Tues, 5/7/24, Went to Cancer Institute in Flint for Debbies surgery, Bill picked the tractor up, Kimmy watched Rehvyn at my house so I got to see them for a while when I got home, Worked on edging and weeding the other end of the house. rained, Subway for dinner,

Grandma Schmidts 100 plus Irises

Matthew and I took some selfies

Then he wanted to have Bill get in the picture with us

Selfies with Rehvyn

Kenzie sent these cute pictures of Peyton

We got up early, got ready, then left for Flint to go see Debbie before her surgery for uterine cancer.  The receptionist let us (Debbie, JoAnn (Tom’s sister), Bill and I) use a little room so we could pray over Debbie before her surgery.  So thankful for how God brings peace.  We waited in the waiting room with JoAnn.  She went down to get coffee and let us know where the cafeteria was so we could go get some.  We ate breakfast too while we were down there.  When we came upstairs, Matthew was in the waiting room and Tom went back to the Pre Op room.  Amanda was on her way, and she let us know she was in the room now too.  I had so much fun visiting with Matthew.  He is such a cool nephew who is on fire for God.   

The surgery was supposed to start at 10, but didn’t start until around noon.  We had to leave because Bill had to go to Ionia to pick up the tractor he bought.  Matthew and I texted so I kept up on what was going on and let everyone know.  The surgery was supposed to take 2-3 hours and it only took 1 hr. and 15 min. and the doctor said the surgery was successful.   She was in recovery until almost 5:30.  Then they were going to discharge her but her oxygen kept dropping.  At around 8:15, they heading home Matthew said.  Yay!  So thankful to God!  Kimmy was still at my house with Rehvyn when we got home so I was happy about that.  He had slept all morning Kimmy said and she was feeding him his bottle now and he was just starting to wake up.  I did get a smile from him while he was drinking his bottle.  

He was sure in a good mood after sleeping the two hours Kimmy was holding him.  He was smiling and so cute playing with his toys.  Vikki got here and had a few minutes to spend with Kimmy before she had to leave to go get Adam.  Vikki left shortly after because Stephanie was coming over to see her and Rehvyn and bringing her new baby.  I went outside and trimmed some dead brush off my Hydrangea.  I transplanted two more ferns at the end of the house.  That makes 4.  I still have 10 that came up in the woods which is double last year’s.  There are also 4 sensitive ferns coming and I think I see the start of one more.  I weeded lots more around the end of the pool and the other end of the house.  Almost done!  Just a little stretch to go and I can work on edging the new flower garden.  It started thundering and getting real dark out.  Lots of birds were at the feeders eating including the orioles.  I was happy to see them again.  It started raining out, so I put the clumps of grass and weeds in big buckets under the gazebo so they didn’t get water in them.  Bill has to empty them, because they are pretty heavy, so I don’t want to carry them all the way around the house.  Bill got home with the tractor and got it unloaded before it started raining.  He got Mylee’s tie out post out of the ground.  He drove the tractor around, but has to put the mower back on tomorrow because they had to take it off so it would fit in the trailer.  

I did laundry that we need when we go camping Thursday.  Eli texted and he has a concert that night.  Bummer.  I’m disappointed we can’t go.  I love going to the kids concerts.   

Monday, 5/6/24, watched Rehvyn, Bill looked at a John Deere tractor in Ionia, Weeded and edged around house more and pool, went to Jack’s and Menards, sprayed plants in garden,,

Rehvyn in the rollover position....we thought he was going to roll over but he didn’t.   He did it at Vikki’s house, but I haven’t seen him do it yet

My cute fun great grandson

He loves grabbing those toys and also kicking the piano keys and playing music with his feet while he’s playing

He was a tired boy.  He fell asleep when I was trying to burp him

He loves this toy too.  

