Saturday, 1/21/23, Went to Marine Corp Breakfast, Went to Kroger, Took Eli to Vikki, Went to chili cookout, Wes and Gayla came over

This is the picture of the ornament Adam sent me lol!

Bill showing Brielle off at the Marine Corp. League Breakfast

Brielle, me, Maddy and Alec

Maddy, Me and Brielle

Cindy, Yolanda, Sabrina, me, Barb, Elaine and Ron

Our group picture at the Chili Cook Off at Michelle and Jerdon's

We went to breakfast at Riverside for the Marine Corp League breakfast.  Maddy and Alec met us there.  Breakfast was good, but we tried not to eat too much because we have to be at the chili cookout at noon.  Bill got out of the car when we got home, and I left to go to Kroger to get Eli's birthday gift for his friend Lane.  I picked up an X Box card Kimmy wanted to get for him.  I was happy Kroger had it.  I headed home.  The boys were just getting up.  Eli had about 20 minutes to get ready and Adam didn't have much time either.  Bill took the chili and headed to the chili cookoff.  I packed up a blueberry muffin for Eli and he got a drink to go.  I was driving separate and taking Eli, so we could spend an hour at the chili cookout and then I could take him to Lane's birthday party.  While we were driving, when we were almost ready to get on the expressway, Kimmy called and said they would be back in time to pick up Eli and take him to the party.  She caught us just in time.  We headed to Vikki's and I dropped Eli off at an estate sale by her house they were at.  I made it to the chili dinner at 12:02.  Claire's family picked up Adam and took him to Frankenmuth to celebrate her 16th birthday.  He got her a Squish mallow and she loved.  He took this picture of an I Love Lucy ornament and sent it to me while he was at Bronner's.  We had a great time at the chili cook off, trying all of the chili and eating dessert afterward.  $500 was raised for Run for the Son.  We got home around 2:30 and Adam to our house shortly afterward.  Kimmy and Jared were in Bay City, so came to pick him up.  I offered to take him home, but they said it was only 5 minutes out of their way.  I dished him up a bowl of chili and he at that and then had some Oreos.  He told me his mom would have to make chili more often.  

We called my niece, Tammy, and wished her a happy birthday.  She said it was the call she has been waiting for.  I call her every year on her birthday   Wes and Gayla came at about 5 and we had chili and then had banana cream pie for dessert.  We played our new card game after that.  I won both games.  That's the first I've won.  We gave Gayla her card and part of her birthday present.  We also ordered her a Sky jo card game, that was supposed to come today, but they changed it and now it will be coming tomorrow.  They really liked playing the game so will be happy to have one at there house to play.   We sure had fun and a good time catching up.  

 

Friday, 1/20/23, I took Adam and Eli to school, Bill took Jack to school, I picked all the boys up, Went to Vikki's, Melissa came to visit

Nice picture Kimmy sent me of her and Jared in Grand Rapids.  Such a cute sweet couple!

Snow in the morning, but it all melted shortly after it came

Made chili for the chili cookout tomorrow

Isaac and Peyton when we visited

I got up early, then woke the boys all up at 6:15.  Jack and Eli ate cereal, and Adam ate a blueberry muffin.  It was snowing out, but the roads were good which I was thankful for.  I dropped Adam off, then dropped Eli off at school.  It was still dark out, but started getting light while I was heading home.  Bill took Jack to school, and was back home by the time I got home.  We did our Bible reading, then I made chili.  Watched the March for life after I got the chili started.  So many great testimonies of lives saved and the blessings resulting.  I was so moved watching it!  I sure am praying for God to move and protect the lives of babies.  So sad at how many have been murdered in our nation.  Hopefully people will wake up and see what they are allowing and what they are doing.  I can't imagine seeing babies and thinking it's ok to kill them just because they are in the womb. Now they want to kill them even after they are born.  God please put a stop to this. 

I picked up Adam.  I forgot to bring the lunch he had in my refrigerator.  I stopped at McDonalds and got him a free 6 piece chicken nugget that I got free with my rewards.

He was happy I got that for him.  We stopped at another McDonalds by Eli's school and I got free fries for him because it was free fry Friday.  I had to spend a dollar to get them free so, got both boys a pop.  We picked Jack up before we went to my house.  Adam, Bill, Jack and I ate chili.  Eli ate a hamburger he had bought from home in case he didn't like the food I was having.  They ate some donuts for dessert.  

Eli, Jack and I went to Barnes and Noble so he could get the last book of the Wind and Fire series with the gift card his Grandma and Grandpa Russell gave him.  He was pretty happy to get it.  He got the last one there.  After that, we went to get gas, then to Vikki's house so Eli could pick up the bed she had for his cat.  Lucy never uses it.  It was nice to see Wyatt there and Lucy.  I was so happy to see Peyton and Isaac.  I haven't seen them in a few days.  

On the way home, Eli and Jack were saying how they were going to practice Ping Pong so they can beat Papa.  They were sure cute and have a good plan.  

