Thurs., 4/9/26, Kenzie brought Rehvyn over, Rehvyn got his first haircut, worked outside lots, Marlee dropped off my stuff from Marie’s, watched a movie with Bill

Rehvyn loved playing with the cars at our house.  He would get one out of the tub and bring it to me and show it to me.  Then he would drive it on the table and park it.  I thought I would go closer so he didn’t have to come so far, but he waved his hand in the air for me to go back and sit where I was.  He’s so funny!

So nice out!  Time to make sun tea!

First Haircut for Rehvyn.  He was so good for it Vikki said.

He’s so handsome, but sure looks older

Worked all around the house to get rid of weeds coming and also get rid of some violets I didn’t want taking over in areas

Bill moved the tables and swings in place on the deck

Bill uncovered the fish pond outside

Bill hung the swing on this side of the deck

Grammy and Rehvyn

So cute in my driveway!

We got up at 8:30.  Bill left to go mentor Jeremy.  Today is their last day.  Jeremy is doing so well now.  He was in the Marines and has PTSD.  He has gotten close to the Lord and that has really helped him.  God is awesome.  

I took my shower and then went upstairs to do my hair.  Kenzie called and was by Vikki’s house and asked if I could watch Rehvyn and he could take a nap here.  Of course, I said yes to that.  They got here and he was pretty tired looking in the car.  I got him out of his car seat and showed him my flowers, then brought him in the house.  Kenzie wanted him to take a nap to stay on schedule, so she put him in the crib upstairs.  He cried for a while, but she wanted me to let him fall asleep.  She called when she got to Target to check on him.  He had quick crying and I thought he was going to go to sleep.  Then after we hung up, he started crying harder.  I called Kenzie back and she said I could get him up.  I went up and could smell that he had pooped his diaper.  I brought him downstairs and realized Kenzie didn’t bring the diaper bag in.  I prayed and then found 2 diapers in a drawer in theliving room.  I am so thankful Vikki left them here.  That was a long time ago, but they fit him.  

He had a blowout so it was a good thing.  I felt bad for him having to be in that messy diaper.  I got the baby wipes and got him all cleaned up.  He was very happy he could stay up and play with the cars I have.  He plays so nicely with them and is so gentle.  He showed me each one, then parked them on the table.  Vikki came here after work, then Kenzie came back.  Rehvyn gave good hugs and told me and papa he loves us, then they all left.  Vikki thought about cutting his hair, then decided to take him to a barber.  The barber did a great job cutting his hair.  He looks very handsome and adorable.  So cute and they said he was such a good boy.  

I dug weeds out from the front of the house all around to the back on around half of the pool.  I also dug out some violets that I didn’t want spreading.  So nice to have all that done.  Bill uncovered the outside fish pond and moved all the furniture on the deck while I was busy with my job.  We sure got a lot done today.

I talked to Melissa.  Evan and Lydia want to go see Girls of Grace with us on Saturday.  Yay!  I ordered the tickets on line.  I love going to see them and so does Melissa.  

I made goulash for dinner.  I made some without burger for Kimmy for lunch tomorrow.  

Bill and I watched a movie after that.  It had a great ending.  It was called Pardoned by Grace.

I worked on my blog after that.

 

Wed., 4/8/26, Went to have taxes done, went to Melissa’s, Wookie came out the front door because he wanted to see me, Got up to 50 degrees, Bill and I worked outside, I went to Grace Valley Seek night

Dad digging out the Iris Rhizomes because the were getting overcrowded.  Big job!

Kit Kat isn’t afraid of work...she can lay right down and even fall asleep next to it

Left the peonies, daffodils and grandma’s 100
+ year old iris's

Dug more ground up around grandma’s iris’s so it would be easier for Bill to mow around them

We kind of look like Ma and Pa Kettle in these pictures.  To bad shovels didn’t get in the picture.  We took a selfie with my phone sitting on the deck.

