Monday, 12/5/22, Made vegetable soup, Bill picked Wes, Gayla and Joel up from airport, went to Trinity Riders meeting,

Peaceful place to walk in the morning.  Treadmill is in the far corner.  I put my worship music on and walk away

Bill got wild with the new tractor and broke a board on the pool deck

Squirrel friend out on our deck eating corn from the neighbors field

Trinity Riders Meeting

I walked on the treadmill this morning.  Walked 2 miles, then came up and ate my oatmeal and drank my morning coffee.  Bill met Charlie for coffee.  I talked to Sue for over an hour. Read my Bible after that and did my devotion.  I talked to Kimmy and then sent a picture of something Jared told Bill he wanted for Christmas.  I got Kody, Stacie and DJ's presents ordered today too.  Peyton and Isaac's were delivered.  It sure feels good to get started.  Waiting on lists from the girls for them and their families.  I made a large pot of vegetable soup.  I'm going to give some to Chuck and Sue and Bev and Dave.  Bill went and picked up Wes, Gayla and Joel from the airport.  When he got home, we headed to Trinity Rider's Chapter meeting.  It was a good meeting and it was nice seeing everyone.  When I got home, we hauled a dehumidifier up from the basement that doesn't work anymore.  Bill will put it out to the road in the morning.  Melissa called and we talked for a long time and had some good laughs til we cried.  So much fun.  I talked to Vikki a few times.  She picked me up a surprise today.  That was so sweet of her.

Sunday, 12/4/22, Went to prayer, than church, CMA Christmas Party, Maddy, Alec and Brielle came over, Wes, Gayla and Joel's flight cancelled

Eli spent the night at Jack's last night.  Melissa sent me this picture of them with Vader.

Ziggy leading the meeting at our Christmas Party.  Ron listening

Dave, Chrissy, Lucy, Jerry and Sandy...Sue with her back to the camera

Bill in the center listening at the meeting

Julie and Phil

Bill and Brielle

We went to prayer than to church.  I prayed with Lisa before church for healing of her foot and leg.  Went to prayer and had amazing prayer time.  Found out Bev had been in the hospital, so making sure Dave lets one of us know next time.  Worship and the message were great once again.  Tamera and Terry came and talked to us after church.  They are a very nice couple we just met.  She was in my Bible Study.  

We read our Bibles, did our devotions, then relaxed for a while.  We went to our CMA Christmas party at 2.  We had a great time.  We visited, then ate, then had our meeting, and then did our gift exchange.  I made a huge banana cream pudding dessert and also chicken fried rice because Bill knew lots of things would have cheese in them.  It was a fun party.  

When we got home, Maddy, Alec and Brielle came over to visit.  They had some banana cream pudding with us.  They stayed a couple of hours and we had a good time with them. Gayla called me to let me know their flight had gotten cancelled in Houston. We were supposed to pick them up at the airport by us at 11:20.  Now they won't be home until tomorrow afternoon.  She sounded good and was joyful.  I can't wait to hear about their cruise and see pictures.

 

Sat., 12/3/22, Went to Sandusky Chapter meeting, went to Mennonite Store, Kimmy, Jacob and Adam came over, Vikki and Peyton came over Hailey came over, Jared and Eli came over, went to Living Nativity

Sandusky Chapter Meeting this morning

Beautiful inside the church

Sang Christmas songs in the church before going with our Shepherd, Reuben.
Bill, me, Jacob, Eli, Peyton, Hailey, Vikki
second row...Adam, Rody, Isaac, Kimmy and Jared

Walking through Bethlehem...Jacob in grey sweatshirts, Adam in front of him

Ended up at the Stable with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus

Cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and orange drink afterwards.  Love hanging out with family!

Rody, Hailey, Vikki , Jacob, Isaac, Eli, me, Adam, Bill, Isaac, Kimmy and Jared

Baby Brielle

 This morning we went to the Sandusky Chapter Meeting.  We had to leave at 7:15 to make it for breakfast.  It was a very good meeting.  Ching came and sang O Night Divine and sounded amazing.  Tonight at 7 is the Sandusky Christmas Parade.  The chapter has a float in the parade.  We stopped at the Mennonite store on the way home.  We got some meat, some bread flour and a few other things.  We got home, and shortly after,  Jacob dropped Kimmy, Jacob and Adam off at our house, while he went with Eli to Eli's band thing in Ovid Elsie.  Bill, Adam, Kimmy and I played a game of Skip Bo.  We had fun.  Adam and Bill won.  Vikki and Peyton came over next.  Hailey was next to get here.  Everyone but Vikki had chicken nuggets I picked up from the Mennonite Store.  Vikki ate pizza before she came.  There were leftovers for Jared and Eli when they got back.  

