Tues., 8/31/21, Baked butter horns and pumpkins bread, Picked up stuff for camping, sorted CMA shirts/coats/etc., Dinner date at Coco Loco

Needed a blanket when I did my morning reading outside

 Made 4 dozen butter horns for our CMA bake sale Saturday to raise money for Run for the Son

I should have taken a picture of them baked and frosted, but forgot.  Now they are in the freezer. They sure looked good!

My sunflowers 

 It was a beautiful morning and much cooler out with low humidity.  It felt so good, but I did need my blanket and I wore a sweatshirt.  I went through lots of CMA shirts in the closet and some tubs too.  I got them all sorted and sizes written on cards to go by them on the table we will be selling them on.  Bill went through his stuff too, and gave me what he wanted to put in the sale.  We are just taking donations for Run for the Son for all of it.  I baked butter horns and also made 5 loaves of pumpkin bread for the bake sale.  I talked to Vikki, Peyton and Isaac when they got out of school.  My sunflowers were ready to pick, so I cut them and got them hung in the garage.  Bill and I went to Coco Loco's, then to Sam's Club, then to get gas for our vehicles.  Bill and I packed some things in the camper.  I packed up three tubs of clothes/jackets/chaps, etc.  Talked to Kimmy and Melissa this evening,  and texted with Adam today.  

Monday, 8/30/21..Happy 18th Anniversary Kimmy and Jared! Happy Birthday Angie and Jody! All grandkids (other than Hailey and Kody who already started) started school today

Max, Jack and Evan's first day of school

Adam, Jacob and Eli's first day of school

Isaac and Peyton's first day of school

Bill on his phone looking pretty serious

The pool stayed nice and clean all summer

Got up early, did morning reading and prayed for all my grandkiddos starting school today and also for many other kids from church.  The girls took great pictures of the kids.  I found out later they all had a great day!  I picked some tomatoes, peppers and squash from the garden and gave it to Charlie when he picked Bill up.  Bill mowed the lawn while I went and visited my sweet friend, Phyllis.  She is doing so much better.  Has to have 2 more Chemo's and then will have a scan to see if the cancerous mass has shrunk.  We are sure praying.  She is feeling better, with more energy now.  She was feeling more energetic, and didn't even need a nap the last 3 days.  I loved hearing her tell of what God has already done, and her faith believing Him for a miracle.  She sure encouraged my heart and I encouraged hers.  I was going to leave after an hour so she could rest, but she wanted to keep visiting.  We talked for another hour.  What a great visit, and a great blessing to see her doing so well.   Thanking God! When I got home, Charlie and Sue were in the driveway.  They brought a recipe for stuffed peppers that you cook in a pan on the stove I wanted to try.  I gave them more vegetables I picked this morning.   I called to see how everyone's day went at school.  They all did great today!  I went through CMA shirts and got them out of the closet to wash and take to the Rally to sell for donations for Run for the Son!  Made the dough for Butterhorns for the bake sale we are having too.  It was a great day with many answered prayers from the Lord.

Sunday, 8/29/21, Went to church, Hailey sat with us. Hailey and I went school shopping. Bill and I worked on agenda for State Rally

 

Hailey and I enjoying lunch after school shopping

Hailey....this is her senior year! Sure love this girl!

Went to prayer before church, then to church service.  It was great worship and such a great message from Pastor Ken.  Vikki and I had a meeting with Sara and the other teachers/helpers for Kids Church.  Vikki came and got Peyton's things she left at my house, but had to leave right away.  We had BLT's for lunch.  Kenzie was supposed to come over, but had to change it to another time.  I took Hailey school shopping.  We sure missed having Melissa with us this year.  It is always so much fun when she's along.  We went to many stores.  Hailey took clothes into Plato's Closet and we went to other stores, till they texted her that they had priced her clothes.  It was about 2 1/2 hours after we dropped them off, so we had covered a few stores plus the stores in the Mall.  She really enjoyed shopping at Plato's Closet and found the most stuff there for the best prices.  I found a top too.  She got some cute clothes and was so happy.  We were both hungry, so we went to Coco Loco's afterwards.  Melissa texted me to let me know there was a sever thunderstorm warning.  Hailey and I heard the warning come on the radio, but our area was no longer on the list.

