Sun. 5/15/23, Happy Mother's Day to my girls who are wonderful moms! Left the campground, listened to church service coming home, all the girls and families came over, Charlie, Sue, Maddy, Alec and Brielle came over

Bill by the camper in the morning...all ready to leave

Kimmy, Vikki, me, Melissa and Stacie....my girls who are all amazing moms to their kids,  with their mom

Me and Melissa

Melissa and me in our University Sweatshirts...go Hailey/go Jacob

We called Hailey and Jacob into the room and asked them where they wanted to stand for the picture....Hailey picked by Melissa who was wearing the CMU sweatshirt and Jacob picked by me.  I was wearing the MSU sweatshirt.  We laughed because we knew that's what they would do.

DJ, Bill and Max

Evan, Hailey, Jack, Melissa, Max and Vader

 Bill, Max and Vader

Max giving Vader attention

Stacie, Sue and me...relaxing on Mother's Day

Sweet picture of Charlie and Melissa.  We have been friends and like family for many years.

Peyton and Hailey practicing volleyball

 

They had fun swinging too

Ha ha, I found this board with lots of letters at an estate sale down the road.  They came down to $2 for it, so I bought it.  Jared always changes the letters on my other board, so I thought I would call this my Jared board and just put this one out whenever he comes.  Not much to change, but he still did.  After they left, I went to put the other one I had put on the other side of our bed, back up on the wall.  I couldn't believe it!  Jared had gone in and found it and changed the letters.  I called Kimmy and told her to tell him he was in triple trouble.

Peyton and Rody relaxing

Hailey and Jacob had lots of fun

 

Hailey, Peyton, and Jacob

Ha Ha, these 4 call themselves the "cool cousins"

Jack, Evan, Isaac, Eli, Kody and Peyton....I think these are pretty cool cousins too!

Brielle loved the barnyard all the grandkids but Kenzie played in.

She knew exactly what to do with the toys in it

We didn't think Jared would fit through that little entrance, but he showed us he could.  It sure wasn't easy though.  

Jared is so much fun with Brielle...He has her laughing here......

Evan

Pretty flowers from Maddy, Alec and Brielle.  Such a nice surprise.

We got the camper all set for travel, then we went and told everyone goodbye.  We left at 9:45, and ate chicken salad sandwiches and some snacks for our breakfast on the way. We listened to our church service on the way.  Amazing worship and another awesome message from Pastor Ken.  

We got home at 12 noon.  Vikki and Peyton were hanging out at our house, so they didn't have to go home after church.  I was so happy to see them.  Vikki and I wished each other Happy Mother's Day and gave each other hugs.  I got my big hug from Peyton.  She is well trained. Melissa, Bruce, Hailey, Max, Jack and Evan came.  We wished each other Happy Mothers Day and gave each other hugs.  I gave Max a hug and then got hugs from Hailey, Jack and Evan.   Rody was sweet and picked up our pizza's when he got theirs, so I didn't have to go get them.  Stacie, DJ and Kody were the next to get here.  Kody had big hugs for us as always.   Stacie and I wished each other Happy Mother's Day and gave each other hugs.  28 minutes later, Kimmy, Jared, Jacob, Adam and Eli came.  Kimmy and I wished each other Happy Mother's Day and gave each other hugs, then I got my hugs from Jacob, Adam and Eli.  We sang Happy Birthday to D.J., then we prayed and we all ate our pizzas.  Each family brought the kind of pizza they liked.  I did share my pizza with anyone who wanted some of it.  I had lots of stuff put on it, so those who got more plain pizzas because that's what their kids like, had some of mine.  We had fun just relaxing and visiting.  Later, Charlie and Sue came to visit us.  We relaxed too, and enjoyed talking.  Charlie, Bill, Sue and Jared played some Euchre games.  Bill and Jared won 3 out of 5 games. Kimmy, Vikki, Melissa, Stacie, Jacob and I all played Skip Bo.  Kimmy and Vikki were partners, Stacie and Jacob were partners and Melissa and I were partners.  We had fun and a lot of laughs.  Vikki and Kimmy were the winners.  