We went to the Living Nativity at 6.  It was so good!  We enjoyed singing the Christmas songs while waiting in the church, hearing kids play their instruments, and hearing beautiful singers, plus the highlight of the Christmas Story with the Angel lit up on the ceiling.  After that we sang more, then went out with our shepherd.  We had this shepherd before and he was really good at doing his part.  Everyone in the entire nativity journey did amazing.  Peyton was picked to knock on the door of the Inn.  There was no room, so they sent us where a couple had went earlier...a stable.  Shepherds were rejoicing when we got close, because the savior had been born.  Live animals were all along the way and at the stable.  It is always so special and meaningful to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.    

Hailey rode with us, then when we got home she took Eli to her house as he was spending the night with Jack.  Caleb was spending the night with them too, and Evan also had a friend over.  Bill and I watched the Michigan game after everyone left.  They sure played great!

Friday, 12/2/22, We picked Melissa up and went to Sam's, Lunch at Leo's, Bill and I went to Meijer, watched Movie

Bill, Melissa and I at Leo's for lunch

Bill drove the car through the new car wash.  He had a free wash.  It was very cool!

 

Started our morning with our regular routine...oatmeal, coffee, Bible reading and devotions.  Kimmy called and had a major catastrophe this morning.  I'm sure she will post the pictures on her blog.  Her shelves with most of their pottery on it collapsed and only a few pieces were spared.  I cried I felt so bad for her when I heard what happened.  She and Jared work so hard making amazing pottery.  We were thankful it didn't fall on anyone though.  There is always something to be thankful for!  

We picked Melissa up while we were talking to Kimmy.  We went to Sam's Club to shop.  We ate lots of samples and had so much fun.  We went to Leo's afterwards for lunch.  It is a new restaurant here.  Melissa had a club sandwich, I had a Reuben sandwich and Bill had breakfast.  Service was really fast and the food was great!  We took Melissa home after that and we came home.  We took a short nap and then we went to Meijer to spent two $10 certificates we had from there.  We bought a Skip Bo game and we let Melissa know she can keep the other game so they can play it with Max.  He really liked that game on Thanksgiving.  We picked up a few other things we had coupons for.  We came home and played Skip Bo.  I was the winner.  We watched the movie Christmas for a Dollar afterward.  I love that movie and the closeness of the family in it.  It always touches my heart.  

12/1/22, HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY MAX! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Max!  We love you so much!

Evan looking very cool in this Detroit Tiger sweatshirt

Claire and Adam....they had fun making gingerbread houses (Adam made a barn) and also melted snowman cookies

Kenzie stopped to see Max on his birthday but he wasn't home, so she had Melissa take a picture to show him she and Mylee were there.

Eli was a good doggie sitter for Mylee (he calls her Meatloaf lol)  He's really good with her.

Joel and Wes holding sloths.  They look so fun to hold and so cuddly.  

We talked with Max today and sang Happy Birthday to him, and also talked more afterwards.  We sure are thankful for Max and love him so much.  He's sure a great kid.We are thankful for all of his help when we need it.  He's a kind hearted thoughtful grandson.  

I cleaned the kernel burner today, then it wouldn't start afterwards.  The guy who was here a month ago, ordered a part and is bringing it.  He will have to get it started for us after he puts that part in.  

Love the picture of Joel and Wes holding those adorable sloths.  I would love to hold one.  We were supposed to go on this cruise with them, but cancelled.  Now I'm wishing I would have lol.  

I stopped over at Melissa's and took her some Molasses cookies from the Amish Store.  I took Evan's picture while I was there.  I made a roast today and when I got home, it was ready to take out of the oven.  It tasted yummy!  Kenzie came to drop of Mylee for Kimmy.  They met here.  Kenzie had some roast, carrots and potatoes, then packed some for Travis.  Kimmy had some potatoes and carrots when she got here.  Jared and the boys didn't want any.  Adam brought the ginger house barn he made at Claire's and also some of the cookies they made that looked like melted snowmen.  So cute!  Vikki stopped over too, because she picked a couple of things she bought up at a house nearby.  We all were excited and went to play Skip Bo, and realized we lent the cards to Melissa.  What a bummer.  We ended up playing on our phone, but it sure is more fun to play in person.  Melissa called and talked to us girls.  

 

Wed., 11/30/22, Breakfast with Jacob and Eli, Took the three boys to school, took friend, Kay, for her surgery appt. did some shopping, picked Jack and Evan up after Jack's basketball practice

Look at this handsome guy driving their new van.  It keeps him in the lane and also away from other cars.  Just what he needed lol!

Nice that Kimmy and Jared could buy Jared's parents nice van.  It will be such a blessing for them.

Wyatt looks good in it too!

Jack after I picked him up from school.  It was cold, snowy and very windy out.  I took it fast so he wouldn't freeze.  Same with Evan below.

