Sat. 2/7/26, Slept in til 8:50, Made dough for butterhorns, made chocolate covered strawberries, Vikki came over, Bill picked up gift cards, organized candy for Bingo tomorrow, walked on walking pad, finished the butter horns, took some to Bruce, put some in the freezer to take to Fred’s Monday,

Butterhorns rising

Butterhorns cooling

Butterhorns frosted and sprinkled with nuts
.

This is one of my favorite memories of Wyatt that came up in my memories today.  I sat in that chair and got up to get something and he got up in the chair and smiled at me like he was saying ha ha this is my chair.  He was such a great dog.  I am glad they have a new puppy to enjoy and make memories with.  I am so excited to meet him tomorrow.

We slept in til almost 9.  I got up and washed a couple of blankets, then ate some toast and drank my coffee.  Bill started reading his Bible.  I made the dough for Butterhorns and then put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.  I’ve always put it in overnight like the recipe says, but it was too late when we got home last night and I didn’t feel like making it.  I looked at a different recipe in my Bronner’s Cookbook and this one said to put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours. I was happy to see that. 

Melissa and I did our Parable Devotion together over the phone. They are so good. Then I walked on the walking pad.  Vikki had to pick Peyton up at a friend’s, so she came over and visited with me until time to go get her.  She brought some Nutter Butter’s that were left over from New Year’s Eve.  She’s always thoughtful and generous. We had fun hanging out.  She left to go pick up Peyton.  Bill picked up some gift cards for us because they are 4x gas points.  He also got some $5 Starbuck gift cards for Bingo.

I made chocolate covered strawberries for tomorrow’s Super Bowl party.  I was going to make Jared’s favorite cookies, but it took so long for the butterhorns, that I ran out of energy.  I am still going to do it though. When the butterhorns were all frosted and had nuts on them,  I packed up some for Bruce like I do every year, (I know he shares).  I also put one in for Peggy to try because she was at their house when Melissa and I FaceTimed and she hadn’t heard of them.  I told her I would put one in for her.  Before I left home, I let Bill test a couple and I tested one.  

 

When I got home, I put some in the freezer to take to Fred and Lourdes’s when we go to their house for dinner and to play games.  They taste just as good when you eat them after they have been frozen.  Melissa called me and said Bruce was very happy and said thank you.  He always says mine are the best.  That’s probably why he gets some every year lol.

I worked on my blog after we finished talking.     

   

 

Friday, 2/6/26, Snowy out and roads were slippery, Vikki treated me to breakfast, went to Jacks, Meijer and Aldi, Kimmy, Jared and Family got their dog Arnold (Arnie), a black Standard Poodle, they FaceTimed with me on their way home, went to Wes and Gayla’s at 3, picked up rest of prizes for bingo, got Google workin again

Vikki and I at Tony’s.  She treated me to breakfast.  We had so much fun talking and eating together.  Thank you so much Vikki!

Me Faicetimeing with Kimmy while she held Arnie on the way home from getting him.  Isn’t he just so cute!  I love him already!

Adamwith Arnie

Eli with Arnie

Jared with Arnie

I would say Arnie has become part of such a wonderful family and he is happy and knows he is very loved already

I woke up early, so got up 15 minutes before my alarm went off.  I took my shower, then dried my hair and tried the straightening brush Vikki left here for me to practice with.  It worked great and was so fast.  She asked me if I wanted to go to breakfast with her and she would treat me.  It was a good thing I got up 15 minutes early.  I was able to meet her at 8:45 after she dropped the kids off at school.  We had a great breakfast and did a lot of talking too.  I love spending time with her.  Thanks again Vikki.  

I went to Aldi, then to Melissa’s for a minute, then to Jacks, and Meijer, and then to the bank.  I saw Wes and Gayla in Meijer and we talked for quite a while.  Bill had tested me to tell me we were going to their house at 3 today.

I was praying for Kimmy and Jared because the roads were bad in the morning.  They got better, then the wind started up and tonight they are very icy in places where the wind blows across.  I was happy when Kimmy FaceTimed me to show me their new puppy.  They named him Arnold and call him Arnie.  What a cute sweet dog!  I can’t wait to meet him in person.  We have the best dogs in our family!

We went to Wes and Gayla’s at 3.  It was super windy by then.  They had the door unlocked for us so we could get in fast.  Joel was there too.  We always love seeing him.  Wes was doing good recovering from his hand surgery.  They got granite countertops put in their kitchen yesterday and the day before and they are beautiful.  We all played Donkey.  Joel could play by himself.  He loves numbers.  He did a great job.  He has a brain injury from an accident and he’s doing so good now.  Bill won and Gayla got stuck with the donkey.  She got it and couldn’t get rid of it.  Poor Gayla.  We had coffee and coffee cake after we played.

