Cha-Cha-Cha Changes!

There are a lot of changes going on over here at the Nielsen home. I feel like I haven't blogged about our family forever and need to do some catching up.
First off....Lorens job is moving to Southern California. That is one HUGE change! We are praying about making the right decision but are feeling like we might be going. Luckily we wont be going until after the first of the year.... so Ive got time to slowly adjust to the thought of this change. We were planning a trip to Disneyland in October anyways and are now going to go look at the area and see what we think while we are there. We are going with some good friends and are going to have a blast!

The second change is...I chopped my hair. This was a long awaited, must needed change. My hair was getting long enough to start hanging out with the hippies... so its gone. I feel ten pounds lighter and realize now that its short, that I was looking like Hagatha putting it in a ponytail most of the time. Now that's its short...I am forced to style it...and that's a good thing!

Rowan is sure changing into a big boy. He has started preschool and is loving it. He also plays soccer with the neighborhood crowd on Wednesdays. He is suddenly obsessed with guns and whenever we go somewhere he wants to know if they will have a gun to play with. He has a big boy bike and I just smile watching him ride around.

Lia is changing as well and is jabbering a lot all though she often doesn't speak my language. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what she wants. She just got a bike like Rowie...a trike...and its a good thing I bought one that has handles like a stroller and I can push and steer her.... otherwise my back would be in worse shape. She copies everything Rowie says and is completely crazy about him. She cries when I drop him off at school:( We have also learned on a recent camping trip that she loves to Hike. I have learned to not pick her up and carry her......she gets pretty mad!

Loren really isn't changing because he is training for Marathon number THREE and that is his life. Running, running and more running. He is hoping that third time is a charm and that he can qualify for the Boston. If so....we are going back east so he can run this April. He is running with his sister Jen and I am so excited for her as well! She couldn't run the Salt Lake with me due to an injury right before the race.... so this is her time to shine! I will be there to cheer her on at every stop I can. That is what she did for me and she was an incredible support!


As for me...every day life has been hard. I have been dealing with a torn disc. I have two bulging discs that I have dealt with before, but this torn disc is a whole other ball game. Usually I am out for a week with a bulging disc, but this time it has been about six weeks. I miss running, spinning and weight lifting. You all know that exercise is my THING and its been hard not doing it! I got two steroid epidural shots today and will know if they worked in a few days. I do have to say however, that I am grateful for blessings and know that my life may not always be easy. I know that I may struggle for the rest of my life with my back, but the Lord will help me through these trying times. I have to always remember that things could be worse and I am grateful that they are not. I am also learning that I need to put just as much time into building my self spiritually as I do my physical self. They are both important and I know I need to work on my spiritual side just as much. I love life lessons don't you?

There will be some changes around the house as well. On Saturday, my good friend Ian from England will be coming to stay with us for a while. I met him years ago and haven't seen him for 9 years. He was a roommate of Jared's at BYU. I will never forget the first time I met him. He was dancing in his boxers (they had British flag on them).... around in the living room. I just about died and have loved his infectious laugh and fun personality since. I cant wait to have some of that around THIS house. This picture is called Ian in Yellowstone.

I hope all of you are doing well and hope that now you know a little more about whats going on in our lives. Blogging is a great way for me to keep in touch with everyone and I need to be better at doing it more often!

Here's to changes!