Visit to Kurt and Heidi's

We went to Jenison today to see Kurt, Heidi, Andrew, Jon, Kirsten and Rachelle. What a wonderful time we had.....and as always, it was too short. When we got there we gave the boys some"Bob the Builder" sheets for their new bunk beds. And of course....being the "would like to see it now" Grandma that I am....I asked Kurt and Heidi if they could put the sheets on while we were there. It was a team effort...and quite entertaining too!
here are some pics from the day! We hadn't seen everyone for a little over a month.....the kids change so fast! Rachelle was walking in January...and Kirsten can walk now too! However....she prefers to get round on her knees! It is very cute to watch:)

Getting ready to put the sheets on

Kirsten......the little ladder climber

Rachelle is playing peek a boo

Kurt is on the top bunk!!!

Jonny 2 years and about 4 months

Kirsten at 14 months

Rachelle at 14 months

Andrew is such a good big brother

he turned 4 years old in January

We had such a great time visiting today! We brought some donuts for a morning snack...and Heidi fixed cold cut sandwiches on pita bread for lunch. We had a blast playing with the kids and we had lots of laughs!!!

Grandpa and Grandma with Jon, Andrew

Rachelle and Kirsten

Grandma and Jonny

Grandpa and Andrew

Grandma and Rachelle

Watching the kids pin Grandpa down

Andrew, Kirsten, and Jonny

Rolling over Grandpa...

Notice they brought him a pillow for his head:)

A Time to Celebrate

What a week it was!! Ken came down with a bad cold last week....and is just starting to feel better today. now i think Joel is coming down with the same thing. We were planning on going to Kurt and Heidi's last Friday...but changed our plans and will go down this Friday instead. With all the colds floating around we thought it would be better to go when every one's feeling good:)


Saturday afternoon our dear friends from church, Howard and Lola Scarbrough brought a wonderful dinner over for us. We were so grateful for the meal....and it was simply delicious!!!


Sunday evening Jason and Emily invited us over for pizza......"Homemade"......crust and everything! We really enjoyed our meal and time of visiting. I have included some pics from the evening!


Today....perhaps the greatest moment a person could witness....a friend of ours accepted Jesus as his Saviour. There are so many people hurting in this world we live in....and weighed down with so many problems. The good news is that no matter our circumstances and despair....we have an almighty God that loves and cares for us.....and wants to carry the burden as we face life's trials.....and in Him we become complete and filled with hope!!
I saw God work in a miraculous way today...through prayer...the ministry of some dear friend's in Christ...and a man's life has been changed forever!!! The Angel's Rejoiced!!!

Where are you? Have you given up? Do you feel you have no hope? Are you impacted so much by our world and the shape it's in that you don't know where to turn? The answer is Jesus....the Son of God....who died on the cross and carried the burden for your sins and mine....who stands at the door and knocks...and offers everlasting life....an eternity in heaven....all you have to do is say "yes" and invite him into your heart...repent..."change your mind"...and He will never leave you or forsake you!!

I know this for a fact......Praise God I made this decision along time ago...and have experienced joy and comfort in my life...unlike what the world can give...and yes....even in the midst of our valleys God is there and faithful ...He carries us through!

This, my friends , is a bold email....and maybe it's not what you want to hear....or believe...but I felt the need to share this today...and if you ever have questions...we are here to answer them the best we can....and if we can't, we will direct you to people who can! Thanks for reading:)

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Grandpa Grandma

Isaac Madeline Annabelle Seth

Jason and Emily making pizza in the kitchen
Uncle Joel and Isaac


Grandma and Seth washing up in the bathroom

Annabelle's "chocolate smile" after dessert

Madeline at 3 1/2 months

Seth sporting his chocolate smile!

Emily playing a game with Seth and Annabelle

Grandpa chatting with Annabelle

(notice the corner behind Ken)

Uncle Joel and Isaac

Isaac after "too much" dessert

Jason and Emily's pizzaria

Annie playing with my doll from the 1950's

Standing her up to whirl around

Sitting on the couch playing with the moveable arms

Two Weeks have Passed....Lots to Share!!

What a whirlwind the past two weeks have been! I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner....I just got behind:(

Ken's been remodeling Joel's bedroom: painting, carpet, rearranging furniture, etc. He also is painting the room Joel used to be in.....now to be our guest and toy room!

I had a root canal on Jan. 29th....what a lovely experience:)

But in the end....the tooth will be saved! Alright!

Sunday Feb. 1st Jason and Emily had Madeline dedicated to the Lord in a special service at our church...Rollins Christian Fellowship. It is a precious experience and very touching to see your Son and daughter-in-law commit to raise up their children in the ways of the Lord. I pray for our grandchildren....all 8 of them....every day! What a privilege!

Feb. 4th Jason traveled to Kurt and Heidi's to deliver the new bunk beds he made for nephews Andrew and Jon. Kurt and Heidi said the boys loved their new beds....and that Andrew was excited about sleeping in his "tall bed".

I went to CHS and listened to the Honors Ensemble practice for Solo and Ensemble! They did a beautiful job!! Congrats to the Ensemble, under the direction of Cori Brown for receiving a "First" division rating!

Feb. 5th Our daughter-in-law, Heidi, celebrated her 26th birthday! We are so thankful to have Heidi in our lives....she's a wonderful wife to our son Kurt, and wonderful Mom to Andrew, Jon, Kirsten and Rachelle, and a very special daughter-in-law!

We know you enjoyed your special day with Kurt and the kids....and are looking for to our visit next week! Happy Birthday Heidi....and may God continue to bless your life in many ways!

(a special surprise on Heidi's birthday was that Kirsten started to walk!!!)

Feb. 5th We went to U of M for another appointment with the scleroderma specialist. In addition to that appointment I had a CT scan of my lungs and a PFT (pulmonary function test).

Thank you for praying!!! And praise God my CT scan showed NO scleroderma in my lungs!! Our God is great....and He is the Great Physician!! we covet your prayers and the loving support you show us!! More good news.....I don't have to back to Ann Arbor for "4" months!

Feb. 5th......Dad and Mom came to stay with Joel while we were in Ann Arbor...they spent the night and went home Friday. Emily and the kids came over to see us too.....Great Grandma and Grandpa both held Madeline (now 3 months) and read books to Isaac, Seth, and Annabelle. Thanks Emily for all the "cleaning" help:)

I hope this finds everyone doing well and keeping away from colds and the flu! I'm going to make a better effort at updating the blog!!! thanks for being a special part of our lives!

Isaac and Seth in Uncle Joel's room

before the closet doors were painted and hung,

Friday with Grandma. Here's Grandpa reading

books to the boys when he got home from work.

Baby Dedication at Rollins Christian Fellowship

Jason, Emily and Madeline....Sunday, Feb. 1

and Pastor Lanning !

You can see Ken looking on from the choir loft!!Jason and Kurt putting the bunk beds

together. Jason made the bunk beds for

nephews Andrew and Jon! What a special gift!

Kurt and Heidi trying out the new bunks

with Andrew and Jon. Feb. 4th

They really like their new beds!!

Kurt and Heidi said it makes bedtime very easy!!

All made up and ready to go!