Wed., 11/30/22, Breakfast with Jacob and Eli, Took the three boys to school, took friend, Kay, for her surgery appt. did some shopping, picked Jack and Evan up after Jack's basketball practice

Look at this handsome guy driving their new van.  It keeps him in the lane and also away from other cars.  Just what he needed lol!

Nice that Kimmy and Jared could buy Jared's parents nice van.  It will be such a blessing for them.

Wyatt looks good in it too!

Jack after I picked him up from school.  It was cold, snowy and very windy out.  I took it fast so he wouldn't freeze.  Same with Evan below.

Peyton found this at the Thrift Store.  We just took down our big angel picture like it and replaced it with a different picture.  She wanted this to remember it!

I got up early this morning and got ready, then woke Adam, Jacob and Eli up.  They wanted me to wake them up at 6:15 so they could lay in bed another 15 minutes.  They didn't quite pop up like toast like I told them, but they did get up pretty good.  Jacob, Eli and I ate breakfast together.  Adam didn't want to eat, so I had him drink a protein drink.  They were all ready on time and we were out the door by 7.  Got them all to their schools safely and on time. 

I got home, read my Bible and did my devotion, then left to pick up Kay and take her for her surgery.  I just dropped her off and went shopping until they called me to come pick her up.  Got my gift for our CMA Christmas party this Sunday, and also our Walmart gift card for the giving tree at church.  Got Hailey's gift yesterday too, so I have officially began my Christmas Shopping.  I have ordered Peyton and Isaac's too.  Max just wants money, so he will be easy.  He called Papa today.  His birthday is tomorrow.  Can't wait to wish him Happy 17th Birthday.  Went to pick up Kay and had to go in and sign a form since I was her driver.  She did great and I took her home to rest.  

I came home and took a short nap.  Bill got home from picking Adam, Jacob and Eli up from their schools and taking them to their house.  They want to go to youth group tonight and Kimmy and Jared are supposed to make it just in time to take them.  

I talked to Kimmy, Vikki, Melissa and Kenzie today.  We had to change the date we are going to the Living Nativity, but it worked out for everyone to go still.  Yay! 

Tues., 11/29/22, Vacuumed, put Christmas totes away in the attic, baked squash from the garden, Kimmy and Jared dropped off the boys to spend the night, went to prayer

I blew the leaves off the deck and blew them far enough away so Bill could pick them up with his tractor.  It looked so nice when he was done.  I should have taken an after picture.  Kit Kat loved playing with her toy mouse, but she looks kind of vicious in this picture.

Peaceful tree picture for 2022 

Eli...so happy he's spending the night

Adam, Papa and Jacob.  These boys must have stacked the deck when we were out of the room.  They played cards off their piles so fast.  It was almost the end of the game and I hadn't even played a card off my pile.  I finally played about 3 cards of my pile before they won a few hands later.  I'm so happy they are spending the night too.

It was in the high 40's when I got up, so I blew the leaves off the deck.  Wanted to get them off of there before they freeze or get buried in snow.  Bill picked the leaves up with his tractor when he got home.  He went with Charlie this morning.   Lucky me, Charlie sent Amish Molasses cookies home with Bill for me.  Yum!  Nice thing is they all arrive.  When it is a kind of cookie Bill loves, lots are missing when they get to me lol.  I put Christmas totes away in the attic, so everything is back in order.  

I brought some squash from the garden in from the garage and baked them in the over.  They smelled so good baking and sure tasted good when they were done.  I ate a bowl and put the rest in the freezer.   I also made a grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch.  Kimmy called and wanted to know if the boys could spend the night and I could take them to school in the morning.  Of course I was happy about that.  She wanted someone to pick them up from school in the afternoon tomorrow, so I got Bill set up to do that.  I have to take a friend to the hospital for minor surgery tomorrow, and had told Melissa I would pick up Jack and Evan from school tomorrow too.  Everything worked out and Jack and Evan will be at Jack's practice until 4:45 so that gives me plenty of time to get there.  Vikki was willing to be on call for anything needed too.  

