Sunday, 1/7/24, Went to prayer, then church, came home and warmed up leftovers, went to Sam’s Club and Meijer’s, Vikki, Kenzie and baby came over

Me and my sweet great grandson

 Bill and little sweetie!

Ready to leave

Me and Mykenzie

I forgot to set my alarm last night, so I was thankful I woke up with at least an hour to get ready, and still make it in time for prayer before church.  Maddy and Alec sat by us.  I taught  Sunday School.  Peyton was my wonderful helper.  She always helps so much and does it without having to be told.  I had Bentley, Ty and Thomas in my class for the first time.  They all did great.  All of the kids did.  

After church, we came home and warmed up the left overs from last night.   Then we relaxed in our recliner loveseat and took a little nap.  I didn’t fall asleep, but relaxing felt good.  

We went to Sam’s Club and Meijer to get a few things.  Picked up some peanut butter cracker snack packs for our trip.  We went to Goodrich Theater too and got tickets to watch the Michigan game tomorrow night.  We have rewards for tickets and popcorn.  It will be fun and I know Bill will love it.  I talked to Kimmy while she and Jared were taking Jacob back to MSU.  Jacob is still coughing and not feeling real good.  I am praying he does much better tomorrow since he has to start back with his classes.  I talked to Melissa for a long time.  Love talking to my girls! 

We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our evening meal.  Super soft bread so they were really good.  Vikki, Kenzie and Rehvyn came over.  I was so nice having them come over again.  I got to hold Rehvyn the whole time except when Bill wanted to hold him for a minute.  Kenzie and Vikki ate some homemade bread.  They were going to have salads at Vikki’s, but had something to hold them over.  Rehvyn slept the whole time he was here.  

After they left, Bill and I watched a movie.

 

Sat. 1/6/24, Cleaned, prepared food, went to Salvation Army, Stacie, DJ and Kody came over for dinner and to celebrate Christmas

Kody eating his brownie and ice cream

Kody opening his gift

Kody loved his game like Peyton and Isaac's

Bill happy about his shirt

Shirts that Stacie made up for us.  Rehvyn Dream is written our one sleeve, and EST. in 2023 is on the other sleeve.  So cute!  She did such a great job.  We love them.

Another cool thing Stacie made for me

DJ opening his gifts

Stacie opening her gifts

Stacie made the round wall hanging for us too.  She is very talented and she knows what I like.

Vikki called me while she was at Salvation Army and told me they had some nice things for walls and stuff.  She had to leave, but I went there and found these goodies.  $18 altogether.

Cute Salt Pigs that came out of Kimmy and Jared’s Kiln.  It wasn’t working properly, so Jared looked into it and found it was wired wrong.  He rewired it and now it works great.  I am so happy for them.  What a relief it will be to know when they load the kiln, the things will turn out properly.  

Another great project of Kimmy’s.  She put the shelf up and put her cute jars on it.  

Bill met Charlie in the morning.  He had a flat tire on the truck on the way to meet him on busy Midland Rd.  He called me and I gave him the number to call for our insurance co.  He let me know when it was changed and he was with Charlie.  He went to Discount Tire and there was a huge screw in the tire so it couldn’t be patched.  He had to get a new tire.  Not cheap these days.  

I cleaned, and then made brownies.  Peeled potatoes for tonight’s meal also.  Texted with my sister Brenda for a while.  Bill got home and we emptied the pop can container into a garbage bag to take to donate at church tomorrow for the youth groups summer mission trip. 

I went to Salvation Army and found some great deals Vikki called and told me about.  I knew I didn’t have much time, but worked it in.  Then came home and started preparing the rest of the meal.  Got the chicken coated in flour, eggs and potato chips and in the oven.  Made roasted small redskin potatoes and made mashed potatoes too.  Also baked a loaf of homemade bread, and had homemade applesauce and corn.  Everybody loved the meal, especially Kody.  He commented on everything.  Such a cute kid.  

The guys and Kody were the only ones that ate brownies.  Kody had ice cream with his.  

I sure do love him.  He is always just so loving and fun.  I love all of them and am so thankful God made them family.  

