Sunday, 2/11/24. Super Bowl Sunday!, Went to prayer, then church, Everyone (including Jacob and Hailey) came over around 3 to eat, hang out, and watch the Super Bowl

Jacob, Jared, Kimmy, Melissa, Vikki and Bill eating

I took this picture, then Jacob asked me if I looked at it.  I knew something was up.  He was looking weird!  I did a retake and Peyton got in the picture

Much better!

Evan

Eli takes after Jacob!  After I took the picture, I told him he was looking short, so he stood up right

 Peyton, Jack and Badger with him

Jared is always so kind and helpful.  Vikki started leveling my picture, then wanted to hang the shelf I got for me.  She got Jared to help, who ended up doing it.  He also hung one more thing for me.  Thank you Jared!

Peyton and Evan

Of course her car is the silver one parked the wrong direction

Jared, Rody, Jacob and Peyton watching the super bowl

Isaac...He’s getting to be one tall boy too

Peyton, Hailey and Jacob....

 

 

Bill, me, Melissa, Kimmy, Jared, Rody, Jacob and Peyton watching the Super Bowl

Jared, Isaac and Rody

Hailey

Lucy with Hailey

Jacob and I....I was so happy he could come

Jacob, Peyton and Adam

Our college grandkids with Lucy

 

Me very happy to have these college grandkids here

Hailey, Vikki and Jacob

Jacob and Peyton

Eli

We went to prayer, then went into the church for the service.  Worship was amazing and Pastor Ken's message was great.  We prayed for people after church.  We prayed for Brittany’s nieces who are 11 and 14, Kennedy and Lauren.  Lauren lives in a different state, so when she visits, she always likes to come up to us and have us pray for her.  Her number one prayer right now is for her grandpa to be healed of cancer.  We talked to him and her grandma after service and he’s getting better Praise God.  Their granddaughters are just the sweetest kids who love God.  Lauren came to us alone afterward and told us she was being bullied and asked us to pray for her.  I reminded her she is who God says she is and told her some things He says.  Her grandma told me she gave her a bookmark yesterday that lists who we are in Christ.  

We got a carwash after church at Fast Eddy’s.  The truck sure needed washing after our trip.  We came home and I cut the brownies, made a pizza with burger and pepperoni on it, made chicken salad, and cut cheese up and put hickory stick out with crackers.  Vikki and Peyton got here first.  Then Kimmy, Jared an the boys got here, and a few minutes later Melissa, Evan and Jack came.  Adam and Jacob had FaceTimed Hailey and she said she couldn’t come her because she had to work at her church with the kids.  It ended up being cancelled, so she let her mom know she was coming.  We didn’t tell Jacob and Adam, but let her surprise them, and they sure were surprised.  Rody and Isaac got here and we all prayed and ate.  Rody sat next to me and noticed I didn’t have a screen protector on my phone.  I couldn’t believe it!  I thought they put one on when I got my phone.  I was so thankful my screen hadn’t broke.  My car was parked in, so Jared went to Walmart for me to get a screen protector.  He asked Hailey for her keys, because he needed to move her car.  

Later on, she went out and this is how he had parked her car... Rody put my screen protector on for me.  Thank you Rody.  Bruce and Max came and hung out with us for a while.  Vader and Abby came too.

Of course her car is the silver one parked the wrong direction

When Jacob asked me which team I was for, I said the Chiefs.  He told me about the other team and about a player named Purdy who is an on fire Christian.  I switched to cheering for that team after he told me that.  Vikki and Peyton were for the Chief’s.  The rest of us were for San Fransisco.  It was a close game and was tied at the end so went into over time.  The Chiefs ended up winning when they got a touch down.  It was a good game, and I was happy to see them win since we have lots of relatives in Kansas who were cheering them on. 

It was a fun day with family and great food.  

