Merry Christmas!

Top 12 for 2012

1. At the end of May our family added another member, Lucy Belle. She is a mini double doodle which means she is half mini poodle, quarter golden retriever and quarter lab. She is all puppy!
   
   
2. In March, Steven and Ethan took a road trip to CA with my dad to pick up our “new to us” camping trailer. We took it out only once this summer but hope to use it more next summer.
   
   
3. Steven added another store to his Minnesota region. He is currently overseeing 7 stores still with Cellular Communications along with serving on the FFFD.
   
   
4. Abram is the 1st grade and started piano lessons this fall and is doing very well.
   He practices every.single.day, several.times.a.day!
   
   
5. Ethan, now in the 5^th grade, swam and played football again this year. He LOVES these sports and we are thrilled he's found a passion for them. He also plays percussion in the school band.
   
   
6. Steven and Ethan ran two 5k's. Fargo-36:10(E) in 96 degree heat and FF-31:37(E) and he stopped right before the finish line to throw up before finishing with his best time yet!
   
   
7. At the end of July I got to spend a week in Utah with my brother and his family helping to care for their new twin boys; Corbin and Caden. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
   
   
8. Both Ethan and Abram went to IPBC in the summer. Ethan stayed 5 nights and Abram 2. Abram says he's never going back and Ethan would move in tomorrow.
   
   
9. Steven and Ethan started a new hobby, deer hunting! We are blessed with incredible friends who have guided them along in this journey. No deer this year though, maybe next year?!?!
   
   
10. Ethan got the lead in the school Christmas musical, A Rockin' Royal Christmas. He had his lines memorized in two days. Can you say excited?!
    
    
11. Our garden was plentiful this year and brought our family more healthy options. For me it brought sanity. I really enjoy spending time in the garden. It brings me peace and gratitude.

12. Family time together was the highlight of the year for us. Spending time at parks, lakes, enjoying meals, playing outside, picnics, sporting events, date nights, dance recitals, seeing our nieces grow up, having family close in town, holidays together...all of these things are what make us the most happy! We are incredibly blessed and thankful for this life.

We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and blessed new Year.

Love,

The NessNest

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Thankful Thursday-Thanksgiving Day

Each year after the Thanksgiving prayer is said, we all go around the table and say what we're thankful for.
This year we're thankful for...
Dad-family
Mom-Jesus dying on the cross for our sins
Heather-the gift of the Holy Ghost
Kamiryn-her magic fingers
Madison-books
Ethan-a warm home and healthy bodies
Abram-peanut butter(only because he knew Miranda would say it and there are no repeats)
Miranda-Fergus Falls
Danelle-our freedom
Dad Lloyd-snow(we had our first real snow fall Thanksgiving day) Thanks HH
Steven-safe travels this year with his sometimes long commutes
Me-living close to family, raising our kids together and being able to see my nieces grow up and help run them all over town...all through tears, yes I'm a sap when it comes to these kids in my life.

I love doing this tradition and am truly thankful for my family and all of our many blessings.
As we gear up for the Christmas season, let us be mindful of what we have and be thankful for it. This season do something kind for someone, make a difference in someones life even if it's just a smile or hug(but don't hug me, please) and make it a great day, only YOU can!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for...
-coffee
-my bed
-family, especially ones that live close to us in town
-friends, friends that love me AND my children as their own
-our Heavenly Father
-my cell phone and Facebook to keep me connected with family and friends from afar
-Skype, so that my children can see their Grammy and Aunt in California
-a garage to park my van in
-our home that's filled with love and memories
-breaking the cycle of addiction that my parents had
-our pets that bring joy and responsibilites to our family
-employment for both my husband and I
-traditions
-seasons
-the school our boys attend and their teachers
-the multitude of blessings that I receive everyday and make me who I am

Wordless Wednesday-cutie pie

Thankful Thursday-week 2

Today I am thankful for motherhood.

It's something I never imagined I'd be doing.

I am so very thankful The Lord's plans for my life were NOT the same plans I had for my life.

I am honored to be the mother to these two amazing, handsome, 

sometimes sassy and occasionally unruly boys.

