Pumpkin 2008

Halloween would not be Halloween without my own pumpkin that I carved.

To all my Readers, I hope you have a Very Haunting Happy Halloween.

I'm off to go meet my Very own Darth Vader for a Halloween Party.

The Nie Love Story

…There I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
Doctrine & Covenants 84:88

A few weeks ago I came across a story that just stilled my heart. In this life, part of my testimony is based on all the beautiful things Heavenly Father has created for our eyes to see. There’s nothing like finding that special moment that leaves an imprint to your soul. If there’s anything that I would hope you remember about me, I hope that you remember my love for all of the lovely things in this life. Like my intensity for a good love story. This story is about a beautiful soul who’s blog that has touched thousands to keep returning and hearing what she had to say about the joys of motherhood, The romance and love for her husband and the essence that makes this world beautiful. Please take a moment to read this.

Their names are Christian & Stephanie Nielson. An LDS family based out of Arizona and since 2006 Stephanie has been blogging about her life. The Nie Nie Dialogs. Her blog has sparked so many readers to keep coming back each day to see what she had to say through her colorful eyes for the good things in life and her vintage style for color. In August she and he beloved Mr. Nielson as she refers to her husband on her blog were in a devastating plane crash . Her husband was left with about 35 % burns on his body while Stephanie sustained over 83 % burns. Since August she has been kept in a coma state induced by her doctors . She has gone through tremendous graft surgeries and just yesterday it was announced that the doctors are beginning to wake her up. Her Husband Christian has now been able to go home and see their children.

As I sit here typing I wonder what I want you the reader to take out of this message. For me I’m taking it as more then just a sad heart breaking story. Over the past few days I’ve been going back into Stephanie’s blog that her sister keeps open for anyone to read and getting to know who she is. And what I’ve found is this colorful soul who has a love story that I simply am envious of. The kind that means more then just your average notebook for the soul romance. Her love for colorful things. Bright colors and being your children’s best friends and reading them stories and letting them dance out in the rain. And then comes her beautiful sweet and funny racy love letters she wrote to her husband. Besides the fact that this is such terrible thing to happen, it’s still a life that’s still going for her. I cannot imagine what all the things that will de different for her. And my heart aches for those 4 small children all under the age of six who have been separated from there parents But most of all separated from their mother who was teaching their spirits to soar. I hope that if you find sometime that you will look through her blog and see for yourself this wonderful woman and all the things she would see in each day of their lives and find it meaningful. Her Love Story.

Right now her Family have made a website that you can go to get updates on their progress and a donation site to raise money for the medical costs. Her sister keeps her blog open and friends and family have taken some of their favorite post an reposted them on her blog to keep her blogging spirit alive. My. Personal favorites are the love Letters to Mr. Nielson. Each and every day I find fault with myself. I’m not perfect but I do dream. I hope. I love. I have faith. And most of all I pray for myself to remember to seek out the good things. The beautiful things. And now from the Nie Nie story, to seek out the colorful things. As I posted in previous post …Say what you need to say. Take a picture when you have nothing special to really take. Read a great book that will let your imagination fly. Sing a song while your on the elevator to lift your mood. Hold someone’s hand and look at them really close. But most of all love every chance you get and remember that the little things are the things that truly truly matter.

If you have some time, Please Read this Letter from the Nie Nie Archives--Labeled Letters to Mr. Nielson & Watch this touching video That is posted on the Recorvery Site

