Sunday, 3/14/21, Went to church, Went for a ride, Kimmy and Family met us for ice cream

Driving down US10 looking where Sanford Lake used to be before dams broke

My handsome driver Bill

One of our favorite ice cream places used to be on the corner on the left before the flood

 Sanford Lake Beach is across where the trees are...so sad there's no water.  Use to go there lots to swim and have picnics

Eli eating his ice cream cone while roller blading

 Wow...look how tall Eli is

                Eli is tall because of his roller blades ha ha (Jacob, Adam, Jared, Eli and Bill)

Eli, Jacob, me, and Adam enjoying our ice cream cones...that is artificial turf behind us...not real grass

Jared and Bill being funny when Kimmy tried to take their picture...Jacob's leg

Jared and Bill being photo bombed by Jacob

 Vikki and I are so sad...the wind blew down our favorite eagle's nest on Midland Rd.

Two eagles by where the nest used to be

Peyton looking cute being a twin with her American Girl Doll

We went to church.  I had to wake Bill up as he didn't remember the time change.  He did last night but didn't change his alarm.  Went to prayer before church.  Worship was awesome today.  Great message too.  We came home and ate, then went for a ride to Gladwin, Harrison, Clare and Sanford.  We walked through the Military Store, then though Jays.  Melissa called me while we were in the store.  We talked for a while.  We called Kimmy and she, Jared and the boys met us the the Country Creamery to get Ice Cream.  We picked our ice cream out, then went outside to eat it.  It was cool out, but sunny.  A little windy too.  We ate on the picnic table, then decided to walk the rail trail to get warmer.  We finally went to the side of the building and Kimmy and I sat at the table and the guys all stood, except Eli who decided finally to sit with us.  We were blocked more from the wind so sat there quite a while and visited.  Such a fun time with them.  We came home and took a nap, then watched a movie.  Vikki called me to tell me the Eagle's nest we love had blown down because of the high winds.  We had gone by there Thursday night, and I had turned my neck back around because I couldn't find the nest in the tree.  There were lots of cars parked looking toward the nest.  I didn't know it had fallen. Just thought I had missed it.  I am so sad.

I get my first Covid shot at 9 in the morning.  

 

Sat. 3/13/21, Bill got his second Covid shot, Kimmy and family and Vikki and the kids came over, Jared, Bill and boys hung closet doors, Kimmy and Vikki hung wall hangings

 When Jacob walked in to look at the new carpet this is what he did.  He thought it was so comfy ha ha!  Adam was the only Russell grandkid that didn't lay down on it.                                                                                    

Kimmy and Vikki hung all my wall decor for me today.  They did a great job!

Eli, Isaac and Peyton

Eli and Isaac

Eli, Peyton, Adam and Isaac picked up sticks for us...they had some fun while they worked too!

Eli, Isaac and Adam with their load of sticks

Bill had to go get his 2nd Covid shot at 8:30.  He went and paid the other half for the carpet too.  I read my Bible and then cleaned the downstairs.  It sure needed it.  I cooked some hamburger and onions to add to one of the Aldi's pizza's I got out to thaw.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came just before 1, and Kimmy, Jared and the boys got here right afterwards.  Jacob drove them on the back roads.  Bill, Jared, Jacob and Adam moved our pergola to the other side of the deck.  We saw them out the window.  I checked with Jared and he said Bill only used one arm.  Vikki and Kimmy hung up all my wall decor I bought.  They did such a good job and the room looks amazing.  We girls came downstairs and had coffee and muffins.  Jared, Bill and Jacob hung the closet doors in the bedroom and did a great job.  They work so good.  A big thank you to everyone.  The three younger kids rollerbladed in the basement.  They had me take the Google Mini down there so they could skate to Toby Mac's music.  They had lots of fun.  When the guys got done with the doors, we all watched Luis Palau, The Movie.  They all loved it too!  I made pizza and we ate during the movie.  The younger kids picked up the basement and the older ones took out the trash.  When they first came they brought in the big jug of water for the water cooler and put it on for me.  Great helpers.  When I used the last of the water in it this morning, I said out loud, "What a great day for this to run out when I have strong boys coming....Thank You Lord"!  Eli, Peyton and Isaac were going outside to rollerblade and Papa asked them to pick up sticks while they were out there.  Adam went out to help them.  They did a great job too!

Kimmy went out to take some pictures for me.  We girls walked around to look and see what plants were poking through.  Fun to do right now.  They all left right after that.  They wanted Jacob to be able to drive when it was light out.  It was really sunny, so he got practice driving while going towards the bright sun.  It was such a fun day together.  Bill hasn't had any soreness or fever or anything since he got his shot this morning. Yay!

