Thursday, July 27, 2017

Annual Sister Get-A-Way

 We went to an old haunt...and it was terrible!  Oh well...we hooked up with Grandma Jello and she gave us a list of fun and yummy places around Grand Haven to visit...so we did!
 "Sometimes...I really do need a break like this to enjoy the list on this sign."
 On the patio for a supper at the Paisely Pig!

 Coffee on the patio with Jill's pretty flowers.










 The Baker's Wife...yummy scones and cookies and all sorts of things!
 Ahhh...the boardwalk in beautiful weather!  A salad supper and lots of people watching!

 A military band playing tunes...
 Boats of all sorts...

 Yep...we did the tourist thing...stopped at the Coffee Grounds for coffee and sat on the bleachers...cause we were too lazy to walk all the way back to the car for the chairs.  Best song of the night..."Proud to be an American" with the whole audience singing along!  Gave me chills...there are more people in our country that love the US than not...we need to be louder and drown out all the other voices making noise!

Glancing around

 Reminders of Gram...pink lozenge candy in a jar sitting on the china cabinet in our dining room.
 Enjoying love and marriage...we are participating in the special class offered on Wednesday nights...and it is always nice when Ted is in town!
Tastes of summer...as we got ready to host the appetizer course for our church's progressive dinner.  Fresh salsa and guacamole with yummy chips from a new to us restaurant.

Monday, July 17, 2017

A thankful sort of weekend

 Daddy is home!!!  Velle was so funny as she cuddled with Ted.  This is a great picture of how we all feel when Ted gets home from a business trip.
 Our guys all ready for church...and they matched.  Lately...we have be reminded of this quote!
We are overwhelmed by the gifts that are coming in for the children at Casa Mia!  How fun to be the ones to deliver these items in just a few short weeks. We talked as a family last night about the wonderful opportunity the Lord has given us.  "To whom much is given, much is required."


Friday, July 14, 2017

The middle of July already!

 The kiddos are keeping busy by helping with VBS this week.  Teddy is part of the drama again...he didn't want to...but he is good at it...plus he is doing it with his buddies!

 Ashlynn is helping with the younger group and learning how to deal with uncooperative children.  Alisa is helping in the nursery age provided for the workers and enjoying it.
 Ted is in Mexico again.  I am working on various projects and visiting my sis.  The dogs finally wear themselves out after high intensity!

I've enjoyed time with my sis and bro-in-law.  We sit around with the teenagers and just laugh.  It is good to laugh!  Sometimes...you really just need to laugh!

It took me (and Alisa) about four days of cutting and sorting to get the craft for day 5 of VBS done!  It was a game with lots of little cards.  We figured out how to cut and stack so we didn't have to sort out each pieces for 80 sets...and then Velle got nosey and got in the box and made a mess.  GRRRR!
 I miss my love when he is gone.  We enjoyed our Saturday and Sunday before he left on Monday.  I love listening to him give instruction to his children...he asks a lot of questions!  His co-worker came on Sunday night for a meal and meeting.  He told Ted after the kiddos and I had left, "I like how your family runs.  It is good."  Ted asked him, "Do you know why it runs that way?"  He looked at our family rules on the wall and said, "It is that God."  What a testimony and what a challenge!
 I am finally getting things together for school.  It was safer to order off Amazon than to go to the teacher store!  Woodland theme again...can't help it...it is cute!  So many things to do and so many changes...I am excited.  Right now...I have 11 students.
 We did a big thing this year...we signed Ashlynn up for her first college credit class.  Oh. my. I am nervous for her and in denial for us!  2 years and she is out!  I can't even believe that those years are gone already...
We escaped the other night when it was just the two of us and went for ice cream.
 Ted came back from Valencia, Spain, with a new coffee cup...but it did not travel well!  Bummer!
We use our fun cups when we drink our coffee...inside and outside!
 My crop of raspberries from the deck planter.  Velle likes to eat them too!

 Our flowers look so pretty and after the rain this week...our grass looks better too!  We have pink flags in the yard right now to help Velle learn and remember where the invisible fence is.
 We moved past the training beep to the little zap after the beep if she continues past the flag...she has gotten bit about four times.  It has slowed her down and she is unsure of wanting to wander around the yard...even though we play.  Teddy and Ted got her to play ball.

 Ted tried to distract her by walking around the house.  She heard and saw...but wouldn't go too close to hear and see better.  Poor baby!  It is hard to see her get zapped, but it is for her protection!  There is more freedom than what she had on the tie out...we just have to keep showing her.  What a true life lesson for all of us!  Boundaries are for our protection!
We continue to think about and plan for our trip to Bolivia.  It is now less than a month away!  That makes my heart beat just a little bit faster...what an adventure!  So we continue to enjoy the summer schedule, kids' work schedules, school prep, work travel, and a variety of activities.  Thankful for a break in the humidity today to be able to pull some weeds and enjoy the deck!