Dearest Mr. Nielson
A few things today encouraged me to write you a love letter today.Maybe it was that you have been gone- away on a fancy business trip and left me for a few days.I missed you very much my pet.****I had a really difficult time sleeping whilst you were away. I tossed and turned in our bed and then last night, unexpectedly Lenny Kravitz ‘It Ain't Over Till It's Over ‘song came into my head and wouldn’t go away. I pictured you in a white shirt with your skinny jeans on smooching me and boom,off to dreamland I went.****You came home today.It was fun letting Claire stay home from school for no good reason, sleeping in with you and eating breakfast together. Life is so sweet.Then you had to go to work.****0600 came and it was such a delightful feeling to hear your motorcycle come zooming down First place and to our domicile (where a very fatigued wife was anxiously waiting for you).Your presence was much welcomed. After hugging each child you came to me and said“What are the top three things you need right now”To which I relied:1. Dinner.(can't do it, no not tonight)2. Put on you’re good listing ears and turn up the volume, I’ve got a lot on my mind. (Sadness in the world, homesickness, Mitt Romney, my ideas about service and motherhood, projects, ideas, my Mac woes, missionary work and challenges I am feeling, and my yoga class I am teaching on Tuesday-to name a few)3. Hold Nicholas the rest of the evening(since 2:00 he has been a crying whirlwind.On the patience scale, I am about a 0%)****Then I asked you if I could have one more. And of course you said yes and then I requested something that I can’t type on a count that it is much toopersonal and of a rather delicate status.Sorry.Cheesy? Sure. Effective? Yes.****Now we have put the children to bed, each child a warm embrace, drink of water and prayers. The wind is blowing outside and we have the rest of the evening to do what we like and you have on yourcrisp white shirt and skinny jeans and baby,‘It aint over till it’s over’

Bonfire & Smores

I have another confession to make, it's a small one but no less I just have to say this before getting into this post. Here it is...I cant stand being in the YSA activities at church ---YSA, Young SINGLE Adults--{In other words...Hey lookie there lets see if we can find you a husband and bond} Ok maybe that was alittle harsh BUT no less I'm just not into going to the activities. I guess that would label me as a YSA party Pooper. Shame on me right? Oh well. So, very RARELY will I go to the monthly activities. So to uplift this post I'm sharing pictures from this past Saturday. It was INDEED a YSA activity. I did this with much hesitation because I would have much preferred doing anything but this BUT dear sweet Ariel was relentless in begging me to come. So this Saturday at our YSA reps Home--- who I DO like and have much respect for...We went to their BEAUTIFUL farm for a Bonfire. And I'll say it....I enjoyed myself. There! I hope every ones happy. Their farm is SOoOOOoooOOOooo Beautiful with the fall colors and the wind blowing that I couldn't help but start snapping away pictures. When the bonfire started the night was stunning. The stars are so clear that we all decided we could have slept out there...Okay well for me maybe stayed really late but I'm NOT a camper and that is another post all together...Moving on...We roasted hotdogs and smores and OooH Me & Kirstie majorly decided that everything taste better when it's roasted outside. Even though it was cold it was warm with girlfriend friendship, Star Gazing, laughter, gossip, and SMORES!!!! So of course I had a great time. So maybe theres hope yet but I'm not holding my breath...
Pictures, Take it away and enjoy :)


This photo makes me laugh! My head looks like a flaming Halo! And if you hit this photo to make it go bigger...Yes my dear friend Jenny's hair is Blue with sparkles from the Halloween party the night before. Jenny you were majorly ROCKIN the blue hair!

AwWww my lovely Friend Kirstie. Caption: "Let me just dip my head back here into the fire as I gaze at the stars." Your such a lovely girl Kirstie. I wish I could be as nice to everyone as you are.

SMORES! That's All that needs Said!

Bonus Picture for Leah: Leah Dear take a guess who this is??? And NOPE everyone this is NOT my boyfriend--------------> Far from it! Remember me mentioning awhile back ago that I have the WORST embarrassing story that would surly top anyone ...Well he's apart of it and someone I was really hoping to never EVER see again at least until the next life but NO such luck. Call me sometime and I'll share the story and I DARE you to try and top mine! Double Dare you! Any takers????

Halloween Costume & Ward Social

Halloween do you know how much I simply adore you? Well, I love you SoOOooOOoo much that back in 1985 right after Halloween night, I came into the world 5 days later just share you so close to my Birthday. I love the costumes, the music, the colors, and especially...My Ward Chili Cook off & Trunk or Treat. That night there's simply family unity that always brings magic to my soul. The full thrill & chills to the bones galore! So as I announced in previous post my costume was going to be a witch this year. I had so much fun laying in my bed at night thinking up my costume attire. For I was not going to be any old witch. I had to be one Tierra style meaning...SNAZZY.