We enjoyed our meal and had our usual, beef and bean nacho's, 1/2 orders.  So delicious and so much fun spending the day with Hailey.  I took her home after that, so she could do her homework.  When I got home, Bill gave me the agenda for the State Rally to look over and make corrections.  I made the corrections and ran off new copies for him.  He has worked really hard planning this and putting everything together, and has done a great job.  I talked to Kenzie a few times and texted with Adam.  Enjoyed a nice chat with Melissa too.  Face timed with Vikki and saw the school things the kids got.  All the rest of the grandkids start school tomorrow.  I sure am praying they all have a great day, and a great year.  Praying for favor, wisdom, and protection from the Lord upon them.  I sure love them all so much!

Sat., 8/28/21, Happy Birthday Bill! Got things ready and had a family party for Bill's Birthday

Happy Birthday to my wonderful and amazing husband.  So thankful God gave you to me!  I love you!

Jared in our pumpkin patch 

Evan, Jack, Isaac, Eli Peyton and Adam

Adam

Charlie and Sue...Charlie is doing so good after having his esophagus removed because of cancer.  It was hard to go through but he is happy he did now.  Will be 81 in Nov.  Such great friends who are like family

Evan and Jack

Isaac, Rody and Bruce

Bill and Jared before I got their attention for a picture

Bill and Jared

Eli and Jack

Evan, Isaac, Peyton and Adam

It was raining when I got up.  Bill read his Bible and devotions, then took the saw and stand back and returned them.  He decided to get handlebars for our trike that adjust to different heights instead.  I ate breakfast, then did my morning reading.  Put cushions on chairs on the deck and washed off the tables.  I made the Mac & Cheese, cooked burger, peppers and onions for on the pizza I made and got tables made big.  Bill went and picked up his no cheese pizza and two Hot and Ready's.  Chuck and Sue got here first, then Vikki, Rody and the twins, and then Kimmy, Jared and the boys.  Jacob and Adam brought the two chairs up from the basement.  They kept asking me if I needed them to do anything throughout the day.  They are such helpful kids.  I sure appreciate them.  Eli had fun hiding my angels again.  I had just found them and put them back.  He says he takes after his dad, and he sure is right.  I remember Jared doing that all the time.  Eli sure enjoys it, and comes to let me know they have been hidden.  I didn't find any today yet.  We ate and then had cake, strawberries and ice cream.  We sang to Bill and to Rody.  We watched videos Kimmy took of Jacob in the marching band last night.  So fun to watch.  Jacob does an amazing job and is so enthusiastic.  Melissa, Bruce and the boys came at three.  Hailey had to work today, so couldn't make it.  I texted with her when she got done.  The kids all loved getting to swim together with their cousins.  It was so much fun watching them have fun together.  Kimmy, Vikki and I went in for a short time to get cooled off.  Stacie, DJ an Kody came over for a while and brought Bill a gift card to Tim Horton's.  They visited for a while, then had to leave to go to a wedding.  After the kids got out, we all had drumsticks and Twinkies outside.  The kids did more swimming after that and we adults did more visiting.  Rody told us at 5:30 that there were supposed to be thunderstorms at 6.  We had the kids get out of the pool and we all put cushions away, picked up camping chairs, took clothes off the line, and took care of whatever was out that needed to be put away.  Great helpers.  So thankful Rody warned us and we didn't get caught in that bad storm.  It rained hard and got very windy outside.  We only had one big branch down, a plant on the deck blew over, the bird feeder stand blew over and another plant on the other side of the deck fell over.  Jared picked up the plant and bird feeder stand for me and I picked up the plant on the other side of the deck.  I have amazing son in laws! Kimmy and Jared's van door was open in the storm.  It hasn't been working right.  Their Garfield book got all wet.  Bummer!  Bill, Jared, Kimmy and I all played 3-13 during the storm.  It was a VERY GOOD game.  I was the winner.  We ate leftovers before they left.  I sent the rest of angel food cake home with Kimmy because I know she loves it.  Sent some strawberries for her to have on top too.  I kept one piece for Kenzie to have tomorrow.  It sure was a fun day celebrating such a wonderful person on his special day.  

