Brown Grass and Lemonade

Let's be honest here.  Anyone who knows Shawn or me knew that this blog was just bound to happen.  My mother used to write a newsletter to her family every month updating them on our family and when I started to realize that my Facebook Posts were starting to look more and more like her newsletter clips, I decided it was time to start keeping these memories in a better format.

A quick little intro to the Nielsen family for those of you who may not know us as well:

Shawn and I were both raised here in wonderful Cache Valley, Utah but never met each other until his roommate asked me out on a date.  We doubled with Shawn and after the good nights' and date drop offs' were over, Shawn apparently complimented Andrew on his date choice and asked if he could have my number.  A free sonic drink, off roading adventure in his truck, and about 6 months later we got married.  Shawn and I were both known as the quick, witty people in our families so life together has been HYSTERICAL!  Sometimes I don't even notice how hilarious my life is until I am retelling it to someone else.

Married life has its ups and downs, that's for sure.  And with Shawn going to school full time, and me starting up a small business, the Nielsen household is no different.  However, Shawn and I have decided that instead of moving from one side of green grass to the other, we've just decided to water the grass we have (no matter how brown it may appear compared to the neighbors) and make lots and lots of lemonade with those lemons that have been tossed our way on occasion!  How do we do it?  Lots and LOTS of humor!  Just the other day in the middle of one of my complete melt downs, Shawn squeezed my cheeks between his hands and looked into my eyes and said, "Alyssa, I have four little words for you and I just want you to remember them and repeat them over and over.  Ready?  Here they are; It's going to be ok..."  I paused in my sobbing for a minuet and looked at him and then smartly replied "That's five."   He rolled his eyes slightly and then held up a hand to begin counting them off for me in a "matter of fact" way.  "ITS. (one) GOING (two)..." Slight pause as he realized his wife was indeed correct... "TOBE. (three) OK! (four)"  I couldn't help but crack a smile and soon we were both laughing.

Now I'm not going to promise a weekly blogging.  I know if I do it will never happen.  However, I do hope to be able to record little moments like this as life goes along.  Who knows really how long it will last, but for now anyway, it really helps me keep perspective and constantly be watching for those little things that just make me stop and say "Yup!  My life is GREAT!"