This Past Week's Events

I have no idea where my weeks are going.....but I can tell you they are going by fast!!!! Yet sometimes not fast enough as we wait for the snow to melt!!! I was trying to remember what I did this week:) Do you ever keep track of a week? It's complicated isn't it!!?

I know on Monday it was FREEZING out again with lots of snow lingering from last Sunday evening and I didn't go anywhere. On Tuesday I went with Joel to his dentist appointment......3 cavities filled......arghhh....but he was such a trooper and really entertains the dental staff at Dental health Professionals. Our Dentist is Dr. Giglio (jee-lee-oh) and he has a wonderful way with Joel...humorous..compassionate..and complimentary! Joel's next appointment is April Fool's day....so he is already scheming up a practical joke!

Wednesday was windy and blustery and cold again.....so I did not leave the comfort of our home! On Thursday.....I had Thursday's with Grandma with Isaac and Seth. I always look forward to this time with the boys and we experience all sorts of joys during the day! One of the highlights is our weekly game of "hide and seek". I know.....slow moving Grandma here....it's quite a humorous sight to see me scurry to hide! But oh the joy when they find me!!!!!! I always let out a big "AHHHH" when they find me...and the chase continues as we search for each other when we get our turn! Seth by far is the quickest counter.....when it's his turn to count...it goes like this......1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, 17,20....."here I come....ready or not!!" Then we go back and count again....much slower...using all 20 numbers!! You've gotta be quick when hiding on Seth!

Later in the day when Seth was napping and Isaac was having quiet time I had made a call to Nancy Lanning about an upcoming shower. Well, while we were talking I told her that Isaac was building a dump truck and was on step #21. She mentioned that maybe he will be an engineer like Grandpa Kenny or a builder. After I was off the phone I told Isaac what Nancy said....and he said "Oh no Grandma...I'm not going to be an engineer....I am going to be a missionary!" Can you call Nancy back and tell her that?? So I did.....smiling all the way!! Oh....a missionary...AND an artist!

On Thursday evening Emily picked me up and took me to a wedding shower for Hannah (Haven) Cruz. I had the blessing of bringing the devotional for the shower.....and am praising God for giving me the words to encourage Hannah in her new marriage!

Fiamm has cut back to four day work weeks in the months of Feb. and March, so Ken and I have been enjoying our Friday's together. Last week he baked Amish Friendship bread and delivered to people and this week he dropped me off at CHS for an hour to listen to the CHS Chorale who is going to District Choir Festival next week. We grabbed a quick Mickey D lunch and enjoyed a quiet afternoon.

Below is a picture of me, Cori Brown, and Ann Hunt. Cori is the Choir director at CHS and Ann is her accompanist. It was wonderful to hear the students sing! The musicianship is excellent and I was moved to tears as I listened to the beauty of the songs! Cori's style of teaching is soooo much like mine! She is organized, disciplined, precise, and the students show her great respect! Oh wait.....the big difference between us though is that she keeps her desk neat and tidy.....and mine was ALWAYS a mess:)

Thanks Cori for having me in to "share the moment"....I loved it!!!

Future Plans

I guess there's no better time than the present to share with you the news that I will not be returning to teaching next year and will be retiring.

Not of my own choosing mind you....but because my illness prevents me from doing my job. I wrestled with this decision over and over in the beginning....still holding out that one day I would improve to the point that I could teach five performing groups a day, handle all of the concerts, festivals, and produce great musicals. But God has other plans for me...and I have great peace in my heart regarding this decision.

After almost 31 years in the classroom...retirement seemed a long way off!

I always imagined the day I would decide to retire would be the day I felt I needed to "move on" for the sake of the program. I always pictured my "last concert" my "fond farewell to students"...you know, my "Mrs. Nichols Opus". But alas, it wasn't meant to be.....and again, all a special part of God's design in my life!

Now I have opportunities to reach out in different ways than I had time for before. My life is a much slower pace....but still my days are filled with family, joy, prayer, and good conversation.

We look at this as a new chapter in our lives and are excited to see the pages of the book unfold! Things have fallen into place already such as long term disability, I was awarded social security disability, and have submitted my application for retirement disability. Everything takes a lot of time....but so far, all doors have been opened and things are working out for a smooth transition into retirement. Not the way I planned....but the way God intended and knew way in advance!

Thank you all once again for your love and support as I have battled this disease called "scleroderma". Thank you to our family and friends for being there any time we needed you. We are grateful to each of you for your prayer support and your church's prayer support. We know my story has reached many people....and our desire is that we would continue to be an encouragement to others as we meet the daily challenges of my health.

Ahhh....love those grandchildren:)

Jason sent these pics to us last night of the kids. Emily had moved the table out of the dining room to clean the floor....and Isaac, Seth. and Annabelle loved the open area! Annabelle reminds me of a little ballerina!

There's nothing quite so warming

as the smile of a child!!!

Happy "7th" Anniversary to Jason and Emily

Today, March 2nd, 2009 Jason and Emily celebrate their seventh anniversary. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed....and I can't believe how their family has grown in the past seven years.

You two are a wonderful example to all of us through your faith, your commitment to one another, and the joy you share in raising your four beautiful children! You have twenty three more years to catch up to Dad and me.....but we trust God will bless this year and the years to come!

Congratulations....and we hope this day holds very special moments!
Love, Dad (Ken) Mom(Judy)

Visit to Kurt and Heidi's

We went to Jenison today to see Kurt, Heidi, Andrew, Jon, Kirsten and Rachelle. What a wonderful time we had.....and as always, it was too short. When we got there we gave the boys some"Bob the Builder" sheets for their new bunk beds. And of course....being the "would like to see it now" Grandma that I am....I asked Kurt and Heidi if they could put the sheets on while we were there. It was a team effort...and quite entertaining too!
here are some pics from the day! We hadn't seen everyone for a little over a month.....the kids change so fast! Rachelle was walking in January...and Kirsten can walk now too! However....she prefers to get round on her knees! It is very cute to watch:)

Getting ready to put the sheets on

Kirsten......the little ladder climber

Rachelle is playing peek a boo

Kurt is on the top bunk!!!

Jonny 2 years and about 4 months

Kirsten at 14 months

Rachelle at 14 months

Andrew is such a good big brother

he turned 4 years old in January

We had such a great time visiting today! We brought some donuts for a morning snack...and Heidi fixed cold cut sandwiches on pita bread for lunch. We had a blast playing with the kids and we had lots of laughs!!!

Grandpa and Grandma with Jon, Andrew

Rachelle and Kirsten

Grandma and Jonny

Grandpa and Andrew

Grandma and Rachelle

Watching the kids pin Grandpa down

Andrew, Kirsten, and Jonny

Rolling over Grandpa...

Notice they brought him a pillow for his head:)