Friday, 5/17/24, Went to the Music Festival at Valley, Evan did a super great job, went to Culver’s for lunch, back to Valley for Band, to Kroger and Aldi, back to Melissa’s, Worked on weeding new garden, and reseeding around the house, watered plants

Jack when I picked him up in the morning

Evan and Adam singing their song 

Evan singing another song with friends from his school

Me, Evan and Melissa

The blossoms on my crown of thorns are getting longer and bigger all the time.  Still more coming

Looks so nice weeded and my hostess from Kimmy are getting so big and beautiful

Bill’s wood splitter works great

Columbine is loaded with beautiful blossoms.  Close up below

My Clematis by the shed has so many beautiful blossoms.  Gorgeous color!

I was sitting on the deck talking to Vikki and just started saying wow, wow, wow and this is why.  I sent her a picture to show her.  It sat there for the longest time

Peyton with the Goose shirt...so cute!

 I got ready, then picked up Melissa and Jack to go to the Music Festival at Valley.  We visited on the way there so much, Jack forgot to put on his headset and listen to his music he said.  He had the day off from school and was just going to help volunteer for it.  We got there and went in to the Choir room to hear Evan in the choir.  They sounded amazing, especially in the second song.  The judge had all good things to say about their singing and their energy.  We saw Ginny, Eric, Ally and Luke.  Gave them hugs and talked to them as we left and walked outside.  We came back in the main entrance and went and listened to Daniel sing his solo.  He did great.  We went out in the cafeteria and Melissa had a cookie and I had a brownie like cookie we bought.  They were yummy. It was fun seeing Jack and Evan when they weren’t busy.  Lots of kids who were in the play with them, kept coming up to them.  They all bonded during their many days of practice.  It was neat to see them being friends now.  The young kid who played the part of Bruce and had an amazing singing voice, was around Evan lots.  I had given Evan $10  for snacks and he brought me $5 back.  Bruce was kidding him and asking him for it.  I told Bruce he did such a great job in the play, he could have the $5.  He was so thankful and thanked me a few times during the rest of the time we were there.  Next we went and listened to a couple more kids we know sing.  They did great too.  We ate a pretzel and cheese, then Evan came and told us they moved up their song and were doing it now.  We went and listened to him sing with 7 of his friends.   They did a great job and got lots of good compliments from the judges.  The judge also gave them things to work on to sound even better.  They always encourage the kids after listening to them and try to make them better.  The judges are amazing how they know so much and tell them things to try and have them try them.  They sound so much better after they do what they tell them to do.  At around 12:30, we went to Culver’s and got kids meals.  We were to full to get the Sundae, so just saved the coupon.  We went back to the school and shortly after we got there it was time to go listen to the band.  The band from Owosso played first and even though it was a really small group, they did amazing.  Evan’s band was next.  Evan did a great job playing and keeping the beat.  

We found Jack, and he was staying to help and just wanted his dad to pick him up at 3:30.  Evan came with Melissa and I.  He had tried to get a KONA snow cone, but they had closed up.  I stopped at 7-11 and gave him money for a slurpy.  He was very happy and so polite.  Jack and Evan were so nice and so well behaved today.  I was very proud of both of them.  

I dropped them off, then headed to Kroger to pick Bill up a Tim Horton’s gift card.  I went to Aldi after that and got a few things.  Melissa called me to see if I was home.  I told her where I was and she said Jack’s headset was still in my trunk.  I wasn’t far from their house, so took it there and dropped it off.  Then headed home because I had drumsticks in the car I didn’t want melting.  

When I got home, Bill called me and said he and Max had gone to Clare to Jay’s.  Then they went to Midland to get a hamburger.  He wanted to know if I wanted to go out for ice cream when he got home.  Of course I said yes.  I sat on the deck and watched birds for a while and read my Bible and prayed.  Vikki called me and we talked for a while.  Jacob worked at his Aunt Debbie’s today weeding and planting some flowers.  She had lots of weeds in rocks and all over.  Matthew stayed outside with him most of the time which Jacob liked and I know Matthew did too.  Debbie said Jacob was a really hard worker and did a great job.  Debbie got them pizza for lunch.  She’s paying Jacob $15 per hour which is nice for him to earn some money.  Monday he starts his new official job that Bruce told him to apply for.  Hopefully, he will be working with Hailey too.  She started a week ago.  Jacob, Adam and Eli are going back to Debbie’s on a weekend to plant the rest of her plants when she gets them.  I talked to Kimmy to find out about Jacob’s day and Hope was there and said she wants to go help too.  

