Thursday, 4/17/24, Kimmy and Vikki came over, had oatmeal, coffee and donuts, carried Jeep hard top to shed, emptied little fish pond, refilled, weeded flower garden, went to JacksJared came and helped Bill put hoist up in shed to store Jeep hard top, Tina in hospital,

Jared and Kimmy got a new kiln...easier to load & takes less time.  Jared did a great job putting the tile down.  It looks so nice!

Their old Kiln

Daffodils are in bloom!  Yay

Kimmy and I cleaned out the leaves and changed the water in the pond

Kimmy took before and after pictures.  Good thinking Kimmy!

Hoist Bill and Jared put up in the shed.  That’s where the Jeep top will be when not in use.  Bill can back right in under it

Made a big loaf of banana bread 

Got up at 7:30.  Kimmy and Vikki came around 8:40.  We all ate oatmeal and had coffee.  Had muffins later on.  We sat in the family room and visited until Vikki had to leave for work.  After she left, Kimmy and I helped Bill carry the hard top for the Jeep out to the shed.  Kimmy helped him take the hoist down out of the garage and then he put the tallest ladder out in the shed, and was going to put the hoist up himself.  Kimmy and I didn’t think that was a good idea since it is so high up and we didn’t want him to fall.  

Bill came in the house and said he had to run to town.  I had him pick up shortening so I could make banana bread, bananas for banana cream pie for tomorrow,  I had him get money out of the bank for kids on Easter.  He also picked up $50 in quarters for our egg hunt.  That kept him busy for a while and not working on that high ladder by himself.  Kimmy and I ate pot pie for lunch and she had some rice Vikki brought here and I had some fried things with cream cheese she brought.  Kimmy wanted to work on emptying and getting leaves out of the outside pond. Kimmy and I each took turns skimming leaves out of the pond and dumping the buckets of leaves.  I did more of dumping the buckets.  She was a great skimmer.  She put the barracuda pump in the pond until it was empty.  Bill got home just in time to shovel some dirt in on the end under the pond, while Kimmy and I held it up.  It was a little uneven before, so Kimmy wanted to take care of that. It looks so nice now.  We filled it back up with water.  Soon my fish will be moving out of the basement, back to their summer place.  Kimmy and I weeded the flower garden too.  Bill decided to  empty the water off of the cover of pool too.  Kimmy helped him with that.  After that we were able to sit on the swing on the deck for about 15 minutes before she had to leave.  Kimmy had talked to Jared and set it up for him to come after work to help Bill. She left, and I went to Jack’s and picked up 3 nice rump roasts to have for Easter.  Vikki was going to go get one, but they only had 3 at our Jacks and they all looked good so I got them all.  I came home and took a half hour nap, then I went out and saw Jared.  He was up in the loft helping Bill.  That was so nice of him.  He is always so kind and helpful.  It didn’t take them long to finish and hand the Jeep top.  They came in the house, and I gave Jared some pot pie to take home and some cookies and muffins.  Kimmy was supposed to take the pot pie, but we forgot until she was leaving to go get Eli.  She thought about Jared coming later, and told me I could send it with him.  

Bill and I ate some pot pie for dinner, then I made up two batches of ingredients for dough so I just have to add the water and the yeast in the morning.  I made a big loaf of banana bread with our over ripe bananas.  We each had a piece when it cooled a little.  We made a donation to Evan’s fundraiser for his school to get better sound equipment for the gym when they have plays, sports events etc.

I read my Bible and then worked on the blog.  Bill was sitting next to me playing a game on his phone.  I called Marie to check up on her and see how she was doing.  She’s making progress slow and steady.  

 

Wed., 4/16/25, Melody came over, I went to Sam’s Club, Meijer, Penneys, and Kroger, Bill took the hard top off the Jeep. with Isaac and put the soft top on, Bill went to the Marine Corp League,

Ha Ha, Melissa showed me this picture of the kids coloring Easter Eggs when they were young.  Hailey and Jack crack me up..as they patiently wait for the eggs to get a dark color.  

This is when Hailey was taller than all those boys!!!