Fri., 3/12/21, Bill had an appt. at the VA, I finally got my Covid Vaccine Scheduled, Went to Costco, Went to Vikki's, Saw lots of swans

                                                                               

One of my favorite books Kenzie made when she was little.  I found it when I was cleaning out closets in the newly painted bedroom.  So precious! She had some very good reasons!

Peyton

Isaac

My pendant looked so pink in my car window!  It looks white when I'm in the house, but pink is the color I picked.   

 Field has lots of swans in it...beautiful

Spent time in prayer before I even got out of bed.  Adam texted me his usual good morning which I always look forward to.  We took the sheets off the bed so I could wash them.  I saw it was supposed to be nice out and there wasn't a windy symbol.  Bill left right away for his 8:30 appt. at the VA.  I had oatmeal and my coffee, listened to worship on TV, then read my Bible.  Did a couple of loads of laundry.  I hung the sheets and pillow cases outside.  Baby was it windy.  I decided to only hand the bottom king size sheet because I didn't want my clothes line to break.  Those sheets and pillow cases were sure flying around.  

Kenzie Face Timed me and we had a nice visit.  She showed me their 6 goose eggs.  They have to keep them warm and keep turning them.  Their duck is getting big.  Mylee is sure getting big too. Kenzie told me she is coming early on my birthday so she can bake two cakes, an angel food and a regular.  I told her I would make the angel food the day before, but she wants to bake them for me.  She is so sweet.  She is planning a family party for me.  I finally got scheduled for my Covid vaccine.  It will be on Monday.  The girls were all very happy.  Adam too...he texted and asked if that meant they could come over lots more.  He is so sweet and cute!  I told him yes yes yes yes yes!  I will be getting the Pfizer one.  Bill got home.  He wanted to go to Costco, so we headed there.  Is that ever a huge store! Wow!  We walked through the whole store, then we decided to get a membership.  He went and did that while I went back and got some things we needed.  He got a great military discount which was nice.  When we got home, we took care of the groceries, then I went to Vikki's to take her the goulash she forgot here yesterday.  I texted her as soon as I saw it in the refrigerator and realized went home without it.  I visited for a while.  The dogs were super excited to see me.  It sure looks different with her neighbor's trees all down now.  On my way home, I saw lots of swans in the field on Tittabawassee.  

They were there yesterday too, but there was too much traffic to get a picture.  Today there was no one behind me for a long way, so I got one, even though it is pretty far away.   I was sad to learn that Luis Palau died.  Bill and I watched, Palau - The Movie, on Amazon Prime.  It was a great movie and so touching.  He sure reached a multitude of people for Jesus.  Now he is in His presence.  Happy about that part, and thankful for the blessed hope we have when we know Jesus!  Talked to Melissa and Vikki and texted Kimmy. 

Thurs., 3/11/21, Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac, Kenzie stopped over after her dentist appt., Made goulash, Went to Hobby Lobby

Isaac and Peyton

 My Christmas Cactus is finally starting to blossom

 Things I picked up at Hobby Lobby for the walls

Some other things I picked up there

 Picture I saw on line on Great Gift's website showing Kimmy and Jared's new spot under the light.  So much nicer!

Bill had to be at therapy at 8:30.  I ate a piece of leftover pizza for breakfast.  Not as good for me as oatmeal, but it sure tasted good.  Vikki brought the kids over.  We did spelling and Peyton missed 2 and Isaac got them all right.  I made goulash.  Kenzie came after her dentist appointment.  She was sad over some news she got at the dentist, so I prayed over her.  I sure love that sweetie.  I sent some goulash home with her to have at her house.  The kids and I read and then we went outside.  It was a super windy day, so we stayed away from the tall trees...we have had some blow over.  We walked around the house and decided to come back to the back deck because it was so windy out front.  We sat on some chairs for a while, then walked around and the kids picked up some sticks.  We checked out all of my flowerbeds to see if anything new was coming up.  Lots more daffodils and the iris's from Grandma Schmidt house is doing great and getting green.  

We decided it was just to windy and noisy (from the wind) so we came inside.  The kids rollerbladed in the basement and played darts.  Vikki came and we all ate goulash except Isaac.  He is getting pretty fussy. After Vikki and the kids left, I went to Hobby Lobby to pick up some things to decorate the bedroom we painted.  The lights in town were not working.  I found some cute things I liked.  Came home.  Had our Faith Rider's meeting.  