Friday, 8/27/21...Happy Birthday to Sister Tina!, Did some shopping, Made two Birthday Cakes, Went to Vikki's, went to Home Depot, Mylee got a huge fish hook in her mouth

 

Isaac...he was happy we brought his bike to him

Peyton in her cowgirl outfit

When we got there she was in her super hero outfit....that girl!

Love these blossoms.  Everyday there are more!

This little thing Rody got me that attaches to my drawer is wonderful.  I just peel veggies over it or take the tops off strawberries over it, etc.  Then I empty it in my container for compost.

Got this at Aldi....It is great for scraps for the garden.  It's small, but holds a lot and it doesn't smell.  I just take it out on the garden when it's full and dump it.  

Bill picking up his birthday gift from all of us tonight.  We took his grill back we got him for Father's Day, so this is also for Father's Day.  He was so happy.

Got up early so I could beat the crowds at Meijer and Aldi.  Not busy at either place when I was there.  Got some things I need for birthday celebration for Bill tomorrow.  Got home

and took care of the groceries, then Bill and I went to fill up our vehicles with gas.  I baked a white cake (Bill's favorite) and also made an angel food cake.  Cut up strawberries for on it.

Caught a mouse in my chipmunk trap today.  Guess that's a good catch too.  Kenzie called crying and said she needed to talk to Aunt Kimmy.  She couldn't get a hold of her and neither did I.  I left messages on her hone and Adam's.  She said Mylee got a huge Pike hook caught in her mouth.  There was lots of blood.  I told her I would pray and would try to get a hold of Kimmy and hung up to call her. I started praying right away, and called Vikki and Melissa to get them praying.  When I called Kenzie she and Travis had the hook out.  Mylee is doing good tonight she said.  I sure am thankful once again for God answering prayers.  All the vets by Kenzie were closed.  Pulled lots of weeds and all the lettuce plants that are done out of the garden.  Made chicken in the air fryer that was super delicious.  Such an easy way to cook it and it turns out so good.  Picked corn from the garden and had that too.  Weeded my new garden area too.  We dropped off Isaac's bike and also gave Rody his birthday card.  Visited for a few minutes. Left to go get Bill's Birthday/Father's Day present from all of us.  Did my reading in the evening tonight.  Had a nice long talk with Melissa.  She is so kindhearted, and such a blessing.  She's always joyful no matter what she goes through.  

Thurs., 8/26/21, Shopped for Bill's Birthday present, Bill did our friend Jim's funeral, went to A & W Drive In, swam, worked on Newsletter for Faith Riders

 

Evan being silly.  These were my fun pictures of the day!  I sure got a good laugh!

I told him he could walk next to me when I hang clothes on the line and I won't need a clothes pin bag.  Sure do love this grandson!

We did our morning reading inside in the air conditioning this morning while we had our morning coffee.  I shopped for Bill's Birthday present, and picked up some ice cream for our family get together for it.  When I got home, it was time to go to the funeral Bill was doing for a friend of ours, Jim Adams.  Bill had left earlier, so I just met him there.  They had gone to school together, and hadn't known each other had joined the Marines.  Bill was on R&R in Australia and heard some one call his name he thought.  He didn't see anyone, but kept walking and heard his name again.  Someone ran up to him and it was Jim.  What are the chances of that in a busy city like Sidney, Australia?  It was wonderful service and Jesus was glorified.  Many prayed a salvation prayer which was so moving.  We both drove to A & W Drive In and had coney dogs, fries and root beer.  We ordered from outdoor machines like back in the day.  Bill parked his truck next to me, and then came and sat in my car with me while we ate.  It sure was yummy.  We came home and I soaked his white shirt and treated it, and also my dress.  We both slopped coney sauce on us.  I went for a swim.  The water was so warm and nice and it was great exercise.  I came in and started working on the Faith Riders Newsletter.  I'm still waiting on one person's article, but I've got the rest done.  I talked to Melissa and she shared more answered prayer with me.  Love how God is faithful to answer.

