Tues., 1/24/23, Made and baked pie shells, went to Stacie's, went to Old Town, went to Vikki's, watched a movie

Beautiful sunrise this morning.  It sure makes a difference when the sun shines.

My shelf Vikki taught us to make hanging temporarily until I take my tree down.  For now it's in the laundry room

Me and Stacie with our scarves

Papa and Kody playing the game DJ made.  You have to swing the string with the ring and have it hook on the hook like on Kody's side.  It took a while, but I got pretty good at it and made Kody nervous at the end of our game he said.

Isaac, Papa, me and Peyton....We took them their scarves with the hand pockets papa had made for them

Some old pictures from the past...These kiddos have grown up way too fast!

Adam, Max and Jacob fishing in a fishing contest when they were little

Jack and Eli

Hailey smelling a peony

Had my yummy oatmeal with bananas and raisins and drank my delicious coffee.  Put on worship music.  Did our morning reading and devotions.  I made pie crust and baked it after that.  Put them in the freezer until I need to make pies for the party.  

In the afternoon, we went to Stacie's and gave her her birthday gifts.  Stacie loved her gifts.  We got big hugs from her and Kody when we got there.  Stacie and I played the game D J made and then Kody and I played, then Papa and Kody played.  We sure had fun.  

We went to Old Town Drive In after we left Stacie's.  We each had a coney dog and then split one too.  We also had fries and, of course, their yummy root beer.  We had the best waitress!  She was just amazing.  I prayed God would bless her.  She was so kind and just went over and above serving us.  She was doing the same for others as she went from car to car.  She had a great attitude.  Bill gave her a nice tip.

After that, we went to Vikki's and gave Peyton and Isaac their scarves.  They sure were happy too.  We got to see Vikki's new rug down.  It is really pretty and really soft.  We said hi to Rody as he was going to his class on grief at church.  

When we got home, we did the zoom meeting with Ziggy and the other area reps.  Talked about the UP officers training coming up and also Seasons of Refreshing.  It was a good meeting.  We watched a movie after that called, The Name of God.  It was a good one.  

Monday, 2/23/23, Went grocery shopping, Cleaned some, Bill had Elder's meeting

No pictures taken today.  Put worship music on first thing in the morning.  Did some praying.  Looked at my recipes for Sat. and wrote down what I needed to get.  Went shopping to Meijer early so it wouldn't be busy.  Had lots of coupons for stuff I needed so that was good.  Most of what I needed for Saturday's party, was on sale.  Yay! 

Bill was still gone with Charlie and Rich when I got home.  I unloaded the groceries and then started vacuuming and dusting.  Thought I would get it done before Bill got home.  I just had a few more things to dust when he did get home.  Yay!  We did our devotions and Bible reading.

I did some more cleaning. In the evening, I made Little Caesar Personal pizzas.  They were really good.  They are the last ones in the freezer we ordered from Kody.  I ordered more from Jack as he is earning money for his Washington D.C. trip.  Bill left to go to the Elder's meeting.  I cleaned out the refrigerator, cleaned the coffee maker, and set the oven to clean it.  We watched a movie, but Bill played it from his phone, so I can't remember the name of it.  It was about an angel, and was quite intense but had a great ending.  I talked to Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki.  Texted with Maddy and Linda.

Sunday, 1/22/23, Went to church, went to Levi's with Debbie and Jeff, Took Gayla's gift to her, Watched CMA videos, Watched the movie Gabriel

Bill putting pellets in the kernel burner.  

Vader and Abby.  Vader has been really concerned about Abby being sick

Snowy morning

 

Went to church early to go to prayer before our church service.  It was an awesome message today.   Truth in power from God's Word was preached.  The Holy Spirit sure moved.  Lots of people came up for prayer afterward.  

After church, we went to Levi's with Debbie and Jeff.  We all ordered breakfast.  It was so good to be able to spend time together.  We came home afterward and had a day of rest.  Bill napped and I rested, but couldn't fall asleep.  The game I ordered for Gayla that was supposed to come yesterday, came today.  I took it and also the video Facing the Giants over to their house.  They are going to show Facing the Giants at the Rescue Mission Wednesday.  We usually go, but have lots going on this week getting ready for CMA trip to the U.P. for officer's training that Bill will be helping with.  We have lots of videos on a thumb drive we are watching before we go, plus I will be getting ready for our Schaard family Christmas Saturday.  

We ate a bowl of chili for supper, then a little later we had the rest of the banana cream pie.

I talked to Melissa for a while, then we watched some more videos.  We watched the movie I am Gabriel which was really good.   

