound to have it on hand – I have heard others share such benefits as, “I gave it to my hyperactive kid and now he focuses in school,” “I was depressed, and this product gave me energy again,” and even the simplest “I was tired but didn’t have time for a nap, so I took a Rhodi.” No matter the reason, this buy one get one half off special is available to you. Please see ingredients, warnings, and the like on the product page at our shopping website linked above before you buy.

Now, I have to go…
…but don’t you cry!

Love,
Carolyn

SECRET PROJECT UNVEILED!

So I mentioned in my recent Multi-Purpose Pants post that Lyle was myseteriously working on a secret project, and that I was requested to avert my eyes several times over the last week or three. What I did not mention was that…

…my birthday was coming up.

I can hear your harmonious singing now, you are thrilled that I was born many moons ago so you could… well… so you could have an opportunity to sing for one reason or another on occasion.

So here is the secret birthday photo shop project my husband developed (a “typography”), which I think is super creative and I doubt many of you have such a unique piece of art in your homes!

Tada!

Original Photo by Andrew Goff, Typographical Art by Lyle Nelson

Have you ever seen anything like it? My husband is one of a kind!

After Lyle produced this art, his friend Bernie Lacy at Litho Press Inc. set the masterpiece to 36″ x 24″ canvas. Our neighbor buddy Josh has experience stretching canvas, so together he and Lyle built a frame and assembled the full project.  Many thanks to these friends.

I am so proud of my husband. He makes me feel like so much more than I usually see in myself because of the way he loves me. This took hours of preparation, reaching out to connections, and thoughtful planning.

I love you Lyle. I’m blessed and honored  to be your wife.

And… I hope you’re proud of me too – this is the first time I haven’t ruined a surprise in a long time!

I hope you all enjoyed this!

Love,

The Birthday Girl

Last Week I Got High, or 11 Guaranteed Adrenaline Rushes

Last week I got high.

On adrenaline.

In my car.

No, I wasn’t tempting the blue and red lights with high velocity, or weaving precariously through tight spaces in traffic. And I didn’t screech sidewinding to a halt at the edge of an unfinished bridge à la James Bond {Did James Bond ever do that? Seems like he would}.

I was actually at McDonald’s. I know, right?

No really, I was at the drive thru. I noticed the lady behind me in my rearview and thought, “She looks like she could use a break in the monotony.” So I sent up a prayer for her and asked the cashier to swipe my card for two checks instead of one.

Talk about a high!

Ha! You thought I meant drugs. No, not my thing… although I hear you can do that legally in Washington now.

But I couldn’t believe what was a RUSH just paying for a stranger’s meal was! My mind was racing with “How will she take it?” … ”Did she feel blessed?” … ”Maybe I’ll see on the news later that people at McDonald’s kept paying for the next car for hours and hours!!!” … ”What if she follows me until I park and hugs me and asks me about Jesus?!”

Cool it, Carolyn… Whew! I’m almost sweating just recounting the tale. It’s cardio without the annoyance of exercise.

I doubt I will ever know what that $4 french fry feast meant to this stranger. Maybe nothing.

Maybe everything.

Either way, the experience improved my day dramatically. I was excited. All day. And now. I couldn’t wait to share it with you! I know more than one adrenaline junkie out there has red dollars in their skydiving budget and is just looking for a $4 rush.

Well let me answer the call – besides paying for someone’s something somewhere, here are 10 Guaranteed Adrenaline Rushes, of the Random Act Of Kindness Variety:

• Help someone whose car is broken down.
• Strike up a conversation with a stranger, wearing your biggest grin.
• Send someone flowers for any reason you can think of.
• Bring a meal to a neighbor, whether they need one or not.
• Go out on a limb with your gifts and talents. Sing at a nursing home, or whatever suits your skill set.
• With mature wisdom, tell someone (or a group) your honest story.
• Help that person at the grocery store who looks like they need a third (4^th?) arm.
• Touch someone to encourage. Seriously. If you are not a touch-y person, you’ll get a rush just from physically patting someone on the back.
• Make someone laugh.
• Mow, shovel, or weed the neighbor’s yard when they’re not looking.

Which one makes your heart pump? Do it. Have you been the doer/recipient of a Random Act of Kindness? I hope you’ll comment.

