20!

 

Happy 20th Birthday Tim!! Timma!!  

What an amazing journey to watch our Streamers grow to be 28252220.  All of the babies are in their twenties! God be praised for ALL of the memories we have together!

Oh What Fun!

 

Merry Christmas From The Streams

 

Thanksgiving 2025

I miss my Grandma Nora Lorraine Carlson.  She told me I was beautiful. She told me I was special. She told me that she loved me.  Every Thanksgiving I get up early and spread butter and sugar on the 2 packages of lefse that we buy.  Right before we eat I open a can of jellied cranberries and slice up the can shaped cranberries. I put them into a dish that is just like the one my Grandma Nora had. I play George Winston and let the tears fall in gratitude for a grandma that I will see again in heaven.  I will grieve with hope. I love you grandma and I miss you.

A Day in the Life

Me to my wife Carla: "I am going to go for a walk."

Her: "Ok! I am going to finish writing my New Years resolutions for you."

Me: dumbfounded look

Her: "What!!? It's a joke!"

Her: "But I do have some for you."

Mmmmmm

There are currently 3 fall candles going in our kitchen this morning. I asked my wife "We've got all these candles burning in the same space this morning on purpose?" She replied, "Yes, I am letting them fight it out."

"SENIOR" PICTURES

 

Why do I do these?  To make my husband Patrick laugh of course.  I HAVE THE BEST TIME HEARING HIS JOY at my total goofiness. 

60!!!

 

Happy 60th Birthday to me!! Grateful to God for 60 years and one year closer to going home!  Thank you Lord for all of my friends that have become family! I am soooooo blessed.

Faith

 

30 years ago we started attending Faith Community Church.  Patrick and I grew up here. Spiritually. We surrendered to Christ.  He has helped us raise our children and changed our legacy. Grace upon Grace upon Grace.  We are grateful to God for His loving care through our FCC Family.

The Thought I Think

 The first thought I have when I walk into Walmart is, 

"I have got to get outta here."

Empty Nest

Eldest son Josh left for his ministry opportunity with Casas por Christo!! (Homes for Christ) He made his way to El Paso, TX to build the video production crew as they watch servants from all over the world donate their time and talents to build homes for those that are homeless in Mexico.  Thank you Lord for this opportunity!  

80'S Babes

 

45th Friendaversary!!

 

Carla Nelson met Shelly Hieb on August 27th, 1980.  The first day of 9th grade at Hughes Junior High. We were babies at 14 years old!! 

 

Shelly and I celebrated our 45th Friendaversary on August 27th, 2025!!  I flew out to Utah to spend several amazing days with my BFF!! Oh my goodness we DIED OF FUN AS WE ALWAYS DO!! Laughing, talking, reading old calendars, looking through old photo albums, walking down memory lane. 

BEST TIME EVVVERRRRRRRRRR!!    

LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER SHELLY! 💖💖

35th Year at the MN State Fair!!

 

We missed you Sarah Bearah!!

I Miss You Stuart!!

 

I can't believe it has been 20 years since you passed away!!  I am grateful that I got to know you and love you as you have been such a blessing in my life.  Showing me what a loving husband and father looks like and walking me down the aisle to my Patrick.  I pray that you are in heaven. I would love to catch up with you there!

Happy Birthday!

 

Happy 25th Birthday to you Sarah Bearah!! You are such a joy and a blessing and always our party girl!!  I am grateful to God to be your mom and watch you grow to be a Godly woman!! 

I love you SAS!!

31st Anniversary!

God has truly restored what was broken and filled these years with more joy than I ever thought possible. Each one better than the last.

Carla, you are a fierce woman. You chase justice and truth with fire in your bones, and yet you give your heart so freely to those in your care. I’ve seen you grow in strength, wisdom, tenderness, and courage. But what I love most is your daily walk of grace with Jesus. It marks everything you do.

It’s been the privilege of my life to be your husband. Thank you.

I look ahead with great anticipation for what this next year will hold.

Here’s to 31 years of marriage!

Yes You Did

My wife Carla asked me what I did today.  I told her I went to Menards 3 times in 4 hours.  She said, "Oh so you spent your time Menarding.  You Menarded all day."

Prophetic

Josh and I sat on the porch last night. We got to talking about the food I used to make.  Cinnamon Streams, tortellini, tacos, spaghetti, grilled cheese and soup, corndogs.  The easy peasy foods.  Josh wanted to read some stories from this blog.  Ohmystars! We laughed until we cried.  Especially over this one.  

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Nack

Nathan "I hab a nack? I hab a nack? I hab a nack? I hab a nack?"

Mom "Nathan if you say the word snack again you are going to your room for a timeout."

Nathan "I hab one? I hab one? I hab one? I hab one?"

And this one.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Typical

Nathan "Can I have a snack?"

Mom "Nathan, we just ate lunch."

Nathan "Yay, time for lunch!"

Mom "No, we just ATE lunch."

Nathan "Oh. Can I have a snack?"

There were so many comments over the years that said," one day you will talk about these days and you will laugh and laugh."  Indeed. 

She Did It!

 

Our daughter Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science today!

What a journey it’s been:

Military basic training right after high school

Two years at the University of MN–Duluth

A 9-month deployment to Kuwait

Returned to Duluth, then endured a serious car accident

Took a semester off to heal

Transferred to UW–River Falls and finished strong!!

Well done Sarah!!

Now heading to grad school at UW–Eau Claire!