We opened our gifts.  Everyone was happy with what they got.  We sure loved the things Stacie made for us.  I forgot to take a picture of the Christmas hot pad with the cookie mix in it and and small red whisk.  It said We Whisk you a Merry Christmas on the front, which Stacie did also.  We visited for a while, then they had to leave.  We sure had a fun time with them.  

I tried to call Melissa back.  She didn’t answer, but had called me earlier.  She called me again and said she and Hailey thought they would run the protein drinks they picked up for Bill over and visit for a few minutes.  I was making the chicken at the time and my hands were a real mess, so didn’t answer.  It was too late by the time I talked to her later.  

Hailey just got back from her trip to the Passion.  I can’t wait to hear all about it.  It looked amazing from the pictures I saw.  I heard from Jacob at 2:35 in the morning.  He texted me that he was feeling a little better.  Still coughing badly though.  Poor kid.  

Friday, 1/5/24, Went to Sam’s Club, went to Aldi, Picked up Peyton and Isaac, Stopped at Melissa’s, Ate spaghetti and then had ice cream, Vikki and Rody picked them up later

 

Bill hung yellow balls from the ceiling in the garage so we would know exactly where to park

Peyton shuffling for our game of 3-13

Isaac, Peyton and Papa eating spaghetti.  Isaac and Peyton each ate two helpings

Rehvyn after his bath

 

Made a cappuccino then headed to Walgreen’s, then Aldi’s, and then Sam’s Club.  I found some great soft slacks at Sam’s for $9.  Then went back today to get more, then got a top that’s goes with them out of the same material.  

I came home and we read our Bibles.  Bill bought us new highlighters and they work so good.  They don’t show through to the other side of the page.  I relaxed for a while, then went to pick Peyton and Isaac up from school.  We prayed for Hailey together as she is heading home from Georgia today.  She loved the Passion.  We stopped at Melissa’s to drop off Evan’s hat he left at our house.  I dropped off a pair of the slacks I bought so she could try them. She loved them too, so I gave her the pair I left.  She and Bruce went to Sam’s later and she got two more pair and a top to go with them too.  We came home and I warmed up spaghetti.  The kids loved it and ate two helpings.  They were so cute.  I gave them a chocolate mint and Bill gave them each a cookie.  Peyton and I played Tonk, then we played 3-13.  I won by 10 points.  She had been at -40 and then I went out a lot and she got points and I lost points.  It was a close one.  Bill, Peyton and I played Flip Uno next.  I won the first two hands by lots and had almost 500 points.  They add all the points they get stuck with to my score.  We decided it was close enough, so we quit and had ice cream before Vikki and Rody came to pick them up.  They were at Culver’s and were coming here afterwards.  They came in and we all sat in the family room and visited.  Peyton and Isaac had their backpacks for school and we weighed them and Peyton’s weighs 20 lbs. and Isaac’s is close to 16.  Those are some heavy backpacks for kids to be carrying.  

Kenzie FaceTimed me and showed me she made spaghetti too.  She also was making protein balls for a healthy snack.  She showed me sweet Rehyvn.  He had just had a bath.  She sent me some adorable pictures too.

Thurs., 1/4/24, Went to Jack’s for birdseed, went to Mary’s Bakery for cookies, Went to Vicki Beemers, picked Peyton and Isaac up from school, stopped at Melissa’s, Vikki, Kenzie and Rehvyn came over, took spaghetti to Charlie and Sue,

I had wonderful greeters when I stopped at Melissa’s today

My sweet great grandson came for a visit with his mom and Grammy today.  I was so happy!

Adorable!!!

Isn’t he the cutest!

He’s got a good grip.  He’s holding on to his mommy’s finger

This burp cloth was Kenzie’s when she was a baby.  It has gone through many grandkids.  I would say all of them!!!

His grammy feeding him

We all love our Rehvyn!!!

Vikki sent me these two pictures today.  She took them the other day when we visited.

Hat’s Kat made for Kimmy and family....They are so cute!

Samson

New Mats for the bathroom I got today. I returned the ones I had on my Christmas list that Bill got for me.  They sure were not the color they looked in the picture. 

Ate breakfast and drank my coffee.  Bill met Charlie for coffee.  I went to Jack’s for  wild birdseed they had on sale, 50 lbs. for $16,  Then I went across the street to Mary’s Bakery to buy some cookies to take to my friend, Vicki Beemer, for her birthday.  Their cookies are the best.  I stopped at Kroger’s afterwards to get her a gift card to Olive Garden from us too.  Then I went to T.J. Max and The Home Goods Store to finish getting some Christmas gifts for more get togethers.  

