Thurs., 8/25/22, Took Peyton and Isaac to school, Kimmy, Jacob and Eli came to Vikki's to visit her, I joined them,

 

Tallest sunflowers we've ever had

Jacob enjoying his Italian Sandwich at Tony's...It was huge...this is the half he couldn't eat and brought home

Eli, Jacob, me and Papa...we all got burgers and fries except Jacob.  His sandwich looked amazing.  I couldn't believe he would eat everything they put on it.  I was impressed.

Eli giving Kit Kat some attention.  I had to get him the squirt bottle because she got too playful and was trying to bite

Hailey having fun with Evan before she leaves for college tomorrow

Jack and Hailey giving goodbye hugs

Jack, Hailey and Evan...they gave her lots of kisses

Evan and Hailey hugging goodbye

Adam playing with his team down in Lansing.

Adam is an excellent soccer player!  I can't wait to go to a game around here.  Love seeing Kimmy's pictures and videos

I got up early and stopped to get gas on my way to pick the kids up for school.   I sure enjoy my ride with them in the morning.  Kimmy called and was headed to Vikki's to visit her since she can't go anywhere.  I packed up the avocado, chicken lunchmeat, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and wraps and headed there.  We visited, then made wraps for lunch.  Eli ate pizza that Kimmy brought for him.  He ate some bacon I cooked too.  

After lunch, Kimmy washed some glue off the walls from wallpaper that was taken down.  Vikki didn't want her to work, so she came and visited with us.  Vikki took her and the boys through the house by them that is empty.  Rody came home on his lunch hour.  I left at 2 to get Peyton and Isaac.  I loved hearing about their day on the way home.  I packed up the food at Vikki's and Jacob, Eli and I headed to my house.  They are spending the night tonight.  Yay!

We went to Tony's for dinner.  Eli hasn't gone there with us before, so we wanted him to try it.  He loved it.  Jacob loved his huge Italian sandwich too.  We all loved our burgers and fries.  We were too full for dessert, so will have ice cream later, after Jacob gets home from his Clarinet practice with some people from the Midland Symphonic Band.  Afterwards,  we had our ice cream and then played Skip Bo.   Jacob and I were partners and we beat Bill and Eli.  They were ahead and then we had a come back.  We watched War Room after that.

Wed., 12/24/22, Happy Birthday Rody! We love you! Jack's first day of 8th grade! Took Peyton and Isaac to school and picked them up, Celebrated Rody's birthday, Bill caught two Voles in the traps

 

Happy Birthday Rody! We love you!  We are so thankful that you are part of our family!

Jack looking very handsome for his first day of school.  Sure do love this grandson!

Bill, Peyton, Rody, Isaac, me and Vikki celebrating Rody's Birthday

Peyton, Rody, Vikki and Isaac

Vikki making my coffee at her new Coffee Bar.  

Eating our cake and ice cream

Isaac put on a piano concert for us.  He plays by ear and is amazing.  Great gift from the Lord since he loves worship!

Isaac and Peyton when I picked them up this morning.  Love spending time with these great kiddos on the way to school!

Bill, Peyton, me and Isaac

Big Voles Bill caught in the traps today.  They sure do a lot of damage to lawns.

I picked Peyton and Isaac up and took them to school.  They were ready and waiting on the porch.  We always have a nice time talking and praying on the way to school.  I came home and baked a blueberry pie to have when Wes and Gayla come.  Cleaned the family room too.  Also washed down tables outside and blew off the deck.  Went out on the deck and read my Bible and spent time with the Lord.  Saw a couple of orioles at the feeder, so I put new oriole food in it.  I also saw one at the grape jelly feeder, so I washed and filled it.  

I was sitting on the deck talking to Vikki, when Wes and Gayla came walking out by me with Bill.  They joined me on the deck and we all had a fun visit.  We ate pie and ice cream which tasted yummy!  My alarm went off at 2 and they left and I headed to pick Peyton and Isaac up.  They saw my car and came out to it right away.  

