Friday, 4/30/21, Happy Birthday to Evan, We love you!

Happy Birthday Evan!  We love you so much!

Evan had his neighbor friend, Elijah, come over to spend a few hours and had so much fun on his Birthday!  Borrowed these pictures from Melissa.

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Vikki is always so thoughtful. She, Peyton and Isaac took a large pop and treats to Evan for his Birthday.  He loved them!

Max and Zoey both like Zoey's banana bed

We did our morning reading and did our discipleship lessons.  Put Elevation's new worship album on my phone and played the amazing worship songs.  I did some laundry and  cleaned some drawers.  Bill's tires he ordered for the trailer came, so he put the new ones on.    He mowed the grass too.  I made hummingbird food and oriole food and cleaned out the containers and refilled them.  Transplanted some flowers and dug some other plants out.  

It was nice out, but very windy.  A poor robin has worked for a week trying to build a next right out our back door on top of the light.  It kept falling down, but the robin didn't give up. Then today, I was going to take a picture because I saw the robin's nest looked perfect.  Vikki had watched yesterday and saw how determined it was.  I wanted to show Vikki how nice it was and when I went to get my phone and was ready to take it, it fell completely down.  Poor robin.  It came back with more stuff, but then gave up on that spot.  Our other robins are doing great in their nest.  We met Vikki at Kroger and got gas, then Vikki and the kids went to Salvation Army and I went and met them there.  Walked through, then went to the pet store.  Then we went to the Underground Railroad Store.  I didn't see a truck and almost got hit when I pulled out to go into the turn lane.  Poor Vikki was watching.  Thank you Lord for protecting me is what I said right away.  What would I do without the Lord! We got our Run for the Son donations all ready to be turned in tomorrow.  Watched a movie. Bill had ice cream, but I was too full.

Thurs., 4/29/21, Peyton and Isaac came over, Planted the rest of the plants Marie gave me

Pot I carved at Kimmy's all finished

Isaac making his cross necklace

Peyton making her cross bracelet

Isaac and Peyton showing what they made

Vikki brought the kids.  Made Starbuck's Coffee for Vikki and I. We talked to Kimmy.  She showed me a picture of my carved pot all done.  We listened to good worship music too.  Vikki left, Peyton and I waved and Vikki honked...which is what we usually do. We did spelling and Isaac got them all right and Peyton only missed 3.  We finished reading the third Ralph the Mouse book.  They read the Picture Bible after that.  Peyton told me yesterday that she wanted to do Art class.  I went through my old Sunday School Project Tote and got some things out for them to choose from.  She picked the cross bracelet.  Isaac wanted to do a sheep, but we decided to make it easy and do the same projects.  We will do that one next week.  I cleaned my fan, and cleaned the two Kimmy's getting.  They sure were dirty, but look great now.  Vikki came and she, Peyton and I had egg, bacon and cheese bagel sandwiches.  Isaac wasn't hungry. We talked to Kimmy and Jacob had just got his bottom braces on.  They were getting shakes from McDonalds.  I'm praying he isn't in a lot of pain.  I remember how braces can hurt.  I talked to Melissa and Kenzie today.  Texted with Adam and Eli.  I always talk and text with Vikki.  I planted the rest of the plants from Marie.  We didn't get as much rain as they said today, so I had to do some watering.

Wed., 4/28/21, Peyton and Isaac came over, Marie and Roy came over, Planted plants and flowers, went to discipleship/class

