I hate the word "blog," by the way, but that's what these internet sites are called, so I use it despite my disdain.
Perhaps you are a friend of mine who is here to keep up on my life and you already know quite a bit about me.
But, maybe you're not.
If you aren't, then this page will be especially useful to you, getting to know a little bit about me.
As I said, I'm Nicole, or Nik. I'm currently over 30 years old. I am the oldest of five siblings. My brothers are Dustin and Bryan. My younger sisters are Samantha and Allison. I absolutely adore each of my siblings. My parents are Richard and Anita, whom I also love very much.
I grew up in a tiny town in Minnesota, called Lamberton. I met my very best friend in 1991, after moving next door to her family. Michelle and I are still best friends, and have known each other longer than we've known the majority of our siblings. I consider her as close to me as one of my biological sisters.
I was wife to my former best friend, Jacob, whom I've known since 2001. We were married as of August 5, 2006. Growing up, especially during my teenage years, I allowed myself to believe that I would never be fortunate enough to find someone out there who truly loved me, with his entire heart, and would ask me to spend the rest of his life with him. I was mistaken. On December 20, 2004, Jake asked me to be his wife. As he didn't have an engagement ring at the time, I was lucky enough to be proposed to twice, and was "officially" engaged to him on October 15, 2005.
I am a conqueror over infertility, being told last year that I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). After years of heartbreak, tears, struggles, and prayers, our miracle is on the way. Without my wonderful husband as a constant source of strength, support, and encouragement, I do not believe that I would have been able to make it through the frustration and nightmare that the threat of a childless adulthood posed upon us. I am blessed also to have the support of extended family and friends, and especially those who also were tortured by the threat of infertility. We were blessed with three children, Spencer, in 2010, Collin, in 2012, and Norah, in 2014. Following the abandonment and betrayal of my husband in 2015, I pursued a divorce. As of February 2016, I am a single mother to three miracles.
I went to Augustana College in Sioux Falls for two years after high school. My freshmen year, I painted the majority of a mural outside my dorm room. It was Van Gogh's "Starry Night." After that, Jake began calling me "Van Gogh Green Eyes," a reference to my artistic ability, as well as the intriguing depth and varied color green in my eyes. While I was there at Augie, I met one of my other very dear friends, who also became my roommate and another best friend, Rena. She is the author of an amazing suspense novel, with an important social issue, debuting in the fall of 2016, titled "the Girl Before." It's amazing. I've read it already.
I graduated from Southwest MN State University in May of 2007, with honors, and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. I worked for a non-profit in Minnesota, aiming to end poverty, as well as empower teenage girls in the area, for a little over a year, before teaching preschool. After moving to South Dakota in 2009, (where we now reside), I began work as an "infant teacher," at a local care center. I adore my job, although lower-paying, teaching the youngest minds some very valuable lessons in life.
In my free time, I love photographing my surroundings (and have a small side-business with my husband doing so), playing guitar, reading, enjoying the fresh air, playing board games, spending some time online, writing hand-written letters, spending time with family and friends, and especially my children.
I've been a Christian for as long as I can remember, but between 2014 and 2016 and the issues surrounding the death of my marriage, I have become much stronger in my faith. It's always a journey though, and I am nowhere near where I could be.
My favorite sound is that of joyous laughter, as well as the words, "I love you."