When I got home, Bill showed me the voles he caught.  They were really big ones!  We took a short hour nap, and when I woke up to my alarm, I was a little panicky because I saw how bright it was outside.  I thought it was morning and thought I had slept too late to get Peyton and Isaac on time because if was so light out.  Ha ha, it was just an alarm to start grilling potatoes and burgers to take for Rody's birthday.  Glad it was that.  When everything was done, we took the food and some watermelon and ice cream over to celebrate.  I wanted to make a meal for Vikki since she had surgery and have been too busy, and I also didn't want Rody to have to make his own birthday dinner, so it worked out great.  We had such a nice time and enjoyed listening to Isaac play lots of songs on the piano.  Peyton was showing me how she was making a cute bracelet.  She does a great job.    I talked to Melissa to hear about Jack's first day at school.  He loved being back at school with his friends.  I talked to Kimmy and Jacob and Eli are spending the night tomorrow night, and Adam is spending the night on Friday night.  Yay!  I am so happy to have them come and so is papa.  Melissa called me later to see if I had a picture of all the addresses I wrote down for them when we were doing graduation party invitations.  She accidentally erased her picture of it and so did I.  After looking for a while, I found the original.  We were both sure happy about that.  

Tues., 12/23/22, Peyton, Isaac and Evan's first day of school today. Jack tested positive still for Covid so couldn't go.

 

Isaac and Peyton's first day of 5th grade

Evan's first day of 6th grade

Vikki's new cabinet

I picked Peyton and Isaac up at 7:10 and took them to school.  Vikki can't drive for two weeks so I get to see them and pray with them on the way to school.  Yay!  I came home, told Bill good morning and gave him a kiss, then he was off to pick up Alex and pick up a cute coffee cabinet for Vikki.  She wasn't going to get it because she didn't want to bother Bill.  I showed her where I thought it should go and talked her into getting it.  It sure is nice now that Rody made it really sturdy and she put all of her stuff on it.  

I cleaned the living room, dining room and bathroom downstairs.  I notice spill stains on the carpet, so got my shampooer out.  It made the carpet look like new.  At noon, I picked up Turkey, Bacon and Avocado wraps for Vikki and I from Coty's.  We ate them, but got full pretty fast, so save half for later.  Rody came home for a few minutes.  It was nice to see him.  Vikki and I sat out on the porch for a while, then I came home to do more cleaning.  Stopped and picked up frosting for Rody's birthday cake Peyton is making him tomorrow.  

At 2, I went to pick up the kids.  I got out and they came running over to me.  We talked to Vikki on the way home.  She called to hear about their day.  We both were excited to hear how it went.  They both had a great day, and liked their teachers.

I made BLT's for dinner when I got home.  Love fresh tomatoes out of the garden.  

I went to intercessory prayer in the evening.  We worshipped, then Mikayla, our youth leader at church, came and shared about what God did during the Youth campout/serve/and VBS at our church.  God moved in an amazing way and the youth had an amazing worship night...two songs were planned, but they worshipped until 3 in the morning so added extra.  We prayed for Mikayla and prayed for the kids she is teaching.  What a sweet person she is.

Came home and Bruce and Max stopped over to pick up some Nesquick I picked up at Sam's Club for them.  Vader stayed in the car because Kit Kat met them when they pulled in the driveway.  Cats rule I guess lol.  They left, and I face timed with Vikki to see her cabinet all done with the stuff on it.  It looks great and sure will be handy to have.  I cut up a watermelon after that.  It sure is red and juicy.  YUM!  I texted with Adam a few times today, talked to Kimmy and Melissa too.

 

Monday, 8/22/22, Delivered veggies in the morning, spent time at Vikki's, Went to Melissa's and visited with her and Hailey,

Selfie me and Melissa took

Isaac

Peyton and Isaac playing

Evan

Evan...he used to look little in this tree...now he sure is looking big

Peyton

Peyton looking pretty with her new haircut

 
Bill went with Charlie for coffee at Tim Hortons.  I put my muck boots on and picked the garden.  I washed and bagged veggies up for Charlie, Lisa, and Vikki and then went and delivered them.  I had such a nice visit with Sue on her porch.  I haven't talked to her in a while so it was sure nice to catch up.  She is doing so good with her walking after hip surgery, but is having trouble with her knees.  Talked to Lisa for a few minutes outside too.  She invited me to a ladies outing at church, but I had too much going on.  Next, I stopped at Melissa's and visited with her a few minutes.  Then I went to Vikki's and stayed at her place for a while.  She let me do a few things to help her.  I will be glad when she is feeling good again and can do what she is used to doing.  No fun going through that.  Isaac helped me fill her bird feeders and sure was an amazing help.  I didn't have to do much at all.  Isaac played the piano for me and plays so good.  I love listening to him.  He sure has a gift.  

