Wedding Laughs

I regretfully inform those of you who thought you may be getting an invite to our wedding....

My 6th period class has asked to attend (all 30 of them), and I said YES.

I just informed Josh that he must uninvite his family and friends, too, so you're not the only one who can't come.

They all cheered and clapped, and they are already picking out my wedding colors and menu!

(I'm only kidding, of course. No students will be attending my wedding, but it was fun to "plan" with them for a few moments. And then school stuff got in the way.)

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As I introduced myself to my 3rd hour class, I said, "Hi, welcome to English 11! My name is Ms. Nichols. I am excited to tell you that I will be getting married next June."

A kid raised his hand. "Yes, Jake?"

"Shouldn't we call you Mrs. Nichols? We should call you Mrs. instead of Ms., right?"

Bahahahaha.

These kids crack me up!

Grandma Van

My grandma is the cutest person you will ever meet. I hope you have the blessing and privilege to meet her someday if you have not already.

When she learned of my engagement, she had one very important question: "Did he ask your parents' permission before asking you?" I replied that he had taken them out to lunch and asked, and her reply was, "Well, then, I love him already." Josh followed the rules, so therefore she approves!

Also since learning of my engagement, she has started calling me about once a week to hear the latest plans. My grandma has always been great about keeping in touch. About once a month, I receive a letter in the mail from her, and also about once a month, she will call to chat. I always make it a point to write her a letter in reply because she LOVES getting mail and it's her only way of communication besides phone calls. Those monthly phone calls have now become weekly, and I cherish the time I get to speak to my grandmother.

Since she doesn't have access to the Internet, she hasn't been able to see any of my pictures, so she kindly asked me to draw a picture of my ring so she could see what it looked like. I printed a picture of it instead, and she proudly has the ring hanging on her bulletin board. I have no doubt she shows anyone who comes to visit.

I just sent her five pictures of a few wedding details, and I can only imagine her face when she checks her mail in the next day or two. She will be thrilled.

What has me chuckling the most is this: The last time I talked to grandma on the phone, she said she was going to send me a picture of a lady named Diana. I said, "Do you mean Princess Diana, grandma?"

"No, no. Her name is Diana and she lived in England. She died."

"Oh, then yes, you're speaking of Princess Diana. What is the picture of?"

"It's her in her beautiful wedding dress."

Sure enough, within a few days, grandma sent me a letter in which was enclosed a picture of Diana. She wrote, "Isn't it a beautiful dress?" She also wrote, "You don't have to purchase this dress, but I think it's the most beautiful dress ever made."

Here are a few other snippets from her sweet letter. Every ounce of it makes me giggle: 

"Dearest Shiloh, I was thrilled to talk to you the other night and hear how much you've accomplished. I was thrilled to hear who you might have as the minister (my brother-in-law, Jeff). I just hope it will be legal! I'm sure Jeff is a Christian and he will be so good. He sings real good, too!!! (Music notes drawn in the margin). "I'll be loving you always." They sang that at our wedding, two girls in harmony, and it was so perfect. I don't meant you should use it though. I'm just making conversation. ha. I like your location, too! You "done" good!...(She wrote that on Thursday, and then stopped for the night. She picked back up on Friday). This is Friday and I quit writing so I'm beginning again. Hi! And how are you? I am fine....Your Aunt Evie would tell you to get married in the morning coz then you can enjoy your whole wedding day and you wouldn't be so tired by night....Love you a million or trillion."

She also added, "If you can't read this, let me know and I'll write another one just like it." 

Isn't she the cutest, most adorable person you have ever met? My grandpa is also the greatest man you can ever meet, too. You should meet them.

MS 150-2013

I finished my sixth year of riding in the MS 150, and it was by far my easiest, best year! My hard training really paid off this year (I've ridden 680 miles so far to date), and I rode like I've never ridden before. I felt great, which just makes the entire weekend so much fun and worth the cause (there have been a few years when I was terribly out of shape and just wanted to give up). 

Thank you to some very generous donations, I hit my goal if raising over $1,000. Overall, Team Saddle Soar raised over $9,000, which is incredible. Here are a few pictures from that weekend. 

 Team Captains, Kari and me

 My little bro, kicking my butt all 150 miles!

 Team Saddle Soar 2013

Kari, Shiloh, Adam, Collin, Dean

Michelle, Sarah, Sonya

(from left to right, back row to front row)

 Our sweet team jersey we had made a few years ago.

 This is our team right before we started climbing Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins. It's the hardest part of the entire ride. 

 It was raining at the start of day two, but the rain quickly stopped. 

 Isn't he cute?

 My parents, who provide so much support throughout the weekend. I ride for my father, who was diagnosed with MS 8 years ago. 

 Six years of making it to the finish line!

 We all rode in together! It was so neat. 

 Shannon, interested in joining us next year? :)