Want to share a thoughtful gift? We’re making it easy with the Holiday Cyber Sale at NelsonTotalLife  going on now, Wednesday November 21 – Monday November 26.*** There are lots of Buy One Get One Free items {can you say magnetic nail polish?}, Free Gifts with Purchase {yes, I would like free shears and sharpeners with my knife set!}, and 25-75% off lots of other great gift items {HELLO discounted Michael Kors bags and Kahve Hazelnut Coffee!!!!!}. Try giving your free Lip Color to your coworker, just because she’ll like it. Put a bow on it too. I’m just saying. Get that blood pumping and have a rush!

***Update!!! The NelsonTotalLife Holiday Cyber Sale has ended, but our Ribbon Gift Collections “Variety” Collection is always “Buy a 5-pack for the price of 4.” Maybe your coworker would like that bonus gift just as much as the Lip Color, or even better – especially if it’s a guy.

Recommended Movie: Evan Almighty. Seriously, if you have not seen this movie about a guy learning the value of random acts of kindness, you’re missing a Steve Carell classic.

 Love,

 Carolyn

Multi-Purpose Pants / Nelson Family Update

Which of the following, if any, are actual possibilities in a new mommy’s world?

• A) Her husband telling her to go out and have fun – he will watch the baby.
• B) Her parents visiting without telling her how to raise her child the right way.
• C) Her infant fitting into the same outfit for *three* special occasions.
• D) All of the above.
• E) None of the above.

And the answer is…

D, all of the above! Am I a blessed woman or what?

Over the last two weeks, all of these things have happened in my new-mommy-world. Here’s the scoop on what’s going on with the Nelsons lately, starting with the best excuse to post pictures of the baby

Three occasions to wear the same outfit, before outgrowing it!

These are Charlie’s multi-purpose camouflage pants, a gift from Dale, Lyle’s generous boss at Truth@Work. Within two weeks, my bouncing boy wore these patriotic britches for {count ‘em!} (1) Halloween, (2) Election Day, and (3) Veterans’ Day.

Charlie’s First Halloween

Charlie’s First Election Day

Charlie’s First Veterans’ Day

He’s proud to be an American. And I’m proud I made his dog tag bib! After ravaging the craft store and realizing how crafty I’m not, I finally settled on extra shiny duct tape (Lyle found it!) and black thread on a plain white bib. The tags say “NELSON” and “2012.” Of course, Charlie spit up all over them.

My Little Man was such a trooper {hm… trooper…punny!} letting me show him off to every neighbor at Halloween. Not to mention getting up before the sun to help me make friends in line at the polls last Tuesday {a clear advantage of bringing baby everywhere you go – who do you think took our picture?  Our new friend, of course}. And for Veteran’s Day, we didn’t do anything tremendously veteran-y, but we did attend a bonfire and hayride (Charlie’s first!) with some business partners we consider to be “Freedom Fighters.” I know, it’s not the same. But it’s still important.

 

Visit from the Grands!

We welcomed my doting parents to the Nelson Guesthouse (aka the Nursery) for a whole weekend! Our visit included a pizza dinner out to celebrate the “birthday girls” {no, neither my sister nor I had a birthday within three weeks of the celebration, but it was fun anyways!}, a tour of Zionsville Indiana, and endless giggling while we laid on the floor helping Charlie roll over… and over… and over… which he thought was hilaaaaarious.

My hardworking hubby, Lyle, had just finished coordinating an event called America’s Best Hope, where Truth at Work hosted almost 1,000 attendees committed to mentoring young business professionals. He woke up that Friday up at 5am, put out event fires all day long, and still managed to be a hospitable and generous host for our guests until late that evening, with NO NAP!I admire and appreciate him more than I can say. And, to top it off, he got up and made us all “real” breakfast (involving meat) TWICE that weekend. Time goes too quickly through visits like this one. Christmas can’t come soon enough.

Girls’ Night Out

My wonderful sister invited me to attend a musical. The students of the Middle School where  Señorita Jeanette molds young minds put on an adorable show about the fabled Ugly Duckling. It’s amazing what kids can do with leadership and encouragement! I was very impressed with the quality of the show, and… I admit, I teared up when Mama Duck went off in search of her little Ugly, leaving the rest of the family behind on the farm… waddling through the cold rain … venturing far beyond the church yard’s edge…driven by a mother’s heart… oh, Charlie, I love you!!!

Drama like that required emotional healing. So we went to Orange Leaf.