I grilled chicken with green peppers and onions, and warmed up the rest of the grilled potatoes from last night.  Also cooked corn on the cob.  YUM!  Bill had an elder's meeting in the evening.  I went to Sam's Club to get ink for our printer so he can print off some things for the State Rally he is planning. I forgot my phone which had the number of the ink I needed, so guessed.  I had the right one in my hand and at the last minute, I switched it for a different one.  I should have stuck with my first choice.  I have to return it for the right one tomorrow now.  I stopped at Melissa's afterwards and visited with her and Hailey.  I got to see more stuff Hailey got for her apartment.  She's getting excited now that she's texted with her roommates and went to church where she'll be going.  Her friends that go there, heard she was there and told her they want her to be on their worship team.  I am so happy.  We've prayed for God to open a door, because Hailey loves to worship.  God is on the move!  

 

Sunday, 8/21/22, Went to church, Out to eat with Debbie and Jeff afterward, went to see baby Brielle, went to see Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames in St. Louis

 

Very close to 3 inches of rain in the rain gauge yesterday

Beautiful Butterfly Weed 

I trimmed this Limelight Hydrangea down in the spring and thought it might not blossom, but it has more blossoms than ever on it this year.

Kit Kat always jumps up by me when I sit on the swing.  She's such a good kitty!

Bill holding Brielle for the first time

Me holding Brielle for the first time

Bill and Pastor Rex under the tent where they had Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames...he was our pastor when we went to Amazing Grace.

Lots of people there for the first night of 4. Bill and I are on the far left

We went to prayer then into worship and the church service.  Pastor gave a great message this morning.  Maddy and Alec brought their baby to church for the first time.  It was wonderful to actually get to see her in person.  Maddy put her little sweater on her with the Marine Corp. Emblem on her.  She told me yesterday she was having her wear it for Bill.  Maddy's mom made it.  After church, we went to Coty's with Debbie and Jeff Davis.  We had a really nice visit and the food was delicious.  

We came home and I talked to Melissa for a while. Hailey and Bruce went to the church Hailey will be attending while at college.  They both loved it.  They have a special weekly service for college students, and they also have a families that adopt a college students while they are there in college.  So nice.  Hailey knows some friends from BayShore who attend there too.  God is answering lots of prayers for Hailey's college experience to keep her close to Him.  So thankful she loves Him and this is a priority.  I love my Hailey girl!

We took short naps, then I started preparing potatoes to cook on the grilled.  I also grilled chicken, made string beans, and made brownies.  We took some food to Maddy and Alec and got to hold sweetie Brielle.  What a beautiful baby.  She was such a good baby too.  She's a little miracle we are very thankful for.  

We stopped home quick, then went to St. Louis.  We went to the Tent of Meeting and saw Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames.  We saw Pastor Rex and Pastor Rick who are brothers and started this tent ministry.  God is blessing it and providing for it in an amazing way.  There were so many youth there helping and being in the play.  19 people went forward to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior afterward.  It was awesome to see.  Next weekend they are having a youth weekend under the tent.  They showed a video of the last one in Bay City and it was awesome.  God is moving in a mighty way!

Sat., 8/20/22, Took Wes and Gayla's van to Meijer for them, Went to St. Louis Church of God Campground, Lunch in St. Louis, Ice Cream in Merrill

 

Barb B. on left in front, Me, Barb Bates, Luis

Ron, Barb, Luis, Barb Bates, me, and Bill

Ron and Barb, Luis, Barb Bates, me and Dan

Bill, Ron, and Luis had the opportunity to pray for someone.  

