A Shock on Saturday

There was an accident right in front of our drive involving two teenage boys on mopeds. Thankfully our neighbor Mandy was able to be the first at the scene...and I called 911 immediately. One boy made it to our house where I stabilized him with pressure to his cuts and a blanket. The other boy was lying in the middle of the road with a possible concussion and abrasions. Within a few minutes our front drive turned into quite the "emergency" hub. There were two ambulances, a police car, and firetruck. The boy in the road was attended by neighbors and passerbyers until the police came, and I stayed inside with the other boy and got his mom on the phone. As it turned out, everyone should be okay.....just bruised up with lacerations. Strange thing about being at the right place and the right time.......the boy in the road turned out to be a student I've taught for two years, the police deputy was a former student, the firefighters were both in choir, and the boy's uncle that picked up the mopeds was a former student. Ken and Joel pulled up just before the emergency vehicles arrived.....and were pretty surprised to see all the activity. Poor Joel turned white as a sheet when he saw the victim......but was able to settle down abut 45 minutes later. he assured the boy's dad that we would be praying for his son....and thanked everybody who assisted. Although accidents are terrible tings to happen, we were thankful it happened where we were able to help out and that the victims will get the help they need.

Later on in the evening the boys stopped out with Malachi's mom (who also was a student of mine years ago) and wanted to see the accident spot. I also found out at that time the reason the accident happened in front of our drive is because Malachi wanted to stop in and say hello! Wow....my heart sank! and I am once again praising God that they were not hurt any worse than they were. I am thankful there were no cars coming or going to complicate the accident. I told the boys that God's hedge of protection was completely surrounding them!

Friday! Family, Fun, and of course, Food

On Friday, Ken decided to make a big dinner to celebrate the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer........which will start his "grilling" season.

So this is our last "oven baked" meal. Ken fixed a turkey, green bean bake, pear lime jello, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping, gravy, and pumpkin pie. Emily made homemade rolls, pina-colada salad, and lemon bars!!!! We had a feast........and enjoyed every bite! Click on the picture above to enlarge it........and to wet your appetite!

Thank you Ken for being such a great cook/chef! If you left it up to me right now we would probably go hungry! some day I hope to back in the kitchen.

Annabelle loved the black olives! Especially when her Daddy put them on her finger before she ate them!! She was quite amused be this!

Here's Seth pointing at something while riding his tricycle.

Daddy and daughter!

Check out the link below to read about Isaac's first visit to Grandma and Grandpa's basement to explore!!

http://the30centconnection.blogspot.com/

Annie exploring/tasting with Daddy and Mommy

We bought some kites a while ago....and got them out because the wind was in our favor!!! Here is Grandpa and Isaac flying and relaxing in the front yard.

The kids had a blast seeing how high the kites would go.....in the yard, in the horse pasture, and the north field!!! In all of the excitement, I never did get a picture of the kites!!!!!!

Jason and Seth in the front yard with the kite

Even Molly got in on the kite action! She was quite interested in this

big thing flying over our pasture! The toddler in the picture is Lilly, our

neighbor's daughter. Seth and Isaac are helping Jason with the kite.

Annabelle was very interested in these little "poofy thing" from

the yard. Until she tasted one (pictured below)

Seth driving the "John Deer Gator" for the first time!

A Lunch Date With Heidi, Andrew, and Carol

I had visitors on Friday!!! Heidi, Carol(Heidi's Mom), and Andrew came to Cadillac and took me out to lunch!! We went to "Lakeside Charlie's" in Cadillac where we enjoyed and tasty lunch and some really good cookies for dessert.
It was so nice to sit, visit, and relax!!! After lunch we stopped by "Wexford Jewelers" to see Uncle Jason and check out his latest building project!
Andrew was pretty interested in the pearls....and even knew what they were, calling them by name with no help from the adults!

Thanks again Heidi, Carol, and Andrew for coming "up" to see us....and for treating me to lunch!! I had a great time! Thanks to Kurt too for watching Rachelle, Kirsten, and Jon back at home so Heidi could make the trip!

Love to you all......looking forward to future lunch dates!!!!! Love, Judy/Mom

Heidi, Andrew, me
Heidi, Andrew, Carol

Grandma, Andrew, Grandma

Happy 62nd Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!! Grandma and Grandpa!!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

Today we celebrate with you a milestone in your

marriage!!! 62 wonderful years together!

You have been tremendous role models to Linda and I as

we grew up! You provided us stability, love, and warm home,

and better yet....how to love one another by demonstrating your

faith on a daily basis.

You showed us what commitment means...in your marriage,

towards your family, to your church, and in your daily walk with the Lord.

You provided us with a great education, opportunities for

growth, and followed us to numerous ball games and concerts!

You demonstrated what it means to be a "hard worker"

and how to love our neighbors as ourselves.

You gave us opportunities to share,

give to others, and develop our strengths!

Even in the trials of life you have shown us how

to weather the storm with love and dignity....and faith in Christ.

You are wonderful grandparents to your grandkids and their

families!! Your legacy of love will carry from generaton to generation.

You showed us natural affection....and the importance of

a hug, a touch, and yes.........even a kiss!!!

Linda, Dad, Mom, and me

Sisters....and the best of friends! In our 50's now!!!

Ken and I on Mother's Day!!

In August we will celebrate 30 years of

marriage......almost half of years for Mom and Dad!!

