2/20/16...Walked the rail trail with Vikki. Went to Melissa's

Love this picture of my mom and Kenzie.  Miss my mom and her hugs so much!

Pretty girl Hailey

Max, Jack and Evan

Max, Jack, and Evan helping Bruce pick up branches that blew down from the strong wind

It was in the 50's yesterday and today and my hyacinths are popping up outside

I got some things ready to pack for our Chicago trip.  Went to get gas at Kroger's with Bill.  We filled the car and put lots in the truck (35 gallons) and got our dollar off so only spent 68 cents a gallon.  It came to $35 something.  So wonderful!  We went to Melissa's afterward to take the chain saw to Bruce to use on a broken branch that came down in the wind.  I tried to help Melissa set up her fitbit on the computer, but couldn't get a hold of my Kimmy so decided to wait as I didn't really know what I was doing.  Melissa is sure enjoying getting to see how many steps she takes in a day.  I went to Salvation Army and found some exercise pants.  I had looked and didn't see any and then walked around the store and decided to look one more time and found a really nice pair.  Just the kind I wanted.  Afterward I realized I left my coat at Melissa's when we took our walk outside and then I left after.  It was so nice I didn't think to put m coat on.

I have been walking lots in my basement.  Today was so nice that I called Vikki and we walked 2 miles on the rail trail.  We went to Goodwill afterward and got more steps.  Vikki found a legos for a great price.  I found some Sketcher Memory Foam Shoes for 5.99 and they were new and were marked for 39.99.  Sure am glad we went there.  They had nice adult coloring books for 1.50 so I got one for Vikki and Kenzie.  We went to Panda Express afterward as I haven't been there yet.  I had sweet and sour chicken and rice.  Also an egg roll.  So much food I hardly made a dent in it.  Took it home for another meal.  Vikki had teriyaki chicken and rice and an egg roll.  Yum.  So much fun with you Vikki.  Love you!

2/19/16 Kimmy and the boys came, then Vikki and all of her kiddos came too

Adam and Jacob

Me and my boy, Jacob

Adam and Peyton

Jacob and Kimmy

Nana and her boy Eli.  Kimmy and I took him to get his pictures taken and he loved the escalators.

Isaac loved putting the big floor puzzle together

Adam playing Indiana Jones on the wii

Kenzie and Jacob

Eli, Kenzie, Jacob, and Adam

Eli, Kenzie, Jacob, Adam, Isaac and Peyton

Isaac, Adam and Eli

Adam made a little house while we walked in the basement

Eli, Peyton and Isaac put this Noah's Ark puzzle together by themselves

Kimmy came over and the boys got to come because they didn't have school.  YAY!  Jacob had a dentist appt. to replace a filling he lost.  Papa took him which was very sweet.  Kimmy called and Penney's had an opening for Eli to get his picture taken if we left right then.  We hurried so we could get there.  We passed Vikki on our road and Adam got our and ran to our house to stay with her.  We talked to her on the phone and Vikki was heading back for him.  We got there in time and were the only ones there.  Eli did amazing at getting his picture taken.  He was so cute and funny.  His pictures turned out great.  Kimmy was blessed and happy because she didn't need to pay anything with the $10 off she got and her coupon.  We left and Eli wanted to ride the escalator.  We rode a couple of times up and down. On our way back home, Kimmy treated me to a Capachino and got one for her and Vikki too.  Thank you Kimmy.  Kimmy won a doughnut when she unrolled the top.  Bill picked up tidbits (a box for each kid).  We had chicken, egg salad, bologna and pbj sandwiches.  Kenzie came over for a while and Kimmy dropped her off at Libby's house on her way home.  We had fun walking in the basement to Christian music on my playlist.  Jacob loved singing and knows all of the words.  He is a great singer too.  Peyton and Isaac did great walking around with us.  Adam and Jacob did great at walking too.  We had so much fun and got lots of steps.  My total at the end of the day was 21,900 steps.  I got the Zealand award which is 990 miles on my fitbit.  I have walked the distance of the length of New Zealand.  WOW  It was a fun day and I loved getting texts from Melissa telling me how many steps she got doing each thing.  She is so cute and I am so happy she has a fitbit.

2/17/18...fun at kid's care groups

My kids had fun working together to build a temple.  They all put one block on at a time until they were gone.

I walked in the basement, then later went to the Sports Zone and walked 2 and 1/2 miles.  Getting in shape for all the walking I will be doing in Chicago.  When I get back from Chicago I am starting to go back on soups, salads, nuts, seeds, smoothies, fruit and veggies.  So happy Kimmy, Jared and Melissa have fit bits now too.  We can all get in better shape together now.  Bill went to his first Marine Corp meeting tonight.  He enjoyed himself.  I am very proud of him and his service.  I have been reading Travis Mill's book, "Tough as they Come" and it sure makes me appreciate those who have or are serving in our Military.  

2/16/16 Went to breakfast and gave the devotion this morning

Kimmy's lambs that the boys watched being born

Love this picture of Jacob and Adam watching the lambs being born.  I borrowed it from Kimmy's blog

Celebrated Amy and Ron's birthdays at Care Group.  Ron was sick so wasn't here.

Brian and Stacie came and are going to be in our care group.   