Kimmy dropped the boys off around 5.  She picked up a pizza and breadsticks for them to have.  I sent her a message that I had food here.  It worked out good still, because I warmed up some chicken noodle casserole for Kimmy and Jared and put it in paper bowls for them with plastic forks.  They took it to eat on the way as they wanted to get started on their trip to Indiana.  They are staying with Jared's parents and buying their Honda Odyssey.  His parents got a pretty red new Odyssey.  Melissa and Bruce have an Odyssey and love it.   Great vehicles!   

I went to intercessory prayer for an hour.  It was awesome worshipping than had amazing time of prayer.  When I got home Bill and I were partners against Jacob and Adam in Skip Bo.  We had M & M's for a snack while we played.  They beat us both games.  They really beat us really bad the last game.  Max called during the game, and talked to Bill, then me, then the boys.  He said he wants to play Skip Bo again with us.  He just learned how to play on Thanksgiving. 

Kimmy called to let us know they were getting close to Jared's parent's house.  She wanted to tell the boys goodnight.  Jacob was practicing his clarinet, so we had been listening to some great music.  She talked to him first.  Then Eli came upstairs to talk to her.  Then I knocked on Adam's door and she talked to him.  He looked very comfy all tucked in bed with the night light on.    

Monday, 11/28/22, Finished decorating for Christmas, Maddy and Brielle came over, went to Menards, replanted my peace plant from Rody's mom's funeral

Transplanted the peace plant that Rody gave me from his mom's funeral. It's looking healthier already

Maddie gave me these coasters from her, Alec and Brielle for Christmas.  They each have a different scripture on them.  They are so pretty.  What a meaningful gift.

Bill using his new Grasshopper.  He mowed the grass and picked up the last of the leaves. He wanted to try it out so he could make sure everything works fine.

I sure enjoyed holding sweetie Brielle lots

Maddy posted this on Facebook

Brielle loved the toys I got out for her to play with

I walked 2 miles on the treadmill this morning.  Ate my oatmeal and drank my morning coffee in my Kimmy mug.  I read my Bible and did my Advent devotion.  I finished putting all of the Christmas decorations out this morning.  Maddy and Brielle came over for lunch and to spend the day.  Maddy brought me my Christmas present from them.  Such a sweet gift and we sure will enjoy using them.  We ate chicken casserole for lunch, then sat in the living room visiting till about 4:30.  I got to hold Brielle the whole time.  She's such a good baby and so sweet.  Bill came in and visited for a while too.  In the evening, we watched a good Little House Episode.  We hadn't seen this one before.  

Sunday, 11/27/22, Bill took Wes, Gayla and Joel to the airport,Went to church, Went to Caro CMA chapter meeting,

 

Vader nice and comfy...He loves his head on a pillow.  So cute!

Blossoms are starting to come on my Christmas Cactus.  Biggest one is on the left.  Small ones are starting to come other places, but are to small to show up yet.  

Eli sent me this cool picture of Bo.  

Bill got up at 4:15 a.m. and took Wes, Gayla and Joel to the airport.  They drove their van, and Bill brought it home to keep at our house.  I didn't even hear him leave.  I woke up later and saw the light on in the bathroom, then heard him get in bed.  I thought he had gotten ready and was going to lay down a few minutes before they got here.  I was concerned that he wouldn't hear them when they came.  I decided to get up and check the time.  I realized he had already taken them and was just getting home.  I guess I was sleeping pretty sound to miss him getting ready and leaving.  I was the first one up in the morning, not counting Bill being up in the wee hours.  About 45 minutes later the girls got up.  Hailey wanted to get ready for church before eat breakfast.  Peyton wanted to eat first.  She played a game of skip Bo on her phone with Isaac.  Bill got up 15 minutes after the girls.  While he took his shower, the girls and I read the Bible and started our day off with prayer.  I forgot to take any pictures, so only have animal and plant pictures. Very special animal pictures though.

