My very good friend, Katie C., and I go back a long way. I first remember Katie from college, but Katie remembers me from high school youth group.
It wasn't until my senior year of college, however, that Katie and I became good friends. I graduated a year later and moved to Denver, but our friendship was sealed and no distance could break our bond. I visited Kearney regularly to see my girls (Katie, April, Irish, and McGee), and they would come visit me in Denver once a year.
I was thrilled when Katie decided to move to Denver six years ago. In fact, Katie and I lived together for about six months when she first came here before she got her own place, and then we also worked at Enterprise together.
It was in 2002 when Katie and I began our friendship, and I am so blessed to have her in my life 11 years later. She is a person I can talk to about anything. She knows me very well and still loves me!
So I was absolutely thrilled (ecstatic) when she called me a month after I was engaged to tell me SHE was engaged, too! I couldn't have been more happy for a friend and sweet Katie said, "I hope you don't feel like I'm stealing your thunder." Absolutely not! I am so, so excited to plan a wedding alongside Katie.
Katie and Steve are getting married a month after Josh and me. Katie is in my wedding. I am in Katie's wedding. Katie is getting married outside. I am getting married outside.
Those are about the only similarities, though, as Katie and I have very different visions for our weddings, which just makes it that much more special and exciting. Each wedding will be unique. Each wedding will be fun. Each wedding will have our own personal touch. Each wedding is to the man of our dreams.
Yesterday, Katie and I hung out for the afternoon. We got our toes done, we had dinner, and of course, we talked wedding talk. It was such a special moment for me, and I am so excited for my dear friends Katie and Steve, who make a great couple!
I can't wait to help plan two weddings at the same time, one for me, and one for one of my best friends!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Our Lodge
As many of you know, Colorado has flooded. The newscaster last week said the floods are of "Biblical proportions."
Now, I wasn't alive back in the day when Noah built the ark, so I can't exactly say what kind of flooding happened that caused Noah and his family to climb into a boat while it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
But what I can tell you is that it only rained for five days straight here in Colorado. And we didn't have to climb into a boat.
And while a few people did die during this flood, it didn't quite wipe out the entire population of Colorado.
So I'd venture to say this flood in Colorado wasn't quite of "Biblical proportions," but it DID flood, and several people DID die, and it DID cause quite a bit of damage in our beautiful state.
If you haven't heard the news, check it out. It's quite devastating.
The towns of Lyons, Estes Park, and Allenspark (among many other towns) were completely wiped out. Gone. Underwater. No more roads. No more houses. No more businesses. (So, so sad). They said it might take a year or more to rebuild the roads that connect these towns.
As some of you know, Josh and I are getting married in Allenspark next June. When the rains started, and as they broadcast the complete devastation of the area, I started to have a panic attack. The funny thing is, the panic didn't set in right away. For the first week, I was thinking, "Our lodge sits on top of a mountain. It is totally fine." Then one day last week, it hit me: every single road going to our lodge has probably been completely wiped out. And then the panic set in. I got sick to my stomach. I started to sweat.
I immediately emailed the lodge owners. While I didn't want to sound like I only cared about MY WEDDING, the truth was, I wouldn't be emailing them if it wasn't about MY WEDDING. I politely asked them if they had experienced any damage to their lodge. Their reply was quick and reassuring:
Hello Josh and Shiloh-
Yes, we are fine! Thanks for checking in on us!!
We have been extremely fortunate – no damage to report!!!
Our phone and internet are working and they have opened the road from Estes Park to the Peak to Peak (Hwy 72) to Hwy 119 south to I-70!
We are so blessed!!!!
Cory and Cat
Praise the Lord! Our lodge is fine. Josh and I will be married in June! Our beloved lodge that we have both fallen in love with has survived the flood. (The main highway to get there is currently closed, but hopefully they can get that fixed in the next 8 months).
Please continue to pray for our state, though, as many, many people have lost their homes and belongings.
Now, I wasn't alive back in the day when Noah built the ark, so I can't exactly say what kind of flooding happened that caused Noah and his family to climb into a boat while it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
But what I can tell you is that it only rained for five days straight here in Colorado. And we didn't have to climb into a boat.
And while a few people did die during this flood, it didn't quite wipe out the entire population of Colorado.
So I'd venture to say this flood in Colorado wasn't quite of "Biblical proportions," but it DID flood, and several people DID die, and it DID cause quite a bit of damage in our beautiful state.
