4/9/17...Nice day in the 70's. Went to church, Sat outside for a while. Went to the Maple Grill and had a fundraiser

Peyton looked so pretty this morning at church

Isaac looked very handsome at church this morning (I think he looks like Pastor Ken as Isaac would say!)

We had our Faith Rider's Fundraiser at The Maple Grill today!

Matt and Matt Jr.  Matt organized the event

Me, Lupe, Eva, Cheryl and Gayla!  

Rosella (Rosey) and Chuck

Kevin, Vikki, Marti and Mark

Merijo and Greg

Phil and Julie (our National Reps)

Joaquin, Eva and Luis

Bill visiting

Wes and Gayla

Matt serving

My daffodils look beautiful now

Went to church.  Peyton came up to me with a nice picture she made for me.  Her hair was fixed so cute.  I had to do a double take because she looked so much like Sienna in my class with her hair like that.  She looked beautiful in her pretty dress.  Isaac loved the palm branches.  He looked very handsome in his nice suit.  After church we came home and got stuff packed up for the silent auction we were having at the Maple Grill.  I sat outside in the beautiful weather until we had to leave.  Bill drove the motorcycle while I drove the car with all the stuff in it.  We set up everything when we got there and then signed in to work.  I passed out plates with food to customers and picked plates up when they were done.  We had a lot of helpers.  We had a very good turnout of people.  We were happy to have Melissa and Bruce come.  Happy to have Stacie come too and lots of couples from church.  They had pulled pork, potatoes salad, grilled beets (which were delicious).  Everything was yummy.  We made $3,700.00 from the motorcycle and other things we sold.  The motorcycle had been donated for us to raise money for Run for the Son.  The money goes to the Jesus Film, Missionary Ventures and Open Door.  This will be a huge blessing to many people and many will come to know Jesus through it.  I am praising God.  When we got home, Bill asked me if I want to go out for ice cream. Of course I said yes.  We walked through the New Home Decor store and then went to Culver's for a concrete mixer.  

4/8/17...Went to see Kenzie, Came home and was happy to see Hailey, Jack and Evan here, Melissa and I went to Vikki for grilled hamburgers

Kenzie

Jack, Evan, Max and Papa  (The boys have walking sticks papa made them and carved their names in)

Jack pulling the wagon while helping Papa pick up sticks

Papa, Evan and Hailey

Hailey, Papa, Jack and Evan

Hailey, Evan and Jack

Evan, Hailey and Jack

Peyton and Isaac by their bird nest they made

Isaac

Went to see Kenzie.  Stopped at Kroger's to get a gift card for Tim Horton's and some other things.  We went to Tim Horton's for lunch.  While we were there a fire truck, police car and ambulance came.  They brought a stretcher in and took one of the workers in the kitchen out on it.  They worked on him in while still in t he parking lot.  Didn't have the lights or siren on when they left.  We prayed so we're hoping he is ok.  Our lunch was wonderful!  Love spending time with Kenzie.

Got home and Bill had Hailey, Jack and Evan over to pick up sticks for him.  Melissa and Bruce took Max to Cass City.  We had pizza for lunch and ice cream for dessert.  Spent lots of time outside as it was in the high 60's.  Hailey and I watched a movie I got from the Christian Book Store.  Bruce stayed for a while while Melissa and I went to Vikki's.  Rody grilled burgers out!  They were delicious.  Vikki made a yummy noodle dish.  We had a nice time sitting on her swing visiting afterwards.  We decided to go for a walk,  Vikki had Lenny, Peyton and Isaac were on their scooters and Melissa were walking behind.  When we were right by Rody's mom's, a big German Shepherd came running at us.  A lady and guy were yelling he doesn't bite.  We were sure glad to hear that.  He was 9 months old.  While we were trying to help catch him another of their dogs got off it's leash and came running at us.  It looked like a pit bull so that scared us.  They said he didn't bite either.  They caught him first.  We were all still trying to catch the German Shepherd, but he was quick and would come kind of close and then take off again.  Vikki even let the lady take Lenny into her house so the dog would follow her.  He didn't though.  I prayed out loud that we would be able to catch him.  We didn't want him running in the road and getting hit.  Finally the lady laid on the ground and was playing with Lenny when the dog came close enough for her to grab.  What a relief that was.  

