Wed., 3/16/22, Beautiful day today in the 60's, Maddy had her ultrasound, Hailey left for her Music tour, Bill went to Marine Corp League

 

Hailey and her band and choir groups left for their Lenten Tour.  They are doing concerts all over in different states, then in Michigan.  Jacob and Adam are going to the Michigan concert with me.  Hailey is really happy they are going to be there.  

Last little bit of snow is just around house and shed,  plants are coming up

Hopefully this year I get plants in around the pool

Bo....Eli sent me these three pictures today

Eli with Bo

Drawing Eli did...not real fond of the creature, but the drawing is amazing.  Eli did an amazing job.  Very talented kid.

Hailey in symphonic band practicing for their concert tonight.  She is in the second from the last row in the black and grey striped sweater

I got up early and walked on the treadmill before Bill got up.  Bill met Charlie for coffee this morning.  I had my oatmeal and coffee after I finished walking my 2 miles.  I am a little sore, but it feels good to be exercising again.  I talked to Stacie for a good hour today.  She had called to tell me she was trying to encourage a friend going through cancer and wrote her a message.  After she saw my post of John 3:16, she called me and said that one scripture summed up her whole message to her friend.  We talked about the Lord, our families, the Word and how important it is to read it and so much more.  She was so sweet. 

After Bill got home, we did our reading and prayer.  Praying for the Ukraine and it's people. So sad and heartbreaking to hear what is going on.  Sad to see all of the reporters being killed mercilessly too.  Praying for God to intervene.  Bill mentored Alec and Maddy, Alec's wife and I got together.  She just had her ultrasound today and had pictures to show me.  I am so happy that baby looked amazing and is measuring good and the heartbeat was good.

Next time she goes, they will find out what it is if baby cooperates.  Maddy is 20 and has arthritis.  It is affecting her hands so I am praying for her.  She just had a vision early this morning of hearing a trumpet, then seeing Jesus coming in the clouds in His glory.  She was pretty excited about it and so was I.  

When I got home, Bill's truck was here which made me worry because he was no where to be found.  He had said he was leaving right after me.  I texted him to check on him, and he told me he rode the motorcycle.  It was fun texting with Eli this morning.  He sent me some nice pictures.  Such a fun kid.

I talked to Vikki for a while, then Kimmy for a while, then Melissa.  Texted with Adam and Hailey.

Tues., 3/15/22, Went to West Branch, Went to Funeral Home for Kim's mom's showing

 

Our ride was a little slick this morning

The Free Methodist Church we looked at in West Branch this morning.  We will probably be having our Seasons of Refreshing for CMA there next year.  The pastor was so nice and knows the pastor that used to be at Kimmy and Jared's church.  He is a CMA member and rides a motorcycle.

Our old church, the original Amazing Grace.  This is the church where we met the Gager family and became like family.  It was really nice back then.  Now it has been turned into a house and has had several owners. Sure is a junky mess now!

Gary and Peyton

Peyton and Liv

The kids old school....looks so junky now.  It used to be such a nice school.  There were lots of cars and trucks around it.  Not sure what it is now.  Below is the muddy driveway ad parking lot.  Yikes!

 

When we went stopped at McDonald's in Hemlock, Vikki noticed that gas was 4.19 instead of 4.24 like all the other stations.  I told her we would stop on the way back through.  By the time we went back through it had gone down to 4.17.  Gas prices are so outrageous, it was great to at least save 7 cents a gallon.

Bill and I went to West Branch this morning.  It was nice starting out at our house, but the roads got slippery after we got past Sanford.  We met Sandy, Jerry, Doug, Marie and the pastor at the church.  The pastor took us all through the whole church, so we could see if it would work for our Seasons of Refreshing next Feb.  We all thought it was great.  The only thing we wondered about was a room for the goodies store.  Some of the guys said they would build a divider with a door so that half of the gym/dining area could be split and our goodie reps said that would work.  This church is even donating the food for the Sat. lunch, but we told them they should have their youth group do the lunch and we would give donations so they could earn money. 