Bill and Isaac took the hard top off the Jeep.  Isaac knew just what to do and was such a great help.

Peyton and Regan had fun riding with the top off too

 

I got ready.  Then I played Phil Wickham’s new worship song, “What an Awesome God”.  It is such an anointed worship song, it brought tears to my eyes and I had to lift my hands and worship God.  

I made coffee, and then sat in the family room and read my Bible.  Melody came, but I didn’t hear the doorbell and my ring didn’t go off on my phone.  She called to see if I forgot about us meeting today, and I said no, was I supposed to come to your house.  She told me she was in my driveway.  So weird, because the ring always goes off when there is motion, but not today.  Kimmy let me know they were in Ann Arbor for Eli’s appointment.  She said there was some fluid around his kidneys.  They did some blood tests and they will know more after they get those results.  He goes back in 3 months.  Melody and I prayed for him right away and I sure am continuing to pray for my Eli.  

We had a good time of prayer and a good visit.  God is answering so many of our prayers so quickly.  What an Awesome God we have for sure!  She’s on the worship team at church now, so I told her about Phil Wickham’s new song. 

Bill and I took a short nap, then I made my grocery list out of things I need to get for our Resurrection Day celebration.  I stopped at Meijer and got my free jar of spaghetti sauce and also got some mealworms to put out for the blue birds.  I put a little gas in my car at Sam’s and then I went into the store and got a big pot pie (they were out of them yesterday) and also got some of their big bags of chips and Frito’s.  Their big bags cost more than the grocery store’s little bags.

I went to Penney’s and found a cute dress to wear for church on Easter.  I went to the bank after that, but they were closed.  I will have to go tomorrow.  I need quarters for our egg hunt, and money for grandkids who wanted that instead of baskets.  I stopped at Kroger and got my free package of Oreo cookies, some gift cards as they are quadruple points right now, and a few other items.

When I got home, Bill was gone.  Vikki had called me and said Isaac helped him get the hard top off the Jeep and put the soft top on.  Isaac loved being able to help him with that and he was really good at it.  Bill took the kids for a ride in it after it was off.  When he got home I looked at it and checked out the inside.  It has nice pockets for storage above our seats.  He had to get ready and go to the Marine Corp. League meeting.  

I put new suet in the suet feeder and also put mealworms in the feeder out in the flower garden.  I talked to Melissa for a while. Then after that, Vikki called me.  Bill got home and we snacked on some animal crackers and relaxed.  

  

Tuesday, 4/15/24, Met Maddy at Miles Market, had fun with the kids, went to Melissa’s, went to Sam’s Club,

I had these three packages of candy left.  I took this picture last night and asked Melissa if they wanted them.  This morning she sent me a text saying they had went to Kroger and done their Easter candy shopping, buy they didn’t have any of these there.  They are Bruce’s favorite, so she really wanted some and was going to go to a different store and see if she could find them.  Then she saw my text this morning and was so thankful.  God knew just was she wanted and provided them for her.  I love God moments

Brielle loved the globe

Ha ha, this is how she ate her chocolate covered cupcake

We turned Mason around so we could lay him back farther so he could drink from his sippy. cup better

B loved coloring

She was standing by me so Maddy wanted a picture.  She didn’t hold still long enough lol.

Mason always smiles for his pictures

Bill and I at Culver’s
Bill and I went to Sam’s Club and got what we needed.  We did scan and go.  That went fast, but we did need a little help from the worker to finish paying.  It was easy and we both remembered what to do once she showed us.

Kenzie sent me this cute picture of Rehvyn. He is such a good eater and loves everything.  Kenzie always makes him healthy food.

Kenzie FaceTimed with me and took Rehvyn outside.  He loved it and walked all over.  He never quit smiling.

Maddy by their new truck they bought today

Alec by it

Ooh, Mason is in the driver’s seat...Brielle is his passenger

Bill fell asleep playing a game on his phone.  I noticed the sun was in his eyes, so I got up and pulled the shade.  Then he really slept.