I worked until he got home and got lots done.  Just a small area on the South side of the house left now.  Got the new flower garden all done too.  Put the sprinkler on it when I was done.  Watered the ground cover Kimmy and I planted with the sprinkling can and filled the big bird bath.  Watered some other plants that were planted last week too.  Came in the house and we decided to just have ice cream here.  Put bananas, cashews, chocolate chips, and chocolate syrup on our ice cream. I had strawberries on mine with no chocolate syrup.  It tasted so good.  I texted Evan then texted Melissa to tell him to read it.  Melissa called instead because something needs to be reset so Evan can text again.  Bill had watched all the videos of Evan singing today and his band videos.  He thought he did great, so wanted to tell Evan so.  We both talked to him and told him how much we liked watching the videos, how great he did and how proud we were of him.  

Kimmy called me and Adam wants us to come celebrate his birthday tomorrow night, so we have that in our schedule.  Love celebrating this amazing kid.  All of our grandkids are pretty amazing!  

Thurs., 5/16/24, Bill had his colonoscopy, we went to breakfast at Nori’s, Kenzie and Rehvyn came over, went to garage sales, went to Hobby Lobby, watered plants and fed the goldfish

Bill in the recovery room after his colonoscopy.  No polyps!  Yay!  He said to me, “are you going to take a picture."  So I did!!

Breakfast at Nori’s afterwards.  It was the best breakfast.  I had to take potatoes and ham home because the portions were so big I couldn’t eat it all

Bad Bird on branch, good bird on jelly feeder

Rehvyn was so smiley and so fun!

He loved his new toys from the garage sales

 We got ready and I prayed over Bill for his procedure to go well and a good report.  We left as we had to be at the VA hospital at 8 a.m. for Bill’s colonoscopy.   I gave him a kiss and he went right in to be prepped.  I went to the waiting room.  I was a home makeover on tv and was just about to see how it turned out.  A lady came in and sat next to me.  She introduced herself and said her husband was having surgery for a hammer toe.  She said something, then said thank you Lord.  I asked her if she was a Christian and she told me yes.  She asked if I wanted to pray with her for our husbands, so we held hands and prayed.  She shared some testimonies of what God has done in her family and I shared some of what He’s done in our family too.  I never did see the end of the home makeover, but we visited the whole time.  Before I knew it the were calling me to go back to recovery to see Bill.  Bill was only back there for 1 1/2 hours instead of 2 1/2 like they said.  He was doing good when I walked in.  We sure were thankful to the Lord for a great report.  He doesn’t have to have another one for 5 years.  I messaged each of the girls to let them know he did good.  Then after he was discharged, we went to breakfast at Nori’s.  The breakfasts were huge and were delicious.  My favorite place to go for breakfast.  After breakfast, we went to the bank, then headed home.  Bill went in and said he was going to take a nap.  I ran some shoes I have collected for Foster Kids and took them to Sarah at the flower shop she works at.  She was very happy to get them.  I took her some egg cartons she needed too.  I came back home and went out on the deck to read my Bible.  I decided to come in and take a short nap too since we got up so early.  Kenzie got to our house, so we both got up to see our Rehvyn.  I was holding him for a while, then Bill came and took him from me.  Kenzie put him up on the big round stool by the couch and we were all three around him when he rolled over.  He does that easy now.  I told Kenzie about a subdivision garage sale a couple of miles away from here, so we went.  Rehvyn was so good.  I bought an umbrella stroller for my house that was $5.  He loved it when we put him in it.  Kenzie got some stuff and a toy for him and I got a couple of cute toys for him.  He started crying and Kenzie said it was time for him to eat.  We decided to head home and skip the other subdivision garage sale.  He quit crying right away and we got to my house and Kenzie made him a bottle.  I fed him and he sure ate good.  He played with his new toys some and liked them.  They had to leave to go to Vikki’s and Kenzie had to meet someone to sell a watch to.  Later, Kenzie called and told me they had good deals at Hobby Lobby.  I went and got a few things.  When I got home, I made hot dogs on the grill and some asparagus.  We ate, then I went outside and did some watering. Didn’t do too much since it’s supposed to rain early in the morning.  Just did my pot of flowers and the plants I moved.  I put the cushions on the swings away, then  I filled bird feeders and jelly jars too.  I set the raccoon trap and hope I catch him tonight.  Bill and I relaxed in our love seat recliners.  Kenzie face timed me when she got home and showed me what she got at Hobby Lobby and let Rehvyn face time with me a little.  

