Merry Christmas -- From the Nikolai Family

I sent out a Christmas letter with our photo card this year. However, I cut way back on the number of people that I sent it to. Mostly they went to family and friends that live out of town or out of state. So this is for those of you that I see often, but didn't get a card. I didn't forget about you!

-Michelle

Hello from the Nikolai Family!

Where has the time gone again? It seems like yesterday that I was shoveling snow out of my driveway and wishing for warm weather.  Now the snow has returned again — not that I mind. I love sledding and hot chocolate and making snow angels with the kids! Well, here’s a glimpse of the past year for those of you that haven’t been able to keep up with us.

This summer, we took our first family vacation and drove out to Colorado for two weeks. The kids did really well with the long car ride and we all enjoyed seeing more of Tim’s side of the family and we were able to meet my friends’ new baby in South Dakota. We did a train ride through the Royal Gorge, went rafting down the Colorado River, saw moose and other animals while traveling through the mountains, and hiked around Mount Rushmore. It was just amazing! We can’t wait to go back. 

The kids continue to grow like weeds. Caleb is still a little more shy while Sonya is at the stage where she’s not afraid to say hello to strangers. They both love to make others laugh with their jokes and overall silliness. It’s such a privilege to be a parent and watch how their character and personalities develop.

Caleb finished off kindergarten in June and celebrated his 6th birthday in July. It’s always so fun that he has fireworks on or around his birthday. During the summer, Caleb participated in swimming and art classes for their summer school program here in Port Washington. Then this fall, Caleb started 1st grade. He’s doing so well in school — excelling in reading and math. It’s a precious sight to see Caleb reading stories to his sister while they’re cuddled up on the couch. One of his favorite things to do lately is cut up paper into little squares and draw paws on them like the “paws” they have at his school for good behavior. I think he has over 200 of them now!

Sonya is 2 and 1/2 going on 3 in February already. Her imagination never ceases to amaze me. Tim and I love listening to her tell stories with dialogue and vivid details. She has some pretty entertaining conversations with her dolls while they have picnics in the living room or in the basement or in her bedroom. She especially loves to talk about Jesus. We got her a little nativity set of her own so she creates scenarios with Mary and “Jofus” and somehow baby Jesus dies on the cross too.  Overall, she is a very confident and spunky little girl.

Tim has been keeping busy with his job at the American Heart Association. He continues to work with schools to assist them with their Jump Rope for Heart events and also coordinated the successful Sheboygan County Heart Walk again this year. Outside of work, Tim has been having a blast with his Little Brother, Keshawn.  They get together a few times a month to go biking or hiking, bowling or swimming, and sometimes just to have dinner and hang out.

As for me, I’m enjoying being at home during the day with Sonya. You just can’t trade those moments for anything. I’ve also been watching a little girl 3 days a week so that keeps Sonya and I busy! Other than that, I have been co-leading a women’s Bible study with some ladies from church twice a month. It’s been a great challenge and learning experience for me.  I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us next year!

That’s all for now! Here’s to another very blessed year to you and yours.

- Michelle, Tim, Caleb, & Sonya Nikolai

Baptism

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

I grew up in a traditional church where my parents taught me the importance of a church family and being involved in the church. I learned about God, but didn’t always feel like I really understood things.

Throughout grade school, I was a shy girl with few friends, was teased a lot. I was constantly afraid of failing and just being rejected by others. So I aimed for perfection in everything – sports and school work. I lived on the praises of others. But it was never enough. There was always something missing and I often felt lonely unless I was lost in one of my books since I loved to read.

During my senior year of high school, I was dating a guy named Josh. He made me think about my faith and what it was that I believed.

• One night, he asked me, “If you died today, how certain would you be of going to heaven?”
• I said, “I’m pretty sure.”
• He asked another question, “What would you say to God if He asked why you deserved to go to heaven?”
• My response was, “I’m a good person. I’ve done a lot of good things. And I’ve never done anything really bad or killed anyone.”
• He replied, “What about the cross?”
• I was confused.  “What do you mean?”
• “I mean, do you believe Jesus died on the cross for us?”
• I knew that Jesus died on the cross since that's what we talk about at Easter. I said, “Yeah, sure I believe that.” But I didn’t really understand the significance of the cross until later.

Fast forward to college – I was invited to a Campus Christian Fellowship meeting and since I was single, I decided to go because I might meet a cute Christian guy there.  Well, I started going to the CCF meetings and visiting different churches. I was learning a lot and making new friends, but my life still revolved around me being in control of situations and being a perfectionist.

During the summer after my freshman year of college, all the things I had been learning finally came together. I finally understood the significance of the cross. It was no longer just a symbol of Christianity. I had been so caught up in myself and what others thought of me that I hadn’t realized that I was a sinner just like everyone else. I was a sinner who needed Jesus to die on the cross to pay MY penalty for the sins I had committed. He died for me so that I could one day be reunited with God in heaven. 

There’s nothing I could do on my own. Here’s a verse I’d like to share that really sums it up:

 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) 

It’s all about Jesus and what He did on the cross.

After that breakthrough, I began giving more control to God in situations and stopped aiming for perfection that I wasn’t going to achieve on my own anyway. I realized that I have a bigger purpose in life and that is to serve God and glorify Him in all that I do.

Today, I wish to be baptized as a symbol of what I believe and to hopefully be an inspiration to others.

Trick or Treat!

It's Elmo from Sesame Street and Woody from Toy Story! 

Funny story: Some lady was saying, "Hi, Cookie Monster!" to Sonya. I was just waiting for Sonya to say something, but she didn't. After the lady said it the third time, Sonya very firmly said, "I am NOT!" The lady apologized and asked who she was to which Sonya replied, "I'm Elmo." lol

Art time!

Since I love art of all shapes and sizes, I think it's just natural to pass that passion along to my kids. So every now and then, we do a fun art project together. This one turned out really cute.

I'm behind....

I guess I've fallen behind on posting here. Since Facebook uploads my pictures a lot faster, I've been using that more often than my blog. If you're missing my posts here, show me some love! Maybe I'll get motivated to start writing again.

Also, remember that my Personal blog has its own URL so you can subscribe or add it to your google reader. (I haven't posted in there for a little while, but that has my separate thoughts from family outings, activities, and milestones).

Over and out :-)

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