Sue and Charlie left, and shortly after they left, Maddy, Alec and Brielle came.  It was so nice having them over.  They surprised me and bought me flowers for Mother's Day.  Brielle is 9 months old, so this was Maddy's first Mother's Day.  She is an amazing mom too!  All these girls love Jesus too and are training up their kids to love and follow Him too.  They have made sure the kids know what the Bible says.  I am such a blessed mom and blessed Nana.  

Everyone left, then Bill and I relaxed for a little while, then went to bed.  Stacie had given me some coconut oil with lavender and peppermint for my eczema.  (I had just talked to a girl Saturday at the Bike blessing who was up on holistic health and essential oils.  I asked her what is good for eczema, and she said coconut oil and lavender.). Stacie wanted to make something to help and had made just the right stuff.  I thought that was pretty amazing.

Stacie, DJ and Kody also gave me a cute "Love you Nana" plaque, and a beautiful little candle that says, God's love shines through a mother of faith.  

Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Isaac got me a spade like the other small light one I have.  I will be so nice to have two.  Kimmy always helps with the weeding when she is here and now we will both have a good and easy spade to use.  She also got me a blue jelly feeder for my orioles.  We have been looking for ones like these for a long time.  She also got me a lighter for when we have birthday candles to light, or burn the ends of things we want to stay together.   Mine ran out of lighter fluid, so I had to give her a pack of matches to use from my sister, Jody's, wedding in 1976.  Ha ha, they still work.  

Got some amazing small pruning shears from Kimmy and family.  She has a pair and loves using them.  I know I will too and can't wait to try them.

I got a beautiful hanging flower basket from Melissa and family.   It is so pretty and the flowers are white and look so beautiful.  I am excited to hang it out.

The flowers from Maddy, Alec and Brielle look so pretty on the table. 

What a great day celebrating Mother's Day and being thankful for one another.  We are definitely blessed and very thankful to Jesus for everything.

 

Saturday, 5/13/23, Went on long motorcycle ride, than had potluck, campfire after that.

We went to a bike blessing in Kalkaska and some from 4 of our CMA chapters up north helped with praying over bikes and bikers.  

Singing our National Anthem after saying the pledge of Allegiance 

Lots of people wanted their bikes blessed and prayer for when they are riding.

Beautiful 77 degree day for our long ride

Riding into Petosky 

The lake was so beautiful and peaceful 

Stopped for a snack

Beautiful Charlevoix

Bill and I

Bev and Ron

Ron, Bev, Jeff and Bill

The rest of our group ahead of us

The Trout in Kalkaska

Potluck

 Had our coffee and I had my oatmeal.  Bill worked more on what he’s sharing with everyone at our meeting after the potluck.  Then we went to sit and visit outside until it was time to leave for the bike blessing and our ride.  It was 65 when we left, but sunny.  Didn’t take long to warm up to 77.  We’ve had such great weather.  We got to the church parking lot where the bike blessing was going to be.  We walked around talking to people. Some we knew and some we didn’t.  Everything was so nice.  We had our bike blessed for 2023 and had prayer over us for safety. 

Our group left to go on our ride.  It was a long ride (188 miles) but so relaxing and enjoyable.  We had six bikes and 9 people.  We went through so many beautiful towns.  We had to stop a couple times because Art got a cramp in his hip.  We got back to the campground at 4:15.  We loaded the bike in the camper which didn’t take long.  Then I put cool whip on the banana cream pudding dessert I made, then heated up the spaghetti sauce and spaghetti and mixed them together.  All the food was delicious.  We all sat around the campfire after that.   

Friday, 5/12/23, Happy 44th Anniversary to Debbieand Tom, Went on motorcycle ride to get ice cream, went to dinner, hung out at campfire at Jeff and Kathy’s

Happy Anniversary to Debbie and Tom! Their first granddaughter is 7 month now.  She’s so cute!