Wed., 5/15/24, Made oriole food and put my old oriole feeder out, Kimmy and Jacob came over, Went to Kroger, Tim Hortons, Menards, Cabela’s, Meijer, and Pet Smart, god new Clam, Did some weeding, Bill prepared for his colonoscopy...poor boy,

Isaac in the middle.  These youth from our church went and cleaned up the park as a service project

My Clematis is getting lots of blossoms

Kimmy releasing goldfish into my pond

So brightly colored and so fun to watch

My oriole on my old jelly feeder I just found in the shed

Red Headed Woodpecker was here lots this evening

Kit Kat laying by me on the glider.  She sure loves attention.

I made oriole food, then went out and filled the old feeder and hung it up and took the new feeder down.  They have always loved the old feeder and I’ve only seen one got to the new feeder and it didn’t stay there.  I put my other jelly feeder out too and filled it and the other one. 

Kimmy and Jacob came over and spent the day.  I had texted Jared’s mom, Lela, to get advice on how to catch chipmunks since they are so good at it.  She called me and was surprised when she got 3 for 1.  Jacob and Kimmy talked to her too.  She gave me some great advice I am going to try.  

Bill took Charlie to take his tractor in.  Charlie doesn’t have a trailer any more.  They enjoyed hanging out.  Kimmy, Jacob and I went to Kroger and I ran in to see if they had a swing Kimmy would like.  I took a picture.  It has a full cushion across the seat and we like individual ones.  The price has gone up since I got my nice swings.  It was $99 and now they are $219. Wowza!  We went to Tim Horton’s and Kimmy and I got French Vanilla Cappuccinos, and blueberry muffins.  Jacob got an Ice Capp and a donut.  We went to Menards to check for a swing after that.  They didn’t have any in the store and none online Kimmy liked.  Went to Cabela’s after that and I got a Clam, and Kimmy got hats for Eli and Adam.  Jacob was our model.  We went to Meijer’s for our next stop and I picked up stuff for Bill to have while he is in the preparation mode for his big C.  Kimmy got a poncho for Eli for his trip to Washington D.C.  She got gas, then remembered we didn’t get the goldfish for my pond, so we drove to get 10 of them.  

We got home and I put the groceries away, while Kimmy got the goldfish acclimated to the pond temp.  Jacob put the Clam in the garage for me.  We came in and Jacob wanted a PB & J and Kimmy and I had chicken noodle casserole.  After lunch, Jacob fixed my watch so the Timer worked, then we went out and released the goldfish into the pond water.  They look so cute!  

We sat out on the deck for Kimmy’s last few minutes here and visited.  Vikki called and we talked to her.  Then Kimmy and Jacob had to leave.  We sure enjoyed our time together.  I moved a plant over in the front and then moved some ground cover into the place it was.  Bill weed wacked and mowed around things.  It looks so nice after it’s all done.  Bill also power washed Vikki’s grass picker upper she found along the side of the road, and the tractor.  I took a chair that had green algae on it, from the deck and rolled it to the shed where he washed it for me.  It looks great now and no more green.  Yay!

I FaceTimed with Kenzie, Rehvyn and Travis.  Our baby boy is always smiling.  Kenzie was silly and turned us in to hairy colorful characters.  Then Vikki and Peyton joined in on Face time.  How fun and lots of laughs.  

Melissa called and we talked for a long time, then Vikki called.  I forgot to take any pictures of Jacob today.  Bummer!

Tues, 5/14/24, Face Timed with Kenzie and Rehvyn, found all my last year’s bird feeders, washed down tables on the deck, did some weeding, Went to Isaac’s last band concert

Isaac playing the clarinet in his last band concert of the year. He’s on the left of the band director, 3rd one in the row

Close up of him playing

 

We slept in this morning.  It was raining when we got up, but quit shortly after.  I was thankful my plants got watered.  Kenzie face timed me so I could see Rehvyn.  He was was cute as ever.  She sent me videos of him eating his first cereal and sweet potatoes.  He did really good.  Didn’t seem to like the sweet potatoes as much as the cereal though.  I sent some cards out I needed to get in the mail.  Called Debbie to see how she was doing?  She is doing better.  I am taking her out to breakfast on Monday and looking forward to seeing her and spending time together.  I had my coffee and also Raisin Bran for breakfast.  

