A Time to Celebrate - Part 3

Well, I hope that you do not become weary in following my busy weekend. On Saturday evening we celebrated my mother's ninety-first birthday. I only wished that I could get my video to work and you could hear us all singing "Happy Birthday" to her. What a great blessing to still have Mom with us! And God has granted her a sound mind along the way of getting old.

Ann-Marie read a beautiful poem to her grandmother. You can read it on her blog.

At the end of the party several of us asked Mom questions. Yola asked her how she was able to stay so young...reply from my mothers..."Eat lots of onions." We just all laughed. Someone asked the questions who was the most behaved of the twelve. Since we all were somewhat well behaved, Mom just smiled. Then my sister, Louise asked the question, "Who had the most fun?" And she laughing while she is asking that question. I guess it must have been her. Right Louise!

Enjoy our video celebrating the greatest lady in our lives!

A Time to Celebrate - Part 3

A Time to Fellowship - Part 2

Who doesn't like to go to Edward's Apple Orchard? It holds so many memories for me. So when our church made it an outing, I was ready to sign up. This is a beautiful picture of the white arch in 2007
This is also a photo of their beautiful home in 2007.
In January 2008, the home was hit by a tornado.
Here we have their home being remodeled.

Gary & I headed out to Popular Grove to enjoy the afternoon with other memebers of our church on Saturday, October 27. The day was warm and we enjoyed seeing so many people come out and enjoy a day at Edward's.

As always we enjoy the cider donuts and cider. While eating with other people from our church I noticed something I have never witness before. (Now when Ann-Marie was young, she would eat anything if you covered it with a slice of cheese.) Low and behold I looked at Lucy as she put a dab of yellow mustard on her potatoe chip! Then I was informed that she likes to put mustard on a wide variety of food items. Too Funny!

Gary and I took a walk around the grounds to see how Edward's was improving their property after being hit hard by a tornado in January. Great improvements! Yet there were signs that a tornado had hit them. In the video below you will notice the tress that was stripped of many branches. Then behind their home (and I don't know if they will keep it this way as a reminder of that day) is a tree with metal wrapped around it. At first glance you might think that it is just a wide piece of ribbon wrapped around the tree.

Again, just enjoy the video below.

A Time To Fellowship - Part 2

Always Time For Laughter - Part 1

Over a month ago I purchased tickets for Ann-Marie, Jackie & I to hear Kerri Pomarolli in person. It's the first time that I have attended an event for the Rockford Rescue Mission 's Annual Women of Hope Gathering - this was their 6th event. In the meantime, my friend Jackie (being an independent person that she is) was in her yard working and pulling weeds. Well, whatever she was pulling, got the better of her and she ended up falling backwards and doing damage to her ankle...REAL GOOD. Kept her house bound over a month. At first she didn't think that she would be able to attend but I told her that she needed to get out and laugh with us.

The Monday before the event, the doctor allowed her to start wearing shoes and even let her start driving. So on Friday, she was ready to join us.

The desserts at the table were way too delicious and the chocolate fountain was an added plus.

We enjoyed hearing about the changed life of Jacquelyn Beasley, a former mission resident. It's because of the mission ministries that many women are helped.

We laughted and laughted with Kerri Pomarolli and then at the end she ended on a serious note of asking people to trust Christ as their Saviour.

You may wonder why I have a black coffee pot in the slide show...all I can say is that when you give Ann-Marie the camera, who knows what pictures you'll end up with. Enjoy the slide show below.

Part 1 A Time To Laugh

Saturday On The Soccer Field

Well, as they say, "Try, Try Again." And that actually works even if it can be trying!

Last Saturday, we had a nice drive to Dixon. As always it is such a nice ride down Route 2. Going through all those small towns, like Bryon and Oregon. We were looking forward to seeing the grandkids play soccer. The day was warm but that's better than rain.

Since Brigitte and Andrew's games were at the same time, (glad they were playing on the same field) Gary & I were able to enjoy both games. There are five years between these two grandkids. It's interesting that Brigitte, the younger is much more aggressive than her brother.

If any of you have children in soccer, you will realize that sometimes they are placed on the sideline either to get rest or let other kids have a turn. It was just very fun to watch them having fun with other children their age. Plus seeing all the parents (plus us grandparents) enjoying watching their children interact with one another.

At the end of the game, both teams line up and do the high five or whatever that is called. And of course eveyone on the team recieves a healthy snack and drink.

We were going to bring the grandkids back for the afternoon to attend a fun activity, but the games got started late and time would not allow us to get back on time. Asking them where they would like to eat for lunch the response was McDonald's.

We went back to their home for a short time and then headed home. As always they are a delight to see. Enjoy the video below of them playing soccer.