At 4:30 Vikki and I left to go to Kim's mom's showing.  We stopped at McDonald's and used our app. coupons and ate dinner.  We went by our old church and were shocked to see how awful it looks now.  We got to the funeral home and got such warm greetings from the Gagers.  We have known them since our kids were all little and we became like family.  It was like a family reunion with them.  They were so happy to see us and it meant so much to them that we came.  We were so happy to see them and touched by all the love they showed us.  We haven't seen them for a long time, but it was like we have never been apart.  I am thankful for Facebook that keeps us in touch. but in person was amazing even though it was sad that Kim's mom passed away.  

Talked to Melissa before going to bed.  She had a big birthday surprise for me she told me about. Can't wait.  Today, I texted with Jacob and Adam.  

I found out that my friend, Lisa's, mom doesn't have cancer.  They just did surgery on there throat and she found out today.  I am so thankful for the answered prayers.  She is in her 80's and that would have been so hard to go through.  

Monday, 3/14/22, Hailey had her appt. at U of M Hospital today, Mid 40 temps today, Vikki and the kids and Kimmy and Jacob came over

 

Melissa and Bruce were so happy with their honeypot Kimmy and Jared surprised them with. She sent me pictures today.  It's beautiful and they love it.  I sure love mine!

Beautiful Honey pot

Peyton being funny with Isaac.  She must have learned this from Jacob lol.

Peyton posing nicely the second time

Jacob had a doctor appt. today, so got to come here today.  Lucky us!  He got two shots.  His appt. went good. 

Hailey being cute and looking like all of the characters at U of M

Hailey always gets her picture taken by Big Bird....all 17 years now

I love this picture of Hailey and her doctor.  Hailey was just a year old when she operated on her for spina bifida and the spinal cord is supposed to dangle, but six inches were attached to the spinal cord.  She did surgery and separated it and didn't hit any arteries or nerves.  Hailey had an MRI today and it looked good.  So thankful for this good report.  Thanks for praying and a big thank you to this wonderful doctor who has spina bifida herself and is in a wheel chair.  Amazing that she does long surgeries suspended while operating.  What a giving heart and so many kids have had normal healthy lives because of her.  What an inspiration she is that you can overcome any obstacles.

Signs of spring...birds are making their nest 

Only problem is they always build it on top of the other ones and there is not much room left 

Hyacinths poking through, yay!

Hailey had an 8 a.m. appointment at U of M hospital in Ann Arbor.  Prayed for their safe trip and good appointment with good results from MRI.  Bill met Charlie for coffee.  I walked on the treadmill.  Glad to be back at it.  It's easy to get out of the habit, but I sure do feel better when I exercise each day.  Ate my oatmeal and had tea this morning.  Saw a chipmunk on the deck, so set the trap.  So nice to go outside in these nice temperatures.  

Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over after they kids got out of school.  Kimmy and Jacob came after Jacob's doctor's appt. which wasn't long after Vikki got here.  We sat in the living room visiting and eating fruit and other snacks.  Peyton and Isaac had fun roller blading in the basement and also playing the piano upstairs.  Jacob got his new watch, so we got to see it.  It's so nice and he's so happy.  While everyone was here, we got the good news that Hailey's appointment went well and her MRI was good.  We all were so happy.  

Everyone had to leave, so I walked them out.  We noticed the birds were building their nest again, and when I came back after waving goodbye, I noticed hyacinths poking through.

Love signs of spring.  Spent time encouraging a friend from church and she was such a blessing she encouraged me too.  God is great!

Sun., 3/13/22, We lost an hour of sleep last night, Woke up pretty perky (well maybe not Jacob), Went to church, Hailey came for lunch, Vikki and Peyton came over and Kimmy, Jared, Eli and Isaac came

Brittany and her family during Harper's baby dedication by Pastor Ken

All the baby dedications today...Praise God!

Hailey, Jacob and Adam after church

Vikki on the right worshipping during worship night!  New Life posted this picture!  Awesome night of worship!