Bill mowed the grass.  It sure looks nice.  I made reservations for Outdoor Adventures for the week before the 4th of July until the week after.  We always like being up there to watch the fireworks as a family.  Now that we are both 75, we don’t have to pay any maintenance fees anymore, so camping is totally free.  Such a blessing that this was given to us when the grandkids were small and we have enjoyed it so many years.  There are so many new campgrounds we want to try too.  

In the evening, we went to Isaac’s last band concert of the year.  He did such a great job and looked so handsome.  He sure loves music and is so talented playing instruments.  The band has improved so much since the Dec. concert.  Some of the lights didn’t work at first, but they got them working halfway through the concert.

I found all of my bird feeders today in a box in the little shed on the deck by Bill’s big shed.  I am so happy to have them.  Next year Bill is going to leave them on my shelf instead of packing them up.  I bought two new feeders I didn’t have to buy.  I am just so happy to have my old oriole feeder that the orioles actually love eating from.  I am going to hang it out tomorrow.

Please pray for a 13 year old boy named Riley.  He goes to a friend of ours church and was badly burned on 80% of his body.  His doctor doesn’t think he will make it.  Pray he doesn’t get any infections.  We are believing for a miracle from God for him with his family and friends.  Prayers are appreciated.  

Monday, 5/13/24, Got a planter’s wart on my foot so went and got stuff for that, Met Vikki at Melissa’s, Went to Walmart, Met Max and Bill at Culver’s, Worked some on edging on the last side of the house, did some watering, unloaded the camper, watched the original Matilda movie on tv

 

My Columbine has so many blossoms on it now

My goose and ladybug in my garden.  They are so cute.  Vikki is going to paint the lady bug for me since it is small and harder to see.  I can’t wait until my plants start leaping!!!

The Azaelia plant Bruce and Melissa got me when we first moved here 21 years ago looks so beautiful!

Bill at Culver’s with his I need cheese sign that his hamburger was in.  He was the only one who got that saying.  Max thought it was pretty funny and told me to take a picture. We always have fun with Max.  He is such a fun and wonderful grandson.  

I went to Walmart in the morning and picked up some CoQ10 for Vikki, then got some stuff for my planter’s wart.  Came home and took my shower, then put the medicated pad on my wart.  Hopefully it goes away quickly.  I also picked up a pair of slip on tennis shoes.  I got home and tried the shoes, but they were small even though they were my size.  I went outside and walked around to look at everything.  I now have 12 ferns in the little woods by the side of the garage and that isn’t counting the 4 I moved by the house.  I started three years ago with 2 ferns.  My sensitive ferns have also multiplied from 1 to 5.  I love ferns.

I went to Melissa’s and watched some videos with her.  Vikki came a little later and she gave me more stuff for the planter’s wart and I gave her the CoQ10 I had picked up for her.  She had to leave right away.  Melissa and I finished watching videos, and then I left.  I stopped at Walmart and got a bigger size shoe to see if I would like it better than the snug shoe in my size.  I did.  Bill left at 4:30 to pick up Max and take him to Dunham’s and Franks in Bay City.  They called me and wanted me to meet them at Culver’s for dinner.  Max said both stores were closed when they got there.  We had fun at the restaurant, especially with the I need cheese paper around Bills burger.  Max and I had a good laugh and after Max told me to take a picture I put it on Facebook.  Max said I’m his favorite one to target practice with because I am so entertaining.  We left and they went to Cabela’s and I came home and unloaded the camper before it rained.  It was really dark out and looked like it was going to storm.  I brought some stuff in from outside that could break, then put the set of swing  cushions that were still on the one swing.  It never did rain.  It was on both sides of us, but no rain fell here.  I wish it would have.  

Bill got home and we read our Bibles, then watched Matilda.  I want to watch Matilda the musical next, but have to watch it at Melissa’s or Vikki’s.  We don’t have Netflix.  

Sunday, 5/12/24, Mother’s Day, Said goodbyes, then left for home. Kimmy & family and Vikki and Peyton were at our house, We ate pizza, Bill, Eli and I went to Jack and Evan’s play, Matilda, came home and Kenzie and Rehvyn, Rody and Isaac were here, Stacie, DJ and Kody came too, then Melissa and family.

Kenzie face timed me while we were riding home from camping this morning.  She was sweet and wished me a Happy Mother’s Day and Rehvyn was the cutest! It made me so happy!!!

Evan’s wife in the play

Jack and one of the directors of the play

Evan with the director

Evan, Melissa, Jack and Bruce

Eli in the picture with them

Jack, Hailey and Evan

Jack, me, Evan and Bill

Jack and Evan with their Papa Ron and Grandma Debbie

Eli, Evan and Jack

Jared and Kimmy prescreening our screen door while we were at the play.  Kit Kat clawed it   up last year after we moved her outside from the garage

Hailey loves her second cousin, baby Rehvyn so much and is so good with him.  He loves her so much too!

