Memorial Weekend

What a beautiful weekend it was!! Ken had a four day weekend....it was great! He got lots of projects done...plus we were able to share lots of outside time together and an occasional rhino-ride!

Our church service on Sunday was very special as we honored those who served our country to provide our freedom....and remembered those who have gone before us and given their lives to help keep us free. The music was patriotic and beautiful!

After church we had a barbecue at our house and just relaxed all afternoon! The sun was shining....the grass is green.....and we grazed off and on all day:) (Food.....not grass) We were joined by Jason, Emily and their kids, Mom and Dad, Mike, Sarah, and their kids, and Emily's Mom Karen.

Here are several pics from the day.....including our visit to Les and Jeanne's on Memorial day. We have a big week coming up as Kurt, Heidi, and their kids visit for a couple of days. We will all get together to attend the retirement dinner Thursday evening put on by Cadillac Area Public Schools honoring those retiring this year!

Ken and Judy

Dale and Lois
Ahhh....who is lurking in the shadow:)

Emily and Madeline
Hi Grandpa

My parents and me

Activities of the day included kite flying
Pony Rides

Happy Madeline rolling around on the floor

Annabelle really loves watermelon
Let's see....cupcake or watermelon!

Seth, Uncle Joel, and Annabelle

On Monday we went to Les and Jeanne's in the afternoon to

celebrate nephew Travis' graduation from college.

We had a wonderful time catching up with family and of course eating a yummy meal!!

Celebrating the college grad

Justin busy grilling shish-ke-bobs

Dick Nichols(Ken's brother)

(His wife Carol is in the blue shirt)

Joy (Aaron's wife) and their son Titus

Aaron and Travis

(the oldest and youngest)
Judy with nephews Justin and Trav

Justin Housler, Ken, Travis Housler

Karen Carnahan was Ken's High School band director

(she is also Les Housler's sister)

Les and Jeanne

Welcome to our farm a pony named "Babe"

Well.......here she is!! The little black and white pony named "Babe" we have leased for the summer!! She is an absolute sweetheart! Babe is 9 years old and comes from the home of Barb Zellar in McMillan, Michigan (Upper Peninsula). Barb raises and shows miniature horses and Babe is their only pony. Babe has been shown before and come home with the blue ribbons! They have owned Babe since she was three months old. we couldn't ask for a more calm and easy going disposition!

On Sunday after church Jason saddled her up (with my 10lb. synthetic saddle) and gave the kids their first pony rides! I was in my glory standing there watching the kids enjoy Babe sooooo much. Isaac stood in the stall with her for a long time just brushing her, combing her mane, and talking to her! She is very loving to the children.....and us....and will do anything for a sugar cube!!!

Kurt and Heidi will be here for my retirement dinner on May 28th for a couple of days....and I can't wait to see Andrew, Jon, Kirsten and Rachelle interact with her! We are also looking forward to meeting their new addition "Gus" a two year old beagle!!!

Well.....enjoy our many pictures.....Thanks again to Barb Zellar for entrusting this pony to us.....and especially to Ken for being so supportive !!!

Babe

Jason leading Seth around

I love the bib overalls

Jason gave Isaac a sugar cube in his pocket for after the ride, and when he dismounted Babe, Isaac almost ate the sugar cube himself....when we all said, "don't eat that Isaac, that's for the pony!". Isaac looked so surprised and a little dissapointed!

Grandma, Jason and Isaac in the driveway.

Grandpa joined the walk
Annabelle....helped by Grandpa and Daddy

Out in the front yard

Emily giving the pony a sugar cube!

Brushing the pony after a ride

Heading out to the front yard

Annabelle was so brave and really seemed to enjoy herself. The only thing that surprised her is when Babe cleared her nose....and we told Annabelle that the pony just "sneezed".

Sitting tall in the saddle

Clip clop clip clop
Thank you Elizabeth Britton for transporting her to our home...
Now that we don't have our horse trailer any more....this worked out great!!

Miles For medals and Track and Field Day

On Saturday, May 9th, Joel participated in the Area 32 Special Olympics "Miles for Medals". Even though the day was pretty cold....the attendance at the event was great and many athletes participated this year raising around $3,400 for Miles for Medals.