Went to breakfast and shared a devotion.  After breakfast, I went to Kroger's and then Jack's to get some bird food.  Came home and fed the hungry birds and then read my Bible.  Did some walking and some cleaning.  Watched the news with Bill and then we went to Sam's Club to get a cake for care group.  Dad got a bag of candy as he loves giving the kids candy on Sundays.  I got a big thing of animal crackers.  We ate lots of food samples at Sam's.  We came home and I did some more cleaning.   Care group went really good.  Had everyone there again, plus Brian and Stacie, which made 16.  Two couples are still out of state.  It was a great lesson on offering our time to God.  Lots of good discussion.  Amy brought ice cream and toppings to go with the cake.  It was her turn for snack but I had called her to tell her she didn't have to get anything because we picked up a cake.  Sam's cakes are the best we all decided.

2/15/16 Peyton, Isaac, Max, Jack and Evan came over today

Peyton being silly with my duster

Peyton wanted to help me dust

Isaac set up the train track and Peyton made the creation in the front of the picture

Peyton wanted a blanket so she grabbed this one but didn't want to unfold it.

Peyton and Isaac with their blankets

They made a bed on the floor.  They were pretty comfy.  I kept coming around the corner of the couch and tickling them when they put the blanket over their heads.  They laughed so hard.

Jack, Peyton, Evan and Max playing with the legos

Took another picture so we could get Isaac in it too.  

 Walked in the basement for a mile and then went to Sports Zone and walked 2 1/2 miles.  Came home and  Vikki called and came over with the kids.  I watched them while she went to her dr. Appt.
They were so cute and fun.   A little while after they came, Melissa dropped Max, Jack, and Evan off while she went to the Dentist.  They loved playing with the legos together.  At  5:30 we went to Bill and Sabrina's house for homemade chicken noodle soup.  I took homemade rolls.  Their daughter and her fiancé came as Bill is going to marry them and had to get all the information.  The soup was delicious and they really liked the rolls.  Kathleen and Rocco are coming to our house on March 4 for marriage counseling.  We had a nice time.

1/14/16 Valentine's Day and Jared's Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARED!!!

Kenzie and Cole

Adam at TSC

Jared, Norman, Eli, Jacob, Kenzie and Adam

Eli

Came home to all of this hidden under my heated throw when I went  to sit down.

Candy and roses from my sweetie!

Jack, Evan, Max and Hailey and their valentines we gave them

Peyton and Isaac

Isaac and Peyton with their heart balloons 

This is what I got when I told Bill to smile for the picture when we went to celebrate Valentine's Day at G's

This morning I got ready and went to the church Kenzie goes to with Libby's parents in Midland.  It was Midland Baptist Academy on Jefferson.  Church started at 11.  Bill went to our church as he has to meet with the Elders and pray.  Kenzie, Libby's brother, mom and stepdad and I sat in the 2nd row from the front.  We sang several hymns and Kenzie turned to each of them in the hymnal.  When it was time for the sermon, Libby's step dad handed Kenzie his big Bible.  He had a nice Bible Cover on it with Joshua 1:8 written out on it.  Kenzie said she would have to get Papa one like that.  When the sermon started (their evangelist was there as the Pastor and his family was on vacation) Kenzie turned in the Bible to every scripture.  She sat and listened and hardly moved.  I didn't even know she was capable of sitting so still and listening so well.  Guess we need to sit in the from from now on.  The Bible she was had some words that were highlighted.  the Evangelist used the scripture "Godly sorrow leads to repentance a few times.  That is the Scripture that has been on my heart a lot lately and I have been praying it for someone special in my life, so it was pretty amazing that it's one he said 2 or 3 times.  Afterward he had a salvation call and then asked anyone who wanted to make sure their hearts were right with the Lord to come to the alter for prayer.  Libby's parents went up right away for prayer and so did many others.  After church, we went to Meijer's and Kenzie wanted to get some medicine for her wart and also something for her mom for Valentine's Day.  After that we went to TSC to meet Jared, Kimmy and the boys. I got big hugs from all the boys.  I gave Jared his Birthday card and the boys their Valentine Cards.  We went in and walked around with them for awhile and talked to them.  After that I took Kenzie to Cole's house.  Then I went to Vikki's to take Peyton and Isaac their Valentine's Card and get my Valentine's Cards.  Visited for a few minutes and then Kenzie and Cole came.  I left after a few minutes and headed to Melissa's to give Hailey, Max, Jack and Evan their Valentine's Cards.  They came running with big hugs.  I stayed there a few minutes and then came home so I could spend time with Bill.  I went to sit in my Chair and under my throw was a card, a big bag of Stouffer's Candy and a dozen red roses.  We left and went to G's for pizza to celebrate Valentine's Day.  We had fun and the pizza was delicious. We used our punch card to get 6.99 off of our pizzas so that was nice.  It was a great day with family and my sweetie!

1/13/16 HAPPY 12TH ANNIVERSARY VIKKI AND RODY! Pie and Ice Cream day for Run for the Son at Wes and Gayla's

Vikki and Rody with Bill in the background!  Love this wedding picture!  Happy Anniversary Vikki and Rody!

After getting everything ready we had time for a partial game of 3-13

We had a great turn out and raised lots of $ for missions

Add caption

Jenna had fun

I spent the morning reading my Bible and then reading more of Travis Mill's Book, Tough as they Come.  At 1:30 we left for Wes and Gayla's.  I had made a rhubarb pie and a caramel apple pie.  We had blueberry, raspberry rhubarb, pecan and chocolate pie, plus cookies from Mary's Creative Bakery.

Also had ice cream with it.  We had fun and stayed to help and then after everyone left, we finished our card game and played another one after that.  It was nice seeing Joel and visiting with him.