Wed., 3/10/21, Vikki brought the kids over at 10, Worked on sorting through Kenzie stuff from when she was little, Went to Bible Study/discipled

Peyton and Isaac wanted to play Sorry today.  Peyton saw a mosquito, so put her hood up and was pretty nervous about it being in the room somewhere.  

 70 degrees looked so good on my watch today!

 I sat outside in shorts and read my (actually Bill's that he wanted me to read) Bible today

Cute picture of Katniss outside that Kenzie sent me

The 3 girls and their families and I surprised Bill and got him a new Marine Jacket to replace the one he melted.  He looks so handsome in it.  He loves it!

Got up early and couldn't go back to sleep, so went upstairs and worked on sorting through Kenzie's stuff that I had stored in the closets upstairs.  I put her stuff in plastic containers and will store it in the attic.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac.  She played a new worship song by Kris Tomlin for me.  We visited until she had to go to work.  The kids and I did spelling.  Isaac didn't miss any and Peyton only missed one.  We did our reading and part of it today was some cute papers Kenzie had written.  They really enjoyed the one about Mocha.  We did our reading, then played Sorry.  I won, then Isaac was next and Peyton was last.  We were all very close though.  I made pizza from Aldi's.  I added ground beef, onion, sauce and more cheese to half of it for Vikki and I.  Peyton and Isaac only wanted plain.  It was yummy.  The kids roller bladed after they ate, since Vikki waited here til it was time to take her car in to have her tires checked.  They are all leaking air and she just got them a year ago.  Bill went with her which was so nice of him.  He is a great dad!  They think it is the rims, so Bill asked if they could clean them.  They did and said it should last her for a while. Vikki was happy about that and was happy her dad asked them that.  I went to discipleship class, then Bible Study at church.  Worked more on going through Kenzie's stuff when I got home and got it all packed up.  Lots of memories when you go through old stuff.  Bill and I just relaxed and didn't watch TV.  We snacked on almonds with a few chocolate covered almonds mixed in.  Talked to Melissa and Kimmy today.  Texted with Eli and Adam.  Eli told me that he loves his drone again.  He sent me a video of him flying it too.  He had a crash landing at the end!  Such sweet grandkids I have.

Tues., 3/9/21, The carpet was installed this morning, Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac over, Vikki and I put stuff back in room, Prayer with church prayer group

The carpet was installed this morning

 Furniture back in the room

Max with the guinea pig outside.  First time it was outside since bringing it home.

Evan

Jack going for a bike ride since it was so nice out...58 degrees

Hailey playing the guitar for me

Our own private little concert, Hailey, Max, Jack, Evan, me, (Melissa taking picture) Bruce was out, but left for a minute

Eli ready for his band concert.  He plays the clarinet.

The new auditorium was amazing Kimmy said and very comfy

 

Eli playing in his first concert. I borrowed these from Kimmy since only two people could go because of Covid.  I sure missed being there!

Got up early to take my shower, read my Bible and devotions, pray, make coffee and take the trash out before the carpet installers came.  They were supposed to be here at 9, but came at 20 after.  Vikki dropped Peyton and Isaac off.  It didn't take them long...2 hours and they were all finished with the carpet.  It looks nicer than I even expected it to look.  So beautiful. I did spelling with the kids, then reading.  We played 8 rounds of 3-13.  Will finish tomorrow.  I put a couple of things back in the room.  I talked to Kimmy, and she and the boys were going to come after school to help move the furniture back in today.  Eli had a concert, so the boys were going to stay with us and help while they went to the concert.  I told her I would take Eli home.  When Vikki got here, we were talking to Kimmy again and since Vikki was still tired and low on energy from her Covid vaccine, she was just going to put the frame of the bed together with me since she was the only one we knew knew for sure how to.  It didn't take long.  Then she wanted to put the box springs on, then the king size mattress.  Then we moved the dresser in, and then we just moved everything back in.  We also carried the two doors out to the shed so Bill could cut them down as they rubbed on the carpet pretty bad.  He used his new saw and cut them quickly and did a great job.  Vikki and I carried them back to the house and upstairs.  They were a little lighter because they had 1/4 inch cut off ha ha.  Bill hung those back on, then Vikki left to go home and do schoolwork with the kids.  It was nice that Kimmy didn't have to make a trip, but I sure was looking forward to seeing them.  I prayed with the intercessory prayer group at church.  They do zoom for those who want to and also in person.  It's pretty nice that we can all join together like that. Kimmy sent me a picture of the new auditorium Eli's concert was in.  It looks amazing.  Eli's was the first concert in it.  Only two could go per student.  Can't wait until we can go again.  I am waiting for a video from Kimmy.  I talked to her before I went to bed and she said he did great!