Vikki found me a straightening brush like hers for $15 and it’s in the box.  Was used 1 time.

They are $40-60 in stores.  Vikki always finds what I need.  Jared is picking it up for me tomorrow in Midland.  Such a great son in law. 

 

Thursday, 2/5/26, Kimmy and Eli came over, Vikki came over until she had to go to work, we played Donkey, met Pat and Rich at Olive Garden, went to Peyton’s play, snowy and slippery out

Eli in the rocking chair....red cardinal on the window feeder

Kit Kat snoozing after trying to get our attention in all of the windows.  

Eli loved the donkey game.  He won 2 out of 3 games...no wonder he loved it!


Peyton was in a play at her school called the Un-Ducky Duckling.  It was a cute play and Peyton acted and sang so well.  We were so proud of her!

Rehvyn was so cute watching and clapping.  When a group would leave the stage, he would say goodbye quietly and wave.  

 I got up at 7:30 and started getting ready.  I cleaned the kitchen sinks.  Then I made my coffee.  I decided to start a load of laundry too.  I got side tracked so much, I thought it was too late to do my hair.  Then I looked at my text from Vikki and she told me not to do my hair because she was bring her new straightening brush.  I was glad then that I ran out of time.  Vikki got here first and did my hair, showing me how to use the brush.  It worked so amazing and was so easy and fast.  She always gives me great tips and shows me the easiest way to do things.  Kimmy and Eli got here and Eli had made chocolate chip cookies yesterday and brought us a bag full so we could all enjoy them.  They were so delicious and they disappeared fast.  Nice to have another great baker in the family.  I should have taken a picture of them.

We had a nice time visiting and drinking our coffee.  Eli found some Oreo’s and was happy.  He ate the last of those and we girls had Lorna Doones.  I picked up some at Sam’s Club because that’s what Kimmy had after her colonoscopy and she shared them with us.

Vikki had to leave for work.  Eli and Kimmy filled my bird feeders for me.  Eli shoveled paths on the deck for me too.  Now I will be able to feed the birds, if it stays cleared.  It is supposed to get in the mid 30’s tomorrow so it should melt even more outside.  I am sure thankful for their help.  I have an amazing family!  So blessed!

While they did that, I put a pizza in the Ninja oven.  I made a freezer lasagna for me.  Eli and Kimmy picked pizza. Eli really loves Dajourno pizzas, so that’s what I bought.  We all ate, then we played Donkey.  Bill read the directions, so we played the right way.  It was so much fun.  Eli said he love the game.  Kimmy, Eli and I played another game while Bill read  his Bible.  Eli won 2 games and Kimmy won the third game.  I had the donkey, but gave it to Eli and then I went out so I was the second winner.  We sure had fun!  Eli wanted to play again, but Bill and I had to get ready and leave to go to meet Pat and Rich at Olive Garden. Vikki was on her way back here to visit more with Kimmy.

We had a great time and great food with Pat and Rich.  They are always fun to get together with.  They love Jesus so much and have so many miracle testimonies of what God had done that it’s uplifting being around them.  We share lots about what God is doing in our family too and they love to hear that.  I took about 3/4’s of my chicken fettuccini with broccoli home with me.  Bill took half of his home with him.  

It was snowing and the roads were getting slippery.  We came home and dropped the phone off.  I read one chapter in my Bible, then we left for the play.  Kenzie pulled in right behind us, so we walked with her.  Papa carried Rehvyn in.  Vikki was waiting inside for us with Isaac.  The play was so cute and Peyton sure did a really great job acting and singing.  She has an amazing voice.  There were 2 more plays other kids did after that, but Kenzie, Bill and I left.  Vikki kept Rehvyn with her,

We came home and relaxed and I worked on my blog.

 

2/4/26, Bill had to meet Bill Howard at 9, I filled ground coffee containers, cleaned kitchen, walked 1 mile on walking pad, did devotion with Melissa on phone, Vikki came over

This is a cool picture I took of the lady leading worship while I was watching the National Day of Prayer and Repentance.  Cool that the people she is leading showed up in the background

So moving to see legislators pray and worship

This goes with the one below.  Our forefathers called for days of prayer and repentance regularly.  That’s what our nation needs and I was so happy to watch and be a prat of that today.  So much pride, hatred, sin, rebellion etc in our nation.  There was personal repentance, then repentance on behalf of each state by legislators, pastors etc.

