Wed., 5/17/23, Walked 2.7 miles, went to lunch with Hailey, took pop cans back, Vikki came over, went to Jacob's last high school band concert, His other grandma and grandpa came too

Hailey, Melissa and I walked this morning



We had a nice lunch at Coco Loco and a fun visit. We had a really nice waiter who brought us more chips and salsa and even sent us home with lemonade and pop to go

Vicki Eagle, Charlie, Sue, Bill, Doug, Lela, Jared and Kimmy in the first row; Hailey, Kenzie, Vikki and Eli in the row behind

The Symphonic Band playing.  Jacob is in 1st chair on left of Mr. Shepherd

Seniors being honored

Jacob's last high school band concert.  They got a standing ovation!   Jacob did amazing and so did all the others.  Mr. Shepherd got a standing ovation too!  He's a great band director! 

Students clapping for Mr. Shepherd...Jacob at end 

I was so happy when Mr. Shepherd called Jacob forward for the Distinguished Musician Award.  I always thought this would happen when I saw the amazing pictures in the entrance of the school of previous students who got this award, because Jacob has such a passion for music and practices so hard, besides having so much talent.  I am so proud of Jacob!

 

All three Distinguished Musician Award winners.  Jonah, Ryan and Jacob.  Amazing musicians!

Jacob and a friend high diving before the award ceremony began

Jacob looking at the award plaques before the awards ceremony

Jacob receiving more awards at the senior music awards after the concert

Nice smile from my Jacob

Nice family picture...Bill, Jared, Lela, Eli, Jacob, me, Hailey, Kimmy and Doug. We are all proud of our Jacob 

A group picture showing Russel brotherly love

Seniors in the band with the band directors

Seniors in the band

Jacob and Mr. Shepherd his band director

Jacob with his student teacher

Talking with Mr. Shepherd afterward

Jacob and Hailey in the Music room

Picture Hailey sent me of Ally and her hanging out together.  I always took pictures of these two growing up when they were at school events or wherever I was with them.  

I did my morning routine, then at noon I went to Melissa's and she, Hailey and I walked 2.7 miles at a fast pace.  I was so amazed to see Melissa be able to do this after all she went through the last few years.  We walked even faster than I do on the treadmill and Melissa kept up perfectly.  I think I was more tired than she was.  She is one amazing girl who has one awesome God.  I told Hailey how happy I was that she started doing this with her mom and they were diligent to keep at it.  We got back at around 1, and Hailey and I went to Coco Loco.  Kenzie texted me and she was at Olive Garden.  She sent me a picture.  I wish I would have known sooner because she could have come with us or we could have went there.  We had a great lunch and an amazing waiter.  After we left there, we went to Meijer to take pop cans back.  Hailey and I have done this for many years now.  So much more fun going with someone who is good company and who is a great helper too.  I went home and did some things around the house and walked around the yard.

In the evening, Hailey and Vikki came over and we all rode together to Jacob's last High School Concert.  Bill drove us.  It was so nice that Jacob's Grandma and Grandpa Russell were able to be there too.  We had quite a group of us.  The jazz band played first while we were waiting for the concert to start.  They sounded amazing.  Then the Symphonic band played and sounded so professional and amazing.  It a most enjoyable concert.  After the concert, they honored the seniors and had them stand.  Mr. Shepherd announced each recipient of the Distinguished Musician Awards, Jacob, Ryan, and Jonah.  We all cheered for Jacob and the others.  Such a great honor and achievement.  They honored Mr. Shepherd after that.  He is an outstanding music director and is in the top 10.  During the concert, they also showed a senior video, which was nice.  After the concert, we went out and had cake and ice cream.  Then we went back into the auditorium for an awards presentation for the Music program.  Jacob got 4 amazing awards.  Gee, we were so happy for him and so proud of him.  He's one great kid!

We took family group pictures and then talked to Mr. Shepherd after that.  Jacob told him about not even wanting to be in band and saying no until his Spanish teacher had all the kids go down and try out some instruments.  Jacob loved the clarinet when he tried it.  The rest is history.  

We got our hugs and said out goodbyes, then headed home.  We stopped at McDonalds on the way home.  I got a cheeseburger an water, Hailey got a double hamburger, Vikki got a large ice tea, Bill got a coke and fries.  Bill asked who wanted the rest of his fries and Hailey was so fast at answering it was unbelievable.  I had to laugh.  Guess it's because she has hungry brothers, so she had to learn to be quick.  

What a fun and enjoyable night we will never forget!  

Jacob, you have talent and have worked hard to accomplish all of this.  Every award was well deserved.  You are such an amazing grandson, and one of the nicest, most respectful kids I know.  I love you always!

Jack and Evan had a concert tonight too.  I felt so bad I had to miss it, but I wanted to be at Jacob's last concert.  I can't wait to watch Melissa's video of them when I see her next.  They are also wonderful, nice and respectful grandsons.

Tuesday, 5/16/23, Maddy came over, Went to bank, went to Kroger, went to Vikki's

 

The Red Columbine I got last year with the gift certificate for the boys band fundraiser is looking beautiful this year.  So many blossoms on it.

