Early Mother's Day

We had the joy of having our family all together last Saturday-Sunday.

Emily and I drove down to Jenison early Saturday morning for an "Uppercase Living" party that Heidi had. After the party we all drove back to Cadillac to our house and despite the cool rainy weather, had a wonderful time. It is so much fun to watch the cousins play together and it's always remarkable to me to see how well they all get along:)

On Sunday we all went to church together and filled a pew! We were also joined by Joel's friend, Mallory, from his school.

I am reminded once again how important every day in your life is....and to remember to thank God for each moment as a special gift from Him.

I want to live my life as a good example to our children and grand children. I want them to see the joy of Jesus in my heart and in my attitude. The memories they form of us will not be in what we have accomplished, but rather will be in the way we love them, nurture them, and how we value them as God's creation. I look forward to "growing old" with my family and friends. (I know...I'm already more than half way there:). I cherish each and every moment I have on this earth.....and will continue to use my days to glorify God and be used wherever he needs me!

Our couchful of grandchildren

The original 25 cents

Mom and the boys

Grandpa and Rachelle

Annabelle

Uncle Joel playing trains with Andrew and Jon

Aunt Heidi and an "armful of girls"

Annie and Madeline

Aunt Emily and Rachelle

Relaxing in the chair

Isaac, Andrew, Seth

The two first borns

The second borns....ah there's nothing

quite like being the middle child:)

Kirsten looking at the goldens Uncle Jason and Rachelle

Kurt and Heidi with the girls after church

Sitting pretty

Annabelle(2) Madeline(almost 6 months)

Rachelle and Kirsten (16 months)

Cousins Annabelle and Kirsten

Judy and Kurt

Rachelle and Kirsten

Counting our blessings!!!!

Bittersweet

Tuesday was one of my 'bittersweet" days. Have you ever witnessed a little child's behavior as they must stop something really fun they are doing....and be told to do something less desirable like "go to bed", "we have to leave now", "time to pick up". The reactions to those directions are sometimes pouting, whining, or worst case scenario....an all out fit!!!

Well....Tuesday I could put myself in that position....but without the kicking and screaming!!! As many of you know....I applied for retirement disability from the Michigan Office of Retirement Services. Good news....I have been approved and will officially retire this year with my termination date set for April 30th. Well yesterday I took my letter of termination in to Cadillac Public School's central office.....and that was my first bittersweet moment!
Handing over the piece of paper that would confirm I was completely done teaching was a "gulp" moment for me. My passion for teaching kids will never die and will never fade! It will always be a special part of who I am and what I had to offer our younger generation.

The second bittersweet moment came when I made my final decision to have my horse "Molly" go to live at new home. Some of you may remember last year when I actually had a buyer for her...and changed my mind the last minute....because I could not give up on horses just yet:)

After a long (almost 6 month) winter I concluded that Molly needs to be in a place where she is ridden and enjoyed.....and can be a "horse".
So yesterday my friends Doris and Willie Hanson, from Interlochen came and picked up Molly and took her to her new home. Doris is an avid rider and excellent trainer! She will get Molly back in shape and take her on the Michigan Shore to Shore ride this year. Doris and Willie own a colt that Molly had in 2006 and still have at their farm. So actually Molly will be with 'family".......whether she remembers it or not!

I was pretty good as they loaded her on the trailer and said our goodbyes.
As I watched them drive down the road......I held it together really well!
Then....after I stepped into the house....two seconds later...the tears flowed....but just for a few moments. During the 7 years I owned Molly two lifelong friendships were made! One with her previous owner, Ginger VanDam, who lives in Alabama and the second with Willie and Doris Hanson. Had it not been for Molly....these friendships would have never been developed. I am content and happy!!

So two chapters are closing in my life......school and horses! All of this was accompanied by some pouting and whining...and a little kicking and screaming (LOL). But I doubt the book doesn't end there! I'm sure up the road I will continue to have an influence on students....and maybe even a little pony may visit us some summer for the grandchildren:)

My deepest appreciation goes to Ken for taking care of Molly for these past two years.....for watering her, feeding her, plowing the snow out of her pasture, and for nuzzling her when I couldn't. I am blessed to have a husband who shared and supported my "horsey" habit!

Before I end this post I wanted to share a few updates and prayer requests:

Sue Kuhn is home from the hospital after her surgery to remove a brain tumor. She has just started chemotherapy and radiation. Please pray for Sue as she goes through these treatments and for Steve as he takes care of his wife. Pray for safety and strength as they make the trip to Traverse City five days a week for the next six weeks.

Jonathan Cooper (17 yrs, old) has been evaluated by a specialist at Cleveland Clinic for his auto immune disease 'sarcoid". Praise God they have not found the disease affecting any organs other than the kidneys. Please pray that the right treatment will be provided for him and that any "red tape" from the insurance company can be avoided!

Nita Kitson had a heart cath on Tuesday....I have not heard any results yet...but please pray that she returns to a measure of good health soon.

Kris Gibbs (our niece Elizabeth Nichols fiance) has many health concerns resulting from his second liver transplant last July 16th. Please pray for his continuing improvement and that God would grant him a miraculous recovery from the many trials he has endured. You can read about Kris here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/Krisgibbs

Thanks again for allowing me to share our life with you through this blog! To me it is my link to the outside world when I am unable to get out and mingle!! I would love to hear back from you too when you have things in your life that you'd like to share!!!

A new feature on our blog is the "follower" section. So if you'd like to join that group....please do! We are also on facebook....where I have enjoyed connecting with many former students, family, and friends.