Rehvyn loved being outside

Face timed with Peyton.  She put some eye shadow on and wanted to show me.  She’s my pretty Pey Pey

Bill had a doctor appt. at the VA.  Vikki brought Rehvyn at 9.  We drank our coffee and had fun watching Rehvyn.  We put Barney on for a little while and he sat in his walker and played with toys while he watched it.   Vikki left for work.  Rehvyn played under his hanging toy mat and also sat in his bouncy seat.  At 10:25, he started getting fussy.  I walked him around and showed him outside.  He liked looking out the window.  I didn’t even think about his bop.  I put my good music on for him to listen to.  He loves music.  I got his bottle warmed and fed him at 10:55.  He sure drinks good and sure enjoys his bottle lots.  I tried burping him after 3 1/2 ounces, but he was having nothing to do with that.  He wanted to keep drinking and let me know it.  It didn’t take long and he was finished.  I burped him and as I was patting his back, he fell sound asleep.  So cute and funny. He never burped.  I laid him down on the couch and moved the big round stool next to the couch.  He slept for an hour.  He smiles so big when I go to pick him up.  I tried burping him and a big one came out.  Yay!  After that I changed him and he played for a long time with the hanging toys.   Vikki was going to go with Melissa to get make up for Jack when he is in the dress rehearsal and the actual play. She knows how to pick up the right stuff.  I was happy to watch Rehvyn longer while she did that.  Melissa was so happy to have her help.  I  took him outside and he was so smiley and happy.  I came in and got his bottle ready so he would be all fed and ready to go when Vikki got here.   Kenzie’s Aunt Stephanie wanted to come over to see Rehvyn and to show Vikki her new baby they are adopting.  I had everything together and ready for her so she could get home and get ready.  I walked out with them and waved as they left.  Bill called me to say he was picking up Max and they were going to go to Ionia to look at a John Deere tractor.  We have been praying for a good tractor and a good deal since he sold the Grasshopper.  He liked it and ended up getting it.  We pick it up tomorrow, after Debbie gets out of surgery and we know she’s doing fine.

I ate lunch, then started edging and weeding around the house and pool.  I had two big containers full when I got done.  I wanted to edge around the new garden, but I was too tired.  The bubbler popped up to the next level again today.  I noticed that the plants I got from Kimmy were being eaten by rabbits or deer.  I’ve never had them eat plants out of that garden.  I went to Jack’s and Menards.  I got turkey breast, cheese, bread and a 50 lb. bag of birdseed at Jack’s.  I got Nyger seed too.  I got Liquid Fence from Menards and a box of suet cakes.  I saw Luis and Eva while I was in there and talked to them for a while.  It was so nice talking to them.  

When I got home, I sprayed all of the plants the bunnies/deer were munching on.  Hoping this takes care of the problem.  I changed Kit Kat’s big water dispenser because I think a raccoon put his muddy paws in it last night.  I bring her food in each evening, so no food was out there for him.  I saw my oriole again today.  I was really happy about that.  Didn’t get to bird watch too long, so don’t know if there were more.  I talked to Melissa, then read my Bible and worked on my blog.  Going to bed a little earlier as we have to get up early to get to the hospital and pray for Debbie before her surgery tomorrow.  

 

Sunday, 5/5/24, Packed up and left campground at 9 after telling everyone goodbye, weeded some and watered some plants, went to Vikki’s, Max came over to shoot bow and arrow, Bill and I went to see Unsung Hero movie

 

Rehvyn in his Grammy’s Favorite shirt....so cute

So beautiful out when we got home

Ate my left over Reuben sandwich out on the deck for lunch

Rehvyn got really fussy, Vikki and I tried to calm him down and he wouldn’t.  Vikki said he gets calm right away for Rody, so Rody took him and he was calm.  He brought him to us almost asleep and said he had gas.  Vikki took him and he started fussing right away again.  I tried but he still fussed.  Vikki gave me his blanket and I rocked him and he fell right asleep.  He was overtired.  We took this picture of him when we laid him down.  