 

Vikki and I were looking up churches for Kenzie and this is a pastor at a church that really sounded like a good one to us.  Maybe this is a big confirmation from the Lord.  He is the one who prayed for Michigan today.  He is the pastor below, whose name is Josh

We got up at 8.  I made scrambled eggs and toast for me, and Bill left to meet Bill Howard and have breakfast at Nori’s.  I decided I should fill the empty ground coffee containers.  The decaf was ground coffee, but the regular was coffee beans.  I got my grinder out and ground those up.  Wanted to be ready so I can make a pot of coffee for Super Bowl and not just Keurig cups.  I put good worship music on and walked on my walking pad.  Went 1 mile at 3 mph.  For the last little bit, I slowed down to 2.7 mph because my knee hurt a little.  

It felt fine when I was done and walked on it.  

The low was 9 degrees today and the high was 21.  Sure feels better than what we’ve had, but still cold.  I was on Facebook an saw that the National Day of Prayer and Repentance for our Nation was about to start.  I watched it and prayed and repented along with them.  Every State got prayed for by either a legislator, or pastor, or ministry leader.  It was so needed and was awesome.  Our founding Fathers knew the importance of this and called for it often.  It seems like it went for about 3 hours, but I didn’t really look.  Bill got home when it was almost over.  

Melissa called me and I called her back after the program was over.  We did the Parable Devotion together over the phone.  She read part, than I read part, then she read and then I read.  We prayed at the end together.  We are going to do this together each day.  Kimmy and Vikki did it and loved it and we love it too.

Vikki stopped over after her mammogram.  She waited here because she had to go get the kids in an hour.  We loved having her.  She was super happy because her shoulder pain is gone....she was supposed to have another injection and called about it because of the pain.  The time came for her to have it, but she didn’t need it.  Also her foot pain is almost totally better.  I am so thankful to God and happy.  God is doing amazing things in their lives and family as they have been going to their church and seeking to be closer to God.

Bill and I read our Bibles and did our prayer books/devotions.  We went over our memory verse for tonight’s Bible Study too.

I made pancakes for Bill.  I had one, but ate a late lunch so I wasn’t real hungry.  After we ate, we got ready and went to Bible Study at church.  It was awesome again.  We came home and relaxed and I worked on my blog.

Tues.2/3/26, We got up at 8:30, Bill took the trash out, put awesome worship on Vikki sent me, talked to Kimmy, talked to Vikki, cleaned out old 2025 files and started new files, walked a mile on walking pad, Rody came over to help Bill transfer info from old computer to new, I went to prayer

Yay, Maddy’s baby is off the vent and breathing on his own.  Thanking God

Was watching worship and this puppy was advertised.

Ha Ha...I should get this puppy...he never grows, he doesn’t need to go to vet, he doesn’t eat.  He is just soft an cuddly and playful.  He is an AI dog.  I really would never get anything AI.  Don’t trust it and never know what is true or not.  

Dreary day, but it got up to 25 degrees so thankful for that

We slept til 8:30.  Got up and got ready.  I brought down the trash from upstairs and Bill gathered the rest and put it in the big trash and put it out by the road.  I put some awesome worship that Vikki sent me on.  It’s my favorite song they sang at her church the other night.  

I talked to Kimmy.  She said she thought I would like a Havaneese dog.  I looked at them and that’s just what I’m looking for.  They are so cute and sounds like they have great personalities and long life spans.  I started looking at lots of pictures.

Bill went out to snowplow, so I walked a mile on the walking pad while he was outside.  I walked at 3 mph.  I played the new worship song Vikki sent me.  When it was over, I had already walked 4 tenths of a mile.  Yay!  That seemed fast.  Both legs felt good and no soreness.  I had sore muscles after walking on Vikki’s the other day.  I have done lots of walking the past few days with going to Frankenmuth both days.  Must have gotten in shape.  

Gayla called to let me know Wes was doing great after his surgery.  They are having new Granite countertops put in today.  Wes called Bill later to talk to him.  Bill offers to help him with anything he needs.

I moved all the old 2025 files to a box and put them in the attic. Then I filed the new 2026 things.  Got rid of old papers I didn’t need anymore.  That’s a job I’m glad is done.

I warmed up the sirloin burgers, potatoes and carrots for dinner.  Rody came over to help Bill transfer his stuff from his old computer to his new one.  Rody said he already ate when Bill asked him.  I had to leave to go to prayer.  I said goodbye, then headed to church.  I was early, but pretty much everyone was there.  It was an awesome time of worship and prayer.  Jeff, who is an elder, does an amazing job leading it.  His wife was back tonight after having knee surgery 2 months ago. We were all happy to have her back.