 

Monday, 4/14/25, visited Marie and Roy and took them some food, did the Easter baskets for grandkids who wanted candy

Filled the Easter Baskets for the six grandkids that want baskets.  The other 5 wanted money this year

Our tub full of Easter Candy for us adults 22 years and above.  I had to keep the chocolate marshmallow eggs in the cartons because they aren’t individually wrapped.  I did find some marshmallow bunnies yesterday that were individually wrapped, but the went in the kid’s baskets.  The kids that didn’t get baskets can have their parents get them a few things out of it, but they can’t just help themselves to our adult basket

We read our Bibles, then I went shopping for a few things.  I headed to Bay City after that and stopped at Souper Cafe and picked up a 32 oz. container of Pot Pie Soup.  The owners are friends of ours so I like to support their business.  I went to visit Marie and Roy after that  and gave them the soup and also gave them some round steak and gravy I made in the crockpot and also some mashed potatoes and applesauce.  Took some pudding to them too.

We had a nice visit.  Roy asked me how long I was going to stay, because his nephew needed a ride and Roy wanted to take him where he needed to go.  I told him to go ahead.  Marie and I had a really good visit and talked a lot about all the Lord has done for us and given us.  They are such a dear couple.  When Roy got back, I left.  I came home and Bill had unloaded the dishwasher for me.  I sure did thank him.  Then I warmed up the crockpot food and Bill and I ate.  I went up and got all of the Easter stuff out of the attic and started filling the baskets.  

 Just as I was finishing doing the baskets, Bill yelled that there was either a bat or a bird that flew across the room downstairs.  I closed all of the doors upstairs, then went downstairs and did the same.  It was a bat and it flew from the living room into the kitchen, went over my head and then back over Bill’s head.  He saw it upstairs on the trim around the door of the room I had been in.  Sure am glad I closed the doors up there.  He took the broom, gave it a smack, I screamed at the bottom of the stairs.  I walked upstairs and he told me to get him a jar.  I went down the stairs and then down the basement stairs, got a jar and went back up those stairs and then upstairs again.  He said that wouldn’t work, so I went downstairs and got a cool whip container.  I could tell that wasn’t going to work because we didn’t want to get close enough to get bit or scratched.  I had been praying.  Then I thought of a glue trap.  Bill said to get two of them.  I went back downstairs, then down to the basement, back up the basement steps and then back up to the upstairs bedroom.  Bill held the broom, I stuck the glue trap to what I could of the bat, while Bill moved the broom a little and I stuck more of it to it.  Then Bill took care of it.  I sure got my exercise.  Bats can be outside, but they sure aren’t welcome inside.  Scary because you never know if they are carrying rabies.  That was our big adventure of the evening!

 

Sunday, 4/13/25, Abi got baptized today! Yay! So Happy for her and proud of her following Jesus! Went to prayer, Than into church. Sue came back to prayer today too, Took the boys to Melissa’s, went to Lansing, met Bev and Ron and Sue and Doug

Melissa sent me these cute pictures of her and Hailey on their walk yesterday

Kimmy sent me a picture of Eli’s sheep for 4 H.  It’s so cute!

Vikki cut 2 inches off Eli’s hair today

Eli trapped an opossom today

Congratulations to Abi.  She gave her testimony and got baptized today at the church they got to when at college.  So proud of her for following Jesus!  

These last three are professional pictures that were taken.  Abi looks so beautiful and happy!

Kimmy had told us that Abi was getting baptized, and let us know this morning they were going to surprise her and go.  We would have went too if we had known sooner.  Jacob texted me and told me he wished he would have told us sooner.  

I got up early and browned round steak and got it going in the crockpot with cream of chicken soup.  I also peeled potatoes.  Then Bill reminded me that we were going to Lansing to meet two CMA couples who are helping us plan our State Rally.  I guess it will be tomorrow's dinner.  I got ready, then woke Eli and Evan up so they could eat and be ready on time.  We got to church and the boys waited in the sanctuary while we went to pray.  Sue came back for the first time today.  She came into prayer and then sat by us during the service. Rody and the kids were sitting in our row with Eli and Evan when we came into the service.  It was packed today.  Next week we start having 2 services.  