Oh, Lyle, I forgot to tell you… we went to Orange Leaf while you were introducing Charlie to the Amazing Spiderman.

Other things we’ve been up to lately:

• Went on our 2^nd date since Charlie was born (thanks for babysitting, Auntie Jeanette)!
• Laughed like little kids when we sampled new Nutrilite Multi-Pops kid’s vitamins (they’re like pop rocks, which I haven’t had in FOREVER!!! You need to try a sample!)
• Secret Project – Lyle won’t tell me what it is. Everytime I come near his computer he shuts off the monitor… anyone have a guess? ***Update*** Secret Project Unveiled!
• We have done more praying together lately, sometimes as a couple and sometimes as a family. It brings me so much peace.
• I created Grateful Gertie! I thought it would be an encouragement to have a reminder to be grateful, and a place to go online to see what’s right in the world. She hasn’t caught on yet, but I hope you’ll friend her on facebook and tag her when you post a picture or status of something you’re grateful for!  It’s gonna be “a thing,” I swear!
• We went to an event at a local mall welcoming Santa… and it was 70 degrees As you can see, Charlie was confused.

Ok, that’s all I’ve got! Looking forward to seeing Lyle’s family for Thanksgiving… Maybe Charlie can meet his cousins Thad & Levi!!! {please please please!!!}

Recommended Reading:

• A) 1 Thessalonians 5:13-18 
• B) This Middlest Sister Comic about Halloween
• C) One Step at a Time, by wounded veteran Josh Bleill – who is married to a sweet fun friend of mine!
• D) All of the Above (Hint: Pick this one!)

Blessed.

Love, Carolyn

A Cowboy, a Lion Tamer, and a Clean Slate: On Believing Again

Isn’t it amazing what little ones can do? We look at them and see unlimited potential, we believe they can do anything! Any little move they make – impressive milestone or otherwise – reveals to us their bright future as a fill-in-the-blank. (OMG! Johnny smeared poop colored on the wall! He’s going to be an interior designer on HGTV!)

Contrast that thought with the image you carry of yourself. Do you see potential in your abilities? Do you see the possibilities within your grasp? Many of us would say we gave up on all that a long time ago. You may not even understand why… But I think I might.

Why do we parents see a limitless future for our children (especially babies)? I believe it is because they have never seriously failed (except occasionally missing the diaper ). They have not shown us a deficiency by which to label them as “bad at math,” “not a people person,” or “a little too klutzy.” But they have not had the opportunity! Babies have a clean slate, and we grip it with hope, needing to believe that our children are extraordinary – so that we bearers of babes might be deemed important, too.

But here’s a wake-up call (deep down you know it)… Johnny will fail. {GASP!}

And thank God.

He will inadvertently fling mashed carrots across the kitchen, he will tumble to his bottom when you remove his training wheels, he may get cut from the hockey team when practice didn’t make perfect, and he will probably face rejection from at least one “pretty” girl… But who have you ever heard of that succeeded without failing first?

I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And, that is why I succeed.

~ Michael Jordan

I asked some friends what they had wanted to become as a child. Some responses were silly-ish, like a cowboy, a lion tamer, or an acrobat (although I hate to call any dream silly – you really could be anything you imagined if you were flexible with the definition). Some dreams were unrealized, and I could sense by their language that these friends were saddened by such a status. Other ambitions were shared with the unemcumbered joy of achievement. Amber, a young woman I graduated high school with, made me so happy when she recalled:

I wanted to be [and I am] a stay at home mommy! Mrs. D—– [Our 9^th grade English teacher] laughed when that’s what I wanted my topic for our research paper to be and said it couldn’t be done in this day and age. I had to choose something else and I don’t even remember what it was. God has truly given me the desires of my heart.

The job Lyle and I must undertake as Charlie’s parents is to keep on imagining with him as he grows. To never underestimate who he will become. To keep believing in him as he experiences failure. And to learn to believe again in ourselves, despite our failures. So, for the sake of the children… what do you really, deeply want to become? What in the world is holding you back?

Enjoy this (obviously) homemade 90 second movie of our Rising Star… the early days!

Our Rising Star…the Early Days from Nelson Total Life on Vimeo.

Recommended reading: The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson… “You were created to be a Somebody, and destined to achieve great things.”

Recommended listening: your heart.

“And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

I believe in you.

Love,

Carolyn