Isaac, Kenzie and Peyton

Eli, Bill, Hailey, Rehvyn, Peyton and Jared

Stacie and Rehvyn...another one of our family who loves Rehvyn

Jacob and Kenzie

Grammy Vikki and her Baby Boo

Adam, Eli, Kimmy and Jacob

Peyton, Hailey, Jacob and Adam taking a 5 point selfie

Hailey and Peyton looking like twins....such fun girls together

Me, Hailey and Melissa doing a 5 point

Nana and Hailey

Me and Melissa

Me with my beautiful, kindhearted, wonderful daughters

Hailey, Evan, Jack, Melissa and Max (Vader in the picture too)

Pictures of Hailey and Rehvyn

One of my orioles

Me and my sweet baby

Me and Kenzie watching Rehvyn feel the grass.  He loved it!

Kenzie put Rehvyn on my little bridge...She sure loves her baby boy and he sure loves his Mommy.  Kenzie’s first Mother’s Day 

Peyton, Vikki, Rehvyn, Isaac and Kenzie

Grammy Rody and Rehvyn

Peyton and Rehvyn...she loves him so much too and he loves his Pey Pey

Beautiful plant on my shepherd’s hook that Bruce, Melissa and family gave me.  I look forward to getting a plant for the front each year from them.  They never disappoint!  Always pick the most beautiful plants out.

We got everything packed up, closed the camper up, said our goodbyes to everyone, then loaded the motorcycle in the trailer,  We ate snacks on the way home.  We also watched our church service which was very good.  I loved having Kenzie Face Time me so I could wish her a Happy Mother’s Day too since it’s her special first one.  Rehvyn sure smiles and is so fun to Face Time with.  We took the scenic route home which was nice.  The girls all called to tell me Happy Mother’s Day.  I told them Happy Mother’s Day too!  They are the best and most loving mom’s ever!  I love that they are teaching our grandkids about God, how important it is to read His Word, and to follow Him always.  God sure has blessed us by having such wonderful daughters and then giving us such amazing son in laws also.  We never have to worry about our grandkids being very loved and cared for. 

When we got home, Kimmy, Jared and the boys were here and Vikki and Peyton were here.  Mykenzie and Rehvyn were here too which was a super special surprise, because Kenzie didn’t think she was going to be able to come.  It made me so happy.  I fed my birds right away because the food was low and some was out.  My oriole jelly was empty so I filled that first.  I went in and had a piece of pizza that Kimmy and Jared brought.  Rody was on his way with more pizza and also a cheeseless pizza for Bill.  We had to leave before he got here because Bill, Eli and I were going to see Jack and Evan in their play, Matilda Jr.  It was a musical.  The boys did outstanding acting and singing in it.  We were so proud of them.  There was lots of clapping and cheering during the moments in the play where it was appropriate.  Melissa, Bruce, Hailey, Bruce’s mom and Step dad were there too and we all sat together.  The boys had a Cast party afterwards, so we came home.  Jared mentioned a mouse trap in the screen door on the deck’s sliding glass door.  I said it was there to keep Kit Kat off, even though he told me it wasn’t set.  I never looked at the door.  Well I went inside and then came out that door and couldn’t believe the screen was new they had done it for me.  What a wonderful gift too.  We all sat on the deck and I opened my gifts from Kimmy, Vikki and their families.  First I got a toolbox loaded with tools to keep in the garage for ME.  I needed those believe me.  It was super heavy to open.  Vikki told me the next gifts weren’t heavy.  Well the little one was a concrete lady bug that was heavy for a little package.  Then the last one I almost dropped because it was a medium sized concrete goose and was super heavy.  I caught it on the edge of my chair.  I sure loved everything.  Stacie, DJ, and Kody came over and brought me a beautiful plant for outside.  Hailey came over soon after we got home.  She wanted her Rehvyn time before Kenzie had to leave.  Melissa and the rest of the family got here a little later after the boys cleaned up from being in the play and wearing makeup.  Everyone had fun relaxing and hanging out together.  It was a beautiful  sunny 73 degree day.  All who wanted pizza had pizza and later we had drumsticks.  Everyone had to leave, so I read my Bible and then worked on catching up on my blogs after I caught up on a few things around the house that needed tending to since I was camping.  What a great day and what a wonderful family God has blessed me with.