 

Sat., 2/10/24, Ate breakfast together, went to Officer’s training for the day, left for home at around 4, got home at around 9

Dave and Belinda had made corned beef hash, bacon, scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast.  We all ate together before leaving for Gwinn.  We had such a great officers training day in the UP, with heartfelt worship, good teachings and testimonies, awesome prayer, a fun game, delicious food and wonderful fellowship. Pat wrote the agenda and did a great job. Art did the pledges and Pat introduced the speakers. Both shared a short message too. They did a great job for their first time. Bill gave a wonderful message too, and so did Guy. Worship was awesome too. We had soups and sloppy joes for lunch and lots of desserts and  great time of fellowship. After lunch, we watched a video of John Ogden Sr. speaking to us.  Then there was an amazing time of prayer, including prayer over Bill and prayer over me.  Lots of caring brothers and sisters gathered together today.  It was so nice seeing everyone and meeting new people. It was especially nice seeing Alice.  She is just so caring and kind.  

We helped clean up the church and then left for home around 4.  Bill started out driving and then I drove on highway 2, crossed the Mackinaw Bridge, and then drove to Gaylord.  Bill did his Bible reading while I drove.  We stopped at Gaylord and went to Taco Bell to eat.  People young and old were just so nice in this Taco Bell.  We left and Bill drove the rest of the way home.  It was too dark for me to read my Bible by then.  We got home around 9:30.  We hauled stuff in and unpacked everything.  I cleaned out the Kernel burner some, then started it up.  It started right away.  I read my Bible.  Sure was ready for bed after that.  

Fri., 2/9/24, left for U.P., Went shopping in Mackinaw City, met Mel for lunch in St. Ignace, arrived at Ishpeming to stay with friends Dave and Belinda

By Gaylord and no snow

Cloudy but the Mackinaw Bridge is in view

 

The water by the bridge was so pretty even though it was cloudy. It was in the 40’s

 

Bill driving on highway 2

By Lake Superior 

 

Kenzie sent me this sweet picture of Rehvyn holding her finger!  

I got up at 4 and turned the kernel burner off.  Turned the furnace on and went back to bed.  Got up at 6:30 and got ready, then packed the last minute things.  We left at 8:10 a.m., got the expressway by Freeland, then realized I forgot my phone.  I told Bill I could just let the kids know to call him.  He turned around at Salzburg Rd. and we went back for it.  I sure was glad to have it!  It was nice and sunny and 38 degrees when we left.  We didn’t go far and we lost the sunshine.  We got up to the bridge and crossed, then met Mel at the Truck Stop Restaurant.  They got breakfast and I got a delicious pastie.  There still was only snow in small shaded spots.  Very unusual for up there.  We talked to each of the girls while we traveled.  

We got to our destination in Ishpeming around 4:30.  Dave and Belinda greeted us and were so hospitable.  We met their granddaughters Maycee and Makenzie.  Their dad was there picking them up so we met him too. They made yummy spaghetti and a delicious salad, plus garlic bread for us.  We had cookies for dessert and coffee to go with it. We visited until 10:30, then said good night and went to our little attached apartment and read our Bibles.  Mel stayed too and had  the bedroom upstairs.  

 

Thurs. 2/8/24, Kimmy came over, Kenzie came over, Vikki came over, went to Old Town for dinner, packed, watched a movie

Beautiful sunrise this morning above and below

 

Beautiful sunrise at Kimmy’s too

Working outside with Kimmy picking up sticks

Rehvyn visited with his mommy this morning

Kenzie, Vikki and Rehvyn

I got to feed sweetie his bottle

 

 

 

 

 

After feeding comes changing 

 

Isaac helping the kids in the youth group return bottles

Peyton helping return cans and bottles.  The youth group raised $420 from pop cans and bottles for their mission trip this summer

Ate oatmeal and had a cappuccino for breakfast. Got ready, then read my Bible.   Kimmy came over.  She scanned some receipts and we drank our coffee, then she wanted to go out and pick up sticks and burn them.  We went out and filled several wheel barrels full.  Kimmy started a wonderful Russell fire and kept it going.  It was sunny and 61 degrees and I was in short sleeves because I was so warm!  Kenzie came just as we finished.  We finished our last load, then went in and visited with Kenzie.  Rehvyn was so cute. We sure enjoyed holding him and feeding him.  I sure do love him.  Vikki came when she got out of work.  She held him lots and fed him when she got here.  She is a wonderful Grammy.  

Melissa didn’t come because she had a scratchy throat and a runny nose.  She was feeling a little better today.  Sure am happy about that.  

Bill and I went to Old Town Drive In to use our coupon.  We got two coneys each, a small fry and root beer.  Yum!