4/8/17...Taxes done, went to visit Brian in Hospital, Lunch with Bill at Old Town Drive In, To Kimmy's, Vietnam Veteran's dinner, Last Supper Presentation at church

Love Kimmy's sheep and how they run to her when she comes out

Cute momma with her twins

I love Francis....she is absolutely beautiful and so sweet

Giddy up Francis

Peaceful view as we sat on Kimmy's deck.  Such a beautiful day out.

We took a walk through the woods a few times

Bill being interview by Alana Holland from Channel 5. It was on the news when we watched it at 10 and 11.  He did a great job!  So proud of him!

Bill watching the speaker

Dorthy, Gary, Kate (our sweet SVSU student), ?, me and Bill and another ?

Bill receiving his commemoration  

Dan, Gary and Bill

All the Vietnam Vets being honored

We got our taxes done this morning.  After that we went to the hospital to see Brian, a friend in Faith Riders.  He ended up coming home after we left.  We went to lunch at Old Town Drive In and had coney dogs, fries and root beers.  Delicious!  Came home and got ready to go to Kimmy's.  The boys were gone to Kokomos with Nick and his dad.  Kimmy and I sat on grandpa's glider and visited.  It was nice and warm in the sun. We moved the glider when it started getting in the shade.  I sat down on it and it collapsed.  I had lifted it and the bolt came out of the hole.  After another attempt and it going down when I sat on it, we saw the problem and fixed it.  We went out to check on the sheep a couple of times.  She should be lambing soon!  Loved Francis.  She is so cute and so sweet.  The boys got home about a half hour before I had to leave.  I was happy I got to see them.  Nick stayed and played with them.  Kimmy and I went in the house and had a cup of coffee.  On my way home, I saw two eagles.  One was soaring above me and the other was sitting in the tree near the nest.  Love seeing the eagles.  Didn't see any by the other next I went by.  I got home and we left right away for the Vietnam 50 year anniversary commendation. The students from SVSU put on a wonderful dinner for the veterans and their wives.  The food was delicious!  We had a student named Kate sit at our table.  She was so friendly and nice.  Wanted to serve us and treated us like royalty.  I asked her if she was a Christian and she said yes.  I told her about the GAP at SVSU and she said she wants to go to it, but can't right now because she has class on the night they meet.  We talked about her church and she told me she is getting baptized.  She was raised on a dairy farm so I told her about Kimmy and Jared's sheep farm.  She's had sheep too and was in 4 H

and showed them.  I was very proud of Bill and all of the veterans there!  I was also very happy they picked Bill out of all the guys there to interview.  He did a great job and they played it on the news at 10pm and 11pm. 

4/6/17....Weather watch today! They cancelled Melissa and Vikki's kid's schools. Kimmy's boys are on vacation. We didn't get the snow they said we would get. Kimmy and the kids came over. Bill took the 5 oldest grandsons to a movie, Had officer's meeting

Jacob, Eli and Adam playing Sorry with their mom

Eli, Jacob and I playing Sorry.  

Bill with the grandsons at the movie

So happy he took this picture!  What a great memory for all of them!

Jacob, Papa, Adam and Eli when they got back from the movie

 There were winter storm watches all over Michigan.  They canceled Peyton and Isaac's school.  They also cancelled Melissa's kid's school.  They didn't cancel until 7 a.m., so Melissa had the kids all ready.  We never did get the snow they said we would, but the winds were really strong and we got lots of rain.  Rivers are high all over with lots of flooding.  I was supposed to pick up Kenzie to come spend the day, but I cancelled because I didn't want to get caught in a white out if it started snowing. Bill wanted to take the boys to a movie, so Kimmy came here.  I had told him she wouldn't drive here in this weather, but I was wrong.  She came and brought the boys.  We played Sorry before they had to leave.  The boys sure are good at playing games now.  So much fun!  Bill took Jacob, Adam, Eli, Jack, and Max to see the Lego Batman movie.  They were so excited.  Such a sweet papa!  I love that he took a picture of them in the theatre with their popcorn and pop.  Such a fun memory for all of them.
He didn't think Isaac and Evan were old enough to see it, but I am sure they will get their turn some day.  Kimmy and I watched old videos and had a nice visit.  We had a lot of laughs about the way I video.  I would put the cap on and keep videoing.  It will be a memory for them some day for sure.
Kimmy left and the roads were still good.  Still didn't get any snow.  We had our Faith Rider's officer meeting at our house.  Had ten of us here.  Ate banana bread and had coffee.  Bill did great leading the meeting.