Peyton, Isaac and Eli and friends from youth group

Kimmy and Jared’s ducks

This duck is absolutely beautiful.  Kimmy sent me a picture so I could see a close up of it.

I got up first, made my coffee and relaxed in the living room enjoying it.  Bill got up about a half hour later.  We took our taxes in and had them done.  Getting a refund this year for the first time in a several years.  Yay!  Thank you President Trump.  

We were going to go pray over Maddy and Alec’s house, but baby had to have PT and Ot, so we are going to do it another day.  We went to Tony’s for breakfast instead.  It was the best breakfast!  We stopped at Melissa’s afterwards and dropped Jack’s Easter candy off that he left here.  Bill was just about to reach into the bag and grab some candy when I snatched it away.  Then when I walked in front of the Jeep he got me back by blowing the horn at me.  

He has way more candy at home than what he should be eating.  Wookie came running out the door to see me and have me pet him.  He is such a sweet dog.  

We came home and prayed over each other.  That was his idea while we were doing our vision last night.  We had been praying over each other when we went to bed at the same time, but just prayed on our own otherwise.  He had a great idea of doing it during the daytime.  

We read our Bibles and did our devotions and prayer books.  I’m in 1 Corinthians now.  I love reading God’s Word.  It is so amazing.  Sure is life changing.  I called Gayla and talked to her for a while.  Kimmy called me while I was talking to Gayla, so I called her back and she told me their duck, Teal, who had left for the year, was back with a wife and 3 babies.  Nice that their pond is over full.  They were having a nice swim in a couple videos she sent me.  The babies are so pretty.  It’s always fun on the farm.  I called Melissa to see if she wants to go see Girls of Grace with me.  She does and is checking with Hailey to see if she wants to go Sunday afternoon.  The girls do beautiful worshipful dance to worship music and present a great message.  The music is amazing.

It got up to 50 degrees, so I went outside and took a bathmat Hailey had got us for Christmas and put it in the camper.  Put the induction burner away under the bench. We will be taking it in to have it de-winterized shortly now that the weather is warming up, so making sure everything is ready for travel.  I walked around looking at my plants after that.  I was looking at Grandma Schmidt’s Iris’s and thought it would be a good time to dig around them and dig around the other plants too.  After I thought it, Bill came out of the shed and mentioned it would be a good time to do that.  I got my small shovel, then Bill came out with his big shovel.  He dug all those big clusters of rhizomes out.  I decided I don’t want that many Iris’s if they spread and get in such big clumps.  I will just manage his grnadma’s.  

It was the worst area that needs to be done and was such hard work.  I didn’t want Bill doing it all at once, but he took a break while hauling them away to dump them.  Then he would did again.  I was able to did lots of grass clumps out along the deck make the edge straighter.  My right leg that I had the hip replacement in did great digging with the shovel.  It’s nice and strong.  I am so thankful I can do this kind of work with it.    We were happy to get the front and around the corner of the shed deck done.  Now if we just get another nice day to take care of the rest of the plants and weeds.  It should be enjoyable doing the rest.

We warmed up our Olive Garden left overs for dinner.  I just took the first bite when Vikki called and asked me if I was coming to church tonight.  It was 6:23 and church starts at 6:30.

She had called me when we were working outside, but her phone cut in and out.  Then she tried to call me back and couldn’t.  I would have been ready if she could have told me then.  I had Bill put my food away and I changed my shirt and put a sweatshirt on.  Then I left.  I got to the church at 6:35.  I’m glad I don’t live far from it.  The worship was really awesome and Pastor Kurt gave a great message.  We prayed for people in the church going through lots of things. mostly sickness.  Eli and Isaac came in the sanctuary after youth group.  Eli came right over to me and gave me a hug.  He knows I love his hugs.  Isaac was worshipping so was a little slower at coming and giving me my hug.  I waited until Peyton came out before I left so I could get my hug from her.  Vikki walked me out.  Kenzie FaceTimed her, so we went back in and talked to her for a few minutes and also talked to Rehvyn.  

