This is Eden sitting next to a HUGE waterfall up at Diamond Lake. It's only about 20 miles from our house. So, I thought this will be fun for a Family Saturday. We fished and caught 7 trout, bbq, and hiked. It was a really good day for Eden. He is such a sweety.

We have been having a lot of hard times with Eden lately. For those that don't know, Eden was diagnosed with Asberger's (Autism) in September 2010. It took me 2 long years to get him diagnosed and finally we had a path to follow for speech and physical therapy, as well as educational needs. It hasn't been an easy road.

Education needs have been hard to meet. His IQ tests were really high and did not qualify for S.E. (Special Education) but needed behavioral management. He couldn't get that because he doesn't qualify for S.E. And he wasn't receiving speech at all! And it is also mandated for every child with an autist spectrum diagnosis to have special education as well. So, this led to the decision to homeschool.

Eden was having a hard time adjusting to a classroom setting and behaving poorly. School officals were calling constantly and we have found a solution. He will be at home full time and I will be transporting him for speech therapy.

Joel and I have also decided to look into treatment options for Eden. Like I said earlier, he is having a really hard time with any activity; church, school, park, home, etc. We believe we need to get a another licensed professional in the picture and discuss medication. *No dirty faces* I am fully aware and don't believe in medication unless it is of absolute neccesity. We hvae come to that point and only want the best for Eden. He will be seeing the doctor tomorrow. Updates to come.



*Thought it would be fun to add this cute photo. Joel and Eden holding hands at Diamond Lake. They sure love each other.*


Love,
Staci

New School Year = More Growth

Hi Everyone! Well, today marks a day. In another two weeks school will begin. Joel and I have decided to homeschool this year. We researched (and researched some more) to find what kind of a curriculum we wanted to follow. We wanted to definitely to keep it christian based and be able to implement our gospel beliefs in daily learning. And, I have found the perfect format to do so. I can across a family that has done homeschooling for over 27 years!! Yes, that is amazing. Diane has taught all of her 9 children and now helps with her grandchildren.

The curriculum we decided to purchase is 1st grade level and looks like so much fun. We received it in the mail yesterday and I have yet to put it down! I'm just as interested as Eden is. He's even begun his math workbook already because he likes it so much!!

With schooling here at home, I will be able to implement a lot more responsibility that I want Eden to be learning. For example, today he was interviewed and hired for 3 jobs. He is now responsible for feeding our dog, cleaning up all dishes after breakfast and lunch (and sometimes dinner) and he will be in charge of making sure his morning cares are all done WITHOUT being asked (i.e. brush teeth, dressed, make bed). He will earn 1 penny for chores being accomplished and at the end of the month, Joel and I plan on having a FHE that discussed tithing and start him on that as well. And Eden feels so important having his jobs, he even called the neighbor boy over to tell him how much responsibility he has now and is earning a paycheck! LOVE IT!!!

But it hasn't been all work today. Eden and I were able to enjoy 2 hours in the pool today, moved the yard and weeded the garden. I would have to say we had a successful day! Can't wait for more to come.

Love,
Staci

The Nelson Family

Hi Everyone! Jeez, it has been forever since I have been on blogspot. I promise, I will be on more often to share our stories! Well, I guess I will start at the beginning.

Brittany & Joel

Joel and I met online (yes, online) and started talking when I first moved over to Idaho. We hit it of right away and were talking via email, usps and phone all the time. We were able to open up and talk about things that we hadn't shared with others and feel comfortable about it. We were excited to hear from each other! This lasted about 5 months before we actually met. I had went down to visit my Mom in Libby and drop Eden off for 2 weeks. On my way home to Idaho, I stopped and met him and the kids for the first time.

Elizabeth with our "grandma" Abbey. We saved her from a neglected home this year!

Just like it was ment to be, the time was amazing. Brittany, Howard, Emily and Elizabeth were so sweet and kind to make my time memorable. We went to lunch that day, shopping (I got a cute candle) and played wii all evening. I stayed over at my Dad's that night and then went back to Idaho the next day. We continued our communication while I was back to work and decided that I wanted to come back to Montana. Eden was also having a hard time in school and really missed the family in Montana. About a month later, I was back in Montana.

Emily (12), Joel, Brittany (15)-on bottom, Eden (6), Howard (13), Elizabeth (9)

Time really flew by from October to January and a lot happened. Joel and I were able to spend almost every weekend together until I moved to Saint Regis. We had the kids a lot and they really enjoyed being together. We had decided to be married January 29, 2011.