Wed., 8/25/21, Went to Melissa's, Kimmy and the boys came over, Wished Mark Happy Birthday, Played 3-13, Swam, Church Lament/Prayer/ Praise night, Debbie and Jeff came over

Max, Jack and Evan

Evan with his Hamster while showing us on FaceTime how cuddly she is

Evan sitting in the doorway litterally

Max wasn't smiling for my pictures, so I tricked him and got him on FaceTime smiling

Beautiful Hibiscus 

Cicada on our maple tree

I hung more clothes out and saw that there are two cicadas on the tree

Jacob, Papa, Eli and Adam playing 3-13

Eli loved sitting on our big pumpkin and using the other one for a stool

I read my Bible out on the deck this morning.  Kimmy called and they still don't have power since around 6:30 when the storm hit last night.  There's is a tree at her neighbors that fell and hit a power line.  I told her they should come over.  She said the boys had been begging her to bring them.  She decided they would which makes this mom/nana very happy.  I went to Melissa's to drop Hailey's special bracelet she left in the camper off and also a T Shirt of hers.  The boys all came out to say hi and talk for a minute.  Love my time with them.  Got home just before Kimmy and the boys arrived.  I sure was happy when I saw they brought Wyatt.  I love that dog and his smiles.  We played 3-13.  I started off good, but quickly went uphill if you know what I mean.  Jacob won today's game.  We ate muffins and bagels.  We went swimming and the water was such a great temperature.  We got lots of exercise throwing the squishy bomb around.  Kimmy, Eli and I were on one team and the boys and (papa sometimes) were on the other team.  Of course our team won!!!!  The older boys didn't think so, but Kimmy and I know.  We spent a lot of time in and sure had fun.  We all walked out to the pumpkin patch and checked on the pumpkins.  They are getting huge and I'm wondering how they are going to lift them to get them on the trailer to deliver.  Eli was cute sitting on them, so I took his picture.  They left after that.  Bill and I went to lament/petition/prayer night at church.  It was an awesome service.  Pastor shared Psalm 13 where David lamented, petitioned and then praised God.  He led us in some words of Scripture we repeated.  Then he gave us ideas of things in the past year to lament about before God....Covid, sickness, deaths, loved ones who aren't saved, or who have fallen away, job changes, financial losses, etc.  He told us we could stay in our seats, move, kneel at the altar, kneel at our seat or whatever we wanted and then gave us time to Lament (share our pain) with the Lord.  It was a moving time and tears were shed.  Then next part of Psalm 13 is where David petitioned.  He knew God was the only one who could help him and he asked God to look on him and answer him and give light to his eyes.  We took time then to pray individually for the painful things we shared and petitioned God to help us and answer us.  Then we praised Him.  The worship team lead us in awesome worship and it was an amazing celebration of all God has done for us.  He is the Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness!!!  Even when we don't see Him, He's working.  Amen to that!  The Holy Spirit worked in an amazing way!  Our friends, Debbie and Jeff, called and wanted to come over.  They had been at the service too.  Debbie and I sat on the deck and Bill and Jeff walked around.  We had a great visit with our friends and were so glad they came over.  I played the song Behold our God by Sovereign Grace Music and we all worshipped together.  They hadn't heard the song and loved it.  

 

Tuesday, 8/24/21, Happy Birthday to Rody!!! Packed up the camper, went for a swim, unpacked the camper

Happy Birthday Rody!  We love you!!!

Bill enjoying the pool

Sunset in the evening after the rain....it was still thundering out when I took this

Ha ha, Bill showed me the shorts he wore to church on Sunday...Now we are both wondering if they were ripped when he was wearing them there