My life is so much richer being their mother and I am trying to make everyday count, to be present in their lives and really, truly be the best mother I can be. There are, and will be moments when I don't shine as a mother, as a matter of fact I had a moment *this* week at the local bakery where I was not shining and it was very humbling. But knowing when I mess up and asking for their forgiveness is not only teaching them, it's teaching me too.

Today I am thankful for Ethan and Abram and the opportunity I have been given to be their mother, it's one of the most precious gifts I've ever been given. Thank you Lord for choosing me to be their mama.

VoTe!

Our family voted today! 

We are thankful for our freedom and the right to vote! 

The boys were very interested in the election this year. 

It was fun to see the boys develop their own opinions and views.

We had a lot of talks about the each candidate and what each stand for.

I am proud of our boys for taking an interest in this election.

We rocked the vote today!

Thankful Thursday-week 1

In the month of November, every Thursday I will share what I'm thankful for.

Today I am thankful for...

Steven. 

EVERYDAY I am thankful for him. 

The way he loves and cares for me.

 He makes my heart happy and my life complete. 

 He is hilarious and makes me laugh.

He is such an incredible hubby and father. 

and so willing to go along with *almost* anything I throw out there.

I hope he knows how incredibly thankful I am for him, our marriage and this life we're creating. 

Thank You Lord, for this man.

Wordless Wednesday

Lordy, Lordy Heather's 40!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy HeAtHeR!

I love that we can laugh together...

...and be silly.

and still take a good picture!

I hope you've enjoyed your 40th birthday week. I've enjoyed showering you with lots of gifts and love.

Here's to *at least* 40 more years!

Love you!

Wordless Wednesday

Ethan's summer...

This summer...

Ethan went to camp at Ipoint...

and came HOME from camp, my favorite part :)

He learned how to shoot quite a few guns...

He swam competitively again...

He lost his first molar...

He is looking more like his father everyday...

Went to Bello's for his TENTH birthday supper...

He started his second year of football and LOVES it...

2012 youth football picture.

and he started 5th grade and was in an Old Fashion Spelling Bee...

I can't believe how fast time is passing. Ethan is such a wonderful young man and I am proud to have him for my son. He really is such an easy going, go with the flow kid that loves God and animals, friends and family.

We love you Ethan Joshua!

Happy Father's Day Steven!

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for...

teaching us how to work hard...

so that we can play hard...

 for helping me with my homework and being patient...

 for letting me be like you...

 for teaching me how to become a man...

 for snuggling me until we fall asleep...

 for taking time out of your work day to be apart of my school life...

 for showing me that physical touch is ok and needed between a father and son...

 for loving me the way I am...

 for running races with me...

 ...even when you're not feeling well...

 for showing us how to skip rocks and enjoy the outdoors...

 and for being our HERO!

We love you daddy! Happy Father's Day!

Love Ethan and Abram~

Thankful Thursday

I am beyond thankful for this man, this man I am honored to call my husband and father of our children. Ethan went to his dad and asked if he would teach him to mow. Of course Steven agreed. I absolutely LOVE witnessing Steven teach our boys how to do things. This particular event pulled at our heart strings. Steven said, "this was really emotional for me...I never had this kind of opportunity with *my* father, I'm so thankful I have this with Ethan."

I am also incredibly thankful for this boys willingness and eagerness to learn and please us.
He is such a blessing. My oldest boy is growing up way too fast.

Today(and everyday)...I am thankful.

Life. Keepin' it real.

