Monday, 2/14/22, Happy Birthday Jared, Happy Valentine's Day Everyone

 

Happy Birthday Jared!  We love you and we are so thankful God gave you to us as family.   What a great world it would be if everyone was as kind and caring as you are, plus you are tons of fun too!

My good find at Aldi today....slippers with thick soles, nice and warm and only 9.99.  I needed some so I can wear them when I go out in the garage which is often with Kit Kat out there right now.  My other ones wore out and have large holes around the soles. Not my favorite color, but the last pair in my size.  

Kit Kat greeting me when I got home and parked in the garage

 

My new glasses...I picked the frames out when I could hardly see what they actually looked like because of the drops they put in my eyes

Bill reading his Valentine's Card

Bill opening his gift

Me opening my gift

Beautiful roses, necklaces and a very touching card from my love forever on Valentine's

Our 3-13 game on Valentine's Day...love this guy!

Evan made this beautiful heart for their candlelight dinner tonight and wanted Melissa to show me.  It is so beautiful!  I love how he always wants me to see what he makes and does.  Sure do love my Evan.

We stayed up til after 1 a.m. last night, so I was going to sleep in.  At 7, I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep, so got up, had my oatmeal and coffee.  Bill got up and made his coffee, then we did our morning reading.  I noticed when I went to play my worship music, that all my good worship music from the last six months was gone.  I asked Bill if he did something and he said no, but he checked it out for me, then I got a message which I replied to and all my music came back.  My free trial was up.  I thought of Hailey, so I texted her because I figured the same thing happened to her.  It did.  We were both feeling the same.  I got on and and had the link sent to her and all of her music came back too.  Yay, we were both so happy.  

I went and picked up my glasses.  I couldn't believe the difference in seeing all the frames along the wall.  The girl brought out my glasses and she really liked them.  I was happy they are nice.  I was a little worried about what I picked out ha ha.  I got home and was greeted by Kit Kat.  I went upstairs and got Bill's card and gift ready.  I heard him come home, then saw that he was at the table filling out his card for me.  When we were ready, we exchanged gifts and cards.  He had put some funny stuff in the card and in the gift box.  He took a video and we sure did lots of laughing.  I gave him a Texas Roadhouse gift card (our favorite restaurant), a smart plug, and his favorite Chocolate Marshmallow cookies.  He gave me beautiful roses, and a double necklace that is beautiful.  We went to Texas Roadhouse at 3:15 and ate.  We only had to wait a few minutes.  By the time we left there was an hour and a half wait.  We had a nice corner booth that was cozy and private.  The steaks were tender and delicious, and the salad, rolls and huge baked potatoes were YUM!  He took my car though the car wash which I really appreciated.  We picked up some bird seed at Jacks, then headed home to our recliners.  Going to watch a movie.  

Super Bowl Sunday, 2/14/22, Happy Anniversary Vikki and Rody! We went to church, got things ready for party, fun time with family

Happy Anniversary Rody and Vikki.  We love you! So happy God brought you two together and we get to have you in our family Rody!

Kody, DJ and Stacie at church this morning

Jacob, Hailey and Adam relaxing

Happy Birthday to Jared.  We celebrated his birthday today!  So happy you are in our family!

Rody, Vikki and Hailey

Rody, Peyton, Hailey, Eli, Bill, Vikki, Jacob and Kimmy's hand..we were singing happy Birthday to Jared

Adam, Jacob, Hailey and Peyton

Adam, Peyton, Hailey and Jacob

These cousins had so much fun playing games.

Eli and Kit-Kat

I took this picture because I told Isaac I wanted a picture of him holding my wall up. 

Peyton with her pop ups she just got

Adam and Eli

Jared beating Bill in Ping Pong

Rody, Vikki and Jared....Jacob in the background

 

Peyton and Hailey during the game

Cooper Kupp after winning the Super Bowl.  He land his wife love God and this picture touched my heart.  So happy he was named MVP!  I was cheering him on!

My third blossom and looks like my last blossom on my paparwhites

We went to prayer and then to our church service.  Amazing worship and great message this morning.  Good prayer too!  

We came home and I got the sloppy joes going in the crockpot and cut up kiwi, peeled tangerines, and washed grapes and blueberries for our big fruit/veggie platter.  Everyone came around 3:30 and we hung out and had fun drinking coffee and visiting.  We watched Hailey and her Impact Group leading worship in at a church in Clio.  They sounded amazing.

