Snippets from this week

On Monday my good friend Kathleen Erdman

came to our home and put updated pictures in

our frames! Thank you Kathleen!

Next time I won't wait 8 months before I update them!!

This is our blue jay "whirly bird"

a gift from Bill and Pam Warren


The next few pics are examples of Ken's "green Thumb"

This beautiful bush is in front of Joel's

window....but neither of us knows what it's called?

Front walkway poseys

Butterfly bushes and misc.others

Butterflies on the butterfly bush

More butterflies on the butterfly bush

Front lawn

Wednesday

I went to the Brittons....with Nancy Lanning (thanks Nancy for driving me!)

Mark showed Nancy and I how to use their music software to compose a viola part for Elizabeth Britton to accompany us for special music in a couple of weeks. What fun Nancy and I had!!! Now I'm ready to open a studio!!! right!

Anyway....just before we left Diane had Diondre bring out "Goldie" who was born and raised at our farm! What fun to see her again!

Speaking of special music......this coming Sunday 9/14, Ken and I, Jason and Emily will be singing in a quartet (4 people) for special music. If you aren't

busy Sunday morning and would like to join us....

we'd love to see you!!! 11:00 a.m

Nancy, Goldie, Diondre

Labor Day at the Nichols

On Labor Day we went to Ken's brother's house in Mesick and had
a very nice day....with very good food.....and very good company!
Here are some pics from the day!

All of Ken's siblings were there....

and my Dad and Mom drove over from Onekama to join us.

We figured if we ever "all" got together and added our own kids

and grand kids there would be slightly over 50 people!!!!

The "5" Nichols

Ken with his brothers and sisters

Dick, Tom, Ken, Pat, Jeanne

Carol, Pat, Emily, Jeanne, Judy, Deb

Sister-in- law Deb with her grand daughters

Jeanne with son Travis Housler

Our niece Emily and me
Joel, Dave, and my Dad

Joel and his "big catch" of the day!!

Joel, Tyler, and Uncle Dick.......fishin' in the pond

Randy and Emily and their girls Tyler and Grace

Tom and Ken (sorry about the shadows)

Updates from the Home front

Updates from the Home front

1. Now that we have the in home uvb light unit I am able take treatments three times/week.

2. My occupational therapy at mercy Rehab has ended. I was there for 7 months...and unless you can prove measurable improvement....insurance will deny continued coverage. My experience there was wonderful!! My therapists were outstanding....and I made some lasting friendships with Ilia, Shari, and Yvonne.

3. We went to U of M Brighton Health Center last Wednesday for an appointment with my Scleroderma Doctor. She said I "looked good"! I said that's because I'm wearing a pink shirt and I put makeup on!!! We chuckled! anyway....once again, I am no better, no worse....I am remaining "stable". that still is very good news for us! PTL

The important thing is that the disease still has not infiltrated any internal part of me.

I will continue on the same course of treatment.....and pray God's healing touch upon my body....and peace of mind in my heart and soul.

4. We have received many encouraging emails in the past few days.....thank you so much for your love and faithfulness in praying. I had visits from Jenna and Tonya, and a visit from Sarah Lamphere just before she headed off to college. I also spent some time at school, met with Corie, saw many old friends....and am beginning to cope with my emotions much better as I face not going back to work.

5. God blessed us immensely through a $ gift from some very dear friends of ours. We continue to marvel at how God supplies our needs on a daily basis.....when we least expect it...He uses others to encourage us...and stand by us through this trial. We are deeply grateful.

6. We were able to spend time with Ken's boss David....who came to our home for dinner last Tuesday. We had a wonderful time, Emily and the kids joined us (Jason was out of town)....and Annabelle warmed right up to David!! He said it reminded him of when his daughters were little!! David has quite the southern accent to his voice...which really intrigued Joel! Ken fixed his "ribs" recipe....and we had a brownie sundae for dessert! Yum!! after supper we showed David around the property and took a 4 X 4 ride out back. What a great visit we had! Thank you once again David for all you do....and for how understanding you have been of my health situation.

7. On Friday I got to babysit grand kids!!!! Not just Isaac and Seth....but Annabelle too! I think this is the first time I've taken all three of Jason and Emily's kids It was pretty uneventful because Seth and Annie napped most of the time....but I did want to share one exciting moment! My hesitation in watching Annabelle has always been the issue of "diapers"

Given the condition of my hands...I was uncertain whether or not I could even handle a diaper. Well......my opportunity arrived! and not just any diaper......a poopy diaper!

I thought..."Oh no!! How am I going to do this?" Thankfully Annabelle was the most patient little toddler in the world! What would normally take her Mommy just moments to do...took this Grandma almost 7 minutes! Emily would usually use a couple of diaper wipes.....I used 6!

Annabelle just laid there, motionless and grinning!!! Probably trying to figure out what was taking me sooooo long! After successfully getting her cleaned and the new diaper on...I realized that I could not "snap" the outfit....so I had to call upon "Uncle Joel" who quickly completed the task. So....Friday was for me a new adventure....and a sense of accomplishment! This was actually a "poopy diaper" that meant something to me!!!!

Praying you all will have a relaxing and safe long weekend. and that the time you spend with family and friends will be sweet and memorable!

Seth, Isaac, and Annabelle

Annabelle and her "Baby doll"

Isaac and the Wii board......what I would give to have this much energy!

Arghhhh....It was "One of those days"

Yesterday was a day I'd soon like to forget! From the time I got up until the time I went to bed I was filled with emotional ups and downs and plenty of tears. It was like a sprinkler was turned on in my eyes and they went "k-ching k-ching k-ching" all day long! Well....trying to pinpoint my source of emotional distress.....it soon became evident to me that at the heart of my "

feeling bad" was the back to school routine called "first day for teachers".....which is Tuesday Aug.26th. I realized that this would be the first time in 31 years that I did not return to my "normal fall routine"....that I did not make the "opening meeting" that I would not be a part of "how was you summer"????

I knew weeks ago that this day would come....but I didn't realize how much I would be moved by it! All sorts of doubts crossed my mind during the day...."Is this the end of my career?", am I a "has been?".......have I arrived at "the ole gray mare she ain't what she used to be?".....then as if the voice of God stopped me in my tracks of woe....In my heart I knew I had a purpose in life despite my inability to return to work.....my disability due to scleroderma......He has a plan for my life that could perhaps be the most exciting time of my life!! So many blessing flooded my way...........I had a visit from two former students.....girls who sang in my choirs.....I had a phone call from a good friend...I was able to see Jason, Emily and kids.....I got an encouraging email from a friend....I talked to Heidi and Andrew on the phone.....Ken made me laugh.....I talked to my Mom and Dad....Joel is excited to go back to school (as am I for him!!!!)....I was encouraged by two more good friends.....and Ken clipped my nails!! Then the blessings rolled on and on....my tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy.......and the spicket of tears finally turned off as my head lay down on my pillow! Once again....very grateful for my husband, family, and friends, and for the opportunity to serve an awesome God who cares about me and my future........and in that joy and comfort...I surrender my days to Him....yesterday....today...and forever!!

Flowers from my neighbor Jane's garden

Dog Days of Summer

Ken decided to water the dry grass in front of the house.....well our male Golden Retriever "Cash" got in on the action by enjoying a little "shower"!!! He laid there quite a while simply taking it all in!! I couldn't resist getting a little clip of this serenity!!