the last 24 hours.
Yesterday:
4:50pm, Steven left for his last fire training class and I was once again home alone with the boys to do the entire night time routine, by myself!
5:00pm, I was going to cook supper but the boys didn't like what I was thinking, soup and grilled cheese, so I caved and got Pizza Hut.
6:30pm, The boys shower. Ethan jumped up to adjust nozzle and it broke, water EVERYWHERE!
Abram showers and needs a new towel because his towel got soaked from Ethan's nozzle knock.
7:00pm Wednesday nights the boy(s) and I watch American Idol. Usually by this time of night I've already checked out for the day mentally and just want to watch some teen hopefuls make it big and every Wednesday Abram complains he doesn't want to watch it...last night was no exception.
His little six year old body just couldn't sit still or keep his arms, legs, hands, or feet to himself.
He likes to talk, sing, hum...NONSTOP which annoys us and makes it hard to hear the TV.
I had asked him several times to sit down and shut up be quiet and he just wouldn't until...the candy necklace he was swinging came undone and all those little pieces of candy went flying...into my face! I came unglued and called him a not very nice name. Real mature I know, but I thought it was better than beating his butt or throwing the remote at him. He senses my extreme frustration and sits down but keeps talking. He just had to tell me how grey my hair is. Well DUH!
9pm, bed time. I am VERY clear, if either kid comes downstairs there will be serious consequences.
We say what we're thankful for, prayers and I leave, well try to. Ethan needs a drink, Abram wants the window shut. I allow Ethan to get a drink and tell Abram to just go to sleep. I leave, for real this time.
5 minutes later I hear foot steps...Ethan is coming to tell me that Abram tried to shut the window and got it stuck, he's hot and mad at Abram, Abram is mad the window is open...I want to scream and cry.
I come downstairs totally wiped, log into Facebook and learn that my dearest friend Trina passed away. I am now completely falling apart.
10pm, Steven comes home. We talk about his testing and evening, I tell him about ours and about Trina. We finally go to bed at 11:45pm I wait for Steven to fall asleep before I allow myself to cry and ask God why Trina? Why now, why her...why God?
12:01am, Steven's fire pager goes off...he leaves, I get back up.
1:00am, a massive storm with thunder, lightning and forceful winds sweeps threw our town.
1:30am, I have a bowl of cereal and head to bed. I pray for Trina's family and count my blessings.
2:15am, Steven comes back home, showers (because he smells like a fire) and heads to bed.
3:00am, we go to sleep...zzzzzz
6:55am, Steven's fire pager goes off, again.
7:00am, boys wake and start their day...me too.
7:40am, Steven comes back home. Abram has decided he doesn't want breakfast (like most mornings) and he doesn't want hot lunch either. Steven proceeds to make him a lunch. He is insisting on 1 piece of buttered bread and 1 cookie. They fight over his lunch. Yelling, screaming, crying...not how I want my boys to go off to school. I'm sad, Abram's mad, Steven's frustrated, Ethan waits outside by car.
8:35am, I leave, head to the coffee shop, then work. I try my hardest to smile at every customer and count my blessings, because with my blessings, I am a rich woman.
9:30am, I notice I forgot earrings today, I'd rather forget to brush my teeth then forget earrings. I'm sad.
12pm, A friend drops off Mary Kay, brings me chocolate and offers me her earrings, I love her.
2:50pm, Get off work, go back to same Coffee Hut, see different girl thankfully and hope to refuel for afternoon. Pick up kiddos.
3:15pm, We arrive home. Ethan wants to watch Sports Center, Abram wants to annoy him and begs him to play outside. I agree to sit outside where I promise myself to not yell, scream or say mean words today. Abram gets the hose. I ask him very nicely NOT to spray me.
3:20pm. He sprays me "accidentally." I want to cry. I come inside without saying anything. I think about supper, for about 3 seconds then hope Steven has a supper idea.
4:06pm, Text from hubby-computers went down at work, he'll be home soon.
4:22pm, Second text from hubby-fire call, no ETA now.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!
But...as I sit here and reflect on these past 24 hours I know in my heart I am blessed, so very blessed.
Blessed to even have known Trina, for her to give me Godly advice and counsel, prayers, and wisdom.
Blessed for the health and life of my boys, even when  he  they challenge me.
Blessed with a husband who  works full time and loves to serve on the Fire Department and who never complains about anything, ever.
Blessed with incredible family and friends IRL and virtually who are willing to give me their earrings, listen to me, lift and encourage me.
I am incredibly blessed and to Him be the glory.

Heartbroken.

This evening I found out that my dear friend Trina was called home to be with the Lord.

I am saddened and heartbroken, but will rejoice knowing she is dancing in Heaven.

Our shared love for the Lord, coffee, our husbands and sons connected us. 

She leaves behind an amazing husband, SIX handsome sons, 

a beautiful daughter in law

 and a precious brand new grandson.

She will be forever missed.

Love you Trina, until we meet again.