Sunday, 5/2/21, Went to church, went to Frankenmuth, Spent lots of time out on the deck in the 75-80 degree weather

 

 Riding our motorcycle through Frankenmuth..That's Matthew's church farthest down on the left

 Evan got the lego set we got him put together fast

We went to prayer, then church.  After church we had a cinnamon roll that Charlie and Sue got for us yesterday.  They were yummy warmed up.  We read out on the deck for a while, I walked around and looked at my plants.  Both blueberry bushes are doing great now and getting lots of leaves.  One looked like it wasn't going to get any leaves at first.  It was a beautiful day and in the mid 70's so we rode our motorcycle to Frankenmuth.   We met with Wayne and Lisa our State Coordinators for CMA and Bev and Ron, area reps. to work on plans for the Michigan CMA State Rally.  We walked around Frankenmuth afterward with Bev and Ron.  We came home and spent more time out on the deck relaxing and watching the birds....nuthatches, finches, cardinals, orioles, robins, chickadees, woodpeckers and not so darling starlings.  I walked outside some more and Bill came in and took a nap.  I came in and was going to nap, but Melissa called and after we got done talking I wasn't tired anymore.  I texted with Adam for a while.  Texted with Eli too.  Love texting with grandkids.  We watched a movie, WWJD The Journey Continues.

Sat., 5/1/21, Wished sister Debbie Happy Birthday, it's her 70th!!! Did our CMA Run for the Sun Ride, Went to Melissa's to celebrate Evan's 10th birthday

 Faith Riders Group picture

 So good to see Jeff and Julie and talk to them.  They have been as careful as Melissa and her family, and this was their first time out.  We were so happy to see them today and excited for them as they will get to see their grandkids for the first time today too since Covid started.  They don't live close by to do porch visits, so they've only done face time visits.  They were pretty excited!

Gathered for prayer

Parked at a Subway

Ate our lunch outside

Raindrops on the windshield

Evan with his cookie cake

Bruce, Evan and Melissa



Evan with his lego set we got him

 Evan with Rip Stick from Bruce and Melissa

Piñata broken with candy

Evan with his card and $1 from Aunt Vikki and Uncle Terry

Evan learning to ride his rip stick

 

Our friend, Ziggy, is N.C. and posted these pictures he took

 Really cool picture of our friend with the horses in the background.  

We met Ziggy at a Bed and Breakfast in Maine when we went to a National CMA Rally with Wes, Gayla, Luis and Eva.  He was an airline steward and a super friendly, fun person.  When we went to our State Rally at Bay Shore, he was there the next year.  He is an Area Rep now like we are, so we see him at all the leadership things we go to now.  He does a great impersonation of Mr. Rogers.

Beautiful horses...They are Wild horses of Corolia, NC. They roam wild on the Carova Beach which is only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles

We left our house at 8:40 to go to Wes and Gayla's.  We met there for our CMA Run for the Son ride.  There were 18 of us from Faith Riders that came and turned in money collected for this wonderful fundraiser for ...Open Doors, Jesus Film and Mission Ventures which use the money to win souls for Jesus!  Today $5,000 was turned in from Faith Riders.  I'm so happy to be a part of this.  We left at 10 for our ride to Laingsburg.  It was cool and in the 20's when we got up, then 32 degrees when we left home.  When we left for our ride, the sun was shining so it warmed up quickly after that and ended up being a really nice day, although it was pretty windy.  There were 8 bikes that went on the ride and 11 people.  The ride was so pretty going on curvy and hilly roads through the country.  I was so thankful I downloaded Elevation's new album.  I played it all the while I was riding.  Such great worship.  We stopped in a little plaza in Laingsburg that had a Subway, a Cafe, and an Ice Cream shop.  That's all we needed.  We picked up our food and drinks and ate outside.  It was sunny and warm there.  We went back for ice cream after we finished eating.  We visited for a while, then headed home.  We got by Elsie, and it started sprinkling.  It didn't look like is should be raining, but it was.  It didn't rain hard enough to get us wet so that was good, and it didn't last long.  We got home, and I watered some of my plants.  Then we relaxed for a little while.  We went to Melissa and Bruce's at 6 to celebrate Evan's Birthday.  We got to do a backyard visit this time which was really nice and kept us out of the wind.  We sang happy Birthday to Evan, then he blew out his candles...at least he tried.  They were the kind that keep lighting again.  It was fun to watch him try to get them out.  He wanted a cookie cake this year like Hailey always wants.  We had cookies with ice cream and which was delicious. Evan opened his presents and was excited about everything.  He shot his rocket off for us.  They had a little piñata for him to break.  He tried hitting it but couldn't break it.  Bruce finally pitched it at him and he hit it like a ball and it broke and candy went flying.  Melissa posted a cute video of it.  Hailey was wearing the yellow Michigan sweatshirt I got for her at a garage sale and it looked so cute on her.  We came home and read our Bibles and did our devotions.