 

 

Saturday, 1/21/23, Went to Marine Corp Breakfast, Went to Kroger, Took Eli to Vikki, Went to chili cookout, Wes and Gayla came over

This is the picture of the ornament Adam sent me lol!

Bill showing Brielle off at the Marine Corp. League Breakfast

Brielle, me, Maddy and Alec

Maddy, Me and Brielle

Cindy, Yolanda, Sabrina, me, Barb, Elaine and Ron

Our group picture at the Chili Cook Off at Michelle and Jerdon's

We went to breakfast at Riverside for the Marine Corp League breakfast.  Maddy and Alec met us there.  Breakfast was good, but we tried not to eat too much because we have to be at the chili cookout at noon.  Bill got out of the car when we got home, and I left to go to Kroger to get Eli's birthday gift for his friend Lane.  I picked up an X Box card Kimmy wanted to get for him.  I was happy Kroger had it.  I headed home.  The boys were just getting up.  Eli had about 20 minutes to get ready and Adam didn't have much time either.  Bill took the chili and headed to the chili cookoff.  I packed up a blueberry muffin for Eli and he got a drink to go.  I was driving separate and taking Eli, so we could spend an hour at the chili cookout and then I could take him to Lane's birthday party.  While we were driving, when we were almost ready to get on the expressway, Kimmy called and said they would be back in time to pick up Eli and take him to the party.  She caught us just in time.  We headed to Vikki's and I dropped Eli off at an estate sale by her house they were at.  I made it to the chili dinner at 12:02.  Claire's family picked up Adam and took him to Frankenmuth to celebrate her 16th birthday.  He got her a Squish mallow and she loved.  He took this picture of an I Love Lucy ornament and sent it to me while he was at Bronner's.  We had a great time at the chili cook off, trying all of the chili and eating dessert afterward.  $500 was raised for Run for the Son.  We got home around 2:30 and Adam to our house shortly afterward.  Kimmy and Jared were in Bay City, so came to pick him up.  I offered to take him home, but they said it was only 5 minutes out of their way.  I dished him up a bowl of chili and he at that and then had some Oreos.  He told me his mom would have to make chili more often.  

We called my niece, Tammy, and wished her a happy birthday.  She said it was the call she has been waiting for.  I call her every year on her birthday   Wes and Gayla came at about 5 and we had chili and then had banana cream pie for dessert.  We played our new card game after that.  I won both games.  That's the first I've won.  We gave Gayla her card and part of her birthday present.  We also ordered her a Sky jo card game, that was supposed to come today, but they changed it and now it will be coming tomorrow.  They really liked playing the game so will be happy to have one at there house to play.   We sure had fun and a good time catching up.  

 

Friday, 1/20/23, I took Adam and Eli to school, Bill took Jack to school, I picked all the boys up, Went to Vikki's, Melissa came to visit

Nice picture Kimmy sent me of her and Jared in Grand Rapids.  Such a cute sweet couple!

Snow in the morning, but it all melted shortly after it came

Made chili for the chili cookout tomorrow

Isaac and Peyton when we visited

I got up early, then woke the boys all up at 6:15.  Jack and Eli ate cereal, and Adam ate a blueberry muffin.  It was snowing out, but the roads were good which I was thankful for.  I dropped Adam off, then dropped Eli off at school.  It was still dark out, but started getting light while I was heading home.  Bill took Jack to school, and was back home by the time I got home.  We did our Bible reading, then I made chili.  Watched the March for life after I got the chili started.  So many great testimonies of lives saved and the blessings resulting.  I was so moved watching it!  I sure am praying for God to move and protect the lives of babies.  So sad at how many have been murdered in our nation.  Hopefully people will wake up and see what they are allowing and what they are doing.  I can't imagine seeing babies and thinking it's ok to kill them just because they are in the womb. Now they want to kill them even after they are born.  God please put a stop to this. 

I picked up Adam.  I forgot to bring the lunch he had in my refrigerator.  I stopped at McDonalds and got him a free 6 piece chicken nugget that I got free with my rewards.

He was happy I got that for him.  We stopped at another McDonalds by Eli's school and I got free fries for him because it was free fry Friday.  I had to spend a dollar to get them free so, got both boys a pop.  We picked Jack up before we went to my house.  Adam, Bill, Jack and I ate chili.  Eli ate a hamburger he had bought from home in case he didn't like the food I was having.  They ate some donuts for dessert.  