Beautiful swan we saw on our walk around the campground this morning.

The beach

   The Beach…..beach playground is below 

Selfie on the beach

Our ride to Lake City!  Riding along Missaukee. Beautiful day today and. 77 degrees out

Great Day for ice. Cream at Tastie Freeze

Missing Ziggy, our camping buddy.  He is taking care of his 96 year old mom and being a blessing.

Got up at 7:30 and made our coffees.  I had oatmeal and Bill had Life cereal.  We read our Bibles and then walked over to Sue and Doug’s camper and sat outside with them, Jeff and Lisa and Chrissy.  After that we walked around the campground.  We watched a beautiful swan for a long time. It was eating and swimming. Then we walked up and down a couple of roads and looked at campers.  Then we walked down by the beach, checked out the pavilion we are going to have our potluck in tomorrow and then finished walking around the campground.  Then we had chicken salad sandwiches for lunch.  After that, we all met and rode our motorcycles to McBain to get ice cream at the Twisted Cow, but it was closed and for sale.  We went to Lake City and got ice cream at the Tastee Freeze.  We came back to the campground and went through a few campers that friend got that were new and we hadn’t seen.  At 4:45 we went to dinner at the Cast Iron Skillet in Manton. There were 18 of us.  We came back and all sat around the campfire until 11:00. Came back to the camper and made my banana cream pudding dessert for the potluck. 

Texted with Melissa and then went to bed.

 

Thursday, 5/11/23, Camping in Cadillac, beautiful 78 degree day, lots of outside visiting and a campfire in the evening at Jeff and Kathy’s campsite

Bill by our camper

                  Me by at the edge of our campsite 

View from our window 

Selfie of us

Bill, Dave, Chrissy, Sue and Doug

Kathy and Jeff

Kathy, Jeff, Jeff A., Lisa , me and then the group listed above next to where Bill was sitting.

Brielle on the dolphin at the zoo.  Lots of our kids and grandkids have hat their picture taken on the zoo dolphin. So happy Maddy sent this to me.

 Got up super early so I could shower before going on our camping trip.  I think I’m allergic to our electric blanket and that’s what’s causing my horrible rash.  I pushed it aside last night in the middle of the night because I started thinking that we just got it before I got the rash.  I went to sleep after itching really awful and washing my back with warm water.  I slept better and wasn’t itchy in the morning.  I looked up on Amazon and we got the new electric blanket on 1/31/23, my rash started 2/1/23.  It was 3 weeks before my wellness check with my dr.  I wondered why it was worse at night and even got rid of a pillow because I thought it might be what I was allergic to.  Today we took that blanket off for good.  I’m praying that’s what it is.  I almost sent the blanket back when it came because it felt like wool even though it said 100% polyester.

We left at 10:15 and headed to Cadillac.  I made sure I told Kit Kat goodbye outside.   Don’t want her locked in anywhere lol. Staying at Billings Lake Campground.  It’s really nice here.  We had a tiny corner spot but even with Angling our camper it didn’t fit right.  It was very uneven ground too.  Kathy took us to the office on her golf cart.  Chrissy came too.  The office girl gave us a list of available spots we could move to.  We moved to a beautiful grassy big lot so we’re very happy about that.

Jeff and Dave helped Bill set up the outside stuff.  We went and hung out at Dave and Chrissy’s campsite when we had everything done.  Kathy and Jeff came later, then Doug and Sue came.

Everyone when to their campers to eat. We ate spaghetti in our camper.  Then we all went to Jeff and Kathy’s for a campfire.  We came back and played 3-13.  Bill won, -7 to 11.  It was a close game.  For a long time I was behind by 50 points so I at least made a good comeback.  