 

Friday, 4/30/21, Happy Birthday to Evan, We love you!

Happy Birthday Evan!  We love you so much!

Evan had his neighbor friend, Elijah, come over to spend a few hours and had so much fun on his Birthday!  Borrowed these pictures from Melissa.

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Vikki is always so thoughtful. She, Peyton and Isaac took a large pop and treats to Evan for his Birthday.  He loved them!

Max and Zoey both like Zoey's banana bed

We did our morning reading and did our discipleship lessons.  Put Elevation's new worship album on my phone and played the amazing worship songs.  I did some laundry and  cleaned some drawers.  Bill's tires he ordered for the trailer came, so he put the new ones on.    He mowed the grass too.  I made hummingbird food and oriole food and cleaned out the containers and refilled them.  Transplanted some flowers and dug some other plants out.  

It was nice out, but very windy.  A poor robin has worked for a week trying to build a next right out our back door on top of the light.  It kept falling down, but the robin didn't give up. Then today, I was going to take a picture because I saw the robin's nest looked perfect.  Vikki had watched yesterday and saw how determined it was.  I wanted to show Vikki how nice it was and when I went to get my phone and was ready to take it, it fell completely down.  Poor robin.  It came back with more stuff, but then gave up on that spot.  Our other robins are doing great in their nest.  We met Vikki at Kroger and got gas, then Vikki and the kids went to Salvation Army and I went and met them there.  Walked through, then went to the pet store.  Then we went to the Underground Railroad Store.  I didn't see a truck and almost got hit when I pulled out to go into the turn lane.  Poor Vikki was watching.  Thank you Lord for protecting me is what I said right away.  What would I do without the Lord! We got our Run for the Son donations all ready to be turned in tomorrow.  Watched a movie. Bill had ice cream, but I was too full.

Thurs., 4/29/21, Peyton and Isaac came over, Planted the rest of the plants Marie gave me

Pot I carved at Kimmy's all finished

Isaac making his cross necklace

Peyton making her cross bracelet

Isaac and Peyton showing what they made

Vikki brought the kids.  Made Starbuck's Coffee for Vikki and I. We talked to Kimmy.  She showed me a picture of my carved pot all done.  We listened to good worship music too.  Vikki left, Peyton and I waved and Vikki honked...which is what we usually do. We did spelling and Isaac got them all right and Peyton only missed 3.  We finished reading the third Ralph the Mouse book.  They read the Picture Bible after that.  Peyton told me yesterday that she wanted to do Art class.  I went through my old Sunday School Project Tote and got some things out for them to choose from.  She picked the cross bracelet.  Isaac wanted to do a sheep, but we decided to make it easy and do the same projects.  We will do that one next week.  I cleaned my fan, and cleaned the two Kimmy's getting.  They sure were dirty, but look great now.  Vikki came and she, Peyton and I had egg, bacon and cheese bagel sandwiches.  Isaac wasn't hungry. We talked to Kimmy and Jacob had just got his bottom braces on.  They were getting shakes from McDonalds.  I'm praying he isn't in a lot of pain.  I remember how braces can hurt.  I talked to Melissa and Kenzie today.  Texted with Adam and Eli.  I always talk and text with Vikki.  I planted the rest of the plants from Marie.  We didn't get as much rain as they said today, so I had to do some watering.