Came home, ate, then worked on my Blog.

 

Tuesday, 4/7/26, Bill took the garbage out, then he took his sister, Carol to the dentist, I put all the Easter stuff back in tubs and in the attic, did 3 loads of laundry, we went to Olive Garden and wrote out our vision.

Daffodils are getting taller 

Only found 5 hyacinths poking through and getting blossoms now.  I will have to plant more. 

Lenten Rose- growing but needs warm weather

Some buds are forming

The wing blew off my bluebird feeder.  Sure hope I can find it.

Our yard is dry now. Yay!

I got up first and got ready.  I started a load of laundry.  Bill got up a half hour after me.  He started taking out the garbage right away.  He left at 9:30 to take his sister, Carol, to the dentist.  While he was gone, I put good worship music on and worshipped.  Read my Bible and did my prayer books.  After that I put the left over candy from the adult basket in a big ziplock bag.  I went upstairs and took all the grass out of the baskets, bagged it up according to color, then put it. in the tub.  Put the baskets in a tub also, as well as decorative basket covers.  Then I put all the tubs back in the attic til next year.  

I washed 2 more loads of clothes, then washed down the lower cupboards in the kitchen.  Bill got home and brought me a delicious donut from the Buttercrust Bakery in Bridgeport.  It is our favorite bakery.  Yum!  He worked on our tax stuff since we get them done tomorrow.  It was a very cool day, but we did have some sunshine.  Kenzie got home today.  Yay!  I know Rehvyn will sure be happy to see his mommy!  

Talked to Vikki, Melissa and Kimmy.  Marie called me in the evening.  She wanted prayer for two doctor appointments she is going to tomorrow and for an ultrasound she is having on her stomach on Friday.  We prayed over the phone for each other.  She is such a prayer warrior.  I’m so thankful I have her as a dear friend.  

In the evening, Bill and I went to the Olive Garden.  We worked on writing our Vision for 2026 before our food came and after our food came.  We are kind of late this year, but we have our vision card from last year to look at still.  God has blessed us in so many ways as we see the visions He gives us come to pass.  

I worked on my blog and Bill worked on CMA stuff.  It’s time for quarterly reports to be turned in so he has to make sure all the chapters do that, plus he turns ours in.

 

Monday, 4/6/26, Eli and Isaac slept in Late,, Vikki came first, Kimmy locked her keys in her van with Arnie in it, so Adam had to run her the extra keys, Adam stopped in her for a few minutes, The girl picked Jack up, Melissa and Hailey came after Haileys U of M appt., Regen came over for a while too. We ate leftovers and had a great day relaxing together.

Stare down between Lucy inside and Kit Kat out the other window

We loved having Adam stop in

Eli and Jack playing ping pong...Isaac watching

It hailed out 

Hailey...Vikki trimmed her hair and then trimmed mine today.  Thanks Vikki, great job!

Jack...such a sweet kid

Loved seeing sunshine today.  Male and female cardinal re on the bird feeder hanging on the tree