Peyton

Issac

Max shooting arrows.  He hit the target every time and even got the bull’s eye.  They had me try it....you pull a trigger to release the arrow.  Bill told me to look at the red dot and aim.  The only red dot I saw was at the end of it and it wasn’t a light.  I aimed with it and went inside the little shed into a board.  They sure did laugh at me.  They wanted me to try again and this time Bill mentioned the light and I told him I didn’t see one.  It was turned off.  I think they set me up for failure lol.  This time, since I had the lit up dot, I hit the target and got closer than Bill.  When we dropped Max off, Melissa came out right away and said Max said Nana’s the most fun to shoot with, as he laughed and didn’t tell her the story.  I told her though, since they want her to try it.  We did have fun!

The target and the little spot with the missing board my first arrow went through

So pretty how so many things are in bloom since we got home today.

Beautiful sunset tonight on the way home from the Theater

Cute pictures Vikki sent me of the ducks swimming

Uncle Jared wanted Rehvyn in on it

Adorable

Funny Peyton and Bo

We decided last night before bed that we would just watch church online today because we got to bed so late.  We got ready by 9 and told our friends camping with us goodbye.  Bill led the way and I followed in the camper.  It was beautiful, sunny and in the high 60’s when we got home.  We brought some stuff in from the camper, but left lots out there because we will be going camping again Thursday.  

Kit Kat came to me right away and wanted me to pet her.  There was a bird feeder on the ground and a suet feeder...empty of course.   I put everything back and filled the empty oriole feeder (just the jelly one) The liquid one had lots in it yet.  I put new oranges out too.

I moved a couple of ferns from the woods to the side of the house.  They were coming up to close to other things, so I found a new home for them.  They are multiplying out in the woods which makes me happy.  I pulled a couple of little weeds, then watered some dry looking plants.  After that, I ate the rest of my Rueben sandwich left over from the restaurant last night, and drank an olipop out on the deck.  It was so nice out there.  Kit Kat wanted to come up in my chair with me, but I didn’t let her.  

I went to Vikki’s and spent time with her, Peyton and Rehvyn.  Got to see Isaac and Rody a little bit too.  Sure was nice to see them all.  Rehvyn is sure pushing with his legs and wants to stand now.  He wasn’t pushing much last week when I tried to stand him.  Sure is a big difference now.  He loves being in the walker now and really pushes his legs to stand in that.  He will be 5 months old on the 11th.  Vikki took him to church today.  Rody and Isaac were doing sound, so her shoulder was sore afterwards from doing all she had to do with Rehvyn.  

I sure wish I would have been there to help with him.  

I left their house and came home and shot arrows with Max and Bill.  I wrote of this adventure under the picture.  I loved seeing Max laugh so hard.  It made me laugh.

We took Max home after that, and then we went to see the movie Unsung Hero>. It was so good and brought me to tears at time.  It is the true story of The Smallbone family and their struggles and faith after coming to America after losing everything in Australia.  Rebecca St. James and Joel and Luke of For King and Country whose music our family loves.  We split a pop and popcorn.  When we got a refill of popcorn to take home, the girl put some popcorn in, then butter than shook it around and did this again two more time so there would. be butter at the bottom.  It told her she was the best and the popcorn was sure going to taste great.  

We read our Bibles when we got home.

Saturday, 5/4/24, Met at Wes and Gayla’s at 9, Did Run for the Son Ride, Free meal fir all of us put on by Church of God Campground, Worship, message, CMA presentation in tabernacle, dinner, fun and fellowship afterwards

Friday, May 3, 2024, Rainy morning, nice after 10:30, spent the day at the camper, went for walks, ither CMA friends git here in the afternoon, Bill sold his Grasshopper mower, Vikki sold her goose

Morning Bible reading and prayer time

Cozy camper in the rain

Our friends camper is just like ours on the outside, only a little shorter and different floor plan inside. Same year!

Our twin campers facing opposite directions so we can hang out together outside!

Bill had to leave for home at 4:30 because someone was coming to look at the Grasshopper mower

Jacob ready to go to Grand Rapids to take Abi on a date.  

We got ready and Bill had a protein drink and i ate left over pizza from last night for breakfast.  It rained steady all night and was still raining in the morning, only was a light rain.  Bill went outside ti read his Bible.  I read mine inside with the heater going.  Good thing Bill lowered one end of our awning before bed last night. 