If you haven't heard the news, check it out. It's quite devastating.
The towns of Lyons, Estes Park, and Allenspark (among many other towns) were completely wiped out. Gone. Underwater. No more roads. No more houses. No more businesses. (So, so sad). They said it might take a year or more to rebuild the roads that connect these towns.
As some of you know, Josh and I are getting married in Allenspark next June. When the rains started, and as they broadcast the complete devastation of the area, I started to have a panic attack. The funny thing is, the panic didn't set in right away. For the first week, I was thinking, "Our lodge sits on top of a mountain. It is totally fine." Then one day last week, it hit me: every single road going to our lodge has probably been completely wiped out. And then the panic set in. I got sick to my stomach. I started to sweat.
I immediately emailed the lodge owners. While I didn't want to sound like I only cared about MY WEDDING, the truth was, I wouldn't be emailing them if it wasn't about MY WEDDING. I politely asked them if they had experienced any damage to their lodge. Their reply was quick and reassuring:
Hello Josh and Shiloh-
Yes, we are fine! Thanks for checking in on us!!
We have been extremely fortunate – no damage to report!!!
Our phone and internet are working and they have opened the road from Estes Park to the Peak to Peak (Hwy 72) to Hwy 119 south to I-70!
We are so blessed!!!!
Cory and Cat
Praise the Lord! Our lodge is fine. Josh and I will be married in June! Our beloved lodge that we have both fallen in love with has survived the flood. (The main highway to get there is currently closed, but hopefully they can get that fixed in the next 8 months).
Please continue to pray for our state, though, as many, many people have lost their homes and belongings.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
How To Have a Happy Marriage
From my grandma:
You are in love now! Do you want to stay in love 10 or 100 years? Then today and forever----
1. Be as polite to each other as you are to your friends and others.
2. Tell each other "I love you" several times a day and before you go to sleep at night.
3. Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry" and "Forgive me" when necessary.
4. Don't ever, ever criticize each other. It hurts! Instead, compliment and build each other up. Very important!
5. Be tender and loving from morning til night.
6. Don't go into a mood. No one likes a moody person. If you have moods, GET OVER IT! It's childish and not very grown up.
7. Keep bodily functions private. There's nothing romantic about it.
8. Go to church regularly. Find a BIBLE believing church and go. Pray together. There's nothing sweeter than to acknowledge and love the Lord together. After all, He brought you two together and gave you life first. He will guide you through life and its storms and happy times. He always hears you when you pray. Pray sincerely and pray, "In the name of Jesus."
9. Read the Bible every day. It is truth and be Blessed. Remember, there's only one way to heaven and that's through Jesus. If you've asked Him to come into your heart and live for him, you will be there some day!
10. Read II Corinthians 13:4-8 now and then, what love should be. If you love that way, the Scripture says, "Love goes on forever." (verse 8).
Perhaps this is how my grandma and grandpa have remained in love for 70 years? I love her words and will hold them dear to my heart and marriage.
You are in love now! Do you want to stay in love 10 or 100 years? Then today and forever----
1. Be as polite to each other as you are to your friends and others.
2. Tell each other "I love you" several times a day and before you go to sleep at night.
3. Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry" and "Forgive me" when necessary.
4. Don't ever, ever criticize each other. It hurts! Instead, compliment and build each other up. Very important!
5. Be tender and loving from morning til night.
6. Don't go into a mood. No one likes a moody person. If you have moods, GET OVER IT! It's childish and not very grown up.
7. Keep bodily functions private. There's nothing romantic about it.
8. Go to church regularly. Find a BIBLE believing church and go. Pray together. There's nothing sweeter than to acknowledge and love the Lord together. After all, He brought you two together and gave you life first. He will guide you through life and its storms and happy times. He always hears you when you pray. Pray sincerely and pray, "In the name of Jesus."
9. Read the Bible every day. It is truth and be Blessed. Remember, there's only one way to heaven and that's through Jesus. If you've asked Him to come into your heart and live for him, you will be there some day!
10. Read II Corinthians 13:4-8 now and then, what love should be. If you love that way, the Scripture says, "Love goes on forever." (verse 8).
Perhaps this is how my grandma and grandpa have remained in love for 70 years? I love her words and will hold them dear to my heart and marriage.
Friday, September 20, 2013
More Stories
I have a student with autism. She is high-functioning, meaning she does quite well in a normal classroom setting, and academically, she can do the school work just like all her peers. What she struggles with, however, is social interactions. She doesn't communicate like her peers, and she has very few friends because her peers think she's weird.