 Didn't take any pictures today.  Got my good morning text from Adam that I always look forward to.  Went to get some groceries at 8 so I could be out of there before it got busy.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac.  Made her a coffee.  She left and Peyton had reading with her teacher on line.  Peyton's teacher said she did great in her comprehension.  They took a 15 minute break after reading.  Then when it was time for spelling, Isaac had the papers, pencils and erasers out and both of them were sitting at the table ready.  I haven't had to ring the bell all week because they are at the table before me.  They only missed a few words, so they wrote them five times.  I had told them I was really tired for some reason today. (Probably because I got up early to go shopping)  Peyton came in the living room and said they gave each other the words they missed and they knew them.  She said they did it so I could take a nap if I wanted to.  We relaxed for a half hour, but I just closed my eyes and didn't sleep.  They sure are sweet kiddos.  We read after that.  They used their hover boards while they were here. Vikki came to get them and they had to leave right away.  I told her Bill had fixed the Rueger Shop Vacuum she found on the side of the road, and warned her that he wanted to keep it.  She took time to go out and see it.  He traded her a small shop vac for it, because all she needs it for is cleaning her car.  She left, and then Bill and I ate nachos.  He had sprayed grass seed on the bare spots in the yard, and had all this green stuff on his jeans, shoes and socks.  He wanted me to wash them right away so it didn't stain.  All was well and they came out clean.  I talked to Kenzie a couple of times.  I went and picked up bird seed, thistle seed, meal worms, and suet at the Elevator Store.  I walked through and looked at everything, but didn't get anything else.  All of my bird supplies ran out at the same time.  My birds will be very happy now.  Marie called me when I was pulling in the driveway and she and Roy wanted to stop over and bring some plants/flowers they had dug up for me.  They came and we sat on the deck under the Gazebo for an hour and drank ice tea and coffee.  We had a nice visit, then Bill and I had to leave for our discipleship meetings.  Charlie and Sue texted that they left homemade oatmeal raisin cookies on our porch.  YUM!  Bill went home, but I stayed at church for the "Asking the Hard Questions" class.  It was really good.  I was a little worried that the cookies would be gone when I got home.  Bill loves that kind!!!  There were still some left when I got home.  I called Sue to thank her and talked to her for a while.  Melissa called and we talked for a while too.  Then I thought about it raining tomorrow, so we hung up and I went out and planted all but a few of the plants Marie brought.  It got dark, so I had to quit.  Talked to Vikki for a while.  Got my goodnight text from Adam that I also look forward to.  

Tues., 4/27/21, Went to pick up some things from our Friends Bill and Christine, Dropped thing off at Goodwill, Spent lots of time outside

 

Isaac with shoes

 Peyton without shoes...this is when we got to her house, but she came to our house today without shoes.  I remember Adam doing that lots, but didn't think there would ever be another grandchild that would forget their shoes....I was wrong...

Got up early and made oatmeal and coffee.  We went to Bill's appt. to pick up some furniture and things they are giving us since he is retiring from being a radiologist and won't be working here any longer.  He and Christine had moved to Ludington, but he still came back and stayed here to work a couple of days each week.  It was so thoughtful of them to think of us, and it will be a blessing to share furniture with Kenzie and Travis for the home they are remodeling.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac.  We did spelling.  They wrote their words they missed five times, studied them, and they gave each other a test on those.  I shampooed the chairs for them and they look great.  One is a Lazyboy.  I kept a couple of things a standing fan and a box fan.  Also got lots of foil, saran wrap, etc. in new boxes for the camper.  Got some Starbucks and Tim Horton Coffee too!!!  Isaac got a full sized bed.  Nice blessings from the Lord.  We read Ralph the Mouse and then the Picture Bible.  After loading and unloading stuff, and then loading for Goodwill and to take to Vikki's, I was ready for a rest when I got home.  We also went to Culver's and I was super full as they gave us double burgers instead of singles that we thought we were getting.  I laid on the swing outside and enjoyed the fresh air and watching the birds for a while.  I used the charger on the Gazebo to charge my phone and it worked great.  Did my blog and now going to join a zoom meeting to pray for Muslims during Ramadan.  A missionary that our church supports in India passed away last night because of Covid.  She ran a Children's Home and was such a dear person and follower of Jesus.  The hospitals in India are full because of Covid and she couldn't get a room.  My heart is sad for such a loss, but happy at heaven's gain.  She had been to our church a few times. Keeping her family and ministry in prayer.

Monday, 4/26/21, Bill went to therapy, I heard the oriole and then saw it on the feeder again. Cleaned the closet upstairs in the green room.

 

My Hibiscus plant in the house blossomed today!