I came home and put things away.  Bill really liked the bath rugs.  Vikki called and she was going with Kenzie to get the baby’s birth certificate.  She asked if I could pick up Peyton and Isaac from school.  I’m always happy to pick them up.  I went to Vicki’s house to drop off her birthday gifts and visit for a few minutes before I had to go pick the kids up.  She is such a great friend!  Iain was there so I got to talk to him too and got to meet their new puppy, Samson.  He sure is a cute puppy.  

I picked Peyton and Isaac up.  I had them sanitize their hands, then I gave them powered sugar donuts I had brought.  Peyton is always hungry when I pick her up.  She had an apple and told me she had to eat that first.  Then they each had 5 donuts (they are the small ones) and I had three.  There were 5 left in the bag and we saved those for Rody.  I told the kids I was making spaghetti and they both said they love my spaghetti and wanted some.  I am going to pick them up tomorrow again and bring them to our house to eat some spaghetti.  We met Rody and he took the kids home.  While we were waiting for Rody, Sue called me.  I was just going to call her.  I told her I would bring them some spaghetti.  They both have a lot of health issues going on right now.

I came home and started the spaghetti.  Vikki, Kenzie and Rehvyn came over.  I was so happy to see them, especially baby.  I went in and talked to him a little.  He’s so alert!  Vikki was feeding him, so I finished what I started with the spaghetti.  Then when the sauce was cooking, I got to go in and hold Rehvyn and take pictures.  My heart was sure happy! 

They had to leave, so then I finished the spaghetti.  I offered to have them eat some, but they just ate at Big Boy...Rehyvn’s first restaurant visit.  I packed up some and took it to Sue’s for them to have.  She was very happy to have it.  I came home and ate some myself. 

I read my Bible.  Bill read his earlier and then spent the day working on CMA stuff.  He has to give a message at the leadership training.  He will do great because he listens to the Holy Spirit.  He gave a message at the State Rally in September and everyone loved it.  That’s why Jay asked him to give another message.  

I was so sad to hear from Kimmy that Jacob is too sick to go on his Salt campus retreat.  He was looking forward to going for a long time and very excited about it.  Such a nice kid.  I sure don’t like having him be so sick and such a bummer for him not to be able to go.  I love him so much, I’m probably almost as sad as he is about not being able to go.  Praying for my boy to be healed quickly.

I remembered to text Cathy Krause and wish her a Happy Birthday.  I thought about her yesterday, then forgot to tell her Happy Birthday until 9:30.  She texted me back, so I was very thankful she was still up and got my text on her birthday instead of a day late.  She’s a great friend too.  

Then Bill called Jeff P. and we both wished him a Happy Birthday.  Sure are lots of birthdays.  My sister, Gus’s Birthday is today too.  She has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so she doesn’t remember anyone most of the time.  So sad.

 

Wed., l/3/24, Drove our Motorhome to the Township Office and then Sam’s Club. Read more on my book

Bill driving the motorhome

 

It was such a nice ride and so much fun

Bill carried all of the nativity pieces to the outside nativity upstairs to the attic and I put them in boxes.  Then I put all the Christmas tubs away.  All set til next year.  We ate cereal and had our coffee after that.  Then it was time for our Bible reading.  I’m reading about Samson.  

I read on my book and Bill made out the check for the water bill and our winter taxes.  We wanted to take the motorhome for a drive, so we decided today was a good day since it was warmer and not so windy.  Bill drove to the township hall, then we headed to Sam’s Club.  They had lots of great deals there and one was Bill’s Premium Protein Drinks were $20 instead of $26.  We got our two.  That was the limit per membership.  Bill wanted Jiffy peanut butter that was extra crunchy.  We came home and Bill pulled in the driveway.   I passed the groceries out to him, then he carried them in the house.   Afterward, he parked the motorhome back by the shed again.  We both had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  

Our friend, Jim Dalaba passed away today.  He was 93.  His wife passed away 12 days a go.

About a month ago, they had to move out of their home and into an assisted living place.  They sure went quickly after that.  They were a wonderful couple who loved the Lord.

