Monday, May 31, 2010

Day 151, May 31, 2010

We enjoyed family time
on this Memorial Day holiday.
We were able to have a picnic
between rainstorms--
Kara, Shonda, & Timothy
were home for the
weekend.

We also were able to
visit the graves of
family members--
remembering them, and
honoring Dad,
who was an Army vet.

Day 150, Sunday, May 30, 2010

Hey, Mahree--who was this
Aunt's Day gift really for??


Saturday, May 29, 2010

Day 149, Saturday, May 29, 2010


Mahree, Spencer, Merica,
and Sammy love to
play outdoors.

Sammy has his bottle
of Ensure with him!!
Mahree also really
likes to drink the stuff!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Day 148, Friday, May 28, 2010

Cascade Creative Kids
4H Meeting today!
We discussed the summer
meetings, and planned
some activities.

We did stations in
our craft time--
the kids could choose to
stamp leather bracelets,
make mystery bracelets,
do Perler beads,
decorate visors,
do tin punch,or
make folded paper
bracelets.

Most of the kids
did several crafts.

In this photo our
newest member,
Stephanie, Mahree,
and Meika learn
how to make a mystery
bracelet!

Our mascot keeps
a close eye on his
Mommy, while
his sister is
busy working
on making
key chains
at the table!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Day 147, Thursday, May 27, 2010


Spencer--ready for bed,
and cuddling with Sadie--
a favorite activity!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Day 146, Wednesday, May 26, 2010


Another hot and humid day!
About 7:30 PM after
thundering for a while,
the rains came!

I went out to see if
there was a rainbow.
Didn't find a rainbow,
but thought the rain on
the pond looked so pretty--
especially with the spring
flowers blooming!

If you look closely
you can see some fish--
haven't spotted any
of our frogs in this
photo!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Day 145, Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Our foster cat family came back
from the vet today.  They were
all spayed/neutered last week
Wednesday.  When Dr. Langlois
checked them out, he found
they had cocidiosis, which
is contagious.  They all
neededto be on
meds for the next 7 days.

We had the 6 girls' dance
recital on Sat, and then
Cheryl,Jody, and I were
leaving for Ann Arbor on
Sunday, and not coming
back until Monday late
afternoon.

We didn't want to
give the girls the added
responsibility of cats &
meds--on top of doing
child care, so we
asked Lowell Animal
Hospital if they could board
them until today.

They graciously said yes,
and, although I offered to
pay, said that this time
was on them!!
SO kind of them!

All 5 cats (included the
Mommy cat) came
back a bit skittish--
we'll spend time with
them and get them
warmed up again~~

Day 144, Monday, May 24, 2010



The weather today is
hot and humid--so, of
course, Mahree, 
Spencer, Merica,
and Sammy just had
to get in their bathing
suits, and play in the
sprinkler--they played
for several hours!
Merica was also
out there--just not
in this shot!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Day 143, Sunday, May 23, 2010

As we were preparing to leave
for Ann Arbor this
afternoon, Mahree tried
to show deep affection to
Spencer--he was obviously
less enthusiastic than
she was!!

Day 142, Saturday, May 22, 2010

Today was the long awaited
Hearts in Step Christian
Dance Academy's
annual recital--
aka Showcase or Outreach!

Six of my girls were in
both the 2:00 & 7:00 PM
performances--which
seemed to me to
be truly worship
services!

Merica came along
with us to the 2:00 PM show.

Jody came down for the week-end
and went to both recitals and
plans to be in Ann Arbor with
us on Sunday/Monday!

Day 141, Friday, May 21, 2010

Mahree, Spencer, & Merica
each paid $1.00 for
the privilege of wearing
their favorite team's shirt
to school today!
Spencer wore a Tiger's shirt.
Mahree & Merica wore
Michigan t-shirts!

Merica is modeling her shirt!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Day 140, Thursday, May 20, 2010





Mahree really wants a garden!
Mr. Wilde got a spot all
set for the garden,
and tonight Auntie
helped Mahree put
plastic down to keep
weeds down,
and they planted seeds
in little peat pots!

Beautiful day!

Day 139, Wednesday, May 19, 2010


A wonderful group of volunteers
came to our home,
and in the space of about 3 hours,
weeded, put down mulch,
and made our ourdoors look so amazing! 
Thank you, dear people! 
You are so appreciated!

I had to take 6 of my daughters
to a dress rehearsal for their
dance recital.

Cheryl had the rest of the bambinos
by herself for dinner
and bedtime routine.
Thanks, Cheryl!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Day 138, Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Kaitie, Bonnie, Cheryl
organizing our garage!!

Nice work, ladies!!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Day 137, Monday, May 17, 2010

Mahree got a new bunny today!

Miss Lori brought over
a ruby eyed white
Netherland Dwarf!

Mahree wants to show her at the
Youth Fair this year. 
Her other bunny, Magenta,
a Chocolate Himalayan,
 is just too old to show.

The bunny's name was Bree,
and Mahree gave her a new
first name--
Purina Bree Jones

Purina was born
last August!

Day 136, Sunday, May 16, 2010


Meika is wearing some
really cute pjs that
Miss Joyce made for her.

She's also enjoying
putting her own videos
in the little TV that
she and Cody like to watch!