One of the ways she is "weird" is she speaks her mind. If she's thinking something that she deems important to share, she will say it, even if I'm mid-sentence teaching. She always raises her hand, though, and when her hand shoots up, I always fear what she may have to say.
The other day, I mispoke. I don't remember quite what I said, but I think I was reading something and I skipped a word. She immediately raised her hand. "You forgot a word. Read it again." I read it again and made sure to include the word.
A few days ago after school, she was sitting by the front doors and it was obvious she was waiting for a ride. I was walking out, so I said, "Hey Kacie, are you waiting for a ride?" She replied her mom was on her way, so I told her to have a good night. I left for about 30 minutes to have dinner and then came back (to work a volleyball game). Kacie was still sitting there, so I said, "Kacie, you're still here? Is your mom still coming?" To which she replied, "She's coming, alright. Geesh. Stop asking me about my ride."
I could only chuckle as I walked away. Note to self, don't ask her the same question twice!
This week, we were talking about the floods to the North of Denver. I said, "The big concern now is the flood water is filled with...(I wasn't quite sure how to say it, so I said chose the first word that came to my mind)....poop. They are recommending that people not walk through the water because it's filled with sewage and is highly contaminated."
I sat down to take attendance, and within seconds, Kacie was standing in front of my desk. With a very serious look and a very direct tone she said, "I don't appreciate you talking about that word (she meant poop). It is very vulgar, and you really should be careful what you talk about. Some of us ate breakfast this morning, and now I feel like throwing up!"
It took everything in my power not to burst out laughing.
One of the ways she is "weird" is she speaks her mind. If she's thinking something that she deems important to share, she will say it, even if I'm mid-sentence teaching. She always raises her hand, though, and when her hand shoots up, I always fear what she may have to say.
The other day, I mispoke. I don't remember quite what I said, but I think I was reading something and I skipped a word. She immediately raised her hand. "You forgot a word. Read it again." I read it again and made sure to include the word.
A few days ago after school, she was sitting by the front doors and it was obvious she was waiting for a ride. I was walking out, so I said, "Hey Kacie, are you waiting for a ride?" She replied her mom was on her way, so I told her to have a good night. I left for about 30 minutes to have dinner and then came back (to work a volleyball game). Kacie was still sitting there, so I said, "Kacie, you're still here? Is your mom still coming?" To which she replied, "She's coming, alright. Geesh. Stop asking me about my ride."
I could only chuckle as I walked away. Note to self, don't ask her the same question twice!
This week, we were talking about the floods to the North of Denver. I said, "The big concern now is the flood water is filled with...(I wasn't quite sure how to say it, so I said chose the first word that came to my mind)....poop. They are recommending that people not walk through the water because it's filled with sewage and is highly contaminated."
I sat down to take attendance, and within seconds, Kacie was standing in front of my desk. With a very serious look and a very direct tone she said, "I don't appreciate you talking about that word (she meant poop). It is very vulgar, and you really should be careful what you talk about. Some of us ate breakfast this morning, and now I feel like throwing up!"
It took everything in my power not to burst out laughing.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Mr. Martinez
Josh has a new friend. This friend is 13, and he's a student where Josh is observing for his teaching classes. It's so cute to me: this young kid finding an interest in Josh and following him around the classroom. Josh has called me with two different stories that totally crack me up.
On Josh's first day at his school, he stood in front of the class and introduced himself to these 8th graders.
"Hi, my name is Josh Martinez. I am a former Marine who served for five years, and now I've gone back to school to become a teacher. This is my last year before I student-teach."
This boy immediately raised his hand. Josh called on him, and the boy said, "I want to be a police officer when I grow up. I have a question for you. Have you ever killed someone?"
The teacher stepped in, "That is inappropriate to ask." Josh chuckled and said, "No, I haven't killed anyone."
The boy took a liking to Josh on that day, even though Josh has never killed anyone. They have a bond, former Marine to future Police Officer.
A few days later, the students were doing a lab and Josh was walking around helping. This boy said, "Hey Josh, come here." Josh corrected him and said, "Call me Mr. Martinez." The boy apologized and said, "Mr. Martinez, I have a question. Do you get pimples?"
Josh, always brutally honest, said, "Sure, buddy. I still get pimples. Everyone has them, even when you get older." The boy nodded and thought this was pretty cool. I think he found comfort in that fact that even adults get pimples.