It’s so easy with this RV to jut pull down the bar a little.  Even easy for me to do.  Jim came outside, the shortly after Bev and  I went out.  We visited and then I walked with Bill to the bathrooms to check out the showers. Very nice but it sure was cold in there.  Jim forgot his medicine, so left on his motorcycle to go get it.  Bill, Bev and I walked around the campground.  We saw some campers come in, so went to see if they were CMA members.  They were our friends Dave,Chrissy, Al and Lucy. They put their campers in our area.  I took a nap on the couch in our camper, since the rain kept me awake lots last night.  Bill had to leave to show the grasshopper mower to someone From Indiana.  He loved it and bought it.  Vikki had called me and i told her to be praying because someone was coming to look at it both for Bills protection and to sell it.  Someone was coming to look at the goose on my porch Vikki was selling at round the same time Bill had the guy coming. Vikki’s goose sold too! Yay! What a great day!  Vikki FaceTimed me and showed me some free stuff she got in a bag frim s lady. I picked some stuff and there was stuff Hailey will like for her apartment next year.  Bill got back and we sat outside and visited with Jim, Bev and Tiny.  I warmed goulash up fot Bill and Tiny. Bill and i played 3-13 and we were six points apart at the King round.  Bill went out on the Ace round and won.  He was getting nervous though lol.

 

Thurs., 5/2/24, packed last minute stuff, fed birds, made goulash, went to campground, Bev and Jim camped next to us, went out for pizza, played 3-13

Kit Kat doesn’t like her house moved I guess

Relaxing at our campsite

This English Mastiff dog was beautiful and so friendly. He’s a year old and his name is Monster

Bev by him

Bill beat me bad in 3-13

We got ready and packed the last minute stuff, then Bill went into town and got me some tomato juice so I could finish making the goulash.  When he got home, he carried the stuff from the car and handed it to me in the camper.  I put it away.  He put in a new filter and turned on the bypass to the water.  Then he pushed the automatic leveler button and after it was level, put the slide out in.  I drove the motor home and he led the way in the trike.  It was sunny and 70 degrees out.  We picked our campsite out, then he did the outside stuff and I did the inside stuff.  It sure goes quick with the motor home.  We ate lunch outside. He had two pb&J’s and I had goulash. We took catnaps in our gravity chairs under the awning and we could hear it sprinkling lightly.  Very relaxing.  We went for a walk to see if Jim and Bev were here and when we got to the driveway coming into the campground, we saw them pulling in.  They just got a motor home the same year and a Thor Quantum too, just 4 feet shorter than ours.  We helped with setting them up, only a few easy things to do.  I went in to see their camper. Cuts really cute and a lot is the same as ours.  They wanted us to go out to eat, so we rode our trikes to Breckenridge and went to a nice Cafe.  The food was delicious. We all got pizza except Bill had nachos.  We came back to the campground and covered the trike, then came in and read our Bibles.  It started raining again and was raining a little harder, so Bill went out and lowered a side of the awning.  So nice to just have to pull the bar to the awning a little.  We played a game of 3-13. As you can see from the score sheet, Bill was pretty happy.  Nice to relax camping again.

Wed, May 1, 2024, Happy Birthday Debbie, We love you! Found an igloo house for Kit Kat by the side of the road by a doctors house down the road

Kit Kat went right in her new house

Then she went all the way in

 I went to my doctors appointment in the morning.  Good reports from blood test.  She’s setting up a referral for my hand.  Going to see about surgery for the Dupuytrens contracture on my right hand.   I picked up donuts and an ice Capp and Mocha and went to visit Melissa.  Max was happy to get his favorite Boston Cream. We had a nice visit, then I had to get home to pack more.  Bill went out with Charlie.  Charlie told him he’s been praying before he goes to bed and it’s helping. He’s feeling better.  He also told Sue he appreciates her and all she does.  He was so down when I was over the to deliver the cake that I went over and prayed for him.  The Lord is working quickly.  Bill brought Max over to target  practice. They had a good time.  I took Max home for Bill.