 We all got up early.  We ate breakfast and then the kids helped me with the things they needed to do and put away.  Then they went to the playground and to the clubhouse while I did what I had to do inside.  I washed our water bottles and put fresh water in them for our ride home.  Peyton and I took the trash to the dumpsters.  As I was going, I passed a lady coming back the wrong way.  I thought she must have took her trash down and was just coming back up instead of going all the way around the campground at 5 MPH.  Peyton and I put our two trash bags in, then I thought about going back the short distance up the road the wrong way.  I am always a rule follower so finally thought of Bill and how he would do that and not think anything of it.  I decided to do it, even though it was hard for me to go against the rule.  Well we got almost to the end of the one way, and a guy came running out of the trees, I stopped because he walked right in the middle of the road toward me.  I didn't put my window down because he looked like a weirdo.  He told me I was going the wrong way.  I said ok, but was right by where it turned into two way again, so kept going.  We got back to the camper and Bill was there, doing what he needed to get done.  Isaac and I were folding the outside carpets up and putting them away.  Two workers on a golf cart came by, and asked me if I just went the wrong way up the road.  I told them yes and that I saw a lady coming back that way, so thought it was ok for a short trip up from the dumpster.  They said I almost hit a worker which was totally not true.  The weirdo was a worker evidently.  He looked kind of nutty the way he ran into the road and then up the middle.  I told them what happened.  They were nice and I said I was sorry.  I guess I will continue to be a rule follower.  Guess God was showing me that He likes me that way.  We got everything packed up, then Peyton rode with me and Isaac rode with Papa.  I gave Isaac a coke and papa one of his carbonated waters to cool them down on the ride home.  Peyton had lemonade and I had water.  We also had some M & M cookies on our ride.  We talked to Vikki for a while on our ride and heard about her orientation for work.  She loved the speaker.  I wrote down one of his sayings when I got home.  "Attitudes are contagious.  Is your attitude something someone would want to catch????"  Vikki came to our house and got her stuff out of the camper.  She brought Lenny.  I was happy to see him.  It was so hot out.  I unloaded the food and my clothes, then went for a nice long swim.  Bill joined me.  We stayed in about 1 1/2 hours.  Sure helped to cool down.  Vikki was going to come swim, but decided to just stay home in the air conditioning.  Bill and I called Rody and sang Happy Birthday to him and wished him a Happy Birthday.  We got thunderstorms in the evening.  It got very windy and I ran out to pick up everything that would blow away.  Got our suits and towels off the line too.  We sure needed some rain, so very thankful about that.   

Mon., 8/23/21, Kimmy and boys came up, went to Tawas and Oscoda Beach for the day!

Eli, Jacob, Peyton, Adam and Isaac in Tawas

Isaac, Peyton, Adam, Eli and Jacob

Isaac and Peyton

Eli and Jacob

Peyton, Eli, Isaac, Jacob, and Adam

Isaac, Eli, Peyton, Adam, and Jacob

Peyton and Adam

Eli in Tawas

 

Fun at Oscoda Beach

The kids and I eating lunch at the park 

Eli

Isaac buried in sand

Peyton buried…one big toe sticking out 

Eli and Peyton 

Adam 

Eli, Adam, Kimmy and Vikki

Eli, Adam, Vikki and Kimmy

Jacob napping 

Adam, Peyton, Isaac and Eli

Peyton and Isaac running down the hill

Adam

Eli, Adam and Jacob 

Cute grandkids 

Eagles along the highway in Tawas

Jacob videoing eagles! He got an amazing video!

 This is the video that Jacob took today of the eagles

 

Peyton and Isaac playing 3-13 with me

Cute magnetic bracelet Peyton made for her water bottle

Kimmy and the boys came up.  We went to Tawas and Oscoda to spend the day.  We walked through some shops in Tawas, then walked out on the dock.  We went to Oscoda Beach after that and ate pizza and breadsticks at a picnic table.  We swam lots.  The water was great and we had so much fun throwing squishy bomb and catching it.  Kimmy, Vikki, Eli and Adam ended up over by the dock  Squishy got thrown and floated way out.  I was on the dock when that happened and I told them to just let squishy go.  Vikki was going to try to swim out for it, but Kimmy told her no. Then Kimmy took off to get it.  The current was pretty strong there and she had to swim out 30 feet to get it.  It wasn’t easy and gave her a scare.  I didn’t see her do it, but it sure gave me a scare hearing about it.  It wasn’t worth taking a chance like that.  I love my Kimmy and  don’t want anything happening to her.  I have been thanking God for protecting her.  It was evening by the time we left! What a fun day!  Vikki left when we got back to the camper.  She has to go to work tomorrow.  We were sure sad when she left as this is our last camping trip of the year.  She's a fun camping buddy!

I am keeping Peyton and Isaac with me.  Kimmy and the boys left at the same time as Vikki. They helped me pack up all the chairs because we leave tomorrow. Isaac went to the clubhouse for a while and Peyton played at the playground.  I took a bike ride and had them come back to play 3-13.  Isaac is winning, but we have to finish tomorrow.   We prayed and then I tucked them in.  Read my Bible after that and went to bed. I’m tired after all the exercise I got today!