Here we are at the very beginning.....298 miles into it....a total trip of 2,398 miles!! We did it!!
O.K., several of you have inquired - very politely I might add, as to when I was going to do another post.....well here it is!
We've had a very busy summer and fall learning about The Nielsen family. We drove to Utah AND BACK (80 hours round-trip with all 7 of us in the car!) Dallin thought it was great, but woudn't mind shortening the driving some. Brent, Ryan, Elizabeth, Mary, and I assume Jacob, do not want to do it again - ever! Perhaps I was a little ambitous in planning such an excursion for our little band, but in years to come (it might be a decade or more) we'll all look back on this trip with fond memories. We had such a great time with cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course grandparents....the hardest part was getting in the car to start the drive home to NJ knowing that it would be a while before we saw our families again and of course the 40 hours of car time ahead. I think we gained a greater appreciation for the beautiful state we live in and all that there is to do here. Our drive through the mid-western area of the country was filled with corn fields, soybean fields, corn fields, corn fields, cows and oh, yes....corn fields. We got in on the "World's Largest" outdoor Rodeo in Wyoming and felt it necessary to outfit everyone with authentic cowboy/girl hats! We spent some time "behind the scenes" of the rodeo and got up close and personal with some of the bulls, calves and horses that were part of the events. We followed that up with a trip to the Days of '47 Rodeo in Utah and watched as cowboy after cowboy got bucked of horses, and bulls. I think it's safe to say that none of our children have aspirations to be a cowboy or cowgirl (we'll count our blessings!). We saw and did so much I won't bore you with all the details, but I must say there is nothing like family. The Lord really knew what he was doing when he sent us here to be part of families.
While in Utah we got to see our newest cousins on the Nielsen side of the family. Twins, Avery and Courtland Bills, born July 3rd and as cute as can be. I got to spend some time caring for them for a few mornings and that was a pure delight and treat! I will admit I'm quite sure I couldn't have handled twins and I'm glad that I was broken in as a mom one child at a time. (I'm sure my kids are too).
On a different note. We've also spent a great deal of the summer trying to figure out what has been going on with Ryan from a medical and educational standpoint. I counted up the other day how many tests and evaluations he went for over the course of the summer. In a 10 week period he underwent 12 tests and evaluations for medical or educational things. One thing I can definitely say looking back, is we are so blessed to be in NJ. This area is rich in resources for medical and educational assistance. I wouldn't wish anyone problems, but if you have any....this is the area to be in!! We're still trying to nail everything down, but we feel that we're making progress little by little with Ryan and hope one day we'll have the answers that we need to make his life as carefree as possible. I have to also say thank you to everyone that has kept us and Ryan in your prayers. There is real power that we feel from your prayers and well wishes. Again, we feel truly blessed to have such great friends that we have chosen or have chosen us as family here in NJ.
BTW - I think this should count for at least 1 or 2 months worth of postings, but if you don't hear from me for a while...feel free to gently nudge me for another exciting chapter of the NJNielsenNews.
