New Year, New Hat

This year we got dumped with a whole bunch of snow on New Years Eve. so our plans sort of dissolved. So while we watched everything on our DVR, I decided that the New Year justified a new hat.

I got the yarn on Yarn Along the Rockies, and the pattern is from the Fall Knit Scene magazine. 

It's called Purslane Beret by Rosemary (Romi) Hill. 

 This hat is a great slouchy hat for a mild day but it is a little too loose for a lot of moving around or wind. Maybe smaller needles or a thicker yarn would have added structure.

Luke humored me and took pictures. These were taken at the course where Luke works a couple days after New Years so you can see the snow that mellowed our evening.

Happy New Year!

Guess what Luke got me for Christmas! Adobe Photoshop Elements! Wooooh! He had heard me talking about my conversations with the talented Christa (her digital scrapbooking skills are for sale here) about programs for digital scrapbooking, and my exclamations to him as I spouted off all the amazing things the Photoshop program would do. He listened to me lament at how much it cost, and exclaim when I realised the difference between Adobe Suite and Elements, mainly the price! As much as I thought he wasn't listening, guess what was wrapped under the tree for me! (He might have been a little annoyed with me for buying it the night before Christmas Eve because I was sure he hadn't been listening and the sale was going to end...a little sheepish, but man does he get bonus points for that one!)

You may have noticed my new header,

and my new avatar.

 They were inspired by our New Years Letter theme:

Letting the pieces fall into place. Our plan vs. God's plan.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

What a year it has been, and what a year it will be!


We got married May 22, 2010 and were lucky to have the chance to visit with many of you at our receptions! We honeymooned in Yellowstone and continued on to Colorado Springs where Luke had an internship at (Golf Course that cant be named.) Jess worked at a private child care facility/private kindergarten and preschool, and learned how many blessings are to be found teaching upper grade in a public school. As the end of Luke’s seven month internship came closer offered Luke a couple job opportunities following the end of his internship (at said golf course.) We agreed he would turn them down and search for golf jobs in California so that Jess could resume her schooling in California where her full ride scholarship was still active at Fresno State. While Jess was on her way to California for class registration (Golf Course) offered Luke a full time position through the winter which would give him a chance to work through the Women's Open in July. (Translation: Resume building opportunity you can’t refuse.)


What a tough predicament. Ultimately, we both felt a calling to these separate places. We have spent a lot of time talking, discussing, praying, and in conversation with mentors. While it still remains a tough decision, we have been receiving a lot of affirmation in what we have been able to learn and through many other experiences.


While in Fresno, CA, Jess has been able to get an apartment with her sister Valerie, dedicate a lot time to going through her mother’s things, work on wrapping up some of her mother’s unfinished projects with her sister Valerie, and dedicate some time to intentionally grieve and do some family counseling with focus on a new family structure. She has been substitute teaching frequently at Pinedale Elementary and has appreciated the huge compliment teachers and administrators there are showing in her by trusting their classes in her care.


In Colorado Springs Luke has been learning a lot about what goes into forecasting and getting ready for a busy golfing season. (Golf Course) will be hosting the 2010 Women's Open which is going to create an exciting atmosphere. It will also create more work for all the current staff members which will allow Luke to have more responsibility and opportunity to learn. Luke has enjoyed working for (Golf Course) so far and hopes that the next season he can learn as much as this season. Luke has also visited his parents in Grand Junction, and has enjoyed the chance to go hunting with his father.

We had a warm Thanksgiving in Manhattan Beach/Hermosa Beach, CA where Valerie and Jessica cooked dinner for their side of the family. Luke had Turkey carving duties. Christmas was spent in Grand Junction with Luke’s immediate family. We enjoyed all the family traditions and some good relaxing time together! We got particularly addicted to the Wii version of Tetris which explains the theme of this years letter.

As you can tell, we’re trying hard to be flexible and fit into God’s plan for us. Please pray for us as we wait to see what He has in store for us!

Much Love,
Luke and Jessica Nickodemus


Why the ( )  Please note that certain words were taken out of this letter. Luke has been asked by his work to publish the name of the group/company online (I figure this includes his wife too.) Should you have interest/concern/questions please email me and I can A) email you a copy of the letter or B) Fill you in.