We got up early, got ready, then took Wes and Gayla's van to Meijer for them.  I told Bill a few times to text Wes to see when they were getting back, but he didn't get to it.  We headed to St. Louis after that.  It was raining hard, so Bill decided to ride with me in the car instead of taking the bike.  We had the car all packed with the canopy and CMA literature and things to hand out.  We stopped at Tim Horton's and picked up a dozen donuts.  I also got a bagel with cream cheese to eat while I drank my coffee.  We got to the Church of God campground, and Barb and Ron had just got there, so we talked to them.  Ron just had surgery on his hip a couple of weeks ago.  He went right home instead of to rehab and is doing amazing.  Barb got there next, then Luis.  We met a guy named Dan who stayed at our booth all day.  All of them were such blessings and helped so much.  We had many opportunities to talk with people, witness and pray.  This was the last big gathering for the Gold Wing Club as they are done being a club.  We encouraged people to join CMA.  We walked around the campground with Luis, and then walked out to the tent out front.  Our former pastor and his brother who is also a pastor are having a tent revival.  They are having lots of youth, act in Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames.  We have seen this a few times and it is very moving and makes it very clear that we need to make a decision to believe in Jesus and follow him.  We went in and found Pastor Rick and he was very happy to see us.  We talked to him for a while, then Bill told him we may be back tomorrow night to watch it.  He said to let him know if we are there.  We have gone to his church a few times.  He is an amazing worshipper on the piano.  

We went to lunch at a really good restaurant in St. Louis.  Dan watched the booth for us while we went.  Luis headed home to take care of his dog.  We stayed for a couple more hours, then it looked like rain, so we packed everything up and headed home.  Bill and I stopped at the Merrill Dairy Bar for ice cream cones on the way home.  Yum!  Gayla had texted me and told me they don't get home until tomorrow night at 9 p.m.  I told Bill, so even though Gayla said we could leave the van there, Bill wanted to pick it up.  It was really pouring out, but we went and picked it up.  When we got there, the rain stopped long enough, for us to get out of the vehicles and in to our driver positions.  Then on the way home it started pouring again.  We got 3 inches in our rain gauge.  Our garden needed it and so did our plants.  I am really happy for the farmers, and am thanking the Lord for rain for their crops.  

Friday, 8/19/22, Brielle got to go home, Took Peyton and Isaac home, Went to cousin Jack's memorial

 

A very happy day...Baby Brielle got to go home from the NICU today

My cousin Jack's memorial service at Great Lakes Cemetery...My cousin, Jim in turquoise, his wife Julie, son Steve and girlfriend in front of us.

Luncheon at Jack's house, (now Steve's House) afterward

My great niece's little guy.  He looks just like my sister, Linda, and my nephew Mark when they were babies...so cute!

Really tall sunflowers this year

I got up early because I knew Hailey had to leave early for BayShore, and I wanted to see her off.  She didn't want any breakfast, so just got ready and we said goodbye.  I sure am glad she could stay with us last night.  She will be off to college next week.  Sure will miss her.  I went and picked up a paper from Vikki's doctor for her.  Then I came home and read the Love Chapter in the Bible to Peyton and Isaac.  We packed their stuff in the car and left at about 10:30 to take them home.  Stopped and got a car wash on our way.  I'm glad Bill drives through them for me.  I went in to see Vikki for a few minutes.  Lucy jumped right on her and hurt her.  I had to get Bill to come in and help her sit up.  Poor Vikki.  Lucy doesn't usually even jump up on furniture.  We headed to Great Lakes National Cemetery after that. The service was very short...a flag folding, Jack's Brother Jim said a few words, then they told them it was time we needed to leave because another funeral was coming.  Move em in and move em out!!!  There was no chaplain or pastor present.  Very weird.  We went to Jack's house for grilled burgers and salads.  Had a nice talk with my cousin Jim.  Jack left his house to their son, Steve, who had moved in and took care of Jack 5 years.  Now Steve is having his mom and dad who are in their 80's, move in with him so he can take care of them.  He is a very caring person.  He greeted me with a big hug.  I haven't seen him since he was a little kid.  The burger was rare...YUK!  I ate the salad's and very edge of the burger that was cooked good, then left the rest.  Bill didn't take one of the cooked burgers because they had cheese melted on them.  He waited and made sure Steve's son cooked his well done.  Smart guy I married.  I sat next to Aunt Pat on the Slasinski side.  I remember her from when I was a kid.  We talked a lot and she shared about her husband's brain surgery, and then about their accident where a drunk driver hit them.  They have been having many health issues since then.  I asked if I could pray for her and she wanted me to right there in the living room.  I am continuing to pray for her and her husband Jim.  

We left and headed home.  We were looking for an ice cream place and found a Dairy Queen in Grand Blanc.  I got a banana split and Bill got a hot fudge sundae.  I just wanted something to make me forget that rare burger.  This did the trick.  

I talked with Vikki, Melissa and Kimmy and texted my daily texting with Adam.