Another friend of ours, Don Miller passed away and his showing was today.  We went for a short time to pay our respects to his family.  He and his wife, and his son and his wife were in Faith Riders with us.  His wife has dementia really bad now and didn’t even recognize us or some friends of ours who were there.  So sad.  She was the sweetest friend.  We stopped at Staples and Bill got some highlighters for our Bibles and I walked a couple of doors down and looked at crochet patterns.  Didn’t find and books I wanted though.

We came home and there were 3 packages that had been delivered.  I knew I didn’t have anything coming and Bill said he didn’t think he had ordered anything.  I told him to be sure to check the names on the boxes before he opened them.  They were our neighbor’s behind us.  Bill called Chase and then took them back to him.

I read some more on my book.  Talked to Melissa and Vikki today.  Also talked to Sue.  Charlie is starting to give up because he’s been feeling so awful.  Praying for him to feel better quickly.

 

Tues., 1/2/24, Had a dentist appt., went to Vikki’s, went to Outback for dinner and to write out our vision for 2024

Peyton when we were at their house

Isaac

Bill and I at Outback

Made oatmeal and had my coffee.  Bill met Charlie for coffee.  I read my Bible and read some on my book.  Bill brought me a muffin that Charlie bought for me.  I was very happy.  

I got ready and went to my dentist appointment.  It went good, so was thankful.  Went to Walmart afterwards.  Came home and read some more of my book.  I talked to Melissa for a while.  Hailey is headed to the Passion with some friends from her Unite group.  

Bill and I took our Christmas tree over to Vikki.  We are getting a new one.  We stayed and had coffee and visited for a while.  Then we came home, got our last year’s visions, and a gift card and went to Outback to write this year's goals and vision.  We were done with it by the time we ate two loaves of their bread.  Then we ate our salad, our steak and baked potato.  It was so good!  We came home and talked to Kimmy and Jared.  We are glad they are doing good.  We prayed over our visions, then read more of our Bibles, then I read more of my book after doing my blog.  

 

Monday, 1/1/24, Happy New Year!!!, Watched the Rose Bowl Parade, Took the tree down and the other decorations down, Bill helped take the tubs upstairs, He took all the outside lights down and the nativity down,

                                                        Vikki sent me these pictures

Isaac has passed Kenzie in height

Peyton’s such a wonderful Auntie to baby Rehvyn

Peyton feeding Rehyvn

Peyton changing Rehvyn

Happy New Year’s Day!  2024!    

It was a laid back day.  Slept in til 9, made oatmeal and a cappuccino for my breakfast.  Put some things from last night away, and unloaded the dishwasher.  We read our Bibles.  Start reading and then don’t want to put it down.  

Watched the Rose Bowl Parade while I took the tree decorations off.  There sure were some beautiful floats made with amazing flowers.  Put away all of the other Christmas decorations away too.  It took a while, but it’s a job I am glad is done.  Bill took all of the outside lights down and also put the Nativity away.  It was cold out, so it was a good job for him to get done too.  He helped carry the tubs upstairs for me.

We ate left over snacks from Vikki’s for our dinner.  We got plenty full.  Everything was so good.  Vikki called and her car wouldn’t start at Culver’s.  I was on call in case she needed me to come get her, Kenzie and baby.  Rody went there and brushed off the battery and her car started right away.  I was still on call in case it didn’t start back up when she took Kenzie to her house to pick up her stuff.  It started!  Yay!  She took Kenzie and Rehvyn home (they spent the night last night which Vikki of course loved) and made it back home safely.  I was happy to hear from her.  

I talked to Melissa a few times and we FaceTimed.  We also Face Timed later when Hailey

got home so I could talk to her before she left to go stay at her friend’s before heading to the Passion Concert tomorrow.  She has been looking forward to this for a long time and saving for it.  Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham are going to be there plus many other great Christian Worshippers.  I am so thankful she loves the Lord and loves worshipping.  

I love the water dispenser that the kids got Bill and I for Christmas.  So nice and I love having hot water.  I am drinking hot peach/ginger tea right now while I’m doing my blog.  The water comes out so hot, I have to add a little cold to be able to drink it.  So fast and easy.

I have to add a few pictures to last night’s blog.