Tantrums

Isabel is 15 months old, going on five. She has quite the little personality and at times, quite the little attitude.

Tantrums. I'm guessing that every woman before they become a mom thinks that their future child will never throw a tantrum in the store, or at least I thought that.

Boy. Was. I. Wrong.

Saturday after my basketball games (we won one, lost one), I met up with my mom, Leanne, and Isabel shopping. Izzy was her normal, cheerful yet busy self. We stuck her in a mall-owned stroller and went shopping. At first, she loved the little wheel in the front and proceeded to believe she was actually driving the stroller, turning the wheel over and over, giggling the entire time. Yet, it lost all of its newness as soon as we got into the store.

Izzy decided to scream. And cry. And turn red in the face. I had a coffee in one hand (big mistake) my purse and some clothes in the other...and a bad knee to go along with it. Of course, I had two choices to make when she started throwing her tantrum, panic and freak or calmly figure out how to reassure her. I did neither. Yep, I stood there with my hands full, almost in a state of shock. This was her first melt-down (and probably not the last). Thankfully, I had helpers. My mom grabbed the clothes from me to free my hands and a random store worker handed me some tissue to wipe her tears. She calmed down fairly quickly but not without me getting her out and holding her to calm her and not without the help of others.

Crisis. Adverted. But not by supermom. It really does take a village to raise a child.

My Love

Day 29. William Jeremiah Nichols

No blog would be complete without talking about how much my love has influenced me. I've known Jeremy for almost twenty one years. A lot of people have asked if we are high school sweethearts and I say no, we are 3rd grade sweethearts! Yes, we met in 3rd grade when I still loved tweety bird and chasing cats up the wood piles. Jeremy says that's when he first knew he loved me. He showed me by buying me a tweety shirt and necklace. That's when I first knew I didn't have time for boyfriends! :)

I could never, ever say enough about this man who chose to love me. He is the sweetest, kindest, and most generous man I have ever met. Now, I did not date a lot growing up or even in college. I think it was because my dad and brother were so amazing that I couldn't really find a guy that was as amazing as them. Well, I found it and more. Jeremy is the best guy I have ever met. I think sometimes it's crazy to say that after living with someone and seeing them at their best and worst but I can say that without any hesitation, he truly is the best man I have ever known.

Jeremy and I have so many memories of growing up. Memories of him paying Michael Newport to breakup with me (I was worth a mere dollar then), memories of going to prom together, walking down football homecoming court together (our first kiss-on the cheek-was on the Hector football field in front of hundreds of people!), Jeremy telling the whole English class that his goal in life was to "Marry Shasta Cole" (I was so embarrassed at the time!), our first date when we were 18 (he took me almost everywhere he could in Russellville...I don't think he wanted the date to end), the fateful email he sent me while I was living in Chicago, and our first date (as adults) that would determine the rest of our lives...

I am so thankful, blessed, and proud to call Jeremy my husband. He has to be a great guy to put up with me day in and day out. He is also the best dad I've ever known. His love for Isabel shows through his actions, words, and even the way Izzy smiles when he comes home from work after a long day. My life would be incomplete without him. He loves Jesus and shows it with his actions. I've never met anyone that loves people more than Jeremy does. He has shown me what grace, mercy, and forgiveness looks like. He often reminds me of what "Jesus would do" in the small moments. Like the way he treats a waiter or the way he speaks to a child, the way he greets a complete stranger, or just in the way he shows me grace when I'm being my worst. Jeremy embodies the characteristics that Jesus calls us all to have.

Now, I would be lying to say that Jeremy is perfect, but he is perfect for me. God truly put us together and has woven our lives together in the most awesome way. Our love story is one that is just beginning and I cannot wait to see what the next thirty years will hold. I'm sure it'll hold more children, more blessings, a few more tears, and a lot more laughter. I know that as long as Jesus is at the forefront of our marriage, we'll make it through anything.