Melissa came over to pick Jack up.  She stayed for a while and we taught her our new game.  She loved it and was very good at it.  She beat us! We sure had fun playing it with her though.  After that I made popcorn per Eli's request, and everyone but Melissa and I had some.  They had M & M's with it per Jack's request.  Melissa and I were too full.  It was a fun evening.  

 

Thurs., 1/20/23, Did some cleaning, Picked Adam, then Eli up from school, Bill picked Jack up, Melissa came over

Bethlehem posted this picture of Evan and his team.  They won for building their shelter the fastest.

Riding to the restaurant...Papa told Adam to steal my spot, so I made Adam take this selfie since that's what the person in that seat has to do.  

Jack and Eli playing games on the wii

Adam, Bill, Eli and Jack at Fuzzy's.  The pizza was amazing.  A couple of pieces got flipped on the pan, so they apologized and made us another pizza too.  It took about 3 minutes for that pizza to disappear.  The other one came boxed up and we bought it home.  The boys ate another piece for a night snack

Melissa and I Face timed with Hailey for a long time.  She was so cute and funny.  I have never seen so many different expressions.  It was so good spending time with her. 

Kimmy, Jared and Jacob left in the morning after taking the boys to school.  They went to Grand Rapids for Jacob to practice and play with the All State Band in a concert Saturday.  I did my morning routine, then did some cleaning.  

I picked Adam up from school first, then went to get Eli.  On our way home, we stopped at McDonalds and I got Eli a frappe', Adam a vanilla shake, and also picked up an extra shake to give Jack.  I told Eli to put Jack's shake in the back cup holder by him.  He got super excited when he found out Jack was coming to our house to spend the night, and would be there when we got there.  He said he was going to ask, but didn't have a signal to text Jack to see if he could.  Bill had picked Jack up and brought him to our house.  They sure had fun hanging out together.  Jack did his math homework, and Eli helped him some long memory work the pastor is having the kids memorize.  With Eli helping, Jack learned it fast.  He couldn't spend the night if he didn't get his work done.  He sure was happy and so was Eli.  They went down to the basement and played ping pong and some other games.  Adam, Papa and I played the new game we got.  Adam caught on quickly and beat us.  After that he watched the movie Running the Bases with Papa.  I watched the beginning, and then Melissa came so we went to the other room and visited.   We all had M & M and cashews for snacks.  Jack and Eli came up and played game on the wii.  Melissa and Bruce took Abby to the vet.  The vet gave her some new medicine and said it would take a while to work.  She also said it needs to work pretty fast though, so she doesn't get kidney and liver problems.  Melissa sent me a video of Abby walking across the room.  This was around 10:55.  The medicine is working really fast.  Thanking and praising God.

 

Wed., 1/18/23, Cleaned kernel burner, moved last years files our, so this years filing can begin, went to Jack's game

 

Maddy sent me these pictures of Brielle driving now.  Cali better watch out!

Jack playing in his basketball game.  He almost made that basket from far away!  It was fun watching him play.  He did great!

I was supposed to go watch Brielle, but her mom was able to do it so I didn't get to.  Bill had an appointment so I decided to tackle cleaning the kernel burner.  I never am excited about doing that job, because sometimes the pieces I take out don't want to go back in easily.  I always pray for God to help me now.  I cleaned it in record time.  Got is super clean and the pieces went back in amazingly fast.  I sure was thanking the Lord.  Then, I decided not to try starting it because it didn't start last time I cleaned it and we had to use cottontails dipped in Vaseline.  When Bill found out I cleaned it, he thought I should try starting it so I did.  I was amazed again.  It started up faster than ever!  Wow!  It was my day!

After that, I did my reading and had my breakfast and coffee.  I decided it was a good day to empty last years files and get them ready for this year's filing.  That took a while.  I had some folders with lots of Bill's weddings and funerals he's done in them, so he went through them and found a new place in his filing cabinet to keep them.  That gives me lots more room and makes filing easier.  

We went to Jack's game at St. Paul's tonight.  He played lots and did a great job.  He is pretty new at playing since he did virtual school the past two years.  I loved watching him play!

I talked to Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki and texted with Adam and Maddy.

Tues, 1/17/23, Maddy came for lunch and to spend the afternoon, Brielle was so cute and sweet, Went to Jack's Basketball game

Me and Brielle at Biggby Coffee

Such a cute sweetie!

 

Maddy and Brielle 

Jack and Caleb during the game

Jack playing...he's under the scoreboard..didn't get a good picture

Papa, Jack and me

Papa, Evan and me

Bill getting ready to play SkyJo with me.  It a new card game we learned in Iowa, something like tonk with more cards.  No Jacks or Jokers, but some -1's and -2's.  It was lots of fun! Can't wait to play it with the kids and grandkids.