As for my handsome nephew this year we had a little dilemma. He wanted to be Darth Vader, I wanted him to be a Vampire. I must admit with much heartache that I'm turning into my mother {AWWWWWWWWW!!!!} I would pick him up for school and plea with him to be a vampire {just like my mother one year wanted me to be a proper nursery rhymes character and I simply wanted to be Cinderella} BUT to NO avail Darth Vader it is {yuck!}
Then a little Halloween luck stepped in the way with a compromise--Our Ward Chili dinner & Trunk or Treat was this past Friday and his costume would not be in until today {I found this out last Tuesday} So that meant he would need a costume for Friday night { HaHa} So off I went to Wal-Mart and bought all materials for his and my costume. Remember me saying that my sewing machine broke...Well it broke while I was sewing his vampire cape late Thursday night {Bad Sewing Machine} That's when my phone call to Amber took place early Friday morning with a rush to her house to finish the project. OH I JUST CANT TELL YOU ENOUGH how PROUD I am of myself for pulling this cape off. I used NO -repeat- NOOO pattern on this and had very Little time to spare. Edward Cullen you might have brought sexy back in 1908 but step aside Edward because my little guy has been bringing sexy back all the days of his life. With out further adieu I give you my very own "Sexy Dazzling Vampire". {Oh and my costume too}

Tierra's Witch Attire ~ Halloween 2008

Angelus's Cape & Vampire Pictures

My cousins Adorable little Skeletons were so sweet. She's pregnant with her third and this time I'm REALLY hoping for a girl!

My Friends were PARTY POOPERS this Year! I'm the only one dressed up! You'll be so sorry ladies!

One of my favorite things about Halloween is making treat bags. Why be boring and simply hand a piece or two of candy? We all know that we go for the goody bags first! Unfortunately we had to have are Trunk or Treat inside this year because of rain. But, WE were a hit!

I signed up to make cupcakes this year for the cupcake walk. They turned out so spooky! I got to use my decoraters tips I received last Christmas! They were German Chocolate spider cupcakes with Chocolate Butter Cream icing! I was really hoping to have at least a few to take home because there were a lot of ladies to sign up but all were taken when it was over :(

Despite the rain, Party pooper girlfriends, and a VERY unexpected surprise in a visitor...It was a wonderful night. And It's still not over...Halloween is this Friday so hopefully I'll remember to get a picture of me dressed up plus pictures of Darth Vader. And Girlie's...I expect you to be dressing up or I'll resort to telling embarrassing tales from our Teenage years and I'll even post it on Facebook LOL

Song Obsession

What's Playing on Tierra's IPOD? This Song. I'm obsessed with it. You might recongnize her. She's Idina Menzel who play in the Broadway hit Wicked {which I'm aching to see}. The song is Called "I Stand".

Halloween Craft

This past Tuesday I headed over to my very good friend Amber Finches House for some Halloween fun with her kids and my nephew. First off, I ADORE her kids! Plus, Amber is such a good friend to me, she always answer her phone and if I in a panic like "Tierra's sewing machine deciding to quit at last minute" She lets me come over immediately to use hers for my rescue. Some of the things I love about Amber is 1. She's just 6 mins down the road from me. 2. She's honest and always listens to me chatter in a panic 3. She's an Amazing mother. THANK YOU Amber for being such an important friend.

I often babysit the kids for her so when I was planning a Halloween treat & craft for my nephew to do...I knew I should just share the craft with my other little loves. I found this really cute Idea from Good Ol' Martha for Halloween Bookmarks. Technically I think the kids just used them to play with or stick them on something {I have one stuck to a wall in my hallway lol} BUT the main thing was that they were cute and cheap! You just take Colored Popsicle sticks in Halloween Colors and decorate them with Foam Halloween Cut outs. I basically spent $3.00 for some Halloween entertainment! Really, Could you get off any cheaper then that???? Thank Youuuu MARTHA -wink!