This boy still calls Josh "Josh" and Mr. Martinez always corrects him. He follows Josh around, and I just think it's the cutest thing ever. Josh is going to make a great teacher!
On Josh's first day at his school, he stood in front of the class and introduced himself to these 8th graders.
"Hi, my name is Josh Martinez. I am a former Marine who served for five years, and now I've gone back to school to become a teacher. This is my last year before I student-teach."
This boy immediately raised his hand. Josh called on him, and the boy said, "I want to be a police officer when I grow up. I have a question for you. Have you ever killed someone?"
The teacher stepped in, "That is inappropriate to ask." Josh chuckled and said, "No, I haven't killed anyone."
The boy took a liking to Josh on that day, even though Josh has never killed anyone. They have a bond, former Marine to future Police Officer.
A few days later, the students were doing a lab and Josh was walking around helping. This boy said, "Hey Josh, come here." Josh corrected him and said, "Call me Mr. Martinez." The boy apologized and said, "Mr. Martinez, I have a question. Do you get pimples?"
Josh, always brutally honest, said, "Sure, buddy. I still get pimples. Everyone has them, even when you get older." The boy nodded and thought this was pretty cool. I think he found comfort in that fact that even adults get pimples.
This boy still calls Josh "Josh" and Mr. Martinez always corrects him. He follows Josh around, and I just think it's the cutest thing ever. Josh is going to make a great teacher!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Spiders
Last year around this same time, I wrote about snakes in our school. This year, we have spiders.
And not just spiders (which I'm not a fan of, but I can handle). These are human sized spiders. These are monsters. These are scary. These are the biggest spiders I have ever seen in my life.
No joke.
Last week, as Liz and I were leaving school, we walked into the hallway to find a boy pacing and talking to himself. "Oh my goodness, I cannot believe this. Biggest. Thing. Ever. Oh my goodness. I am going to faint." He was repeating this as he walked back and forth. His face was red, and he was sweating.
I said, "Are you okay?" He stopped and quickly replied, "There is the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life right there."
Let me first explain that Chatfield is known for its bugs (and mice-and snakes). Our school backs up to a huge golf course, the foothills of the Rockies, and open space. We get our share of nasty looking bugs, spiders, mice and snakes in our building. At this point, most of us are used to seeing spiders in the bathrooms, the hallways, the classrooms, the offices. They have become common place. And these spiders we see are not small. They average in size to be about the size of a quarter.
So, the boy pointed to what was the "biggest spider he had ever seen in his life," I rolled my eyes as I looked at Liz, thinking this boy was exaggerating the size of this sucker, and glanced to where he was pointing.
I gasped. Liz screamed. My heart stopped. Sitting in the corner was the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life. This spider was the size of a tennis ball. It was hairy. Its body was the size of a half dollar, and its legs were the length of my fingers.
(To make a long story short, a fellow male teacher came and rescued the spider by opening the outside door and guiding it outside).
The following day, I got to work around 6:30 a.m. There were only two other teachers in my hallway at that hour, so the school was quiet. I unlocked my door. I opened my door.
I screamed bloody murder.
From under my doorway came (I'm pretty sure the exact same) spider. He had been resting under my doorway, and I scared him awake. As I opened the door, he came crawling at me with such speed that he nearly crawled up my leg before I could even scream.
Then the scream came, and I went running. I knew the teacher next door would be wondering what I was screaming about, so I ran into his room to explain my scream.
I panted (as my hands shook uncontrollably), "I'm sorry to scare you. A spider. Huge. Massive. Come look." Kyle rolled his eyes, expecting me to be slightly exaggerating (or a lot exaggerating). He humored me, though, and came to look.
As he came into the hallway, he stopped dead in his tracks. "Holy moly, that is the biggest spider I have ever seen."
Within seconds, another teacher came running to my rescue. He'd heard my scream. "Are you okay?" he asked as he rounded the corner.
"I'm so sorry to alarm you. Look at that spider. Nearly crawled up my leg. Scared me." (As you can tell, I could barely speak full sentences).
Mark, who is the football coach and a big, burly man, also stopped in his tracks. "Yep, she's a big one."
"What should we do?" Mark had to think it through, but then decided he couldn't ruin his karma by killing the spider, so he decided to rescue to nasty thing. He came back with a cup and a piece of paper. He put the cup over the spider. He slid the paper under the cup. He picked up the monster and went to take him outside.