We are looking forward to seeing Kurt, Heidi, Andrew, Jon, Kirsten and Rachelle this weekend so check back Sunday to see those pics!!!

Love to you all!!!!

A Chance To Honor Your Mother!!!

Check this out!!!! Wexford Jewelers (http://wexfordjewelers.com/ in Cadillac is offering a chance for anyone living in Northern Michigan to get a free~custom designed~ Mother's Ring!!!! Check out the details in the attached link!!! Deadline is May 1st! This is an exciting give away and I think it would be wonderful if one of our blog friends won this Beautiful ring!!! All you need to know is in the attached link below!

http://blog.wexfordjewelers.com/articles/2009/04/08/to-mom-with-love-for-free

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Ours was filled with a "little bit of this",

"a little bit of that"! The Easter service at our church

"Rollins Christian Fellowship" was beautiful! Pastor delivered a powerful message, the church was so packed they had to add extra rows of chairs, and the Rollins band played beautifully! Ken played tuba, pastor played french horn, we had flutes, woodwinds, guitars, pianos, and organ. I loved it!!!! I sang in the choir (alto) and we did an opening and an anthem. I used to play my trombone along with the band....but due to my scleroderma, I am unable to 'pucker up" to create a good enough embiture to play with:(

After church we went to J and Em's for a yummy dinner with them and Emily's Mom, Karen. Later when we came home we were so full and content that we just relaxed for a little bit!

Kurt and Heidi had Easter dinner with Ron and Carol after church in Grand Rapids. Heidi sent some darling pics that I have included along with our Easter pics! Enjoy....and I pray you all have a wonderful week....with no more snow!!!

Andrew, Jon, Rachelle and Kirsten

on Easter Sunday

Kirsten

Annabelle

Rachelle
Madeline

Ken, Jason, Seth, Isaac

Kurt and Kirsten

Notice the guys choices of shirts this year,

blues and greens!

Jonny

Seth and Isaac

Andrew and Kirsten

Uncle Joel with Seth and Isaac

Ron and Carol (Grandma and Grandpa Scott)

with grand kids on Easter

I Know My Redeemer Lives!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

The celebration of Easter to me is the celebration of new life in Christ!!!

Jesus........raised from the dead......His shed blood gave us life! A hope ever lasting.....life eternal....free to anyone who invites Him to come into their hearts....God forgives our sins......cleanses us and makes us whole!

Jesus died on the cross for your sins and mine.......he carried the burden upon his shoulders, died a cruel death, and three days later ROSE AGAIN!!!

Today we celebrate a RISEN Lord....death could not hold Him in the grave.....He broke the chains that bound Him......and through His death and resurrection...He offers a broken world hope and new life to anyone who calls upon His name!

Even though I face struggles, disappointments, and fears......I know I am free in Jesus Christ my Lord. I know that my life has purpose and and special plan designed by a Holy God.

Wherever you are today......remember what Easter is all about! Take time around your family tables to thank Him for His love, His mercy, His forgiveness. I praise God for my 53 years upon this earth.....and no matter what tomorrow holds.....I know that He holds Me in His hands....and that He will never leave me or forsake me!

I Know That My Redeemer Lives!!!

Emily's 28th Birthday

Happy 28th Birthday to our daughter-in-law Emily!!

We celebrated Emily's special day with a b-day dinner at our house fixed by Ken!! We had baked salmon, rice, peas, salad, and 2 types of pie! (blueberry which is Em's favorite...and cherry)

We had wonderful time together and want to wish Emily another year filled with special blessings! Thank you Emily for being such a precious daughter-in-law and for all the love and joy you bring to our family!

Enjoy the pics from her dinner.....sorry I'm not in the pics this time! I didn't have my hair fixed...and was still in my flannel pants and t-shirt:)

Birthday girl!!

Jason and Isaac

(Seth leaned over just when I took this pic)

Grandpa and Seth

Uncle Joel and Madeline

Annabelle thoroughly enjoying the

blueberry pie!!

Seth....getting Madeline to smile!

Isaac and his latest Lego project!

He just loves to put these together! this Lego Star Wars craft was for 6-12 year olds....Isaac follows the instructions all by himself...and once he has it completed..he takes it apart and rebuilds it over and over again:)

Now we are looking for star wars #7669 and are trying to find a good deal for it on e-bay!

Happy baby Madeline...smiling all the time!

Madeline on the play pad

Annabelle and Seth (picture was taken last Friday}

Ken's most recent batch of Amish friendship bread.

Heidi gave him a starter several weeks ago...and he has been making it every 10 days since then. Usually three batches at a time:)

The little desserts below were made by Emily and her sister Sarah! They are little individual cakes....and were really tasty!

Happy #26 Kurtis Dale Nichols

Reflections

A Sunday in April with gentle white snow
Away to the hospital, quickly we'd go!
There was born our second sweet boy
Filling our hearts with pride and joy!

Watching you grow through these many years
has filled our hearts with laughter and tears!
Laughing in times filled with adventure and fun
Tears when we saw you hold your first son!!

You have been blessed with sweet things in life
Four precious children and a beautiful wife.
What can we wish you on this special day?
God's peace and joy in every way!!!


Check out pictures from our visit to Jenison and an early celebration of Kurt's b-day here: http://kenandjudynichols.blogspot.com/2009/03/fun-filled-fast-weekend.html
We enjoyed a fun meal out at "Logan's Roadhouse"....I wish I would have gotten pics while we were there.....we had such a nice time:)

Here's some pics from Kurt's b-day last year: http://kenandjudynichols.blogspot.com/2008/04/happy-25th-birthday-to-our-son-kurt.html