Jeremy is the most influential person in my life. He is the best thing (other than Jesus) that has ever happened to me. He has taught me how to be a better person just by loving me. I am so thankful to call him my husband, my baby daddy, my best friend, and my spiritual leader.

Thanks, Jeremy, for being the best husband a woman could ask for. Thanks for loving me through everything. And thanks for being such an influence in my life!

Being a Mom

Day 28. Isabel Grace Nichols


I still cannot believe sometimes that I am a mom. I am not just a mom, I am a mom to the greatest kid on earth. Izzy is now 14 months old and is literally the best little toddler in this world. She has turned our worlds upside down and I am daily amazed at how fierce my love is for this little one.

Isabel is a joy to be around. I know that I am a little biased because she is my kid, but Izzy is just the sweetest, funniest, most likable kid around. She has never met a stranger and will go to almost anyone that wants to hold her. As she has started to develop her own little personality, we have found that she is hilariously funny and rarely, if ever, in a bad mood. I guess she gets those traits from her dad.

My life will never, ever be the same. Before she was born, I had some major fears. I feared that I wouldn't know how to be a mom. I feared that she wouldn't like me. I feared that I would drop her. Silly fears (okay so maybe I did drop her once but she was fine...that's okay, right?). No, I'm not a perfect mom but I'm learning that the most important things I can do for Izzy is to love her and teach her to love Jesus. I'm learning that just getting down in the floor with her and playing, giving her big hugs and kisses, and telling her I love her (about a million times a day) are much more important than buying her new toys or teaching her sign language. I struggle sometimes with working full-time, but I know that this is a season in our lives and that we are doing the best we can for her, and to always make the most of my time with her.

I can only imagine what our life will hold for the next 18 years. Time is flying and there has been more than one time I have looked at her beautiful face and asked for time to stand still just for a second. I see her growing up very day and although it's fun to see her grow, it also reminds me every day that before long she won't want to cuddle in the mornings or she won't love playing in my makeup or I won't be strapping her in the car seat anymore. It's the little things that we enjoy the most about our kids and some of my most favorite memories come in the most normal, every day moments.

My life will never be the same since becoming a mom. I absolutely love it and am so blessed to be the mom of Isabel Grace. I hope that these next thirty years will prove to have millions of little everyday moments and lots of love and laughter. I hope I can teach her to love Jesus and love others. Izzy has taught me so much and influenced me in ways on other person could ever do. She is one of the best things to ever happen to me.

Isabel Grace Nichols, you have influenced mommy and changed me forever. Thank you for being one of the thirty most influential people in my first thirty years!!!

Twins

Day 27. My bub. My friend. My twin. Brandon Cole.

I've know Brandon longer than anyone. I mean, we did spend almost ten months in the womb together, so...over 30 years now.

My brother is about as perfect as they come. It's quite annoying actually. He's tall, dark, and handsome. He's also funny, smart, athletic, and kind. He loves Jesus and loves his family. He's  one of the best dads, husbands, and even coaches in this world. He can hoop better than most, bowl the perfect strike, and beat almost anyone in a game of ping pong. Like I said, almost perfect. Oh, but I can still beat him up...or at least NEVER say mercy when he is bending my fingers back to the point of tears. You just think I'm kidding...

He's also the best brother I could ever ask for. He's always been my biggest fan, supporting and cheering me on in everything I've done. He's loved me even when I wasn't at my most lovable and I know he loves Jeremy and Izzy as well. I truly think of him as one my best friends in this world.

Brandon often calls me and quotes scriptures or gives me an "assignment" to encourage me in my faith. He loves Jesus so, so very much and isn't afraid to tell any and every one. I've always admired his boldness in his faith. I've always admired his strong faith, even when we were kids. I lived with him and Bethany briefly after I moved back from Chicago and truly saw him live his faith out day by day, hour by hour. I felt like Brandon didn't even blink when he told me that I could live with him while I looked for a stable job. And I actually loved living with them. They always treated me like I belonged and I just loved, loved being around them all the time. Brandon was also very patient with my Gracie as she tore up the house and the backyard...multiple times!