PS. Amber I know your reading this...Can I come over to let you look at my sewing machine...It's Still BROKE! Bad sewing Machine...I thought we were friends :(

PSS. Oh and Amber I'm only really coming over so I can hold baby Levi some more {He's only 5 weeks old or 6??} LOL

100th {Dear Future Hubby}

This is my 100th post! And you know what…For days I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what I should blog about; it being my 100th is a very exciting step! So last night as I lay lying in my bed with some major decisions turning around and around, it finally dawned on me that I’m going to talk about YOU! That’s right…YOU! I hope you feel special. Aww lets see….Where to begin. My life right now is an interesting thing, Every time I log into my face book account someone new has turned up either engaged or married or announcing their first child. May I just say how ANNOYING this is! I mean come on…every single time I log on??? So, of course it just makes a girl start to wonder where does she stand amongst all this? You know where?? Going to TOO MANY bridal and baby showers that’s where. True, I do love weddings and therefore have loved going to different friends wedding receptions…I even save the announcements in my little collectors box but here lately As I approach my 23rd birthday I’m finally starting to get that itch. You know that itch where it’s ….OK AM I CHOP LIVER! Phew! I just had to let that out. I mean I still think 23 is pretty darn Young to be married but I’m just saying…If you’d like to start thinking about taking the big plunge ….I think I’m ready to negotiate. Here’s some things you might like to know.

On a first date I’m going to be VERY nervous. My hands sweat and it’s really embarrassing but true. So bring some Kleenex for the car ride. I’m going to need it. Two, I tend to chatter on the most pointless issues in my opinion but inside I’m dying for you to start asking good serious conversation starters So I can move on from talking about stupid chatter. Three, If your wearing really nice cologne but not to strong…Oh boy…I might need a moment to collect myself. Four, you how they say never do a dinner & a movie first…Well I LOVE repeat LOVE going to the movies and then out to dinner. But, please don’t try to hold my hand just yet… I would need to make a run to the bathroom and wash my hands because their probably still sweating. Sad but true.


Ok if we have made it to the point where were riding in a car and I’m not to embarrassed to sing along to the radio like I would If I was by myself…THIS IS A GOOD SIGN! It means I’m completely comfortable around you. Possibly my hands aren’t so sweaty. Even better sign. By then you would have realized my obsession for Twilight. That I tend to be late but that I always have good intentions. You probably have helped me find my glasses at least 200 times and maybe even promised to buy me a tracker device to put on them for Christmas. Something I’ll clue you in on is that my FAVORITE slow dance song is Missing You by Tyler Hilton.
So if everything in my mind is the green light go--- meaning my bishop, stake president, sisters in Relief Society, Close girlfriends -which range in the 30s-plus their husbands find NO fault with you…. You probably passed with flying colors with my aunt Carolyn. If you like golf, well that does it for Lee. And for my nephew…if you like video games then there was never a test to begin with. I’ll then finally throw you to my Aunt Charlotte. I make NO apologies to what ever comes out of her mouth. Just suck it up and get used to it
.
If You have passed all levels of family meetings--Girlfriends Summoning you up and down, Tierra’s hands not sweating…I think we Might be on to something….This has been such an endearing letter. May it find you Well & Handsome. Really though, Please take great care and umm…your future wife is getting a little bit tired over here in the corner. ~Tierra

Ring

Proposal

Marriage

Say.

Say what you need to Say…
I miss my mom.

I miss my mom saying my name
I miss my mom’s spaghetti
I miss my moms cup of hot chocolate. I’ll spend the rest of my life without ever having her cup.
I miss my moms hands. She had beautiful finger nails
I miss the sound of her foot steps
I miss getting ready to the sound of her voice in her room by the bath room
I miss my mom’s hugs
I miss my mom’s prayers
I miss my mom's love for her favorite soap operas
I miss pushing her in her will chair around the mall
I miss my mom pointing out different clothes for me to try on
I miss my mom asking me what perfume I was wearing
I miss my mom telling me she liked my shampoo
I miss my mom listening to new songs I would rock out to in the kitchen
I miss my mom running into things at Wal-Mart
I miss the smell of her hair
I miss her falling asleep while sitting up in bed