Bill took the trash out, and I helped him load our big angel picture in the truck so he could take it to Goodwill.  After he left to do that, I made chicken salad.  I also put some chicken in the crockpot to cook to make noodle casserole.  Maddy and Brielle came over at around 11 and we visited for an hour.  I got to hold Brielle lots.  She was so smiley and tries to talk lots.  She loves baby toys now too.  She fell asleep for a while after she ate, so we ate lunch then.  Maddy loved the chicken salad sandwiches and ate two, plus tried a cup of Bill's noodle soup.  We prayed for Brielle, and some other people and Abby, visited more, than we went to the Biggby Coffee that just opened up by us.  I got an Avalanche iced coffee and she got an energy drink.  We sat in comfy lounge chairs.  I fed Brielle her bottle.  She loves eating now.  She eats less more often, because she was throwing up her medicine, so not much was left to help with her eye.  Now the doctor is putting her on some different medicine that hopefully won't upset her stomach.  She also wants her to go back to the eye specialist, because she is concerned about her going blind in that eye.  Right now she looks all over with it, but the doctor said the brain can tell the eye not to work with what she's got and she doesn't want that to happen.  I will be so happy when this is taken care of and she's all better.  We visited there for about an hour, then came back to my house so Maddy could change her.  We visited a little more, than they left.  Bill and I did our Bible reading and devotions and then we went to Jack's basketball game.  It was against the best team and sure was a close one.  We are going to his game tomorrow night too.  I made up the noodle casserole when we got home and we ate.  After that we played our new game.  We had lots of fun and lots of laughs.  Bill won, but not by much. 

 

Monday, 1/16/23, Gayla's Birthday, Bill went for coffee with Charlie, Bill and I went to Sam's Club, spent the day at Vikki's with Kimmy, Melissa and the kids

 

Brielle ready to go to U of M today and get her lump by her eye checked.  Praying they can help her more with it.

I had my yummy sandwich from Iowa today.  They sure make good sandwiches at that church

Isaac, Jack, Eli, and Peyton in the basement at Vikki's watching a movie

Adam relaxing on Aunt Vikki's new couch

Melissa putting the string through the board for her shelf

Kimmy, Vikki, me and Melissa with the shelves we made (with some help from Vikki and Kimmy)

Bill went for coffee with Charlie.  I put worship music on and worshipped for a while.  Did my morning reading, then had oatmeal and my coffee.  I unpacked my suitcase and did laundry afterward.  Melissa called me and said she was coming to Vikki's and would see me there.  Vikki called me shortly afterwards and invited me.  She didn't call me earlier because she didn't want to wake me up if I was sleeping in.  I finished the laundry, ate my sandwich, then went to Vikki's.  We had yummy homemade chicken noodle soup and also rice for lunch there.   The kids ate mac and cheese, which they were happy about.  I forgot to take pictures of Jacob and Evan today, but did get the rest of the kiddos.  Kimmy fixed a spot that had a gouge out of it in Vikki's entrance way floor.  She made it look great so you couldn't even tell.  Melissa and I watched streamed Bethlehem's church service so I could watch and listen to Jack and Evan sing in the choir.  They sounded so good.  So happy I could do that.  Vikki had got us all stuff to make hanging shelves.  They turned out so cute and we had fun making them together.  Such a fun day at Vikki's.  Sad that Vikki's tortoise, Manny, died today though.  

Sunday, 1/15/23, Left for home, Stopped at Gramma’s Kitchen, went to Olive Garden With Vikki and Terry

Saw this funny coaster at Gramma’s Kitchen lol

Yay, back in Michigan 

Terry, Vikki, me and Bill

We left our hotel at 8 a.m.   Drove 2 hours to Grammy’s Kitchen and met Al and Lucy, Doug and Sue and Dave and his wife there for breakfast.  It was a big yummy breakfast!  We left there and headed for home sweet home.  We stopped for gas once, then stopped another time to use the restrooms.  Bill decided to top off the gas tank there.  We spent $80 in gas for the whole trip!!

I messaged my friend Vikki and set it up to meet her and Terry at the Olive Garden around 6:30.  We texted back and forth. She called me to ask if we wanted to spend the night at their house.  We wanted to head home afterwards but it was sure sweet of her to ask.  She is the bestest friend ever!  We didn’t run into much traffic even by Chicago which we were happy about!  We got to the Olive Garden on schedule and Terry came and took me to the table, then went to wait for Bill to come out of the bathroom to show him where we were.  We ate and had such a great visit.  Bill and Terry worked together so they had lots to talk about.  They are great friends too.  Melissa called and asked for prayer for Abby because she moved wrong and now couldn’t use her legs and barked and yelped because she didn’t want anyone by her.  We left the restaurant at 9 and headed on the rest of our journey home.  I called Melissa after we left the restaurant and she said five minutes after we prayed, Abby let her come up to her without barking and let her pick ER up and carry her around.  She let her put her in Vader’s cage where she would feel safer and had some leftover medicine from the last time this happened to give her.  We all love our Abby.