No kids church today, so Vikki and I got to stay in for the message.  It was another good one pastor preached.  Peyton went home with Vikki and Rody after church.  Hailey came to our house and packed up her things.  She went home to eat Taco Salad and to help them decorate their tree.  I made eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for Bill and I ate my leftover spaghetti from the Olive Garden.  Max called us and we talked to him for about 10 minutes.  We told him we loved him before hanging up and he said he loved us.  Sure do love all our grandkids so much.  

Bill and I went to the Caro Chapter meeting.  They have a new member which is good.  There were 11 of us there.  It is our smallest chapter, so nice to see it is growing.  

Kimmy and family got home from Georgia.  She kept me posted as to where they were on the trip home.  I sure love knowing where they are, so appreciate her updates so much.  She let me know when they were home, and called a little while later.  I always love talking to Kimmy.  Nice that I got to say hi to Jacob too.  Eli texted me.  I talked to Vikki and Melissa too.  Face timed with Melissa for a while also.  

Sat., 11/26/22, We went to check on the Russell animals, went to Big Boy, Peyton and Hailey helped me put the ornaments on the tree, we went to Culvers for burgers and concrete mixers

 

Jack came out to say hi when we stopped to get Hailey things she needed

Peyton and Hailey decorating our tree

Hailey and Peyton had fun watching Little House episodes.  I had fun too.

We went to Culvers after the girls helped papa pick up the tractor/snowblower he bought

Hailey and Peyton being silly at Culver's

I got up, got ready and read my Bible.  Hailey got up around 9.  Vikki was supposed to come at 10 and go with us to Kimmy's.  I called her and she was still sleeping so said she would come at 11.  Hailey talked to Bruce and wanted him to take her to Target.  She bought 3 tops there Friday and when she got home all three had those tags the store has to remove on them.  I told her I would take her, so we went to her house, picked up the shirts, then went to Target.  We prayed it wouldn't be busy.  We passed some stores that weren't busy and when we got to Target, they weren't real busy either.  We got right in, were second in line and were out in about 8 minutes.   Hailey hadn't eaten breakfast, because we decided to hurry to Target.  We got in the McDonald drive thru line.  It was 10:20 when we got in line.  She had wanted a burger, but then we noticed on their app, that you couldn't get a burger until 11.  She ordered a hash brown and a frappe' instead.  We waited a long time before we could order and then a long time before we could pick our order up.  It was after 11 when we finally left.  We were trapped in that line so couldn't leave like we saw lots of people on the other side doing.  Hailey ate while we were heading home.  Vikki and Peyton were waiting for us.  We all headed to Kimmy's.  We saw an eagle on the way.  We did stop at Taco Bell in Midland to get Hailey something good for her.  We checked on the animals.  Peyton fed the chickens, Vikki unlocked the gate and I locked it when we went to check on Bo and the Ram.  Bo was doing good and was happy to get more hay.  The cats both came to greet us and get some attention.  We stopped at Big Boy on our way home.  The girls got shakes and we got hot fudge brownie ice cream cakes.  Yum!  We came home and Vikki stayed for a few minutes, then headed home to spend time with Rody and Isaac.  The girls and I put the ornaments on the tree.  They sure were amazing helpers.  It went fast.  Bill went to look at the tractor he wants to buy again.  He came home and got the trailer because he decided to buy it.  He took the girls with him in case he needed help.  I decorated more of the house.  I went out to look at the tractor and help them when he got home.  We went to Culvers afterward for burgers, fries and concrete mixers.  We came home and watched Little Houses.

Thursday,11/24/22, Happy Thanksgiving! Yummy meals at the Shack, fun playing games with Charlie and Sue, banana splits at night, relaxation In jacuzzi.

Me in front of the main building at the Shack

Grainery Building where we stayed is the building at the end

View out the window where we ate our breakfast.  Two swans are on Robinson Lake 

Thanksgiving dinner time!