Wed., 4/28/21, Peyton and Isaac came over, Marie and Roy came over, Planted plants and flowers, went to discipleship/class

 Didn't take any pictures today.  Got my good morning text from Adam that I always look forward to.  Went to get some groceries at 8 so I could be out of there before it got busy.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac.  Made her a coffee.  She left and Peyton had reading with her teacher on line.  Peyton's teacher said she did great in her comprehension.  They took a 15 minute break after reading.  Then when it was time for spelling, Isaac had the papers, pencils and erasers out and both of them were sitting at the table ready.  I haven't had to ring the bell all week because they are at the table before me.  They only missed a few words, so they wrote them five times.  I had told them I was really tired for some reason today. (Probably because I got up early to go shopping)  Peyton came in the living room and said they gave each other the words they missed and they knew them.  She said they did it so I could take a nap if I wanted to.  We relaxed for a half hour, but I just closed my eyes and didn't sleep.  They sure are sweet kiddos.  We read after that.  They used their hover boards while they were here. Vikki came to get them and they had to leave right away.  I told her Bill had fixed the Rueger Shop Vacuum she found on the side of the road, and warned her that he wanted to keep it.  She took time to go out and see it.  He traded her a small shop vac for it, because all she needs it for is cleaning her car.  She left, and then Bill and I ate nachos.  He had sprayed grass seed on the bare spots in the yard, and had all this green stuff on his jeans, shoes and socks.  He wanted me to wash them right away so it didn't stain.  All was well and they came out clean.  I talked to Kenzie a couple of times.  I went and picked up bird seed, thistle seed, meal worms, and suet at the Elevator Store.  I walked through and looked at everything, but didn't get anything else.  All of my bird supplies ran out at the same time.  My birds will be very happy now.  Marie called me when I was pulling in the driveway and she and Roy wanted to stop over and bring some plants/flowers they had dug up for me.  They came and we sat on the deck under the Gazebo for an hour and drank ice tea and coffee.  We had a nice visit, then Bill and I had to leave for our discipleship meetings.  Charlie and Sue texted that they left homemade oatmeal raisin cookies on our porch.  YUM!  Bill went home, but I stayed at church for the "Asking the Hard Questions" class.  It was really good.  I was a little worried that the cookies would be gone when I got home.  Bill loves that kind!!!  There were still some left when I got home.  I called Sue to thank her and talked to her for a while.  Melissa called and we talked for a while too.  Then I thought about it raining tomorrow, so we hung up and I went out and planted all but a few of the plants Marie brought.  It got dark, so I had to quit.  Talked to Vikki for a while.  Got my goodnight text from Adam that I also look forward to.  

Tues., 4/27/21, Went to pick up some things from our Friends Bill and Christine, Dropped thing off at Goodwill, Spent lots of time outside

 

Isaac with shoes

 Peyton without shoes...this is when we got to her house, but she came to our house today without shoes.  I remember Adam doing that lots, but didn't think there would ever be another grandchild that would forget their shoes....I was wrong...