Peyton was at Choir practice from 3-5, so after Rody picked her up and got back here, we ate sloppy joes and chips.  Then we had chocolate cake and angel food cake with strawberries and cool whip.  I baked two angel food cakes so the girls so we could celebrate Vikki and Rody's anniversary with a cake too, and so the girls could both take some home.  I found out that when you put an angel food cake pan on a bottle to cool with the cake up, it doesn't it shrinks.  When you do it with the cake down like the directions say, the cake is higher.  Not an intended experiment mind you.  We sang Happy Birthday to Jared, then we sang Happy Anniversary to Vikki and Rody.  We all got comfortable to watch the Super Bowl after eating our cake and ice cream.  Kimmy, Vikki, and Hailey were cheering for The Bengals.  Bill, Jared, Rody and I were cheering for The Rams.  Both teams did a great job and it was a super game.  I was so happy the Rams won with the great touchdown Kupp and Stafford brought the team a 1 yard touchdown in the last minute and twenty five seconds of the game.  So wonderful that Kupp was named MVP.  Love when God blesses His kids and they give Him the glory for it.  Everybody texted me and let me know when they were home safe.  Such fun family time, but we all sure missed Melissa, Bruce and the boys, and Kenzie and Travis.

Sat., 2/12/22, Cooked and baked for Super Bowl Sunday Party, Jared's Birthday and Vikki and Rody's Anniversary. Much to celebrate tomorrow.

We had a beautiful pileated woodpecker visit today.  Love how big it  is!   

Kit-Kat loves to go in this collapsible cage and play with her toy.  She will be sitting on my lap and a few minutes later she jumps down and goes in it.  

Some friends gave us pheasant, so I made it with rice today in the crockpot.  It tasted good, but I sure don't like messing with all those bones.  Stressful eating to say the least.  Next time we will say no thank you.  Sweet of them, but Yikes.

Ate breakfast, had our coffee, then did our reading.  Finished Psalms and Acts.  Now moving on to the next chapters.  Listened to good worship music.  Cooked burger for sloppy joes tomorrow.  Made 2 angel food cakes and a chocolate cake for tomorrow.  Birthday cake for Jared, Anniversary cake for Vikki and Rody and an extra if needed or to send home some with Kimmy and Vikki.  Bill's sister, Debbie, called me and sounded terrible.  She did go to the hospital last night and they did lots of tests, then gave her Steroids, and also a prescription for more to take at home.  They have had all the vents and things that could possible cause illness cleaned in their house now.  She is going to try going back home to see how she does.  Praying the dizziness, weakness and headaches go quickly now and they get to the bottom of whatever it and and can help her feel better.  I was sure glad to hear from her, but she sounded awful.  Trusting God again.  

Bill and I went to Sam's Club, to Meijer and then got Concrete Mixers from Culver's.  I had to get some fruit and a few more things for tomorrow.  He wanted to go with me so he could get some steps and be moving.  Made the tables big and brought the two chairs that fit at the high table upstairs.  I cut got strawberries ready and mashed for over the cake tomorrow.  Bill picked up pellets, hoping those wonderful and amazingly fast grandsons will help him unload them tomorrow.  They always do such a great job and are soooooo fast.  I vacuumed and dusted the basement while he was gone.  It was a job that needed to be done badly.  Texted with Adam a few times and had some ha ha's, and texted with Hailey and Kimmy.  Face timed with Vikki, and talked with Melissa.

Friday, 2/11/22, Went to Kimmy's, took food to Beemers, went to Applebees with Bill

Jacob and Wyatt 

Vikki and Kimmy working hard in the cold to sand all 70 card holders Bill made

Two of the sweetest and most hardworking daughters ever!

Me staining card holders

Adam, Peyton and Isaac...first time Peyton and Isaac have been in his new room

Isaac, Peyton, Eli and Bo

These are all of our finished card holders

Kimmy's set....Eli picked the one with the screw hole because he said it had character.  Jacob said he wouldn't use a card holder lol.  He must take after his two grandpas.

Adam and Jacob playing a game together on their computers

Adam

Me and Jacob

Beautiful new cat addition to the Russell farm

Good Ole Frank

I put on good worship music this morning.  Made oatmeal and tea, then did my reading.  Vikki and the kids picked me up at around 11:15.  The kids only had a half day today, so we all headed to Kimmy's.  We took the 70 card holders Bill made with us so we could sand and stain them.  I found out on the way there, that Jacob and Eli didn't have school because of the snow and drifting from the high winds.  What a bonus day getting to have them there when we visit.  Poor Adam had school.  Kimmy had her yummy brown rice all ready almost when we got there and Vikki cooked the broccoli for on it.  It was a super delicious lunch.  Kimmy showed us Adam's new ceiling light in his room and his new lock for his door.  Very cool!  

I texted Bill's sister, Debbie, because I heard last night that she has been sick for a couple of weeks.  I was letting her know I love her and am praying and also wanted to know if she was up to a phone call or needed anything.  I got a text back from a friend of hers, who said Debbie is staying at a Condo so her son Matthew doesn't catch this.  She is taking care of her and said Debbie was weak, dizzy, having horrible headaches, had been tested twice for Covid and doesn't have it, that the doctor might put her in the hospital, that she loved me and to keep praying.  I sure would appreciate prayers for her.  

