Thurs., May 18, 2023, HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY ADAM!, We love you so much! Went to celebrate at Kimmy's at 3:30. So much fun celebrating this wonderful grandson!

Happy Birthday Adam!  We love you!  You are a pretty amazing grandson!

My Clematis is growing so fast and is loaded with blossoms already

My Hens and Chicks are growing like crazy too

I repainted this wall today.  When I touched up spots before, I must not have stirred the paint good.  It had lots of shiny spots.  Nice to have those taken care of.

First bird on the feeder Vikki gave me.  Nice house finch

Our 16 year old birthday boy on the deck

Adam going on a bike ride trying his new bike from his mom and dad out for the first time

New walkway Kimmy and Jared made through the garden 

Basil 

Eli loves his kitten, so do I. 

Wyatt..such a wonderful dog

Adam reading his new Garfield book

Adam...we were all singing Happy Birthday to him

Opening his card from us

I don't know how I missed taking a picture of Jacob, but this is the only one I got.  He is in the background with Wyatt

When I told Maddy about all of the awards and scholarships Jacob got, she texted me that she was proud of him.  Then she sent me this picture and said Brielle was proud of him too. She looks pretty happy for him.

It was a nice day, so I walked around in the outside in the morning.  I filled the feeders and jelly jars.  I also hung a new bird feeder Vikki gave me.  Thanks Vik!  I put suet in the suet feeders. Now the birds are all set and I can be a happy birdwatcher.  I sat out and read my Bible and did some praying.  Kit Kat kept me company.  Then I relaxed for a while and watched the birds.  There were lots of birds today.  Loved seeing so many orioles and woodpeckers. 

Did some outside watering and weeding, then came in and got ready to go celebrate Adam's 16th birthday.  We got there and of course Wyatt greeted us.  Everyone but Jacob was outside.  I gave the kids hugs, then Adam went for a ride on his new bike to try it out.  He loved it!  It is a nice blue Trec.  It's so nice that Jared's parents were here for Jacob's music concert and awards assemblies, and now also for Adam's birthday.  We always like spending time with them.  We hung out on the deck for a while, then went inside and had cake and ice cream.  Kimmy made a Minecraft bed cake for Adam.  It turned out so nice.  I guessed it was a bed, and Lela said it was a Minecraft something.  When you put our answers together, we had it.

Adam lit the candles, and then we all sang happy birthday to him.  Kimmy and Jared dished up cake and ice cream for us...they wouldn't let me help.  The cake was delicious and the ice cream was really good.  Adam opened his card.  He wanted money this year.   We stayed until 5:30 when Adam had his soccer practice.  Everyone was leaving except Jacob, when Vikki and the kids pulled in.  We got to say a quick hello, then left.  Vikki had worked, then went to get the air conditioning fixed in her car, so she was pretty tired and wanted to go home, even though Kimmy said she would stay home and visit with her.  Bill stopped to put gas in my car, then we stopped again in Freeland and got a sub.  Vikki called and wanted to know if she could stop at our house and use the bathroom.  She doesn't even need to ask.  I couldn't believe she beat us, then she asked me where we stopped.  I then realized why she beat us lol. It was such a fun day.  

Melissa called in the evening to remind me about the Music Festival tomorrow.  I can't wait! I love my family!

 

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.