I'm not sure I could do this life without my brother. I'm so thankful to call him my  twin, my brother, and my friend. I'm so thankful for the millions of memories we have together. Memories of being just a wee one and playing cowboys and Indians (if you wanna see Brandon cry, check out the video), memories of jumping on the hay bales in the barn behind our house, memories of playing basketball and baseball together in the backyard, memories of hugging Brandon before his regional tourney game after I had a wreck and he was so worried about me he wouldn't play until he knew I was okay, memories of watching him win the championship game in the NAIA, memories of watching him hold his firstborn in his arms, memories of laughing and crying with him at my wedding (the best officiating of a wedding EVER), and memories of first showing him my beautiful daughter.

Thank you Jesus for choosing me to be Brandon's twin. He is the best brother a girl could ever ask for. We haven't always gotten along and I definitely haven't always been the best sister, but I can always call him for any and everything. I can always count him for an encouraging word, a big hug, or a funny joke.

Brandon is by far one of the most influential people in my life. He has influenced me in so many different ways, but no more than by his faith. I hope he knows how important he is to my little family. I hope some day I can be as good of a sister to him as he has always been to me.

I love you bub!

Mini-Me?

Day 26. Emma Grace McConnell.


My beautiful niece, Emma Grace is the star of this blog today. Emma has often been called the mini-version of me. Unfortunately, it's mainly because she has a short temper! Yes, she has been known to throw a few blows her sister's way (just like I did a select few times at Leanne) but she also has the most gentle, loving heart. Emma is truly a blessing from God. I love her sweet, loud (very loud) voice and her silly personality. I love the way she loves her little brother and cherishes her big sister. I love that she is always quick to apologize and quick to forgive. Like I said, she is truly a blessing from God.

Emma is five years old, going on thirteen. I have often seen myself in her these last few years. She has quite the sweet tooth like her aunt and she is also feisty like her aunt...used to be, right? I'll never forget the day I found out Leanne was pregnant with Emma. I was at camp and drove all the way home to be there! I'll also never forget when she was born and I got to hold her in my arms. Although she was my second niece, I knew there was something special about her from the moment she was born. Sadly, I'll never forget falling to me knees when I got the phone call that she was being rushed to the hospital when she was a baby. Those minutes I waited to hear if she was going to be alright was one of the scariest moments of my life. Thankfully, it was a minor issue and Emma is healthy and happy today.

One of my most favorite memories was picking Emma up from daycare when she was just three years old. I got to surprise her and I'll never forget her words when she saw me, "That's my Shasta!!" She ran to me and chattered without stopping all the way back to the car and all the way home. She truly is a joy to be around.

Emma is now a big kindergartener. I can't believe she is in school now and before we know it, her and Kyleigh will be teens and then graduating. Time is flying and I don't get to see them near as much as I would like.

Emma Grace. I love that people call you the mini-me. I love your joyful, loud, and inquisitive mind. You are loved by so, so many people...including me. Thank you for being my niece. Thank you for coming into our lives and really helping your mom through some difficult times. You are destined for great things, big things!

Emma is undeniably one of my favorite people on earth. I am blessed to have the best nieces and nephews on this planet. Emma ranks pretty high up there on my list of the 30 most influential people in my first 30 years!

Twenty Five Years

Day 25: Lori Beth Gray (Kirtley).

Twenty Five years is how long I’ve known Lori Beth. I think I’ve saved her towards the end of this thirty day journey because I am struggling to figure out a way to condense into a small blog just how much Lori has meant to me over these past thirty years. Let me put it this way, 99% of the memories I have of my head start through high school years involve Lori Beth. From head start on, we were the best of friends. We laughed together, had class together, played sports together (the Whatta years…some of my most favorite memories), vacationed together, even lived together briefly…simply put, we did everything together.