We were very proud of Joel and his enthusiasm for this event! Actually if you know Joel very well at all....you know he would be enthusiastic for every event he participated in!! We enjoyed watching the walk...and because it was so cold..I watched from inside Ken's truck! The cold didn't seem to bother the athletes...who kept up a very brisk pace:)

Congrats to Area 32 for a job well done....and congrats to our son Joel for great fund raising effort and his dedication to his team!

Thanks to Bill Lanphear for many of the pics from the walk , track and field day that was held last Wednesday at CHS, and basketball.

Joel with directors Cal Reynolds and Mike Maxwell

A Mother's Day Surprise!!

Today....like most Saturdays...I crawled out of bed around 8:30...meandered to the kitchen....greeted Ken who was doing his Saturday morning "sudoku"...then with my bowl of cereal....I sat down in front of the computer to check the morning emails.

Well......the first one I read was from Bob and Robyn Hamlet...and Bob said "hey Judy.... just read the article in the Cadillac News.... very cool!"....I immediately responded in my head "What article?".......So I navigated over to the Cadillac Evening news site.....and there it was.....Front Page!!! I started reading....the tears started flowing....and I quickly called out to Ken...inquiring about his role in this surprise!

http://www.cadillacnews.com/

Full story: http://www.cadillacnews.com/story_news/?story_id=847812&year=2009

After some hugs and tears...I found out that the article was written by Kayla Kiley..a former (very talented) student of mine from CHS who works for the newspaper. Kayla wrote the article with input from Ken, Jason, and Kurt. She included some family pictures that she collected from Ken and off from Facebook.

The whole thing was a total shock and really touched my heart!!

Thank you Kayla for this thoughtful expression of love honoring me as a Mom and teacher) Thank you Ken for EVERYTHING!!! Thank you Jason and Kurt for your tender words of love and encouragement....and Emily and Heidi for being amazing daughter-in-laws....even after keeping this secret from me:)

And thank you Joel !!! We were so proud of you in your "Miles for Medals"walk today!!

As we greet another Mother's Day I hope we can all reflect on the influence and love shown to us by our Mom's. Our Mom's and Mom-in-laws have had an everlasting impact on our lives. Ken's mom, Wanda Nichols, has been in Heaven now for almost 23 years....yet her sweet spirit, beauty, love, and compassion for people has lived on from generation to generation. My Mom, Lois Hopkins,born in 1925, is still a very active part of our lives and has been such a blessing to us and our family. It has been a gift and inspiration to be a daughter and daughter-in-law.

Now as I reflect on the past 28 years as a mother, and the past 7 years as a mother-in-law.....I am humbled and honored that God has given Ken and I the opportunity to raise three sons. It has been an amazing journey....one that still continues with Joel!!! I love and adore our daughter-in-laws as deeply as if they were our daughters. I am grateful that I have been able to watch 8 grand kids come into this world and I look forward to the many memories I can make with them.

So.....Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mom's out there!! And a special greeting to these very important women in my life: my Mom, my sister Linda, Daughter-in-laws Emily and Heidi, Special friends Carol Scott and Karen Roncari, Sister-in-laws Pat, Jeanne, Deb. and Carol, and sweet nieces Andrea, Emily, Shelia, Deb, and Lisa.

Ken, Joel, Judy

Officially Retired

Today, May 1st, 2009, after 32 years of teaching I am "officially" retired from Cadillac Area Public Schools. My disability retirement has been approved and in May I will receive my first 'pension" check! Woo Hoo!
It was an amazing career and I will truly miss the students and staff!

As most of you know, I would have loved to keep teaching longer....but am battling an auto immune disease called "scleroderma" which has disabled me to the point where I am unable to teach anymore.

I look forward to attending a retirement dinner hosted by CAPS for this year's retirees (I think there are "2" of us)!! Our sons, daughter-in-laws, grand kids, and my parents will be at the dinner too!

It seems so strange to see this day come....but I have alot of peace in my heart as I wait for my future to unfold....and am encouraged how God continues to use my life and testimony in various ways.