I got up first and got ready, when I was finished getting ready, i came out and Adam was sitting in the Lazyboy.  He had gotten up 15 minutes after me.  Ate breakfast, then brought Kit Kat in for a few minutes, then did my Bible reading.  I had Adam wake Jacob up, so he would have enough time to eat and get ready.  After about 15 minutes, I had Adam check on Jacob because I hadn't heard any movement upstairs.  He was still sleeping.  Adam woke him up and he had about 20 minutes to eat and get ready.  Adam and I didn't notice any tiredness from the time change, but I guess Jacob did ha ha.  We went to church and Hailey was in the parking lot when we got there.  She came in with us and sat with us.  It was Celebration Sunday...with lots of people becoming new members, lots of baby dedications and 3 baptisms.  I had to help with the kids in the back, so I watched it later at home. So awesome!  It was nice getting to take to Tim and Cathy after church.  Kind of like a family reunion.  We talked for quite a while.  Plan to get together for dinner soon and talk more.  We came home from church and had spaghetti.  Hailey had to leave around 12:45 as she had to go to practice for her Music tour.  Vikki and Peyton got here around 1:45, after Peyton's choir practice, then Kimmy, Jared, Eli and Isaac came soon after.  We all hung out for a while and some of us had muffins.  After everyone left, Bill took a nap and I posted on Facebook.  We went to the evening Worship Service at our church at 6.  It was so good!  We came home and watched a Hallmark Movie on Amazon Prime and had ice cream.

Texted with Hailey and Adam.

Sat.,3/12/22, Went to Faith Riders Chapter meeting, Met Kimmy and Jared to pick Adam up, Took Jacob and Adam to Hockey Game

 

Adam and Papa playing SkipBo....I was the winner for once

Jacob and Adam giving Kit Kat some attention

Kit Kat is getting spoiled by Adam

Adam and Jacob at the Hockey game

Matthew, Sheree and her husband were way down at the other end from us by that red sign

Me, Jacob, Adam and Papa

Wes, Gayla, Jacob, Adam and Papa

Frankenmuth Bible Church doing a worship concert before the Hockey game.  All of these pictures posted in reverse order, so they start from the bottom and go up.  I didn't feel like changing.  

Very windy cold day this morning.  Put on worship music and got ready.  We went to the Bringer Inn and had our Faith Rider's meeting in the back room.  It was so nice and breakfast was great.  First time we have met there, but will be continuing.  We came home and did our reading.  At 4:30, Kimmy, Jared and the boys met us on their way to take Jacob to his clarinet lesson so we could pick up Adam.  We came home, ate spaghetti, which I got ready before going to get Adam, and then left right away to go to the Hockey for the Homeless game.  We got there and went to the worship concert first.  We saw Matthew there talked to him for a long time, then went to our seats.  We sat with Faith Riders.  Not many in our section because we were at the end.  We had The Spirits lost 5 to 1, but we had a great time with friends and family.  We went and found Matthew during the break so we could get a picture with him.  His friends were so nice.  We came home and Jacob went upstairs to work on homework and Bill, Adam and I played Skip Bo.  We all watched America's Funiiest Home Videos. We laughed so hard.  Talked to Vikki, Kimmy and Melissa today.  Texted with Hailey and Adam.  Fun Day.

Friday, 3/11/22, Made homemade bread and egg salad, Went to Sam's Club, Went to the Home Store, Stopped at New Coffee shop, but it was already closed

 

We got snow this morning, so I surprised Bill and shoveled both decks and the sidewalk.  The snow was so packable, it stuck to my boots and was thick and ice like.  I almost fell once, but was super careful after that.  Hard to walk with heavy snow clinging to my boots weighing me down.

Received a package from Walmart this morning.  First time I received an email with a picture of something delivered on our porch.  Our church made a baby/preschool registry up because we have so many kids in that age group, they are making it available for anyone in our church to buy an item/items off the list.  Such a great idea to get things needed and all share in the cost and the fun.  

Beautiful sunset Hailey sent me in a text.  There were just grey clouds here tonight, so I really appreciated seeing this.

Bill went to coffee with Charlie today.  I had coffee and oatmeal here, spent time reading and praying.  I read Kenzie's post on FaceBook about how their car slid on icy roads and almost flipped and they ended up in a ditch, but God spared their lives, spared them from hitting trees and guardrails which were all along there, but not where they slid off,  and also gave Travis the ability to drive skillfully.  They also had another close call.  She said someone is looking out for them....we know that someone is God.  I sure have been thanking Him.  So thankful they were both ok and also thankful for the car being ok.  I got bread started in the bread maker and made egg salad.  When Bill got home and finished his reading time, we went to Sam's Club to get some things.  Got some blueberry muffins for when the boys are here too.  We stopped at the Home Store to look for curtain rods we want, but they didn't have and double ones.  Bill wanted to get a new bedspread set, so we looked and found one we both liked.  I always loved my one we have and haven't got tired of it.  This one looks nice, but I'm waiting to see if the wrinkles come out.  I steamed the pillow shams and put the bedspread in the dryer on low.  Some wrinkles came out, but it was so crammed in, not many came out.  My upstairs one was wrinkled and after about 2 months now, they are out.  