We ate breakfast at 8, then played Skip Bo.  Bill and I walked in the museum here, but lots of old cars and antiques had been moved out.  We all went to our rooms and relaxed for a while,  We met in the big room in our building and played a 30 card each game of Skip Bo. The guys got great cards and won.  Sue and I stayed and sat in the rockers and visited.  Bill came back and joined us.  Melissa called for prayer and we all prayed together.  Bill and I relaxed in the jacuzzi.  We went back to he big room to sit because our room was too warm.  We went back over to the dining area and we girls just ate a small salad and some bread pudding.  The guys ate a roll, ham and some bread pudding.  They served a big Thanksgiving meal again but we were still too full to eat much and we wanted to be hungry for our 8 o’clock banana splits.  We played a game of 20 card Skip Bo and a game of Euchre. The guys won both.  We visited with lots of Amish people from Ohio and Indiana.  Then we enjoyed delicious banana splits.  Came back and relaxed and talked with Melissa.  God answered our prayers in an amazing way just like He has done so many times before.  We were very thankful.

Talked to Kimmy and the boys in Georgia.  Talked to Vikki after her Thanksgiving at Rody’s Aunt Ann’s.  Many messages For Thanksgiving and notes of love today!  We are blessed with amazing family and friends.

Friday, 11/25/22, Came home from the Shack, Bill worked on his tractor, Guy came and is going to buy it, I went to Kroger for gift cards, Over to Vikki's, Out to Olive Garden with Bruce, Melissa, Jack and Evan, Hailey spent the night

Bruce, Evan, Melissa, Me, Jack and Bill at Olive Garden

Vader is looking beautiful after being groomed

Peyton, Wyatt, me and Lucy.  We stopped over after we were done at the Olive Garden for some of Rody's Banana Pudding cake dessert.  Yum!

Rody, Isaac and Bill

We got ready, read our Bibles, packed everything in Charlie and Sue's car, then went in to the main building for breakfast.  Breakfast was really good.  We visited with some friends we made there.  One guy and his wife told us they heard singing after they got in their room last night.  He came out and saw the whole dining room filled with Amish people singing praises to God.  He videoed it and it was amazing to hear and see.  

It was in the 50's and warm on the ride home.  We had a good trip home.  Bill worked on the tractor when we got home, and I went to get gift cards that were 4 x fuel points at Kroger and then went to Vikki's for a while to visit.  The guy was there looking at the tractor when I got home and bought it and will pick it up tomorrow.  Bill was really happy as he has another one he wants to get which is a Grasshopper.  

We took Melissa, Bruce, Jack and Evan to Olive Garden for dinner.  We had such a fun time with them and the food sure was good.  The boys sure are growing up and are so sweet.  

We went to Vikki's afterwards because she invited us over for banana cream pudding cake dessert.  Melissa and family weren't able to come.  We sure enjoyed that dessert. It was delicious.  She and Rody had a fire going in the fireplace for their first time.  It was warm and cozy.

Wed., 11/23/22, Went to Ala Mode Restaurant in Big Rapids for breakfast,

At Ala Mode Restaurant in Big Rapids for Breakfast

Our room at the Shack

Bill in front of the Livery

Bill and I played a game of pool.  He beat me, but I only by one ball

Charlie, Sue and Bill with their banana splits

We got ready and went to Charlie and Sue’s to ride with them to the Shack.  We thought we would eat at one of our usual restaurants on the way, but all three had closed. Very sad.  No 

other restaurants in these towns either.  We ended up going to the Ala Mode Restaurant in Big Rapids.  It was one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had.  They even had a space on the Big Rapids monopoly board.  We headed to the Shack after that and got in our room in the Grainery at 2.  Such a nice room.  We always love it at the Shack.  