Got up early and made oatmeal and coffee.  We went to Bill's appt. to pick up some furniture and things they are giving us since he is retiring from being a radiologist and won't be working here any longer.  He and Christine had moved to Ludington, but he still came back and stayed here to work a couple of days each week.  It was so thoughtful of them to think of us, and it will be a blessing to share furniture with Kenzie and Travis for the home they are remodeling.  Vikki brought Peyton and Isaac.  We did spelling.  They wrote their words they missed five times, studied them, and they gave each other a test on those.  I shampooed the chairs for them and they look great.  One is a Lazyboy.  I kept a couple of things a standing fan and a box fan.  Also got lots of foil, saran wrap, etc. in new boxes for the camper.  Got some Starbucks and Tim Horton Coffee too!!!  Isaac got a full sized bed.  Nice blessings from the Lord.  We read Ralph the Mouse and then the Picture Bible.  After loading and unloading stuff, and then loading for Goodwill and to take to Vikki's, I was ready for a rest when I got home.  We also went to Culver's and I was super full as they gave us double burgers instead of singles that we thought we were getting.  I laid on the swing outside and enjoyed the fresh air and watching the birds for a while.  I used the charger on the Gazebo to charge my phone and it worked great.  Did my blog and now going to join a zoom meeting to pray for Muslims during Ramadan.  A missionary that our church supports in India passed away last night because of Covid.  She ran a Children's Home and was such a dear person and follower of Jesus.  The hospitals in India are full because of Covid and she couldn't get a room.  My heart is sad for such a loss, but happy at heaven's gain.  She had been to our church a few times. Keeping her family and ministry in prayer.

Monday, 4/26/21, Bill went to therapy, I heard the oriole and then saw it on the feeder again. Cleaned the closet upstairs in the green room.

 

My Hibiscus plant in the house blossomed today!

I made oatmeal for breakfast this morning.   Bill had to go to therapy and didn't get up early enough to eat before he went.  I made my cup of coffee and enjoyed it in a "Kimmy" mug. I sure love drinking out of their mugs and tumblers.  I heard the oriole's beautiful song, and then saw it on the bird feeder.  I also saw the nuthatch on it a few times.  I cleaned the coffee pot, as the clean light has been on for about 4 days.  It's always nice to see that light go out.   Cleaned out the closet in the green bedroom, so I can put the vacuum I'm leaving up there in it.  I got some stuff together to donate to Salvation Army.  Also stacked some beach towels in the hall closet, so if anyone forgets theirs they will be handy to get.  I did my Bible reading, devotions, praying and lesson for discipleship.  Put worship on this morning, but was a little late getting started with the rest today.  I did some cleaning in the basement.  When Bill got home, we relaxed for a few minutes, talked to Kenzie, then went out and emptied the brush from Vikki's out of the trailer, so we can use it in the morning.  I pulled some weeds out by the shed, and Bill picked the piles up for me.  That made me very happy.  I walked around and checked on all of my flowers.  Sure am happy it is going to be a nice warm day tomorrow.  I will be doing more work outside and will be sitting under the Gazebo to watch and listen to the birds.  I talked to Kimmy, then said hi to the boys when they got out of school and got in the van.  Jacob was going to drive, so Kimmy hung up to pay attention.  That's a good thing.  When I came inside and Bill wanted me to order Souper Cafe for our dinner.  I ordered 2 egg salad sandwiches and a chicken noodle soup for him and a pot pie soup for me.  YUM!  It was delicious.  It was curbside pick up only there again.  They went back to that because of Covid spreading.  Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over and brought some groceries they had extra...potatoes, taco meat, celery, cheese, and yogurt.  That was so nice of her.  She had to leave to deliver some more groceries to a friend.  I demonstrated my Dyson vacuum for her before she left.  Bill wanted me to show her.  I forgot to wave when they left, and always wave.  Bill had to get to an Elder's meeting at 6 and I was thinking of that and totally forgot. She called me to let me know I forgot ha ha.  I waved over the phone.  Bill went to the meeting, and I vacuumed the rest of the downstairs, and the stairs.  Boy did it pick up a lot of stuff.  Kenzie face timed me so I was on the phone with her for a half hour.  I researched some stuff my friend Vikki wanted my input on, and then by that time Bill was home.  I texted with Melissa, Eli and Adam today. I sure love texting with my family!