Bill and I slept in until 9.  We got ready, then Bill drank a protein drink, and I had a couple of hard boiled eggs and my coffee.  The boys were still sleeping.  Vikki came over.  She was talking to Kimmy and found out Kimmy locked her keys in the van, with Arnie inside.  She had called Adam and he was bringing her the keys.  Adam stopped over to see us after he took her the keys.  He could only stay for a short time, but we were sure happy to have him come and talk to him for a while.  Kimmy and Arnie finally got here.  We were so happy to see her.  She had her coffee with her and had eaten a snack at the gas station.  We relaxed and watched the Elevation service from last Sunday and also watched some Elevation worship which was awesome.  The boys got up at lunch time.  Jack had texted me to see if he could come over.  I told him we would come pick him up.  We were all going to go, but then Kimmy and Vikki went, because there would be enough room in Vikki’s car without taking the car seat out.  By the time they got back, I had the sloppy Joes warmed up and potatoes for those who wanted them heated up.  Some just wanted chips.  I also warmed the left over home grown corn from Kimmy’s up.  We all enjoyed the food again today.  Jack and Eli played some ping pong in the basement.  The boys also played some worship music while they hung out in the basement.  We all had a nice group discussion about God and the Bible and how it is the standard we go by, not our opinions or ideas.  We had group prayer at the end for all of us.  Melissa and Hailey came a short time after we ate.  They had came home from U of M where Hailey had an appt.  The appt. went well.  I rewarmed things for them and they ate too.  Hailey said she loved the sloppy joes.  We enjoyed visiting, watching the dogs play, drinking our coffee and eating some goodies out of the Easter candy container.  It hailed out for a while.  Vikki picked Peyton up from Regen’s and brought Regen here too.  Then she trimmed Hailey’s hair here.  She did a really nice job.  She asked me if I wanted mine trimmed too.  It needed it badly, so I had her do mine too.  She didn’t take much off, but it sure made a difference.  It’s just right now.  They left I think around 5:30.  I sent leftovers with them.  Bill and I each ate a sloppy Joe and I had a baked potato reheated.  That filled us up.  We relaxed and I worked on my Easter Day blog and finished the rest of it.  I had posted the pictures on Easter after everyone left.

 

Sunday, 4/5/26, Went to early service at church, Bill stayed for second service, Melissa, Bruce and family came to our church today, Everyone but Kenzie came over to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Abi came too! It was a blessed day.

Happy Resurrection Day!  Worship and church was awesome today!

Eli and Adam this morning

Jacob, Abi and Eli relaxing 

Revhyn excited about his Easter Basket

Looking cool in his sunglasses and holding his poppit lamb

Rehvyn with three little trucks that came with the bath bombs papa found online and ordered for him.  The bath bombs dissolve and there are cars in them.  What a sweet Papa. 

Vikki and Rehvyn

Travis and Rehvyn....Travis sure was loving and good with Rehvyn.  Kenzie had to go to an art show and sell their stuff

DJ on the left, Travis, Bill, Bruce and Max and Vader

Evan with his Basket

Kody with his basket

Going through the stuff in his basket

Kody with his cross necklace that came late for his birthday

Peyton with her basket

Jack and Wookie.  I didn’t get a picture of him with his basket...Kit Kat is in the window

Max and Vader

Hailey

Melissa

Stacie

Adam

Jared, DJ and Stacie

Melissa, Hailey and Kimmy

Jacob, Abi, Vikki, Rody, and Peyton

The kids getting ready to go out the front door to do the egg hunt.  Evan, Jack, Eli, Hailey, Jacob, Abi Peyton and RehvynThe back yard was too wet, so decided to do the front yard.  Jared put all the eggs out by himself.  What a blessing he is!  Bill and Travis went to look at a car for Travis and Kenzie, Bruce had to run home and wasn’t back yet.

Abi, Jacob, Jack and Evan during the egg hunt

Peyton gathering eggs

Grammy and Rehvyn hunting for eggs.  I love Hailey laughing and gathering eggs in the background

Yay!  Hailey wasn’t being bugged by Jacob and Adam this year.  Nana didn’t even have to help her get more eggs.  

Jacob, Peyton and Abi

Eli gathering eggs

Abi and Jacob

Rehvyn

Eli and Rehvyn

Melissa and Adam

Jacob and Abi going through eggs and counting their money and sorting their candy.  They did some trading with Hailey.  Hailey, Rehvyn, Peyton and Vikki are in the background going through their eggs.