I made oatmeal for breakfast this morning.   Bill had to go to therapy and didn't get up early enough to eat before he went.  I made my cup of coffee and enjoyed it in a "Kimmy" mug. I sure love drinking out of their mugs and tumblers.  I heard the oriole's beautiful song, and then saw it on the bird feeder.  I also saw the nuthatch on it a few times.  I cleaned the coffee pot, as the clean light has been on for about 4 days.  It's always nice to see that light go out.   Cleaned out the closet in the green bedroom, so I can put the vacuum I'm leaving up there in it.  I got some stuff together to donate to Salvation Army.  Also stacked some beach towels in the hall closet, so if anyone forgets theirs they will be handy to get.  I did my Bible reading, devotions, praying and lesson for discipleship.  Put worship on this morning, but was a little late getting started with the rest today.  I did some cleaning in the basement.  When Bill got home, we relaxed for a few minutes, talked to Kenzie, then went out and emptied the brush from Vikki's out of the trailer, so we can use it in the morning.  I pulled some weeds out by the shed, and Bill picked the piles up for me.  That made me very happy.  I walked around and checked on all of my flowers.  Sure am happy it is going to be a nice warm day tomorrow.  I will be doing more work outside and will be sitting under the Gazebo to watch and listen to the birds.  I talked to Kimmy, then said hi to the boys when they got out of school and got in the van.  Jacob was going to drive, so Kimmy hung up to pay attention.  That's a good thing.  When I came inside and Bill wanted me to order Souper Cafe for our dinner.  I ordered 2 egg salad sandwiches and a chicken noodle soup for him and a pot pie soup for me.  YUM!  It was delicious.  It was curbside pick up only there again.  They went back to that because of Covid spreading.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over and brought some groceries they had extra...potatoes, taco meat, celery, cheese, and yogurt.  That was so nice of her.  She had to leave to deliver some more groceries to a friend.  I demonstrated my Dyson vacuum for her before she left.  Bill wanted me to show her.  I forgot to wave when they left, and always wave.  Bill had to get to an Elder's meeting at 6 and I was thinking of that and totally forgot. She called me to let me know I forgot ha ha.  I waved over the phone.  Bill went to the meeting, and I vacuumed the rest of the downstairs, and the stairs.  Boy did it pick up a lot of stuff.  Kenzie face timed me so I was on the phone with her for a half hour.  I researched some stuff my friend Vikki wanted my input on, and then by that time Bill was home.  I texted with Melissa, Eli and Adam today. I sure love texting with my family!

Sunday, 4/25/21...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA!!!, Saw first oriole on the feeder, Went to church, went to Vikki's, went to Melissa's

 

Happy Birthday Melissa!  We love you so much!

Bruce

 Melissa and her wonderful kiddos

 Melissa reading her card and Bruce adjusting the solar rain gauge

Melissa with her bird houses, bird food, solar rain gauge from Bruce and the kids.  I'm glad we have another bird watcher in the family

Bill, Hailey, Melissa, Bruce, Evan, Jack and Max

Evan, Melissa, Bruce, Jack and Max.  Melissa had to blow her candles out in the garage because it was windy.  The wind did get a couple of them.  Is that fair????? Does she still get her wish???

Evan learning to ride the rip stick

Jack is learning too

Max coming back from his bike ride

Melissa having fun playing with Jack and Evan

Hailey

Max

 Jack

Evan

Peyton, Isaac, Papa Bill and Nana Penny by Vikki and Rody's new shed

Isaac having fun, Peyton working lol

Lots more room in their garage with all of this stuff out.  Such a nice shed!

My free Dyson from a garage sale for free...all cleaned up and now it works great!

Saw first oriole of the year on the feeder.  Yay!

We got ready for church.  Went early to pray.  It's amazing to see so many things we pray for

confirmed in the service and worship.  After church, we had brunch at home, then went to Vikki's to pick up some brush with the trailer.  Vikki had bikes and some other things in the shed because Bill told her she could when she called to see if she had to wait until he fastened the shed down.  He told her to go ahead.  When we got there, he had us take the stuff out.  He fastened it down and we put the stuff back in.  Rody still needed to put more stuff in it, but it looks great.  Vikki, Rody and the kids had all the brush moved from the back yard to the driveway.  That made it so much easier to load in the trailer.  We left and came home to drop off the trailer, and pick up Melissa's present and some garage sale stuff.

We had a nice time at Melissa and Bruce's celebrating her 46th birthday.  We are so thankful for her and the joy she has brought us all these years.  She is just a wonderful, loving, caring daughter and a gift from the Lord!!!  We visited for a couple of hours and enjoyed yummy cake and ice cream.  It was so nice seeing the kids and spending relaxing time with them.