We had a small ceremony held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel in Superior, MT. Our Branch President, Mark Farris performed the marriage and we had our closest friends and family there. Although it was a civil marriage, we have full intentions of being sealed in early 2012. It was a really nice ceremony and followed up with a dinner at the church. We then went home for the night to celebrate as a "family".

Howard & Eden

So, we are going on 6 months now and really enjoying our time. We have lots of laughs and enjoy trying new things. We have our fair share of struggles, but through Heavenly Father we can accomplish anything! Joel and I still have a goal to be sealed in the temple. We are in the process of adopting Eden to Joel, so he will be included in our sealing as well. Eden is so excited too!!!

Emily, Brittany & Joel goofing off

We have been so blessed to have the Gospel in our lives. Joel is the 2nd Counselor in Elders Quorum and I am Enrichment Leader. I have a R.S. Meeting this Thursday. Eeeeek, talk about nerve wracking. But it should be lots of fun. I have put a lot of time and effort into this night. Please, keep me in your prayers for a great night of testimony and faith!

Kindergarten!!

My goodness, how the time has passed by. I can't believe it has already been three weeks since Kindergarten started for Eden!

He is attending full day Wednesday and Friday with every other Monday alternating between two classes.

He has loved every second of it! He is so excited to wake in the morning and ask "Is it a school day?" He will only let me get him dressed on those days in the morning because we leave so early (about 5:20am).

Emiley has been watching him while I work. Eden is completely in love with that idea as well. He loves the fact he gets to play with "Baby Elai" every day! They both really enjoy each other. It's nice to see Elai more frequently now too. That boy is just amazing!

Entrepreneur or just sheer genius?!

So, once again... We had a splendid Family Home Evening with the Sandpoint YSA. Thank you everyone for coming!! The Futrells were wonderful with their lesson on diligence and preparation for the Lord. I just love them! All of us were able to enjoy a night of pizza, chips and salsa and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. On a personal note, I was also able to really get to know a few more people I haven't had much time to visit with before and really look forward to the future. Anyways, as the night came to a close and mostly everyone left; Rick, Deanna, Katie and Taylor stayed behind. We had a great time just discussing life and huckleberry pizza. These moments are what makes memories and I think a bond might have been made a little stronger between a few of us.

I only have one picture for the night. (I forgot to break out the camera). And in my book this is both sheer genius and maybe a great entrepreneur skill that Deanna could carry on for life. Who knew long hair would come in so handy! She had now skilled the master of compensating hair loss for men!

And I just have to say, I love those two. Rick and Deanna are amazing people and I hope to have both of them in my lives for a very long time. They truly give me inspirate everyday, whether they know that or not. I love them!!!

Inspirational

Eden and I have really been enjoying the sunshine! It's great to be able to come home after a long day and either walk down to the school only a few blocks away or even better be able to stay home in the front yard with all the neighbor kids. I am always joking that I live in the projects because of all the kids that are around this area, but it's truly great. Eden has become such good buddies with the boys next door.



Tonight, I couldn't resist the temptation. All three boys (Eden, Jeffrey and Kevin) were outside playing with sidewalk chalk when it came time for dinner. I had already prepared dinner for Eden and my neighbor the same for her kids. They BEGGED us to let them eat together. So out on the front porch we all went. It just made me chuckle.

Our neighbors are from Thailand and eat there traditional foods most of the time. So out come the boys... white rice, poached egg and soy sauce on top. Eden, biscuit and gravy. All three throught they were in heaven! I wish I would have captured when they were sharing all of it too.

But it also made me realize, how great our country really is. How many other nations can stand together and share such different cultures and still get along, let alone live next door to each other?! We truly live in a wonderful country and need to realize the blessing we have, for ourselves and for others!

Enjoying another day!

He just keeps Growing!!!



We had FHE tonight. Usually we do Mondays but were really busy earlier this week. Tonight I let Eden take control. And he decided we were going to make "Our Family Rules". He was really excited and I wish I would have been smart enought to take a few photos. He was everywhere, showing all the great examples he can do around the house. So I thought I would share with you, "Our Family Rules".







It's so sweet when your child or children reach milestones. For us, even though small, it is huge in our eyes. Eden and I both have come a long ways in our journeys and will continue to do so with days to come. It's just amazing to see my child grow and learn each day with the Gospel.