Eli, Jack and I went to Barnes and Noble so he could get the last book of the Wind and Fire series with the gift card his Grandma and Grandpa Russell gave him.  He was pretty happy to get it.  He got the last one there.  After that, we went to get gas, then to Vikki's house so Eli could pick up the bed she had for his cat.  Lucy never uses it.  It was nice to see Wyatt there and Lucy.  I was so happy to see Peyton and Isaac.  I haven't seen them in a few days.  

On the way home, Eli and Jack were saying how they were going to practice Ping Pong so they can beat Papa.  They were sure cute and have a good plan.  

Melissa came over to pick Jack up.  She stayed for a while and we taught her our new game.  She loved it and was very good at it.  She beat us! We sure had fun playing it with her though.  After that I made popcorn per Eli's request, and everyone but Melissa and I had some.  They had M & M's with it per Jack's request.  Melissa and I were too full.  It was a fun evening.  

 

Thurs., 1/20/23, Did some cleaning, Picked Adam, then Eli up from school, Bill picked Jack up, Melissa came over

Bethlehem posted this picture of Evan and his team.  They won for building their shelter the fastest.

Riding to the restaurant...Papa told Adam to steal my spot, so I made Adam take this selfie since that's what the person in that seat has to do.  

Jack and Eli playing games on the wii

Adam, Bill, Eli and Jack at Fuzzy's.  The pizza was amazing.  A couple of pieces got flipped on the pan, so they apologized and made us another pizza too.  It took about 3 minutes for that pizza to disappear.  The other one came boxed up and we bought it home.  The boys ate another piece for a night snack

Melissa and I Face timed with Hailey for a long time.  She was so cute and funny.  I have never seen so many different expressions.  It was so good spending time with her. 

Kimmy, Jared and Jacob left in the morning after taking the boys to school.  They went to Grand Rapids for Jacob to practice and play with the All State Band in a concert Saturday.  I did my morning routine, then did some cleaning.  

I picked Adam up from school first, then went to get Eli.  On our way home, we stopped at McDonalds and I got Eli a frappe', Adam a vanilla shake, and also picked up an extra shake to give Jack.  I told Eli to put Jack's shake in the back cup holder by him.  He got super excited when he found out Jack was coming to our house to spend the night, and would be there when we got there.  He said he was going to ask, but didn't have a signal to text Jack to see if he could.  Bill had picked Jack up and brought him to our house.  They sure had fun hanging out together.  Jack did his math homework, and Eli helped him some long memory work the pastor is having the kids memorize.  With Eli helping, Jack learned it fast.  He couldn't spend the night if he didn't get his work done.  He sure was happy and so was Eli.  They went down to the basement and played ping pong and some other games.  Adam, Papa and I played the new game we got.  Adam caught on quickly and beat us.  After that he watched the movie Running the Bases with Papa.  I watched the beginning, and then Melissa came so we went to the other room and visited.   We all had M & M and cashews for snacks.  Jack and Eli came up and played game on the wii.  Melissa and Bruce took Abby to the vet.  The vet gave her some new medicine and said it would take a while to work.  She also said it needs to work pretty fast though, so she doesn't get kidney and liver problems.  Melissa sent me a video of Abby walking across the room.  This was around 10:55.  The medicine is working really fast.  Thanking and praising God.

 

Wed., 1/18/23, Cleaned kernel burner, moved last years files our, so this years filing can begin, went to Jack's game

 

Maddy sent me these pictures of Brielle driving now.  Cali better watch out!

Jack playing in his basketball game.  He almost made that basket from far away!  It was fun watching him play.  He did great!

I was supposed to go watch Brielle, but her mom was able to do it so I didn't get to.  Bill had an appointment so I decided to tackle cleaning the kernel burner.  I never am excited about doing that job, because sometimes the pieces I take out don't want to go back in easily.  I always pray for God to help me now.  I cleaned it in record time.  Got is super clean and the pieces went back in amazingly fast.  I sure was thanking the Lord.  Then, I decided not to try starting it because it didn't start last time I cleaned it and we had to use cottontails dipped in Vaseline.  When Bill found out I cleaned it, he thought I should try starting it so I did.  I was amazed again.  It started up faster than ever!  Wow!  It was my day!

After that, I did my reading and had my breakfast and coffee.  I decided it was a good day to empty last years files and get them ready for this year's filing.  That took a while.  I had some folders with lots of Bill's weddings and funerals he's done in them, so he went through them and found a new place in his filing cabinet to keep them.  That gives me lots more room and makes filing easier.  

We went to Jack's game at St. Paul's tonight.  He played lots and did a great job.  He is pretty new at playing since he did virtual school the past two years.  I loved watching him play!

I talked to Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki and texted with Adam and Maddy.