We got settled in our rooms, then Sue wanted to take a nap, so Bill and I went to the main building to check out the gift shop, and walk around in the building.  We played a game of pool down in the basement.  Charlie called to let us know, they wanted to play Skip Bo, so we went back to the rec room in the Grainery.  We girls won the first game.  The guys won the second game.  We went over to the main building to eat dinner.  They had yummy meatloaf, chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, rolls, and a delicious salad.  We tried not to eat too much because they have banana splits every night at 8.  We went and played Euchre until 8.  The girls won 2 and the guys won 2.  The guys won the 5th game.  

We had our banana splits.  Marv, the owner who is 88, scooped the ice cream just like always.  There were 10 different kinds of ice cream to choose from.  Everyone gets 3 scoops, but Bill always asks Marv for 5 scoops and gets them.  We sure enjoyed those banana splits.  We visited for a while, then went to our rooms.

Tues., 11/22/22, Went to Special Friend's Day at Grandson's school, Picked up camper, put lights, Star and beads on tree

 

Evan and Bill in Chapel

Me, Jack, Connor and Caleb in Chapel

Evan and Jack sang in the choir.  They did great and the two songs sounded so good.

Bill and I waiting to write what we are thankful for.

I went to Jack's class after chapel.  It was packed!

Me and Jack in his room making our wreath

Jack working on cutting out things for our wreath

Bill and Evan's craft....Bill's picture on one side, and below Evan's picture on the other side

Jack's wreath

Jack and Bill

We went to Evan and Jack's school for "Special Friend" day.  I was Jack's special friend, and Bill was Evan's.  We met in their classrooms, then went to chapel for worship and a message.  Good message on being Thankful and a good video of a person who was not being grateful.  In the video, everything he used or had that he wasn't grateful for disappeared.  Then when he thanked God and had a heart filled with gratefulness, everything was restored.  It was a good message to make you think.  Afterward, they had class age groups go to different boards and write what they were thankful for.  

I went to Jack's class after that and Bill went to Evan's.  Jack's was packed and the seating was all over the place.  He and I were right back by the window.  They have had a sub for the last two weeks.  His teacher had surgery, so her daughter has been subbing.  He cut out a pumpkin and a leaf, while I cut out the turkey.  He colored the turkey, while I cut out the rest of the leaves.  We had fun working together on it, but those leaves were a pain to cut out.  Jack decided where everything should go.  It was cute when we got done.  They are giving them to patients in a nursing home which was a great idea.  

Bill helped Evan draw pictures of themselves for their project.  It turned out really good.  Pretty good drawings of themselves.  Evan's class was very organized.  We enjoyed the donuts and juice they gave us while working on our projects.  It ended at 10 and the kids got back at their schoolwork and we left for home.  Hailey was up when we got home and had eaten breakfast.  Camping World called and told Bill the camper was ready, so we left to pick it up.  Hailey went with us.  Hailey and I went in a new 5th wheel while we were waiting.  It was a lot like our last camper, but they have made some amazing changes.  I took some pictures.  I love our sturdy camper we have right now, but it was fun to look at some campers.

Hailey showing the new slender but long closet when you come in the door.  it has 6 hooks in it for coats

Stairs instead of steps going up to the loft. Great invention...the ladder was hard to get up and down from for us adults and most of the tall kids

We all ate Thanksgiving leftovers, the Hailey picked up her mom to go Christmas Shopping.  They slowed down to turn into Taco Bell, and the lady behind them didn't see them and hit them in the rear. It only did bumper damage, but jolted Melissa.  Her neck and shoulder started hurting later.  They called the police to file a report.  The lady who hit them was very nice Melissa said.  They still went Christmas shopping afterward, but didn't have as much time after all that.  I put the lights and the beads on the tree while she was gone.  Hailey came back here to spend the night again.  I packed for tomorrow really quick so I could watch a movie with Hailey and Bill.  We had cashews and M & M's and watched the  movie, Nativity Story.  It was good, but some things didn't exactly line up with Scripture.  Good thing we know what our Bible says.  We all went to bed after that.