Spring Has Sprung....My Days Are More Interesting!!

Thursday, May 8th
Zoey (our female Golden Retriever) and Cash (our male Golden) got their spring grooming today from "Dancin with Woofs". They looked so clean and trim when I picked them up.....and they jumped eagerly in my car to go home.
Zoey seemed quite proud of her "new do".

"Cash" our male however went straight to the wading pool and commenced to lay down is his "backyard spa"....thus messing up his new look! AARRRGGGGHHHH! Dogs! Well at least they didn't go out to the horse pasture and roll in something else.....

Last week I visited school briefly......this is the 2nd hour girl's "Treble Choir:. It was wonderful seeing the kids and spending time listening to them sing!! I miss teaching!

Wednesday....May 7th

Isaac got his "Cubbies" award at AWANA. He stepped to the other side of the stage long enough for Grandpa to take his picture.

Seth and other "Puggles".

Wednesday, May 7th Seth got his AWANA "Puggles" award at church. The ladder was on the stage for a skit that happened later.

Tuesday, May 6th

Seth and Isaac came over to our house on Tuesday afternoon..I took this picture just before Seth took and nap.....and Isaac and Grandma played with play dough!!! Play dough was good manipulation therapy for my hands!! When Uncle Joel got home from school we all took a 'rhino-ride"......the grand kids love the 4x4....and we rode around the back woods scouting for deer and turkeys!!

Monday, May 5th

This is the CHS Honors Ensemble. sorry the picture is so dark. They were the featured performers at the Philharmonic Club's May meeting.

They sang beautifully under the direction of my former student and great family friend, Kathy (Kitson) Wheeler. Kathy is my long term sub who started at CAPS back in October and has done a wonderful job with the choirs, and is very gracious and supportive towards me!!!

I was invited to attend the luncheon as a special guest. Little did I know that they were going to make me an "Honorary Member" of the Philharmonic Music Club in Cadillac. This club provides alot of scholarship money to area musicians.

This is our table group at the luncheon. To my right is Eileen Ball..a longtime friend of mine who was the head cook at Cadillac Junior High when I first started working there. We became lifelong friends!!! Directly behind me is Ann Hunt, my good friend and the accompanist of all the Jr. and Sr. High Choirs.......Ann is a very talented woman!!!

This is Joyce Johnson and me at the luncheon. Joyce was the Secretary at Cadillac Junior High when I was hired in at CAPS back in 1977!

Sunday, May 5th
I had a wonderful visit from Cortney Foor, a former student of mine from CHS who currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is pursuing her lifelong dream of being a country western recording artist. To hear a little sampling of Cortney's original music click this link:

http://www.myspace.com/cortneyloumu

Cortney and I have had a great teacher/student/friend relationship since her early junior years. She was a joy to teach......loves to sing!!!! I wish her the best...and hope she gets the break she's looking for!!!

My week has been a welcome change of pace....considering a normal schedule is: Monday: Mercy Rehab Tuesday: TC Light therapy Wednesday: Mercy Rehab, Thursday: TC light therapy Friday: Mercy Rehab.

That is why it is a great relief when I can do something other than "medical appointments". Thank you for your continued prayers, cards, and emails.

This week has perhaps been my best as far as physical energy. My hand/arms/feet/legs continue to be tight....but I am starting to experience some relief....little by little.....or in music terms.....poco a poco!!!

God is good......all the time!!!!

An Early Mother's Day !!!!!!

On Friday May 2nd, we all got together for a Pre-Mother's Day family time..

Ken grilled chicken, and we had lots of yummy food......plus a great time with our kids and grand kids!!!! I can't believe I've been a mom for almost 27 years....and I can't believe how time has flown by. What I can believe is that God has blessed us with the opportunity to be the parents to three wonderful young men and allowed us to help sculpt their lives into what He has nurtured them to become. We are excited for the future...and to see what is in store for them in the years to come as they grow in the Lord and enjoy the parenting journey as much as Dad and I have.

Thank you family for making my Mother's Day very special!

Me and the boys!!


Grandma and Grandpa with Kirsten and Rachelle (4 months old)



Heidi, Kurt, Jason, Emily, Annabelle

Isaac (Jason and Emily's #1) 4 1/2 years old





Andrew

(Kurt and Heidi's #1)

3 years and 3 months

Seth (Jason & Emily's #2) 2 years 9 months


Johnny (Kurt and Heidi's #2) 18 months old



Annabelle
(Jason and Emily's #3)
1 year

Kirsten
(Kurt and Heidi's #3....out first)

Rachelle

(Kurt and Heidi's #4.....out last)

Daughter-in-laws and a true blessing
Happy Mother's Day next week to
Emily and Heidi
































Uncle Kurt and Annabelle



















Uncle Joel and Isaac










Aunt Emily, Rachelle, Kirsten and Uncle Jason

Aunt Heidi and Annabelle

Uncle Kurt and Annabelle

Aunt Emily with Rachelle

Grandpa Kenny with Kirsten












When the boys were toddlers they used to sing a song at church called

"Everybody Ought to Love Mother"......

and they always performed it at Mother's day. the words are,

"Everybody ought to love Mother, Mother, Mother,

She cooks and she sews and she mends our clothes,

Everybody ought to love Mother"

Well....I cooked...but didn't sew and rarely mended their clothes,

but I knew the boys always loved their Mother!!!!