Maddy with her adult grilled cheese sandwich she got at the Coffee Beanery.  We laughed when she went to pick one half of the sandwich up.  

Brielle wanted to study the mentoring book with us.  It is so fun mentoring Maddy.  She is so sweet and loves Jesus.  I love this girl and her baby!

Such a cute 9 month old

She learned how to get out of their lol

Brielle drinking her bottle on Kenzie's blankets she had when she was a baby.  Grandma bought her the pink and maroon one at a bazaar.  It is so comfy for babies to lay on.

Vikki, Melissa and I had such a great time visiting tonight.  We found out that even in our dreams, we call out to Jesus.  I am so thankful and proud of these girls.

Melissa passed these jammies down to Peyton.  They used to be Haileys.  Peyton was so cute.  She came in and as soon as she saw them, she said she would be right back and came back wearing them.  She loves these and had just outgrown hers.  She was one happy girl!

Maddy got to my house at 8:45.  She was 15 minutes early, but I was ready.  We went to one of our favorite coffee shops, The Coffee Beanery.  They have the best coffee and a huge selection.  I got a bagel sandwich and she got an adult grilled cheese sandwich.  We brought everything back to my house and ate here.  The picture above of her sandwich really gave us a laugh.  Brielle was really good and so happy playing with the toys.  I set the barn up again for her too.  Maddy and I did our mentoring lesson.  It was a good one on seeking first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.  We had a good time hanging out together.  

After they left, I went to the bank and had the girl set up my new debit card.  I had called 7 different times and they always messed up.  I would give them information such as zip code, birthday, etc and they would say they didn't have that information in their system.  After all those tries, I decided I needed and in person visit.  The girl was so sweet and was such a great help.  She even gave me a debit card for Bill.  I went to Kroger too, to get 4 x gift cards.

Bill went on a couple mile walk on our road and McCarty today.  I just walked around here.

Things are growing like crazy.  Love seeing all of the changes each day.  I need to start back on the treadmill.  I like it because it gets my heart rate up there.  

In the evening, Melissa lost power, so she went to Vikki's.  I missed her call because I had my phone turned off from my bank visit.  Vikki called me to let me know she was at her house.  I went over for a visit too.  Vikki got this neat book of questions.  We did a few of them and boy did they ever make us have great conversations about what the question was.  Now Melissa and I want that book too.  

No itching cream needed for two days now.  Yay!  Love the cream Stacie made me.  

Monday, 5/15/23, Did lots of laundry, hung bedding out on the line, unloaded camper, transplanted plant, weeded and watered plants

 

Some of my bird pictures of the day..an oriole on the feeder and an oriole on the suet above and below

Love seeing woodpeckers on the feeder too.  Weird they like the oriole feeder though. 

Hanging Basket looks beautiful from Melissa and Family

Lots of orioles in the late afternoon.  5 at a time sometimes.

Beautiful blue jelly feeder from Vikki and family

My beautiful Irises from Grandma Schmidt which are over 100 years old.  Angie had some planted and sent me some.  They are just beautiful!  I have some at both ends

I didn't get to bed until 1:30 a.m., so slept in until 9 this morning.  It sure felt good.  Bill went to have coffee with Charlie and give him the cookies they forgot yesterday.  We had called Sue and told her they forgot them.  I said she couldn't come get them, that Bill would get them to Charlie.  Last year, when she came back to get a plant Melissa had given them, she fell on our deck and broke her femur.  Didn't want to take any chances of that happening again.  Charlie had told her the same thing right before I called.  It was on our mind, because it happened on Mother's Day.  

I used the coconut oil with lavender and peppermint that Stacie had given me.  It worked amazingly.  This is the first day since Feb 21 that I haven't used an itch cream and haven't been itching crazily.  It was such a great day.  Thank you Jesus!  I did some weeding around the house and in the woods.  Just little weeds around the house, but had to did weeds out of the woods.  I used my handy dandy spade.  It sure looks nice though and the spade made it easy. Vikki is calling on the one she gave me because it is really rough wood around by the handle at the top.  I got a little sliver when I picked it up yesterday.  We are trading it for another one.  I hung the jelly feeder out that Vikki got me and filled it with jelly.  I also did some pruning with my amazing pruning shears from Kimmy. They sure make it lots easier.  I hung the plant out from Melissa.  It looks beautiful.  I gave it a good watering.  I enjoyed looking at the candle and plaque from Stacie and also enjoyed looking at my flowers from Maddy today.

I took the bedding all off and started doing laundry.  I also unloaded the camper, filled bird feeders, walked around and looked at all my plants.  Boy did everything grow in just 4 days.  it is sure amazing how fast.  I hung bedding on the line as soon as it was finished being washed.  I did all the laundry from our trip too.  

I sat on the deck and drank my coffee and read my Bible.  After I had been out there a while, Kit Kat joined me.  It was a beautiful 70 degree day.  In the evening, I watered my plants.  It is getting pretty dry around here now.  Bill and I relaxed in our recliners after we put the bedding back on the bed.  

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.