Paper Mama Fav Summer Photo!

An easy favorite from the summer! I love how the waves randomly splashed up high as I was getting this photo of Addison. I'm going to miss summer.


Head to The Paper Mama for more summer favorites!!

Ocean City quick fav's

I have a lot to catch up on! Well really just her first birthday party :) We took a three night beach vacation this weekend and it was perfect. The weather was gorgeous. I didn't take as many photos as I had planned. I mean because really, who has time with a one year old in three short days? Plus I did want to actually enjoy time with her instead of staying behind the camera. It was such a nice getaway with just the three of us. I already can't wait to go back next year.

To my sweet one year old

Littles,

You are ONE today.

I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to me. The moment you were laid in my arms I swear my world forever changed. Everything clicked. THIS is what life it about.

You were a peanut. I couldn't believe my ears when they told me your weight. 5lb 7oz.

Tears streamed my eyes uncontrollably. A foreign feeling filled my heart. To love someone I just met so much, I couldn't even bare it.

September 14th 2011, just hours shy from my birthday, you my baby made me 'mommy' and it was the greatest gift of all.

my birthday

Days flickered by into weeks and then months. I sat amazed every time you learned something new.


I tried etching it in my memory so I would't forget. I took photos of everything... your little fingers, your smiles, your frowns, toes, and your nose... and of course those beautiful blue eyes.

The year wasn't always easy. We had our struggles. But, the overwhlemed new mommy tears just made me stronger, the sleepless nights were more than worth your morning smiles, and the learning curves just made me wiser.

You remind me daily of what really matters in life. Every night I soak you up. I love being able to hold you in my arms while you sleep. I thank God you are healthy, happy, and loved. 

You are spunky, always keeping me on my toes. You are already mischievous (I'm going to have my hands full!) You are so smart. And you are truly beautiful in every way.

I don't know where time goes, I don't know who took my tiny newborn, but I do know I am looking forward to this next year of your life...watching you grow, learn, and shine. 

I love you silly girl.
Happy 1st Birthday Addison Mae.

P.S.
Your Daddy loves you just as much, this was just a letter from Mommy :)

1 Chemo Down!

First, thank you ALL for your comments, thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. I truly believe the more, the better! She has just told all her family and friends on Facebook, and the support has been amazing. She needs all the positive notes of encouragement!! And I appreciate every single one of them as much as she does. It gives me chills to know that many people care and are right behind her helping her fight!

Her first chemo treatment was yesterday, September 6th. It was very painful because she had her port cath put in the day before. They gave her Benadryl and pain meds so she slept most of the nine hours she had to be in there. She had a few visitors from family and friends. 

Now it feels really real. I'm bracing myself for the effects from her treatment. Her friend cut a lot of her hair, you can see above, so it wouldn't be too much to lose. The next week or two will be tough. Please continue your prayers! Her friend is working on her Caring Bridge journal, I'll post that link when it's up! Thank you.

Together 
© Copyright by Linda Nielsen 

Cancer is such a scary word, no matter how it's spoken. 
Peace of mind taken for granted, can be crushed and forever broken. 
But together we could fight this! 

It's an enemy from within us, striking oh so randomly.
Tomorrow it could be you, for yesterday it was me. 
So together we should fight this! 

While science is advancing, my heroes still are dying.
Some treatments just aren't working, but still we'll keep on trying. 
And together we will fight this! 

Research is the magic word, it's what we want to see.
Nothing less than a cancer cure, would mean so much to me. 
For together we have fought this! 

It'll take support from everyone, to really see this through.
So peace of mind for all of us, can start off fresh and new. 
And together we will win! 

Linda Nielsen

new iPhone favorites

My mom has cancer.

I'm not sure when this will post...today is August 28th. I don't know if I'm quite ready yet to accept it. Many of you may have noticed my 'odd' instagram posts, some have messaged me about them- and I thank you for your concern. But it's not about me.

My mom, at the  young age of 49, was diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma on August 24th. The news has hit hard. It's not something you ever expect to happen. It feels like a nightmare and every night I fall asleep hoping I wake up and it's not true. But it is. It's more real when you're helping your mom pick out a wig that looks like her as much as possible, it's real when you think about the treatments she will have to endure, it's real when you realize nobody knows what will happen, it's real when you see true fear in your parents eyes that you have never seen before. They told her it would have only been less than a year without starting treatments that she would live. It's hard not to think of the 'what if's' as much as I don't want to. Mentally you have to prepare your mind for the worst but hope and pray for the best. Although the cancer is so far advanced in her, she has a lot going for her as well. She's young, otherwise healthy, and strong. There is a new medicine in the chemo treatments that's supposed to be outstanding- CHOP-R. (The "R" is the new medicine). She will undergo the most intense treatment. In six months from now, after 6 chemo treatments, they will check her again to see if it's worked (or working), and then proceed with more if need be. All I can do is think I wish it were February already and I'm receiving news that it's in remission. I want to be there. I don't want to see my mom sick, period. I want this all to just go away.

I'm trying my best to stay strong and positive. I truly believe she will beat this with flying colors, but it doesn't take away the pain and fear. She has so much support already. We are all working together to make sure she has everything she will want and need - one step at a time.

It's going to be a tough long road ahead. I can say that I've never leaned so much on prayer and positive thoughts as I do now. This is so far out of my hands, it's all I can do; Which, along with venting therapy for myself, is the reason I'm posting this. If you could, please please keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers as well. I deeply appreciate it. I will continue to post updates and vents during the process.

My parents with all their grand babies, August 2012

Myself, Mom, & Sisters