Wed., 5/10/23, Went grocery shopping, Cleaned and finished loading camper, went to give Wes his birthday present, put Preen down, watered plants

 

Kit Kat sleeping next to me while I red my Bible outside

She sure wasn't bird watching lol.  She never moved when I got up.

Maddy sent me these cute pictures today

I got up early and got my shower taken.  Bill need in the bathroom to get ready to go with Charlie for breakfast and to Flint to pick up the State Rally flyers and post cards he had printed up.  I had a nice talk with Sue on the phone.  

I went to Meijer and Aldi to get groceries for our trip.  Bill was home by the time I got home.I drove back and put the groceries in the camper.  Last night we loaded the motorcycle in the camper so that was a big thing done.  I did some cleaning today, then packed my clothes and Bill packed his.  Only last minute stuff left now.  

I made spaghetti for dinner.  I also made a white cake with frosting which is Bill's favorite.  We went to get a Mooney's gift certificate and then took Wes's birthday card and the gift certificate over to Wes.  We had to drop off some of the flyers and postcards for them to take the Faith Rider meeting on Sat. since we won't be here for it.  

When we got home, I put Preen around the plants by the shed, around the house, in the new flower garden, and around the tree with bricks around it.  Then I watered everything.  Bill had CMA stuff to work on.  He had to do the agenda and will lead the discussions and give a devotion.  He works hard and does a great job being State Coordinator.  It was after nine when I got inside.  I frosted the cake, then we had a piece.  It sure felt good to sit down.  Too busy to bird watch today.  Vikki called and talked to me for a while.  I am really tired, so will be going to bed by 10:30 hopefully.   

Tues., 5/9/23, Went for coffee and a sandwich with Hailey and Melissa, Packed more stuff in the camper, Vikki, Peyton and Lilly came over

Birds waiting in line for suet

Bill mowing the lawn

Hailey, me and Melissa

A 5 point picture Hailey took of us

Grass is growing nicely around the brick by the tree.  Last year it was all dirt.  Planted grass then and put more seed on this year

All of our trees are getting so big

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Oriole picture of the day

Pulled all the little weeds in the brick walkway

 Bill took the garbage out in the morning.  I put worship music on.  Just ate Honey Bunches of Oats with almonds for breakfast this morning.  Had my coffee with Almond Milk French Vanilla Creamer.  It warmed up outside pretty fast, so I read my Bible out on the deck.  Kit Kat joined me.  Relaxed and did some bird watching after that.  Then came in and started getting things on my camping list put in clothes baskets to take out to the camper. Bill started mowing the grass.  It has been growing really fast.  

Melissa called so I headed over to pick her and Hailey up to go to Cafe 476.  Melissa and I had Mochas and a cranberry chicken salad croissant.  Hailey just wanted an iced Latte'.  She had eaten right before she left home. We had fun visiting and laughing.  I'm so glad we have her home for 3 weeks before she goes off to work.  

When I got home, I loaded my car up and took two loads out.  There's always more to pack the first time camping after bringing stuff in for the winter.  I turned the refrigerator on while I was out there.  I came in and FaceTimed Vikki back.  I didn't have my phone in the camper when she FaceTimed me.  While I talked with her, I sat out and watched the birds for a while.  She got a new Oriole feeder that's really cute.  Her other one started leaking.  The house next to her went up for sale.  We are praying for good neighbors to buy it.  She, Peyton and Lilly stopped over to drop off some wire Vikki picked up for me.  She hung my red bird house Kenze made me when she was in high school.  It's so pretty.  The wrens like making a nest in it.  Hope they do again this year.  I was so thankful for her help.  After they left, I loaded stuff in the camper refrigerator.  Then I came in and Bill and I watched the movie, Guided By the Word.  It was a good one.  I love how he always takes the decorative pillows off the bed, and asks me if I want my electric blanket turned on.  Once in a while I do it, but not very often.  Eli sent me more songs today.  This time I had heard this album already.  It's one of my favorites and I listen to it all the time.  He is so special how he picks out such good ones.  I texted with him for a while.