Kimmy and Vikki started sanding out on the deck and then brought them to me to stain.  Isaac was a great help bringing them in to me, and being our photographer.  Such a great kiddo!  Peyton, Eli and Isaac all had fun playing together too.  Fun cousin day at the farm! When it was time to pick Adam up, Jacob and I went to get him, so Kimmy and Vikki could finish sanding the rest of the card holders.  Jacob handled the music, he played Christian songs that he had downloaded and we don't hear on the radio much any more.  It was so much fun listening to him sing and remember all of the words to every song.  Adam was happy to see us and came waving and saying hi as he got in the car.  On the way home, Jacob was also my backseat driver in the front seat.  He told me, after I went through a yellow light, that yellow lights mean to speed up.  I already knew that ha ha.  I told him I bet his mom stops for yellow lights and his dad goes through them lol.  We had a fun time riding and talking.  When we got to their house, the girls were done sanding and we all finished staining.  It was fun all working together, but we sure were glad when we had our 30 minutes of resting and drinking our hot tea before it was time to leave.  Jared came home, looked at the card holders and said he like the dark color best, then changed and headed with the trailer to get animal food.  Vicki B. had texted me that tonight would be good for me to pick up food for them if it worked for me.  I was so happy to be able to help them out while they are going through so much.  She gave me the order, so I could call it in when I was ready to leave Kimmy's and then pick it up.  When Vikki dropped me off at home, I took my stuff in the house, then left right away to pick up the food order at Buffalo Wild Wings.  I dropped it off and she gave me a tour of their new house.  I hadn't seen it yet because the moved right as Covid was starting.  It is a beautiful home and she is a wonderful friend.  The kids were happy to see me and I was happy to see them.  Bill and I went to Applebees around 7:15 and ate dinner.  It wasn't busy at that time.  Our salad was amazing and our chicken strips and mashed potatoes were yummy.  We used part of our gift Card Charlie and Sue gave us for Christmas.  We still have enough on it to go there again.  We got our jammies on and Bill sat in the loveseat before me and had my electric throw on and my spot was all warmed up.  Thankful for all of the little meaningful things.  I opened the mail and got a very sweet card from Kenzie and lots of cute things to put in my journal as I do it.  It was a precious loving note from her.  She sure made her nana happy and touched my heart. Bill and I also got a very cute Valentine card from my BFF Vikki and her hubby.  Such a fun and special day.

 

Thurs., 2/10/22, Kenzie came over, went to Faith Riders Meeting

 

Kit-Kat when I pulled into the garage

Kit-Kat on my windshield wanting me to get out of the car or her to get in the car

Kenzie with Kit-Kat

Bill met Charlie for coffee.  I got up after he finished his shower, gave him a kiss good morning, then took my shower.  I made oatmeal and coffee for breakfast.  I picked up the rest of the things I needed to get for Super Bowl Sunday.  Bill brought me a blueberry muffin home, which I had for lunch.  It was yummy!  He spent most of the afternoon out in the shed.  He made 70 card holders.  Wow!!! 

Kenzie called a vet near her, and told me her cat had a Botfly.  They told her they would try to get it out, but if they couldn't they would need to do surgery and it would cost $500.  We prayed for God to help and that it would come out right away.  Travis didn't want to pay that much for an outside cat, so we called Kimmy and she was going to meet Kenzie at my house to see if she could help the cat.  Meantime, Kenzie called her other grandma, and she insisted Kenzie meet her at her vet.  Kenzie did and it wasn't a Botfly, the cat had just got a scratch and dug at it.  They gave him the medicine he needed, then her Omi got wanted Kenzie to have his shots and dewormer.  She blessed Kenzie with taking care of that part though because it was what she wanted.  God answered us better than we could have imagined.  So much answered prayer this week.  Kenzie stopped here after the vet so she could see Kit-Kat.  At first Kit-Kat came in the door and went past Kenzie and came to me.  Then Kenzie picked her up and she was happy to see her and enjoyed getting all of the attention Kenzie gave her.  Kenzie trimmed her nails for me, while I was trying to keep her calm.  I went out to see Z when Kenzie left.  He's such a pretty cat.  I'm so glad everything worked out so good, and I was able to let Kimmy know she didn't need to come now.  

Bill and I went to our Faith Riders Meeting.  Bill had some things he had to share from the leadership of CMA.  It was a really good meeting and the new president, Lew, did great.  His wife is taking over my position as Webmaster now too.  I was going to continue, but Ziggy said he didn't want me to as he just wants Bill and I to oversee the 4 chapters that are ours, not be in a position or be an officer. Vicki came which was hard for her because of Kevin's death, but we were all so happy to see her there.  We took up an offering for her and she broke down crying when Lew handed it to her.  Everybody loves her and it was very moving.  I talked to Melissa a few times, Kimmy a few times and also Vikki.  Got my daily texts from Adam.