Day 135, Saturday, May 15, 2010

Mahree had a birthday party at
Craig's Cruisers today.

She invited all the girls in her class,
and  4 special friends (the Places) and
her brother, Spencer.

The place was noisy, full of chaos, but the
kids seemed to really enjoy all the confusion!

Day 134, Friday, May 14, 2010


Two pictures today, as it was
an eventful day!

Merica's Kindergarten class had a musical and
"tea" this afternoon!  Very well done!



The dance season is winding down.
Hearts in Step Christian Dance Academy
will be hosting their annual recital--
really an outreach event & a Showcase---
on Saturday, May 22, 2010

This photo shows most of the God's Girls
special needs group just before they
rehearsed their number. We were
missing Louisa, and Annie's face!

Mahree's Ballet 1 class also rehearsed,
but I forgot to take any still pictures!!
The video won't download!

Kaitie's Ballet 2a also rehearsed, but
I only took videos as well!


Thursday, May 13, 2010

Day 133, Thursday, May 13, 2010


Although the day started out
rather chilly and very rainy,
by about 4:00 PM, the
skies cleared up and
it warmed up.

Of course the kids
went outside to run,
jump, slide, swing, and
make lots of noise!!

Spencer and Sammy
had a lot of fun on the swings!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Day 132, Wednesday, May 12, 2010


We had a mini reunion at
Arnie's for lunch today. 
Aunt Ag, Julie,
Uncle Jerry, Bruce,
Earl & Yoka, Marcia & Rog, 
 Cheryl and I
were able to come. 
Good to see everyone!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Day 131, Tuesday, May 11, 2010



Sammy with his "Ironman",
sunglasses and cap--
ready for whatever
the day might bring!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Day 130, Monday, May 10, 2010

My wonderful child care providers!
 --Bonnie and Mary Beth O'Connor--
Rosie is often at work,
so Bonnie & Mary Beth
hold down the fort,
when we are in Ann Arbor
for my appointments.

Benita Mohre, bless her heart,
has been transporting Merica to
kindergarten at noon whenever
we are in Ann Arbor.

Wonderful folks have
continued to bring in meals;
makes a huge difference

We are so thankful to
God for the wonderful
people He has put in
our lives!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Day 129, Sunday, May 9, 2009


My family outdid themselves to
make my Mother's Day a
very special day!

Cheryl fixed me sweet potatoes &
squash--and also some applesauce!

In this photo Cheryl is enjoying
some barbecue ribs!

They gave me so many
beautiful cards and
gifts.

I love them so much!
Not because of their giving to
me, but because they are
such special people!!



Saturday, May 8, 2010

Day 128, Saturday, May 8, 2010


What fun to play in the tub!
Sammy enjoyed squirting water--
was surprised when it squirted
him in the face!

Today is my eldest daughter's birthday!
She was my 2nd child, and is 49 today!
Happy Birthday, Vickie!

Day 127, Friday, May 7, 2010

Today was Young Author's Day at the
elementary school.

Two pictures today!
I listened to Spencer read from 9:30-10:00 AM, and
I listened to Mahree read from 2:45-3:15 PM.
So fun!




Thursday, May 6, 2010

Day 126, Thursday, May 6, 2010

My son, Donald, and my beautiful
daughter-in-love, Meredith,
have beautiful dark
purple lilacs growing in their yard.
We asked for a starter plant a couple
of years ago, and this year--
we have flowers!

These are extra special--not
only because they are so pretty,
but because I think about
DJ/Meredith-Tyler & Katelyn
everytime I see them!

We have 3 other varieties of lilacs
growing in our yard!

Day 125, Wednesday, May 5, 2010

We've had Gloria, the duck, visiting
our pond daily.  Jeremy, her "husband" came
the first day we saw her, and then
was MIA until yesterday!
He's become a regular now, too!
In order to try to save our frogs and tadpoles,
we have begun feeding the ducks
away from the pond!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Day 124, Tuesday, May 4, 2010


My cousin, Earl, his wife, Yoka, and their
"kids", Danielle and Rick,
visited this afternoon! 
What fun getting to know Earl's
family!  Nice people!

They are here from the
Netherlands for 3 weeks and a day--

Yoka's daughter, Heidi, got married
on May 1.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Day 123, Monday, May 3, 2010

Three pictures tonight!

As I was taking pictures of the 
pond in the night light, Mahree 
came out "to protect Mom."
 
Mahree was wearing a nightgown
and Crocks--looking very angelic
out by the pond! 

I loved the one with the flash that
shows her garb--it is SO Mahree!



It's also Timothy's 36th birthday--
we celebrated it last Saturday!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Day 122, Sunday, May 2, 2010

Mahree says "Peace" and "Love"
at her 10th birthday party today!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Day 121, Saturday, May 1, 2010


Bonnie participated in the
Special Olympics
Field and Tract events at
Calvin College today.

The day started out rather rainy.
Darla Van Dyke was able to
pick Bonnie up and stay with
her for the whole time.

I wasn't quite up to such a long event.,
or for caring for my children
by myself that long...
so thankful to Darla!

Bonnie got a 5th place in the
softball throw--it was raining!
She got 2nd places in
both of her walking events=--
the 100 & 200 meter events!!