Kimmy called me and found a breeder called Heavenly Havaneese.  She sent me the link and the pictures of all of her puppies and dogs are so cute.  I sent it to Melissa and Hailey  so they could look at them too.  They thought they were so cute too.  

I texted with Adam.  He is my prayer grandson this month.  I’m glad he’s doing well after hitting the deer.  Also happy he likes his job and is doing good at it.  He sure is excited to get their dog this week.  I am excited for them all.

Bill’s brother Fred called him and he and Lourdes want us to come over Monday to eat and play games afterward.  It will be fun.  I am going to see Marie at 1 that day, so it will be a busy day.

 

Monday, 2/2/26, Slept in until 9, Went to Melissa’s, picked up Souper Cafe soup on my way, Met Wookie their new dog. Wes did great during surgery, went to Eye Dr. Office, went to Goodwill, picked up Jack and Evan from school

I got to meet Wookie today.  He is the sweetest, friendliest dog.  Love him! 

Jack when I was dropping him off at home

Evan in the backseat

Bill and I both slept until 9.  I went to bed at midnight last night.  I didn’t wake up once!  Yay!  After not sleeping well for so long, I sure do appreciate this great sleep I am getting.  

We read our Bibles, then I took my shower.  I got ready and then told Bill goodbye because he was going to his retirees dinner at noon.  I listened to some worship music that was awesome.  

I called my eye doctor’s office to see if I needed an appointment for them to put my lenses back in my newer glasses.  They told me to just stop in anytime.  I called Melissa and asked her if she wanted me to pick up some soup at Souper Cafe for her.  She did, so I picked us both up a 12 oz. potato soup.  I went to her house and we ate it there.  Wookie and Vader were both at the door greeting me.  Wookie was so sweet and so friendly.  Love him already.  Melissa and I enjoyed our soup.  

We went in the living room and gave the dogs some treats and watched them play with their toys.  Riley is still there too.  Max came upstairs and visited for a little bit.  

I left and told Melissa I would pick up her boys after I left the eye doctors.  It was still snowing and we already have over an inch, so no sense in both of us going out in it.  It only took a minuted for the girl to put the lenses back in my frames.  It’s good to have better glasses to wear again.  I went to Goodwill until time to go get the boys.  I was happy to see them and they were happy to see me.  We talked all the way to their house.  I told them I wanted to take their picture for my blog so they both posed nicely.  Jack was very polite and told me thank you for giving them a ride home.  Evan thanked me too and before he closed the door he told me he loved me.  Thoughtful loving grandsons are sure nice to have.  I sure love these two.  

I came home and asked Bill how his luncheon went.  He said good and that quite a few were there.  I made sirloin burgers, potatoes and carrots in my Ninja frying pan in the oven after browning the meet.  Than I did some dusting in the family room and then relaxed with Bill until the food was ready.  It tasted yummy.  We had orange jello with fruit in it I made today and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  I worked on my blog and he worked on some CMA stuff.  

I called Marie and we talked almost an hour.  We had a good time catching up.  I am going to go visit them on Monday.  

 

Sundays 2/1/26, Went to both our church services, came home, went to Vikki’s, went to St. Lorenz to see Jack sing,, went to Birch Run, went to Culvers, went to Vikki’s worship service at her church

Isaac,Vikki, Peyton and Rody all got baptised today

Them hugging afterward

Rehvyn at Grammy's

Valley Lutheran School’s Golden Voice Choir sang at St. Lorenz today.  We enjoyed listening to them.  They were on the screens but the screens were so small we couldn't even tell where Jack was until Bill took a picture with his good camera.  Jack is in the back row on the left where the guys are

Me holding Michele and Jerdon’s little guy at the chili cookoff

Peyton and Vikki at the chili cookoff

Peyton got my phone when I forgot it and added a couple of selfies...she’s so funny

We got up early and got ready for church, then left.  It was 1 degree, but sunny. We were excited it is going to get up to 24 degrees...heatwave.

Gabe was at the door and greeted us when we came in.  He used to be in my kindergarten Sunday School class and now he is our new College age group pastor.  He’s a great guy ad we are happy he’s back.  He had his fiancé with him and she seems really sweet too.  Talked to other friends before the service started.  Vikki, Rody, Peyton, Isaac and Rehvyn came to church today.  A friend of Peyton’s always had Rehvyn in the nursery and was missing him, so they brought him for her to have back there.  I didn’t even get to see Rehvyn, even though I waited by the door.  I saw Rody and Isaac come in, but they said Vikki already went back there.  Vikki was sitting by out stuff when I went in the sanctuary.  It was family meeting day and Pastor did a great job sharing all God has done in our church and giving a message at the same time.  We prayed after service, so I still didn’t see Rehvyn.  They had to leave to go to their church service.  