When we were young, like five or six years old, Lori and I first came up with the idea to start videoing ourselves. Cue embarrassment and perfect blackmail opportunities! From doing gymnastics (horribly I might add) to dancing, singing, and ‘talk shows,’ Lori and I spent a majority of our afternoons at her house recording ourselves being very silly. We even did the occasional radio show, too. Maybe her and I missed our calling in life! Lori’s parents still have a lot of those videos and I’m just waiting for the day they figure out a way to post them on Facebook…ahhh!

Lori and I have experienced a lot of milestones together. We graduated head start, kindergarten, sixth grade, and high school together. When I turned sixteen and drove the car by myself for the first time, Lori was there (remember me trying to back out of your driveway??? What was our parents thinking letting me drive anywhere!). Lori and I were there for each other’s breakups and heartaches, we won a lot of games together and lost a few too. We tried our first glass of wine together (big mistake), went to dances together and birthday parties too. I was a bridesmaid in Lori’s wedding and she was a bridesmaid in mine. Like I said…99% of my memories of the first 18 years of my life involved Lori Beth. I feel like I spent more time with her than I did my own siblings!

We’ve grown up and have husbands, kids, and full time jobs now but one thing is the same, I can promise you that almost no one knows me better and has been through as much with me as Lori. Without her friendship and influence in my life during those very formidable junior high and high school years, I don’t think I’d be the same person I am today.

Thank you Lori Beth for being such a great friend all these years. Thank you for your influence in my life and for keeping me out of trouble back in the day! I am blessed to call you my friend. You are definitely like family to me.

Lori is without question one of the 30 most influential people in my 30 years of life!

My Mom

Day 24: Joann Cole (aka Mom, aka Meme)

10:28 PM. That's the exact time I called my mom last night to ask her if she could come take care of my sick child last night. 7:00 AM. That's the exact time my mom left this morning to drive all the way up to Fayetteville to take care of my sick child. Now if that's not a great mom, what is? Oh, and she also cleaned our house, did all the laundry, and bought Izzy some new clothes...jealous yet?

I could not talk about influences in my life without talking about my mom. She is the center of our family and we could not function without her. She is also the best Meme in the world to Isabel, Kyleigh, Emma, Ellie, Ryker, and Jackson. All six of her grandchildren absolutely adore her.

My mom has always put us first, throughout our lives. I can remember so many times of driving hours after hours to take Brandon and I all over the country to play ball. I can remember the thousands of times she bought us stuff that we really didn't need but we wanted. No, we weren't spoiled, she definitely taught us to appreciate what we got, but we never, ever went without.

Now that I am a parent, I realize a lot of the parenting skills she has passed on to us. My mom is the "baby whisperer," she always knows how to calm a baby, put a baby to sleep, or just make a baby feel loved. I remember those first few nights as a new mom needing my mom's guidance and support, and confidence that I could be a great mom just like her.

As a kid, I didn't always understand why she did the things she did. Sometimes I wasn't allowed to do something I wanted to. Now, I realize that this was one of the best things she ever did for me. She really taught me that the people you choose to be your friends will help shape your future. As Izzy gets older, I will definitely pick and choose who she hangs out with! I can only imagine the moments when I will hear my mom's voice coming out in me.

My mom has been a huge influence on my life. I know I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. I have a lot of the same qualities as her (I may get some of my feistiness from her too) and I am thankful to have a mom that would do anything for her kids and grandkids.

Mom, you deserve so much more gratitude than I often show you. I am thankful for you and for all that you do for our family. You definitely are the glue that holds our family together. Thank you for loving Jesus and loving us. Thanks for always trying to make a better life for us growing up and for giving us so much more than you had. Thanks for always putting us first!

Joann, Meme, Mom...has been one of the biggest influences in my almost thirty years of life!