4/5/17...Vikki and I went out for a fun lunch, Had kid's care groups

Peyton with her balloon flower she made

Tyler and Isaac with their balloons

Got up and walked 3 miles high speed at Sportszone.  Vikki and I went out to lunch at G's.  They have a new buffet and boy were they busy.  Good pizza and salad!  Loved spending time with Vikki.  Vikki and I sure have some suggestions to make their line go faster though.  After we left there, we walked through the new Home Decor store in the old Sam's Club building.  Went to church to teach kids at care group.  We were supposed to use play dough for one of our games.  I passed out wax paper (good thing) and then gave all the kids a clump of play dough.  Well it was sticky and didn't seem right, but the kids really were excited about making something.  They couldn't even make anything though because it stuck all over their hands (like dough if you don't grease your hands first).  They were all covered.  Than one of my little guys started flinging his hands to get it off and it was flying all over the table and floor.  I stopped him quickly.  I am blessed to have a sink in my room so I had them line up to wash their hands and had all the others be careful  not to touch anything while they waited for their turn.  What a Mess!!  Joan came in right as the last kid was cleaning up.  I told her what a mess it was and she said Suzie and Sarah had made it and maybe need to get a different recipe.  Then she said, I'm going to my class and try it now.  (I have to check with her Sunday and see how her's went)  I would never have gone to try it.  When class was over, Pat, who teaches the 2nd and 3rd grade in the room next to me, looked at me in the hall and said it was awful in her class too and she was still cleaning up.  She doesn't have a sink in her room.  That would have been awful.  The kids had so much fun making balloon animals and flowers.  Evan had to sing at Bethlehem so he didn't get to make balloons.  When he came back with Melissa to get Jack, he was sad he didn't have one.  Well, right away Isaac gave him one of his.  Then Peyton gave him one of hers.  I was so proud of them and Evan was so happy.

4/4/17....Went to breakfast, stopped at Melissa's, got ready for care group and went over the lesson again

Saw this picture on Kimmy's blog on a post from way back. Love how my mom is smiling at Jacob

My brother John graduated from a 2 year Bible College Course!  God is so Awesome and He is doing amazing things in our family!

Went to Melissa's and while I was there, Abby got pretty comfy in her new bed.  Love how she looks in this picture

We celebrated Roy's 82nd Birthday at care group tonight!  He is so sweet and caring!  Very blessed to know him!  He was sharing lots of Scriptures in Bible Study tonight.  We were singing Happy Birthday to him!

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Aunt Brenda sent me a picture of my towel holder hanging in her newly remodeled kitchen.  Isn't her kitchen beautiful!

Went to breakfast at Sullivan's.  Got to pray with a friend there.  Also got to pray with her mom.  

We have been going to breakfast as a group since 2002.  I stopped and visited with Melissa for a few minutes after breakfast.  Abby was so cute!  She sure loves the new couch.  I went to Sam's Club after I left there.  Got a birthday cake with cupcakes for Roy's Birthday.  Saw Pastor Bob and his wife there.  Got the house ready and went over the lesson again.  Bill has to go to church to a Veteran's group meeting Doug is starting.  We had 10 of us here for care group.  Sang Happy Birthday to Roy and had cake and snacks.  Lots of good discussion during Bible Study which was great.  Everyone did their lesson and was prepared.  Love our care group!

4/3/17...walked at the Zone

My first flower of the year!  So pretty!  Spring has sprung!

I went to the Sportszone and walked over three miles.  Went to Pat's to get carrots and came home and made roast, carrots and potatoes.  Got a call from Phyllis saying their sump pump wasn't pumping out the water so she was bailing it out.  Asked if we had a pump to connect to a hose.  We did so Bill took it over for them to use.   They had called Charlie and left a message and also their neighbor.  It ended up that all of them showed up.  The problem is in the yard so tomorrow the yard will have to be dug up to see what's blocking it.  Bill and I had a good game of Words with Friends (it's like scrabble) going.  He was way ahead of me and I caught up and at the last minute I used my letter and only got 7 points, but because he had two letters left and they were subtracted, I tied him.   I could hardly believe it.  The roast, turned out really good.