We came home for a half hour after church.  Eli wanted spaghetti’os and meatballs and Evan said he wasn’t hungry yet.  I dropped off a pizza to Melissa’s when we dropped them off in case Eli, who is a little fussy, needed something to eat.  I told the boys what amazing grandsons they were and how much I loved having them stay with us.  

We headed to Lansing then.  We have made a few trips there lately.  I talked to Kenny for a while during our ride.  It was a nice ride and when we got almost to the Cracker Barrel, we got a text from both couples saying they were there.  We got there about 5 minutes later.  The guys all got breakfast.  I got grilled chicken tenders, Sue got crispy chicken tenders, and Bev got a chicken salad.  The guys all finished really quick.  We laughed because we still had most of our food on our plates.  We had a great meeting and they sure are great friends and amazing Area Reps for us.  

I texted with Abi for a while, then texted with Jacob.  I wanted to let Abi know how happy we were for her and how proud we are of her.  We wanted to take them out for dessert, but they didn’t get our message in time.  Abi had studies too and Jacob said he was really tired, so he was sleeping.  We will do it sometime soon.  

We got home and read our Bibles and relaxed after I got a few things done that needed attention.  I talked to Melissa for a long time.  

Saturday, 4/12/25, Went to Faith Riders chapter meeting, went with Gayla to Girls of Grace “Our God Can”,, went to Melissa’s, Evan and Eli spent the night

Evan

Hailey peeling potatoes for their dinner

Evan and Melissa

Eli with his wrapped burned thumb and Evan with his swollen left foot

Relaxing while we watched The Forge

Bill got his sword for the boys to see after the movie was over

 We went to Faith Rider’s Chapter meeting in the morning.  We ate and then the meeting started.  It was a good meeting and there was a great turnout for it.  Bill announced that Lew and Cindy had been approved by headquarters and were now Area Reps for Faith Riders and  2 other chapters.  People are pitching in to help until a new president replaces them in the chapter.  Gayla left early so she could pick up Lee and Sue for our trip to Frankenmuth.  

Melissa called to see what I was doing.  She and Hailey wanted to come visit.  I had plans to got with Gayla to see Girls of Grace, so I said I would stop over and see them when I got home.  

When I got home, I changed clothes, then waited for a short time for Gayla to come pick me up.  We had and nice ride and visit.  Her sister in law had a stroke when she was getting a stent put in, so she needed someone’s arm to hang on to help steady her.  She was the sweetest person and I was happy to help her.  She had forgot to bring a water, so I went out and got all 5 of us waters.  Janet met us there and sat with us too.  The girls (and some guy) all did an amazing job doing worshipful dance to beautiful worship music.  It was very moving.  

Afterwards, we went to DaVinci’s and ate.  Sue and I had chicken Alfredo and Gayla and Lee had tacos.  Janet had a huge salad.  We all liked what we got.  It was delicious.  Their portions were big, so we all took food home. 

We had a nice ride back home on this beautiful 57 degree sunny day.  It was such a fun day with a wonderful group of friends.  Thanks to Gayla for buying all of our tickets and driving us there in her van.  She is so sweet and kind.  

I went to Melissa’s afterwards to visit.  Hailey was peeling potatoes for a special chicken dinner she was making.  Bruce helped her peel.  I got to say hi to Max and Jack while they were downstairs.  Evan had his suitcase packed to come home with me and spend the night.  After we visited for a while, Evan and I left and went to Souper Cafe to pick up soup and a half sandwich for Bill.  Then we went to Walmart and Evan picked out cereal and snacks for him and Eli.

When Jared dropped Eli off, he came in and I gave him Hope’s earrings she forgot at our house, so they could give them to her when they see her next.  I made them a pizza and then we all watched the movie, The Forge.  It’s such a great movie and both boys loved it.  Eli had seen it a couple of times already.  Bill got his sword out and let the boys hold it afterward.  There was a sword in the movie that Isaiah had to hold straight out for a few minutes, until he needed others in the circle to help him.  Bill always has something to show the grandkids or tell them.  He is such a good Papa.

Bill and I went to bed after the movie.  The boys stayed up for a while afterwards.