Bill lost the first game when he, Melissa, Jack (playing for the first time) Jared, Jacob and Abi and I played.  Here he is doing his Hee Haw

Max playing Donkey for the first time with Papa, Melissa, Kimmy and Jared.  It was a wild game with Melissa and Max going back and forth giving each other wood tiles.  Max ended up winning and going out,  Melissa went out next because she gave Jared a lot of tiles, then Bill gave Jared lots of wood tiles too, Kimmy went out too.  Poor Jared got stuck with the donkey, and had to wear the hat and say Hee Haw

Jared and Max playing.  Max really liked the game and did lots of laughing

Jacob and Jared.....Jared’s stack was so high

Jared did a great job hee hawing and wearing that donkey hat. Abi thought it was pretty funny

Jacob and Arnie

Arnie and Isaac!  They match!

Jacob, Abi and Rehvyn

Hailey and Rehvyn...Rehvyn giving her a kiss.

Peyton and Rehvyn

Nice family picture of Melissa’s family...Evan, Hailey, Melissa, Bruce, Max and Jack plus family pets, Vader and Wookie

Evan and Hailey...Her baby brother is bigger than her now

We drove separately to church.  I only went to the early service and Bill stayed for both.  I had to get home and prepare food for dinner.  Jacob and Abi came early, so it was a good thing I came home.  I was so happy to see them.  They asked what they could do to help so I washed potatoes, Abi forked them, then put olive oil on them, then Jacob salted them, wrapped them in foil and put them in the big oven roaster.  We were a great team.  When I finished washing them, I offered to take one of their places, but they said they were having fun and wanted to finish.  They were such blessings and such a great help. They sure saved me a lot of time.  Jacob carried them out and put them in the roaster.  I started the roaster, figuring it would be about 1 1/2 hours before they would be done.  I had watched a video on it and she had said around an hour.  I had the sloppy Joes going in 2 crockpots already and had a sheet cake baked.  

All the girls and families were going to church, than coming over later.  They all got here close to the same time.  Melissa brought chips, Hailey made guacamole salsa, and cheese its that tasted amazing, Stacie brought deviled eggs, Vikki brought buns an Kimmy brought freezer corn from their garden.  The potatoes took longer than the lady said so after 1 1/2 hours, we decided to have the dad’s hide the baskets and let the kids find them.  I handed envelopes with money or gift cards from Bill and I to each of the grandkids and Abi.  Only six kids wanted baskets this year.  Those over 18 don’t get baskets anymore, but get gift cards.  They did get to eat out of the adult age candy container that I made up.  They were pretty happy about that.  I also put a bowl of colored hardboiled eggs out.  Kimmy had started the cooking the freezer corn in the microwave too and that took longer than we thought too.  That and the potatoes ended up getting done around the same time.  Finally we put things on the table, then prayed as a family and ate. We ate dessert afterwards.   Everything tasted good.  Travis and Rehvyn had left before we ate to go to Omi’s for her egg hunt and dinner.  He came back in time for our egg hunt and he ate before we did that.  He left with Bill to go look at a car.  Vikki fed Rehvyn, because he didn’t eat hardly anything at Omi’s.  Then all the kids lined up and went out the front door and did the egg hung.  Isaac, Adam, Kody and Max didn’t do it this year.  It was cold and windy out so the kids were fast getting all those eggs.  I took extra buckets out to them.  Rehvyn was really cute finding eggs.  They all came in and opened the eggs and counted the money they got.  Eli got the most with getting $10.50 in quarters.  

We had a great day hanging out and playing games.  It was so nice having all the family here and having Abi as a bonus. (except we missed Kenzie) The kids all enjoyed hanging out together.  I am so thankful we have a close family.  It was late when everyone left and Eli and Isaac spent the night at our house.  Jack and Evan wanted to also, but they had things going on in the morning.  Bill and I went to bed at 1:10 and the boys had to be in bed at 2 a.m. their moms said.  Phones went on the kitchen counter while they slept upstairs.  They are great kids and follow rules well.  I’m so glad they still like to spend the night.