I loved all the pretty bird houses and the neat solar rain gauge she got from Bruce and the kids.  We gave her a light like Kimmy and family got me for Christmas which I love.  We also gave her a magnet for her dishwasher that has clean on one side and dirty on the other.  I got one from Vikki and love it.  Gave her money too for any garage sales they get to go to or Starbucks.  We drove to a couple of restaurants and were going to get take out, but they were too busy for comfort even to go in to get a take out.  We decided to just come home and make burgers.  The filter I washed for the Dyson vacuum was finally dry, so I put it in and tried the vacuum.  It was amazing how much dirt there was in just the tiny area I did.

I'm going to put my Kirby upstairs and keep this one down here.  I can even pull the hose up out of the Dyson and it is long enough to reach the top step, without lifting the vacuum up on any steps.  That is going to be so nice.  We just had a friend tell us about his brother picking up Dyson along the road and then taking them home and finding that they didn't work because the hose was plugged.  I told Vikki this while we were going to garage sales, and she told me she had seen one by the free stuff at a house a couple of driveways back.  

We ended up going back and the girl said it was free and that it could be something simple.  They just didn't want to deal with it.  I cleaned tons of dirt off the filter and washed it and also washed the rest of it off.  I was so happy when it worked so well when I plugged it in.  

Another blessing from the Lord.  Bill and I watched a movie called For His Glory.  

Sat., 4/24/21, Went on first Faith Riders Ride of the Season, went to Vikki's and worked on putting the shed up

 

Vicki and Kevin, Don, Mike, Gayla, Bill, Wes ready to leave from Meijer

Bill...driving our bike on our ride today

Rody and Bill putting parts together...me in background

Jacob, Bill, Jared and Adam

Jared, Jacob, Adam and Papa

Great family team of workers, Jacob, Bill, Jared, Rody and Adam

 Peyton getting warm by the fire...Jared, Jacob and Adam working in the background

Adam, Rody and Jacob

Jacob

Adam

Jacob on the top, Adam in the door

Isaac and Peyton staying dry, Rody cutting that big bush down in the background

Me, Kimmy and Peyton trying to stay dry in the rain

Isaac, Eli and Peyton

 Me, Kimmy and Peyton

Eli on the hover board

Jacob and Adam

 Bill, Jared, and Eli eating...Jacob photo bombing

Jacob, Rody, Eli and Adam getting their food

Peyton sitting on her seat...a log

 Robin built a nice nest and is up there sitting...usually they don't make a good one there and it falls

Peyton

Rody, Jacob, Bill, Adam and goofy Jared

 Adam, Rody, Jacob and Jared

Jacob, Bill, Adam, Rody

Eli and Isaac

 Amazing Jared on the hover board...He learned quickly!

Jared, Jacob, Adam, and Bill

Jacob and Jared

Jared and Bill...the doors are on

 Jacob, Papa and Jared

 The Flag at the VA

We met up at Meijer for take off on our motorcycles to go to the Maple Syrup festival in Shepherd.  This year they are only having drive through pick up of meals.  The line was crazy long.  Since we were on our motorcycles, we walked up to the other side of the tent and found out we could pick up meals there.  We were first in line.  We all got our meals and went to tables outside to eat.  They didn't have anything inside the building, and didn't have anything set up outside like they usually do either.  We left there and rode to Standish to see if they had a fundraiser going on for a family whose house burned down, but couldn't find where it was.  It was sunny when we started out and in the 50's.  When we got a little ways, the sun went under the clouds and it felt lots cooler.  I didn't get cold, but it sure isn't like riding when it is nice and warm out.  We had fun though and I sure was thankful for those heated seats.  When we got home, we relaxed for a little while, then we went to Vikki's to start carrying out the shed parts to the back.  Vikki, Rody, Bill and I started putting the small parts together and window and sunlight covers on.  We finished right before Kimmy, Jared and the boys got there.  We all ate hotdogs that Rody grilled out and had lots of different chips too.  Then the guys all started putting the shed together.  They worked so good together and sure got it together nicely and quickly.  The kids had fun jumping on the trampoline and hanging out together.  They also loved using the hover boards.  Big kid, Jared, did too.  It rained for a little while, but the girls and I put our umbrellas up.  We sat around the fire, so we stayed nice and warm.  Isaac played his ukulele and sang for us.