He came back a minute later. "Are you sure I got him? When I went to throw him outside, nothing came out of the cup. Is he still in your room?"
"Um, no, I'm pretty confident you got him. Are you sure he's not crawling on you? What if you turn around to teach and write on your board, and this massive spider is crawling up your back?"
Mark chuckled and went about his day.
I am forever scared. Now, I am scanning my room. Now, I slam my door with my fist before opening it. Now, I am on high alert.
(Since this incident, over a dozen tennis-ball sized spiders have been found in the building. According to Josh, I probably found one of the babies and the mama is hanging out in the ceiling (much larger than the one I found)).
The picture doesn't do justice to the size of this thing, but you get an idea of how large and ugly it is.
And not just spiders (which I'm not a fan of, but I can handle). These are human sized spiders. These are monsters. These are scary. These are the biggest spiders I have ever seen in my life.
No joke.
Last week, as Liz and I were leaving school, we walked into the hallway to find a boy pacing and talking to himself. "Oh my goodness, I cannot believe this. Biggest. Thing. Ever. Oh my goodness. I am going to faint." He was repeating this as he walked back and forth. His face was red, and he was sweating.
I said, "Are you okay?" He stopped and quickly replied, "There is the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life right there."
Let me first explain that Chatfield is known for its bugs (and mice-and snakes). Our school backs up to a huge golf course, the foothills of the Rockies, and open space. We get our share of nasty looking bugs, spiders, mice and snakes in our building. At this point, most of us are used to seeing spiders in the bathrooms, the hallways, the classrooms, the offices. They have become common place. And these spiders we see are not small. They average in size to be about the size of a quarter.
So, the boy pointed to what was the "biggest spider he had ever seen in his life," I rolled my eyes as I looked at Liz, thinking this boy was exaggerating the size of this sucker, and glanced to where he was pointing.
I gasped. Liz screamed. My heart stopped. Sitting in the corner was the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life. This spider was the size of a tennis ball. It was hairy. Its body was the size of a half dollar, and its legs were the length of my fingers.
(To make a long story short, a fellow male teacher came and rescued the spider by opening the outside door and guiding it outside).
The following day, I got to work around 6:30 a.m. There were only two other teachers in my hallway at that hour, so the school was quiet. I unlocked my door. I opened my door.
I screamed bloody murder.
From under my doorway came (I'm pretty sure the exact same) spider. He had been resting under my doorway, and I scared him awake. As I opened the door, he came crawling at me with such speed that he nearly crawled up my leg before I could even scream.
Then the scream came, and I went running. I knew the teacher next door would be wondering what I was screaming about, so I ran into his room to explain my scream.
I panted (as my hands shook uncontrollably), "I'm sorry to scare you. A spider. Huge. Massive. Come look." Kyle rolled his eyes, expecting me to be slightly exaggerating (or a lot exaggerating). He humored me, though, and came to look.
As he came into the hallway, he stopped dead in his tracks. "Holy moly, that is the biggest spider I have ever seen."
Within seconds, another teacher came running to my rescue. He'd heard my scream. "Are you okay?" he asked as he rounded the corner.
"I'm so sorry to alarm you. Look at that spider. Nearly crawled up my leg. Scared me." (As you can tell, I could barely speak full sentences).
Mark, who is the football coach and a big, burly man, also stopped in his tracks. "Yep, she's a big one."
"What should we do?" Mark had to think it through, but then decided he couldn't ruin his karma by killing the spider, so he decided to rescue to nasty thing. He came back with a cup and a piece of paper. He put the cup over the spider. He slid the paper under the cup. He picked up the monster and went to take him outside.
He came back a minute later. "Are you sure I got him? When I went to throw him outside, nothing came out of the cup. Is he still in your room?"
"Um, no, I'm pretty confident you got him. Are you sure he's not crawling on you? What if you turn around to teach and write on your board, and this massive spider is crawling up your back?"
Mark chuckled and went about his day.
I am forever scared. Now, I am scanning my room. Now, I slam my door with my fist before opening it. Now, I am on high alert.
(Since this incident, over a dozen tennis-ball sized spiders have been found in the building. According to Josh, I probably found one of the babies and the mama is hanging out in the ceiling (much larger than the one I found)).
The picture doesn't do justice to the size of this thing, but you get an idea of how large and ugly it is.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
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.)
_________________________
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!
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.)
_________________________
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!
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