Peyton found this at the Thrift Store.  We just took down our big angel picture like it and replaced it with a different picture.  She wanted this to remember it!

I got up early this morning and got ready, then woke Adam, Jacob and Eli up.  They wanted me to wake them up at 6:15 so they could lay in bed another 15 minutes.  They didn't quite pop up like toast like I told them, but they did get up pretty good.  Jacob, Eli and I ate breakfast together.  Adam didn't want to eat, so I had him drink a protein drink.  They were all ready on time and we were out the door by 7.  Got them all to their schools safely and on time. 

I got home, read my Bible and did my devotion, then left to pick up Kay and take her for her surgery.  I just dropped her off and went shopping until they called me to come pick her up.  Got my gift for our CMA Christmas party this Sunday, and also our Walmart gift card for the giving tree at church.  Got Hailey's gift yesterday too, so I have officially began my Christmas Shopping.  I have ordered Peyton and Isaac's too.  Max just wants money, so he will be easy.  He called Papa today.  His birthday is tomorrow.  Can't wait to wish him Happy 17th Birthday.  Went to pick up Kay and had to go in and sign a form since I was her driver.  She did great and I took her home to rest.  

I came home and took a short nap.  Bill got home from picking Adam, Jacob and Eli up from their schools and taking them to their house.  They want to go to youth group tonight and Kimmy and Jared are supposed to make it just in time to take them.  

I talked to Kimmy, Vikki, Melissa and Kenzie today.  We had to change the date we are going to the Living Nativity, but it worked out for everyone to go still.  Yay! 

Tues., 11/29/22, Vacuumed, put Christmas totes away in the attic, baked squash from the garden, Kimmy and Jared dropped off the boys to spend the night, went to prayer

I blew the leaves off the deck and blew them far enough away so Bill could pick them up with his tractor.  It looked so nice when he was done.  I should have taken an after picture.  Kit Kat loved playing with her toy mouse, but she looks kind of vicious in this picture.

Peaceful tree picture for 2022 

Eli...so happy he's spending the night

Adam, Papa and Jacob.  These boys must have stacked the deck when we were out of the room.  They played cards off their piles so fast.  It was almost the end of the game and I hadn't even played a card off my pile.  I finally played about 3 cards of my pile before they won a few hands later.  I'm so happy they are spending the night too.

It was in the high 40's when I got up, so I blew the leaves off the deck.  Wanted to get them off of there before they freeze or get buried in snow.  Bill picked the leaves up with his tractor when he got home.  He went with Charlie this morning.   Lucky me, Charlie sent Amish Molasses cookies home with Bill for me.  Yum!  Nice thing is they all arrive.  When it is a kind of cookie Bill loves, lots are missing when they get to me lol.  I put Christmas totes away in the attic, so everything is back in order.  

I brought some squash from the garden in from the garage and baked them in the over.  They smelled so good baking and sure tasted good when they were done.  I ate a bowl and put the rest in the freezer.   I also made a grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch.  Kimmy called and wanted to know if the boys could spend the night and I could take them to school in the morning.  Of course I was happy about that.  She wanted someone to pick them up from school in the afternoon tomorrow, so I got Bill set up to do that.  I have to take a friend to the hospital for minor surgery tomorrow, and had told Melissa I would pick up Jack and Evan from school tomorrow too.  Everything worked out and Jack and Evan will be at Jack's practice until 4:45 so that gives me plenty of time to get there.  Vikki was willing to be on call for anything needed too.  

Kimmy dropped the boys off around 5.  She picked up a pizza and breadsticks for them to have.  I sent her a message that I had food here.  It worked out good still, because I warmed up some chicken noodle casserole for Kimmy and Jared and put it in paper bowls for them with plastic forks.  They took it to eat on the way as they wanted to get started on their trip to Indiana.  They are staying with Jared's parents and buying their Honda Odyssey.  His parents got a pretty red new Odyssey.  Melissa and Bruce have an Odyssey and love it.   Great vehicles!   

I went to intercessory prayer for an hour.  It was awesome worshipping than had amazing time of prayer.  When I got home Bill and I were partners against Jacob and Adam in Skip Bo.  We had M & M's for a snack while we played.  They beat us both games.  They really beat us really bad the last game.  Max called during the game, and talked to Bill, then me, then the boys.  He said he wants to play Skip Bo again with us.  He just learned how to play on Thanksgiving. 

Kimmy called to let us know they were getting close to Jared's parent's house.  She wanted to tell the boys goodnight.  Jacob was practicing his clarinet, so we had been listening to some great music.  She talked to him first.  Then Eli came upstairs to talk to her.  Then I knocked on Adam's door and she talked to him.  He looked very comfy all tucked in bed with the night light on.