Vikki called me after her church service and told me they all got baptized today.  She texted me and sent me videos and Rody had pictures.  I am so happy.  They have really been seeking God and the Holy Spirit has been moving.  They had all been baptized before, but now are older, have a close relationship with God and want to follow Him.  Their shirts said all in and that’s what they are.  I am so happy to see them faithfully seek the Lord through reading His Word as a family.  God is awesome!  We went over to their house after we went home and changed clothes.  We only had about 15 minutes, but we enjoyed seeing Rehvyn (who was Papa’s boy today)  He wanted Papa when he saw him.  Vikki gave me a piece of pizza and breadstick.  She offered Bill chili but he didn’t have time to heat it and eat it there.  I took mine on the go.

We got to St. Lorenz and Bruce, Melissa, Max, Jack, Evan and Lydia were just walking in.  They waited for us and we all found our way in together.  I was so happy to see Max and Vader came too.  Aunt Debbie met us there too.  We tried to find a bathroom before it started, and had to go to the basement where they sent us twice, but no lady’s bathroom was open.  There was plastic across a big doorway and the usher tried to move it, but couldn’t.  We went back upstairs for the second time and then when Debbie got there she told us where another bathroom was so Melissa, Lydia and Evan went to that one. We all thought it was going to be a concert, but it was a Rally for the Lutheran Hour and the Valley choir was just singing 2 songs for it and they were in the way back.  St. Lorenz is a huge church.  They only had tiny tv’s so even when they were on the tv’s we couldn’t make out which one was Jack.

See how small it was

They did a great job singing and the song was beautiful.  It was a nice service, but very hard to follow the hymns the congregation sang.  We went down to the basement and had cupcakes and either water, orange juice or coffee.  Max was cute because he asked me if I was getting a puppy.  I told him yes and asked him what kind I should get.  He smiled really big and told me a Sheltie.  He’s so cute.  I told him I hadn’t looked at any Sheltie pictures.  He loves his Sheltie.  

Today starts Adam’s prayer month, where I focus more on paying for him than usual.  

God did great things while I was praying for Max, just like He did when it was Hailey, Kenzie and Jacob’s turn.  So thankful a pastor who spoke at BayShore shared that with us.

We left and headed to check out one more hotel in Frankenmuth which ended up being more than all of the rest, and then went to Birch Run and found some really nice ones for cheap that will work out great for our leadership stay.  

We were going to go to Chic Fil A after that but when we got there remembered they are closed on Sunday.  We went to Sam’s Club to get a few things.  We were looking for Bel Vita’s and they had moved stuff around to make room for spring stuff.  After 15 minutes of looking, I asked a kid and he looked it up.  They had moved them way to the back of the store in the aisle next to the cereal.  It looked like all of the other things that had been by them were still where they were.  We were happy to find them and be able to scan them and go.  We love scan an go.  

We went to Culver’s afterward and I had a beef sandwich and Bill had a burger/fries/ and concrete maker.  We were almost done an Vikki texted a reminder about their worship service.  I got a small free sundae to go and we headed to her church.  We had just enough time to get there.  They got there at the same time as us so we walked in together.  It was an absolutely awesome worship service.  Such great music and songs with great words.  The worship team did amazing and have such great voices, and the pastors always have great encouragement.  Afterward, we went down in the basement for their chili cookoff.  We were full so only tried one chili.  I offered to hold Jordan and Michelle’s baby while he ate and he said he had been hovering by me to see if I would offer.  He is such a great dad.  I sat down with baby to eat my cupcake, but he was only happy standing.  Vikki stood with him while I finished my cupcake and then I took him again.  Then he started fussing for me and for Vikki.  A girl who has 6 kids came and took him but he wouldn’t stop crying for her either.  Jordan came and he said she could handle it.  It wasn’t long and she was back with him still crying.  Jordan took him then.  He is a daddy’s boy.  He at least had time to eat.  

We left after that and came home and I worked on my blog.  We were really tired out from such a long day, but it sure was a good day.  

Maddy’s baby will probably get off the vent tomorrow, and on oxygen.  Some bad news though, his cleft lip was swollen and his little gum that’s pushed through his jaw line bone is exposed, so they have to figure that out because they said it could be a big issue by the time he’s ready to feed.  More prayers needed.  Poor sweet baby.