We packed for our trip tomorrow.  Then we watched a movie called Love Overcomes.  It was pretty good.  

 

Wed., 2/7/24, Had my colonoscopy with good results, went to The Stockpot for breakfast, went to Sam’s Club, came home and relaxed

Evan took these cool pictures of the sunrise this morning

The Stockpot for breakfast.  It was delicious!  We had 2 eggs, meat, potatoes and toast and the price for each of us was 6.99 which is pretty cheap for that these days.  It was a cute little place too.

Having breakfast at the Stockpot

At St. Laurent’s candy shop...oh what fun.  I wasn’t supposed to make important decisions today, but I sure made some important ones at the candy store lol

Kit Kat and her friend Hershey

 

 I got up at 3:45 a.m. and drank the rest of the colonoscopy prep drink.  Then the fun began.  After that, I got ready and then slept for an hour.  I read my Bible before we had to leave for my appt.  We got to the surgery center and had to wait in the waiting room for an hour.  Then I got called back, they were all so nice.  They took me to the surgical room and then gave me medicine in my IV and said I would be out in a minute.  I remember thinking I sure hope so and then I was out.  It only took 15 minutes.  Next thing I knew I was in recovery and Bill was sitting in the chair.  The doctor came and told he everything went good and there were no polyps.  Best news, plus no more colonoscopies unless symptoms would come that would make it necessary.  YAY!  

We went to Bay City to the Stockpot.  It’s a restaurant Vikki told us about that she and her family love.  They wanted us to go there after church on Sunday, but we were already eating with friends.  It was the best breakfast today!  I was so hungry too.  We went to St. Laurent’s after that.  Oh my!  They have so many different kinds of candy and it was so much fun picking out some.   I got some of my favorite chocolate covered orange slices.  Bill got some chocolate covered almonds.  I got some other packaged candy too.  We picked out some for the kids and families.  I was making lots of decisions on my no decision day.

I made sure we can get the Super Bowl on our Roku for Sunday.  I can’t wait to watch the game.  We can even have it on both tv’s now

We came home and it felt good to relax.  I warmed up chicken and rice casserole for dinner. Then we watched a good movie.  I forgot the name of it, but it had another good message.  We watched it on the Roku.  They have a lot of Christian movies we haven’t seen, so I’m looking forward to watching more.  

I talked to Vikki and Melissa today and texted with Adam and Kimmy.

.  

Tues.2/6/24, Bill had biopsy, I started colonoscopy prep.,

 

Bill in recovery after his prostrate biopsy

I am just amazed at how tall this Crown of Thorns plant has gotten.

Isaac in his lunch line...Good thing his mom works there so we get to see pictures

I had to eat breakfast before 9.  Bill couldn’t have breakfast.  We left for the VA hospital at 9

and that’s when I had to start liquid diet.  We got to the hospital at 9:30, then they took Bill back to pre op.  I went to the gift shop.  They started Bill’s surgery at 10:53.  They came in and got me in about an hour and took me to see him in recovery.  He waved when he saw me and told me he was doing really good.  We’re so thankful it went well.  Won’t know results for a couple of weeks, so continuing to pray and believe.  He told me to take a picture of him and then after I did he told me to post it.  We were so happy to see so many people are praying for him.  I was his driver and tomorrow he

will be my driver for my colonoscopy.  

When we got home, I made chicken rice casserole for Bill to eat.  I had cooked the chicken in the crockpot ahead of time so it would be quicker to fix for him.  I had chicken soup broth and some lemon jello and some lime jello.  Drank a Vernon’s and then drank water after that.  At 5 I had to start drinking the liquid stuff for the prep and had to be done with it a 6.  It tastes ok now which helps, but it seems like it works faster and gives you less time to get where you need to be. At 8 things at least slowed down some.  At 11, I am supposed to finish drinking the other half of the container.  Not looking forward to that.  Hopefully, I get some sleep tonight.  They gave me a choice of 11p.m. or 4 a.m to drink it.  Not a very good choice I would say.  I’m thinking I don’t ever want a colonoscopy again.

Talked to Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki today.  Texted with Adam.  His school was in secure mode for part of the day today.  I sure was praying.  Happy when I texted Kimmy and she said they were no longer in secure mode.  Great news for this nana.

I’m going to see if I can get an hour nap in before I have to start this prep process again.