We stopped at the new Creations Coffee Shop, but they had just closed.  We saw that Rody was there yesterday, so we wanted to try it out.  We just headed for home and will try it a different time.  

When we got home, my bread was done and nice and warm.  I sliced it and we made egg salad sandwiches.  Yum!  So good.  We had a relaxing evening together.  Texted with Adam who told me he had a kitchen fire.  Then he explained that it was the burgers that caught fire and everything was ok.  He sure made me nervous until I heard his explanation.  Talked and texted with Kimmy, Melissa and Vikki. 

Thurs. 3/10/22, Took Bill for injections in his back, went to Outback, Dropped off some things at Melissa's, took naps

 

Evan 

Hailey

Jack

I woke up when Kenzie called me this morning.  I got up and realized the kernel burner wasn't working.  We talked for a quite a while while I waited for the Kernel Burner to ignite.  I accidentally didn't close the door tight last night before bed, so it shut down.  I was happy it started after about 5 minutes, and also that it didn't get to cold in here.  After our regular morning routine, I sent Debbie her morning Scripture.  Still praying for her to feel better, and find out what's going on.  Brought Kit Kat in to give her soft food and pet her.  She sure is friendly and loves the attention now.  She is such a nice kitty.  I listened to good worship music.  Put the song, "In Jesus Name" on by Katy Nichole.  It is a powerful song and one of my favorites right now.  I was singing the name of Jesus over everyone in my family. She has an amazing testimony, and wrote this song from her writings in her prayer journal.  Sent it to Melissa so she could listen and read her testimony.  Vikki sent me her testimony last night.  

Talked to Melissa and then talked to Marie.  At 1:15, we left for the pain clinic so Bill could get injections in his back.  I couldn't stay with him, so went to get gas at Sam's Club, then thought I would go in and pick up a few things.  I had set my timer for 1 hr. 15 min. which it how long the girl said it would take till Bill was done.  I still had 36 minutes so thought I had plenty of time.  I got a call as soon as I was halfway to the back of the store saying Bill was getting dressed and I could pull up to pick him up.  I walked to the door as fast as I could and headed right there.  I was only about 5 minutes away.  Bill called me when was almost there as he was wondering where I was.  I pulled in the parking lot and he was outside waiting for me.  They said someone had to drive him after these appointments.  He was bandaged up and told to take it easy.  Please pray these injections take the pain away.  They said they could help his spasms and neuropathy also, so praying for that too.

We went to Outback for lunch.  Bill had a steak and a baked potato and I had chicken and a baked potato.  I texted Kimmy to see if Jacob and Adam want to go to the Home for the Homeless Spirit Hockey Game when they spend the night and they both want too.  My nephew's Church Worship team is doing a concert there before the game starts.  We have a group of us from Faith Riders going.  We finished eating and talked about splitting a dessert, then I remembered it was my birthday month, so asked him about a free dessert.  He brought a huge scoop of ice cream and hot fudge out and Bill and I shared it.  It was so good.  We came home, and Bill went out to the shed for a while and I went to drop off some things at Melissa's.  I took the boys and Hailey Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and they were all happy.  Hailey asked me if that was what Peyton had in the car last night, and was happy she got one too.  I sure loved seeing them all.  Max was working on his online schoolwork, so I didn't get to see him.  When I got home, Bill was taking a nap, so I sat down by him and napped too.  I woke up when Melissa called me.  We had a nice chat.  She said Max really liked the treat I took him.  

Please keep Hailey in prayer.  She is having an MRI Monday.  Pray for good results.  She was born with Spina Bifida and has been having some back pain.  She has never had any complications since her surgery at a year old, so God did an amazing miracle.  They think this is probably the muscle tightening, but want to check it out.  Thanks for praying.