Living With Scleroderma With a Smile

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Monday, April 7, 2008

(to watch the video, click on the gray arrow a couple of times and wait a moment....then enjoy!!)

HAPPY 27th BIRTHDAY TO EMILY!!!

Jason recorded this video for you this morning in honor of your special day! Annabelle was sleeping.....she can sing next year....along with baby #4.

Emily Rose

Emily when we met you, thirteen years ago,

you quickly won us over by the kindness that you showed.

You had a charm about you that soon caught Jason's eye,

and then within your heart you knew he would be "your guy"

So after many fun filled years of friendship and the sort

Through God's love and watchful eye the two of you would court!

Your hearts were sure without a doubt that marriage you would seek,

your wedding day had just arrived and Jason did not peek.

You walked the aisle slow and calm, with elegance and grace,

we watched our son, watch his bride, with love upon his face.

Now we've had the joy to share these past few years with you,

Laughter and giggles two boys and one girl, just to name a few.

so now before I end this poem and bring it to a close,

It's your day to celebrate, we love you "Emily Rose"

With love,

Ken and Judy

April 7th, 2008

Sunday, April 6, 2008

A Spring Weekend

Sunday afternoon a girl from Lansing (MSU) came
to look at Molly as a possible riding prospect.
Elizabeth Britton (to my right) came over after
church to groom Molly up and show her for me.
Elizabeth was a huge help to me since I cannot
show the horses myself to anyone. Once Molly and Goldie
are gone, we will be "horseless", but I am thankful for the
many years I have been able to ride!!
We had company on Saturday.....and some neat surprises!
These are pictures from the past that cousin Dave brought
to us. This was taken at our cousin Kathy's wedding...I think in 1979.
Andrea is probably a year or so old in this picture....she was nine months
old when Ken and I got married.
This is the reception line at our wedding...
The lady hugging Ken is my Aunt Zelda,and Uncle Frank
is to the right of her. This would be cousin Dave's parents.
Aunt Zelda is our dad's sister. The woman that you see facing the
camera, in the peach dress, is Ken's Mom Wanda. She went to heaven
in 1986.




This is our cousin Dave May, and his wife Tammy.
They had come to Cadillac for a motorcycle swap meet,
and stopped by on the way home to see us on Saturday.
We loved our visit.....and hope to come to Frankfort
soon to see them, and their new home.

Top half
Bottom half....jokingly because I asked Ken
to not get my funny looking legs in the picture!!!
So of course he did!!!






Welcome Baby Gideon Slocum!


A little family ancestry....as we introduce this
bundle of joy to those of you that read our blog!
This is Gideon Slocum, son of Steve and Amber Slocum,
born Dec. 20th,2007...just four days before our twin grand-daughters!!!!
Amber is the daughter of Gerry and Rita Dontje. And.....
Rita is Ken's first cousin. Ken's Mom Wanda, and Rita's Dad Howard,
are sister and brother. Gideon is Rita and Gerry's first grandchild....and they are beaming with excitement!!! We rejoice with Steve and Amber and their family as they welcomed little Gideon into the world. We will continue to pray for Gideon as he grows up and discovers this wonderful universe that God has created for us!
Congrats Steve and Amber, and Rita and Gerry!!!

Gideon
Personally I think Gideon resembles Uncle Benny!!



Love the hat!!!




Joe Cool shades!








Snug as a bug in the rug!!!







Thursday, April 3, 2008

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY TO OUR SON KURT!!!!

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY TO KURTIS DALE NICHOLS
This picture was taken a day before Kurt's birthday!
This picture was taken when Kurt was 2 years old......Same sweet smile!!!



Kurt was born on Easter Sunday April 3rd, 1983 at 12:20 a.m.
He weighed 7lbs. 12 and 1/4 oz.
He measured in at 21 inches.

This picture was taken shortly after birth.

Proud (and young) parents!

Ken, Kurt (one week old)
and brother Jason (almost 2)






Judy(27) Jason and Kurt


What a joy it is to look back at the beginning of the life of such a wonderful young man!
Kurt.......God has directed your life in a marvelous way....he has bestowed blessings upon you that most people just dream of;
We wish you the best today...and in the years to come.
Treasure these days with Heidi and your children....the future years hold many exciting things for all of you....take each day as a gift from God...and seek His will as you grow in Him.
We love you......Dad and Mom










Heidi, Kurt, and me......25-25-52


Heidi and Rachelle(now 3 months old)


Aunt Emily and Kirsten


Brothers Jon and Andrew

Kurt's cousin Andrea holding Kirsten,
and my sister Linda, holding Rachelle
Andrea is due for their first baby on May 14th.
Seth, Emily, and Isaac


The girls!! Emily, Heidi, Judy, Andrea, Linda


Cousins
Great Aunt Linda holding Jon just before he fell asleep!

Kirsten......smiling away!

Heidi, Rachelle, Kirsten, and Linda



Uncle Kurt and niece Annabelle
We had a wonderful time in Grand Rapids....
and the weather even cooperated!!!! 48 degrees



Tuesday, April 1, 2008

A Message From the Heart

Just an update: I have just finished my 9th narrow band UVB light treatment at Traverse City and have 3 more to go. The desired end result hopefully will be skin softening...but only time will tell. If I am showing some progress, then the Dr. will order an "at home" unit. In addition I am still going to Mercy Rehab for hand therapy. My therapist is absolutely amazing!! Her name is Ilia and she is a wonderful Christian lady who has made a huge impact on my life.The desired result of this therapy is to stretch and limber up my ligaments and tendons to keep my hands from "stiffening". I continue to see several specialists who are helping me sort this out and keep on an effective tratment course.
I have been truly blessed my many friends that have driven me to my various appointments! These trips have given me a sweet time of fellowship, and an opportunity to reconnect with friends that sometimes I don't see often enough!
Thank you to Nancy Lanning, Debbie Glupker, Kathleen Erdman,Bob and Jan Ford, Dawn Trowbridge, Becky Trowbridge, sister-in-law Jeanne, and Steve and Sue Kuhn. Your friendships, and willingness to "get me there" has truly been appreciated by Ken and me.
Sometimes people will ask me "What keeps you going?"....well first it is my faith, and the "rock solid" love and support of my husband, my parents, and sister. Our sons and daughter-in-laws are a constant source of prayer support and love....and I thank them for that. When I am at my lowest times of the day....it is my family's faces I see....and those of our 7 adorable grandchildren. I am grateful to know that I can pick up the phone any time of the day and they are there for me....and take the time to "pick me up". I am touched by the many cards, e-mails, and phone calls that I have received from many of you. These communications are a real boost to me fighting this disease with strength and determination!
God is good......all the time! Even now, as I collect disability pay instead of my regular "teachers pay"....God has cleared the path for us to sell our horse trailer, a horse, and a saddle....all online! He truly is supplying all of our needs...and we have a peace in our hearts that passes all understanding!
".....Forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Phillipians 3: half of vs.13 and all of 14
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us" Hebrews 12:1
When Zoey put her head in Joel's garbage the other day,
she got the lid stuck one her head....and needed human help to
get it off. I can compare this to the verse above that says..
"...let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles"

Well, like the dog that got entangled in the garbage lid, we too can become tangled in the sin in our lives.....but praise God we have a Savior in Jesus who paid the ultimate sacrifice...and when we ask Him, to He removes the lids from off of our necks...and freely forgives us so that we can better serve Him!!