Sliced Cheese

 

It's official: the Nielson family eats, sleeps, breathes: Barre3!

My family has been so incredibly supportive of me.

They show up to my classes whenever I teach, they invite their friends,

 and they give good feedback.

I can't imagine taking on this role without their help.

After every family class, we always grab something to eat, 

whether it's a treat, food, or my favorite is when we go to the store 

where everyone picks out what they like.

Tonight, we had a mix of sushi, broccoli & cheese soup, bread & cheese,

and smoothies.  

One day, when the Nies are older and they go back and 

read this blog- our family record,

I hope they know how grateful I am for their support during this time in my life. 

Having my children believe in me is the greatest confidence boost ever.

I also hope they remember the many nights we spent after class

wandering up and down grocery store aisles, laughing and remembering

about that one time, we had a box of Wheat Thins with sliced cheese for dinner.

20 Years Ago

 Early this morning, Christian took Ollie 
with him to do some cowboying.

Sometimes, I look at Ollie and see Christian.

I first met Christian when he was about the same age as Ollie.

It's that wild?

I Can't See It

 Today, I spent the morning/afternoon training new instructors for the studio,
including Jane!!  Go, Jane!

What a dream to be able to work with my daughter!  I love it!

Later, I had an appointment in Durham and came home in the evening to 

the most beautiful sight; the sunset over Jordan Lake.

The best word to describe it was grounding.  

I have a lot going on in every aspect of my life, but the 

colors tonight helped me remember the "why" of life--to have joy.

I thought about these powerful words by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf,

Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? 

And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, 

as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.

Is it?

I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, 

and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. 

I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or 

multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished.

I can’t see it.

Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God 

purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, 

they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. 

He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. 

He gave them the precious gift of His time.

Oh, And Also...

 I woke up to the best surprise!  My first Peony bloomed!!!!!

Here in the South, when the Peonies start popping-

it means that Summer is on our heels.

Also, this morning, I taught a community barre3 class

at the clubhouse studio (Thank you, Briar Chapel).

after Christian, Jane, and I grabbed brunch

while we brainstormed business and marketing approaches 

for work.  We are only a month away from our Grand Opening!

So much needs to happen, including training instructors,

getting all the stuff for the studio, keeping construction going and on time, 

etc., etc., etc. 

Oh, and also planning Claire's wedding, which will be here in North Carolina.

Oh, and also, Nicholas' mission prep,

including getting his wisdom teeth out.

Is it bedtime yet?

Just What I Needed Tonight

 Tonight, my boys took me to dinner.

They ordered me a black bean burger with fries and a shake

while I waited at our booth.

Gigs remembered to grab about 500 napkins for me.

I'm a one-bite-per-napkin type of gal.

Looking back now, I don't even remember what we talked about,

but I do remember feeling totally in love with them.

I feel that this has been my life over the past few months;

I don't remember what I was doing that made me so busy,

I just remember being so busy.

Dinner tonight was just what I needed.

Easter 2025

Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Having Jane home to help me was THE BEST!  
It's going to be a great summer!


On the menu:
-Cheese potatoes
-Maple Glazed Carrots
-Hardboiled Colorful Eggs (compliments of the Nielson Hens)

-Fruit Platter

-Green Salad with Radishes and Pistachios

-Lemon Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese

-Jane's Dinner Rolls

Dessert:

Chocolate Nutella Cookies with Crushed Cadbury Eggs

After dinner, we took a walk around the pasture together, 

along with Gump, Gigs' favorite goat, in the beautiful evening.

Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe 

itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. 

We all will experience those broken times when it 

seems we can never be put together again. 

We will all have our Fridays.

But I testify to you in the name of the 

One who conquered death—Sunday will come. 

In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. 

In this life or the next, Sunday will come.

I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a fable. 

We have the personal testimonies of those who saw Him. 

Thousands in the Old and New Worlds witnessed the risen Savior. 

They felt the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. 

They shed tears of unrestrained joy as they embraced Him.

-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

And That's OK

 Early, early this morning, Christian and I left the hotel for the airport. 

 We had a layover in Salt Lake where of course 

(even though it was 9:30 am), we got Cafe Rio.  

We finally flew into Raleigh around 6:30, where Gigs picked us up.
Jane's flight arrived at 8:30, so I had Gigs drive me to 

Trader Joe's so I could get food for Easter Sunday.  

During the flight home, I planned our Easter dinner. 

Usually, I'm a little more prepared with family dinners.

I ran into the store, and when I got back to the car 

both boys were sound asleep.

Seeing Jane running towards me at the airport was the best!

She's home!

Her tight embrace lingered longer than usual, 

and spoke volumes as tears of emotion flowed.

It was clear that she felt a deep sense of relief to be home. 

But her tears were more than relief; I learned that she had read my book

for the first time on the flight home.

 Her heart was filled with overwhelming emotions.

It's a lot to take.

Claire read my book for the first time two years ago. 

The other Nies haven't read my book, nor do I think they want to or will.

And that's OK.

It's there when they are ready.

Claire sent me this preview of the engagement photos:

Last Full Day

 Today is our last full day here in beautiful Portland!  

The highlight today was taking class this morning with Andrew

and some of my new barre3 besties.

Today, after our training, we were so exhausted we skipped going out

to dinner downtown Portland and instead used DoorDash

and ordered Chipotle right to our hotel room. 

That was the best choice we've made all trip.

!News from home!

-The goats escaped to the neighbor's pasture

-Chickens are hiding their eggs (and NOT in the coop)

-Jane is still trying to sell her apartment 

Busy & Wonderful!

Most of the day was spent discussing retail and studio setup.

I loved today's training; it was interesting and fun.

These days are flying by, and my notebook

is full of notes and reminders.  

Claire and Nate are driving to Utah today to have their

engagement photos done by the incredible Justin Hackworth.

Justin has been our family photographer for years!

(Claire, by Justin Hackworth, 2012)

It would only be natural for him to be Claire's wedding photographer! 

She sent me a text of her fingernail colors, asking me to pick my favorite.

 She and Nate will also help Jane pack up her apartment

since she is MOVING HOME FOR THE SUMMER

Her plane will arrive a few hours after Christian and I fly in from Portland

and just in time for Easter!

Everything is so busy and wonderful all at the same time!

(Happy birthday, mom!)

Barre3 With The GOATS

Each morning, before we dig into training work, we take a class from

one of the Barre3 GOATS in one of the 

five beautiful Portland studios 

 It's really been such a highlight for me.

After another long day of work, Christian and I joined the 

home office operations team for dinner.

Our brains are still in the Eastern time zone, so when 7:00 rolls

around, we start turning into Zombies

After, Christian and I found a dessert shop where we

got a treat, then went back to our hotel and went to bed.

And it was still light outside.