I miss passing her bedroom door and seeing her read the Book of Mormon
I miss sneaking into her room and scaring her to wake her up
I miss hearing her argue on the telephone
I miss the laughter in her voice when her best girl friends would call and I would see my mother become like me when I’m on the phone with my girlfriends
I miss my mothers faith in me
I miss my mother telling me to remember who you are
I miss my mom dancing with my cousins
I miss twirling in a new outfit for her on Sunday
I miss my mom in her room, Head phones on and rockin out to her music
I miss my mother saying good night
I miss the smooth touch of her cheeks
I miss kissing her goodnight
I miss me and my cousins all climbing into bed with her and watching a movie or talking about whose dating who
I miss my mom holding my hands
I miss not showing her any new favorite movies
I miss not being able to make her read Twilight
I miss not being able to talk her head off about Twilight
I miss brushing her hair
I miss driving with her in the car and her fussing over my driving or not locking the car doors
I miss seeing my mom sitting in her bed
I miss my mom watching TV
I miss my moms grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup
I miss my moms thrill for Halloween
I miss seeing my nephews eyes light up brighter then the stars when he saw her coming through the door
I miss hearing her argue with her brothers and sisters
I miss my moms eyes

I miss my Mom.
Say what you need to say….

Tagged Part 2

5 Interesting Facts. I think out of all the Tags I've done this one is a favorite. It really shows alot about me that you wouldn't know So let me take you into a little glimpse of me. Thanx Natalie for the Tag, Sorry it's taken me so long to get to it. Rules, pick 5 facts people wouldnt know. Let's Begin:

{Fact Number 1}
A Quote Book. Every since I can remember my Aunt Carolyn has had a love for the written word. For poetry and the essence of speaking in public. I can remember her reciting to me poetry that she had memorized when she was a young girl plus the stem of my mother reading at least 10 books a night-- I took it all in and since then words just hold a special place within me. There are so many billion ways you can use to form them. And from that I started collecting quotes. Some collect stamps...I collect quotes. So whenever I read something from a book or a line from a movie or poem, if it lights a "spark" to me then it goes in the quote book.

{Fact Number 2}
Basketball. I LOVE watching a basketball game. Though be for warned, I get loud! Every year the very day after Christmas our civic center puts on the Arbys classic high school basketball tournament. We have HS basketball teams come from ALL over. Germany.Bahamas. Rome. Plus all the groups around the area who register in the high ranking score. I get so excited and rush to buy the play book and see which teams are here and buy a pass for the week. I bet your thinking "Who would have thought?" There is a glory in watching players come together as a team and fight for the next shoot and turn boys into men. A passion for dribbling a ball. I played one year in school and NO I admit I'm not great. I'm short so what do you expect but I CAN shoot the ball from all sides and make it. Next time your at my house...Notice the basketball goal up?

{Fact Number 3}
A Weakness for Men playing the piano or guitar. Oh Hummm...What more to say? They just make me go a little weak at the knees or have an extremely goofy grin. I HEART any song done acoustic OR a guy who can play a long love balled on the piano. Literally any man who can do one or both already has some MAJOR high points.

{Fact Number 4}
Instrumentals & Opera. My taste in music is so LONNNGGG but alot of the times I find sitting in the living room when I have ALOT on my mind and just listening to the instrumentals from movie soundtracks. In a way they make me think better. Focus. When ever you watch a movie Have you ever listened to the music playing in the background? I do and some of my favorites comes from the new Pride & Prejudice movie. Titanic theme song done on the piano with no vocals. The movie Notebook arrangements. And then comes Opera. The only area my mother and me never agreed on but Nessun Dorma....PURE BLISS! I just think of all the wonderful beauties on this earth and I'm not just talking about the earth itself...the cultures, arts, all stimulated by higher meaning and in Opera...You feel it!

{Fact Number 5}
Matching Freak. Alright, this one I'm so OCD about it REALLY drives me insane but I cannot stand to not match. In everything! Let me repeat---EVERYTHING HAS TO MATCH! Clothes MUST MATCH! Right colors with the right color flow to the shoes etc... It will drive me crazy if it doesn't. When ever I working on redoing a room, I have to sit down and do a color board and figure out how everything is going to flow. With my purse, my wallet and makeup bag have to match the bag or inside color. Same goes for my luggage--has to match. Example: Look at the picture of my kitchen cabinets--Notice how there's not random dishes? Reason being if they don't match I cant function. This fact seems almost like a confession but so true. I don't just want my plates to be nice for people who come to dinner, I'm the one who sees them everyday and if there is a mixed matched one in the bunch it goes AWAY! And I mean this in EVERYTHING! What ever it is-- it has to match with what ever it goes with.

I tag Leah, Kristy, & Jenny S.